December 2011 'Stang Express

December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 2

The ‘Stang Express

The ‘Stang Express Volume 2 • Issue 2 • December 2011

No it’s not if, but when.

The zombie apocalypse is imminent.

Learn. Prepare. Stock up.

Don’t panic, we’ve got this.

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CONTENTS

The ‘Stang Express

Volume 2, Issue 2 December 2011

North Shore Middle School 120 Castlegory Houston, TX 77015

They’re Coming...

No, it’s not if, but when.The zombie apocalypse is imminent.

Learn. Prepare. Stock up. Don’t panic, we’ve got this.

by Jocelyn Ramirez page 8

CONTACT Mailing address: 120 Castlegory Houston, Texas 77015 Phone: (832) 386-2600 School website: http://www.texasschools.net/ nsms Email: stangexpress@yahoo.com

RESPONDING Letters to the editor will be accepted. Letters may be submitted in Room C107 or placed in the mailbox of Mr. Burke. All letters must be signed. Names will be published. Letters must not contain personal attacks against an individual and may be edited.

PURPOSE

The ‘Stang Express is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Association and earned an Award of Distinguished Merit and was nominated for the ILPC’s prestigious Star Award in 2011. Only 10% of the state’s student scholastic publications earn this distinction.

Advertisements are sold in full, half-page, quarter-page, and 1/8 page sizes and are printed in black and white while PDF versions remain in color.

STAFF Co-Editors in Chief Cindy Barrera & Jocelyn Ramirez News Editor Cindy Barrera Features Editor Cindy Mai Opinion Editor Asada Samin Sports Editors Bryant Badie & Megan Gray Photo Editor Toni Van Bibber Social Media Manager Sarah Guillen Photographers Toni Van Bibber, Aliyah Hawkins, Idalia Santos Writers Alejandro Alonso, Jazmyne Dickson, Bradley East, Antoine Fontillas, Gricelda Jasso, Tayvien Joseph, Shabab Karim, Nathalie Lopez, Jennifer Lozano, Ingris Montoya, Jareny Ortiz, Dalila Rodriguez, Idalia Santos, Britaini Statum, Toni Van Bibber, Amber Wofford Cover Story Jocelyn Ramirez 15 Minutes of Fame Cindy Mai Page Design Jocelyn Ramirez, Gricelda Jasso, Shabab Karim, Alejandro Alonso Adviser Mr. Ron Burke Principal Mr. Paul Drexler Superintendent Dr. Angi Williams

SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: North Shore MS Journalism Twitter: #StangExpress Flickr: StangExpress

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You better get ready, because they’re coming and you never know when you’ll hear that awful moaning behind you and you’ll need to run...fast!

4 North Shore shows support for breast cancer awareness with day of pink Students and staff break out the pink to honor breast cancer victims and survivors.

by NATHALIE LOPEZ & IDALIA SANTOS

7 Dudes and Divas join forces to battle cancer Students battle blood cancer by raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

by INGRIS MONTOYA

12 Houston’s haunting landscape provided the best frights of the season

PHOTO / TONI VAN BIBBER

The ‘Stang Express is a student publication distributed to the students, teachers, and parents of North Shore Middle School and the administration at North Shore High School and Galena Park ISD. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the student writers and are not necessarily the opinions of the Galena Park ISD.

PHOTO / SETONSURVIVAL.COM

The ‘Stang Express

Houstonians made all their nightmares come to life by visiting one of the many Haunted Houses of Houston this past Halloween.

by GRICELDA JASSO

14 15 Minutes of Fame: Taking it one note at a time Kevin Rosacia is an extraordinary 8th grader that is involved in many musical organizations and plays three instruments.

by CINDY MAI

17 Eighth grade team fights to stay undefeated The Mustangs hadn’t beaten the Wildcats in five years, they were looking to stop the streak and start a new one.

by BRYANT BADIE

18 Strong defensive game ends in last minute score Evenly match teams battle for district supremacy to close out season.

by TAYVIEN JOSEPH

20 ‘Fallen’ will have you falling in love Would you fall in love with the same person only to have them die again and again?

by ABIGAIL SANCHEZ

Please help us stay green!

