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Vol. 26, No. 1

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http://magnettribune.org A state- and nationally recognized student newspaper

Dec. 20, 2018

Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts, 2102 East Lyon St., Laredo, Texas 78043

New York City media festival Animation on family problems drawn by hand

Alfonso Gutierrez Jr. Staff Writer Senior Vicktoria Eller Castillo thought her trip to New York City was an amazing and great experience.

“The festival was a wonderful and awesome experience, and it was fun to go on this trip,” Castillo said.

She created an animated video that was featured in the All American High School Film Festival 2018, in Times Square, New York City. With Castillo was fellow senior Teresa Gutierrez and Digital Media Instructor Jamin Teran.

“The film was about a boy and his parents that argued all the time and he would get sad, so he would use his imagination as a form of coping with the situation,” Castillo said.

“The high point of my video was probably when the world of the kid changes into this world of adventure, and he can see dinosaurs. Every time he blinks there is something new for him to observe. You can see the wonder and happiness in his eyes,” Castillo said.

The video was animated; she drew it by hand and ended up with 936 pages of drawings that lasts 1 minute, 18 seconds. She based the idea on her younger days when her parents would argue a lot.

She said she was surprised and excited that her film was chosen.

She said her family and friends were proud, happy and excited because her film made it to the festival.

“I thought that when compared to other peoples’ work it wouldn’t hold up,” Castillo said.

She explained one of the challenges she faced in completing her animation.

“A challenge was mostly time because it was frame by frame, and I stayed up very late at night just working on it,” Castillo said.

She overcame this challenge by going with her brother while he was studying for a TAMIU final exam. She said she worked about two to three nights to finish her work. Castillo said her brother, who also stayed up all night, helped her by motivating her to fink-

Eating disorder progress shown on video

Emily Garza Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Jamin Teran Seniors Vicktoria Eller Castillo, left, Teresa Gutierrez, right, and digital media instructor Jamin Teran take a selfie in New York City at the All-American High School Film Festival. ish and to not give up.

“The All American High School Film Festival 2018 was very professional, almost like the red carpet, and very impressive. I saw a lot of good films,” Castillo said.

She said she could feel her heart beating, and also felt stress and excitement because her film was going to be shown to people from around the world who were at the festival.

“I could see flaws in my work, and I felt very inspired by everybody’s skills and artistry,” Castillo said.

She said the audience liked the film. Castillo remembers one member of the audience that was excited to see her animation because he wanted to compare it to some of the live action films.

She said some benefits that will help her in the future are shot composition and ideas from live action films she could incorporate for the future.

“After all, the All American High School Festival 2018 was an amazing and fun experience to go on this trip and get to see other films,” Castillo said.

“I was extremely surprised! It’s a national contest, so I submitted and didn’t think much of it afterward until I got an email, definitely shocked and grateful,” Teresa Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez really didn’t expect the result she got from her media piece.

The piece she submitted was a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about an eating disorder developing over time.

The eating disorder was about “starting off eating as what we could say is fairly normal but later progressed to smaller portions of food with an emphasis on calorie counting,” Gutierrez explained.

Gutierrez, a senior, got the opportunity along with fellow senior and classmate Victoria Eller Castillo to see their work at the All American High School Film Festival in New York City, from Oct. 5-7, accompanied by their instructor, Digital Media Instructor Jamin Teran.

“Seeing my own work on a big screen was just

absolutely surreal,” Gutierrez said.

Not only did Gutierrez get to see her media piece but she got to see different cultures. The film festival shows media pieces of different categories for animations, PSAs, and photography, among others.

“Our experience at the All American High School Film Festival was incredible. From meeting with other students and professionals from different cities, states, even countries to languages, such diverse works in multiple categories and languages as well,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez explained what they were able to do during the trip.

“We were able to elaborate on techniques and approaches in creating our future projects,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said she learned a lot from this trip to put into her works in the making.

“We definitely came back with great tips and ideas to help better projects and our own mechanics when it comes to video production. We were even able to explore See VIDEO page 11A

‘Cruz,’ ‘O’Rourke,’ rock their debate

Erik Garcia Staff Writer

LISD seniors learned the importance of voting and how the voting process is like in the real world at a Nov. 1 event at V.M.T. V.M.T’s AP government instructor Sean Gaynor explained the purpose of Rock the Vote.

“The Rock the Vote event was a group effort where multiple teachers, office staff, and paired professionals helped put this event together in different ways. Mrs. (Angelita) Rubio and Mrs. (Aemie) Martinez helped set up the ballet for the online voting process, Dr. (Martha) Villarreal helped ring in the guest speaker, and I mainly helped out with the student moderators and with the two students debating as Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke,” Gaynor, who organized the event, said afterward.

MT photos by Analiz Robledo Left: Senior Mark Rodriguez (Beto O’Rourke) makes a point during the Rock the Vote mock debate. Right: Senior Angie Bravo (Ted Cruz) speaks at Rock the Vote in the auditorium. lives that 341st District Court explained VMT director Dr. Martha E. Online were sac- to seniors her reason to attend Villarreal spoke to the seniors See more photos and election rificed in despite being busy with court in the auditorium about the results at: the past responsibilities. purpose of the “Rock the Vote” magnettribune.org/?p=17970 “I was excited in participatfor our event to explain how everyn a t i o n , ing in Rock the Vote because thing is going to go down and so we can I wanted to encourage and what she expects from this presentation. have what inspire the students to exerand debated. It is something She later explained her that I believe should be done we have today so we can con- cise their right to vote and to thoughts about the event. at every high school because tinue to prosper as our coun- emphasize the importance of “We had our 10th annual students need to understand try grows,” Villarreal said af- voting,” Palomo said, who said she would vote for O’Rourke.

Rock the Vote event which was the importance of voting. terward.

At the event, guest speakThe event featured two se very successful and I was proud It’s not just about voting, it’s of the students that came out about paying back the many er Judge Beckie Palomo of the See VOTE page 11A

School receives Texas Medal of Arts For more photos go to The Magnet Tribune online at magnettribune.org/?p=18212

MT photos by Mark Webber The Texas Cultural Trust has chosen VMT for a 2019 Texas Medal of Arts. The award will be presented in Austin on Feb. 26-27, 2019. Left picture: Shown in the VMT auditorium are members of the Vidal M. Treviño family, Texas Cultural Trust, school board members, and VMT administrator. Right photo: Heidi Marquez Smith, executive director of the Texas Cultural Trust, speaks at VMT’s recognition ceremony.

Page designed by Mauro Flores

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School News

The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018

MT photo by Jocelyn Figueroa Julie Martinez is one of two students being filmed by New York City filmmakers. She is practicing during fifth block.

MT photo by Lesdy Hernandez Kayla Gonzalez is one of two students being filmed by New York City filmmakers. She is shown working during fifth block.

School, home life is part of production

Lots of close-ups are part of video

Jocelyn Figueroa Staff Writer Julie Martinez, a junior flute player, is one of two VMT students being featured in a documentary by New York City filmmakers Jillian Schlesinger and Miguel Drake-McLaughlin.

Martinez was randomly chosen to be in the film. They asked her if she can be recorded frequently.

“My friends, Saul, Kayla, and I were just going to lunch in my sophomore year, last year at VMT, and that’s when they suddenly asked if they can record us, that it was for a project over there in New York and we said yes,” Martinez said.

Schlesinger and McLaughlin also went to Martin High, her home school, after filming her at VMT. “They also came to my home school, and were also filming me in band class and in marching practice, and in physics class,” Martinez stated.

She added they were also filming her at church which caused a big reaction among other churchgoers.

“What really stands out was the people around me, they were freaking out about it. For example, they also went to record me at my church, and the little kids were asking me if I was famous,” Martinez said.

Martinez felt special for being one of the two main characters of the film.

“Honestly, I felt honored for being one of the members. I’m not a very interesting person, and I’m a very shy person,” Martinez explained.

Martinez said her best experience

during taping was when Martinez and her friends were at her house.

“The most memorable moment was when I was at my house with my friends Kayla and her boyfriend, Julio, and they were helping me dye my hair.

Well, Julio was helping out in a way but was mostly messing it up. Then after that, we put on face masks and started doing random push-ups, but it was pretty much just hanging out with Kayla and Julio,” Martinez said.

Martinez’s parents and her friends’ reactions were one of confusion of her being filmed.

“My dad was asking a bunch of questions, and was just confused, asking what’s going on,” Martinez said.

Martinez got to know the filmmakers as people after hanging out a bit after and before they started filming.

“Before and after filming, we would talk for a bit getting to know them better. They brought us Whataburger one day, and we were just there hanging out (at home), and saying how the food is great and that they don’t have that back there at New York. I even got to meet their baby. He’s so adorable,” Martinez said.

“They’re very nice. They’re like angels. I guess you can say that because they’re super nice and at first I was so self-conscious and shy and as soon I got to know them better that’s when everything went cool and smooth,” Martinez said.

“Well, I know that they’re going to come back later, but I’m not very sure if they’re going to continue my senior year,” Martinez said.

Lesdy Hernandez Staff Writer

Gonzalez added that the whole experience was very “awkward.”

“They would take close-ups on evKayla Gonzalez, a VMT student, was erything we would do like when we chosen to be part of Miguel Drake-Mc- were eating or doing our work. It was Laughlin and Jillian Schlesinger, NYC very awkward,” Gonzalez said. directors, new project.

The students were able to get to “We were looking for a place to sit in know McLaughlin and Schlesinger in the cafeteria when they the middle of filming. walked up to us and “They are very nice “...but really I asked if they could film people and whenever us for the whole day,” would tell them that we weren’t filming we Gonzalez said. would just sit and talk they wanted to Gonzales, whose and get to each other. fine arts area is jourrecord the life of a We even got to meet nalism/online media, their baby,” Gonzalez teenager in and Julie Martinez, in said. flute, were filmed going Gonzalez recalled Laredo.” to their classes located one particular mo-- Kayla Gonzalez at their home school, ment they shared with Martin High, and at the directors.

VMT. “After a long day of “They told Julie and I that they were filming Miguel and Jillian actually took only going to film us for the day, but us out to eat, and we were able to take then they ended up following us around a break, talk and laugh. It was a very daily,” Gonzalez said. nice of them,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez would have to explain to The documentary is not only about her friends and peers every time some- their lives during school, but it is also one asked why she was being filmed, so about their lives out of the classroom. she would explain it the best possible “They filmed us going to Julie’s way. house and she wanted me to dye her ‘’I would tell them that it was be- hair and we made a huge mess. We cause I was famous, but really I would ended up putting on face masks of diftell them that they wanted to record ferent colors and my boyfriend came the life of a teenager in Laredo,” Gon- over, but he really wasn’t helping out zalez explained. he was just making a mess. Jillian and Gonzalez’s family didn’t have much Miguel were laughing along with us the to say about it. whole time, and it was really fun,” Gon“They just asked what it was about. zalez explained.

