Edge “ Pleasant Grove
High School
It’s important for people our age to stay informed so we know what we’re looking for in a president.” -Noni Hilley (10)
77% of students think the election is rigged
Centerspread
T
uesday Oct. 18, Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan met with donors at a fundraiser in Texarkana. This is the closest a person in this kind of position has made it to Texarkana since Sam Rayburn was the Texas Speaker of the House. Also at the Republican outing was Senator Tom Cotton, and U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman from Arkansas. Representing Texas was U.S. Congressman John Ratcliffe. Speaker Ryan explained their mission in coming here as well as his goals as Speaker of the House. “My goal was never to be speaker in the first place — it was a job I was drafted into by my colleagues. Upon taking this job, my goal was to unify our conference, House Republicans, around a common vision and a common agenda. That’s what this ‘A Better Way’ agenda was all about, so I got the Republicans in Congress focused on putting solutions to the big problems of the day and getting congress focused on that,” Speaker Ryan said. “While preparing solutions to the pressing problems facing the nation, that is what I started my speakership with and that’s what I’m focused on right now and it’s basically getting everybody moving in the same direction, working as a team, and offering solutions to the country.” Speaker Ryan said further information on his movement can be found at better.gop online.
Story on page 15
Speaking With the Speaker
(of the House)
5406 McKNIGHT ROAD TEXARKANA, TX 75503 VOL. 31 #2 Nov. 3, 2016 PGEDGEONLINE.COM
2 News
HAWK HIGHLIGHTS Pink, Pumpkins & Pep-Rallies Group Picture Day
7 8
Dress up nice for the day, because the school will be taking group pictures for clubs in the yearbook.
Election Day
1
October really was a scary month, with the PSAT, clown scares, and the upcoming election
2
This is election day . . . Wow, what a ride it’s been. Seriously. It has been rocky. If you can vote, go do it.
Academic Showcase
14
The entire academic program of PGISD will be on display in the cafeteria and both gyms from 6-8 p.m.
Early Release
14
And to get ready for the above event, students will be released at 1 p.m. Unless you’re helping set up.
4
3
Letter Jack Orders
16
If the weather ever changes, you’ll need a letter jacket. You can order yours at the table in the foyer today.
Thanksgiving
21
Art Club Escape Room
2
Art Club will host a new fund raiser this year: a studentdesigned Escape Room especially for middle school aged students.
Children’s Art Workshop
3
The art department will hold the annual Children’s Art Workshop in the cafeteria as always, but with a brand-new project to try this year. Sorry, just for kids.
Band Christmas Concert
6
1. Junior Faith Dossey donates blood at the United Blood Services blood drive on October 25. (TNyugen) 2. The crowd cheers for the guest speaker at Fields of Faith.(MPayne) 3. Dressed in all pink, STUCO and Keyettes members encourage the runners at Race for the Cure. (TBeck) 4. The cheerleaders perform their routine at the Black Out pep rally. (TNyugen)
Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving break will be from Nov.21- 25.
Yes, it’s that time again. Band starts the holiday festivities with their annual concert of Christmas music in the PAC.
You’re ZOMBIES
talkingabout . . .
5. 5. Freshman Mica Taylor puts on zombie makeup in her theater class to celebrate Day of the Dead, a project in theater, Spanish and art classes.
“It only took like 20 minutes to do the make-up today for Day of the Dead. We practiced for about four weeks beforehand just for this.” Angelica Green (9) “It definitely took a lot of time and patience to learn but it was totally worth it to see all the hilarious double-takes.” Sandra Swanson (12)
SENIOR NIGHT “Senior Night was kind of sad, just because of me knowing it was the last time I’m ever going to get to play with these guys, with everybody just being here together and playing as a team... it’s all over now. Now all we’ve got are our memories of playing together to look back on.” Bobby Cooks (12)
6. 6. Senior football player Garret Adams walks across the field on Senior Night with his family.
News 3
ON THE EDGE Just Ask Us
A recent CNN poll showed eight in ten parents believe children should be required to receive vaccinations and most agreed that they should not be able to attend public school without them. Do you think children should be required to get vaccinations? * 79 surveyed
71% Yes
If students had to get shots, they wouldn’t get sick and their grades would be better because they wouldn’t miss school.”
- Alana Avard (10)
29% No We don’t even know what they are putting in our bodies. When they expose kids to diseases they just need more vaccines.”
- Blaise Olson (12)
Rock On These little rocks are more than just angular paperweights. They’re “beacons” made by Estimote, a tech company that’s changing the way Bluetooth is used in daily life. The beacon sends out Bluetooth signals to tablets and phones. They’re currently being used to enhance visitor experiences in the Guggenheim Museum and FC Barcelona. With applications in everything from education to small businesses, these rocks are sure to make a big impact.
On
bended ABBY SANDERSON
Knee
Students and teachers weigh in on the recent national anthem protests
A
ccording to “So I would prefer for them to do art teacher something so that we actively know Mrs. Nicole Bris- they’re choosing to do this to make a co, the world isn’t black and white, but statement, rather than just to sit down. full of grays. One of those grays is the It was clear, with the one that kneeled, recent protests by athletes like Colin that he wasn’t being casual about it. He Kaepernick and Megan Rapinoe during did respect the anthem, but he did want the national anthem. Senior Rylie Rie- to make a point about it.” besell, whose family has military histoThe recent protests have also sparked ry, is against Kaepernick’s decision. arguments over whether or not stu“I think it’s disrespectful. He couldn’t dents should say state pledges, or even play that sport without people dying the national pledge, in school. Mrs. for him,” Rylie said. Brisco, who was raised in Arkansas, And people did die, but people like says the state pledge creates a division Coach Josh Gibson see their sacrifice in an already divided nation. as the gift of choice. As Amer“Even when I say icans, we are given the right by the state pledge, our Constitution to speak out I don’t know the without being censored, which full purpose of it is what Kaepernick is doing. because we’re sup“They’re well within their posed to be a unitrights. I just have so much pride ed country so by for our country and so much having a pledge to pride for our flag and know each state, it’s kind the price that had to be paid to of showing our go into all that,” Coach Gibson separation,” Mrs. said. “It bothers me inside, but Brisco said. “But I I understand them using their can see, once again, platform to try to draw attenthat is import- Coach Josh Gibson anthow tion to a cause that they find to our history as a worthy.” whole country.” Not everyone disagrees with KaeperAlthough state pledges might create nick, and most, like Coach Gibson, division in some areas, Coach Gibson agree that his actions are within his says that growing up in Texas doesn’t rights as a citizen. For Mrs. Brisco, it’s make him any less loyal to the United not the protest itself she has a problem States as a whole. with, but the way that some athletes “I’m very proud to be a Texan. choose to protest. There’s absolutely no doubt about that,” “There was one young man that Coach Gibson said. “But, I know we’re sat, and there was one who kneeled. I a small part of a great nation and our would have preferred the kneeling be- nation is one that many people have cause it’s actually showing that you are come to better their situations, better doing something in rejection of this. their lives, and get these freedoms and But just by sitting it feels like there is liberties that we have. You can get that a disrespect there,” Mrs. Brisco said. in all 50 states.”
[reporter]
“It bothers me inside, but I understand them using their platform to try to draw attention to a cause that they find worthy.”
Because many students don’t even say the pledge to begin with, an argument against saying the pledges could be redundant. Junior Blake Crocker thinks that some students opt out of the pledge because they don’t know what saying it is all about. “I think they don’t really understand why they’re saying it, or maybe they have a twisted interpretation of why everybody else is saying it,” Blake said. “They might think that America stands for something bad, and they don’t want to say [the pledge] because of what they think it means and not taking it for what it really is.” But whether you protest the pledge for something you believe in, or just stand while it’s being said, Mrs. Brisco says that it’s not all about the pledge or even the anthem, but what we do as citizens that counts. “I think that it’s important because it’s a tradition and it’s a way for us to outwardly express our respect for the men and women that have died and have to go to war,” Mrs. Brisco said. “But in another sense, I think that actions, like the physical actions we do every day, are more important to show our unity as a nation and things that are going to show people in our world what America is about. Helping, coming together, uniting.”
What Is Freedom of Speech?
Taking a 52%
Stand
always stand and sing the national anthem.
31%
sometimes stand and sing the national anthem.
17%
almost never stand and sing the national anthem.
73% always stand and say the pledge.
*120 surveyed
Students share what they think the 1st Amendment freedom really means “I think it means to say what you believe but not be a radical. You can be free with your speech until it gets violent, then people have problems with it.” - Samantha Cox (12)
“It means that you can say anything you want without anybody telling you not to say it.”
- Samuel Venegas (9)
“It means that you can say whatever you want without the government throwing you in jail for it. You can challenge what the president says.” - Kaitlyn Jones (11)
“My definition of freedom of speech is having the ability to express myself without having any boundaries restricting me.”
- Kayla Cooks (10)
4 News Leadership students create, implement independent service projects for school, community
HURRAY
F
At the Area Marching Contest last Saturday, the Pride in Motion Band finished eighth out of 25 bands competing. They made the finals but will miss the state marching contest since only the first five bands advanced. Earlier in October the band received straight one ratings at the district contest. At the Mount Pleasant Invitational the JV golf team placed first overall. Ben LeGrand placed 1st overall with a score of 72, Parker Matthews placed 2nd overall with a score of 81, Nick LeGrand placed 3rd overall with a score of 89, and Yates Floyd placed 5th overall with a score of 94.
JILL BULTEMEIER
[reporter ]
HALEY HEARN [reporter]
Learning to serve, learning to lead
The Seniors won the class competition by winning the most games and dressing up for the most dress up days.