Recycle this newspaper!

December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 2

The ‘Stang Express

Commentary

School food: How healthy is it?

You may think that everything you’re eating is healthy...think again.

by ANTOINE FONTILLAS Our administration and cafeteria staff states that the food that’s served here is healthy, and they’re right. The apples are rich in potassium, vitamin C, calcium, and folic acid. The pecans are rich in zinc, magnesium, potassium, thiamine, folic acid, and vitamin B6. The school provides sweet potatoes, which are rich in vitamin B6, potassium, iron, and dietary fibers, but I think the school doesn’t give us enough healthy food. The school offers us several other foods that aren’t really healthy, such as turkey stuffing, and hamburgers which have too much sodium, oil, or grease.

Sodium, or salt, is found in almost all foods including cheeseburgers and crispy french fries. Sodium makes food taste very good, but over consumption is very bad for you. According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) if we were to consume over 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day, we could get high blood pressure, kidney stones, osteoporosis, which causes bones to become very weak and brittle, and an increased chance of heart attack and kidney failure.

Another ingredient used in school food is several forms of cooking oil. Cooking oil is used to cook many foods such as

french fries or chicken tenders. As stated on Mayoclinic, cooking oil sounds like it is very healthy, but in some cases it is not.

Eating too much oily foods is very unhealthy because consuming many oily foods can lead to obesity, and high blood pressure, which can lead to an early death.

Since there are many foods that contain sodium and grease, students are at a higher risk of becoming obese. It is important to be careful with what we eat since many kids now just sit at the computer or sit and play video games all day instead of going outside and playing or exercising.

There are many ingredients that can make people become obese, usually by over consumption. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), nearly 300,000 people die from due to obesity every year. So, yes the administration and cafeteria staff is saying that the food that they provide is healthy, and they’re right. They are right when they say that they have some food that is healthy, but that still will not give us all the nutrients and vitamins we need.

To prevent students from becoming obese and learn how to eat healthy, we should be wiser with of our food choices so we can live a happier and healthier life.

The missing piece in the dress code puzzle: Individuality Do the things you wear when at school help make you...you?

by ASADA SAMIN Teens and adults have completely different opinions when it comes to clothes and accessories. The committee of parents and administrators that created our district dress code made it based on what they feel is safe and appropriate for us and that is highly understandable, but you can still say that some teens find it hard to grasp why certain things are restricted? Maybe that’s because there’s usually more than one way to look at different things, and teens and adults almost always seem to take opposite sides.

As teens, a lot of us can agree that while there’s not a whole lot wrong with khaki bottoms and polo tops, they’re not the kind of clothes that we actually enjoy wearing every day. Uniforms have their pros and cons, but I think we teens tend to be stuck more on the cons.

The Clearing House on Educational Policy and Management, a website created by the University of Oregon, states that while some say that wearing uniforms enhances a students’ learning and self-confidence, others say that uniforms “infringe upon students first amendment of rights, stifle individuality, and impose unnecessary means of control”. It is likely that most teens and maybe even some adults would agree with the second opinion.

If you just look around, you’ll see that almost everyone is

wearing something to accent khakis and polos…things like necklaces, bracelets, headbands and rings. It almost seems as if accessories have become a necessity in a teen’s life. We all know that we aren’t allowed to wear certain things at school because they either represent something negative or they cause a distraction. But there are rule breakers in every school and they ignore some of the rules restricting certain things…maybe because they feel that this accessory represents something that is a part of their livelihood. The fact that rule breakers are more likely to always exist in every school provides another reason for the question: Does a strict dress code actually present a distinct effect on behavior?

I’m not saying it’s wrong when we aren’t allowed to wear certain things because if it weren’t for the restrictions in our dress code, it would look more like we were at a rock concert every day than a school. But in lots of cases, certain styles are to teens as writing utensils are to students.

Without something to write with, a student does not look or feel like a real student. Without the ability to dress the way they want, teens do not look or feel like themselves. The way I see it, being a teen is just as important as being a student. Individuality is important in any stage of life, and as the dress code takes away the ability to express individuality, it also takes away a part of the person.

