SLAMMIN
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
H
ello readers to the first and probably last issue of SLAMMIN, magazine for all the bored teenagers in the Austin, Texas area. SLAMMIN is a magazine with a blened genre of entertainment and preferences by teen-
agers.
In this magazine, you will find a sense of being a teen, and experience the lives of average teens. Check out “Blown out of Proportion” where ACL is becoming overrun by musicians not even from Austin. You can even read “A Life with the Blues” about a man who’s lived with music and expresses himself with music. You’ll see Austin teenagers in a new light by the time you finish reading the magazine. Thanks to the following people for making this magazine possible: Ms. Young, Marc English, Cesar Gonzales, Analicia Garcia, Danni Biddle, Cuong Nguyen, Frank Webster and the staff members. Thank you, the reader, for taking the time to read this magazine.
Contents Table of
3
4
5
6
8 The Face
10
12
16
18
19
20
24
27
28 LASA;
30 Life of a
Letter from the Editors
of Reality
Electronics most teenagers can’t live without
World of Silence
4 DECEMBER 09
Table of Contents
A Wii Problem
Things to enjoy in Austin
Home of the Bobcats?
Contributors Page
Blown out of Proportion
Who are you?
Foreigner
How Real Can it Get?
Sexy Vs. Fab
A Life with the Blues
Contributors Brachelle W. Excitement Editor
I’m in charge of the exciting elements in our magazine, for example, the colors and fonts. I’m in the LBJ Drill team and like to dance: anything from modern to hiphop. I was on born on August 31.
Aaron W. Designer
Aaron is the Design Editor for SLAMMIN magazine, he is also responsible for all music-related articles. Recently, he celebrated his 1,264,000th birthday and has written numerous other works such as the first 8 books of the Holy Bible, which his teacher gave him a B- on. I was on December 25.
Brittney B. Writer
I’m Brittney y’all, so come one and listen to me talk because I write stuff for our magazine. I’m loud, love to make people laugh, text, and talk. I have a lot of problems keeping focused on school work because im the type to party instead of working. I was born on May 4.
Peter H. Co-Editor I’m an innocent youth, and I like to get along with everyone. I am the Co-Editor, and correct any mistakes I find in the magazine to the best of my ability. If anybody wants to know, I was born in October 12.
OPINIONS
HOW REAL CAN IT GET? How the Real Chance of Love is by: Brittney B.
Is there a better way to find love rather than giving out cute pet nicknames, and making people of the opposite gender compete with other people for a date to prove they really love you? I don’t think so, Ahmad Givens who plays Real and Kamal Givens who plays Chance, have a right idea, no wonder their show The Real Chance of love has thousands of viewers.
W
hen you have a boyfriend/ girlfriend or get married to someone what do you start calling them? Cutie pie, Honey bun, Sweetheart, why not be creative and give nicknames like Hotwings or Spanish Fly? Is there a better way to find love without having someone interview the person for you? How do you know if that’s the right person for you unless someone makes sure you have things in common and a personality that you will love? It is a waste of your time going out on dates every night trying to get to know someone, when someone else can do it for you and you can skip all the awkward dates. How do you know
6 DECEMBER 09
Top picture: Real and Cornfed kissing. Bottom picture: Chance and Cali kissing. someone really loves you if they don’t show you and prove it? Real and Chance had the great idea of making the girls do competitions to win a date. How do you know if the girls are really there for you unless they fight for your heart? Relationships on reality TV shows always work out. New York from I Love NewYork found love with Taylor made. If you went around your school and asked your friends if their parents are together, most likely the answer would be no. The real chance of love is so real, Its so real and filled with everyday life sintua-
tions.Who couldn’t start questing for love by in-
viting people into their house? How will you get
All Celebrities need someone to Love...
if you don’t live with them? Real and Chance were very smart with this show. By bringing the girls into one house, Real and Chance got to see what the girls really look and act like, unlike normal people not on reality TV. Most people on dates are so fake with you. When you ask them out, they get all dressed up and good looking for that ideal night. Then, when you see them in their home environment… let’s just say there is a whole other side of them you didn’t want to see. Everyone say The Real Chance of Love is fake. There is nothing fake about it. Its two celebrity guys who are looking for love. Think about it. If you were a celebrity and people were always in your face, you wouldn’t have time to search for someone. So what if they had to have a second season? They just didn’t find love the first time. The show is not scripted, but sometimes rehearsed, but who doesn’t? I know I sometimes spend time in the mirror pretending the special boy I want to ask out is in front of me. They just don’t want to screw up and look stupid in front of the girls that
love them. Real Chance of Love is so real, and they are doing things that we should be doing in order to find love. So if you want to start a real relationship like Real and Chance, watch the show. Its as real as it gets. §
FOR THE LOVE OF RAY J- Talented Singer William Raymond is looking for love, but it’s hard looking for someone if you’re always on the move.