The October Student of the Month was Lyrique Redeau. HOSA collected and donated 80 units of blood to meet their goal for the blood drive. Charla Harris received the pioneer award from the National Scholastic Press Association.
most every day. Jedd’s project is called “Flowers for Tyrone,” and he is creating a flower garden in memory of custodian Tyrone McCurdy, who passed away last month. “For years Tyrone and Mrs. Beck and a few of the other teachers from the 600 hallway were talking about how just that little patch of grass out there needs some sprucing up,” Jedd said. Instead of a boring landscape outside the 600 hallway, there will be perennials and green bushes. At the beginning it really only takes one person, because all he has to do is kill the grass and put in good soil. However, he will have the help of both STUCO and Leadership students so that he can plant the flowers in one weekend. As for the budget, it’s all taken care of. “Each service project interlocks and makes other ones happen. Let’s say somebody does a service project that raises money for Student Council; then we’ll use that money for my flower garden,” he said. When the projects are over at the end of the year, Mrs. Beck hopes that their sole purpose wasn’t just to stress out her students. “I hope they will learn how to carry out an idea, how to start their project from the beginning, and how to see it through all the way to the end,” Mrs. Beck said. “I also hope that they will learn the importance of giving back to your community and serving a community that does so much for them.” Seniors Bryceson Laing, Jedd Ramos and Brooklyn Puzz work on a project during their Leadership class.
Getting carded
Seniors Cindy Chiang and Nathan Brinkley have been named Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Seniors Yasmine Easter and Jesse Jenkins were presented with the National Academcy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Award where they watched live surgeries and had the opportunity to ask physicians questions in real time.
or years, Leadership teacher Tiffany Beck has done service projects the normal way, with the teacher in charge and students to help. A lot of students. A student here, a student there, working under the teacher’s supervision. However, Mrs. Beck thinks that service projects should be done a different way. “I think that with Leadership, [students] have to have the opportunity to initiate their own project and then to see it through to the end,” Mrs. Beck said. So, instead of an adult taking charge, there will be a student, with their own vision and project, and a few helpers from the class. One such student is senior Kylie Rodgers- and her project is more personal than most. “My little brother has autism, so the cause has always been very important and personal to me. I really want to do anything I can to raise awareness for it,” Kylie said. She will be selling cookies for a dollar in March, because April is Autism Awareness Month and the projects are due March 31. “I’m going to make the cookies shaped like puzzle-pieces, which is the symbol for autism awareness, and they’re going to blue which, is the color for autism awareness,” she said. All of the proceeds will be donated to the RT Autism Awareness Foundation, which is a national organization dedicated to making people aware of autism and the effects it has on individuals and their families. Senior Jedd Ramos’ project isn’t quite as personal, but it is dedicated to someone he knew and saw al-
Identity theft not just a problem for adults; scams, thieves target teenagers, too Ethan Wagner BEN NORTHAM Senior leaves the movies in a
[editor-in-chief
]
hurry on the way to his house. When he gets home, he pats his pockets, but it’s gone. His debit card had been stolen. “I’m very afraid of getting my identity stolen — I don’t want them to have access to my personal information if I can prevent it,” Ethan said. “They didn’t know my pin number so they couldn’t spend any money, but it was scary to know that they could have spent all my money if they had it.” Identity theft incidents increase every year and the group that has the greatest chance of getting their identity stolen is young adults right out of highschool. “Identity theft is something I’m worried about,” junior Kolton Johnson said. “I don’t want my future to be messed up by some random guy who stole my personal information.”
An example of identity theft that’s closer to home comes with high school transcripts. When counselors print off a transcript to sign up for dual credit classes, it has your whole, uncensored, Social Security number. “There is always that risk of your identity being stolen but I’m not really worried about it,” senior Diego Morlet said. “I don’t think it’s that big of a deal that they print it off because no one at the school is going to steal our identity.” Although your identity can be stolen from someone getting your information off your transcript, the solution to this serious problem is extremely easy. “Whenever I get my transcript in my hand I put it right into my backpack and take it home at the end of the day,” senior Nick LeGrand said. “I don’t want my identity being stolen because of a piece of paper that the school gives to me.” But your high school transcript isn’t
the only way to get your identity stolen. Groups can call you based on information they purchase from websites and attempt to get your personal information over the phone. “These people called me and told me they were an insurance company and asked me for my information,” senior Jungrok Oh said. “I told them thank you but goodbye and hung up because I knew it was a scam.” Although identity theft can severely damage your future when it comes to getting loans, credit cards, and jobs, if you protect your birthdate, address, and Social Security number, you can rest easy knowing that your identity will be secure. “I keep my information as secure as I can manage,” Ethan said. “I’m always worried when a website or company asks for my information, but other than those moments I keep it pretty reserved.”
Why worry? $1,000+ The average loss reported by victims of identity theft is over $1,000 on average
17.6 Million The estimated number of people who have their identity compromised each year.
1.6 Million 1.6 million people each year spend more than a month resolving issues with their identity.
9.2 Million 9.2 million females have their identity stolen each year compared to 8.3 million males.
9 out of 10 9 out of 10 people knew nothing about the person who stole their identity.
*Bureau of Justice Statistics
News 5
A Shot in the Dark
Students with food allergies depend on life-saving device, no matter what the cost She had to shoot him. There was no oth] er way. If she didn’t, he might suffer more than he had to. So Beth Murphy held her son down and stuck him with his EpiPen, all while her older daughter watched with gaping eyes and a dropped jaw. Junior Audrey Murphy was just 9 years old when she watched her brother Alex experience anaphylactic shock. What’s more, that incident was the first time Alex ever had to use his EpiPen. “We were at my old house in Crossett, Arkansas, and we were eating steak and salad. There was this dressing, and it had tree nut stuff in it. He was like, ‘Mom, I can’t breathe.’ I ran out of the room because I was crying, and I was freaking out,” Audrey said. “I went in the living room, and my mom was holding Alex; she had to hold him down. She just stuck it in his leg, and it scared me because it looked painful. I can’t even imagine. It was really scary because I didn’t know what was going to happen.” An EpiPen is a an auto-injector that injects a dose of epinephrine to the bloodstream when a person has a reaction to their allergen. For some people, the device is a matter of life or death. Alex isn’t alone in his struggle with a food allergy. Senior Mabrey Payne has suffered similar problems due to her allergy to tree nuts. For Mabrey, the major con when it comes to her medicine is cost. Her family can afford to buy her EpiPens, but she is aware that not all are as fortunate
MADELINE HAAK
[reporter
The
‘Big 8’ These foods account for 90 percent of the most dangerous food allergy reactions in the U.S.
Peanuts The number of people who have peanut allergies seems to be increasing exponentially. From 1997 to 2002, the commonality of this allergen doubled in children. It is the most common of the “Big 8” allergens.
as she is. Recently, the device has been in the news because of a 400 percent increase in price, when the product skyrocketed from $57 in 2007 to about $500 today. “Im frustrated about them going up in price. Thankfully, my parents have a job that lets us be able to afford EpiPens,” she said. “However, I know others can’t. I think that the price should be lowered and that EpiPens should become more available to those who need them.” For those whose lives depend on the auto-injector, these prices are a serious detriment. The EpiPen is what they depend on, and it can stop their allergic reaction from becoming a problem so much larger. The device has done just that for Alex Murphy on a number of occasions. “He’s had to use it [the EpiPen] like three or four times,” Audrey said. “It all happened when he was younger because we weren’t really aware.” The Murphys discovered Alex’s allergy to all dairy products and tree nuts when he was young, but that doesn’t make it any less difficult for him to avoid his allergens. “I think he was around one or two when we found out about his allergy. We were at my aunt’s house in Little Rock, and we were eating Cheez-Its. He started just projectile throwing up everywhere,” Audrey said. But Alex’s doctors didn’t know then that he also had a tree nut allergy. “He went to like the doctor, and they told him that he was allergic to dairy products, but we didn’t know about the tree nuts,” Audrey said. “One other time that he had to use the EpiPen was when we had a treehouse in my backyard, and he went out there. He had like all these hives because there was something to do with how they made the treehouse.” Fortunately, it has gotten easier for Audrey’s family to identify and avoid the ingredients Alex can’t have. “The last time he used it was when he was in first or second grade,” Audrey said. That was seven years ago. Audrey has always watched her mother stick the needle into the side of her brother’s thigh. And she’s not too interested in finding out how to do it herself.
Tree Nuts Approximately 1.8 million people in the United States are allergic to tree nuts. Allergic reactions to these nuts are the leading causes of fatal reactions to food. Like peanut allergies, these are usually lifelong.
Milk
Wheat
Almost all infants who are diagnosed with a milk allergy receive the diagnosis in their first year of life, but most outgrow it within the first few years of their lives.
Similar to that of milk, the wheat allergy is often outgrown. It is often confused with celiac disease, which prohibits those who have it from eating more than just wheat.
Soy Americans eat processed foods. A lot. So it’s difficult for those with the soy allergy to avoid products containing their allergen, which has become a major ingredient of processed foods in the United States.
Fish This allergy is most popular in areas of high fish consumption. Although there are different species of fish, a majority of allergic reactions are caused by the fish muscle protein parvalbumin.
“I’ve never had to use it on him, and I don’t ever want to. My mom has done it every time — I would be so scared,” she said. “Obviously, it probably does hurt, but I think it’s scary for him too. The needle is really long.” Unlike Alex, Mabrey has never endured the stab of the EpiPen, something she’s appreciative of. “Thankfully, I’ve never had to use my EpiPen. My family caught it early enough, and I never eat anything closely related to tree nuts anymore,” she said. “I’m severely allergic to tree nuts. I can go into anaphylactic shock if I have a bad reaction,” Mabrey said. Just like Alex, she found out about her allergy from a bad experience. “I ate something with tree nuts in it and had a terrible reaction to it. So, after that episode, my parents took me to an allergist, and I got tested for several different things and realized I was allergic to tree nuts. I was around seven when we found out.” Both Audrey and Mabrey - Mabrey Payne (12) agree that EpiPens are beneficial to those who need them, and they believe the devices truly help decide if one lives or dies. “I’m really glad there’s a tool that can prevent his allergic reaction from furthering. For sure, because like if you call the ER, it’ll take them forever to get there. The EpiPen slows down everything. It gives it [his anaphylactic shock] time to slow down,” Audrey said. “They’re just scary for the people who have to use them. Like, I can’t imagine my mom holding me down and like stabbing me in the leg.” However, that stab in the leg can save a life. “It’s a life-saving device. I think EpiPens are extremely beneficial,” Mabrey said. “They can ultimately be the determining factor whether you live or die.”
“They can ultimately be the determining factor whether you live or die.”
Shellfish
Nearly seven million Americans are allergic to seafood. This includes lobster, shrimp, crawfish, and other types of seafood. I imagine it would be a pretty “crabby” allergy to have.