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NEWSwire

The ‘Stang Express

Volume 2, Issue 2 December 2011

North Shore shows support for breast cancer awareness

with a day of Pink

On October 20, students and staff wore pink clothing and accessories to show that they care for people who have breast cancer and to help support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

October was National Breast Cancer Awareness month which means: Courage, Hope, Love, Faith, Determination and Strength because that is what you need to survive breast cancer. According to Breastcancer.org, about 1 in 8 U.S. women (just under 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime and about 39,520 women in the U.S. are likely to die this year from breast cancer. From 1999 to 2005, breast cancer occurrence rates have gone down in the U.S. by about 2% per year, but the decrease was seen only in women who were age 50 and older. There is some good news, though. This year there are more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. alone. Back in 2005, there were only 610,171 survivors in the U.S. because they didn’t have the modern technology we have right now. Everyday cancer patients have to be seen by different doctors and receive treatment like radiotherapy (radiation therapy) with start-of-the-art technology.

On our campus we consider the fact that there are many people in the world with breast cancer.

“It is important to support breast cancer, because it’s a disease that almost everyone in the world has and we should

Are you: 1. Outgoing?

2. Resourceful?

3. A hard worker?

Do you: 1. Enjoy writing?

2. Making history?

3. Enjoy competition?

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make people that have cancer feel better to show that we appreciate them and we still care,” said seventh grader Cheyenne Macias.

Once you entered the school, you could see that almost everyone was wearing something pink. Kierra Wilson, an eighth grader who wore pink ribbons in her hair, had a pink tutu, and a pink shirt.

“I wore pink because my grandmother has breast cancer and I know how it feels for the person who has family who has that,” she said.

As reported by Kidshealth.org, it is also very rare to have breast cancer when you’re a teenager. It’s not as common in teen girls, but it does happen. Cancer, regardless of the type, doesn’t discriminate based on age or gender. Everyone is susceptible. Only one in a million teenage girls will get breast cancer. In fact, only 5 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses are in woman under age 40.

Breast cancer is a very serious disease that can kill both men and women, but a man’s probability to be diagnosed with the disease is rare. Women have more of the risk to perish from the illness. You are more at risk if your mother, sister, or another close relative has had breast cancer. To help lower your risk of developing breast cancer, you should exercise regularly, eat a low-fat, high fiber-diet, do not smoke, and do not drink alcohol.

When asked if it is important to support breast cancer, one of the counselors, Mrs. Charles, said, “I do think it is important, because it shows that we are aware

Become a member of next year’s ‘Stang Express News Staff!

Then you’d probably make a great addition to the ‘Stang Express Newspaper Staff!

We’re ranked among the best scholastic journalism programs in Texas. Interested?

Make sure you get an application for the 2012-2013 staff in April!

PHOTO / IDALIA SANTOS

by NATHALIE LOPEZ & IDALIA SANTOS

of a worthy cause

Eighth graders Xenia Sanchez and Chloe Martinez wear pink items to support Breast Cancer Awareness Day during lunch. The cafeteria was a sea of pink as students and staff wore pink to show they care.

and that there are a lot of people who have been affected by this illness, so we show our support.” So during this month, we think about the breast cancer victims and honor them, because it takes a lot of strength to be a breast cancer survivor.

That is why we wore pink to support the occasion.

What factors influence breast cancer survival?

Based on the most recent data, relative survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer are: • 89% at 5 years after diagnosis • 82% after 10 years • 77% after 15 years Besides being female, age is the most important risk factor for breast cancer.

SOURCE / AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

Students and staff join to raise awareness

December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 2

The ‘Stang Express

NEWSwire

Mustangs get pumped to Blackout the Wildcats Annual pep rally doesn’t disappoint and packs a big punch...literally Ms. Giron, an 8th grade Pre-AP science teacher and the Student Council sponsor, said that there are students running To get the students and teachers for Student Council office in order to pumped up for the boys’ football games help make our school a better place for against our rival, Cunningham, North other students. Each student who was Shore held its annual Blackout Pep Rally running for a Student Council position on October 31st (4th period for 7th then introduced themselves and told the graders and 5th period for 8th graders), audience what position they were running which also happened to be Halloween for so students would know when it came Day. time to vote.

