The Magnet Tribune, Jan. 5, 2015

Tribune he Magnet

A state- and nationally recognized student newspaper

Vol. 22, No. 1

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January 5, 2015

Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts, 820 Main Avenue, Laredo, Texas 78040

Singing, voting at Rock the Vote

Page 2 One semester of college finished

Dancing, singing, food Festival unites students, teachers, community

By Michelle Fraire MT staff writer

T

Page 4 What a fright!

Costume contest

Page 12

he annual Hispanic Festival hosted by VMT took place on Thursday, October 30, at the Laredo Civic Center.

Even before the festival started students and teachers were very busy setting up their booths.

About an hour after the festival started the Martin ROTC stepped onto the stage and did their routine with the U.S. and Texas flags.

They were followed by Celia Hernandez’s choir class who performed the Star Spangled Banner.

After their performance VMT Theater Department Head Vernon Carroll came to the stage and introduced Mr. Jose A. Flores. Carroll See FESTIVAL, page 6

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Tapestry holds Open Mic Night

By Milton Hattem MT staff writer

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MT photo by Susana Ginez Valerie Gardea and Hugo Torres perform a modern dance routine at the Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Laredo Civic Center.

ark pieces of literature seemed to be in the majority at Tapestry magazine’s Open Mic Night.

The event on October 16 took place in Tapestry magazine’s classroom in the Harding Building.

Ashley Ramirez’s Open Mic Night audience of nearly 30 students saw 18 pieces of literature presented. Ramirez is Tapestry adviser.

Ramirez explained the purpose of Open Mic Night.

“To generate student interest in Tapestry’s literary magazine that is printed at the end of the school year, and also to get possible submissions. What I mean by possible submissions is that not all submissions are guaranteed to be published in the magazine. It just depends on if it follows through the theme the magazine has,” she said.

According to Ramirez, “the event went really well. I got a lot of positive feedback,” along with a total of 20 items submitted.

The event began with

Ramirez stating the beginning of the event and letting a student, senior Andrew Elizondo, begin with a poem titled “Bloodhounds.”

It started as follows: “As the sniff the air for their next victim, I can’t help but notice the tension thicken. I feel so sicken. I can’t believe I just stood there as they took my friend, but I was so fear stricken that I had no choice but to run away. Shh listen,” he read.

During the rest of the time there were multiple students who went up and presented their pieces.

One of the students was freshman Lauren Melendez, whose poem, “Life in a Nutshell,” was presented. Here’s a sample.

“You are sweet, you are fragile. You look like a boxer after a fight. You grow a little, then a lot. You have good eyesight,” Melendez said.

Lastly, one of the last items presented was a poem read by senior Cristina Oviedo.

“I take a pencil in my hands and lay out some paper. These are my weapons.

Without thinking, I let my

MT photo by Miguel Zamarripa Tapestry staff member Linda Ramirez reads a poem about her grandfather at Open Mic Night.

thoughts flow. Word by word the answers varied from EliI let my heart speak without zondo’s “it seemed interestfear of being judged,” Oviedo ing” to Oviedo’s, “To present said. something outside the box.”

When Melendez added, “Let the a s k e d people hear what I have to why they write.” w r o t e “Overall the event succeedpieces ed on its purpose and for stuof literadents to present their hard ture to a work,” Ramirez said. group of More photos online at: students http://magnettribune.org/?p=3320

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New campus is on its way

Quill & Scroll International Honor Society of Journalism

More photos are on page 11A MT photo by Michelle Fraire The new VMT campus is taking its final shape. Students and teachers will begin classes there in August.

Part of the soon-to-be former campus will house Jose A. Valdez High School. VMT began classes in fall 1993.

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2 ‘Davis’ beats ‘Abbot’ in mock election

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The Magnet Tribune January 5, 2015

Votin’ & rockin’

By Krysta Robles MT staff writer

Two students debated for the title at VMT’s Rock the Vote on Oct. 23 with the student portraying Wendy Davis coming out ahead with 78 percent of the vote.

Rock the Vote, presented by the school, took place at St. Peter’s Plaza and consisted of persuading seniors and people over 18 to vote, and a mock election.

One of the things used to persuade seniors to vote was a mock debate for governor between two students, Marco Guajardo as Davis and Luis Bravo as Greg Abbot.

The themes, or questions, consisted of education, immigration, affordable healthcare, welfare, and voting ID requirements. Both contestants had a valid argument, but the audience seemed to love what Guajardo had to say.

Guajardo, “Wendy Davis,” received over three-fourths of the voting participants.

“Welfare is a very touchy subject. There is a struggle that people face for those on welfare when you see others abuse the system. We all have heard stories of people trying to abuse food stamps. I get it, but for a moment forget all your prejudices against all minority people, and look at the

MT photo by Arlen Barba Luis Bravo, left, Leslie Suarez, center, and Marco Guajardo, right, took part in the governor’s debate. facts. In Texas 17.4 percent common to hear about individ- products, however, will not be tant to vote, and with the mock people live below the poverty uals abusing their Lone Star limited and will be a variety debate it gives the students line and 677 thousand people welfare money on junk food of dietary necessities such as what each party is fighting for, are unemployed. Think of the because junk food is consid- cereal, rice, and poultry. This or the views of every party,” issues all those 677 thousand erably cheaper than healthier way not only are we solving a Sylvia Velasco-Flores, Social people faced. Think of how food. This creates problems. welfare problem that limits the Studies instructor and event hard it will be for those 17.4 One, many abuse welfare people that are unable to use organizer, said about the impercent of people to get back and two, the lack of access the welfare system, but assure portance and meaning of Rock on their feet. That’s what the to nutritional meals. The way that everyone has access to the Vote.

“I liked everything about it, welfare system is about. It’s I would address the welfare safe, healthy, and nutritional of course, but the students reabout helping people, and it’s system is to change to a ra- meals.”

After the debate, the stu- ally liked the music, and the about spreading goodwill. We tion system similar to WIC. In don’t want those people to lose other words, instead of having dents from VMT, Martin, Nixon, photo booths, and the food. their homes or their dignity. I money directly to use for one’s and Cigarroa got up and voted. They just really liked it. The know for a fact that there is at needs, we will provide coupons There were four voting booths, debate was really good this least one person here in this and food vouchers food. For and students used a real bal- year. I know those are things crowd that has been helped by example, one gets a voucher lot for local, state, and national that got everybody’s attenwelfare benefits. Let’s extend for three gallons of milk and races. While the voting was tak- tion,” Velasco said.