Eggs This allergy is prevalent in children, who are usually introduced to this food within their first few years of life. Proteins in eggs are usually what cause them to experience a reaction.
I’m allergic to shellfish and iodide. I found out a few years ago when I ate it. I didn’t really like it a lot, so it didn’t disappoint me.
- Montana Wilmoth (11)
I’m allergic to latex. I figured out a long time ago. I was at a birthday party one year, and I got rashes from touching the balloons.
- Gracie McDougal (9)
6 Sports
Making a run for it Hutcheson advances to state cross country meet for second straight year A year after her debut at the state NATALIE HALE cross country meet, sophomore Ka-
[reporter]
tie Hutcheson will make it two years in a row after finishing 11th at the regional meet this weekend. On Saturday Katie and the boys’ varsity cross country team competed in the regional meet in Grand Prairie. Katie finished with a time of 12:05 and qualified for state. She ran a 6:03 first mile and a 6:02 second mile. “I am thrilled about my finishing time and what I placed,” sophomore Katie Hutcheson said. “I am excited about state, but I’m even more excited that I beat my previous personal record.” The boys ran after the 4A girls’ race with a fast start. Junior Joe Saldino found himself in the top half of the pack with senior Blaise Olson close behind. “We weren’t expecting to make it to regionals, but we made it,” sophomore Tyler Stoeger said. “It wasn’t my best time, but I’m happy I was able to come and have the opportunity to
compete.” In the district meet at North Lamar, Katie placed first overall. Joe Saldino finished second in the boys’ varsity meet and led the boys to qualify for regionals. Qualifying for the boys were Joe Saldino, Blaise Olson, junior Teverin Jackson, sophomore Love Lynx, sophomore Blake Jones, sophomore Tyler Stoger, and freshman Samuel Hacker. “I didn’t really expect much from this group of kids because we started training a lot later than I usually do,” Coach Jeff Hanes said. “But this group has over-exceeded my expectations for this year. I am very happy that the boys and Katie advanced to regionals and that Katie is going to state.”
Top Left: Katie competes for the finish line against opponents from Argyle and Decatur.Top Right: Coach Hanes helps tape Katie calf as she prepares for the meet. “He showed me how to tape my legs for future references because of the knot that I had,” said Hutcheson.Bottom: After a hard fought race, Hutcheson drenches herself in water to keep cool.
Hawk seniors reflect, look forward to next game Playoff spot, seedings, on line for Hawks on Friday night
When the Hawks football season comes to an end, whether it be in the state finals or weeks before, one thing’s for certain: the seniors will have just played their last football game at Hawk Field, and finished what will probably be their last football game ever. However, this likely won’t happen anywhere in the next two weeks, as the Hawks beat Spring Hill Friday night 27-14 and got a lot closer to clinching a playoff berth. With the win, the Hawks are 3-6 and will face Gladewater in their last regular season game in Gladewater. “It was great to beat Spring Hill,” senior Collier Cordray said. “Getting a senior night win was great, but what was more important was us getting a step closer to the playoffs.” The formula for making the playoffs goes like this: If the Hawks beat Gladewater in their final game, they will be in the playoffs as the two seed. If they lose, and Gilmer beats Pittsburg, then they will be in as a three seed. Another way they get in is if the Hawks, Atlanta, and Pittsburg all lose. The only way that the Hawks will be kept out of the playoffs is if Pittsburg
ZACH CARPENTER [reporter]
upsets Gilmer, Atlanta beats Spring Hill, and they lose to Gladewater. This shows just how big the win on senior night was for the Hawks, as a loss likely would have kept them out of the playoffs entirely. A win looked doubtful Friday night when the Panthers ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown and the Hawks punted on their series. Spring Hill then scored on their next drive, giving them a 14-0 lead. However, that was it for the Panthers as the Hawks shut them out for the remainder of the game. “Coach Gibson told us all week that the main thing was not to play at their level and don’t take them for granted,” senior Cameron Edwards said. “He told us that they want what we wantto make it to the playoffs.” That advice finally took hold when the Panthers pulled ahead. “We were too relaxed at the beginning of the game,” Cameron said. “We kind of got in trouble and then got our offense going, and our defense followed.” Although this win likely extended the Hawks season, some of the seniors took some time to reflect on their football careers after playing their last game at home.
“I’ve played football since I was in the second grade,” senior Collier Courdray said. “It will be hard to stop playing football, but it will also be the first step into my next phase of life.” Playing football can also bring back some memories, and Collier had time to look back on his. “My favorite Hawk football memory was my first game on varsity in the tenth grade,” Collier said. “We were playing against Pittsburg and we were underdogs, and we won the game at the very end. It was very exciting and we had fans rush onto the field.” Life lessons are something that many of the athletes experience while playing football, and that isn’t any different for senior Noah Bates. “Football has taught me that things will always go wrong in life,” Bates said. “But how you respond is more important.” Although these memories and lessons will always be important to the players, what they are focusing on at the moment is playing as hard as they can and winning football games. “We have to focus on playing,” said Bates. “Getting into the playoffs would be special.”
Top: Senior Keshawn Jones stands along side his team mates Cole Lipham and Junior Nick Gavriel as they wait for the game to begin. Bottom: Before they face their opponents, Spring Hill, The varsity football team runs out of the tunnel to celebrate the start of their playoff season.
Sports 7
Extending the streak
Edge
Lady Hawks make playoffs, continue legacy that began in 1995 The Lady Hawks volleyball JISU CHOI team made it 22 straight last week. [reporter] As in making the playoffs for 22 straight years, ever since 1995 when the current streak started. Under coach Amy Collvins, six seniors helped lead the team to this accomplishment. These seniors, many of them three or four year members of the varsity squad, played their last home game on Oct. 21. “We knew we were going to make it to playoffs, but this year is supposed to be a harder route through the playoffs so we’re hopeful that we can get through,” senior Blair Smith said. The Lady Hawks will play their first playoff game of this season against Van at Longview High School Tuesday night. “We’ve always been confident that we were going to make it to the playoffs,” senior Blair Smith said. “We expected to do really well this year, but it wasn’t easy. There are two or three good teams that you have to get through.” The Lady Hawks fell twice to North Lamar this season, which put them in second place behind the Panthers. “I think that playoffs are not going to be an easy because we’re going to have harder competition than we did last year,” senior Abby
Harjo said. “And I want to go further than we did the previous years since it is my senior year. So I think that we just need to play and try harder.” To accomplish all that they want to in playoffs, the Lady Hawks will have to speed up their game and adjust their mentality. “With Gilmer and North Lamar, it’s always been a battle of mentality,” junior Madeline Haak said. “I know we can beat them, but we all have to be looking toward the same goal. We can’t let the other team get in our heads.” For the team, this year holds major opportunities. Although they’ve kept the playoff streak going, they hope to do even more for the volleyball program. “Our goal is to make it further than last year--to get to the Regional Tournament, which is the last step before state,” Blair said. “Last year we missed getting there when we lost to Gilmer.” This might be the team’s opportunity to get revenge at the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year. That team was Gilmer. “With a win Tuesday we’ll play Gilmer and then the rest is uncertain,” Madeline said. With a win, the Lady Hawks hoped to extend another streak--moving on to the next level.
ON THE EDGE SPORTS
PG Basketball
Top: Senior Abbey Harjo, standing alongside her family, receives her senior night gift from junior Britton Anderson on senior night (THurst). Bottom: The Lady Hawks listen to Coach Collvins in between matches at their Liberty Eylau away game. The volleyball team swept the Lady Leopards in three staright sets, which guaranteed their playoff berth for the 2016 season. (THurst)
Married to the Game
Coach’s wife dishes on the daily life of an athletic family Brooklyn Puzz
No matter where fans are seated, they always see the coaches on the sidelines. Whether they’re yelling at their players, calling timeouts, or discussing plays with assistant coaches, they are constantly put in the spotlight. The people who aren’t in the spotlight are their wives. They’re the ones who show up to every event, listening to criticism from people in the stands and taking it with a grain of salt. They provide support for their husbands if a game didn’t end well or if they had a hard day at practice. But for Jennifer Gibson, wife of athletic director Josh Gibson, being the wife of a coach is a perk. “There’s ups and downs. It’s hard when you lose and fun when you win, but right now we’re having a hard time this season,” Mrs. Gibson said. “So I make brownies and sweet treats every Monday for the football team to keep their spirits up and to let them know we still support them, win or lose.”
[ Reporter ]
FACE MASKS. Top: During a reverse pep rally skit, Mrs. Jennifer Gibson touches up on her husband’s (coach Josh Gibson) overdrawn lipstick. (MHinton). Bottom: Coach Blake Worley laughs as his wife (Joanie Worley) does his makeup blindfolded, with lipstick, blush, and eye shadow, during the skit. (THurst).
Coach Josh Gibson moved here with his wife and son, Jackson, two years ago from their hometown of Frisco, Texas to become the head athletic director and football coach. For the Gibson, this isn’t their first football team. “I’ve been married to my coach for 20 years and this is our 20th football season so it’s been a fun time,” Mrs. Gibson said. “He was out of coaching for a year and there was a huge void with not having a football game on a Friday night which was a big deal. That was the year we realized that this is who we are — we’re just a coaching family.” It’s hard to manage time with loved ones when football practices and games take up most of the coach’s schedule, but Mrs. Gibson makes sure that the family gets enough time with each other. “We spend all of our time together on the weekends. On regular week days, he’s usually done about 6:30 or 7 and he comes and finds me and we either hang out at the house or go out to eat,” Mrs.
Gibson said. “Overall he’s very good about making sure he spends quality time with my son and me.” Having a father as a coach is like hitting the jack pot for Jackson. Most kids with coaching fathers get more one-on-one learning time, which means extra hours of practice, constructive criticism and a better understanding of the game than with kids who don’t. “I would feel like he has a little bit of an advantage because he’s got the guy who he will eventually play for when he’s in high school,” Mrs. Gibson said. “He doesn’t want to burn him out and have him play too much and not enjoy the sport. He’s just been teaching him technique and different plays.” Being the wife of a coach takes commitment. It can be easy in some ways, but it can also be a challenge. Football may be one priority for the Gibsons, but nothing is more important than family. “Football will come and go,” Mrs. Gibson said, “but we’re here to stay.”