They really didn’t care or mind,” GonFilming is set to resume at a later zalez said. date, she said.

Documentary features two juniors Irene Alegria Staff Writer VMT held its 5th annual Laredo Media and Film Festival on February 22 and 23, 2018.

In attendance as speakers were Jillian Schlesinger and Miguel Drake-McLaughlin, two New York-based filmmakers who spoke of a new project they hoped on starting which would focus on the lives of people in Laredo.

“We hope that the film will tell a story of growing up in Laredo from the point of view of the students we’ve met here,” Schlesinger stated.

When asked about their first expectations when coming to Laredo Schlesinger told The Magnet Tribune, “At least for me, I don’t think I came with any expectations except for that we knew about VMT. VMT was our entry to Laredo so we knew that there were a lot of really talented, creative students here and then that expectation was really met and like exceeded by how amazing all of the classes and students here were.”

“We really wanted to find students who were not just subjects of our film but who were collaborators in making it and so finding a high school that focuses on the arts seemed like a really ideal partner for the project and on top of that when we reached Arts Schools Network

MT photo by Irene Alegria New York filmmaker Miguel Drake-McLaughlin shoots video in Gerardo Flores’s AP English class. At left is former VMT student Johnathan Moncada, who is recording audio. out to teachers and administra“The structure and style of the projtion at VMT we got really enthusiastic ect are new for us. The idea of creating responses so we had a feeling that it a film that has both documentary and would be a really positive relationship,” fiction elements I think sort of pushes Schlesinger added. boundaries of things we’ve done before, VMT students involved are Kayla and is also just in some way is an unGonzales, a junior in print journalism/ charted space in general.“I think that online media, and Julie Martinez, a ju- we hope the film will reach really wide nior flute player. audiences, that it will be interesting to

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people who knew something about Laredo before and also people who have never heard of Laredo. We hope that some of the stories will feel really specific to Laredo and some will feel very universal that everyone can connect to,” Schlesinger said.

“One of the reasons we wanted to find young people to work with both as actors and storytellers is that everyone all around the world everywhere has the experience of being a teenager.

And so, we felt that by connecting with young people here and talking about some of the universal experiences of growing up that it would be a story that anyone could watch and understand and relate to,” McLaughlin added.

When asked when the film would be released or when the completion of the filming would happen Schlesinger stated, “We hope to finish filming this year.”

“This school year, the 2018-2019 school year will be the main time that we will be focusing on filming,” McLaughlin added.

“We have been so impressed with the community of VMT, the talent of the students here and the care that the teachers and the administration have put into everything,” McLaughlin said.

“We really love Laredo, and we love the students that we’ve met here.”

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School News 3A Holiday decorations adorn library

The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018

Addy Melgar Staff Writer

Teachers and staff like to stay festive through all the holidays. Many decorate their rooms or office depending on the holiday but the person who really stands out of the crowd is Library Aide George Gloria.

He said he has always loved to decorate. He started when he was in high school.

“I used to take art at my high school. That’s where I got the love of decorating,” Gloria said. “I graduated from Martin High School and I’m part of the class of ’63 (1963).”

Gloria has worked at VMT for 5 years now.

“I love my job in the library because I enjoy reading, and I travel through the world with book reading.” Gloria said. “I think it’s important that we should all read.”

Gloria said he really enjoys working at VMT because he enjoys the surroundings and the students that attend the school as well as his coworkers.

“The most enjoyable thing of working in VMT is the beautiful students and the teachers that make me feel so welcomed and are always nice to me,” Gloria said. “Everybody is always so nice.”

Gloria said he enjoys all holidays equally and celebrates all holidays with a smile on his face and a good attitude towards them.

“I love all holidays, but my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. As you can see, I love the fall and the dry leaves,” Gloria said while showing off his decorations in the library. “I wish I were in Georgia so I could see all those beautiful red and orange leaves.”

“I love the food, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie, the turkey and the veggies. I love the veggies,” Gloria added.

Gloria also enjoys the other holidays. In the summertime, he enjoys doing productive things and spending time with his family.

“I do my things slowly and gradually. I also enjoy doing my exercises in the sun and I don’t have to rush here, there and over there. I get to enjoy my summer,” Gloria said.

He usually decorates every year and every holiday. When visitors walk into Vidal M. Trevino’s library they always see decorations.

“I believe in the joy of cel-

MT photos by Addy Melgar LEFT: This stuffed crow toy is part of the library’s holiday decorations.

ABOVE: Library Aide George Gloria shows off some of his Thankgiving decorations, in the library.

ONLINE See more photos at: https://magnettribune.org/?p=18233 ebration. I believe in bringing to life Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine’s (Day). When you share with your friends some candy and share some beautiful Valentine’s (Day) cards. Even at Christmas, you exchange beautiful Christmas cards,” Gloria said.

Gloria not only decorates his working space but he also decorates his home during the holidays.

“I like to decorate my house, especially around the TV set.

When people come into my living room and they see the decorations, they say, ‘Wow pretty, you really are seasonal,’ and I tell them, ‘I love to be seasonal and I love to decorate,’” Gloria said.

He encourages other coworkers to decorate but due to the fact that teachers don’t decorate because of safety and fire code reasons he often decorates the library for everyone to enjoy.

“I love people to get into the spirit of the season and just get

involved because Thanksgiving is almost here and Christmas is just around the corner.

I love just thanking God for all the goodness, all the family, friends, good wishes, and health,” Gloria said.

He believes the purpose of decorating is to get people to get involved in seasonal things and to get ready to celebrate whatever season people are celebrating.

“When they complement my decorations I feel so happy to see that they appreciate my hard work and that they like what I do,” Gloria said. “I love the joy of decorating.”

“The joy to be around people and celebrate and enjoy my artwork is what it’s worth the time I spend decorating,” Gloria said.

Gloria considers himself a man dedicated to his job because every year he works hard to make the library look cheerful and joyful.

“I would like to have a bigger library with more books for students to read, so the

students can have a variety of books to read,” Gloria said.

Three Journalism students gave their opinion about Gloria’s decorations.

Olivia Treviño, a freshman, said that in the little time that she has been at school she has noticed that Gloria is a caring person.

“He mostly does the decorations for the students and staff to see,” Trevino added.

“Most teachers don’t even try to decorate but he does it with a thought in mind as for the holidays.”

Treviño said she enjoys most of Gloria’s decorations and added saying that he is very creative and imaginative.

“All his little decorations, once they are all together, make it a whole beautiful thing,” Treviño said.

She has not been at VMT long enough to see all of Gloria’s decorations, but she said that she would like to see his Christmas decorations.

“At Christmas, you have more decorations and more

colors, and I think he is going to do a great job,” Treviño said. “It feels good to see that it’s decorated because some libraries don’t decorate but Mr. Gloria actually puts in the effort to make it look nice.”

Katherine Dovalina, another freshman, also likes Gloria’s decorations.

“It gives me a good vibe.

There’s that welcoming feeling for each of the seasons,” Dovalina said. “He goes all out, and makes the library look nice.” .

She said that one word that would describe the decorations would be “amazing.”

“Amazing, because every little thing he does stands out in the library,” Dovalina said.

She also enjoys other holiday decorations like Valentine’s Day. “Valentines is all about love, and he loves the students here at VMT,” Dovalina said.

“You can tell that he loves the students because every time you walk in the library he greets you and talks to you See LIBRARY, page 5A

VMT hits the note for new teacher

Odalys Verastegui Staff Writer

Music was his way of standing out from his brothers and sisters.

New music teacher Ricardo Garza said he wanted to be his own achiever and be unique in his own way.

“My family wasn’t really music supportive. One of my sisters was a vice principal at Nixon, another sister was the captain of Tigerettes at Martin, and my brother was a football star. I wanted to do something big like they did, so music was my answer,” he said.

He explained how his music passion started.

“I was approximately 13 years old when I had started playing the drums. In my freshman year of college, I studied engineering tech. I went to TAMIU and University of Texas at Houston. They had asked me if I wanted to double major, so I chose music.

I started teaching at age 23.

I’ve been teaching for 3 years now,” he added.

He explained how steel drums will still be a part of the drums-percussion program.

Arts Schools Network

MT photo by Kayla Gonzalez New music instructor Ricardo Garza discusses an instrument during a recent sixth block lesson in his classroom.

“I know that this class used to be called steel drums. I would say that steel drums are popular within the communiApple News

ty. I believe steel drums still have a place in the class. It still will be a part of my class,” he added.

Twitter: @Magnet_Tribune Page designed by Addy Melgar

Garza explained what he was doing and what clubs he was in before joining VMT. “I was a head orchestra diFacebook: MagnetTribune

rector, percussion director and I was also a part of the choir.

I was also a part of the Martin band. I learned how to play the basics of piano, organ, and know the theory around the guitar,” he said.

Garza replaced former music instructor Carlos Torres, who had been with VMT since it opened in 1993, who retired.

He shared his thoughts on drums.

“Drums was a good escape from my stress and problems, that’s why I loved playing them. Drums can calm you down. They can bring peace.

Always make sure to have fun with the instrument. I believe everyone has a voice in the instrument. The instrument speaks for you,” he said.

He added about how he feels about being a part of VMT. “I love the environment. Everyone is very supportive of each other like a family; the support is always there,” he added. “For example, when shows go on everyone puts a little part into making it perfect. Everyone is very respectful, and I’d say VMT is a fun place for people to express themselves.” http://magnettribune.org

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Features Woman aims and reaches her goal

The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018

Briana Sepulveda Staff Writer

Nixon High School and was ranked eleventh in her class.

“This was a big surprise for he knew she could do it, me because I worked, but my so she did. parents always pushed me to do more and I aspired to be “Being in a low-income fam- like them and rise above their ily, you would always see your expectations,” she said. parents sacrifice and work Pushing through and very hard to make sure you achieving the small successes had everything that you need- growing up didn’t always come ed,” Brenda A. Sepulveda said. easily to her.

Throughout her childhood The mentality she estabhaving two parents who sac- lished for herself was one of rificed everything for her; she the main purposes of obtainwas inspired. ing success.

She grew “The way I up in the then see it with my “The way I see it small town of and my mentality is mentality is Laredo, Texwhere there’s where there’s a will, a will, there’s as, in a family of six with a way. Everythere’s a way. three older thing’s possiEverything’s sisters as her ble if you just examples. set your mind possible if you just Both of her to it; anyset your mind to parents emthing can be it; anything can igrated from done.

There Mexico and are no limits. be done. There are consta nt ly The only limno limits. The only yearned to its that there provide for limits that there are are in life are their four those that you in life are those that set for yourdaughters in the United you set for yourself.” self,” she said.

States.

Sepu lveda Sepulveda was inspired to attended school at Laredo Colnot only provide for her family lege, Texas A&M International but to work hard, she said.

University, and Grand Canyon At the age of 16 years old, University. she began working at Walmart.