“It went really well, actually, that to all those in need. Let’s whoever is in possession of ing place students and faculty and took a lot of planning, but bring all those numbers down that voucher can go to a local bands played rock music. food market and pick up three “The importance of Rock at the end, it was a really good to zero,” Guajardo said.

Bravo, “Greg Abbott,” re- gallons of pre-approved nutri- the Vote is give awareness to turnout and very successful,” sponded with, “It is not un- tionally beneficial milk. The students as to why it is impor- Velasco said.

VMT reflects on 13th 9/11 ceremony

Mayor urges pride in America

By Jazmin Campos MT staff writer

VMT held its 13th annual 9/11 ceremony on Sept. 11, commemorating those who endangered and lost their lives on that tragic day in 2001.

VMT Director Dr. Martha E. Villarreal opened the ceremony talking about how this day should always be remembered and how the nation is envied by people in other countries.

“People envy our way of life, our way of freedom,” Villarreal said.

Mayor Raul Salinas was the event’s guest speaker. Salinas spoke to students, law enforcement officers and VMT staff about 911 and how this event relates to dangerous affairs on the border.

“The threat is real, not only to our city but for our nation of

USA,” Salinas said.

Showing his American pride, Salinas invited all present, including students to repeat loudly, “I am proud to be American!”

Salinas finished with, “God bless you and God bless America, and we will never forget those who lost their lives on 9/11.”

Also speaking was Larissa Espinosa, master of ceremonies, Abigail Garcia with the background of 911, and Eliseo Ceja with the invocation and the Sept. 11 proclamation.

In honor of those who risked and lost their lives, 10 chimes rung for every 300 that vanished in the attack. To close the ceremony Taps were played

by Edgar Compean, student of Robert Lopez and “God Bless America,” played by the VMT music faculty.

A former VMT student said he liked the ceremony.

“I like that we can have it to remember that day. It really gives us back the American pride we were missing that day,” Gerardo Lerma said.

MT photo by Jessica Canales Martin High School ROTC students hold the flag after presenting the colors at the 9/11 ceremony at St. Peter’s Plaza.

“… [It] shows the hard work that the students have put into producing the stories, photos, video, and audios for the past year so I’m proud of the students for what they’ve done.”

The online paper is important to get judged because the staff needs the opinion of someone who is experienced in this field, Webber said.

The critique is based on the site design, graphics/media, writing/editing, photography, and frequency of updates.

“The judge had a lot of posi-

tive things to say about what we have published so far,” said Webber.

However, the judge emphasized the addition of a sports section and the coverage of national news.

Although there is not a foreseen addition of a sports section, there could be more national news if it affects the students, Webber said.

“I’m hoping maybe we can do the little bit extra to get the All-American Award instead of the First-Class Award,” Webber

Online newspaper earns national award

By Norma Garza and Jessica Canales MT staff writers

The Magnet Tribune’s website received a First Class Award from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA).

The First Class Award, received Sept. 17, is achieved when a website receives a score of 3,400 points or more. The Magnet Tribune scored a 3,440.

Journalism instructor Mark Webber explained what this award is.

Page design by Krysta Robles

said.

The All-American award is the total points of 3,400 or more points plus four or five of the following Marks of Distinction: Coverage/Content, Interactivity/Community, Breaking News, Design/Navigation, and Rich Media.

Morning staff members Arlen Barba, senior, and Delilah Gonzalez, sophomore, said this award was an honor.

“It’s really awesome to be rewarded for something that you work hard on,” Barba said. Bar-

ba and Gonzalez agreed when working on the newspaper, aspects such as the pictures and editing go into creating a story.

Afternoon staff member Susana Ginez, junior, said she would like to see more worldwide news on the website to keep students more informed.

“I feel proud because it is a reward that tells us that we are doing great and…makes me feel that there is someone out there who really appreciates what my classmates and I do for the online paper,” Ginez said.

The Magnet Tribune January 5, 2015

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1st year at VMT is first year teaching

Audio interview online: http://magnettribune.org/?p=3210

By Krysta Robles MT staff writer

MT photo by Victoriano Garcia New Social Studies instructor Jacquelyn Perez, second from right, stands with seventh period students. From left, Mario Peña, Lydia Palacios, Anelysa Rodriguez, William Rodriguez, and Jesus Rodriguez.

Jacquelyn Perez likes to get to know her students

By Krysta Robles MT staff Writer

Jacquelyn Perez’s sixth year of teaching is at VMT. “Now that I moved back to Texas, this is my sixth year teaching.

I’m here with you guys,” Perez said.

She has been teaching for the past five years and now is with VMT for her sixth. She is hoping to stay here for the rest of her teaching years.

“I think it’s that I like to form personal relationships with my students. I want to get to know them on a more personal level because that helps me understand how they learn, and I feel like I’m able to make those connections very well,” Perez said.

Getting to know a student on a personal level has helped Perez in the past. It’s a way to improve her teaching.

“My teaching philosophy is that you can’t expect high standards while teaching with low standards, so I feel like teachers should always have very high expectations and students, you guys, will always meet the chal-

lenge,” Perez said.

Audio interview online: Perez has called her- http://magnettribune.org/?p=3208 self “weird” in front of her makes me want to come to work; classes. it’s the students, and knowing “I’m very weird. I’m a character you guys makes it worth teachwhen I get up and it’s translated ing,” Perez said. with parts of my life. I don’t care if She explained her teaching caI’m making a fool out of myself. I reer has been in two states. can be dorky, I can joke, I can be “After I graduated college, I animated, and it won’t faze me,” taught at United High School for Perez said. two years, and I moved to ArizoBuilding a character and not na and taught a year at a middle caring what others think takes a school and I took a break from whole lot of courage, she said. teaching at that time because I Perez said that in order to get had a baby. When I came back, I to know someone, a person has to taught at a charter school, which let them get to know you. was a high school, in Arizona for “I really love it here. I love that two years,” Perez said. there’s a celebration of culture Perez could not compare other and diversity, and the arts are go- schools and VMT. ing on all the time. I love how self“I have taught at so many difmotivated the students are. I love ferent schools; every population is the staff; everybody is so positive a little different, so I can’t really and friendly. It’s just great work, compare this school to others. and a great place to spend my The population is so distinct and days,” Perez said. unique,” Perez said.