Hawk basketball season is upon us. Last season, the Hawks made a deep playoff run. Practice began in late October, and the Hawks will open the season on Nov. 18. With plenty of senior leadership, can the Hawks make it state this year?
From the pressbox Long-time stadium announcer Paul Lambert was honored Friday night at halftime. Lambert has announced for the Hawks since 2006 and is retiring from his volunteer position on Friday nights. “I think he’s the best announcer at a high school football game that I’ve heard. He has energy that’s off the charts,” Coach Gibson said.
NBA The end of October means Halloween, but it also means the beginning of the NBA season. Last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeaed the Golden State Warriors in the NBA finals to deliver the Cavs their first championship. In the offseason, the Waarriors added former MVP Kevin Durant to the team, and they will begin the season as huge favorites towin the title.
8 Sports
First Come, First Served
Tennis team conquers district meet, ends season at area, gets ready for spring tennis schedule ALLEN LAMBERT
If
[reporter] hadn’t
it
been for rain de[reporter] lay, the Hawk tennis team might still be playing. The Hawk tennis team ended their fall season at the area tournament on Oct. 20. After an early morning trip to Longview, the tournament was postponed for several hours because of a rain delay. Because of the rain, the players had to wait hours on the bus for the rain to pass, allowing the courts to dry. “Even though we got to go to the mall and do a little shopping,” junior Katelyn Pipes said. “It was nerve wrecking to have to wait for that long to play a big tournament because of a rain delay.” After about four hours, the rain had stopped and the courts were all dry and ready for the players to play
JISU CHOI a
on. When play resumed, the team lost 10-3 against Van, eliminating a return to the regional tournament. “We weren’t as prepared as we would have been if we could have played when we first got there,” senior Connor Crawford said. “We didn’t take it as seriously as we would have. We could have beat them — they’re a good tea m but it just depends on the day we play them.” Even though the team did not advance to regionals this year, the team did retain their title as district champs. “Regionals last year was so fun and I made so many memories and became closer with my teammates,” senior Emily Gatlin said. “I’m really sad we aren’t going this year, definitely because it’s my senior year, but I hope to make the best out of this year and hopefully we will get to go in the spring.” At the district tournament, they battled Pittsburgh and Liberty Eylau on Oct. 13, taking the win in 10-1 and 10-0 matches. The following day, they
played Atlanta, beating them 10-0. “I’ve played tennis all four years of high school,” senior Victoria Powell said. “It’s been one of the best experiences of my life, even though I’m a little upset we didn’t make it to regionals this year. I’m okay with that because I know my team tried hard to get us there, but overall our fall season was a good one.” While he just joined the team this fall, Connor also felt like the team bonded. “It was a good season. We played a lot of good teams and played a lot of good matches,” he said. “We really became a family.” Though the fall season ended sooner than expected, the athletes are already looking forward to the spring, where their individual season takes place. “We’re in offseason right now, but when we get back from Christmas break the spring season starts,” Emily said. “I’m excited for the spring season because we play for ourselves, and I think we’ll do a lot better.”
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Tennis, point by point This is coach Eric Pickett’s second year to lead the team. Players have broken three tennis rackets this season and lose an average of five balls every practice. While the team dominates district, their biggest rival in regionals is Van. The team will play their next tournament is Nov. 11 at Texas High, a warmup for spring tennis. There is a JV team for both fall and spring tennis because of the number of players. Juniors outnumber all other grades on the team.
Feature 9
Going the Extra Mile
Stressed-out students feel obligated to participate in too many activities With colleges often Samantha Knowles being extremely de-
[reporter]
manding of their applicants, many students find themselves compelled to join a ton of assorted clubs, sports, and extracurriculars in an attempt to be accepted or earn a scholarship. “I choose to do most of my extracurriculars for fun, not because colleges want me to,” sophomore Alana Avard said. “But I do a lot of my school clubs because of that. Everyone wants to get into a good school, right?” However, students may soon get a break. According to a Aug. 30 Washington Post article, many colleges are no longer looking for variety so much as passion. In the article, admissions officers said that colleges - Alana Avard (10) are recently becoming more interested in students who are dedicated to one particular activity rather than students who have spread themselves thin over several
“Everyone wants to get into a good school, right?”
things they’re not actually interested in. Using extracurriculars for college credit is not always a student’s top priority, but more often than not, colleges do play a part. While some students join organizations purely for personal enjoyment, many students who are vying for college spots join them because they feel they have no choice. “I generally do things for personal enjoyment,” sophomore Mary Old said. “But there are a couple of activities I’m in just for college. I’m in Girl Scouts, but only so I can earn my Gold Award, which looks really good to colleges.” However, there are some students that find dual purpose in their activities, in both the resume and the fun. “Making good grades is my priority, but I do clubs and sports on the side,” said Junior Rebekah Gilliam. “I genuinely enjoy the activities that I do, like playing soccer and being in HOSA, so the fact that doing these things will help me lat1er in life is just a bonus. Although there are many students who join clubs to have fun, some students join for the experiences to come. “Cross country takes up a lot of my time,” junior Joseph Saldino said. “I’m joining oth-
er things like Student Council partially for my college resume, but also so I know that I’m not wasting my high school years just by doing schoolwork. I want to know I’ve made some memories in my years here.” It seems like colleges are becoming harder and harder to get into every year, with the number of applicants constantly rising due to lack of quality jobs available without a college education. “I think it’s fair of colleges to ask a lot of the people who apply to them.” Alana said. “It weeds out the people who don’t care, the ones that will get thrown out for partying too much or are only there for their friends.” However, students may soon be out of luck in regards to their acceptance to college through having a variety of interests. “I’ve never regretted setting the bar high with my grades and activities early on,” Mary said. “I feel like once you’ve established that you can do well in things, you generally want to keep going at that level. “I always strive to be the best, because whenever you go to college, that’s the level you’re going to have to work at all times.”
What Motivates You
to join a club or extracurricular activity?
Personal Enjoyment
71%
College Resume
23%
Parental Persuasion
3%
Other
3%
*81 Surveyed
How Stressed are You? 90 Students were asked to rate their usual level of stress from school on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 the highest level. Here’s what they said.
Super stressed (levels 8-10) 42% Moderately stressed (5-7)
43%
No big deal (4 or less)
15%
10 Feature Students with celiac disease learn to live life with allergies, restrictions and absolutely no gluten No one believed MADELINE HAAK Dosha Anderson. [reporter] She knew something was wrong with her 18-month-old daughter, Britton. But doctor after doctor told her nothing was wrong. After multiple hospital visits, a year of them to be exact, she discovered she was right. Her persistence, and a doctor who believed her, was the reason Britton Anderson discovered she had celiac disease. “My mom was noticing I was having some weird symptoms. She said I was losing a lot of weight and I wasn’t growing in height. I was off the growth chart, so she took me to tons and tons of doctors,” Britton said. “They were all telling her it’s nothing, she’s fine. Then, she finally found a doctor who believed her and went into research and was testing me for a bunch of things, and he’s the one who caught it.” Celiac disease inhibits those who have it from eating anything with gluten, which means no flour, oats, wheat, barley, or rye. If those diagnosed do consume gluten, it can cause inflammation of the small intestine and the tearing of its lining, which result in symptoms such as an upset stomach, fatigue, and vomiting. But Britton didn’t understand her disease until she was older, and when she did understand, she felt left out. “I understood that I had the disease when I got to Pre-K because I was eating different things than everybody else,” she said. “I asked my parents a lot of questions about why I had the disease. A lot of the time though I just asked what I could and couldn’t have, so I wouldn’t make myself sick.” In her family, though, Britton isn’t a pariah at all when it comes to her disease. “My dad has it, and my mom’s mom does, which is pretty weird. They tested like my whole family when we found out to see where I got it from, and that’s when they found out. They had no idea before that because they’re symptoms weren’t as bad as mine.” Senior Nick Legrand, who also has celiac disease found out about his much later, but it wasn’t the first time he received a diagnosis like that. At the age of two, while visiting his pediatrician in Dallas, his family learned that he had diabetes. Eight years later, they would find out even more about him. “I was ten when I found out I had celiac disease,” he said. “I found out about celiac by getting a GI operation, which is where they take a camera down the throat and look at the small intestine.” While Britton’s celiac disease provides symptoms of an extremely upset stomach, fatigue, and vomiting, Nick’s hasn’t affected
him as much as his diabetes. However, when he stopped eating gluten, he wasn’t as lethargic as he had often been. “For me, it’s affiliated with my diabetes because, I don’t know, something weird about the hemoglobin in my blood,” he said. “It helps keep my diabetes under control, and avoiding gluten is a key factor in my diet now. But asides from that, it’s a burden on my life.” According to Nick, there are a few benefits of having celiac disease. For him, at least. “Celiac has a positive effect on my life in a health benefit way, but otherwise it just limits what I can try. Sometimes, I feel left out at parties and stuff, you know, like when people are handing out trays of food you just can’t really take it.” Although Britton sometimes
Nick said. But Britton knows that recklessness when it comes to her diet, although it might not affect her in the moment, always has long-term effects. “Even if I don’t get sick from something, like if I was to eat just a regular doughnut hole, I probably wouldn’t get sick, but it still damages my insides. So, even if I don’t feel it, something is happening. And this damage only opens the door for danger and possibly more disease. “Let’s just say I ate gluten for a whole week, I would probably end up getting diabetes or stomach cancer, so that’s why I have to watch what I eat,” Britton said. So Britton settles. She’d rather the taste of foods she can’t have remain a mystery. “I have no idea what I’m missing, which is good. I like it better not knowing what foods I can’t have taste like.” Adapting was a big part of life for Britton and Nick. They both had to learn what they wishes she didn’t have the disease, she realiz- can and can’t have and exactly how to tell. es, like Nick, that it has some health benefits. For Britton, her mom played a significant “It keeps me healthy. I know I’ll probably, role in teaching her right from wrong when hopefully, never have to worry about my it came to her diet. This wasn’t an easy task weight. I don’t think.” because Dosha Anderson was learning along But for Britton, it’s also an opportunity for with her daughter. people to criticize her. “It was really hard on my mom when I was “I don’t like when people say ‘You don’t eat’ younger because, then, there weren’t really or ‘You need to eat, you’re so skinny.’ I eat any labels on things that told you if they were all the time. It’s just, since it’s gluten-free, it gluten-free,” Britton said. “She’d spend about doesn’t make me gain as much weight.” two hours in the store reading the ingredients Fortunately, for Britton and Nick, glu- of everything to figure out if I could have it. ten-free items are becoming more prevalent But now, it’s way better.” at grocery stores and restaurants. It’s making Since he was older when diagtheir lives much easier. nosed, Nick quickly accepted the “They’ve expanded fact that he was responsible for the options. I can eat keeping himself in good health. “Let’s just say I ate And he already had some experiat a lot more places now. A lot of Italian gluten for a whole week, ence. restaurants, like a few I would probably end “When I was younger, I kind of years ago, they didn’t up getting diabetes or took responsibility to know what really have a whole stomach cancer, so that’s has gluten and what doesn’t,” he lot of food options for why I have to watch said. “I think once you get past a anyone like me to eat what I eat,” Britton said. certain age you just kinda know at. Now, it’s all like they what’s right from wrong. Now, have gluten-free options for you like pasta knowing what to eat is like a routine for me.” and such, so that’s pretty good,” Nick said. Bread. Sonic Mozzarella sticks. Krispy Still, they both ignore some rules when it Kreme Doughnuts. Pizza, cake, cupcakes, comes to their disease every now and then. cookies. These are all delicious foods most Even if it means getting an upset stomach for people get to eat any time they want. one Zapata’s tortilla chip or the ever so temptBut not Britton and Nick. They can only ing icing on a cake. have the gluten-free version of all these “Sometimes, at Mexican restaurants with- things. The amount of times they’ve been told out gluten-free chips, I’ll eat one because I’m ‘no’ is probably equivalent to the amount of starving. Everybody else is eating, and I’m foods they can’t consume. So next time you like ‘This is not fair,” Britton said. “If I could order those Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets, eat one food that has gluten, I would proba- appreciate the fact that you can enjoy them, bly eat cake, cake’s pretty good, cookies, like even if it is just for eight bites. Not everyone those frosted cookies. Those are pretty good,” can, but they probably wish they could.