To begin the pep rally, the band began Next, the cheerleaders danced, folplaying and the football teams ran into lowed by a Fillie routine. They danced the gym behind a sign, which the cheeralong to the “Hey” song played by the leaders were holding, that read “Go band as students and teachers said, “Hey, Mustangs.”

Blackout the Wildcats,” along with the Once all the football players were in band. Each time they the gym and behind “I thought the Black Out Pep said “Blackout the the sign, the boys tore Rally was better this year, beWildcats,” a section of through the poster the gym’s lights turned cheering then ran to a cause I liked the Fillies dance, off and everyone’s I liked the music that the band corner of the gym to be seated. played, and the slide show was glow–in-the-dark items “It felt good [running my favorite part because it was and shirts were now glowing and students through the poster] cool,” began dancing and because my adrenaline waving their glowing was pumping,” said 8th - 8th grader Kaylin Arbour items in the air. grader Andrew Pou“It was cool beland. cause, the lights shut off and the glow Next, everyone stood up for the things were everywhere,” said 7th grader National Anthem and the school song.

Chazlynn Goodson. As the lights shut off, As the Fillies and cheerleaders led students cheered as they watched a video the way, students and teachers sang of Mustang action from volleyball and along. football games.

Then, once everyone was seated,

PHOTO / ‘STANG EXPRESS STAFF

The eighth grade football team tears through a banner that is held by the cheerleaders to kick off the annual Blackout Pep Rally here in the boys’ gym. The players were highly motivated to beat the Wildcats.

PHOTO / ‘STANG EXPRESS STAFF

by CINDY BARRERA

The Fillies dance in their glow suits during the ‘blackout’ phase of the annual Blackout Pep Rally here in the boys’ gym on Oct. 31.

Then, Ms. Berguin, a 7th grade math teacher, began to tell everyone that we had a visitor from the school down the street. As a wildcat walked into the gym to “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns ‘N Roses, students and teachers began booing and shouting. Then right after, our “Champion,” came into the gym to the “Rocky” theme, and the crowed was pumped. Our Mighty Mustang threw a punch that knocked the wildcat down in the middle of the gym and students cheered as the wildcat ran out of the gym.

Many students enjoyed this skit.

“The Mustang fighting with the cat [was my favorite part]. It was entertaining and it pumped up the crowd,” said 7th grader Emily Venegas. As the victorious Mustang left, the Fillies came into the gym in glowman costumes and students cheered as they watched the green figures dance.

After the Fillies’ performance, the lights came back on so the 21st Century Performers could dance. Students clapped and cheered for the performers once they were done, then the football coaches came to the microphone.

“We’re gonna close their [Cunningham’s] mouths,” Coach Rodriguez said regarding the annual trash talk. The football coaches also announced that both 8th grade teams were competing for the District Championship title.

Finally, the pep rally ended with the football boys yelling their “Fired up” chant and the band played while students left the gym cheering and shouting.

“I thought the Black Out Pep Rally was better this year, because I liked the Fillies dance, I liked the music that the band played, and the slide show was my favorite part because it was cool,” said 8th grader Kaylin Arbour.

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NEWSwire

The ‘Stang Express

Volume 2, Issue 2 December 2011

North Shore parents take steps in their child’s shoes Counseling staff supports annual Parent Involvement Day at school, focuses on bullying by : SARAH GUILLEN & DALILA RODRIGUEZ On Thursday, October 20, our counselors held their annual Parent Involvement Day in the Multipurpose Room for students and parents to inform them about bullying and events that are going to happen around school.

This event started out by having a breakfast set out for students and their parents in the cafeteria. While everyone was eating breakfast, the counselors had time to talk and get to know the parents and students a little better by walking around and talking to them.

