ontheedge
5406 mcknight road | texarkana, tx | 75503 vol. 26 #2 | october 8, 2010
We’ve been waiting
It’s almost here... That’s right, Columbus Day! No school on Monday all to honor some dead guy who stumbled upon one of the greatest discoveries of his time, the “New World.” But on top of believing the world was flat, he also thought he was in India. But it gives us a three-day weekend so don’t expect to hear any complaints. Sounds like a party, so make your plans now. Monday morning is the new Friday night, or something like that . . .
Just ask us
For decades it’s been common knowledge. Homecoming court consists of nominees all aiming for the top title of homecoming queen. But what would happen if the roles were switched? Would you vote for a male queen?
pg. 12 Best movies to get ready for Halloween
pleasant grove high school
pg. 8 Anthony Arnold’s wild summer
pg. 6-7 Find out more about Race for the Cure
edge
check us out online>> www.pgedgeonline.com
Portrait of
hunger
Local organizations fight hunger in Texarkana area
62% of students said yes
“ “
Yeah, it’s ironic really, I told people that they should vote for me if I ran.” - harrisonmoore, 12
38% of students said no It’s always been this way, so why change now? On top of that it just doesn’t seem right. There’s a reason queens are queens.” - saraledesma, 10
What’s edgy now Not everyone can know what’s happening on campus every week, every day, every hour, down to the nanoseconds in between. But don’t worry, we’re here for you. Here’s some things to watch for: 1. No DECA, no cookies, but... You’ll be happy to know that every Friday morning from 9:55 to 10, popcorn will be sold for 50 cents a bag at the 700 hall doorway. Get in line before it’s all gone, seriously. 2. Twinkle, twinkle little star... The “Night Under The Stars” homecoming dance will be held in the cafeteria Oct. 16th from 8-11 p.m. for $10. Be at the door by nine! 3. Craving more news? There’s plenty of ways to stay plugged in to the news. Yes, TV is good for hearing about traffic jams and serial killers, but if you want to know what’s happening on campus here’s some great sources: -Tune into POWER 95.9 FM every Wednesday morning at 7:50 a.m. to hear senior Sarah Wilson with the latest school news. -Can’t make a game? Tune into AM 740 to hear a play-by-play brought to you by former PG teacher Chuck Zach and government teacher Tony Kirk.
- birdphoto
sarahsmith |managing editor The average Pleasant Grove student has a choice of cereal, donuts, or Pop Tarts for breakfast. Lunch is Chick-Fil-A or Wendy’s, courtesy of a doting mother waiting at the glass double doors when the lunch bell rings. After school, the average Pleasant Grove student rushes home to a pantry full of possible mid-afternoon snacks. And dinner is yet again another choice between fast food or a home-cooked meal made by mom. But not everyone is average. With the stereotype that comes with being a Pleasant Grove student, it may not seem like many students would be considered under the poverty line, but 13.5% of students are eligible for free and reduced lunches. And this is only a fraction of the people that go hungry in the Texarkana area. “Texas and Arkansas are number one and two in the nation as far as the number of households that are considered ‘food insecure households,’” said Mary Wormington, Chief Professional Officer for United Way. “In Texarkana in general, about 29% of our families are considered under the poverty level. Those are huge numbers when you really think about it.” To highlight the problem of hunger in the Texarkana area, Harvest Texarkana, a local agency dedicated to alleviating hunger in Texarkana annually holds Taste of Texarkana, a fund-raiser. Taste of Texarkana is held at the Four States Fairgrounds and brings in area restaurants to provide a “taste” of their specialties to the community as they raise funds for Harvest Texarkana. “Taste of Texarkana brings the community in and helps them get familiar with Harvest Texarkana while enjoying a nice night out,” said Jill Whittington, Executive Director of Harvest Texarkana. “We take the funds raised and spend them to help cover the expenses of the food bank, food rescue program and the backpack program.” Several clubs on campus plan to get involved with Taste of Texarkana. The Science Club plans
on making it one of their activities for the year. “I feel like students need to be aware that there are people in Texarkana that really are in need,” Science Club sponsor Monica Smith said. “Since I was on reduced lunch in high school, I want to get my students in Science Club involved in helping out others who don’t have it as good as they do.” Compared to the state and national percentages for child hunger, the number in Texarkana is much higher. In Texas, 25% of children are considered hungry, while 20% of children are on a national level. In Texarkana, the number is 29% and is continuing to grow. Junior Megan Hammett wasn’t surprised to hear these percentages after helping out with Harvest Texarkana last year. She, along with the rest of the drill team, put together gift baskets to help out “food insecure households” during the holidays. “I was shocked when I walked into the Harvest Texarkana warehouse and saw how much food they go through,” Megan said. “Seeing the warehouse and hearing the statistics makes me feel like I could be helping out more by volunteering for the organization.” These “food insecure households” don’t have enough food in the house to feed the whole family. Theses families are not even sure where their next meal will come from, Wormington said. The United Way and local organizations such as Harvest Texarkana have initiated programs to help these families, especially the children. Harvest Texarkana’s backpack program in area schools gives hungry younger children enough food to get them through the weekend. “We work with the schools to identify what we call chronically hungry children,” Whittington said. “These are the kids that at school meals, breakfast and lunch; they’re eating every morsel they’ve got available to them. They’re the ones who are upset when school is cancelled because they know that means they are going to miss their meals.”
read more
continued on page five
yououghtaknow • Harvest Texarkana is an affiliate of Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger relief organization. • 28 local hunger relief agencies depend on Harvest Texarkana to help feed their clients and/or fill requests for sacks of groceries. • 35.9 million people live below the poverty line in America, including 12.9 million children. • Almost 100 billion pounds of food is wasted in America each year. • An average family of four tosses out about $590 per year in meat, fruits, vegetables, and grain products. • On average, American households waste 14% of their food purchases. --facts from www.harvesttexarkana.org and www.soundvision. com/info/poor/statistics.asp
thebottom | line
events, activities, and news briefly
compiled by: Kaitlin Schmidt, Noah Hutchinson, Joel Webb and Sarah Wilson
calendar
pagetwo
Prevent the spread Get vaccinated to avoid flu season
Stepping into state The fall calendar for band members is filled with endless practices and contests. After all their hard work this summer, it will finally begin to pay off, and they will continue their journey of perfecting their new show for the state competition. The band was ready to show off their hard work at the Four States Invitational contest which was held Oct. 2. They received all first division ratings. The following week will be the North East Invitational Contest in Mt. Pleasant and the band will perform at 12:30 p.m. On Oct. 23 the Area contest will be held at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdo-
ches, and if the band wins Area, they will proceed to go to the State contest, which will be held on Nov. 1. “We’re doing great, and we’re right on schedule. The weather is speeding up our progress,” band director Arnie Lawson said. Every other year for 3A schools is a State year, and this year the band is hoping to make it to state and win the title of State Champs. “We’ve been killing ourselves day after day, putting our best foot forward so that we can effortlessly win state,” senior Allison Morriss said. “And make all of our hard work pay off.”