Getting to Know
‘No’
Suprisingly Not Gluten-Free
ynx m L son rea nder D a y rt b y S *a Abb d n a
If you aren’t one of the people who has to avoid gluten because of an allergy, or one of those who chooses to do so voluntarily, you might be shocked by some foods and other products that aren’t gluten-free. The list goes on and on, and it’s definitely hard to avoid many of the things on it.
Pickles
If you’re watching out for gluten or just can’t have it, you better “pick” wisely when it comes to your pickle selection. Some contain malt vinegar, which comes from barley.
Medications When it comes to medicines, gluten equals glue. It’s often used to bind the ingredients in many drugs, especially the more generic ones, and it’s usually difficult to determine if they contain gluten.
Chewing Gum Goodbye Extra, Wrigley, Doublemint, and Dubble Bubble. Many brands that make chewing gum coat the sugary sticks with flour to prevent them from sticking to the wrapper.
Beauty Products Do you ever find yourself biting or licking your lip? It sounds weird to say you’re eating cosemtics, but you are. When you lick that chapstick off your lip, you’re might be eating gluten, which is often an ingredient in makeup.
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Ads 11
Focused on the
Issues BEN NORTHAM [editor-in-chief ]
Students in focus group give opinions on election, candidates, issues affecting our country
Who’s in the Lead?
ABC News / Washington Post
October 27
47% 45%
Hillary Clinton Donald Trump
Fox News
October 25
44% 41%
Hillary Clinton Donald Trump
CNN / ORC
October 23
49% 44%
Hillary Clinton Donald Trump
Students on the election
Do you think the debates have offered Is it difficult to be open about who you How important is it for high school support around your friends? anything new to the election? students to be informed about the issues our country faces? Will Humphrey
“I’m way more conservative than anything else but I think the debates have just shown Trump to be immature.”
Jacob Thompson
“All they’ve really succeeded in showing is what we knew from the start that both candidates are a complete joke.”
Do you find it hard to talk about the election with friends?
Will Humphrey
“Yes. This election season is full of so many varying opinions. Everyone thinks that their’s is the right one. I would classify myself as a conservative but I’m way more open to some liberal ideas than some of my friends are. I don’t let that stop me from expressing my opinions; however, I do try to be respectful of other people’s opinions. Even if I think their opinions are ridiculous. I just really wish people wouldn’t hound on others for not agreeing with them. That’s probably what has made this election so awful.”
42% Yes
Joseph Saldino
“I get notifications on my phone and occasionally look up news, but I try to stay informed as best as I can. The earlier you start to learn about politics the faster you figure out who you are.”
“Politics is for the government. When I’m with my friends we want to have fun and politics would take away from that.”
Noni Hilley
“It’s important for people our age to stay informed so we know what we’re looking for in a president. I watch the news and news oriented shows to keep up with current events and stuff.”
- Wes Humphrey (11)
58% No
Which candidate do you think has been Andrea Luna “I have friends who I was cool with but then Trump more effective in communicating with became a candidate and he said all that terrible stuff Andrea Luna their voters? “I stay up to date as much as possible. I’m in debate and some people I considered friends started wearing Will Humphrey
“Trump has made a huge impact on his voters. He’s gotten a lot of people to support him just by saying what he thinks.”
Noni Hilley
“I think Hillary has approached this election by communicating with her voters on a personal level unlike Trump who just says ‘I’m gonna say whatever I want and I don’t care about you guys,’ and his voters just run with it and do the communicating for him.
Diego Lozano
“Trump has offended me with the way he communicates with a lot of his voters. He said that all Mexicans are illegals and then halfway through saying that he turned around and said he loves Mexicans.”
Joseph Saldino
“I don’t feel like Trump communicates at all with his voters he just spits whatever he wants out of his mouth and acts like he’s not responsible for his words.”
his hats and openly supporting him. I just don’t know if I can be friends with people who support someone who doesn’t like me.”
Are or were you considering a third party candidate? Will Humphrey
“I was considering a third party candidate, but I feel like it’s a waste of a vote now. This election all I really have a choice between is garbage and trash.”
Noni Hilley
“The two main candidates have taken so much time in the media that there isn’t really room for a third party to have a chance to be represented.”
“If they showed up at my front door of course I would say ‘hey how are you,’ but since I’m so far away I don’t really care about them or respect them.”
Tyler Stoeger
“I use the news app on my phone I don’t watch TV. I’ll end up reading multiple stories about the same thing and comparing what I read in each one.”
Which issues do you think are most important to our generation? Noni Hilley
“We’re all in high school and we’re about to go into college. We don’t know how we’re supposed to pay off debt when we don’t have a job and we have to go to school full time.”
What’s the hardest thing you think the Reagan Parker “Climate change is a big deal because that’s our next president will have to deal with future on this planet that’s at stake. If it gets to where when they are elected? it has a bad impact our future will be at risk.”
Will you be able to respect the eventual Joseph Saldino president? “They have to get rid of the chaos caused by Andrea Luna
so we have discussions in class about politics and current events a lot. I also use my phone or listen to the radio because I don’t watch TV.”
the election. If Trump gets elected or if Hillary gets elected they’ll both have a hard time calming everyone down.”
Tyler Stoeger
“I don’t know if they’ll be able to actually accomplish anything. They always talk about change but they never manage to pass anything.”
Will Humphrey
“Economy is super important because whether we like it or not, money buys power. If America is the most powerful country in the world we need to have no debt. We can’t be the biggest superpower in the world if we’re twenty trillion dollars in debt.”
“They have mostly the same opinions as me and if they don’t I always listen to what they have to say.”
How do you feel about the election?
Which candidate are you supporting?
“Between the two candidates, it’s really hard to decide who to vote for. I feel like they both have bad morals, but I would vote for Trump, since Hillary is a criminal.”
“Donald is the best choice. Hillary is just Hillary. Donald can bring us back to what we need. Obama has messed it up enough and we need Trump in here to fix it.”
What’s the most important issue to you?
What’s the most important issue to you?
“Abortion is the most important issue to me because it’s killing a baby. There are so many people that would be happy to adopt those babies.”
Do you keep up with the election?
“Yes, I keep up with the election because I want to see what the future of our country holds. I want to know who will be making the decisions.”
What is one question you would ask either of the candidates? “I would ask Hillary how she would react if Trump had done the same things that she had. Would she use that to her advantage?”
“Immigration. I don’t have a problem with people coming in as long as they are legal. What’s the point in coming in when you are just going to get kicked out anyways?”
Do you keep up with the election?
“I pay attention to the election because when I’m growing up this will be the president and this is my future so it matters a lot.”
Have you seen any funny impressions of the candidates?
“There’s a Jimmy Fallon one of Trump that I thought was pretty funny where he calls him stupid.”
How do you feel about the election?
“Whenever I first heard Donald Trump was running I was surprised but when he presented his ideas I got behind him.”
What’s the most important issue to you? “Economy. I agree with going out to our allies and helping them out but only after we’ve fixed our issues first and economy is a big part of that.”
Do you keep up with the election?
“I try to keep up with it as much as I can because I want to be as informed as I can especially when it comes to who’s ahead and who’s not.”
What is one question you would ask either of the candidates? “I would ask Trump ‘How do you plan to act in foreign affairs after you put in your 100 day plan and try to fix the economy?”
How do you feel about the election?
“There have been a lot of blows to each of the major party’s candidates in the fact that neither of them is trustworthy. It’s never a good sign when the decision is picking between the lesser of two evils.”
What’s the most important issue to you?
“The main issue is economy because it’s a fact that the U.S. is in extreme debt and it’s important to take care of that issue quickly.”
Do you keep up with the election?
“Absolutely. It’s really important to know what’s going on because I live in the U.S. and I need to know who the head of the country will be for the next four years.”
What is one question you would ask either of the candidates? “What is the immediate change you would make the day you got into office?”
- Ethan Wagner (12)
Do you like any of the candidates this election?
63% Yes
“I like Trump because he has the attitude of a leader. If he doesn’t like an answer he keeps looking.”
- Noah Nicholas (12)
37% No
“No. They’re both unethical and unfit to be president.”