At first, she aspired to be“When I was of age, I start- come an accountant, due to ed working so that I could pro- her passion of math, she said. vide assistance to my houseOnce in college, she said hold and I could buy my own she realized that she loved things. Which meant that my working with people and beparents did not have to worry coming an accountant would about purchasing things for entail more of a closed setting me,” she said. with very few or no hands-on Before and throughout all of objectives. the working, she went through Therefore, she decided to many different schools as she make a major change in her was growing up. career and go into education Going from private to pub- instead, she said. lic schools was a big change, “What made me change cabut she continuously pushed reers and go into teaching was through and strove to do the the passion that I had growing best she could, she said. up helping my mother when She graduated from J.W.. she was a teacher. Seeing that

S

MT photo by Briana Sepulveda Brenda Sepulveda as a child lived a modest existence but since has become a high ranking district official as the Director of Instructional Technology. my mother and sisters were teachers, I really held on to this passion. I love what I did with accounting, but I wasn’t passionate enough about it,” she said.

Already being married and with her first child, she decided to challenge herself and her career.

She then took certain tests and decided that if she passed all of her exams the first time around, then it was meant to be.

It took her not even a year to obtain her teacher certification, and to her, it was certainly meant to be, she said.

it pretty much entailed that they needed an individual that was going to be helping Early Childhood teachers to make a bigger impact in their classrooms. So I said, ‘This is my opportunity to help teachers improve,’” she said.

Sepulveda loved her job in the classroom, but yearned to do more, she said.

She was very inspired to make a bigger impact in the lives of others and decided to make a leap.

“Making a difference in people’s lives that’s always been my inspiration,” she said.

From mentor in 2 ½ years to dean in 7 years, she was constantly determined to impact the lives of many, she said.

Day by day she strove to be the best and did everything possible to achieve that goal, she said.

“I could not accept mediocrity as something that I do on a daily basis. Unfortunately though, nowadays the minimum is acceptable for some

Becoming a teacher Sepulveda became a firstgrade teacher at Ligarde Elementary and began her education career.

She taught for 6 years and one day discovered an opening in the district.

“I didn’t want to leave the classroom. Although, the job description that they had,

people, but not for me,” she said.

One of her dreams was to work in the central office to be able to impact the district as a whole and so she did.

She obtained her master’s degree and worked hard for her dream.

In aspiring to be a technology trainer, after having worked almost 7 years as an Early Childhood Dean, she applied for another position.

Sepulveda applied to an even higher and impactful position and was soon to be known as the Director of Instructional Technology.

Instructional Technology is a part of education, and the main purpose of the instructional designers is to produce and institute effective learning engagements.

In being hardworking, dedicated, and determined, she finally reached her goal and is currently in that position.

“I feel like all my hard work has paid off,” she said.

Close vs best friends: not the same Dafne Naranjo Staff Writer

“A

strong friendship doesn’t need daily conversation or being together. As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends never part.” – Unknown Many friends act differently when they are by themselves vs. when they are in public.

Sometimes they even act differently with their close-friends vs. with their best friends.

Sometimes a girl is more understanding than a guy is and vice versa. Most times there are things that one can’t tell a girl so they’re told to a trusted guy friend.

Noticing small things such as the behavior of a person or how they talk is not something many people do or notice.

Many people do notice these things though. For example, me. I notice the smallest things in a person.

Two juniors at VMT and J.W. Nixon High School, Liberty Garcia, and Melissa Carcamo, and Antonio Hernandez of Nixon, who describe themselves as very caring friends to their peers and others, talk a bit about their friendships between a girl and a guy.

Being there for someone is something important, so being there for your friend is really important.

“If one of my friends comes to me with a problem I would listen to them, and if they ask for advice I would give them advice. It doesn’t matter if my friend is a girl or a guy,” Garcia said.

“If my friend comes to me and tells me they are having trouble I would help them with Arts Schools Network

Courtesy photos From left, Liberty Garcia, Antonio Hernandez, and Melissa Carcamo discuss their opinions of what a close friend and a best friend are. the problem if they say they have one,” Hernandez said.

“If a friend of mine comes to me and tells me they are having trouble, I would probably try and get their mind off of the problem,” Carcamo said.

Sometimes it’s hard to support a friend when or after they made a decision you think is bad because then they will think you’re a bad friend.

“If they were to make a bad decision I would say something about it; if it’s a good decision I would congratulate them and go with it,” Garcia said.

“If it’s a bad decision I would tell them something, but if it was a good decision I would support them with it,” Hernandez said.

“I would support their decisions no matter what,” Carcamo said.

Being a tad bit competitive with your friend is normal and common amongst a group of Apple News

A strong friendship doesn’t need daily conversation or being together. As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends never part.”

– Unknown

usually about grades. With my guy best-friend we are competitive about our physiques, who has more muscle and stuff like that,” Hernandez said.

“My best friend and I are competitive about our strength and who sings well sometimes we also compete with who has better-flirting skills,” Carcamo said.

Not all friends are going to be close to you for the same reason, there’s always going to be something different.

“I think the difference between a close-friend vs. a bestfriend is that with a best friend you never get tired of them, but with a close friend you start getting tired of them after a while,” Garcia said “A best friend you trust more with personal things and a close friend not so much,” Hernandez said.

“With a best friend, you talk more freely and about random

friends. Sometimes you can be competitive over some of the smallest things.

“My girl best-friend and I are competitive about our grades, to see who has higher grades than the other. With my guy best-friend we compete about who’s the funniest,” Garcia said.

“With my girl best-friend we aren’t really that competitive, but if we do get competitive it’s

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stuff but with a close friend you are a bit more serious,” Carcamo said.

Not all the time is it easy to trust someone and so when you do get close to a person you’re not always so open with them.

“With my best friend, I’m more open, more personal, but with a close friend I’m more closed,” Garcia said.

“With a best friend, you have more fun while with a close-friend you hold back a little,” Hernandez said.

“With my best friend, I can be myself a bit more but with a close friend, it’s harder to talk to them,” Carcamo said.

Being friends with a guy is different than being friends with a girl. There are always limits to remember.

“With a guy, I’m not afraid to open mouth and tell him stuff. But with a girl I have to have a ‘filter’ since we are a bit more sensible,” Garcia said.

“In a way, girls are more sentimental and guys are more random,” Hernandez said.

“Nothing really changes it’s just the fact that they are different genders,” Carcamo said.

Every group of friends, whether it be girls or guys, there’s always a “code” that can’t be broken, sort of like a pact.

“If my friend likes the same person I like that much I would give her a chance, if she doesn’t I would just go for it,” Garcia said.

“If my friend likes the same person like me, I would compete with them to see who will get the girl,” Hernandez said.

“If my friend likes the same person like me I would give See FRIENDS, page 11A http://magnettribune.org

School News

The Magnet Tribune December 15, 2018

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Veterans pose for a picture at the end of the Veterans Day concert in the auditorium on November 13. In the photo are VMT instructors and military veterans Gerardo Flores and John Reimund.

Veterans lauded with concert

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MT held its annual Veterans Day program in the auditorium on November 13. The school honored 18 veterans that included two faculty members.

ABOVE: Shown is the front of VMT’s Veterans Day program held in the auditorium on November 13.

RIGHT: An unidentified veteran watches Veterans Day program.

LEFT: Music Instructor John Reimund, a veteran, participated in the concert and was also honored for his military service.

ONLINE

See related photos online at

magnettribune.org /?p=18155

Photos and page design by Emily Garza

Musicians see a slideshow in the auditorium in honor of veterans on November 13 before the beginning of their performance.

LIBRARY,

from page

very nice. He is very welcoming,” Dovalina added.

She not only likes the decorations but also the feeling when she enters the library.

“I feel like he cares so much about each of the seasons beArts Schools Network

An unidentified veteran stands to be honored at the end of the annual Veterans Day concert.

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cause not all librarians like to decorate for each of the seasons but Mr. Gloria likes to stand out,” Dovalina said. “Mr. Gloria is a very good man. He is very caring and I love the way he treats all the students here Apple News

at VMT.” Dafne Naranjo, a junior, said she enjoys Gloria’s decorations.

“They are all cute and adorable,” Naranjo said.

She said Gloria is very nice

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and thoughtful.

“He is just a sweet guy to everyone and he really cares about us,” Naranjo said.

The holiday that she enjoys the most at the VMT library is Halloween.

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“I just love all the little pumpkins and scarecrows,” Naranjo said.

“I like Mr. Gloria because he lights up my days with his cheerful, welcoming attitude,” Naranjo said. http://magnettribune.org

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School News

The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018

School News

The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018

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Eating! Dancing! Playing! Fun! At the HHF!

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MT celebrated its 26th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival on Oct. 30. Honorees this year were retired music educator and businessman Elmo Lopez Sr. and retired art educator Onesimo Herrera.

See more photos online:

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MT photos by Anna Davenport Honorees at this year’s festival were retired music educator and businessman Elmo Lopez Sr. above, who received his plaque from school director Dr. Martha Villarreal, and retired art educator Onesimo Herrera, who received his plaque from art instructor Gilberto Rocha.

https://magnettribune.org/?p=17718

https://magnettribune.org/?p=17938 Brianna Martinez, front, and Lazaro Arellano perform at the Hispanic Heritage Festival held in the south parking lot on Oct. 30.

Page designed by Mauro Flores

MT photo by Briana Sepulveda

Conjunto Jarocho members, from left, Rogelio Guerra, harp; Juan Capetillo, guitarron; and Jorge Sanchez, jarana; get ready to perform at the Hispanic Heritage Festival.

MT photo by Briana Sepulveda

MT photo by Jacqueline Mata

MT photo by Lizeth Gutierrez

ABOVE: Spectators record a performance while sitting in the bleachers at the Hispanic Heritage Festival.

ABOVE: Dance students react at their booth where they sold nachos.

RIGHT: Viviana Caballero reacts after being dunked at the dunking booth. Behind her is Victor Guerrero.

LEFT: Visual Arts student Fiorela Gomez paints a child‘s face at the face painting booth.

MT photo by Anna Davenport Arts Schools Network

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MT photo by Lizeth Gutierrez Arts Schools Network

Page designed by Mauro Flores

Apple News

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Opinions Stats: Anti-gun states are deadlier Comments? Write us at mt_writers@hotmail.com

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esidents in Southern California were awakbservations ened by a devastating massacre that was carried out

By Aryanna Rodriguez by a 28-year-old male. On this Wednesday night, On November 7, 2018, a Marine veteran in the website displays the with enforced gun rights beopened fire in a country-west- number of shootings in all cause of the advantages that ern dance bar in Thousand states, comparing the number open carry gun laws have. The Oaks and killed 13 people. The of shootings in California to ProCon,org website shows that gunman opened fire this pop- the shootings there have been gun control laws do not deular club, known to be visit- in Texas would help with re- ter crime; gun ownership deed by many college students. cent controversies on gun con- ters crime. This indicates that Research by various news trol laws. conservatives believe citizens reporters shows that most of should have a right to have the victims that were killed in Liberal and conservative guns with a license because s many may know, Califor- of the protection they can give this carnage were college stunia is known as a liberal their families and others. The dents and were killed for what police said was “revenge” by state and Texas is known as a right to carry guns gives the conservative state. The laws in individuals the opportunity the former Marine.