THE FLAVOR OF LOVE- William Jonathan Drayton Jr. also known as Flava Flav is one of America’s famous rappers who was ready to set aside his busy life and find love.
MEGAN WANTS A MILLONAIRE- Megan Hauserman, looking for love, but for the key into Megan’s heart you have to have a great personality and money! DECEMBER 09 7
OPINIONS
The FACE of REALITY
Tyler Perry’s Movie Compares to Life
I
By:Brachelle W.
can do bad all by myself but when someone messes my life up for me there’s no way to leave everything behind and start all over again. Tyler Perry’s new movie “I can do bad all by myself ” showed the up and downs of how some people live. Bad things can always turn the other way around if everyone put in and help. Everyone needs someone to love and care for them. I think this movie is a way to tell, show, and help some people live and grow up through life with so much hurt that someone else did to them. It always starts with your child hood and your parents. Your parents play a big role in it. Just like how the movie shows the fam- This is a picture was capture from the tyler perry movie”I can do bad all ily structure can always have by myself”. This picture shows the three kids breaking in madeas house trying to seal a few of her personal belongings and she caught them something to do with the affect on someone’s life, like the kids in the movie . They didn’t have a father figure, they had her boyfriend then she came home drinking and all that bad stuff, I a mother but wasn’t there for them, then she died, had a grand- one night from work and she seen think you should stop and think ma who took care of them but died him trying to rape her niece and he about all the bad things that hapwithout them knowing. They didn’t try to lie about it. She knew he was pened to you when you were little have anyone who wanted them, lying because when she was a little and decide if you want your chilnot even their aunt. Sadly, this girl, her own father had raped her dren to go through the same stuff stuff is true because the parents are and her mother wouldn’t believe her. you went through or worst. Like in not taking responsibility of taking So if you don’t put your kids in a the movie the girl had to steal some care of their kids and not trying different environment your kids will needles for her brother so he could to put them in a different environ- have a very strong possible chance take his insulin because without it ment that they grew up in, so things of experiencing the same things he would died but she got caught wouldn’t happen to their kids like done to them that happened to you. and they thought she was stealing So if you’re a teen parent the needles so she can get drugged what happen in the movie the kids Cont. on Page 9 aunt didn’t want them because of and your doing things like smoke,
8 DECEMBER 09
“Do you see how people are quick to judge some-
Other Movies that Relate to Everyday Life
one’s kids just because of their parent’s history.”
up on some crack like her mother. Do you see how people are quick to judge someone’s kids just because of their parent’s history. Life is life. Life is free, hopeful, unpredictable and it’s not going to be easy. “No matter what the situation is always keep your head up and keep your faith,” said Tyler Perry. Some people think Tyler Perry’s movies play Repetitive racial slurs and the same embarrassing, black stereotypes. I think he is just showing how people do think and be races in the real world because people are still races to this day forward. People also ask the question “Is it possible to show people of color without all of the drama?” yes it is possible but everyone act the way they do because of what people do to them or how they was raised. So I think the parents should do a better job of showing their children to be respectful and act in a good way. So the movie is not racist or ste reotypical, its just everyday life and everyone does it. So you should be aware of how people
judge you if you say something that you don’t think is races but others might take it in another way. §
This movie relates to life because it’s a movie based on how some marriages end up.
This movie relates to life because it shows how some children are forced to be with one of their parents that don’t treat them right.
This movie relates to life because it also shows you how some marriages don’t go right.
DECEMBER 09 9
OPINIONS
VIDEO GAME Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution
The Wii Game Console (Left) Even U.S. soldiers are using the Wii. The Wii Remote (Right)
A WII PROBLEM
E
By: Peter H.
xcercising has never been so entertaining, and with a new revolution of gaming for everyone.
Ever since the invention of the first video game in 1958, the wildest fantasies of gamers have come true. The world of gaming has now evolved to three D graphics, and virtual reality has become a step closer. World of Warcraft, Pac-Man, Sonic, Mario, and other video games have overtaken sweat induced physical
10 DECEMBER 09
activities. Games have gotten a bad reputation over the years for not being healthy for young kids as they grow up, new gamesthat require physical activity, such as DDR (Dance Dance Revolution), Guitar Hero, WiiSports and WiiFit, have become major hits. These video games have replaced physical activities and
are much more fun than a dull workout. Many people may think otherwise, as how can video games actually make you move? However, exergaming (a portmanteau of exercise, and gaming,) is what the U.S. needs, as Americans are already more obese than Europeans. According to OrganizedWisdom.