- Madison Howell (12)
Do you think the election is rigged?
77% Yes
“Probably. With this election anything is possible.”
- Nick LeGrand (12)
23% No
“I don’t think it’s rigged. The choices aren’t good but I don’t think either of them would do that.”
- Kolton Johnson (11) *104 Surveyed
14 Ads
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Electing a Brighter
Tomorrow
The Speaker of the House, U.S. senator send message to America’s youth On Oct. 18, two of the nation’s political leaders shared a message about America’s future during an interview at a fundraising event in Texarkana. This included Speaker Paul Ryan’s agenda for the country and Senator Tom Cotton’s story about going into politics as well as both of the politicians’ advice for going into politics. Currently, Speaker Ryan leads a movement called “A Better Way,” a program he described as dedicated to getting the nation back on track, while offering solutions and choices to do that. “I want to do everything I can to help save our country, which I think is on the wrong path and is going in the
wrong direction. The legacy for me and everybody in my generation is to do what is necessary to make sure the next generation is better off,” Speaker Ryan said. “It is every single generation’s challenge, and our generation has not yet met this challenge. The path our country is taking is going to leave your generation with a lower quality of life if we don’t fix our problems soon. My goal is to make sure the next generation is better off.” After Ryan laid out his plan in his interview, he went into greater details of what he wants to see happen to the country in remarks to the attendees at the fundraiser. Ryan said that American corporate taxes are too high (higher than any oth-
Theotes are in
Speaking up
YATES FLOYD assistant editor [
]
President and Vice President (R) Donald Trump/Mike Pence Railroad Commissioner (R) Wayne Christian Texas Supreme Court (seat 5) (R) Rick Green Texas Supreme Court (seat 9) (R) Eva Guzman
Top Issues 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Terrorism Economy Education Healthcare Other
33% 25% 17% 13% 12%
*This poll of 249 students was taken by Mrs. Knowles’ AP Government class.
er country in the world, he noted) and that the next generation of Americans were not going to be offered the same American dream his generation was given at this age. “My goal is to unify, offer solutions, get Congress doing its job, and present the country with a choice,” Ryan said. A friend of Ryan’s, Senator Tom Cotton, told his story about being “dragged” into politics. “I was never involved in government until the devastating 9/11 attacks. That day changed my life forever and that led me to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Senator Cotton said. “After I finished fighting outside the country, I decided to start fighting in the country by running for Senator. I ran for the same rea-
son I served in the military — to make a difference.” Whether Cotton wanted to go into politics or not, it was a duty he felt necessary to fulfill. Cotton now spends his days on the Senate floor proposing ideas and solutions for the country. Some of these decisions directly affect the people of Texarkana. “Politics are you and are about you. You look at your pay stub and see all those taxes taken out or you see that our military is largely made up of young people who are fighting in wars started by the generation before them,: Senator Cotton said. “So young people can’t really escape politics.” Cotton may have attended Harvard Law School and got some military experience under his belt before going into politics, but he believes students interested in politics ought to “jump right in with both feet.” “You don’t have to have a degree to get involved in politics,” Cotton said. “I think it’s important that students weigh their aptitude with their dollars. Education isn’t about having the best, but it’s important to get a good value.” Both of the politicians made time to mention the importance of educating American youth about discussing problems facing the country. Speaker Ryan ended his interview by sending his most important message to students about the future of America. “Don’t base your opinions on emotion — focus on facts, read, and look at the policies behind the campaigns and candidates. If you’re debating somebody who doesn’t agree with you, do it an agreeable way. Don’t impugn another person’s character. Just because a person doesn’t agree with you, it doesn’t mean they’re a bad person,” Speaker Ryan said. “Just don’t base your arguments on emotions, focus on facts and principles and you will reach better decisions that way.”
Feature 15 A day in the life of the Speaker
of the House
“My week starts by meeting with all House Republicans, having a staff meeting, then having a leadership meeting to go through the day’s and the week’s business to plot out the legislative strategy for Congress for that day and week. Then we talk about longer term issues and some longer term challenges and then to make sure Congress does its job. I spend a lot of my time in meetings, about 20 to 30 a day, with fellow members of Congress, constituents from Wisconsin, or the administration on depending on what issue of the day it is. I also find time to go into a secure listening facility on foreign activities. In the evenings I usually do events for fellow members, and after dinners I do about three receptions and two dinners. I do office hours with fellow members afterwards and then I do my reading of memos prepared by staff. Then I start all over again the next day.”
-Paul Ryan
AP Government students prepare to make speeches for presidential candidates, issues When the AP government teacher, Mrs. Knowles, was assigning presidential candidate speeches in his AP Government class, senior Nathan Brinkley was able to breathe a sigh of relief when his name wasn’t called; that was until he was told he would be the doing the most talking. In front of the entire school. “After Mrs. Knowles assigned us this project, I was kind of excited, because I am interested in this kind of stuff and have strong opinions on current events,” Nathan said. “There was a spot to help with the Hillary speech, so I was glad I didn’t get it,
YATES FLOYD
[assistant editor ]
but I still didn’t want to get up and talk in front of everyone.” Although these speeches were recently assigned, the class has been building up to all this on account of the general election. “We’ve been following the election ever since school started,” Mrs. Knowles said. “My students studied each party’s candidate and are compiling all that into factual speeches based on candidates’ policies.” To help make conclusions in their speeches, the class held a mock election of the entire school. However, there is more to it than just handing out a ballot according to Nathan.
“We talked about what issues or people should be on the ballots,” Nathan said. “Then we rolled dice to decide what order to put the candidates in.” The AP Government class is now just left with their speeches. After that, it’s back to normal class. However, there were goals set for the class and school by Mrs. Knowles. “After all this, I wanted to help every student at the high school understand the process of voting,” Mrs. Knowles said. “This all ties in with what my AP Government class has been studying, so I hope this helps them too.” Mrs. Knowles said she knew that
her government class were in over their heads when they thought this project would be easy. “When I assigned the project, the class was somewhat excited about it, but they didn’t realize how much work it was going to be,” she said. Now that Nathan and his classmates see the light at the end of the tunnel for this project, they are able to look back and see what they got out of all this. “I took AP Government because I like discussing politics and I want to learn how to make sure my voice is heard in today’s world,” Nathan said. “And so far, that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
16 Feature
Keeping calm, carrying on Student battles Leukemia with a positive approach ALLEN LAMBERT
The only way you would know sophomore Dylan ] Holder has cancer is if you happened to read his shirt. The shirt that says, “Fighting cancer, going through chemo, and still this sexy,” in bold letters across the front. It pretty much sums up his attitude about fighting the disease. Dylan was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APML) in April of 2016, after he noticed a strange looking bruise on his side. “We went to the doctor because I wanted to get out of school and I had a big bruise,” he said. “So I sent a picture of it to my mom and asked if I could go to the doctor. She was like ‘yeah that looks weird’ and took me to the doctor.” It wasn’t until the doctor pulled Dylan’s parents out of the examining room that he knew he actually had cancer. “I know it’s probably the worst thing to do, but I Googled ‘what’s wrong if your platelets are super low,’ and it gives you like certain things that can be wrong,”he said. “So when she (the doctor) took my parents outside, I honestly was like, ‘I probably have cancer, but whatever,’” It’s this approach that Dylan and his friends and family have carried with them through this process. “My mom is just kind of going with it,” he said. “They (my close friends) are just like ‘get over it.’ I’m like that too. It’s fun to be like that.” Just getting over it is a bit of a challenge with cancer, and APML is no exception. Treatment for APML calls for an arsenic based chemother-
[reporter
CHEERING HIM ON Top: Flag runners and cheerleaders get ready to show their support and run across the field with big signs for Dylan Holder at the Pittsburg game. (TNgyuen). Bottom: Dylan stands with his family in the center of the field, waiting to be recognized at pre-game. (TNgyuen)
apy that is mixed in the hospital, and then inserted directly into the bloodstream from a port placed in Dylan’s chest. “It’s not bad,” he explained as he unbuttoned his shirt and showed the port, “but it just sticks out really far.” The port isn’t the only inconvenience of the treatment. He receives the chemo at The Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, where he has to spend three to four hours on the weekdays of every other month. “School has been pretty hard,” he said, “because I’m three hours away for a month at a time every.” Despite this distance barrier he has still managed to keep up with his school work. “I have been trying to get my teachers to email me work so I can do it as I get it and then email it back to them.” he said. “I’m a sophomore now, and I still plan to graduate on time.” School isn’t the only problem he has faced. He has gone through some painful experiences with bone marrow biopsies and spinal taps, but it is not his own pain he is worried about. Spending months in a cancer hospital, he has seen more than he ever expected. “I’ve learned that a lot more kids than you think have cancer,” he said. “You don’t think about it but even babies have cancer and it’s just really sad.” He doesn’t let this keep him down instead a offers up a few words of encouragement. “Be positive,” he said. “Don’t worry the whole time.”
Entertainment 17
Singing loud clear and
Theater department prepares to bring Christmas cheer to the stage with production of ‘Elf’ HALEY HEARN
In Mrs. Shali Martindale’s chemistry class, her students are trying to pay attention to the lesson when they begin to hear a faint humming sound. The humming grows louder. Then it turns into singing. And the singing turns into dancing. And the singing and dancing turns into a full-on performance of the musical, “Elf.” But it’s not all fun and games for everybody in chemistry class. Sophomore Baylie McMillan is not a fan of background music while he studies covalent bonds. “They sing ‘Happy All the Time’ a little too much,” he said. For the theater students, singing their way through the day and pestering their classmates is not a problem. They take a line from Buddy, the lead character in the show: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” “I’m always finding myself singing along anywhere and everywhere,” sophomore Rebecca Leary said. “I’m always humming or singing it. It’s very catchy.” Rebecca isn’t the only one who goes over her part in class; sophomore Reganne Dumas is also guilty of rehearsing there. If she isn’t doing anything else, she has her script in hand as she mouths the words of the songs. And since it’s her first performance experience, Reganne just wants everything to go smoothly. “I have to dance, I have to sing, and I have to act. It’s pretty much the whole nine yards,” she said. “I feel like it’s going to be really fun and enjoyable.” Senior Jesse Jenkins tries to practice as much as possible but tries to avoid performing during class. It’s his first big lead role — he will play Buddy the Elf.