{ { A little song and dance routine Well, actually, there won’t be dancing– just singing and playing instruments to entertain at nursing home and retirement centers. That’s what you’ll do if you join PALS, a new service organization that schedules student performers at nursing homes. Junior Sara Skinner started the group on campus this fall, and counselor Vanessa Wakefield is helping coordinate the performances at local institutions. See Wakefield or Skinner if you’re interested in participating.
gimmefive All Region Jazz Band chosen Seven Pride in Motion band members were recently chosen to the All Region Jazz Band.
Pleasant Grove had the most students selected of any school. Those selected for the band were trumpets, Jeremy Ramos, Austin Goldsmith and Clint Kerr; trombone, Jackson Payne; saxophone, Allison Mayfield; guitar, James Gibbons; piano, Conner Palmore. Area members are Jeremy Ramos, Austin Goldsmith, Allison Mayfield, James Gibbons, Conner Palmore, Jackson Payne. October Citizen of the Month: sophomore Austin Reynolds
After last year’s swine flu scare, flu season is something people will be worrying over this fall. Some classes came to a halt at points during last year’s flu epidemic. School nurse Becky Riles suggests that students take the flu shot to prevent getting sick. “I would highly recommend that everybody get vaccinated.” Riles said “Although I haven’t seen any cases so far, there are reports saying that flu season could start early this year.” There’s always the rumor going around that so-and-so got a flu vaccination, and then they got the flu. “The vaccination is inactive, it can’t give you the flu.” Riles said “If you get sick after you get the shot, you were already coming down with it before.” Riles recommends taking precautions to avoid the flu, “Cover your cough. Cough into your hand, in your elbow, your shirt, whatever.”
The flu spreads through coughing, sneezing and nasal secretions, so if you try not to get your disease carrying fluids everywhere, the virus can’t spread. She also says that everybody needs to be vaccinated. “If everybody gets vaccinated, it won’t be such an epidemic anymore.” Also, after last year’s swine flu epidemic, this years vaccination will cover both influenza and H1N1. So just one shot will have you protected form both. Vaccinations will be available outside the school via the Spirit of Saint Michael’s van. The van will open at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14. Sign up sheets are in the nurses office, shots are free to PGISD employees, and there will be a $20 fee for family members of employees. The facts are all here. One vaccination will prevent both viruses, and if everybody gets the shot, it won’t be such a big deal anymore, Riles said.
all we do is win The debate team made a statement at Van High School. Both of the varsity debate teams finished 2-2 at the tournament. “All of the teams at the tournament came from typical powerhouse debate schools,” debate coach Jon Tomberlain said. The JV debate team also performed well, finishing 3-1 in their respective tournament branch. “We won the majority of
the debates that we were involved in,” Tomberlain said. The debate team will be back in action on Dec. 3 at the Gainesville debate tournament. Tomberlain said he is eager to see the team in action again. “I only see all of the teams doing better at this next tournament,” Tomberlain said. “They have a clear understanding of what they need to work on.”
www.twincitytitle.com
oct/nov
9 12
Marching Contest The Pride in Motion band competes in Mt. Pleasant for more top ratings.
Junior ring orders
If you’ve been admiring those enormous baseball and golf state rings, here’s a chance for one of your own.
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ASVAB test
Sign up for this one with your counselor even if you don’t know what it stands for: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
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Trick or Can
Interact project to benefit Harvest Texarkana. Members will trick or treat for food, not candy. No Fun Size for you, sorry.
28 29
Senior retakes
Mark it down; it’s your last chance to look good in the yearbook.
College Fair
Local colleges and universities will vie for your attention at Four States. Here’s your chance to collect pens, pencils, t-shirts, lanyards, cups and koozies from your favorite college.
princess
pagethree
kenziefloyd |reporter
Caty Cunningham, 12, felt a nudge from her homecoming court escort as they stood in front of the student body, eager to discover who was queen. “I think you’re it,” he said. “I think you won.” He was right. Cunningham was crowned the 1996 homecoming queen. A lot has changed since then, and Mrs. Caty (Cunningham) Burks is now teaching health science at Pleasant Grove. She never expected to be back for a fifth homecoming, but this year she will be reminiscing the events as she attends everything that has to do with homecoming. A few traditions remain from when Burks was a student, and one of those is the Burning of the H ceremony which has been occurring each year since 1986. This year it will be held on Monday, Oct. 11, which is the same day that the homecoming queen will be crowned. The student body will select one of ten princesses in voting this week. The princesses are Amanda Cotten, Michelle Dunn, Riley Goodman, Erin Kiel, Lauren Hadaway, Sydney McElhany, Morgan Nash, Jordan Tidwell, Taylor Trippe and Anna Ward. Crowning the queen on Monday before the homecoming game and hosting a dance in the cafeteria are long time traditions. “I have no idea what to expect because it’s been so long, but I’m really excited to go,” Burks said. “We had representatives from every grade on the court, but seniors had the majority. Seniors were the only ones eligible to win. I was on court all four years of my high school career.”
just ask us
- birdphoto
As the times and traditions have changed, so have the styles. “We wore things that people today would think are hideous,” Burks said. “We all had big, long dresses with sequins and sparkles everywhere.” The homecoming court ceremony, which is now held in the Performing Arts Center, took place in the gym when Burks was in high school. “My friends and I were just glad to be on the court together. I didn’t even care about winning. It was a very emotional experience that week, because my friends and I thought we were going to leave for college in a few months and never see each other again,” she said. “However, I ended up marrying my escort and I’m still good friends with the other girls who were on court with me.” Burks was a cheerleader when she was in high school and they helped decorate the gym for the court ceremony. These days, the cheerleaders decide what to dress up for during spirit week, decorate the PAC for the court ceremony and organize practices for the girls on court and the Burning of the H ceremony. “We do just about everything but the dance,” cheer coach Heather Barron said. Spirit week will be the week of homecoming, and the dress up days are: Twin Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday, Nerdy Thursday, and Fighting hawk Friday. The theme of the dance is “A Night Under the Stars.” “The theme for this year is a little more formal then it has been in the past,” STUCO sponsor Curt Langford said. The dance will be held in the cafeteria on Saturday, Oct. 16, and tickets are $10 per person.
ontheedge
Once a princess, always a
Most popular news sources
1. TV Okay, seriously, did that come as a shock to anybody? TV is only one of the single most important things to all of humanity. Well, that could be blown a little out of proportion, but still... Some options: Try CNN, ABC World News Tonight, Fox News. 2. Internet Of course! What else could you possibly do between your rigorous Facebook status updates every five minutes? Buy an endangered animal on eBay? Nope. You’re going to read the news. Believe it. Some options: MSN home page, Twitter, Yahoo, Reddit.com 3. Parents This is where it gets less exciting. Yes it’s a popular method, but really? Who enjoys their parents talking politics at dinner... Anybody? 4. Friends Let’s get real, the most news you get from your friends isn’t that serious. Latest celebrity relationships and breakdowns. Not important. 5. Newspaper Not as common, but still a great source for local and national news. Of course who wants to go out and get a paper when you could just turn on the TV from the comfort of the Snuggie you’re too embarrassed to admit you have? Some options: Texarkana Gazette, Dallas Morning News
Just ask us
Top: With her hand clasped over her mouth, senior Caty Cunningham accepts her crown as the 1986 homecoming queen. Bottom: Senior princesses Jordan Tidwell and Anna Ward laugh after being recognized for homecoming court at a pep rally. - youngphoto
What does the ‘H’ stand for in Burning of the H?