com, obesity contributes to cancer, heart problems, and diabetes. Some schools are now incorporating DDR machines into their P.E. curriculum. At least 1000 schools in 10 states of the U.S. use DDR to combat obesity and diabetes West Virginia, for example has devoted itself to
Cont. on Page 11
-putting the game in 765 public schools, while at least 180 middle schools already have it. West Virginia’s University of Medicine announced the results of their multiyear study for obesity in the US. The study had found significant health benefits for overweight children who played the game weekly, which included improved blood pressure, better fitness and endothelial function, which is the arteries’ ability to deliver oxygen to blood. Even Hawaii is planning to do the same, and put the game into their 265 public schools. Real exercise is more dangerous than exergaming (the act of exercising while playing video games) according to my sources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also known as the CDC, statistics show that over 3.8 million children, ages fourteen to eighteen suffer from sport, or sport-related injuries, and that’s only in the U.S. Most of the injuries are mild, but however some of those injuries could turn serious. Medicine Plus reveals that the most common sport
injuries are sprains, knee injuries, swollen muscles, fractures, dislocations, and straining of the tendons. However, according to PubMed.com, the injuries for the Wii only include straining of the wrists, and there have only been 39 reported accidents in a two year span. Believe it or not, video games are beneficial to children. Two researchers, Daphne Bavelier and Shawn Green, from the University of Rochester in New York have even stated that video games boost visual skills. What’s more is that the experiments done by those researchers show that a gamer can process 30% more visual information than a nongamer which means that a gamer can spot more things in his/her range of view. Video games can also be a key to socializing as well. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, it was shown that nearly two-thirds of people that play video games play together with their friends or family. This shows that video games could help others socialize as the survey also stated that
a quarter of gamers play with friends they met on the internet. A possible solution that could meet everybody’s needs could be to allow gamers 1 hour and a half of playing their games, and an hour of play outside each day. This way, gamers can still play their games, but are also staying fit. Overall, video games can be used as an alternative to the struggles of actual exercise. §
Best Video Games For Excercise 1. The Wii
The Wii offers hand to hand fun with your friends and family. With the Wii Fit, and the new Wii Sports Resorts game pack. The Wii has gotten more interesting, and will make sure you shed a some pounds, and gives you an experience of virtual fun.
Picture Courtesty of Cian Ginty
2. DDR What’s better than dancing to the flashing lights, and crazy color, plus a fast rythym to dance to. With every motion you do, you actually sweat while listening to a great song.
Copyright 2006 Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Photographer: Rachel Denny Clow
DECEMBER 09 11
Blown out of Proportion By: Aaron W
12 DECEMBER 09
OPINIONS
A
ustin is to music like cookies are to milk. Some Austinites have even claimed that the Austin-music combination has been around longer than cookies and milk. Austin has always had a strong music scene, starting with clubs like Antone’s and Stubbs downtown, which have led to many successful careers such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson and, hell, even a Jewish rapper (Matisyahu, in cas e you didn’t know). We’ve built our reputation on these artists. The music scene of Austin has even become a main reason for people to come here as tourists and even to stay. We have two annual concerts-both of which receive international attention-South By Southwest and Austin City Limits. Yet, ACL drags by another year, and I see the familiar hype and bands that I do every year and I can’t help but think: “What happened?” In 1976, PBS released a show called ACL, a show that featured Texan artists who created what is now Austin’s root music. Songs like the blues, rock n’ roll, and western swing all filled the program and has made it the longest running concert program on TV. Needless to say, we Austinites are all too proud of this program, so in 2002, we decided to make a music festival named after this legendary piece of Austin pride. The original intention of ACL was to follow the program’s idea and feature new artists from Austin and give them a shot at fame, but the ACL you see today is much more different then what its really supposed to be. Here’s my increasingly growing problem with ACL. The music festival’s biggest feature in 2002 was Asleep at the Wheel, a western swing band, headed up by local celebrity Ray Benson. This year, we have big international bands like
the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Coheed and Cambria that don’t even live in Austin or have any connection to the city for that matter. Bands such as these have no place at this music festival. Why do I complain like this? ACL was never intended for famous bands who aren’t even southern. The point of ACL was to have unknown bands get a chance to prove their stuff. Artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Johnson didn’t become famous by being ignored and swept to the side by the spotlight of another more famous artist, it was thanks to Stubbs and Antone’s that they were able to rise to the musical scene and become legends in their musical genre. ACL was intended for giving small timers who deserve fame a shot at it, but every year the big names and hot bands sweep the unknowns to the side. And while ticket sales say that people prefer ACL to have big time artists, I say that the music festivals function is the reason it was created, and ACL is drifting away from this reason pretty fast. Eric Johnson, a local artist who made it huge on the music scene becuase of Austin clubs