Once breakfast was over with, the counselors led everyone into the MultiPurpose Room to begin the presentation. Before discussing upcoming school events and bullying, the counselors introduced themselves to the parents because the counselors didn’t have enough time to get to talk to all the parents.

After the introduction, Mrs. Arenas

started the presentation off by handing out important information that they were going to be discussing so the parents could take it all home and discuss with their kids. Mrs. London asked parents if they could help volunteer for the upcoming school events, or join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), because the up coming events are going to need volunteers for the events.

The biggest issue that the counselors discussed was bullying. Bullying is one thing a lot of kids face today whether it is in school or in their community. What if your child is the bully? The counselors told the parents if their child is the bully, they should talk to their child about why they are bullying their peers, or establish a meeting with school mentor or counselor. They also said you can teach your children ways to deal with their anger or teach them healthy ways to control their anger around there peers or family so no one gets hurt physically or emotionally.

After the bullying presentation was over,

Mrs. Rios said, “It [information presented] can save a child’s life by keeping them from committing suicide or from becoming the bully in school or in their community.”

Mr. Eckford said, “Evil prevails when good men and women don’t do anything.”

This means that if you know that somebody is getting hurt or doing drugs and you don’t do anything about it, something bad might happen to the child or even the adult.

“I thought that the presentation was very helpful and that I learned a lot about bullying and what I shouldn’t do,” said 8th grader Cesar Arriaga, who attended the event with his parents.

By the time the presentation ended, students had learned new things about bullying, and what major events are coming up at school. After the presentation ended, parents went home with new information about the difficulties that their child might face in school with being the victim of bullying, or even being the bully to their other peers.

Mustang Band dominates Region 19 competition On Saturday November 5, our Mighty Mustang Band competed against 20 other middle schools at the Region (area)19 Band and Orchestra Competition at Bondy Intermediate School in Pasadena. North Shore dominated the competition. We broke a record with 58 students placing at the competition and earned more places than any other middle school.

Thirteen students earned a spot in the Region 19 District Band, 14 students earned a place in the Region 19 Concert Band, and 31 students earned a place in the top Symphonic Band, the highest honor.

We also broke another record by having nine students who were named first chair, this distinguished honor means that they are the best player in their section for the entire region.

“I am very proud of all of our students who auditioned for the region band. The students all worked very hard on their music, and their dedication to being great paid off,” said Mrs. Killough, the band director.

“It’s [competition]meant to work on skills to make students better as individual players, which makes them better as a band,” she said.

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IMAGE / BULLYSUICICEPROJECT.COM

by INGRIS MONTOYA

December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 2

The ‘Stang Express

NEWSwire

Dudes and Divas join forces to battle cancer The Dudes and Divas joined forces this past month in the battle against blood cancers by raising money for Pennies for Patients, which is a program by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, for a period of three weeks. There are many kids out there who suffer from these types of illnesses and that’s why we all gathered together to combat blood cancers.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organizaton dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The LLS (The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) mission is to cure leukemia (which is any of the bone marrow that prevent normal manufacture of red and white blood cells), lymphoma (a tumor arising from any of the cellular elements of lymph nodes), Hodgkin’s disease (charactized by progressive chronic inflammation and enlargement of the lymph nodes of neck, and armpit), and Myeloma (a tumor of plasma cells arising in bone marrow), to help improve the quality of life for patients and their famlies.

Each year, millions of students gather together to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for an important cause, which is finding a cure for blood cancers. Kids all over the country have raised over $100 million dollars since the program started, making a difference in other’s lives. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has different programs like Olive Garden’s Pasta for Pennies, Hop for Leukemia and Lymphoma, The Trish Greene Back to School Program for the

Child with Cancer, and Pennies for Patients, which all help raise money for kids who have leukemia.

Our Dudes and Divas’ goal this year was to raise $1000 dollars, but in a period of three weeks they raised a total of $659.36. They collected all this money from students around the whole school.

“Even though we didn’t make our goal of $1000 the most important thing is that we cooperate with the cause and did our best to raise as much money as we had to help save more lives,” said eighth grader Diana Aragon. Each year, many students gather together to find cures for leukemia by donating money, it doesn’t matter how much money you give its the thought that counts.