What does she think of her “I would like to say thank you students? to everyone in this school for be“My students are amaz- ing so wonderful and making my ing. They are so bright; they are transition back home so much the brightest students I’ve ever easier, and I look forward to more taught. They challenge me ev- years teaching at VMT,” Perez ery day, and I think that’s what said.

Aemiee Martinez is in her first year teaching at VMT. “The students are very creative, and they are very fortunate to have a school that encourages them to be creative,” Martinez said.

Martinez talked about the students, including her own. She strongly believes that having students that are creative could lead the students to having leadership.

She said being adaptable is a strong point.

“I have to say my strongest strength is flexibility.

Since I am new, a lot of the times I plan, but things never go my way and being flexible and thinking on my feet has kept me sane,” Martinez says.

“What I’ve learned about myself is that I’m extremely patient.”

Martinez said teaching is very stressful, but having the ability to think on her feet has helped her keep organized.

“My teaching philosophy is that want to make history and also social studies fun for my kids.

I think by letting them know that the decisions that other people are making and have made in the past are what brings them to what they are today.

I think by making it relevant, students will find that it isn’t so boring and so my mission is to make them know that this stuff affects them and also let them know that they have everything to shape their lives and futures,” Marti-

MT photo by Victoriano Garcia

Social Studies instructor Aemiee Martinez is in her first year of teaching. nez said.

She said she likes what she sees in the students.

“I think my students are very talented. I feel like there is so much potential here for our future leaders.

Extremely smart, extremely outgoing and I am very lucky because I think we have the best Laredo can offer,” Martinez said.

Martinez talks about her students and the students that don’t belong to her, too.

“I think the students are talented, and that they are very fortunate to have a school that encourages them to be creative. I’m very honored to be here.

I love the staff, I love the students, and I really do think that the arts is something, as a nation, we keep moving away from, so to have a place in Laredo that encourages them to be creative and also excel academically is a real jewel. We are really fortunate to have something like this here,” Martinez said.

16 de septiember celebrates heritage

More photos and video online at: http://magnettribune.org/?p=2946 http://magnettribune.org/?p=2857 MT photos by Delilah Gonzalez, Norma Garza VMT students celebrated Mexico’s independence from Spain with an event on Sept. 16 with performances of regional dances, songs and the Grito, or cry of independence. More photos, video are online.

Four recognized by school board Journalism/online media students Belen Silva and Brandon Gamez received school board recognition for receiving first place in the Advanced Multimedia category of the recent Association of Texas Photography Instructors’ Fall Contest.

MT photo by Krysta Robles

More photos online at: http://magnettribune.org/?p=4034

Visual Arts student Claudia Serna, left, and Maegen Yeary received school board recognition in December for their holiday greeting cards.

Serna had her card selected in the Region One ESC Holiday Art Contest while Yeary had her card selected in the LISD Holiday Greeting Card Contest.

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The Magnet Tribune January 5, 2015

Juniors, seniors in college Students face a new world of expectations

By Martha Inguanzo, Susana Ginez, and Victoriano Garcia MT staff writers

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he teacher supervising senior Dual Enrollment Government 2305 students likes the fact that they’re selfmotivated.

“Most are selfmotivated, and they get the work done on time,” Social Studies teacher and Dual Enrollment facilitator Sylvia A. Velasco-Flores said.

She said a facilitator observes students and guides them to be successful in their college courses.

During class she listens to the lectures with her 22 students. Everyone works when they go to college.

“The professor lectures, students listen and take notes.

Students have weekly online quizzes and an occasional test,” Velasco-Flores said.

Quizzes and tests are different from what students take in high school.

“Everything is online. They’re self-guided,” Velasco-Flores said.

She was please with how the semester went.

“Overall, the course went quite well. The students had trouble at the beginning adjusting to the style of teaching of the professor but they were able to adapt and all of them passed the semester,” VelascoFlores said.

Earlier in the semester she said the students were doing quite well.

“They have adapted very well. It’s really just getting the hang of the professor and his methods,” Velasco-Flores said.

They always have something to do on days they don’t go to college.

“They can take the quiz for the week, read the chapter, work on another class’s assignments or practice with their fine arts,” she said.

She said she is able to help students with their work.

“Being a previous U.S. Government teacher I can tutor them and give them different examples,” VelascoFlores said.

Eddie Arredondo said he was please with how class went.

“The semester went very well during my time in Dual Enrollment. I’m happy that I received a pretty good grade at the end of the semester,” Arredondo said.

Earlier in the semester, students said the high school government class is different from a college government class.

“Taking a high school Government class is mostly teacher oriented; however, college Government is mostly independent learning,” Senior Eduardo Arredondo said.

He said some of the students struggle and some don’t.

“As of right now, I’m struggling slightly but it’s something one can overcome,” Arredondo said.

Students can find out if they’re doing well in class or

MT photos by Esmeralda Martinez Above: Dual Enrollment college English students work on essays at VMT. From left, Laura Coleman, Ayesha McCaulley, and Peter Contreras. Below left: Aribeth Baiza and Eduardo Compean study during a non-class day for their Psychology class. Bottom right: Gerardo Flores, AP English III teacher and dual enrollment supervisor, works with students on a non-class day.

not.

“In government class I’m doing fine. I can see my grades on a database (Canvas, a class website) and monitor them carefully,” Senior Amanda Castañeda said.

Both students have good views towards taking a college Government class.

“It is an advantage because one is saving money for the future,” Arredondo said.

On the other hand, it’s also one less class.

“I like the fact that I have will have to take one less class when I go to college,” Castañeda said.

He said a Dual Enrollment class will help with college.

“Taking Dual Enrollment should be taken into consideration for it will assist you once you start college,” Arredondo added.

Heads up though, students must do their work.

“Basically, if you’re going to take a college class you must do the work. You can’t get by on excuses. They don’t accept that,” Castañeda added.