I think it’s nice our city can have Coldplay and the Foo Fighters at our festivals. But now I see the festival is more about the big names than the local bands. If the Yeah Yeah Yeahs really want to come to Austin, I’m sure they would attract a crowd, there are tons of people in Austin who can appreciate their talent, me included. But the Yeah Yeah Yeahs shouldn’t perform at ACL simply because they don’t belong at this music concert. SXSW is the place for bands such as these, or they can have tour that goes through Austin, its not that hard. I can only compare ACL’s current state to the state of a festival in Austin that was known as Aquafest. Aquafest was around when my dad was my age and lasted until 1998. The fest was to promote Texas highland lakes and Texas bands, it was exactly like ACL except boats and water instead of dust and porta-potties. Aquafest’s problem was that it soon dropped the local flavor and got big bands and big stages in replacement. When this happened, less and less people came to it every year and eventually the entire festival folded into bankruptcy. Sound familiar? ACL seems to get less and less local and more
commercial every year. The difference between ACL and Auquafest is that ACL doesn’t have extra events like boat races, which could make it less of a crowd pleaser, the only thing that ACL has is concerts, making it less attractive to some people. If you look at Auquafest’s final years, the executives nad producers realized that the festival was failing more and more. They decided that it was best to make it more local again to get business, but it was too late at that point. It seems ACL may suffer from a similar fate if it does not act now. Lastly, and admit this right now, the big bands only come to Austin because is a cool, hip thing to do. What will happen when the big bands decide that ACL is a part of the past, or that it’s just not worth going to for a certain reason anymore? Daytime music festivals can be a pain for musicians and audience members alike, no musician wants to necessarily be on a dusty stage in the sweltering heat at 1 in the afternoon. Lots of people, hate that. ACL is only a fledgling when it comes to music festivals and I find it impressive that bands already complain about the heat and dust, the Fratellis lead singer, Jon, is quoted “Who the f!ck has
A drawing of Stevie Ray Vaughan at work. Vaughan made his name in Austin with the help of clubs such as Antones and Stubbs to help him get attention, ACL is meant to help local artisits like these clubs helped Vaughan.
a concert at 1 o’clock?” And he has a point, ACL can’t last long if enough musicians say this. It seems that the big names will stick around as long its practical, but my point is, there are a lot more music festivals out there and how long can ACL stick around when the concert has nothing but dust and heat. Either the Big names will leave or stay and if music festivals in Austin tell us anything (Aquafest), we need more to offer or the bands will leave. But I know that the small timers and unknowns will always come because even though we’ve had new bands every year, you can always find the same small local bands every year and if the big names go, we can give more spotlight to the small
Ray Benson (left) of Asleep at the Wheel has played all 8 years of ACL fest and has waned in popularity as he has been taken over by other bands that aren’t even from Austin. Willie Nelson (top) was the first artist ever to play on the Austin City Limits show.
I love ACL and I love that Austin can pull these sorts of concerts off and I’m proud to live in this city, but if ACL wants to be alive in 5-10 years, its going to need sturdier legs to walk on than bands who come because it’s the cool thing to do, ACL was not made for that. It made for the unknowns out there who have lots of talent but no attention. It makes me sad only a few people know who Asleep at the Wheel is or Okkervil River, even when both of these bands not only have mountains of talent, but are completely local and show up to ACL every year. People will eventually lose interest in the big names and hot hits, I know some music enthusiasts that already are. It’s been a long time since we’ve produced a Stevie Ray Vaughan and that’s because we given any spotlights to these local bands. It saddens me because Austin has so much musical talent and all people can think of is the Yeah Yeah Bands ive Austin t a n l l A Yeahs comtop ing this year. bservatoryO d n a l t s o h G I know we e have bands ver - middl Okkervil Ri that are just tom as talented Wilco - bot as they are but almost completely unknown. This is the kind of attitude that it takes to produce another famous texas musician ACL is fun, and but before it moves into the same trends as previous festivals, I advise it take a step back and think about what its purpose is. It’s not just the festivals fault either, Austinites need to get more involved in what our city has to offer in music, or lose our special name as the Live Music Capitol of the World. So, when you go to ACL this year, remember what the Festival is actually about, and try to pay attention to the lesser known. §
DECEMBER 09 15
Sexy By: Bra You can buy name brand clothing that are the same at different stores with a lower prices where you can spend less. They also are good quality, so you can keep your outfitts in your wardrobe for a while. so it will be less and worth you time to spend.
The difference between sexy and fab is that sexy is showing the shape of your body, and using your feminine charms. While being fab is working an outfit even if the outfit isn’t as fancy like from Nordstrom or JC Penney
16 DECEMBER 09
$6.50 Belt
$20 Dress
Total Cost: $26.50 Which styl person
v.s fab chelle W.
VERDICT Belt: GO SEXY
You can wear this belt with different shirts and other sexy outfits. You can also wear with all your outfits for all the seasons.
Dress:GO BOTH Both dresses can be fitted and show your curves being sexy, and fab at the same time.
$13.00 Dress
Total Cost: $16.99 e fits your ality?