“Our main purpose was to raise money for kids with blood cancers, was to be able to help the organization with the needs to save more lives. Also to show kids to have compassion towards others and that giving for others should come from the bottom of your heart,” said counselor Mrs. Charles. Sometimes we think that raising money for causes like this isn’t important but every little bit helps in joininig the LLS in its fight against blood cancers.

One of our seventh grade students said that when she was little her older sister had leukemia.

“I feel lucky to still be able to have my sister alive I can’t believe she survived Leukemia, because not everybody who has blood cancers survives many other families lose them,” said seventh grader Leslie Longoria.

Unfortunately, many people die of cancer. At least 20,000 people die

Definition of leukemia: Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.

It is estimated that 44,600 men and women (25,320 men and 19,280 women) will be diagnosed with and 21,780 men and women will die of leukemia in 2011.

It is estimated that approximately $4.5 billion is spent in the United States each year on leukemia treatment.

SOURCE / NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

Leukemia is one of the most common childhood cancers affecting more than 3,500 children in the U.S. each year.

everyday from cancer across the globe according to an article from Natural News Online. Always keep in mind that the money raised isn’t for us; it’s used to save the lives of those who are fighting blood cancers. The battle against blood cancers gets stronger everyday, especially as more people are willing to help like our students here.

Did you know?

During the 2010-2011 school year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) partnered with 388 schools throughout the Texas Gulf Coast area raised $813,727!

Each year in 26,000 schools across the country, kids are learning about service, leadership, philanthropy and the power of spare change. And thanks to their efforts, they are saving lives.

In the past 15 years, kids participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) School & Youth Programs--Pennies for Patients and Olive Garden’s Pasta for Pennies--have raised more than $125 million to fund blood cancer research and patient aid.

SOURCE / Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

by INGRIS MONTOYA

IMAGE / Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.COM

Guys and girls pitch in to help raise money in support of the Texas Gulf Coast area LLS

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Features

The The ‘Stang ‘StangExpress Express Volume Volume2, 2,Issue Issue22 December December 2011 2011

by JOCELYN RAMIREZ They’re on your television, slowly ambling along in the darkest hours of the night, searching out the brains of innocent humans like yourself. They’re in movies, comics, television shows and may even be in the books you read. Before you know it they may even be right outside your very house; wreaking havoc in your community. They are zombies and they are slowly but surely taking over the world.

No one knows exactly when or where, but it is going to happen very, very soon.

A zombie apocalypse that is. No matter how much you try to deny it, it will happen. So you have to be prepared…for it can happen tomorrow for all we know.

The first step in becoming prepared for this event is to make a survival kit.

In it should be canned food, water, first aid items and other supplies—not every single thing you value because that will only slow you down. Another component that will slow you down when running from the zombies is your weight. Don’t be fat, get in shape now, and make sure you stay that way! Next you have to make sure you have plenty of defense mechanisms. Get your guns, bows and arrows, chainsaws, and bats now, because when the they come stores are going to get ransacked and you’ll be out of luck. The final step in preparedness is deciding whether you are going to fly solo or join a group. Joining a group would be the wiser thing to do because you could all combine your weaponry and supplies, increasing your survival chances. When choosing the people in your group though, choose wisely. Make sure your group members are smart, agile, and are the type of people you would leave behind in order to save your own life during the apocalypse. So when the

Level 1: Zombie genesis

1-4 zombies on the outskirts of town.

Threat is easily dealt with.

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day of the apocalypse is here, and you are face to face with a zombie, what do you do? You aim for the head, stay calm, and survive.

Part of surviving is learning how the body of a zombie functions. Once you know this you’ll have an advantage in killing them. Zombies have no memory of anything...at all. The part of their brain that controls their memory is liquefied. So if you see a relative of yours, who is now a zombie coming after you, don’t waste your time trying to convince them who you are because it’ll fall on dead ears.