Writing is a big part of English

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uniors that are new to Dual Enrollment will find it challenging, said Gerardo Flores, AP English III teacher and supervisor for the students in Dual Enrollment.

According to Flores, the students taking college English 1301 seem to be doing well so far.

One class requirement was for students to write different types of essays.

Students are taken to Laredo Community College at 3:15 p.m. and they’re brought back

at 5:00 p.m.

“It’s a rough schedule for the kids because they get back from dual late and it often interferes with extracurricular activities, but it’s worth the opportunity to earn college credit for free,” Flores said.

When students are not taken to LCC, they stay in class with their supervisor, Flores.

“Some students use the time to work on their fine art because they only take one hour of fine art during the day due to dual, and they also use the time to read and write their essays,” Flores said.

In December, Rene Garza said he felt the class was a repeat of things he already learned.

“I thought the class was easy and that it was basically what we learned in freshman year.”

Garza said.

“Taking an English college course is not for slackers. You have to be on the ball,” said Pedro Contreras, another Dual Enrollment student, earlier in the semester “They (professors) expect more things from you,” said Rene Garza, another Dual Enrollment student. “For example, you are expected to know the due dates, and there’s a lot more work.”

Both students said they were proud and honored to be taking an English college class while still in high school.

Students will continue with English 1302 in the spring, Flores said.

Psychology: How the mind works

S

ome students in dual enrollment are taking Psychology 2301, which

is the study of how the mind works.

“Students study different ways on how the mind works,” David Blumberg, CTE instructor and supervisor of the Psychology dual enrollment class, said.

He said he makes sure that the students are paying attention to the professor during class time, and to help with assignments on days there is no class.

Students board the bus at VMT and get taken to Laredo Community College, where their class is located.

Blumberg thought the semester went well for the class.

“The Psychology students did really well as a whole.

Almost half of them had a final average of over 100. The students should be proud of themselves. The students desire to discuss with the professor made this class particular good for them, Blumberg said.

Students will take a Speech class in the spring.

One of the requirements for taking the Psychology class is to be a senior, he said.

“Students should study psychology to help themselves and others on how their mind works,” Blumberg said.

Andrew Elizondo, a senior, said the class was a good experience.

“I learned a lot about psychology,” Elizondo said, who added he enjoyed taking the class.

Earlier in the fall, senior William Rodriguez said that he enjoys learning Psychology.

“It is very interesting, and I get a lot from it,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said earlier in the semester the class covered topics such as memory, how the brain is able to process information, and life span, on

Page design by Jazmin Campos, Krysta Robles, and Gilbert Rodriguez

how people change over the years.

“The class itself is not hard, but we do have to turn in our assignments online. We have to just make sure we stick to the deadlines, and that we do our work on time or else it won’t get graded and our professor won’t see it,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said that the college teacher differs from the high school teacher because the college professor, Dr. Laura Cruz Garza, lectures better and that he and his classmates interact more with (the professor) than they would do with a high school teacher.

Rodriguez recommends the class to anyone that is in dual enrollment due to the fact that it is a fun and interesting class.

Senior Eliza Elizondo also goes to the same class as Rodriguez. Elizondo says she enjoys the class.

“It is a great opportunity to experience a college class,” Elizondo said.

Elizondo said that the class will help her with college experience, for her to get ahead in college. Elizondo added the only difference between dual enrollment and regular classes is that students have to read more, and the majority of their grade comes from tests.

“Professors in college expect you to be more responsible.

They don’t push you around to do an assignment. It’s your choice if you want to do it or not,” Elizondo said.

Elizondo is happy to be in dual enrollment.

“It makes me feel more free and (I go) more at my own pace, and I look forward to that later on,” Elizondo said.

(Staff writer Esmeralda Martinez contributed to this story.)

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Strings students make TMEA orchestra Numerous strings students earned positions on the Texas Music Educators Association Region 14 High School Orchestra.

MT photo by Milton Hattem Top photo: Bottom row, left to right: Sebastian Ortega, Jose Ugarte, Dante Aguilar, Carlos Alvarado, Josue Ortiz, Cesar Peña, Cesar Vela. Top row, left to right: Julithea Rodriguez, Diana Riley, Anna Lara, Rocio Garza, Samantha Gonzalez, Bianca Ochoa, Ruth Soveranes.

MT photo by Cassandra Gonzalez/Lauren Melendez Bottom left: Seated: Jael Guzman, Carlos Gonzales.

Top row, left to right: Anthony Barrones, Maximiliano Hernandez, Victoria Pacheco, Laryssa Garza, Melissa Irogoyen.

MT photos by Krysta Robles Bottom right: Emilio Hinojosa

6 perform in the region choir concert MT photo by William Rodriguez Six choir students sang in the TMEA Region Choir Concert on Nov. 15 in Rockport. They are, from left to right, Kristelle Rivera, Joey Villa, Adriana Castro, Diego Cruz, and Ayesha McCaulley. Not pictured is Laura Coleman. Also, McCaulley and Cruz have advanced to Area competition. Villa and Rivera are alternates.

Making a spaceship out of milk cartons

MT photos by William Rodriguez Visual Arts students in sculpture created a “War of the World” themed-spaceship for the Made by Milk 2014 Carton Construction Contest. Students used more than 500 milk cartons and other material to create the spaceship. Pictured, from left to right, Clarissa Guerrero, Cecilia Gallegos, Brittney Muñoz, Hyde Franco, Vanessa Cordova, Marissa Guerrero, Amanda Garza, and Amanda Castañeda.

Video online at: http://magnettribune.org/?p=4098 Story and photos to come

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The Magnet Tribune January 5, 2015

The Magnet Tribune January 5, 2015

School News

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MT photos by Delilah Gonzalez, Martha Inguanzo and Susana Ginez Above: A student from the Theater Arts Department walks around with a poster advertising cupcakes.

Left: Creative Writing and PreAP English I & II instructor Ashley Ramirez and students Kassandra Garcia and Arturo Moncivais set up the Tapestry booth before the festival.

Center left: A dancer in costume was one of many performers at the Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Civic Center.

MT photos: above, Delilah Gonzalez; below, Arlen Barba Above and below: Students perform a folklorico dance number at the Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Laredo Civic Center.