$3.99 Belt DECEMBER 09 17
the SLAMMIN 5
Electronics most teenagers can’t live without By: Peter H.
1.CELL-PHONES With
the new IPhone, and the Palm Pre being released in stores. People are lining up to get their cell phones. Most teenagers in this day and day cannot live without their cell phones. There’s also the application that you can download for your phone and more 3G phones are becoming more common.
3.
MP3 PLAYERS/ IPODS An 8 GB IPod
2. COMPUTERS/ LAPTOPS
The Apple Macbook Pro, the Sony VAIO series, and the HP Pavilion computers are gaining more recognition. Teenagers are using more computers each day, as prices on older models lower down. The internet is a necessity for middle school students and up, which is why people are starting to find entertainment and usefulness in the
Nano, a Walkman, and Zune music players are becoming more common. It would be strange not to have a music player in this day and age. There’s even a 64 GB IPod Touch released on the markets now. Even cell phones have MP3 players in them because everyone wants to listen to their music these days.
4. STEREO SYSTEMS 5.
TELEVISION Television headsets have always been with us ever since we were children. Cartoons, reality TV, and movies broadcast themselves everyday thanks to this life saving problem. Where we be without the television and the programs we watch daily? It seems the television headseat will always be a timeless treasure. 18 DECEMBER 09
Can you actually listen to music without a stereo system? Sure you can use your headphones, but that would take the fun out of the loud speakers, and music. This is why stationary accessories are still in because the IDock for the IPod had been released. Louder music hasa high appeal with teenagers and with up and coming rock stars.
Pictures Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
.
Top Five
THINGS YOU MUST ENJOY IN AUSTIN.
Get your shop on at the most popular Highland Mall. Great food, shops, people, hangouts, and great over atmoshphere. http://www.highlandmall.com
Highland Mall
By: Brittney B.
You don’t just want food! Austin gives you with food and enterataimnent. Take a seat at The Waterloo ice house and enjoy the mouth watering burgers and the great bands. http://www.waterlooicehouse.com
Waterloo Ice House
Located in east Austin, The MYE is filled with fun family activites such as; skating, bowling, arcade, movie thearte, and a play scape for the little ones. http://www.myec.net/index.html
Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex (MYE)
If you want to get away from your parents, where do you go? Austin has a great Teen club where you can just , dance, eat, hangout with your friends,and relax! hhttp://hoop-zone.org
HoopZone
View the history of Texas. See the many images and eye catching displays, maybe even relax in the Imax theatre. http://www.thestoryoftexas. com
Bob Bullock Museum DECEMBER 09 19
Who Are You 20 DECEMBER 09
By: Aaron W. You are at a party, how do you dance? 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)
When I’m not making out with the preps, I’m probably bouncing on my heels Jump up and down and look for cute guys!!!!!!! Hit the Frankie! B!tch!!!!!!!! What party? I would sketch everyone at the party!!! I don’t even know how I got here, man MOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would dance…. but I’m not in the mood…… I’m probably trying to learn all the songs on my trumpet
What is your favorite TV channel? 1) Discovery!!!!!!! 2) BET 3) MTV 4) ESPN 5) I would watch TV….. but Im not in the mood 6) CANT WATCH TV!!!! MUST TRUMPET UNTIL HEAD EXPLODES!!!! 7) TV is for conformists 8) Uhhhhh…. Is MASH still on man? 9) I would sketch the TV! a What do you do during lunch 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)
Chillin in the band hall Library stuff Retouch makeup SWEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would eat lunch…...but Im not in the mood Eating brownies………. Want some? They’re really good… I’ll tell you what I’m NOT doing. Conforming!!!! Art Room!!! Get myself some chicken at Churches!!!!
If you had a 100 dollar shopping spree, what would you buy 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)
New art supplies!!! Malls are for conformists… Upgrade my calculator New pair of J’s I would shop….. but im not in the mood Get my trumpet cleaned!!! Abercrombie!!!!!!!! YAY!!! I need some new weights, 150 lbs doesn’t cut it anymore… I could use some more brownies….