“I heard that the H stands for Hornet, because the Hooks Hornets used to be our biggest rival.”
40% said Homecoming 28% said Hawks 20% said Hooks 12% said Heat
“Homecoming, hamburgers. I really don’t care. I’m just in band and have to play.”
50 students surveyed
Top 5
- averyborrell, 10
- harrisonmoore, 12
And the answer is . . . Hawks. In 1986, the Student Council started the tradition of a bonfire event, burning the H as a symbol of the exciting week to follow.
News is one of the most important aspects of your everyday life. The evidence is resting in your hands, this paper... news. The TV your parents pretend to listen to every morning... news. There’s no denying it, news is everywhere. But where do you get your news? And what do you watch it for?
Why do you watch the news?
21% Local News 18% Sports 13% National News 48% Other
50 students surveyed
Face time How important do you think news is? How does the news affect you?
“
It’s really important, but I guess it doesn’t really affect me all that much.” - jacobmccann, 10
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“
The news is very important. It keeps us aware of what’s going on in our world and allows us to prepare ourselves.”
- lisawatson, science teacher
pagefour
Past the expiration date
Expired license lands senior with arrest warrant, fine, lesson learned...maybe
sarahwilson,feature editor
“Do you know why I pulled you over, miss?” the state trooper asked me as he peered at me over his cliche aviator cop glasses. Well, clearly no I don’t. If a state trooper was driving right behind me, I probably would do my best not to screw up. “No, sir. Did I do something wrong?” I ask as politely as my shaking voice will let me. “It seems as though you crossed the center line a few times while I was following you,” the trooper said. Oh, you mean while you were following me for the last 30 minutes on this road? If I only crossed the center line twice then I’m doing pretty well judging by my driving. “Oh my, I did? I’m so sorry. I guess I was just nervous since you were behind me that my hands shook and I accidentally crossed over,” I explained. Well that was probably the lamest excuse he’s ever heard. There’s no way he’ll buy that. “May I please see your drivers license?” he asks. I lost that about three months ago so no, probably not. “Oh . . Umm, I had to drive my mom’s car all week and I accidentally left it there,” I answer with another fib. After asking for my address, full name and date of birth, he walked back to his squad car to run my license. I knew exactly what was about to happen. My license was not only lost, but it was also expired.
Crossing the line
noahhutchinson,reporter
“Miss Wilson,” officer Glasslow said as he approached my rolled-down car window. “Do you realize your license is expired?” Well, yes of course I realize this. I’m the idiot who’s been driving around for eight months dodging cop cars like a hail storm. Today just happened to be a fail. “Oh, it is? I didn’t know I had to renew it for a few years,” I fibbed as I threw in a sweet smile hoping my charm would get me out of yet another unfortunate situation. “It expired on your last birthday . . . eight months ago,” Glasslow said with a frown as he saw right through my girly grin. Twenty minutes later, I pulled back onto Highway 23 with a warning for crossing the center line and a ticket for an expired license. A renewed license, missed court date, one week-long arrest warrant and $130 later (correct change required, of course) the incident was expunged from my record and life went back to normal. In the long run, life would have been much easier had I renewed my license the day after my birthday, but I’m clearly very stubborn and had to learn my lesson the hard way. But most likely when my birthday rolls around in another three months, I’ll go back to my bad habit of dodging cops.
Driving home after school becomes problem when students try to cut corners
After a long, tiring day of school, I walk out to my truck and pull myself into the driver’s seat. I sit there for a minute, waiting for my brain to un-numb itself enough to be able to drive. As I drive between the rows of parking spaces, I check to make sure there aren’t any careless drivers about to back into me without looking. I almost get to the end of the row, where there aren’t any cars parked, and then let my guard down when I think I’m in the clear. Just then, a white truck pulls out of the very last row of parking, turns around, and drives straight through two rows of empty parking spaces right toward me. I hit the brakes to avoid a head-on collision. And once he realizes that he’s about to run into me, he does the same. Then, he gives me this look like I’m some kind of idiot and drives off. He didn’t have the right of way. He wasn’t even sup-
posed to be driving through the parking spaces like that in the first place. I’ve noticed this more and more lately and have even been guilty of it a few times myself. Carelessly driving your car through the empty parking spaces may just seem to be the convenient thing to do, but you could wind up pulling out in front of somebody. This can lead to two outcomes. You can either run into them and die in a twisted heap of broken glass and metal (not over-exaggerating at all there) or you could cut somebody off and wind up looking like a jerk. So, the next time you see a few empty rows of parking spaces you could just swing through, resist the temptation. I’m sure your house will still be there when you get home, even if it takes you an extra five seconds to drive all the way down the row in the parking lot like you’re supposed to.
staff editorial Try something new–go for the sushi As Daniel Tosh ends his show, Tosh.0, at 10 p.m., most students aren’t about to turn to their local news stations to listen to the monotone newscaster recite the day’s news off a teleprompter. In fact, most students got all of the news they’re going to get from Tosh.0–a show that makes jokes out of the top headlines of the day. Government teacher Tony Kirk thinks presenting the news as a “mocumentary” is effective and that kids only know what’s going on because it’s being mocked. But sitting through Kirk’s government class and watching Tosh.0 isn’t enough. As the “information generation,” we take for granted all of the information at our fingertips. Instead of keeping updated on the world around us, we constantly check Twitter and Facebook to see what our friends are up to. “I think they look at the buffet and choose the chicken nuggets,” Kirk said. “They’re
exposed to a lot of things and they’re much better at harvesting information than I am, but they choose what they know and what they like. They’re not going to try new flavors. Nuggets are good, why are they going to try the sushi?” Facebook. Twitter. They’re safe. Learning that your best friend is going to the
- pickettillustration
mall to find a dress for the homecoming dance is much easier, much safer, than learning about the gunman on the UT campus. Kirk doesn’t think it’s a lack of intelligence that keeps us from being curious about the world around us, but that we’re content with our lives. If our society wasn’t as comfortable and our future wasn’t as bright, Kirk thinks we would take the opportunity to empower ourselves more. A privileged life, however, doesn’t excuse not knowing what’s going on in the world, our world. So go out and pick up a paper or flip to the news while you’re channel surfing. Take a minute and read the headlines of the New York Times–you can get them e-mailed to you, by the way. We are the future. Soon our peers will be governors, senators, presidents. Soon we will be the people who vote representatives into office. And at that point, Kirk and Tosh won’t be a whole lot of help.
face to face
Do you think that homecoming elections are fair? Instead of having just seniors voting, I would add in a personality test that they must pass. - kieraprim,10
No. It would be more more justified if everyone, was involved in the voting. -kaylajefferies, 11
Yes. I think homecoming court should be chosen randomly.