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Festival features student performances presented him with a plaque for his dedication for theater.

Flores said he was shocked to be receiving the plaque.

“I was very surprised when I found out I was going to receive a plaque. It’s humbling to be recognized by people at a school I don’t even work at. I’m glad that a school like VMT exists because it helps reinforce the peoples’ love for the arts.”

Afterwards there were many performances by student dancers and musical ensembles.

Brisa, a freshman who is in modern dance, felt comfortable after performing.

“I was a bit nervous at first but

afterwards I was relieved,” she said.

The students seemed to be enjoying themselves most of all.

They were given the chance to enjoy the performances and the food, which many of them agreed was really good.

“The tamarindo taco is really good. All the food is really good,” said a student.

Not everything was fun and games, though. The students also had to help out at their organization’s booth.

Dr. Martha Villarreal, the school director, said the festival was an opportunity for the students to work together.

More photos, video, story online at: http://magnettribune.org/?p=3651 http://magnettribune.org/?p=3634 MT photo by Arlen Barba Students perform a Folkloric dance number at the Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Laredo Civic Center.

“This festival was the biggest and most attended we’ve had. It was a great opportunity for them [students] to connect with the Spanish culture and to work together to put all of this together.

I’m very proud of how responsible they are,” she said.

Laryssa Garza, freshman, thought the festival was ‘‘fun.’’

“I think this is fun and I think everyone else is having fun too.”

Freshman Sandra Chavez believes the festival was a success.

“I think everyone did their best to make sure the festival was successful. I had a lot of fun and I’m really looking forward to it next year,” Chavez said.

More photos online at: http://magnettribune.org/?p=3571 http://magnettribune.org/?p=3466

Below: Silvia Castanos and Debra Barrera sell cupcakes at the Hispanic Heritage Festival.

Bottom: A modern dance number at the Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Laredo Civic Center.

Page design by Edward Barrera

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Reviews

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The Magnet Tribune January 5, 2015

Adventurous ‘cops’ face criminals

“L

et’s Be Cops” is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time. It brings a whole new meaning for the comedy genre and it’s a different type of humor that will have you laughing throughout the whole movie, from the hilarious lines of the actors, to the funny scenes in the movie.

It introduces a new idea that could actually be done by anyone if they would wish to, and that is pretend to be cops around the city which you live in. The journey of the movie is one that will take an unfamiliar twist and even though the movie is comedy, you will see that the action is still there as well.

This film is about two struggling pals who dress up as police officers for a costume party and soon they become neighborhood sensations.

Ryan (Jake Johnson) and Justin (Damon Wayans Jr.) are really good friends, but their lives seem to be boring and at times they find their careers pointless. They feel as if they are not progressing in their careers and that others are more successful than them.

Ryan doesn’t really have a job or he just works for an office, and Justin is a video game creator who is always showing off his new games to people, but he never seems to impress anyone because the people in charge of reviewing his games never like them. He gets disappointed because he knows he worked hard on the game and for his coworkers to tell them that it’s terrible really does hurt him.

He tries to get his mind off

Cinematic

By William Rodriguez of the situation by going with his friend Ryan. When they get invited to a costume party, Ryan believes they should dress up as ghosts at first, but then Justin tells him they can just wear some old police officer uniforms he has and so they decide to go as cops to the party. This is when the journey begins and the night were they begin to act as real cops.

They arrive to the party and they both realize that it wasn’t a costume party, but rather a masquerade party. Ryan notices all these people with fancy clothes wearing masquerade masks, and they all stare at them since they look like police officers. They end up staying at the party because they know several people and it’s like a reunion of all the friends from high school.

This one man goes up to Ryan and asks him what he has done with his life and what type of job he has, but he just responds with well it’s difficult to explain but I’m working here and there. This makes him realize that he doesn’t really have a career and that maybe being a police officer could be his new career even though he didn’t really pursue that career.

Ryan and Justin leave the party and continue to walk around the city. When they begin to walk, they notice that several nice looking women are walking towards them, saying “cops let me kiss you.” They

both stay surprised at how everyone outside thinks they are actual cops and so they start to mess around with the people.

For example they go to some thugs in the streets with drugs and they start smoking with them. They also order for people to stop walking and that’s when they begin to realize they have power over people. Ryan then tells Justin that they can pull it off and pretend to be the new cops in town.

Justin begins to talk to Josie (Nina Dobrev), a woman he gets attracted to, and she happens to work in a restaurant of a well-known owner.

Ryan notices that one day a mobster under the name of Mossi (James D’Arcy) shows up to the restaurant demanding money and threatens the owner that if he doesn’t pay, there will be terrible consequences. Ryan tells Justin right away and they talk about it like if they are actual cops and they begin to open up an investigation on Mossi and his squad. They know he is a dangerous criminal but they still believe they should help out the city by taking them down.

Later on Ryan and Justin go to the restaurant dressed as cops again and they make Mossi and his squad leave.

The people are grateful that the mobsters left, but now the mobsters want to kill Justin and Ryan for interfering with their negotiations. Ryan takes

www.letsbecops.com Jake Johnson, left, and Damon Wayans Jr. star in “Let’s be Cops.” things to a whole new level when he buys a white car on eBay and makes it look like a cop car by putting the sticker of the cops and getting the sirens for the top of the car. Ryan even buys a radio that signals where there is a crime and it communicates to other police officers. Ryan goes to show Justin and he is surprised that Ryan is still thinking to keep it going even after weeks of being fake cops. Justin is scared that they will be caught and have to go to jail.

An actual officer shows up one night when Ryan and Justin are patrolling the city and he ask them what they are up to. The actual police officer is Detective Segars (Rob Riggle) who doesn’t notice that they aren’t actual officers and Ryan even has a badge he got to promote himself to sergeant so the officer asks him if he is new in town. Ryan responds with saying yes, “how could you not know,” and they end up talking with each other, but sud-

denly they notice an alarm go off at a hardware store so they all get off and try to search for the robbers inside the store.

Now Ryan and Justin are involved in an actual crime so they don’t know what to do and they start acting really dumb. After that they continue to focus on Mossi and his squad so that they may bring them down and have justice and peace for the city. They think they will become great heroes, but what they don’t know is the real problems they will have to face.