[reporter]
“It’s a lot to learn, but I know I can handle 1. The cast runs through “SparkleJollyTwinkleJingley” during an evening practice. “It’s it,” he said. “It’s going to allow me to get out of really a fun number,” senior Sandy Swanson said. 2. Senior Allie Harrison and sophomore Reganne Dumas practice their dance moves. (Photos by Abby Sanderson) my shell, and that’s pretty awesome.” He’s not the only one who is nervous. However, Reganne said she is confident in her cast and crew. Theater teacher Debbie Sutton also has her concerns. With all “I trust everyone I work with and for them to get their part of the different people and parts, There will be a lot going on done,” she said. “I just know how good this show is going to be.” in this performance — from drill team, to theater students, to And their classmates have a clue about that, too. After all, the fifth grade drama club, and even the second grade choir, it’s they’ll have heard most of it before the curtain even opens. quite a bit to handle. “It will be very chaotic and very hectic,” Mrs. Sutton said. “But it will be organized chaos.” Like most high school students, Reganne and Jesse are familFriday, Dec. 9 iar with the popular movie. It’s actually a tradition in Reganne’s 9 a.m. Intermediate School show family to watch it every year. It’s her favorite Christmas movie — she’s seen it over 12 times — and she said that she basically 7 p.m. Performance for the public had the whole movie memorized before she even knew that it was going to the musical this year. And while Mrs. Sutton has Sunday, Dec. 11 only seen the movie once, Jesse said that he has probably seen the movie “over a million times.” 3 p.m. Performance for the public With the first performance set for Dec. 9, the cast and crew are getting excited and equally nervous, too. “I’m just afraid that Monday, Dec. 12 music wise, I’m going to mess up a high note,” Reganne said. “There’s always that type of worry when doing a musical.” 9 a.m. Elementary School performance
Elf in the house
You know you want one
| the 2017 Hawk
yeaRBOOK
Order yours now: $55 | Room 603
Fellowship Bible Church 1601 Moores Lane Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Sundays from 6:00-8:00 p.m. For more information visit us @GraftedStudentMinistries
18 Entertainment
Gross
Spaghetti and Ranch “One time I was eating spaghetti, and there was salad with ranch on it on the side,” James Tuttlebee said. “Some of the ranch got on the spaghetti and it tasted really good, so I mixed it all together and now I just always eat it like that.”
but (mostly)
tasty
Avery Jensen - 3/10
If you like ranch you will love this one. I did like it but you have to put the right amount of ranch so it does not overpower the spaghetti sauce. I personally would probably not do it everytime I eat spaghetti, but if I wanted to add some more flavor I would.
AVERY JENSEN [reporter]
Love Lynx - 3/10
LOVE LYNX
Honestly, this sounds like it would taste good to a ranch lover like myself, but when I tried it the spaghetti tasted awful. The way the ranch mixed with the spaghetti it made it taste really greasy, and I just couldn’t handle it.
[reporter]
There are many weird food combinations out there. While most people judge the food before they try it, we decided to test the combinations — with mixed results.
Potato Chips and Ice Cream “I really like salty food and the salty sweet just works,” senior Skyler Lewis said. “It’s also the only way I can eat ice cream.”
Avery Jensen - 1/10 After a football game, senior Diego Morlet digs into a favorite snack combo: fries and a strawberry milkshake at Whataburger. (BNortham photo)
Fries dipped in a Milkshake
“I was sitting at camp and one of my friends told me to try it,” Diego Morlet said. “So I did and have liked it ever since.”
Avery Jensen - 0/10
To me, fries dipped in milkshake is a way of life and not a weird food combination. It is everything. The texture and the taste line up perfectly together in every way. It is like heaven in food form. I highly recommend it.
As a major fan of Frosty and fries, I had high hopes for the potato chips and chocolate ice cream. The flavors were well matched being sweet and salty, but the texture of the potato chip with the ice cream did throw me off.
Love Lynx - 1/10
I was expecting this one to taste just like the frosty and fries, and I was not wrong. It had the same salty to sweetness ratio as the frosty and fries, so other than the chips being a little more crunchy than the fries it pretty much tasted the same.
Love Lynx - 0/10
Taste-testing the mayo-peanut butter-jelly sandwich, sophomore Avery Jensen gets ready to take a bite. (LLynx photo)
Mayo Peanut Butter and Jelly “It tastes amazing — I’ve grown up eating it,” sophomore Noni Hilley said.
Avery Jensen - 12/10
If you don’t like Peanut butter and jelly sandwich as is, adding mayonnaise will not help. Mayonnaise belongs on a BLT and should stay there. The salty flavor did not mix with the sweetness of the peanut butter and jelly. I can definitely say that it was the weirdest and grossest sandwich I have ever had, and I like to experiment with food a lot.
Love Lynx - 10/10
How could anyone dislike America’s favorite sandwich? Well try it with mayonnaise and that could make just about anyone in their right mind have second thoughts about eating this sandwich again. The saltiness of the mayonnaise did not mix well with the sweetness of the jelly or the taste of the peanut butter. With all these flavors blended together I couldn’t take more than one bite.
Frosty and fries is one of the best combos ever invented. The salt from the fries corresponds perfectly with the sweetness of the frosty. However, like most people I wouldn’t say it is weird. Just a gift from the food gods.
Hotdog with cheese, BBQ, and ranch “I tried this because I always like experimenting with different foods because you’ll never know if they’re good or not,” Sanjay Pokhrel said.
Avery Jensen - 6/10
I was opened minded going into this one but when I took a bite I immediately regretted it. The barbecue and ranch was just too much for me to handle. All the flavors clashed and all I could take was one bite. 6/10
Love Lynx - 5/10
I went into this one expecting it to taste disgusting and I was not disappointed. Just as I expected, the BBQ sauce (which I am not a fan of) did not blend well with any of the other ingredients. It made the cheese taste like squishy BBQ sauce, and the way it mixed with the ranch was just gross. As a bonus it made me feel very sick. I would not recommend it for anyone, especially if you have a light stomach.
Popcorn with Hot Sauce
“I was looking at the label on a hot sauce bottle and it said to try it on popcorn,” junior Jordan Riddle said. “The butter from the popcorn compliments the intensity of the hot sauce.”
Avery Jensen - 3/10
Believe it or not this was really good. The butter and the hot sauce complimented each other very well. I honestly don’t know why I have not tried it before.
Love Lynx - 1/10
This combo tasted delicious! The butter from the popcorn and the spice from the hot sauce mixed together to form a wonderful flavor. This is one of my new favorite snacks and I will definitely be eating it more often.
Entertainment 19
iPhone World
Phones at the Grove
[reporter]
I
t’s test day in history teacher Leslie Abston’s ninth period World History class, and at the front of the room, the white board is lined with phones. From end to end, it’s the same brand; the only way the students in the class can distinguish their own devices is from their cases. And that’s because 90 percent of those phones are iPhones. “It seems like all my friends have iPhones,” freshman Phoebe Robertson said. “Now that I think about it, I only know a few people who don’t have them.” It’s the same around the school. Most students —and teachers — own iPhones. One of the reasons they’re popular is because, well, they’re popular. “I think if certain people have iPhones then everyone else wants to be like these people and it’s
just a cycle,” sophomore Brooklyn Bearden said. Freshman Palmer Duke said he thinks the popularity of iPhones is often because it is the “popular” or the “cool” thing. Basically, they buy iPhones just because some other people have them. “I think iPhones are so popular because they are like the ‘name brand’ for the U.S.,” Palmer said. “Everyone thinks iPhones are the best because at one point they really were. Then everyone bought them and they got popular, so now everyone still has one.” However, there are those who choose an iPhone because they have other Apple devices, like an iPad or an Apple Watch or computer. Other Apple products including iPhones may be considered the best just because they used to be ahead of the other brands. Now, many iPhone users have prejudices to-
wards other types of phones. “They think what they have is better than everyone else,” Brooklynn said. Some Apple users view their phone that they have as better than other types of cellphones, which can lead them to dislike other phones for no apparent reason. Sometimes, people who get hooked on a certain type of phone never feel any real reason to switch. “I wouldn’t ever consider switching to another phone,” Palmer said. “I like how the iPhone is set up and I’m adjusted to it now.” Having just bought the iPhone 7, Palmer knows about the newest things apple has out. “My favorite thing would have to be the look of the 7,” Palmer said. “I think it’s the best looking phone out there.”
Through the Eyes of an Outsider From the point-of-view of a Non-Apple user While walking around the school, it’s not uncommon to see the overwhelming majority of students calling, texting, or playing on an iPhone. Although the type of phone you have isn’t a real cause for concern, the few students without i-products can’t help but feel like outsiders sometimes. “I’ve actually upgraded from my last phone, the remote. Well, it wasn’t really a remote, it was a Samsung track phone. But I called it that because it looked like a remote,” Linton said.
Linton’s current phone may be a step-up from his last, but that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily top-notch. “My current phone doesn’t have all the applications an iPhone has or even a high-quality camera, but it works for what I have it for,” said Linton. “I have it to call people and stay in touch with my parents or friends.” While Linton didn’t get much of a choice in his phone type, he said if he had a choice he wouldn’t follow the crowd.
iPhone 7 Apple’s iPhone 7 is out, and is already exceeding expectations with new improvements. The phone now includes an updated camera system, water-resistance, and a new stereo speaker that enables two times the original volume. In addition to these features, you can now choose between two new colors: jet black and black matte.
IOS 10
The new update, IOS 10, has had some major improvements, including new texting options such as handwritten notes and screen and text bubble effects. Other improvements include a new map setup with an upgraded map and more route options, and a new way to categorize photos though facial recognition.
“If I had the choice, I would pick an Android,” Linton said. “For one thing, they’re water-resistant, although, I guess you can’t really say that’s an Android advantage now that iPhones are water-resistant, too. But I do know it was an Android thing first.” So while iPhones do seem to be the hottest phone on the PG market, the important thing is that you stick with the phone you like, not the phone that’s popular now.
Air Pods With the new iPhone 7, Apple has introduced AirPods: bluetooth earphones that enable you to listen to music wirelessly. With 24 hours of charge, you can easily connect them to your iPhone 7 or other Apple product. However, are they worth the $159 price tag?