- jaceryan, 9
Yes. The seniors know better than anyone.
-taylortrippe, 12
edge pleasant grove high school
5406 mcknight road | texarkana, tx | 75503 phone: (903) 832-8005 | fax: (903) 832-5381
Kaitlin Schmidt Editor-in-chief Sarah Smith Sarah Wilson Editors Avery Borrell David Bird Julie Young Natalie Thigpen Photographers Austin Reynolds Curtis Zachary Hayley Allen Joel Webb Jordan Pickett Josh Whitt Kenzie Floyd Marissa Strebeck Mark Northam Nathan Jones Naveed Haque Noah Hutchinson Reporters Charla Harris Adviser William Harp Principal Editorial policy Edge is produced by the newspaper students in the publications department of Pleasant Grove High School and 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.
A mother’s
wish
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Long process gives green light for junior exchange student to study in America marissastrebeck |reporter Junior Aygul Alasgarova watched as the plane cast its shadow on the Potomac River. It was her wish and her mother’s wish; wishes that would be granted within a matter of minutes. After two years of grueling tests and determination, Aygul would set foot in America for the very first time. She was not alone, 41 others came with her from half a world away in Azerbaijan, a small country wedged between Russia and Iran, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Aygul was headed to Texas, a state eight times the size of her own country, to attend high school as part of a foreign exchange program. After a very long journey, Aygul was met at the airport by someone she knew, English teacher Ellen Campbell. Ironically, Sarah Campbell, Cambell’s daughter, had worked with Aygul’s mother when Sarah was a Peace Corp volunteer in Azerbaijan. And the Campbells weren’t Aygul’s only acquaintances in Texarkana. “I had a lot of friends in America who I’d chatted with on the internet, but I had never met them,” Aygul said. “I was friends with Shelby Demuth [2009 graduate] on Facebook and for about two or three years we were chatting, but I never imagined that one day I would meet her.” Sarah Campbell set up the pen pals for Aygul. “After Sarah left, Aygul remained friends with them. I would imagine that helped her English, too,” Campbell said.
- strebeckphoto
Taste
testing
Taste of Texarkana fundraiser brings awareness of local hunger
Having American friends helped Aygul in more ways than improving her language skills. They helped her adjust to American culture. “It wasn’t difficult for me to know how to live here because I knew Sarah and Shelby,” Aygul said. “She and some of my other friends from America talked about a lot of things in America so I felt like I was ready to come over here.” While living in Texarkana, Aygul has noticed some differences between American culture and behavior and that of Azerbaijan. “We never hug boys. Like, here it’s so normal. I see in class they are hugging and kissing,” Aygul said. “In Azerbaijan you never see the people who are hugging and kissing their boyfriends.” Aygul has also noticed things about American schools that schools in Azerbaijan lack. “At school, I like the communication with students and teachers here,”Aygul said. “The students aren’t afraid to say something, they have a freedom to say something. You don’t need to be shy to say your idea and everybody else says their ideas. I like it.” For Aygul and her mother, coming to America was a life long goal. And now that she’s here, the tests and interviews she had to go through were worth it. “When my mother was a child, her parents didn’t want her to go to another country,” Aygul said. “So she said ‘If I have a girl, I will let her go to another country’.” And so Aygul did.
read on Harvest Texarkana works with the schools to provide students in the program with food that the kids can easily make themselves. While they are away at recess or P.E., teachers will discretely place food in the child’s backpack. “Providing one backpack for a child during the school year is $125 a year,” Wormington said. “It adds up when people start giving just a little bit, but it’s never enough.” Last year, Harvest Texarkana provided 2.5 million pounds of food to the Texarkana area, and Whittington said she expects that figure to double this year. Most of the food is provided through food banking where food is kept in a warehouse where local agencies such as the
continued from page one Randy Sams Shelter and church pantries can come buy food cheaply. Harvest Texarkana also has a food rescue program that collects leftover restaurant food, day old bread, and damaged produce cans from local restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries and school cafeterias. “Over five million pounds of edible food goes to waste in Texarkana every year,” Whittington said. “We’re working to try and capture that. We collect day old food, leftovers, damaged cans, etc, and immediately take them to the different shelters and soup kitchens so that food doesn’t go to waste.” Over all, about 40 local establishments participate in Harvest Texarkana’s food rescue programs. Some
of the main contributors are Donut Café, Wendy’s, Olive Garden, Starbucks, Walmart, All in Good Taste Bakery, and Julie’s Deli. Many of these contributors will take part in Taste of Texarkana. Taste of Texarkana will be held Oct. 19 from 5-8 p.m. at the Four States Fairgrounds. Tickets are on sale now for $20, and they are $25 at the door. The money spent by one person at the event will be enough to feed an entire family. “Anything that you could possibly be hungry for, you’re going to get at Taste of Texarkana,” Wormington said. “Or, anything you have a taste for. Because I don’t think any of us are ever really hungry. I don’t think we know what hunger is.”
An early morning Theater students kick off fall productions with ‘4 a.m.’ 1.
3.
2.
4.