The debate on gun control these two states are the oppo- to defend themselves when in site, which is a dangerous situation like a laws increased why it is good mass shooting. among citiImposing strict to compare zens after this Liberals reason there gun regulations the two states should be firm laws on firehorrific shooting. Although does not reduce the to each other. arms because they believe As a con- more gun control laws would the gun laws risk of people s e r v a t i v e be the safest thing for citiin California are among getting killed by state, Texas zens. As mentioned in an arhand- ticle in the ProCon.org webthe toughguns. Instead, tough allows gun permit site, many argue more gun est in the nation, a chart laws only take away holders to car- control laws would reduce on the “Gun the chance to take ry their hand- the number of gun deaths. guns openly in Violence ArResearch and statistics down a mass places where provided in this website also chive” website it is allowed. demonstrates that there was demonstrates shooter.

However, in an increase in firearm homithe numCalifornia, cit- cides with right-to-carry laws ber of mass shootings in California and izens are not allowed to openly and were decreased in places the number of individuals that carry firearms because of the where there were stronger gun tough laws in their state. There control laws. Radicals also arhave been injured and killed.

The chart not only shows are individuals who argue that gue that if gun control laws the number of shootings in having gun control laws is a were strict less people would California this year but also right, and there are others who not be able to have guns which shows all the shootings that argue that it is wrong. would decrease the chances of Conservatives feel that citi- mass shootings and firearm have occurred in 2018 in the United States. Since the chart zens are more likely to be safe homicides.

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The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018

California vs. Texas shooting statistics 2018

Info: gunviolencearchive.org; MT graphic: Aryanna Rodriguez

A chart on “Gun Violence Archive” provided the number of shootings in the United States in the last year. This chart shows there has been 30 shootings in California and 15 shootings in Texas. In California, 110 victims were wounded, and 49 others killed. In Texas, 59 were wounded and 28 killed. This shows more than twice as many were murdered by gun-related incidents in California than in Texas.

This information proves there were more individuals affected by mass shootings in California where there are tough gun control laws than in Texas, where there are gun rights.

In my opinion, imposing strict gun regulations does not reduce the risk of people getting killed by guns. Instead, tough laws only take away the chance to take down a mass shooter. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, even in a state where there are strict gun laws there have been many that have been killed by

guns. This demonstrates that guns might not be the problem but, instead it might be the individuals who own one.

Authorities say some of those who carried out mass shootings, killing many, have been said to be mentally unstable. For example, former high school student Nikolas Cruz planned a mass shooting at the Florida high school he attended and killed 17 people.

After doing their research and seeing his behavior in prison, investigators discovered he was mentally ill, and they say that is what caused his terrifying behavior.

There have been other cases like this one in several mass shootings; however, some people still argue the best way for gun murders to be reduced is by taking away gun rights from all citizens.

Although gun rights might not prevent all mass shootings, I believe it can reduce them tremendously because guns are not the problem.

Family photo Janelle Ortiz sits at home in this obituary photo.

Regarding someone by their name empowers people by rec-

ognizing the individual, validating their experiences, and taking into account their perspective. Disregarding a name, disregards a person entirely and doesn’t take into account how a person chooses to view themselves. Deadnaming is more than simply rude, it’s dehumanizing.

When we fail to acknowledge people as they choose to present themselves we strip them from their humanity and push them towards invisibility.

While transphobia will most certainly continue to be a societal issue for years to come, we can at least begin disrupting it by using a person’s proper name.

to individuals who have it.

Euthanasia is the practice of ending the patient’s life to xperiences put an end to the painful misery they are in through a leBy Lucero Rea thal substance provided by a physician. The patients who One of the many things peoThere is no other greater consider euthanasia would be terminally ill or suffering an reason to legalize euthanasia ple with an incurable sickness other than the fact that certain must deal with is the loss of abundance of pain.

Nowadays euthanasia is individuals want to die with control of their lives. Individustill illegal in various countries dignity and should have the als with a painful disease that due to the controversy that right to. Individuals need to is never-ending do not have have the right control of their own health at it has when to decide what some point, and eventually, certain indiThere is no other happens with they are not capable of taking viduals define their bodies care of their basic needs; all it as immorgreater reason to and should they have at the end is the comal. When an legalize euthanasia not be forced passion of doctors and loved individual is dying or in other than the fact to deal with ones. These individuals are their men- close to death and the reality is endless pain, that certain tal or physi- that they cannot find another some counindividuals want cal pain until option other than euthanasia. tries should majority of individuals do contribute to die with dignity their whole The body com- not want their last moments to to their last be spent in a hospital bed and wishes and if and should have the pletely dies.

Individuals definitely not with an abunone of their right to. who own pets dance of pain consuming their wishes is to have the mor- whole body. end their sufIt should be stated that fering, then it should not be al responsibility to euthanize taken as a crime. The practice them when they are in pain; keeping life in a person with of euthanasia is the most pain- How come this does not apply a critical condition is cruel less way for the patient to die, to human beings or a loved and is generally accompanied and it should not be labeled as one who is dealing with the by an agonizing pain. Somea crime because with it they same pain? Restricting an in- times a patient might attempt are just ending the anguish in- dividual’s right to death is like to commit suicide to put an end to the pain they are in restraining their right to life. dividuals are in.

and living for certain patients is worse than death itself.

Euthanasia is not at all killing someone’s life but is bringing a patient’s unavoidable death faster. There is no evidence to think that the treatment for such diseases as brain cancer will be developed in the future.

Today, despite high-tech and scientific development, particularly in the procedures in the health of a person, there is still uncertainty and disagreement over the idea of a soothing death. The moral and legalization of the idea of euthanasia are still commonly argued in many countries.

There are numerous thoughts on the principles of individuals morals and their certain religious beliefs that make this euthanasia controversy never ending. Religious individuals argue that the right to decide when a person dies is only God’s and we do not have the authority to decide when our life will end. However, no god or other religious matter is going to “relish” the misery these terminally-ill patients are in on a daily basis.

Euthanasia is definitely not a sin like certain individuals harshly describe it.

LMT should have used correct name

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am appalled by the Laredo Morning Time’s coverage regarding the murder of Janelle Ortiz.

Of the many issues facing the transgender community today, “deadnaming,” or using a person’s name assigned at birth rather than their preferred gender has been prevalent in media coverage – and the Laredo Morning Times is complicit.

Janelle Ortiz was murdered by the Border Patrol agent, Juan David Ortiz who has no association to Janelle.

In the September 18th and 19th article that profiles Janelle, she is consistently referred to by her birth name

Debatable

By Angie Bravo and Luis Bravo and wrong pronouns. Moreover, the article incorporates numerous quotes from family members that misgender Janelle without much of an explanation or clarification from the reporter.

Using someone’s preferred name and gender pronouns is much more than simple political correctness. When the wrong name is used in news articles and television coverage, it can complicate the

gathering of statistics regarding the transgender community. Because of deadnaming, it is currently difficult to predict the rates of transgender hate crimes, murders, and suicides.

This can also have serious ramifications in the carrying of justice as well as the allocation of state and federal resources.

Moreover, the use of a birth name instead of a person’s preferred name is the very idea transphobia is built on.

People should be able to die with dignity

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ociety has adapted to combat diseases that have killed many individuals throughout time. Nevertheless, there are still many illnesses that cannot be cured and cause unbelievable pain The Magnet Tribune The Magnet Tribune is produced by students in Communication and CTE classes of the Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts, Laredo ISD. This publication provides information relating to the school and its students, provides students a lab for producing a newspaper using professional-level computer software and offers an open forum for student opinion. The Magnet Tribune is distributed free of charge.

Dr. Martha Villarreal School director Mark Webber Journalism/online media instructor and adviser The Magnet Tribune Vol. 26, No. 1, Dec. 20, 2018 Editor: Mauro Flores Nameplate design: Mauro Flores.

Production: VMT journalism/ online media/CTE students using Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop on HP computers.

Printer: Greater Dallas Press, Garland, Texas Copyright: ©2018 Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts and The Magnet Tribune.

It is the policy of the Laredo Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, limited English proficiency, or handicapping condition in its programs.

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Contact The Magnet Tribune E-mail mt_writers@hotmail.com || On the Internet http://magnettribune.org Facebook /MagnetTribune || Twitter @Magnet_Tribune || Adviser Mark Webber mwebber004@laredoisd.org Address: Vidal M. Treviño School of Communication and Fine Arts, The Magnet Tribune, 2102 East Lyon St., Laredo, Texas 78043 In person: Room A212, Journalism classroom, or drop off items for Mark Webber in the school office.

Reviews 9A A great band for alt-music lovers The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018

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f you are a music lover like I am, you will find that discovering new artists is a great way to get your hands on new music and expand your taste in music.

Today I will introduce you to The Wombats. They are an alternative indie rock three-member band from Liverpool. The band consists of Matthew Murphy, the lead guitar and vocalist, Tord Overland Knudsen, bassist, and Dan Haggis, drummer.

I discovered The Wombats when their hit song, “Turn,” from their most recent album Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life, was on the car radio. Alt Nation from Sirius XM really pushed this song. It was constantly getting airplay. It even got into the Alt Nation Advanced Placement. It’s a weekly list of the top alternative songs at the moment. This song became part of my playlist.

Later on in the summer, my family and I saw Weezer in Austin. The Wombats was one of the opening acts. I was definitely excited to see them live.

I only knew two songs but regardless of that, I was going to see The Wombats.

You can bet I was really looking forward to that. They were clean-cut alternative boys

New Music Monday

By Zoe Alvarez Read more Zoe Alvarez columns at

http://magnettribune.org/category/reviews/ Here’s The Wombats’ official website. thewombats.co.uk with a good sense of style. I was pretty ignorant when it came to their music but I instantly fell in love with them. They put on such a great performance. I enjoyed every song.

I closed my eyes and let their music fill my ears with wonderful sound. They played many great songs such as “Black Flamingo,” “Greek Tragedy,” “Turn,” and much more. I really got into “Black Flamingo,” and “Jump into the Fog,” since they were incredible live.

It wasn’t until after the concert that I fully immersed myself in their music. Their songs were constantly in my head. I played them nonstop. I made a playlist with most of the mu-

sic and still listen to it to this day. The Wombats will always remind me of the summer.

Their music can be described as alternative, alt rock, indie rock, and rock. I myself, am a lover of alternative music. It’s an acquired taste since the majority of the music population like pop or current music trends. The Wombats have a great sound.

In most of their songs the guitar is incredibly prominent.

I absolutely adore the guitar intro in “Black Flamingo.” It gives off a strong rock sound.

Another great guitar intro is in “Greek Tragedy.” The chords are absolutely beautiful and compliment the song so well.