Ultimately “Let’s Be Cops” is a hilarious movie that will have you full of laughter, and it’s a movie you will really enjoy. You will find it one of the best comedies recently produced as a movie. It’s now available to watch online for free and soon will come out on DVD since it’s not in theatres anymore.

Hope you all enjoy the film and have a fun time watching it.

Supernatural love story never told before

T

his has to be the MOST EXCITING, ROMANTIC, THRILLING, and SUPERNATURALLY SEXY book I’ve ever read.

I cannot stress this enough.

“The Unbecoming of Mara”

by Michelle Hodkin will leave you wishing it wasn’t just a trilogy, but a whole 10-book box set.

When Mara wakes up in a hospital unaware of why she is there, her mother informs her that all her friends died a few days ago when the abandoned asylum they stayed at one night collapsed without warning. She was the only survivor but why has she survived when all friends have died?

The story starts with her friends Rachel and Claire and her boyfriend Jude in the abandoned asylum. They begin to use the Ouija board and ask how each of them are going to die. As they are playing, the

The Book Look

By Belen Silva planchette moves from letter to letter eventually spelling Mara’s name. So, how would you typically react if an insane ghosts told you your friend would be the cause of your death?

Mara wakes up in the hospital with no memory of what happened that night. Her family believes that in relocating, Mara might feel better and try to forget about what has happened. Mara and her family move to Florida to try and forget what happened. In Florida she meets eccentric and wellrounded Noah Shaw.

How to describe Noah Shaw? He’s your typical bad boy, but with the brains. At first, Mara can’t stand his cyn-

ical personality, until he helps Mara kidnap a wounded dog from an abusive owner.

As she’s walking to school one day she sees this dog in very poor living conditions. Her chain is digging into her skin and she looks like she hasn’t been fed. Mara can’t helping feeling sorry for her, so she goes into the house and tries to free the animal. Suddenly the owner shows up. Mara tries to reason with the man about letting the dog go, or treating it better but the man threatens her. As Mara gets up to leave, the owner kicks the dog. Mara becomes so mad she imagines the owners head bashed in.

Hours later after school,

Mara passes by the house where the man and dog lived.

Police officers and an ambulance surrounded his home and she sees the man was found dead in his home, with his head bashed in.

With the help of Noah, Mara steals the dog from the crime scene and takes her to Noah’s home. When they reach Noah’s home, she realizes what she can do. And it’s possible that Noah can help her control it.

Besides her weird supernatural power she now has to worry about Jude, her supposed dead boyfriend. She’s been seeing visions of him, until later in the book she comes to grasp the reality that Jude never died in that asylum even though they found his hands in the rubble of the crime scene. Jude has been watching her, unseen and unnoticed, like the ghost he should have been. But he’s alive, and

he wants revenge on Mara.

This stomach twisting, hair pulling, nail-biting, self-destructive book will leave you in awe in every chapter. I highly recommend this brilliant piece of fantasy literature and hopefully you enjoy it.

Could Battlefield 4 been made better?

O

n Oct. 29, EA and Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment (DICE) released a new game that hit the market named Battlefield 4 Final Stand.

In the game players take their places in a squad of soldiers venturing through Europe and Asia in an attempt to prevent World War 3.

When progressing in the game, the player begins to bond with their squad and slowly get to know their squad better.

The online multiplayer is one of the best I’ve seen in any battlefield game. The graphics compared to the previous game Battlefield 3 are a tad darker and give more depth when playing the game. The online maps are also bigger in

Gamebreaker

By Chris Cantu

the previous game.

The multiplayer setting has new features such as the com-

mander mode which allows players to see the whole map at a top view and talk to other

squads on their team to help navigate their way to an objective, drop missiles or drop supplies while in battle. All of this can help a lot if you have team mates that are willing to listen to the commanders’ commands and suggestions.

The developers at DICE added new graphics on the online multiplayer. One cool addition was the way players can manipulate the maps. In previous battlefield games players could fire rockets at a building and a small portion of the building would be destroyed; now in Battlefield 4 players can do much more than that.

Some examples would be like entire skyscrapers collapsing or destroying a dam which can flood the map, or even a ship crashing onto land.

Some downsides to the multiplayer mode is that there is no party system. For those of you that don’t know what that is, it’s a system that allows players to play with their friends in the same game.

Another downside is destruction. The graphics don’t really look as realistic as they did in the previous game Battlefield 3. DooM Goblin on YouTube describes these graphics as glitchy and “the destruction just kinda turns into rubble all of a sudden.”

Other than that, there aren’t many downsides. The graphics still look great, the maps are huge, guns are better, and there’s a longer game time. Battlefield 4 is definitely worth buying if you don’t already have it.

Opinions

The Magnet Tribune January 5, 2015

Comments? Write us at mt_writers@hotmail.com

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Breaking up hurts, but pick up the pieces

B

oys and girls tend to stop believing in love as soon as they get hurt …

Let me tell you about a friend of mine. Let’s call her Marlene.

Marlene had gotten hurt once and was afraid to “love” again, but as the time passed she realized that when she said to that person (which during that time he was someone “SPECIAL”) “I love you,” she knew she had made a humongous mistake. Marlene wasn’t just hurting herself, but she was hurting him too… when she told him “I love you” his eyes sparkled and his smile made cars crash. She knew she had ruined his life!

It was her first time lying and she wanted to die!! She decided to just keep going with the flow. She had started gathering feelings for him as the time passed because she had realized how sweet and nice he was but when she was about to start opening her heart … with his man hands he forced it to close, he put chain over chain, lock over lock around it and broke the key with such anger!

She was devastated. She knew she had done wrong at first, but was not expecting to fall down from that beautiful cloud she was on.

The Bug

By Martha Inguanzo He broke her. He knew that with time she was going to give it a try and try to put the key together so she could unlock the locks and remove the chains.

He was smart. He reached into his pocket and boy was it an amazing feeling. He had a spare key! He decided to do her the favor that she was planning to do with time. His hands went slowly to unlock her heart and remove the chains.

She had the chance to do what she had been wanting too before he closed it. The beautiful cloud picked her up again.

It was her time to shine! He finished removing the last chain and yanked her heart out.