The advanced class started off the fall theater season with “4 a.m.,” a compilation of scenes about kids being up early in the morning. “I liked doing “4 a.m.” because it was different than anything we’ve ever done,” senior Noe Cork said. “We got to dig into our characters more.” 1. Preparing to bang around the stage looking for monsters, senior Alex Seames plays Cop #1. “ I watched 3 Dirty Harry movies, and Bad Boys 2 to get ready for my part,” Seames said. “I’m a good cop because I’m a hard boiled, free style, black coffee drinking guy.” 2. Senior Noe Cork tries to catch his breath during his duet scene with sophomore Austin Reynolds. “I had to freestyle all of my character’s emotions,” Cork said. “I haven’t been in my character’s shoes.” 3. Scared of the intruders in her room, senior Allison Morriss defends the monster under her bed. “I had to imagine actually having someone break into my house and how scared I would be,” Morriss said. “Who woulnd’t be afraid of someone breaking into their house at 4 a.m.?” 4. Junior Jarrod Meyers used facial expressions in his silent part as the monster under the bed. “I had to squeeze my entire body under that tiny bed,” Meyers said. “It was literally the most uncomfortable postion anybody could imagine.” - birdphotos
compiled by Noah Hutchinson and Kaitlin Schmidt
Daughter shares in mother’s fight against breast cancer kaitlinschmidt | editor-in-chief
- birdcomputerillustration
Amanda Cotten, 12, and her mother Shawna Cotten - submittedphotos
It’s a sunny afternoon. One that, just a few months ago, senior Amanda Cotten would’ve spent with friends, making Sonic runs or going to get a sno cone. But not today. Instead, Amanda and her mother are in the driveway and Amanda is gently combing her mother’s hair. With every stroke of the comb, Amanda has to dodge the hair that is blowing back at her. “It was kind of a weird thing to do,” Amanda said. “It’s not something you ever picture yourself doing. I brushed my mother’s hair until it had all fallen out.” After her first round of chemotherapy for breast cancer, Mrs. Shawna Cotten had already cut her hair very short. But in just a few weeks her hair was falling out in handfuls. “Most people who’ve been through chemo say that losing their hair is one of the worst parts because you already feel bad about yourself and now you’re losing something that is a staple of beauty,” Mrs. Cotten said. “I knew it would happen, I’d been told it would happen. But, it’s just hard to see. You’re really like, ‘This is happening,’ when your hair starts to fall out.” Though the side effects for chemotherapy were just starting to show physically, breast cancer has been affecting the Cottens since last spring. Right after Mrs. Cotten came back with a clean mammogram, she found a lump on her breast. And because there was a family history of breast cancer, she went to the doctor to re-evaluate her situation. Mrs. Cotten was diagnosed with breast cancer May 17, 2010, a day the Cotten family will never forget. “My daughters were definitely the hardest to tell,” Mrs. Cotten said. “I didn’t want to keep anything from them, but I didn’t want to alarm them either. As a parent, you want to protect your kids from things that will hurt them, but I couldn’t protect them from this.” For Amanda, the news came suddenly. She’d gone to Prom the weekend before and she went on a Science Club field trip that Monday. When she got home from the field trip, Amanda walked into the kitchen where her parents were sitting at the table waiting for her. “They told me and I was just sitting in my chair bawling,” Amanda said. “The first thing I did was tell my sister, even though I knew she had already been told. And then I texted Jordan (Tidwell, senior) and Sydney (McElhany, senior) and I didn’t want to type it out. I couldn’t type ‘cancer’ at the time, like I couldn’t say, ‘my mom has cancer.’ So I told them I had something to tell them tomorrow and I needed their support, but I
the diagnosis • 64% of students know
someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
• 27% of students were
not aware males can be diagnosed with breast cancer.
• 44% of students plan to
participate in Race for the Cure. - 60 students surveyed
• A woman has a 12% chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime.
• About 39,840 women in the United States are
•
• There are approximately 2.5 million breast
•
expected to die from breast cancer in 2010. cancer survivors in the United States.
• A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first degree relative
Thenever
ending race wanted to tell them in person.” in, you see it differently.” Daily life for the Cottens changed instantly. Though some relationships have struggled, Amanda “This summer was definitely different,” Amanda and her mother agree that their experiences with her said. “We didn’t go on any trips or anything. And mom’s cancer and treatment have brought them closer mom couldn’t drive until September so I had to be her together. chauffeur. After her surgery, she was pretty restricted “I was always close to my mom, but I considered and couldn’t move.” myself a ‘Daddy’s girl’ growing up,” Amanda said. Instead of relaxing and hanging out for most of the “We haven’t seen everything eye-to-eye for the past summer, Amanda went to Girls State and came home couple of years, but since we found out, there’s this to the aftermath of her mother’s bilateral mastectomy. new bond between us. Now, my mom is the person I “It changed my life a lot more than my dad’s or my want to come home to and share things with.” sister’s because my dad has to work and my sister is The strengthened bond has helped both Amanda in college,” Amanda said. “My concerns and what I and her mom get through the harder days. wanted to do each day changed. “All I have to do is watch Going out with my friends was Amanda walk through the no longer my first priority, being door and I know why I’ve kept there for my mom was.” fighting,” Mrs. Cotten said. And with Race for the Cure “There were obviously times There’s that one instant on Oct. 16, the Cottens are prewhen the pain was so bad that during the day where I’ll say paring for another emotional all I could do was sit there something or my dad will bump in the road. In late Sepcompletely still and wait for it say something and we’ll just tember, Mrs. Cotten received a to subside, but this whole exlaugh and look over at mom letter inviting her to a breakfast perience has showed me that I and she has this smile about before the race for cancer surhave so much to live for.” vivors. Amanda has also gone her, like you’ve never seen “I’m not gonna lie, I teared through hard days, but her before. That one moment up when I got the letter,” Mrs. pain doesn’t show physically makes it worth while and Cotten said. “I’ve participated like her mother’s. makes fighting the battle in Race for the Cure for years, “I want to give up all the worth it. And to know she’ll but I never thought I’d be in the time. There are days when I never be sick anymore just ‘survivor’ category.” get up and it makes me so anAmanda watched as her gry that we have to go through makes you wanna push. mother read over the survivor this,” Amanda said. “I don’t - amandacotten, 12 breakfast invitation, and conwant to do chemo anymore, nected with her emotionally I don’t want to see her keep even though she can’t physically. losing her hair and keep getting more sick and more “It’s hard for my mom to say she is a cancer surviweak. I don’t want to see it anymore.” vor because she never thought she would be,” Amanda Though after her surgery Mrs. Cotten was prosaid. “I mean, it’s not something that you put on your nounced cancer free, she still undergoes chemotherapy. resume like, ‘I graduated high school, I survived canAnd however much Amanda feels like giving up, there cer’ you know? It’s not easy to say. You say it with pride, are moments that remind her why the Cottens conbut it’s not any easier to say.” tinue to fight. As a Keyette, Amanda won’t be participating in “There’s that one instant during the day where I’ll Race for the Cure as she has in the past. Depending say something or my dad will say something and we’ll on how her mother feels, she may not be walking, but just laugh and look over at mom and she has this smile instead, sitting with her mother on the sidelines. But about her like you’ve never seen before, and it’s just this even without participating, Amanda has a connection joy because she’s seeing things a whole new way and with Race for the Cure that will never go away. it’s just this joy she’s never seen before,” Amanda said. “I was always aware of the pink ribbons and stuff “That one moment makes it worth while, and makes like that,” Amanda said. “But, I didn’t know like, why fighting the battle worth it. And to know she’ll never be you do chemo and how everything works. Now, I feel sick anymore just makes you wanna push.” more involved in it.” After all the hair had been cleared off the driveway Dealing with cancer has made Amanda look at evand Mrs. Cotten’s head was bare, Amanda is still left erything a little differently. with the weight she’s been carrying around since May. “You learn a lot about yourself and your family The weight of her mother’s breast cancer. through something like this, but you also kinda see “My mom is going through so much pain and who other people are,” Amanda said. “Who’s being I can’t imagine how she really feels on the inside genuine and who cares about how your mom’s doing because she is so strong on the outside,” Amanda said. or people who even care enough to ask. It’s almost like, “But she doesn’t feel beautiful anymore because she’s for a little while, you get to take a step out of the world lost all of her hair. And it kills me because I think my and see it in a whole new light, and when you step back mom is gorgeous. Inside and out.”