The drums in their songs provide such a positive upbeat rhythm. My brother is a percussionist and ever since he started to tap and follow along to the drums in one of their songs, I’ve started to pay more attention to their drummer

than I previously had before.

My favorite songs in terms of drumming are “Jump into the Fog” and “Greek Tragedy.” The drums add a catchy beat that can fall under rock and alternative.

Matthew Murphy, the lead singer, has vocals that are youthful and loving in their own way. They gives off a dynamic vibe. It ranges from upbeat to slow and steady. Every so often his British accent will slip through when he sings.

I love his vocals. They give me a sense of storytelling. It’s like he himself is telling me about a girl he loves, his memories in his teenage years, his inner turmoil when it comes to girls, his experiences and much more.

I can vividly imagine him chasing after a girl he’s fallen for or teenagers getting into trouble while having fun. It’s almost like a teenage movie playing in my head while I listen to their music.

Their lyrics are like modern day love letters and poetry. I am incredibly attracted to the lyrics. It was one of the reasons why I became such a fan of this band.

Their lyrics are almost strange to some but a true masterpiece of writing to others. Some songs are about love and how his true love turned his world around (Turn.) Others talk about the difficulty and pain when it comes to loving someone (Black Flamingo.) Some songs talk about youth and nostalgia. It gives us a glimpse into teenage lifestyle, mischief, feelings, and thoughts. (1996.) Others are about adventure, guilty pleasures, and giving into them (Tokyo Vampires & Wolves.)

The Wombats are a wonderful combination of sound, lyrics, vibes, and alternative sense. I recommend this band to any music lover.

Pills help man become ‘Limitless’

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f you had the chance to be able to do anything, become Limitless, even if it was only for a few hours, would you do it? Brian Finch would. All you need is NZT-48 pills and you’ve become a super genius.

At least for about 12 hours, and then you crash. Hard.

Brian Finch, our main character in Limitless from CBS, is basically no one. He had five expulsions, four misdemeanors, three fake IDs, two attempts at the 11th grade, and a “partridge in a pear tree” (bong). He made a failed band called “Resorbed Twin” that eventually broke up. Brian became a solo singer but later began working as a temp for a bank. Then one day his old friend Eli gives him the miracle-like NZT drug pill.

Suddenly Brian’s got access to every cell in his brain and he’s on top of the world.

While on NZT for the first time, Brian decided to use his newly found knowledge to attempt to diagnose his father’s illness after many professional doctors were unable to properly assess his condition. Within a single night, Brian was able to track his family tree and, using only his brother’s old medical textbooks, found out his father had a genetic disorder. The next day he had his father tested for hemochromatosis. His father tested positive with it, having it concentrated in his liver, needing a replacement.

Running out of time and options to help his dad, Brian

FANtastic TV

By Anna Davenport Here’s more on Limitless

cbs.com/shows/limitless goes to Eli’s home to ask for another NZT pill but instead finds him dead. Immediately, the FBI shows up looking for Eli. Seeing him dead they assume Brian murdered him so Brian takes a pill as he makes a run for it out the window. He runs through the street with moving cars and makes his way into the subway. When caught by special agent Rebecca Harris, in her moment of hesitation Brian jumps onto the tracks as the train is soon to arrive. In his quick thinking, he calculated where the train would stop and crawled underneath to an abandoned track nearby, cutting the FBI off his trail.

Still, on NZT, Brian quickly analyzes everything on Eli’s phone in 40 seconds and found two other men were using NZT at the bank. He goes to the address of one of the men’s house, Jay Winston, and picks the lock but finds him lying dead. Although it looks like a suicide, Brian knows it’s a murder. Running out of time

on his pill, he breaks into Rebecca Harris’s apartment to give the FBI information about Winston and Eli’s murder.

Out of NZT and running out of time to save his dad’s life, Brian attempts to pick the lock of the third man, Adam Honeycutt, from the bank using, only to be caught. Seeing Brian on the floor, begging for a pill, CBS.com Honeycutt lets him in telling Jake McDorman portrays Brian Finch on Limitless.

Brian he’ll give him NZT inside. help but root for him in whatHowever, once inside Brian it. Brian accepted.

With his last chance to prove ever he does. He tries so hard gets suspicious so he snoops around while Honeycutt comes his innocence and help his fa- to do what he can to be useful back with a gun. Honeycutt ther, he takes the pill. Brian to others even when most just tries to kill Brian but instead, goes to a bank, steals the gun see a nuisance. Although Brihe gets shot in the leg as he from the security guard, has an’s methods may not be the makes it out into the street. the bank teller hit the silent best way go about, he shines Now in public, Honeycutt lets alarm, and calls the FBI to ask with a creative and fun light Brian go, but not before threat- for Rebecca Harris. When she that seems to freshen up many arrives, they both open Honey- of the dark, heavy situations ening him.

Having escaped only with cutt’s security deposit and find shown in the show. Even when his life, Brian calls Rebecca NZT pills with Eli’s blood on it, his world shakes, Brian refusHarris. He tells her about Hon- proving his innocence in the es to let it change his life.

Limitless stands apart from eycutt and asks her to coach murder.

Knowing Brian is immune to other crime shows. I personhim over the phone to patch his leg up but passes out. Bri- NZT, the FBI decides to study ally can’t watch crime shows an later wakes up with his him and use him as a “consul- continuously without breaks leg patched up by a nurse he tant” and a “resource” but Bri- because of the hard heavy topdidn’t know and the senator an declines. He tells them that ics discussed but Brian is the Eddie Morra proposing a deal. unless they could get his dad a character that changes that.

Morra gave Brian a pill and a new liver, he wouldn’t join the He breathes life into many shot that makes him immune FBI. Later, his dad got a new deadly situations by earnestto the side effects of NZT in liver and Brian joined the FBI. ly trying to make the best of Brian is an eccentric char- his situation. When Brian gets exchange for something he’d have to provide later. Only Bri- acter that always acts with knocked down he just gets an couldn’t tell anyone about such sincerity that you can’t back up to try again.

YouTube star is internet sensation

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ne of the “OGs” (original gangsters) of YouTube, Shane Dawson, whose real last name is Yaw, has kept a longstanding career on the ever-changing video-sharing website YouTube since 2008.

Over the 10 years that he’s been on YouTube has accumulated over 16,320,260-plus subscribers and 4,138,933,812plus views in all of his videos.

In high school, Dawson was obese and had a troubling family life with a physically abusive father. While he was in high school, Dawson always had a love for filmmaking and editing. He would create short films with the help of his high school friends. Soon he realized he wanted to pursue a career in acting and directing. This motivation helped him lose 150 Arts Schools Network

Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons

Rising Stars

Shane Dawson turned his high school love of filmmaking into a productive career on YouTube creating videos.

By Victoria Hernandez Shane Dawson’s YouTube channel youtube.com/user/ shanedawsontv

pounds and pushed him to start posting comedy skits on YouTube with various characters he had come up with.

Dawson eventually graduated high school and got a job at Jenny Craig, which is a weight loss program company, with Apple News

his mom and brother. He had made this video with his family and a few fellow workers. The Jenny Craig company saw the video and fired everyone who was part of the video. Since his family had no job, they were about to lose their apartment and they thought they were going to be homeless until Shane Dawson got a call from YouTube offering a life-changing opportunity.

“So for the next few months, me and my family were out of jobs, we were about to lose our apartment. Just when I

Twitter: @Magnet_Tribune

thought about giving up, I get a phone call from YouTube. They ask me if I want to be a partner which meant I could turn my hobby into a real job. It was perfect, it was exactly what I’ve been praying for and every day since, I thank God for letFacebook: MagnetTribune

ting me wear wigs. Eventually, I was able to move my family to Hollywood. I was getting a bunch of views on YouTube, I was getting meetings with lots of Hollywood people, and I was working on my first TV show See RISING STARS, page 11 http://magnettribune.org

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Columns

The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018

Time with children can be memorable

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very few months I volunteer at the Imaginarium. The Imaginarium is a museum of playful and educational exhibits for children. This means I get the opportunity to help out staff and spend time with kids.

Spending time with children is always an enlightening experience. They have a sense of excitement like no other.

As I would play with the kids each of them would speak in their own way. No two children spoke the same. They all had something to say whether it was what as on their mind or which colors they wanted to use when coloring.

They are all so eager to tell me about their drawings and creations. When they didn’t know my name I was “lady,” “girl,” and sometimes “mom.”

After they learned my name I had a wave of “Zoes” calling me to show me what they made.

It’s a fulfilling experience to see kids create something they take pride in and are eager to show you. I had great conver-

Thoughtful Thursday

By Zoe Alvarez Read more Zoe Alvarez columns at

http://magnettribune.org/category/opinions/ sations with these little ones especially when drawing, playing, or building. I always like to ask them what they are making and drawing. They invite me to join their little world of imagination, whether it was a supercar or dream house. I got to take part in helping them build or find the pieces for said supercar or dream house.

Children are open minded.

They don’t immediately shoot down an idea like people do when they grow up. They take the idea, whether good or bad, and make something with it.

I would give a child random Lego pieces and he in return would build a spaceship with a garden full of flowers.

I find that spending time

with children is rejuvenating.

Kids are honest and open. I get to spend time with genuine human beings who want to build Lego houses, tell me about their day, talk about their siblings, and more. Children carry a spark, whether it be joy, energy, or creativity.

They give me bursts of physical and mental energy. It guides my mind to a state of creativity. I get nostalgic when I see the children playing or sharing their favorite things to do. They are full of imagination, endless thoughts, and ideas ready to carry out. They help me see the world in a positive light.

They don’t talk about the fires in California or how devastating this generation is. Instead,

they talk about how their Lego houses can also transform into submarines and spaceships.

Every time I spend time with a child I always wonder what they would be like when they reach my age. I wonder what career paths they will take once they’re older. I could be drawing with a future heart surgeon or a reading with future authors. It’s the reason why I see such importance in investing time in our youth.

Preserve the youth to preserve the future.

Teaching is a crucial necessity for children. When I play with children or volunteer in summer science camps, I always try to answer the child’s question to the best of my ability. Passing on knowledge is a great way to help kids grow and develop into better people.

I always enjoy teaching the kids during camps and reading to them when I’m asked to. It shows me how important it is to teach the youth. I then give a higher respect to every teacher I’ve ever had. It’s

always fun to plan and figure out how to teach children in a way that will help them grasp a concept. I enjoy reading to kids as well. I find ways to exaggerate and tell the story in a way that will help the children fully immerse themselves in the story.

Spending time with children makes me philosophical and psychological. I am given a new awareness of how much people change as they get older. How a child’s mind can be influenced for the better or for the worse, how much society molds the mind, and how a child’s surroundings affect their upbringing. It makes me ponder the future generation.

These are the kids growing up in the age of technology.

They will learn and create new things we could only dream of.

Spend time with children as much as you can. They’ll certainly make time go by and will change a small part of you every single time.