When taking out a walker you must aim for their head, because taking out their brain is the only way you can kill them… again. Decapitating their head won’t work because their brain is still in one piece, and a decapitated zombie head can still deliver a bite.

Another interesting thing about a zombie’s body is the fact that their bodies are driven only by their desire to feed on humans. So when it comes to sleep, blood, or oxygen, zombies have the advantage… they don’t need any of that. That is why the only way to kill them is by taking out their brain. Drowning will not do much, because they don’t require oxygen, stabbing will not either because they don’t need blood. Since zombies don’t need sleep that means they can hunt constantly. The advantages you have is your brain and speed because zombies are both mentally and physically slow. But how did zombies come to be today? How did we learn all this information about them? They must have originated from somewhere.

Zombies originated from African slavery myths, Afro-Caribbean spiritual belief as well a Haitian voodou (commonly misspelled as “voodoo”) and folklore.

Level 2: Small infection

10-20 zombies in town or 20-100 in a major city. Police must be alerted.

PHOTO / ‘STANG EXPRESS STAFF

apocalypse is imminent. ie mb zo e .Th en wh t bu if, t no No, it’s panic, we’ve got this.

Learn. Prepare. Stock up. Don’t

Seventh grader Cindy Mai gets set to attack seventh grader Christine Cabang during a music break at the annual Blackout Pep Rally in the boys’ gym. Brains!

They believed a zombie was a deceased individual who was brought back from the dead. Once that individual is a zombie, it was believed that all their actions were controlled completely by a sorcerer or borkor. If the zombie’s actions weren’t controlled by a sorcerer then the zombie just wandered around mindlessly.

The folklores of zombies soon came to America in the early 1920’s when Americans began to tour Haiti. Then in 1932, the first zombie movie came out.

It was called “White Zombie” and it was about an evil white man whose sugar mills in Haiti were run entirely by AfricanAmerican slave zombies. This tied in with continued on next page

Level 3: Growing infestation

20-50 zombies in town or 300 in a major city. Mass exodus. Infection rate rises and threat is impossible to contain.

December 2011 Volume Volume 2, 2, Issue Issue 2 The The‘Stang ‘Stang Express Express December

Features

ZOMBIE OUTBREAKS

Eighth grader Jennifer Lozano slowly turns seventh grader Brya nt Badie into a zombie during the morning of Oct. 31. Journalis m students came to school as zombies to set the tone and show support for this issue on the zombie apocalypse.

where zombies originated in African slave myths. This movie set off a chain of zombie movies to be made in the mid 1900’s.

The majority of all these movies made had something to do with zombies being slaves until George Romero’s zombie flick called “Night of the Living Dead” was released.

In this movie a protagonist had to deal with a mass of zombies, but in this movie, zombies were the flesh-eating monsters we know today. Romero’s movie, like the movie “White Zombie”, set off a chain of flesh-eating zombie movies. The way zombies spread their virus in movies is also different from how it was portrayed when the first zombie film came out. Back then, zombies were created with a very mysterious potion. Now zombies spread their virus by biting their victims, turning them into a zombie, like you see in movies such as “Zombieland”.

Zombie culture has come a long way from Haiti and are practically everywhere you look nowadays. Movies, books, television shows, and even public events have been based on zombies. Books like the “Zombie Survival Guide” by Max Brooks are based on how to survive a zombie apocalypse. Whereas books like “City of the Dead” by Brian Keene tells a fictional story. When it comes to zombie television

Level 4: Small battle

50-100 zombies in town or 10K in a city.

Chaos ensues. Military forces try to control chaos as threat reaches critical mass.

shows they are literally record-breaking.

AMC’s “The Walking Dead” is a show about a group of people trying to survive the zombie apocalypse. The season 2 premiere of this television show delivered a world record for the most viewers of the premiere of a cable television show, with 7.3 million viewers. If this isn’t enough to convince you that zombies are taking over the world, this will. Also, in cities across the country, people participate in an event called a “Zombie Walk”. One of these walks was even held right here in Houston. During these walks, people dress up like zombies and wander around the specified streets of the walk to raise money for charity.