“”
1 1. Before performing at half time, senior Rachel Breitfeller stands in line with the drill team, all wearing pink ribbons. - birdphoto 2. Sporting the traditional Showstopper smile, sophomore Elizabeth Stark also sports a pink ribbon. - thigpenphoto
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Pink pride
Showstoppers, cheerleaders help raise awareness
Showstoppers and cheerleaders have banded together to support breast cancer awareness. After senior Amanda Cotten shared the news with her friends, the girls did their best to support the Cottens in any way they could. After a few of the Showstoppers went to their moms with the thought, Showstopper moms ran with the idea to support Shawna Cotten. “When we were circled up before the first home game Mrs. [Stephanie] Carpenter handed out ribbons to all the Showstoppers,” senior Rachel Breitfeller said. “It was a surprise to all of us. Amanda was the most surprised of us all. She cried and kept thanking everyone.” After seeing the drill team’s support, the cheerleaders decided to help out as well. “We wanted to support Amanda and her family, but we also had someone else to benefit,” Erin Keil said. “We pinned pink ribbons to our bows for Mrs. Cotten, but we also made pins for Morgan Nash’s dad and pinned them over our heart on our uniforms. He just had a tumor removed, and we are now happy he is cancer free.”
Go the distance
n t r
Get the run down for Race for the Cure.
Saturday, Oct. 16 Four States Fairgrounds Run starts at 9:30 a.m. Awards start at 10:45 a.m. Keyettes and Showstoppers will participate this year.
Howyoucanhelp Cha Cha for the Cure
(mother, sister, daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer.
• About 1,970 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2010. • In 2010 an estimated 207, 090 new cases
of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States; 54, 010 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed. - statistics from www.cancer.org and www.breastcancer.org
Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010 4303 Texas Blvd. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Salsa and Zumba dance class $10 to participate All proceeds go to Susan G. Komen
Sleep in for the Cure
Busy on the day of Race for the Cure? Sign up for Sleep in for the Cure and get a race t-shirt and snooze bib. You may register as an individual or with a team.
“I love boobies” bracelets
Bracelets are sold at Spencer’s in the mall. Percentage of proceeds go to breast cancer research.
“Save the Tatas” T-shirts
Shirts are sold at Hallmark in the mall and Super 1. Proceeds go to Dr. Eva Gonzalez-Suarez’s cancer research in Spain.
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The
Outwit, outlast, outplay—senior puts survival instincts to the test
jordanpickett |reporter
In an old, rusty truck, senior Anthony Arnold sat blindfolded and confused, trying to feel every sudden movement to give him some clue of his location. Every bump confused him more. Every turn, even more perplexing. He had no control. “All I saw were two guys who led me to this sketchy, old truck before they blindfolded me,” he said. After two hours, he stepped out of the truck. The blistering desert stretched into view as his blindfold was removed, and he was suddenly granted sight. Anthony’s summer had been just like every other summer before. But his time of relaxation was broken when his dad surprised him with a sudden demand. “My dad told me one Tuesday night, around nine o’clock, to be at the airport bright and early the next morning,” Anthony said. “I was standing in what I believed to be St. George, Utah at ten a.m. that morning.” In a little more than 12 hours, Anthony’s summer, and his entire life, had changed. He was sent by his parents to a camp, Entrada, to learn valuable life lessons. “My dad considered it a good opportunity to become a better man,” Anthony said. “Of course, I just accepted without question.” Though he boarded the plane with only the clothes on his back and a cell phone, he arrived to his destination with assigned uniforms and no access to the outside world at all. “I felt scared and nervous,” Anthony said. “I was just realizing I was about to spend my summer in the middle of a desert.” Anthony quickly adapted to his new, impermanent life. He understood this situation could be interpreted one of two ways. He just had to make the choice. “Not many people can say they spent 20 days in the desert.” Anthony said, looking back at the predicament as rewarding rather than degrading. “All they gave me to live on was a hiking pack and
one pair of clothes,” Anthony said. “The only way I was able to communicate with anyone on the outside was with the note pads and pens they gave me.” Anthony had to earn his way up in ranks by personal achievements and goals the camp instructor set for him. “They left me completely alone for four days,” Anthony said. “No staff, no friends.” To survive completely alone for four days in the wilderness with limited supplies was a challenge each camper had to pass. “All I was given was a sleeping bag, my clothes and some shelter,” Anthony said. “Then I was blindfolded again and taken out somewhere to be left all by myself.” This was the climax of Anthony’s experience. He had to fully embrace his survival nature in which he had only been flirting with so far. He used anything he could find as a resource or tool for survival. He had to gather his own food and make his own fires. “They gave me four bottles of water, but no food,” Anthony said. “So I ate a scorpion and some pinecones.” Although there were hardships, Anthony made friends with all the people there and because of shared experiences, they were bonded like family. Leaving Entrada was not the waited satisfaction he had hoped for. “I missed my family and friends from back home, but I couldn’t think of never seeing these guys again,” Anthony said. “We had been through a lot.” But when Anthony felt those familiar movements of the old truck for the second time, it was not the same. Not only was he not blindfolded, but the drive did not seem nearly as horrible as before. He felt changed. “I feel pretty good, looking back,” Anthony said. “I don’t feel like I was robbed of a summer, but given an opportunity.”
- youngphoto
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What is the best Halloween costume? Definitely a vampire. For the past six years I’ve been raiding houses as a nocturnal blood-sucker; I couldn’t see spending Halloween any way else. What is your favorite genre of movie? Comedy because it makes me laugh and brings in a lot of inside jokes with my friends. The best comedy is “Pineapple Express.” The first time I watched that movie I could not stop laughing. Where did you live before you moved to Texarkana? I moved from Oswego, Illinois in the summer of 2007, the summer before freshman year. I don’t regret moving because I know if I had stayed in Illinois I would not have the friends that I have now and the opportunities that I have now. The school I went to before was much bigger than PG, so it was more difficult to get recognized. I can’t even imagine who I would be if I didn’t move.
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If you could be any Disney character who would you be? Hands down, Mickey Mouse. He is just a classic character and was my favorite in the video game, “Kingdom Hearts.”
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Autobots or Decepticons? Autobots, the good guys always win. And Optimus Prime is a beast.
What is your favorite quote? “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”-Albert Einstein. It has to do with my everyday in theatre, there are difficulties but there are always opportunities to make or change something for the better.
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for
Noe Cork
King of the band
austinreynolds | reporter Noe Cork, 12, moved from Oswego, Illinois in 2007 and changed his life forever. From leading the school band on Friday nights to being the lead of
his own band on the weekends, Noe could be called a rockstar. He is ending his last year at PG by putting his name down in the“hall of fame” for drum majors and helping Mrs. Sutton to state in theatre.
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Even nerdier than band camp This summer, instead of going to band camp, Noe went one step further. Along with fellow band members Sydney Jacobsen, 11, Elizabeth Lawson, 12, Dakota Black, 12, Noe attended a “drum major” camp. “We woke up, ate and then all of the drum majors split up from everyone else”Cork said. “We spent the day
learning teaching skills and leadership skills.” Unlike at band camp, Noe didn’t get the chance to socialize with the other kids at the camp. “We were doing so many things,” Cork said, “so we never had a chance to meet new people and make friends like at band camp.”