He kicked it like a soccer player trying to get the last goal so they could win the tournament. He ran after it and picked it up and threw it like a drunk driver would throw his beer bottles. Her heart shattered and all the pieces went different directions. It was going to be impossible for her to find every tiny piece.

Her knowing where her heart had been shattered, she knew that she would have that place in her mind forever.

After months of depression, she decided to take a walk down that path where trillion of pieces of her heart were scattered.

As she would walk down that path, with a microscope she would search for the pieces slowly. Every tiny piece that she found she would pick it up with a glove and put it in a ziplock bag. She was afraid. She did not want to cut herself and bleed to death.

After months of walking down that same path and picking up the pieces … she was just missing one! The center of her heart … she kept looking for that one special piece, but yet was never found. She gave up! She was tired of walking down that same path!! Suddenly she decided not to look for it anymore; that path was boring already.

Months passed, and a friend told her that he walked down

that dreadful path and found something mysterious. He kept it as a secret from her. He didn’t give her any hint of what it was. Too bad she thought, she couldn’t force him to tell her what he had found that was so “mysterious.” They started talking more and more every day. She started to like him.

When she would talk to him, she would feel some type of way. She would mention how his voice was fascinating. How his eyes were amazing. How he would brighten up her day with the beautiful, amazing, spectacular words he would tell her. How the way that he would express himself was perfect. His personality was just marvelous she thought.

Everything about him was just wow! He would make her feel wanted again.

She was scared though.

Marlene thought that if she would tell him about the feeling she had towards him that he was going to do the same thing that the other one did.

One day that they were talking on the phone and she decided to tell him all the feelings that she had towards him. He was speechless. She thought to herself that she had made the biggest of the biggest mistakes ever in her entire life!

She was afraid that he was going to hang up. Delete her number. Block her from Facebook. Block her number from his phone. Anything possible to get rid of her.

Boy was she wrong! He was proud and excited of what she had told him. She had no reason to be scared anymore. She was still a bit nervous though.

That same day, he spilled the beans. He told her everything. All his feelings towards her. What he liked about her.

What he disliked about her.

Everything, everything! Man was she lucky that he had the same feelings towards her. She thought to herself, that they were perfect for each other!!

Knowing each other’s feelings just made everything even better than it already was!

They became boyfriend and girlfriend. Made a deal that they wouldn’t hide anything from each other. No secrets.

No regrets. That they weren’t going to listen to anything that anybody said. It was just going to be us two against the world.

Becoming boyfriend and girlfriend was the best thing ever.

One day he told her that he had a surprise for her. She was excited to see what it was.

He showed her an x-ray of his See MARTHA, page 10

Sharing secrets can cost a friendship

S

ecrets should never be shared, especially if told in confidence.

If shared, it could lead to unwanted audiences, start rumors, and break up friendships. Secrets are meant to be kept, not shared.

If a secret is given to you it’s the reason for that person trusting you. If he/she tells you “I trust you, please don’t tell anyone,” it’s because he/ she doesn’t want anyone to know but only you and wants your confidence.

If you share the secret that’s given to you, you can lose his/ her trust and friendship. It’s better to keep a secret than to break a friendship and lose someone’s trust.

In addition, when you share a secret there’s so many people out there that not only want to start rumors, but they also want to hurt you.

If you tell the secret you will

Observations

By Delilah Gonzalez have rumors spreading about what was told. Whether the secret is good or bad they won’t care because it won’t affect the one spreading the rumor. People use secrets like a weapon to hurt you, especially if it’s very personal.

Also, when a friend shares a personal secret of a friend of theirs it will lead to many unwanted audiences, as it spreads from one person to another. Others can even add something to the secret that isn’t true at all. What if, the secret goes to the ears of the person who you were keeping it away from? Probably his/ her parents or even an enemy?

That’s the point of a secret: no one else knows about it but

you.

Remember, secrets are meant to be kept, not shared.

They’re between you and the person you told. I know I wouldn’t say anything, no matter the situation between me and him/her. Secrets revealed can lead you to many consequences but mostly unwanted audiences, rumors started, and broken friendships.

Best friends share common traits Not all the time do best friends have a lot in common, but their trust and love is stronger as they become best friends.

There are many reasons to keep a best friend, especially if you have a lot in common, like not liking the same people, loving the same type of music or singer, and having a birthday in the same month.

First, I know some friendships that if one friend doesn’t precisely like someone you talk to they’ll be so jealous and would want you to stop talking to them. Some friends don’t really mind if you do talk to the ones they’ve had conflicts with and still talk to you. Also, if both friends happen to dislike someone that makes one thing in common. That’s just the way best friends are.

My favorite common thing is when you and your best friend love the same type of music or singer. Both can talk about his/her performances on the awards shows or videos they saw on YouTube, or talking about the words of lyr-

ics they love the most including their favorite song. Best friends always happen to sing and dance their favorite song together.

It’s so fun having a birthday in the same month. It’s totally a for sure birthday celebration together. They get to hang out to celebrate their birthday and exchange gifts. Not all best friends have the same birth, but if you’re lucky and both have the same birth month and same day it’s something in common that makes that friendship special.

Every friendship is different but my point is that in that every friendship they have at least one thing in common that makes it special.

I have a friendship and we have a lot in common.

One thing that makes a great friendship is trust and love that we both have.

Waffle Iron

The Magnet Tribune The Magnet Tribune is a publication produced by students in the Journalism, Newspaper Production and Photojournalism classes of the Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts, Laredo Independent School District. This publication provides readers with 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.

By Michelle Fraire

Dr. Martha Villarreal School director Mark Webber Journalism instructor and adviser The Magnet Tribune Vol. 22, No. 1, January 5, 2015 Nameplate on page one was produced by Brandon Gamez, sophomore, for use beginning in the 2014-15 school year.

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

Printed by Greater Dallas Press Copyright ©2015 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.