Song for today: Tightrope,

by Walk the Moon

‘Icebox’ gets new meaning in murders

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hat do you think of when you hear the word “Icebox?”

If you thought about a refrigerator, you’re correct. In the mid-19th century, the old and unmechanical version of the refrigerator, the icebox, used blocks of ice to keep food cold. On June 1965, in Houston, a refrigerator, the much more advanced version of an icebox, was used to store the limbs, torsos, and heads of Fred and Edwina Rogers.

The dismembered bodies of Fred and Edwina Rogers were found after Edwina’s worried nephew, Marvin, called the police to check on the home of the deceased after his calls were left pending for days. When the police arrived at the house it looked neat. No one answered the door, therefore the police decided to let themselves in.

A police officer checked the refrigerator, supposedly to find a cold beer for the hot day. He saw some “unwrapped cuts of hog meat” stacked neatly on the upper level of the refrigerator. He paid no attention to them and moved on to the vegetable bin, determined to find what he desired. What he ended up finding was indeed not a cold beer, but the heads of the murdered couple.

The police discovered that the neatly stacked “unwrapped cuts of hog meat” were the limbs and torsos of Fred and Edwina Rogers. They later found the organs in a nearby sewer. They were dismembered and flushed down the toilet while other remains were never found.

The autopsy showed that the couple was killed on Father’s Day. Fred Rogers had been killed by blows to the head with a claw hammer. His eyes were scraped out and his genitals were removed. Edwina Rogers was beaten and was shot, execution style.

Police reports said that the couples were dismembered by someone, “with some knowledge of anatomy.” The scene was cleaned rigorously. There was no hint of blood except in a keyhole saw that was found in the bedroom of the couple’s son, Charles Rogers.

After the blood-stained keyhole saw was found, a search for Charles was initiated while a warrant was introduced, labeling Charles as a material witness to the crime. Unfortunately, Rogers was never found.

Although there were signs that Charles Rogers might be the potential murderer, the police still lacked the reason why Charles murdered his parents.

That’s where Houston Forensic

Arts Schools Network

Creepy & Unexplained

By America Moreno MT photo by America Moreno

Victoria Hernandez looks at the Ice Box Murders’ Facebook page on a computer at her home.

SNO podcast features America Moreno

Accountants, Hugh and Martha Gardenier, come in.

“They do regular accountant stuff: taxes, audits, but they’re also certified forensic accountants,” said Phoebe Judge, host and co-creator of Criminal Podcast.

Another investigation ugh and Martha took the initiative in solving the Ice Box Murders in 1997. The couple had no background in law enforcement. They’re accountants who decided to investigate the spine-chilling case. As part of their investigation, they decided to ignore all the written statements that the police have reported and decided to investigate them by themselves.

When they did so, they found a lot of statements to be untrue.

Martha, along with her son, would go down to the neighborhood where the double homicide took place to measure sewer openings. They then went to the city planning department and dug into the archives to look into where the sewers ran and which sewers connected to the house. They found out the sewers the police had reported to be used by flushing down the organs were in no way linked to the house.

The Gardeniers spent over 5,000 hours on this case and interviewed over 100 people.

The couple was determined to solve this case, and they did.

They not only solved the case but figured out why the Rogers was murdered and how Charles was able to flee.

When the Gardeniers investigated the whereabouts of Charles Rogers, they found out that the case was a “white-collar crime,” as Hugh Gardenier said. A white-collar crime is financially motivated and in no way violent. “It is a crime committed by a highly respected and high social status person.”

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Kept to himself harles Rogers was a lone wolf. He grew up being abused by his parents and bullied by others. He grew up to be anti-social. The family’s maid mentioned that Edwina hadn’t seen her sons face in 5 years, despite Charles living with his parents. Charles would communicate with them by slipping notes under his bedroom door and would leave early in the morning, returning back home late at night. He avoided being seen by anyone and he succeeded.

Despite being a loner, Charles Rogers was intelligent. He attended the University of Houston, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear physics. He then joined the Navy, where he served as a pilot in World War II. After serving his time in the war, he became a seismologist, “the study of science concerned with earthquakes and related phenomena.” He worked for Shell Oil for nine years and quit his job later on without giving a reason.

The Gardeniers believe that the police at the time didn’t have enough time nor resources to investigate the case skillfully; but with a more advanced world in 1997, they audited all financial records of the Rogers.

Charles had reportedly owned several pieces of land, including the house in which the couple was murdered.

Fred and Edwina had forged Charles’ signature on false deeds with the properties that Charles owned. Edwina linked the house to her name and asked for loans against the house, pocketing the money in the end.

Hugh and Martha believe that Charles had approached this “financial” problem as an “engineering job”.

“First, developing a course of action, and then making

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backup plans; and back up, backup plans,” said Phoebe Judge, host and co-creator of Criminal Podcast.

As one of Charles Rogers’s backup plan, he spent days in the house, after the murder, making sure nothing led back to him. He spent time cleaning the bloody mess and even organized the crime to look as if a robbery had gone bad, according to the Gardeniers.

Charles then fled and was never caught.

Man eyes leaving country n 1968, the police received information about Charles Rogers, which at first, was kept away from the public.

The day after Fred and Edwina’s bodies were found, a man who looked very similar to Charles, had walked inside into an office building. Witnesses reported that the man looked nervous and said that he was a welder. The man was seeking for a job overseas and when asked for his name, he responded with Anthony Pitts.

With their investigation skills, the Gardeniers were able to find out that Charles longtime girlfriend worked in the office building. She had been waiting for him to help him escape by giving him the keys to a getaway car. Charles took off to Chihuahua, Mexico, another detail that was missed by the police, and never faced punishment for his gory crime.

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Identifying an airplane he Gardeniers came to a realization that Charles had a pilot license, from when he served in the World War II. Hugh and Martha claimed that they knew Charles so well, they were positive he used his own plane when granted his license.

The Gardeniers went on a hunt in finding Charles’ airplane but had a difficult time with the pilot license since they couldn’t distinguish the last number. They had a span of possible numbers for the identification, which decreased after they visited the Texas A&M Library. There, they went through registration files from the past and were able to reduce the list to about 10 numbers. Hugh and Martha were able to find Charles airplane after that, a Cessna 140.

As they audited the sale records of the airplane, The Gardeniers found their biggest clue yet. They found out that Charles had sold the airplane to a man named Pop Fullwood, who eventually sold it to a man named Anthony Pitts.

Does the name sound familiar? It is the exact name the man, who looked exact-

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ly as Charles and said to be a welder, used when he was supposedly looking for a job in an office building. The Gardeniers were able to find files that proved Anthony Pitts was a real person and was involved with Charles Rogers in the Department of Public Safety in Texas and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Anthony Pitts had worked with Charles Rogers in Central America before the murders. Now, the Gardeniers needed proof they still remained working together throughout all these years.

They found that proof with the person that kept appearing in Charles Rogers’s business records, John Mackey.

The Gardeniers managed to contact Mackey’s lawyer, who was able to contact Mackey’s widow for the Gardeniers.

“Widows will talk after their quite frankly philandering husbands are dead. It’s amazing the information you can get out,” Hugh Gardenier said.

The widow revealed that her late husband was in control of mining businesses in Mexico and Honduras for Texas investors. He was in need for someone who guarantees the investors that they’d be digging in the right place. Charles Rogers was perfect for the job.

Despite Charles being well known for the double homicide, the Texans had no interest in turning him in due to making money from Charles.

No one dared to step forward and say something. Instead, they sat back and relaxed while Charles went on with his new life.

Charles Rogers escaped punishment for his crime, but he could never escape death. According to the widow, Charles had been killed in Honduras by miners due to a wage dispute. He had been pickaxed and his body was thrown into the river where it badly decomposed. When the Honduras Police informed Mackey about the “American geologist,” Mackey said he had no idea who it could be.

The Ice Box Murders came to be one of Houston’s most notorious crimes yet. It is still considered an open case, leaving Charles Rogers to be the only suspect. Charles was declared legally dead by a Houston judge so his “estate could be probated.” The infamous house, where the couple was murdered, was turned into condos.

The Ice Box Murders is still well known around Houston.

People still talk about it till this day, and it’s been a tale that has been passed down for generations ever since.

http://magnettribune.org

11A

The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018

Local musicians share their goals

Fernando Martinez Staff Writer

scene for music than in a small town,” he said.

Lonwlf strives to help troubled teens that struggle with Two local musicians live life. with big dreams of being known “The audience I’m trying to in the national rap game. reach are troubled teenagers Jacob Garza is an indepenwho are going through hard dent rap artist that goes by the times in their life,” he said. “I’ve name “Rapid.” Rapid has made been through a lot, I’ve been a name for himself in the past hurt in many ways. I know how few years, by releasing his muit is to feel lonely, coming from sic on SoundCloud and Youa broken home, and I want to Tube.

MT photo courtesy of Rapid help teens just like me, tell MT photo courtesy of Lonwlf “I’m 16 and I’ve been making music since I was 13 in the Erubiel Garza, also known as Lonwlf, is a Rapid, whose real name is Jacob Garza, them that everything is going senior with Los Angeles as his next goal. performs at a concert in Laredo. Rapid to be okay.” eighth grade,” Rapid said.

Criticism isn’t something Rapid states his biggest goal He said he wants to reach out to troubled said he hopes to represent the city and its people with his music. that stops him from doing what with his music is to represent teens with his music. he loves. his city and its people. repping the same place. I want “You can really go places music even further.

“I just ignore it because at “Truthfully, my goal is to put to see everybody up, but I’m and do whatever you want if Lonwlf, a high school seleast I have on for Laredo, also going to you really want it. You can re- nior, explained to get that rechis inspiration grind my hardally do whatever you dream, Truthfully, my I know how it is to the guts to do what they ognition Larest to make you just got to have that drive for writing mufeel lonely, can’t do,” he edo deserves. goal is to put on for sure I get up to want it,” he said. sic and how he said.

There’s so Laredo, to get that there too,” he coming from a “Support other’s dreams no started.

Lonwlf much talent said.

“I started matter how crazy they are.

Get recognition Laredo broken home, and I plans to move in the city but R a p i d love, get money, and love oth- writing when I deserves. want to help teens out of Laredo they don’t get states he has ers.” was in the sixth to expand on the credits Erubiel Garza is another grade,” he said.

Jacob Garza, also a hard time just like me. his music. they deserve. picking beats. local independent artist that “I was so into known as Rapid “I’m planAnother goal “For me, the makes alternative rock/rap Eminem at that Erubiel Garza, also ning on movfor my music hardest part music. He goes by the name time and I loved known as Lonwlf ing to L.A. I’m is to be able to provide for my of making music is finding a “Lonwlf.” Lonwlf has worked how he told family in the future and my beat. I’m really picky about my with other local artists and is stories about his life and how actually going to L.A in October family now,” he said. beats, really picky. It just needs the owner of an alternative he would help people with his to expand my music more than Rapid said he feels competi- to sound right to me,” he said. rock/rap group called “Dead- music and that’s what I wanted (ever) before this year, and I’m tion against other local artists.