Where is Waldo? I keep him in my closet under a pile of clothes.
- youngphoto
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Would you call yourself a clean freak? No, but I’m not a slob either. I usually clean every now and then so when I do clean everything is in the place I need it to be. Have you ever thought of going professional with a band? Not really. I started the band Lost to Autumn, but we split up. Who is the most influential person in your life? My dad. He has accomplished so much while still being a good father figure and supporter. I can’t really narrow down all he has taught me about life, but I know that most every choice I make, a little bit of my father has to do with that desicion.
What did you grow up listening to? Green Day, and although I regret admitting it, N*SYNC.
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What was drum major camp like? Drum major camp was a lot different than band camp. I learned a lot of good teaching skills, though.
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questions
What is your most memorable high school experience? At the April Madness dance sophomore year I got to perform with my band (Lost to Autumn.) It was then that I realized I wanted to be a musician and it helped me see that all dreams are possible.
What do you plan to do after high school? If I’m not a famous rockstar, then I will most likely attend Henderson State for a major in music. I have friends at Henderson, so I won’t be alone when I get there.
Which of the seven dwarves best describes your personality? Happy. Because I’m never really grumpy... or sneezy.
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If you could re-write history, what would you change? I would put my face on Mount Rushmore. It would be cool to look at Mt. Rushmore and see president, president, president and then Noe Cork. What is the best way to spend a Saturday night in Texarkana? There really isn’t a best way to spend any night in Texarkana. But if I’m stuck here over the weekend I usually just call Jarrod (Meyers, 11) and Alex (Seames, 12). Define robomalnutratism. It’s an eating disorder for robots.
- thigpenphoto Aretha Franklin or Ben Franklin? Ben. I’ve always been interested in the secrets of the Free Masons and I think it would be interesting to be part of that group. If you could be drum major for any core marching band, who would it be? Phantom Regiment. Every time I hear the band perform I can feel so much power and emotion in the music. It would be awesome to be leading such a great band and also to be able to hear them up front when they perform. What is your biggest fear? Failing. I know they say failing is an intimate part of success, but when you only have one chance to prove yourself, like trying out for drum major, I think that rule doesn’t really apply. Conducting the band at the football game on Sept. 10, Cork focuses on the beat. - youngphoto
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Sitting behind the glass seniors Alex Borrell and Jordan Roberts announce the action at a Thursday night football game. - borrellphoto
Batman and Robin Varsity players take on JV games from press box
joshwhitt |reporter On Thursday nights you may not hear the voices of professional sportscasters Reece Davis or Chris Fowler. But you will hear seniors Alex Borrell and Jordan Roberts. They’ve taken their love of sports and lots of experience watching ESPN and sports on TV into the press box at JV football games. The two varsity football players sit
behind the mics and call the games. “Listening to college announcers every Saturday really inspired me to give it a try,” Borrell said. As a sophomore, Borrell constantly pleaded with history teacher and football announcer Jon Tomberlain to let him try a little play calling at the sophomore football games. Finally Tomberlain gave in and let Borrell an-
nounce an entire game. When senior Jordan Roberts saw what his friend was doing in his spare time, he signed up, too. Borrell decided he needed some help and the duo came alive. “Everything about announcing is great,” Alex said. “It’s so much fun to be able to watch the game and announce it with a little of my own style.” Creating nicknames such
as Kevin “The Thrill” Hill and Louden “The Situation” Naumec, the duo give the games their own flair in addition to adding their knowledge of the game. In fact, they dubbed themselves “Batman and Robin.” “People always like the nicknames,” Alex said. “Some people go to the games just to hear us and see what we came up with for the players’ new names.”
Now it counts Hawks gear up for district play Varsity Football Aug. 27 Hallsville (0-52) Sept. 3 New Boston (7-48) Sept. 10 Mt. Pleasant (20-15) Sept. 17 Daingerfield (14-27) Sept. 24 Jefferson (35-19) Oct. 8 Mt. Vernon (T) Oct. 15 Liberty-Eylau (H) Oct. 22 Paris (T) Oct. 29 Atlanta (T) Nov. 5 North Lamar (H) All games start at 7:30 p.m.
taylortrippe |reporter After coming off an open week with an ample amount of free time, the Hawks are ready for their first district game against Mt. Vernon. “On our off week we practiced two days, watched film and ran,” senior Michael Ward said. “It gave us time to relax and prepare for Mt. Vernon.” Despite a four-year winning streak against the Tigers, head coach Kevin Davis looks for the Hawks to play hard. “It’s the first game in district play,” Davis said. “They start counting now, so we have to focus only on Mt. Vernon. It’s one game at a time from this point.” After this week, the Hawks will prepare for another big game on the schedule–Liberty-Eyalu for homecoming. But with the way the Hawks played against defending state champs Daingerfield, Ward
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said the team isn’t intimidated. “Their overall record is better than ours,” Ward said. “But if we play like we did against Daingerfield, a win is do-able.” The Hawks led for almost three quarters against Daingerfield before the Tigers rallied to win at the end, but Davis said the team recovered quickly from the disappointment and learned from the loss. “They’ve continued to work hard,” Davis said. “I think it gave them some confidence knowing that they can play with top quality teams.” A couple more of those top quality teams appear on the schedule as the Hawks work toward a fifth straight playoff appearance. An opening win against Mt. Vernon would give them momentum heading into the L-E game. The Hawks then face Late in the game, junior Melvin Gray picks up a Paris and Atlanta, finishing at home against North short gain against Daingerfield. After leading at half time, the Hawks fell to the Tigers 27-14. Lamar for Senior Night. - birdphoto
Golf team works to keep state championship title marknortham | reporter
When you’re a member of the Texas 3A state champion golf team, you expect to have a fair amount of success. So it was no surprise when Pleasant Grove defeated both Texas High and Arkansas High schools in a nine-hole match at New Haven Golf Course Sept. 20. The Hawks varsity team beat Texas High by more that 10 strokes. Arkansas High finished third. With four of the five members who won state last year returning, coach Steve Wren expected the Hawks to do well. “As long as everyone stays healthy and continues to improve, I can see us repeating as state champions,” Wren said. Senior Logan Byrd finished with a score of 35 to win the match. Defending 3A individual golf state champion Sean Romero was third, and Wren is pleased to know that even when Sean struggles someone will step up to lead the team to victory. “Sean leads the other kids by example, always knowing what needs to be worked on,” Wren said. “Everyone continuing to improve will not just make the team better, but it will take some of the pressure off Sean.” The Hawk golf team will be playing a rematch against Texas High and other schools Oct. 15-16 during the Texas High Classic at Texarkana Country Club.