DECEMBER 09 21 DECEMBER 09 21
Dream Job!!!!! 1.) Rap artist 2.) Artist!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3.) Jobs are for conformists 4.) Microbiologist 5.) I would get a job….But I’m not in the mood 6.) Football player 7.) Join an orchestra!!!! 8.) Hairstylist!!! 9.) I think I might already havv e job…..maybe…… Favorite Class 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)
Lunch Art Education is for conformists Athletics Band Calculus!!!! I would learn stuff……but Im not in the mood Wait…they have classes here? The one with all of the cute guys
Car 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)
Cadillac Driving is for Conformists…. I have a skateboard I don’t drive, my mom drives me. A big car to keep my Tuba in A pickup truck for all my weights I would drive….but Im not in the mood Something I could draw all over Something cute! 1970’s Volkswagen Van
22 DECEMBER 09
prep band nerd
emo punk Art Freak
nerd Hippie Gangsta
A n s w e r s
Jock DECEMBER 09 23
FEATURES
A Life with the Blues By Aaron Weintraub
E
very student atthe Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) has heard of the infamous FrankWebster. Frank Webster teaches 8th grade English at Kealing Middle School, and may be more popular than half the teachers at LASA, which most Kealing students go to as their high school choice. He is mos likely best known for his musical story. Everyone knows Webster has a story or two up his sleeve to tell to his classes about his music experiences. I decided to sit down with Mr. Webster to find out about all his experience and the music he has spent his life studying and playing. 24 DECEMBER 09
When I was 15, I went to a James Cotton concert in Ohio.” Little did hr know that this concert would change his life forever. After seeing James Cotton, Webster decided to dedicate his life to the art and rtudy of the blues. “I picked up some BB King, some Muddy Waters and of course some James Cotton, and y’know, I started hanging out with whatever music scene I could find, and I was exposed to a lot of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin and there’s a lot of blues in what they did as well, Muddy Waters to me was no different than Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page.” But the most important step in his musical life was moving to Austin and most importantly, hanging out at the bluse club, Antones. “I would walk in the back door every night, usually 10:00 or midnight, I’d have my guitar with me, and I never had to pay for a show” he remembers Every night Webster was able to meet his heroes, everyone from Muddy Waters to Jimmy Vaughan. To Webster, it was an education to get to go Antones every night when it was, to him, it was like his dreams had come true, being able to meet the worlds greatest blues stars was easier than ever. But Frank left Antones after a period of time. “Antones isn’t a blues club anymore,” he says “Even before Clifford Antone died, he went to jail on some drug charges and some other people took over for the booking of the club, and club pretty much changed.” If there is a good show in town, Webster says he will go. These count as blues or folk concerts. Frank has met numerous celebrities over
the years at both Antones and around the United States Spending time with celebrities gave Webster a chance to learn more about them than most ever will. For example, he learned Pinetop used to play the guitar but got cut in a fight and now plays only piano. Along with meeting nad visiting with Pin top, Jimmie Vaughan, Bonnie Raitt, and of course Cilfford Antone, Webster also got to jam with Kevin Eubanks, who plays nightly with Jay Leno on the Jay Leno show. Webster has formed some bands of his own including the River City Ribbon Jays. He’s met all of his heroes. He’s played in all sorts of bands with all sorts of music. And through all of this he’s finally been able to find what he truly loves, teaching. Though it would seem that after all the cebrities he’s met and all the clibs he’s been to, Webster says there was no transition from his music life to his teaching one. It seems that the English teacher has not much to turn to. But when asked this question, I find that he has plenty of ideas up his sleeve “BB-King isn’t in great health, Pinetop is what? 94 years old, not in great health. Coco Taylor died last year. Clifford Antone has been dead. You have to grab a hold before it [the Blues] is gone” And that’s exactly what Webster is trying to do. In the past four years of his teaching career he has started a group of musically talented students who perform in a group know as the After School Special. It was only this past year that the After School Special started playing gigs in the school. DECEMBER 09 25
But while every single year the old 8th graders go on to high school and the band has to start fresh every year. Webster doesn’t mind. “While starting over would sound frustrating, but that’s also the fun in it too” he says. Most of these kids have never played in a band. Its fun to teach them the ropes, and its an experience they’ll never forget.” Webster also plans on taking out one of his old electives, Film II, and replacing it with lyrics writing. Kids will be able to write songs in every available style everything from a rock ballad to a hate rap. Webster says he plans bring in songwriters of all sorts of genrescountry, blues, and rock alike. After 20 years of education of his own, Webster is ready to keep blues alive by teaching students of his own. And as each year goes by, there are students that who their lessons and start bands of their own and become musically active people in their own respect. “The best way to learn is from examples,” Webster said “I learned that way, and I want them to learn that way too.” § Webster’s Inspirations Top: Lead Belly Middle: Muddy Waters Bottom: left: James Cotton right: Son House
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FEATURES
WORLD OF SILENCE Writen & Illustration by Brachelle .W.