A message that he would BoiPosse.” to do, write about my life and thinking of moving before the year ends,” he said.

“I do, but not with hate. I like to encourage to his lisHe releases his music on problems to help people out.”

Lonwlf added that he would want to see everybody in the teners is for them to believe in SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouLonwlf, a native Laredoan, city winning because we’re all themselves.

Tube, and plans to expand his believes local artists are at a like to thank his supporters for disadvantage against artists listening to his music.

FRIENDS, from page 4A Rapid and Lonwlf say they from bigger cities. plan to continue making music “Here in Laredo no one really them the chance and just move that has the same personality It doesn’t matter if my friend is in the near future. supports (artists) and I feel like on, after all, what can I do,” as me,” Hernandez said. a girl or a guy,” Garcia said. in a bigger city there is more Carcamo said.

“I do have a friend that has “With a girl, they think we Having friends with similar the same personality as me,” are into each other or that we Watch Watch personalities and-or a similar Carcamo said. are dating. With a guy they Teresa Victoria sense of humor is very comThere are times when peo- don’t really misjudge us, they Gutierrez’s Eller’s mon in a group of friends. ple think that you are going just think that we are brothvideo here. video “I have friends with a similar out with your friend, it usually ers or something,” Hernandez here. sense of humor but not with happens when you are close to said. the same personality,” Garcia that person.

“They usually think I’m datsaid.

“People usually think we are ing my friend whether they be See more photos of their trip to NYC at: “I actually do have a friend dating or something like that. a girl or a guy,” Carcamo said. https://magnettribune.org/?p=18007 VOTE from page 1A VIDEO from page 1A The event featured two se- my opinion,” said Emily Mon- cafeteria and used booths that niors who represented Ted temayor, a VMT senior. are actually used so they can different careers and programs my own mistakes and picking available for these specific up different tips from other Cruz and Beto O’Rourke to A VMT teacher also had her get a feel for the experience. debate over real-life political own opinion about the event.

“It reminds me back when I studies. It was intellectually people. You do gain a lot from issues to demonstrate what a “I thought it was a very good was in high school at Martin. stimulating and truly such a observing and re-evaluating your works along with others. political debate would be like. event, very informative. The I participated in different or- pleasure,” Gutierrez said.

Festival officials presented It’s super interesting,” Gutier“I think the reason to be any students who debated obvious- ganizations where we did pubsort of candidate or represen- ly did their research and they lic speakings, mock hearings, each of the media pieces on a rez said.

Gutierrez explained her tative is to be able to advocate were very well spoken which I and mock trials, so I know that big screen, one after the other. and raise awareness about the think got their message across this is a great opportunity for Gutierrez said she couldn’t be- feelings towards attending the political issues because the clearly,” said Social Studies students to get experience and lieve that was actually going to festival.

“I’m just immensely thanktruth is, not a lot of people are teacher Aemie Martinez. to learn from this,” Palomo told happen.

“I think I’m still trying to ful for this opportunity and the aware of the real issues and As the debate between the The Magnet Tribune. process going to New York to support that surrounds us. how candidates stand on cer- two students went on, PaloResults for the Texas see something I created,” Guti- Ms. Teran is constantly pushtain things, so being able to mo said she became very imU.S. Senate race errez said ing us to create our best works play a part of it means that I pressed and it exceeded her VMT mock election: Gutierrez explained what and still manages to help us am part of the movement to- expectations.

--O’Rourke 82.9 percent (242), went into creating her piece. improve. Everyone has been wards being more knowledge“The students did excellent- --Cruz 18.8 percent (55).

“For my submission per- so great, and I’m extremely apable about the things that we ly! I shook their hands and I Webb County results: should be learning about,” told them that I was proud of --O’Rourke 71.18 percent sonally, I would say a real- preciative,” Gutierrez said. ly long and productive night.

Gutierrez expresses her apsaid Angie Bravo, the senior them,” Palomo told The Mag- (35,142), that played Ted Cruz. net Tribune.

--Cruz 27.98 percent (13,813), From learning how to make a preciation towards those who The senior who represented This event brought back --Neal M. Dikeman 0.82 per- video, it’s taken a lot of time, made the trip possible, that practice, and listening to (in- included donations to a GoBeto O’Rourke, Mark Rodri- memories from Palomo’s past cent (408). structor) Ms. (Jamin) Teran’s FundMe page. guez, declined an interview. from when she was in high Statewide results: “A super warm and imA spectator gave her opin- school dealing with similar --Cruz 50.92 percent lessons,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez hopes to get tips mense thanks to everyone who ion on the mock debate. political debates such as pub- (4,244,204), “The event was entertaining lic speakings, mock hearings, --O’Rourke 48.29 percent to further improve her media made this possible. I honestskills and work. ly never would have imagined and at the same time, it wasn’t. and mock trials, she said.

(4,024,777), “I’d just like to try open this happening,” said GutierI learned a lot but towards the At the end of the event, se- --Neal M. Dikeman 0.78 perdoors for the future, like net- rez. “It only engineers a drive end, the way they were speak- niors received instructions on cent (65,240). ing didn’t keep me engaged but the voting process. They went Source: Texas Secretary of working and gaining construc- within. I’m ever so grateful.” tive criticism, learning from overall, the event was great, in to the courtyard outside of the State (www.sos.state.tx.us)

RISING STARS

from page

until everything went bad,” Dawson said in his now-deleted 2013 “Draw My Life” video.

On May 4, 2010, Shane Dawson’s grandma died. When the passing of his grandma happened, he had felt like nothing mattered.

“I knew it was coming but I didn’t take it so I felt like nothing mattered anymore. Not YouTube, not Hollywood, not anything. Kind of felt like a part of me died. It took me a long time to get back on track but thinking about all the kids who are watching my videos made me realize that I can’t give up. I was born for this and if anyone can relate to these abused, suicidal, less fortunate, confused, abandoned kids on the Internet, it was me,” Dawson also said in his deleted 2013 ‘Draw My Life’ video.

In the beginning, he had 2 Arts Schools Network

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channels on YouTube: “Shane Dawson TV” and “shane.”

Both of his channels combined have accumulated 25,051,990-plus subscribers and 5,344,922,599-plus views.

On his “Shane Dawson TV” channel, he posts film shorts about his childhood, music videos, spoof (an imitation of a film) videos, and parodies of popular music videos.

On his “shane” channel, which has changed a lot, he would post vlogs (video blogs) then began posting challenges and have collaborations with fellow YouTubers. Dawson then started regularly posting videos about himself eating/ trying food, watching challenges, DIY videos, conspiracy theories, and much more. He posted those types of videos for several months until he got the opportunity to do something Apple News

different on his channel.

Shane Dawson never had a “normal” childhood. He had an abusive father and it changed him. He was obese but managed to lose weight. He made a living from YouTube and it changed him. He didn’t want to make videos about his viewers seeing him eat food every week.

He didn’t want to make videos that he wasn’t proud of. While he was feeling uninspired, he was introduced to someone who made him feel inspired once again to make bigger and better videos. That was Andrew Siwiski. He soon realized what videos he wanted to make.

For the past year, Dawson has made several series over the course of 9 months. One of the first “new” videos that he’s done is about his father which lasted over the span of three videos. He filmed and edited all

Twitter: @Magnet_Tribune

those three videos which have gained 17,516,425-plus views combined. He opened up about his father and more about his family life when he was younger. In the videos, he explained that he wanted to have a relationship with his father that he never had when he was younger. Afterward, Shane deleted his “Draw My Life” video after reaching out to his father and realizing he didn’t see his father the way he did before.

The latest series is about fellow YouTuber and makeup guru Jeffree Star, with which needs five videos to give a more in-depth look into one of the most controversial YouTubers.

In the videos, Star gave Shane Dawson a “Jeffree Star” makeover and lived like Jeffree Star for an entire day. All five videos have accumulated over 83,855,458-plus views.

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I have been watching Shane Dawson for many years, and I have always loved his content: the vlogs, music videos, short films, his films, and his new videos. Although, it is not daily or weekly compared to other YouTubers, his content is really worth the wait. As a viewer, you can see the time and passion he has for his videos.

On his social media, he has posted pictures and videos of him and his editor/cameraman, Siwiski, trying to edit quickly so his viewers can see his content. They have made series that really go above and beyond storytelling and become more than just videos.

They have made people laugh, cry, scared, etc., while watching his videos. I would rather wait for his numerous “partner” episodes than just a regular YouTube video. http://magnettribune.org

Features 12A Mood boards: digital collages The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018

Zoe Alvarez Staff Writer

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Images: Mood board account sataninsatin

odern times has become a society of social media. Instagram is a social platform that is a part of this. Instagram has many communities, from travel, to make up, to art, to celebrities, to food and much more.

One community not many people know about is the mood board community.

Not to worry, you will be introduced to this community with the help of a mood board account, @sataninsatin. @sataninsatin is an Instagram mood board account with over 4k followers.

This account is managed by three admin, Izzy, Kaylie, and Catta. Each make and post mood boards to the account.

Izzy, Kaylie, and Catta run the @sataninsatin mood board account For all those who are curious, a mood board is an arrangement of clothing, jewelry, food, colors, pictures, and miscellaneous objects to create an aesthetic. They can be based on movies, novels, songs, concepts, aesthetics, people, seasons, and much more. A digital collage if you may. It’s a concept not many of us have heard of. People immediately think of magazine clippings collages but do not know that it can be digital as well.

“You can make anything into a mood board, honestly,” said admin Izzy in a series of messages.

Everyone has a process or a way of doing things. Be music, creating art, or writing. For Izzy, she makes her mood boards by the feels and ambiances she gets from certain topics and ideas. This can be a film, concept, song, or novel.

“I usually make my mood boards from the vibe I get off of a title/theme,” said Izzy.

For Kaylie, there is no typical time frame on how long it takes to create her mood boards. It can go from as little as 20 minutes to over an hour. This all depends on how often she gets distracted or completely starts over.

“It honestly really varies depending on each one,” said admin Kaylie in a series of messages.

Pngs & making mood boards Terms used most in the mood board community is the word “png.” A png is/are pictures of any object with their background removed completely.

“Pngs are cut out into items so the backgrounds are gone,” said Catta There are many places to find and use pngs. Some places you can look are Instagram png accounts and Pinterest.

Kaylie used to get her pngs from Instagram accounts that provided pngs but now she sticks to Pinterest.

“I used to get them off png Instagram accounts, but now I use Pinterest,” she said.

Like artists, writers, poets, and more, mood board creators get their ideas from a variety of places. From people to places, to ideas. Catta gets her ideas from everywhere.

“Things I see in my daily life, talking to my friends, Pinterest, and other accounts,” she said.

Along with a flow of creative ideas, mood board creators get inspiration blocks. It happens to the best of artists, musicians, writers, and mood board creators. Izzy has inspiration blocks all the time. She feels uneasy when following what is popular in current trends within the mood board community and often has to come up with original ideas.