College game day, PG edition
What is your favorite college football team? UT 29% Texas A&M 26% Arkansas 22% Others 23%
Do you like the Cowboys? Yes 57% No 43% “I don’t like Romo and I think that if we don’t make the playoffs this year, the coaching staff should be replaced.” - hunterpruitt, 11
With an early start, senior Claire Ashby and the cross country team prepare for the upcoming season. - birdphoto
Driving the ball down the hole, senior Catie Crenshaw practices with the girl’s golf team. - buchananphoto
Volleyball team works to overcome loss to Liberty-Eyalu taylortrippe |reporter
Jumping for the shot, senior Callie Harris returns the ball against LE. - birdphoto
ontheedge
season in review
pageeleven
Kick-starting the district season with a 3-1 record, the Lady Hawk volleyball team goes into their second week of district the same as last year--with a loss they shouldn’t have. “During district last year we had to forfeit one game because we played more games than UIL rules allowed,” senior Tiffany Hunnicutt said. “We lost our game against Paris on Tuesday that we could have won, so we have to fight back and beat them at their place next time we face them.” Although the Lady Hawks tried to get on a run to win the third game of the match against Paris, their perseverance didn’t pay off. Coach Jenny Coon knows what needs to change to win district for the third year in a row. “Tuesday, we learned what it will take for us to beat them and win district,” Coon said. “We have to practice a lot harder and perform at a high level every time we play to be prepared.” With Tuesday’s game behind them, the team focuses on their next game. Matched up with the football team, the girls’ will also face Mt. Vernon Friday at 4:30.
Cross country team adds new seniors, dominates first meet curtiszachry | reporter
If it weren’t for a football injury, the boys’ cross country team would have been seniorless this year. After injuring his shoulder over the summer and then re-injuring it during football season, senior Chris Tatum could no longer play football. When he needed something to fill the hole left by football, he found it in cross country. “Now that I only play soccer, I needed something else to do, so I decided to run cross country. I really enjoy running and the team is nice,” Tatum said. “I like waking up early, and the exercise helps me we wake up and get in shape for soccer season.” Although he is a senior, this is Tatum’s first year to run cross country. At the first meet of the season, junior Darrius Scott finished second and freshman Jorge Rodriguez finished third. On the girls’ team, sophomore Anna Ashby and senior Claire Ashby finished second and third, respectively. Overall, both teams came in first. Like Tatum, senior Manuel Western is running varsity cross country for the first time. “I felt like running cross country this year because I really enjoy running and being with the team,” Western said. “I ran in middle school but haven’t since, so I just decided to start doing it again.” The varsity and JV teams competed in Saltillo this past weekend and are scheduled to run in North Lamar Oct. 16 before heading to the district meet the next weekend.
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Which college team do you think should be number one? Arkansas 28% UT 20% Alabama 16% Texas A&M 14% Others 22%
7 things we hate about you It’s no secret. There are those schools and teams out there that we just want to beat more than any other. So we asked you. . . Who’s our biggest football rival? Liberty-Eylau 78% Texas High 12% Mt. Pleasant 10% “L.E. is our cross town rival, it’s always been that way. We don’t like them, they don’t like us. Hawk Nation, baby.” - brookslangdon, 9 Who’s our biggest volleyball rival? Atlanta 74% Liberty-Eyalu 20% Don’t know 6% What team do we dislike the most? Liberty-Eylau 24% Texas High 64% Mt. Pleasant 12%
50 students surveyed
Attack movie reviews of the
noahhutchinson |reporter Yet again, it’s time to carve a face in a hollowed out gourd to frighten evil spirits away from the community. Or just sit at home and give out candy. It’s really up to you. Halloween is just around the corner, and although some people go trick or treating, take
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a walk through the haunted house, or have a party, lots of people will just sit at home and watch a scary movie. That being said, you run a pretty high risk of watching two hours worth of cheesy, bloody, poorly written garbage. Horror films have a long running history for not being the best cinema ever made, but there are a few gems lost in the rubbish.
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Amusement
If you’re in the market for something that will give you that uncomfortable feeling that leaves you staring at your bedroom door all night, “Amusement” is the way to go. A serial killer/carnival worker/actor stalks a group of girls who have been friends since they were little. It’s creepy. It’s the kind of scary that could make Rambo close the blinds and turn on the lights about a quarter of the way through the movie.
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Saw series
“Saw” is the horror movie that has too many sequels for our generation. Before “Saw” there was “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Friday the 13th,” and “Halloween.” Anyone living during the time those movies were released has seen them. Isn’t it your duty to have watched our generation’s version? And of course, in true horror series fashion, they’re ending it with a tacky gimmick. 3D. All of the “Saw” movies are dark, gory, and will make you cringe at the least, making them an excellent choice for Halloween.
Dawn of the Dead
For the guy who sleeps with a crowbar within arm’s reach and the “Max Brooks Zombie Survival Guide” under his pillow, I would suggest “Dawn of the Dead.” It set the standard for what makes a zombie movie a zombie movie. Lots of guns, common man turned action hero characters, ridiculous home-brew zombie killing weapons and lots of blood. And chain saws. Every zombie movie should have a chain saw on screen at least once.
Halloween The Original
If you’ve ever walked through a corn maze or a haunted house, it’s almost impossible to avoid hearing the theme music to the original “Halloween.” Not only is it a classic, but it beats today’s slasher movies on almost every level. It may not have buckets of blood, but it’ll have you making sure you’ve locked all the doors before you go to bed. Just that legendary theme music is creepy on it’s own, but the huge and surprisingly stealthy murderer running around with a kitchen knife is one of the all time scariest slashers to ever be on screen.
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The Strangers
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Have you ever been home alone and got that weird feeling that somebody’s watching you? Like there’s somebody creeping around just outside your line of vision? Wouldn’t that be the absolute worst time for an axe to smash through your door? That feeling is exactly what makes “The Strangers” scary. Three masked killers toy with the minds of a couple staying alone in a cabin, who try to survive the ordeal until morning. It preys on that creepy feeling of somebody watching you that everyone has had, and can make even the seasoned horror fan a little uncomfortable.
Honorable mentions These movies may all be “horror” but they aren’t all the same kind of horror. There are some classics, some B-grade, a few zombie movies and some that were just plain scary. Because of this, a lot of movies didn’t quite make the cut, though they may have deserved it. These are a few honorable mentions to try and make up for it.
1. Zombieland 2. Plan 9 From Outer Space 3. From Dusk Til Dawn
Psycho
If you haven’t, or don’t intend to see “Psycho,” get out of America. Plain and simple. It’s literally the most referenced horror movie of all time. Even people who haven’t seen it attempt to reference the classic stabbing scene. This movie was made when they did things right, and it shows. It’s memorable, the music would instantly send anyone into a panic if they were in a shower, and most importantly, it’s scary. There’s not any magic, or ghosts, or monsters, or special effects to get in the way. It’s just a crazy guy with a big knife, just like a lot of the classics. But hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
4. When a Stranger Calls 5. Army of Darkness 6. Night of the Living Dead 7. The Shining 8. 28 Days later (or the sequel, 28 Weeks Later) 9. Friday the 13th (original) 10. Silence of the Lambs