Apple Watch Series 2
The newest Apple Watch is now waterproof up to 50 meters, allowing it to track laps, distance, and calories burnt while swimming. Additionally, the watch now has a built-in heart rate moitor and a GPS, so it no longer has to rely on an iPhone to be able to get you where you need to go.
By the (apple) slice %
KATIE HUTCHESON
4/s 2
[reporter]
ne
SOPHIA TUTTLEBEE
iPh o
Majority rules when it comes to phone choice, and the Apple version is definitely in the majority.
The new iPhone Seven and Seven Plus were released on Sept. 7, releasing another wave of Apple craze across the nation. When the hype hit home, it was the talk at many lunch tables. Also at those lunch tables were many iPhones in the hands of students. So we crunched the number of students’ phones across the school...
1%
r1
e oth
/s e5
15%
on
iPh
8%
ne
o iPh
6 6/s
e7
on iPh
4%
*113 Surveyed
What’s Crackin? Everyone has one of those friends with a broken, battered, and shattered phone screen and you can’t wrap your head around the fact that thing still works. So we asked 110 students . . .
Is your phone screen cracked?
Not Cracked Cracked
75% 25%
“I’ve cracked my screen a lot, one time I dropped it and it landed on my foot and slid face down across my kitchen floor and cracked.” -Palmer Duke (9) “I dropped my phone on the tile in my kitchen and it just shattered” -Presley Garvin (9) “I’ve dropped my phone in about everyway possible. I’ve dropped it facedown off the top of my dads truck, thrown it at a wall, and much more. I’m actually suprised its not cracked more. -Phoebe Robertson (9)
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More students, more stories, more school events
Dressed For Success (or something like that)
Staffer uses his set future to enjoy his semester free of college worry I’ve been bent over with this broom and dustpan for almost 2 hours now, sweeping the uneven concrete floor that’s been painted gray in an attempt Abby Sanderson to make it look nicer, neater. The dust bunnies under this clothing rack are this size of actual bunnies, although they’re much less cute. And believe it or not, there’s no paycheck at the end of the road. What’s more, I’m even enjoying myself. Crazy. I’ve finished brushing away the dust now. On my way to scatter the remains of those dust bunnies across the parking lot, the heart and soul of the resale store stops me. Mrs. Linda hurries over and wraps her arms around my midsection, which is
about as high as her little frame allows. It’s ironic how Mrs. Linda can impart more joy in that one little gesture than most people (who are twice her size) contain in their entire bodies. It literally defies the laws of science. And what’s really crazy it that I might have skipped along my whole life and never met this lovely, sunshiny paradox if it weren’t for good ol’ Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi (you know, the famous Indian civil rights leader) once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Last summer, I read that quote on a bumper sticker and it blew my freaking mind. One of the biggest struggles of my teenage life has been trying to figure out who I am and how I fit into this world, and there was my answer, scrawled across the rear end of a minivan in Monotype Corsiva. So I started volunteering. Becoming a leader in my church’s Awana program on Wednesdays. Organizing projects for my youth group when a there
was a need. And yes, sweeping floors at the Damascus Home Resale Store where I met Mrs. Linda. I haven’t exactly “found” myself though. It’s more like I was trying to find a hay-colored needle in a hay field, and now I’m looking for a hay-colored needle in a hay bale. It sure as heck isn’t easy, but my search is narrower. And maybe it’ll keep getting narrower, and eventually I’ll be standing with a oddly tan needle in my hand and looking like I just freaking discovered ice cream or something. Maybe that’s what Gandhi meant. And whether that’s what Gandhi meant or not, I’m gonna take it and run. Those famous words might mean something else to you, and that’s fine. But I think when you really get down to it, Gandhi was encouraging us to volunteer not just to help others, but to help ourselves. It means that by giving our time and effort, we get something intangible, something precious, in return. And who am I to ignore Gandhi?
Edge Ben Northam
Online Editor
Lucas Marchesani
Managing Editor Dream Lynx
Photographers Gracie Higgins Tessa Hurst Aubrey Maynard Mabrey Payne Ashlyn Clark Thu Nguyen Madison Hinton Charla Harris
Staffer uses his set future to enjoy semester free of college worry
Ad Manager
Highs& lows
5406 McKNIGHT ROAD 903-832-8005
Editor-In-Chief
Smooth Sailing Most seniors are stressing. Stressing about college essays, transcripts, and their ACT scores being high enough. Lucas Marchesani Most seniors are worried they might not be accepted, or if they need to take $50,000 in loans to attend schools. Most seniors are scrambling around school trying to get their stuff together. They’re getting angry at the counselors for not sending transcripts ‘on time’, and hounding teachers for not writing a recommendation letter on a day’s notice. Even all the college visits and make up work that comes along with it have many
Opinion 21
Adviser
seniors scrambling to find their perfect college. The funny thing is though, I don’t have to worry about any of this. I am able to find it humorous, and sit back to enjoy the show. I don’t have to worry about any of that stress: I know what my future holds. I know I’ve already been accepted by my post graduation destination. My future is known for the next six years, and that’s really relaxing for me. I know that I will go to boot camp on June 15. I know I will spend 30 weeks in Pensacola, FL at my first two job schools. I know that after I graduate both of those schools, I will be stationed at a base somewhere in the US working in a field I know I love. And how do I know this? Because over the summer I signed with the Navy as a part of the Cryptological Technical Network (CTN), and am contractually obligated to serve six years active duty with the Navy. To me, there are a lot of benefits about the Navy aside from not having to stress about
The Playoffs The boys’ cross country team and sophomore Katie Hutchinson advanced to regionals, and the football team has a more than good chance to get out of district. Go Hawks.
The Weather While October in Texarkana typically isn’t sweater weather, it isn’t swimsuit weather, either. Our Uggs and cardigans are on the shelf, and we’re still sweating
college. All of the stability with this route is one of the major reasons I decided to join the Navy. It gives me an opportunity to get work experience (while getting paid) in a relevant work field before anyone else even has a hope of interning. It allows me to travel around the world, see things no one else does, and have fun in my youth. It gives me the same opportunity as everyone else to go on with a higher level of education. And thanks to the GI bill, and in service education opportunities, I will even get most of my higher level education paid for by the government. So not once while I’m in high school I will never have to ask for a transcript, or a recommendation letter. Not once will I stress about what my major will be, or worry about if that degree is useful outside of college. So while most seniors are stressing about their GPA and scholarships, I’m on cruise control until I have my diploma in my hands, and finally turn my tassel.
It’s almost over
The Cowboys
again. Except we already feel like the “Walking Dead” from watching all this election coverage.
leading their division and looks like a playoff spot is possible. Can we say No More Romo?
Just a few more days For the first time and we can watch tv in years, the Boys are
Jisu Choi
Principal
Reporters Madeline Haak Samantha Knowles Katie Hutcheson Natalie Hale Haley Hearn Sophia Tuttlebee Love Lynx Jill Bultemeier Dawson Hatfield Avery Jensen Matthew Lindsey Allen Lambert James Tuttlebee Brooklyn Puzz Yates Floyd Zach Carpenter Abby Sanderson Madeline Haak Skyler Lewis
Darren Williams
EDITORIAL POLICY
Edge is produced by the newspaper students in the publications department of Pleasant Grove High School who are responsible for its production and content. The newspaper serves as an open forum for student expression and the discussion of issues of concern to students. Unsigned editorials represent the opinions of the student staffers and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration. Signed columns and reviews reflect the opinion of the author only. Edge encourages and accepts letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and will be edited to eliminate obscenity and inappropriate content. Letters may be submitted to the editor in room 603. Edge is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference, National Scholastic Press Association and Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
22 Opinion
Staff Editorial
No, the sky isn’t falling. We’re just electing a president. This election has been called a lot of things, one of the most common is “disaster.” Regardless of how bad we think the election is going, we need to understand that it might not be that big of a deal. Whether the president ends up being Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, the United States will (probably) be fine. Throughout the entire history of the United States, we’ve had presidential candidates make thousands of promises during the race that they have no possibility of keeping when they become president. This election is no different. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both said things and promised things to the American people that will either never materialize, or they will be rejected by Congress and never brought up again. And even with all the turmoil of the election, something good might come out of it in the end. The abolition of the two party system is a serious possibility as the result of the election. Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have done something few candidates has succeeded in before. They came in as outsiders and changed the way people think about politics in the United States. They’ve opened
What
up a hole for everyone to voice their opinion, and it shows that the idea of a free America is still alive and well. Everyone can run for president, everyone can vote for government officials, but most importantly, everyone can have an opinion, and that opinion helps elect the next president. No man or woman can change the country permanently, but the people can, and that’s why your beliefs are valued in politics. The president won’t make a decision if there aren’t enough people backing it. In the past, presidents have implemented numerous policies that have been overturned by their successor. There’s always the chance for someone to come in and change what their predecessor has done, as long as the people retain and voice their core values. Whether we like the candidates or not we have to vote for one of them, and come Nov. 9, the day after election day, we will know who the next president of the United States is. Before that president can do anything it still comes down to us, the people, allowing it to happen. This is still a country run by the people, for the people. So calm down, we’re in the driver’s seat.
- Art by Abby Sanderson
You have to say about . . .
Legalizing medical marijuana in Texas “I think that medical marijuana should be legalized in Texas because there are a lot of really good medical uses for it, but at the same time I want to say it shouldn’t because there are people out there who would abuse having access to it.” - Ashlyn Garner (10)
“I’ve seen some research where medical marijuana proved to be helpful in some situations, and I think that under certain circumstances it should be legal, especially if it helps somebody with their pain, then I think it’s cool for it to be legal.” - Thomas Beth (12)
“I think it should not be legalized just because there are a lot o unknown consequences of marijuana that people aren’t really all that aware of, and if they had easier access to medical marijuana, they would use it without thinking it through as well.” - Jacob Thompson (12)
“I think medical marijuana should be legalized in Texas because some people really need it, and it’s not fair to keep something from them if it’s possible for it to help them.” - Kayla Cooks (10)
“Medical marijuana is a natural pain reliever, a natural medicine. I think it should be given out to people if they need it, even if some people who don’t need it get some in the process. I think it’s worth it to help people in pain.” - Kaitlyn Bloomfield (10)
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