“I have to come up original ideas because I feel uncomfortable copying the popular trends in the mood board community, which is kind of hard to do,” said Izzy.

There are times where she finds herself not liking what she’s created.

“A lot of times I feel like my mood

board isn’t good enough,” she said.

She is then reassured when her post is liked and given love by other mood board accounts and her followers.

“But then it does really well when I post it and I get inspired again,” she said.

Beginnings @sataninsatin began a little under a year ago. Since then it has grown. With a fantastic number of 4 thousand followers, the mood board account continues to grow.

“It felt really weird that so many people enjoy what we post but nice,” said Izzy.

This account was made for enjoyment and to promote creativity.

“It’s just for fun and to inspire others,” said Catta Unlike other mood board accounts, @sataninsatin does not have a posting schedule.

“We post almost daily,” she said.

Three admin makes posting much simpler and less tedious.

“Being three people makes posting frequently much earlier and less stressful for all of us,” she said.

Their current number of likes has increased over the past few months.

“Typical number of likes right now is 1k!” Catta said.

Family and friends knowing about this mood board account vary for each admin.

“I have a few friends who do, and

I know other admins do as well, plus some family members like siblings,” said Kaylie.

“My friends know and my sister, I always show her my mood boards before posting them,” said Catta.

For those interested in starting a mood board account, Kaylie has some tips. Follow many other mood board accounts and get involved in mood board collaborations. It helps to get yourself out there and get involved in the community. Who knows, maybe lots of people will like your mood boards!

Comment on other people’s posts, (no self-promotion of course). It helps you interact with other mood board accounts. Be complimenting, mood board requests, or mood board collaborations. Post frequently, this assures that your followers won’t get bored of the same content you’ve had for a while.

Trust Kaylie, no one likes mood board account hiatus. Last but not least, always use original and artistic ideas.

Make your account unique to you! Be theme, color scheme, fonts, types of mood boards and more.

The mood board community If you’re still feeling about uneasy about joining the mood board community know that it’s a nice place to be creative and express yourself. Kaylie finds that this community is quite encouraging.

“It’s honestly so extremely supportive,” said Kaylie.

Page designed by Zoe Alvarez

Support and inspiration are spread throughout the community, especially through mood board accounts.

“Everyone supports each other, and often gets inspired by each other,” she said.

In this community, people respect originality.

“Everyone gives credit and recognizes each other’s success,” she said.

Kaylie believes that the best part of the mood board community is the encouraging mood board accounts.

“The best part about the community is the support and sharing,” said Kaylie.

It also gives her joy and a sense of enjoyment.

“Everyone is so sweet and participating and it’s what makes this so fun and makes me happy,” she said.

Inspiration is everywhere, it’s also within the mood board community.

Kaylie finds it intriguing to see how different mood board creators make mood boards. Whether it be of a show, abstract art, a certain aesthetic, and more. It also helps her get a fresh point of view through other mood board accounts and try out new ideas.

“It’s really interesting to see how people think so differently around mood boards, and different styles and using things I didn’t think of like drawing on the mood board or editing the pictures,” said Kaylie.

Take a look into this new form of digital art. Mood boards really do switch up our take on collages.

4B POT

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The Magnet Tribune December 20, 2018 3B

should have restrictions to prevent any kind of conflict and discourage people from breaking the law.

Seeing the effects first-hand his reporter interviewed an experienced, older person with the goal of having better insight to a mature mind. Juan Moreno, who’s in his 40s, has a strong attitude towards the legalization of recreational use of marijuana.

“I believe marijuana affects many people with the way they think. It’s some sort of manipulation that can lead to harming others or themselves,” Moreno said.

Moreno stated that marijuana can ultimately harm a person despite it being referred to as a “harmless plant.” He says he speaks from experience when he states that marijuana can turn a person violent and lead them to do violent things such as stealing.

Moreno has had relatives in the past that have extensively used marijuana, which he said led to serious problems with the law. He believes a person under the influence of marijuana could commits acts that a person with their five senses intact would never dare to do.

Moreno sees marijuana as the start of something that will only get worse when it comes to teenagers using the drug.

“I think marijuana is a start on why teenagers use even more dangerous drugs. For example, if an adolescent has been smoking pot for a while now, the teenager will want to try something new with a new effect.

That can lead to the usage of other dangerous drugs such as heroin or cocaine at a young age,” Moreno said.

Moreno added marijuana can be addicting, especially to young people. He agrees with the idea that teenagers will view the legalization of marijuana as a good thing.

“If the legalization of recreational marijuana in Texas comes to be, there should be restrictions on the age and quantity per month when

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it’s being purchased,” Moreno said. spite all the negative outcomes that Moreno stated that people should marijuana causes, medical maribe qualified to buy legal marijuana. juana can help many with different He broached how government should health conditions. take on the responsibility of knowing which people who deal with weed Legalization may happen react worse than others. He said he ith a more liberal to moderate believes some people are vulnerable attitude toward the legalization to marijuana, which could result in of marijuana, Mark Webber believes violent acts; therefore, it should be recreational use of the substance highly restricted to will happen soon or those with a threatlater. He states that “I think ening past. he wouldn’t be surmarijuana is a Moreno is cerprised if legalizatain that the legaltion occurs despite start on why ization will bring state being teenagers use even the even more crime led by a conservamore dangerous regardless of the tive government. positive outcomes “That the state drugs. For concerning the inpassed a law allowexample, if an crease of the econing medicinal form omy of other states of marijuana to be adolescent has that have done the prescribed instead been smoking pot decriminalization of of chemical pills for a while now, marijuana. says a lot. I think “Of course, there President Trump the teenager will will be profit with is also leaning towant to try the legalization, but wards that direcit will only benefit tion by having the something new the government and government remove with a new effect. those who will sell. marijuana from That can lead to Not everyone will be the list of harmful positively affected the usage of other drugs. I wouldn’t be with the legalizasurprised to see the dangerous drugs.” federal government tion of marijuana,” Moreno said. going through with Juan Moreno Moreno used the this and the counfact that marijuana try change course has been illegal all these years for from what it has been, classifying his reason why it will bring conse- it as a drug and arresting people, to quences. He’s aware that it has been where it is accepted,” Webber said. illegal because, in the end, marijuaWebber said he believes there will na has its negative effects on some be positive and negative outcomes if people. He said he has confidence legalization for recreational use octhat the nontraditional movement is curs. money motivated. The government “Positively, there will be revenue realizes how much profit the dealers for the state with the taxing of the of the substance make and would people buying it, but it will negativewant their share by taxing buyers, ly impact peoples’ health,” Webber according to Moreno. said.

Whereas being heavily against He said people who may occasionthe recreational use of marijuana, ally use marijuana recreationally Moreno supports the idea of medical could become heavy users or othermarijuana being legal in Texas. He wise abuse it. He gave as an examclaims that medical marijuana hap- ple sometimes people who drink alpens due to the fact that the sub- coholic beverages may binge drink. stance is a natural plant and it can He said the possibility is also there bring wonders. He agrees that de- for people to “binge smoke.”

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Webber stated how as a teen, he never saw marijuana as a drug. He said he had never met anybody who used the substance until college, when fellow students in his residence hall would smoke marijuana.

The smoke, Webber said, eventually made its way to other rooms on his floor through the air conditioning system.

He believes teenagers could have the same mindset towards marijuana, as they could see the legalization of marijuana as a good thing and use it to get with the trend, he said.

Webber believes legalization should come with restrictions to prohibit the abuse of recreational marijuana, such as with the age being 21, due to the process of still-growing bodies.

Small quantities shouldn’t too much for the average person, he said.

“Moderation is fine. A little bit is not going to hurt. Using it constantly, for many hours a day, I think would be harmful. A person would be on the safe side if they used marijuana occasionally. It would be like a person who drinks a beer with a meal. There’s no abuse, it’s just having something to enjoy. However, sitting down with a case of beer and drinking the whole case at once, at least the way I see it, is going overboard,” Webber said.

Additionally, Webber said he does not think legalization should come with restrictions when it comes to the amount of marijuana purchased. However, he added, if the government restricts the quantity of what people can buy and possess, punishments should be enforced for those who don’t abide the law.

As with many others, Webber said he is aware of medical marijuana. He said he has read articles about veterans in other states using it illegally as a way of coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that was caused by war. He argues that it should be made legal for them if it positively affects them.

Webber said only time will show how legalization will affect Texas .and the country.

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December 20, 2018

Opinions vary on legalizing pot

America Moreno Staff Writer

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he state Legislature in its 2017 session passed legislation which allowed a certain amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects, to be used for medical purposes in Texas. This has sparked hope in some that the state will permit treatment for patients with conditions other than intractable epilepsy.

There has been some discussion whether the Legislature will further loosen restrictions on recreational use of marijuana in the 2019 or future sessions.

Laredo residents expressed their opinions towards possible legislation and how it could affect the citizens of Texas.

What is marijuana, and what are its effects? annabis is said to be first originated in Central Asia 500 BC. and was used primarily for herbal medicine. Cannabis in America can be traced back to the early colonists where hemp was grown for textiles and ropes. At this moment in time, cannabis is used for its “high” effect.

For those who aren’t familiar with the drug, marijuana contains 483 known compounds. Active ingredients in the plant are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid; cannabinol (CBN), the parent compound of tetrahydrocannabinol; and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found naturally in Cannabis sativa.

Marijuana can be smoked, eaten, or vaporized. It’s used as a blunt, cigars that have marijuana instead of

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MT photo by an anonymous contributor This hand-made cigarette is one way people use marijuana. tobacco; a cigarette (typically called a joint), edibles, a food form of marijuana; or in a pipe or bong. Joints and blunts are often dipped in phencyclidine (PCP), a drug that has hallucinogenic effects, for a more “happy” result.

When a person smokes marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries it to organs throughout the body, including the brain, according to National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens. The effects begin immediately which can result in complicating the process of making decisions, concentration, and memory. The people who use marijuana on a daily basis can run

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the risk of being permanently affected more than those who occasionally do. This can lead to poor memory and loss of control of the person’s brain.

Other effects of marijuana include an altered sense of time, changes in mood, impaired body movement, breathing problems, increased heart rate, problems with child development during and after pregnancy, intense nausea and vomiting, temporary hallucinations and temporary paranoia.

Scientifically suggested, the human mind is fully developed by the age of 25. As a teenager, medical literature states using drugs can damage the development process of a

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young person’s brain. By extensively using marijuana, teenagers can permanently harm their brain and prevent themselves from fully maturing.

Many teenagers nowadays focus on how popular drugs seem to be without knowing the risk they’re taking by using dangerous substances. Marijuana is often considered a harmless drug due to the fact that it is a plant. However, there are many consequences that come from smoking pot.

Outcomes in Laredo he Texas Department of State Health Services, along with the Laredo and United independent See MARIJUANA page 2B

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