F
ull volume, baby, Cesar G. remembers telling his best friend. And suddenly…
.....POW ....the sound slowly started drifting away. Cesar and millions other people became deaf in at least one ear from listening to loud music. It’s called acoustic trauma, which is when you gradual loss hearing over a period of time from the exposure to loud music. This can lead to temporary or permanent a loss of hearing. To prevent from becoming deaf you would have to listen to devices with the sound pressure of a decibel lower than 80. As they ask how he became deaf, he tells his story of how one of hid ear phones pieces blew off in English class. “It wasn’t like a boom, it was like a bomb,” Cesar remembers. When the ear piece blew off, he noticed he couldn’t hear when people tried to ask him what was that sound. Once he notice he couldn’t here he started panicking like a running rooster while asking, “What’s wrong with my ear, it’s numb.” Slowly after that, he started getting the symptoms of becoming deaf. The symptoms he had started to experience included hearing hissing noises in his ear, having to tell people to repeat their selves and having to turn up the TV to full volume. But when he started experiencing the symptoms he didn’t want to go to the doctor. He didn’t want to go to the doctor because he thought
He couldn’t hear, he started panicking like a running rooster while asking, “What’s wrong with my ear, it’s numb.” it would go away and he will be ok. “No, I don’t want to go to the doctor, my parents don’t even know this day forward, said Cesar.” Unfortunately due to this cause Cesar still has been deaf for one year and today forward. Cesar says he finds it very funny how people try to whisper something in his ear, when
he tells them for the first time that he can’t hear in his right ear. From his experience Cesar learned not to play his music too loud. Now Cesar can hear a lot more in is right ear. He said, “he could not see his self deaf for the rest of his life.”§
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Liberal Arts and Science Academy:
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Left: Brachelle W. Middle: Ananlicia G. Right: Danni B. Former Bobcats hanging out in the LBJ/LASA cafeateria.
eceiving her certificates of completion from Bedichek Middle School, Analicia G., thought, “This is it…here comes the new beginning.” Soon she would be starting high school at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA), a magnet school for high achieving students, with two of her best friends Brachelle W. and Danni B. After the two weeks of LASA “boot camp” (A camp that helped coming freshman get an idea of what LASA would be like) the friends felt mentally prepared for the 2009-10 school year. Three months in LASA and this is what they have to say “I miss Bedichek, it wasn’t hard!” Bedichek Middle School dents attending LASA are from students received basic education so they aren’t used to the amount of academically challenging work. “The work is no where near as similar as LASA work, we didn’t really get any work that we had to really put thought into,” said Brachelle. Most stu-
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Mikisa H. a former Kealing student says “”I do believe Kealing did prepare me academically, for LASA. It help develops study habits and although it did stress me out, it helped me understand the challenges that LASA may throw at me. Stopping to think, she laughs “some of the things we do here at LASA is already things we covered at Kealing.” On the other hand Bedichek only taught the basics to get the students prepared for their home Kealing, Fulmore, or any other high schools such as Crockett, well highly advanced school. Bowie, or Akins. “Assuming evStudents attending LASA from eryone is going to our home high kealing already have the ideal on school,” says Analicia with a the work expectation and how to little attitude , “we were taught manage their time. Kealing had regular work, based on our home teachers who expected them to high schools that also teachs the learn the basics and much more.
Home of the Bobcats?Written and Art By: Brittney B. basics, looking up, getting louder as she speaks” Its not fair!, Kealing does have an advantage and I never thought about how big an advantage until now!” An advantage indeed, students at Kealing were taught such subjects as geometry and algebra 2. “I think they have a big advantage because they already doing magnet work compared to just regular
Bedichek class you would noticed that everyone, and I mean everyone!, even the nerdiest kid in the classroom was sneaky enough” said Analicia looking up, strolling down memory lane, Witch is a big chance from a day at LASA! I walk in the cafeteria, finish the homework I didn’t finish last night!, and unlike Bedichek the teachers do care if I’m on time so I get to class on time ever yday! We nonstop work the whole p e r i o d witch I’m not used middle schoolers,” said Brachelle. to and after school when I get Students at Bedichek were not home I pull out homework! And even taught algebra one until you don’t even want to get me 8th grade year, and it was only started on weekends! I forgot specific people were chosen to at- what the term social life meant!” tend the class. “I was one of the “Ah... A day at Kealing!” Mikisa students who took algebra un- says it’s basically the same thing. like my besties, but even though It’s a little different just because I was considered academically you know its high school, but high in middle school, I came the basic idea is very similar.” to LASA and felt just horrible A regular day of middle school compared to the kealing kids,” for Bedichek Students is havAnalicia explained. A basic ing fun and worksheets. A day at Bedichek was hanging in regular day of school for Kethe cafeteria until the bell rang; aling magnet program stuwalk really slow so we were late dents is pretty much the same! to our classes, because most of Great to say the students our teachers wouldn’t count it or from Bedichek; Brachelle W., Dancare. We would hang in the halls ni B, and Analicia G, are making until our security guards came. it trough LASA with the educaPretty much our day was work- tion they received and are adaptsheets, reviews,talking to friends, ing greatly to the new challenges and if you were sneaky enough that are being thrown at them. § text!, and if you walked into a
“Its not fair!, Kealing does have an advantage and I never thought about how big an advantage until now!”