First Class Award: 1996-97, 98-99, 99-00, 02-03 03-04, 04-05, 05-06, 06-07, 07-08, 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12

Second Class Award: 2000-01, 01-02, 10-11 (website), 11-12 (paper and website), 13 (paper)

ILPC

Award of Distinguished Merit: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 (Star nomination), 2010 (online) Award of Achievement: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2011 (online), 2012 (online) Award of Honor: 1998, 2004, 2005

Contact The Magnet Tribune By e-mail: mt_writers@hotmail.com || On the Internet: http://magnettribune.org || Facebook || Twitter Address: Vidal M. Treviño School of Communication and Fine Arts, The Magnet Tribune, 820 Main Ave., Laredo, Texas 78040 In person: Room TM-23 (Journalism classroom), or drop off items for Mark Webber in the school office.

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School News

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The Magnet Tribune January 5, 2015

Decorations for the season

MT photos by Milton Hattem and Kaylah Reyes These Christmas decorations are part of a much larger, elaborate display in the library.

Christmas trees:

Left: Harding Building. Center: Urbahn Building. Right: Office. There’s also a tree in the Choir building.

This decoration, in the Choir house, incorporates musical symbols.

MARTHA,

from page

heart and the missing piece of her heart was there. He completed her. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to her and she wouldn’t change him for anything.

He listens to her. He un-

This wreath decorates the Urbahn Building.

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derstands her. He gives her advice. He’s the best boyfriend anyone can ever ask for. She’s glad that god brought him into her life and she wants him to stay with her forever.

Not everyone thinks how

they think. He’s her other half.

He was made for her. After so many months of depression and having her heart closed, she finally decided to open it.

She doesn’t regret it at all whatsoever. He makes her re-

alize that not everyone is the same. It just takes time to find the right person. You’ll find that person eventually though and realize that love really exists. Just be patient and don’t rush into things. And remem-

ber to treat the person that you are with nicely. They are people, not things. Not just because you are going out with means that you have the right to abuse of them and do whatever you want with them.

The Magnet Tribune online: http://magnettribune.org

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The Magnet Tribune January 5, 2015

School News

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VMT’s new campus will be ready to use in the fall. Costing about $24 million, it will have specialized areas for music, dance, communication, visual arts and theatre as well as academic classrooms. The ground-breaking ceremony for the school took place April 29, 2013.

New campus nearly done

MT photos by Michelle Fraire and Krysta Robles

More photos, video online at: http://magnettribune.org/?p=3979 http://magnettribune.org/?p=4011

Page designed by Victoriano Garcia

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School News

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The Magnet Tribune January 5, 2015

Contestants for Most Original costume pose for the judges during the afternoon Halloween Costume Contest at the cafeteria outdoor stage.

Contest brings out the fun

By Edward Barrera MT staff writer

A

student who dressed as a hotdog stirred up much laughter during The Magnet Tribune’s afternoon costume contest.

Ethon Vega was in the Funniest category.

Contestants wait while the judges look at their costumes.

Marina Medellin and Anayansi Ortegon dressed and acted as mimes.

Cristina Ginez, Amarana Espinoza and Andrea Arredondo dressed as nuns.

Ethan Vega, who won the Funniest category, stirred up the crowd with his dancing.

The annual afternoon contest was held Friday, Oct. 31, on the outdoor stage next to the cafeteria.

Celso Hernandez, a senior who dressed as 1950s rock star Richie Valens, talked about the contest.

“It was a good event. It was very school appropriate,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez also spoke about the costume he wore to the contest.

“Due to my costume, (students) were persistent for me to perform the song ‘La Bamba’ on my guitar since I was dressed as Ritchie Valens. It was funny at first, but it wasn’t so funny at the end of the day,” Hernandez said.

“I felt like (the contest) was a war to the death. …

If it actually were I would have died for I came out last. Either way, I still got a token of appreciation.

Whether I were to come in first or last, it was all for fun in the end,” he said of his honorable mention in the Most Original category.

Miguel Zamarripa, freshman, a staff writer who was a judge at the contest, also enjoyed seeing the costumes.

“I thought the contest was pretty awesome. There weren’t a lot of costumes, but they were cool,” Zamarripa said. “The most unique one was Alice in Wonderland. There were three girls, one dressed as Alice, one as the Mad Hatter, and one as the cat.”

Zamarripa talked about the hardest part of judging the contest.

“The hardest thing was the costumes. They were

pretty cool, so it was hard to decide for first, second, and third place,” Zamarripa said.

Two contests were planned on that day: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. However, due to rainy weather, the morning contest was cancelled.

The contest had five categories: Couples, Cutest, Funniest, Scariest, and Most Original. Most Original had the most entries while Funniest had one entry.

Amaranta Espinosa, who received an honorable mention for her costume as a nun in the Couples category, enjoyed participating. “(People) were surprised (at our costumes) but they seemed pleased about it,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa wasn’t the only person dressed as a nun; her costume was part of a single entry to the contest: three nuns.

The two others dressed as nuns were Cristina Ginez and Andrea Arredondo, who are both sophomores.

Couples contestants walk on the stage.

Sherline Salazar and Sergio Hernandez dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert.

Cutest category: Kevin Gonzalez, Amanda Guevara, Laura Coleman and Becky Merito.

--Winners are below. Listed are names of contestants, their costume and place.

Names are from the registration lists.

Cutest Kevin Gonzalez, Peter Pan, 1st Amanda Guevara, Panda, 2nd Laura Coleman, Scarecrow, 3rd Becky Merito, Minnie Mouse, honorable mention Funniest Ethan Vega, Hotdog, 1st (one entry) Scariest Denisse Alvarez, Jigsaw, 1st Jose Ugarte, Serial Killer, 2nd (two entries) Most Original Rodrigo Ramirez, Cholo, 1st Daniela Ramon, Kim Possible, 2nd Ruby Salas, Captain America, 3rd Celso Hernandez, Richie Valens, honorable mention Couples Marissa Guerrero, Clarissa Guerrero, Lidia Palacios, Alice in Wonderland, 1st Sergio Hernandez and Sherline Salazar, Mary Poppins-Bert, 2nd Marina Medellin and Anayansi Ortegon, Mimes, 3rd Cristina Jimenez, Amaranta Espinoza, Andrea Arredondo, nuns, honorable mention

MT photos by Victoriano Garcia and Susana Ginez Page design by Delilah Gonzalez

Contestants leave the stage after judging.

Contestants in the Couples category show off their costumes.

More photos online at: http://magnettribune.org/?p=3496 http://magnettribune.org/?p=3471