Rankings from parents in Austin, Texas. Kealing- 6 out 10 Bedichek- 3 out of 10 Fulmore- 3out of 10 Ann Richards- 10 out 10 Mendez- 1 out of 10 Burnett- 1 out of 10 Pearce- 1 out of 10 Covington- 4 out of 10 Webb- 2 out 10 Small- 8 out of 10 Murchison- 8 out of 10 Lamar- 4 out 10 Martin- 2 out 10 Dobie- 3 out of 10 Bailey- 9 out of 10 Garcia- 2 out of 10 Sources: www. greatschools.net
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Picture Courtesy of Cuong Nguyen
A calm and collected person, Cuong Nguyen studies hard to get his master’s degree. LIFE OF A FOREIGNER Cuong Nguyen felt like most of his fellow students: terrified and exhilarated. The only difference was that he was approximately 10,000 miles away from his home country. There is nobody there for him, and now has to look after himself. Today, Cuong Nguyen attends the University of Texas at Arlington, and is still an upholding student. He’s waiting for another two years or so until he can graduate with his master degree. “In the US, adapting to the new lifestyle and new culture, and financial system…. are my difficul-
ties,” Nguyen said. Now he is required to speak a different language, and new things he had to adapt to although Vietnamese, and Vietnamese culture were what he understood best. Each day, numerous people depart from countries such as Mexico, China, Germany, and etc arrive in the U.S. Many people from different backgrounds are going to the U.S. for ethical reasons like freedom, and civil rights. Some come for study and some come for a chance of new life. And some people like Cuong come for both.
Nguyen’s motivation for coming to the U.S. was finding a better education, and chances for an occupation. “It means new life and new opportunities to study and freedom,” Nguyen said. And that is what Cuong believes and why he came to the U.S. According to the Department of Homeland Security statistics, the approximate number of permanent immigrants coming from Vietnam arriving in the U.S. is 31, 500 each year. That is only a part of the amount of permanent immigrants arriving to the
By: Peter H. U.S. Who left their home countries in hopes of finding peace, and a better place to live. Cuong saw the departure in a positive light, as he can explore more of the benefits America could offer up to him. “I felt so excited because of new people, new culture, in the U.S,” Nguyen explained. But Cuong felt excitement not only because the U.S. contains a very diverse population, but for cultures to intertwine, and connect. In America, there are different people who came here for the same reasons or because their
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ancestors came because of their ideals. For example, look at the Chinese faction in the U.S. there are now Chinatowns because of them. Or the Mexican group, which are the closest to the U.S. and brought over their cuisine, and traditions. Like most immigrants Cuong Nguyen had trouble with the English language. However he tried his best during the years he spent in Vietnam. Cuong Nguyen actually did have help, and bought materials such as an English grammar self-help book and an English to Vietnamese dictionary. “Yes, I did have some trouble, and I did was broken English, and the pronunciation was different than what I have learned, “ Cuong said. Cuong still has some
trouble with pronunciations, but he is certainly improving, and doing better with the English language. Cuong learned only this certain amount of English yet makes commended scored on his college exams. Perhaps the reason why he did so well in school and in tests was probably due to prior experience for example, by working first hand with other Asian Americans in the in the field of economy, and business.
“I joined an organization called “Asian Chamber of Commerce” There were so many people like me “Cuong said.
According to the Asian Chamber of Commerce, “The Chamber has the … purpose of promoting trade between Houston and Asia and to foster economic development … Houston area Asian-American communities.” In other words the organization “Asian Chamber of Commerce” supports the needs of students from Asia, and helps them adapt to the U.S. Nguyen joined this prestigious organization when he was starting out in the U.S. Meeting the members of this organization helped him about business, and economic strategies. He had also first-hand experience on how the economic system of the U.S. went. Even now Nguyen is progressively moving on to a new life. Although it’s been four years since he’s been in the U.S, it’s been four years packed with hard work, and struggle. Even Cuong himself said
WORLD TRAVELER
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Sight-seeing with friends in London, England.
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that living in the U.S. was harder than what he expected. He still met with his obstacles head on, and tried his best. “In the US, adapting to the new lifestyle and new culture, and financial system, “Cuong explained. Cuongs’ difficulties in the U.S. are practically the same as any other person coming to the U.S. for the first time. Adapting to change is hard, but Cuong dealt with them, and what’s different about him is that he did not give up, and persevere. Cuong Nguyen also has moments of up’s and down’s but he
has something to look forward to. Nguyen has been in the U.S. for some time, and attending school in the U.S. as well. After years of studying in Vietnam, Cuong felt like he was ready for something more challenging. So he went to the land full of opportunities, and submerged himself in more rigorous curriculum than in Vietnam. “If someone can do it, you can do it too; mabe it takes longer, but set your goal and try to achieve it. That’s what I have been doing,” Cuong said. §
Cuong goes......
Leaning on a rail, Cuong views over Niagara Falls.
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Even in Jamaica, Cuong manages to make new friends.
Pictures Courtesy of Cuong Nguyen
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