On October 31, a zombie outbreak occurred at our very own school. The newspaper staff dressed up as zombies and lumbered around the hallways inbetween classes. This got some students thinking about what they are going to do when the zombie apocalypse happens.

Eighth grader, Jordan Dunn, said, “I would stay calm because I know what to do, because I have this whole thing planned out.

I would be in a group of 4 and we would all go to my neighbor’s house because he has weapons and is trained for a zombie apocalypse to happen. We would be the survivors of the zombie apocalypse.”

Seventh grader, Dylan Adams, said, IMAGE / CARLSWORD.COM

continued from previous page

Level 5: Outbreak of war

500 zombies in town or 100K in a city.

1000s are infected by the hour. Zombies spread into suburbs to feed.

2) Mayan Civilization – 10th Century A.D. 3) Chaco Canyon, New Mexico – 13th Century A.D. 4) Roanoke Colony, North Carolina – 1590 5) Cargo Ship, The Mary Celeste – 1872 SOUCE / ZOMBIERESEARCHSOCIETY.COM

PHOTO / ‘STANG EXPRESS STAFF

1) Ecuadorian Amazon – Date Unknown

6) York, England – 1st Century A.D. 7) Ancient Rome – 3rd Century A.D. If you have information about a possible zombie outbreak, contact the CDC immediately!

“Yes, I would be ready [for the zombie apocalypse] and the first thing I’d do [when it happens] is panic. Though, as I am panicking I’d get prepared by getting my weapons together and then I would run out the door, chopping, slashing and shooting the zombies.”

So say a zombie broke down your door and chased you down, right now. Would you be ready? Zombies are coming, they will stop for nothing, and no one! So you better get ready, because you never know when you’ll hear that awful moaning behind you and you’ll need to run.

Level 5: Invasion

Vast majority of human population are now zombies. The military is overrun.

Zombie hordes roam freely.

9

Features

The The‘Stang ‘Stang Express Express Volume Volume 2, 2, Issue Issue 2 December December 2011 2011

SOUCE / ZOMBIERESEARCHSOCIET

Y.COM

THE SCIENCE OF

SURVIVING THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

THE ZOMBIE DISORDER:

CONSCIOUSNESS DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (CDHD). the loss of rational, voluntary, and conscious behavior replaced by delusional /impulsive aggression, stimulus-driven attention, the inability to coordinate motor-linguistic behaviours, and an insatiable appetite for human flesh .

IT’S A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT! UNLESS IT’S A SPRINT...THEN SPRI

NT!

1: DEFECT: Slow moving zombies

2: DEFECT: Amensia

CAUSE: Damage to the cerebellum.

Zombies exhibit severe ataxia and will be slow and uncoordinated.

RUN AWAY! 3: DEFECT: Immunity to Pain

CAUSE: Loss of the hippocampus causes the zombie to have very short memory spans. Take advantage of this by hiding.

KEEP QUIET! WAIT IT OUT! 4: DEFECT: Easily distracted

CAUSE: Due to damage to parietal cortices, zombies can’t feel pain; if you can’t kill them by damaging the brain stem, don’t try to fight them. They can’t feel a thing!

DON’T FIGHT THEM!

CAUSE: Loss of posterior parietal cortices has led to a loss of hand-eye coordination, an inability to visually fixate and percieve more than 1 object at a time. Take advantage and run!

USE YOUR HEAD! DECAPITATE THEIRS!

Eighth grader Jocelyn Ramirez, the Co-Editor-inChief of the ‘Stang Express, is attacked by her own staff after they were turned into zombies.

The cause of the transformation is unknown and is still under investigation.

Be on alert!

5: DEFECT: Misconceptions

MIMIC THEM!

PHOTO / ‘STANG EXPRESS STAFF

CAUSE: Zombies appear to exhibit a form of Capgras delusion. If their ataxia isn’t enough to allow you to outrun it, you can act like a zombie to escape.

Mimicing in-group zombie behaviors can buy you critical moments!

10

DISTRACT THEM!

December ‘Stang December 2011 2011 Volume Volume2,2,Issue Issue22 The The ‘StangExpress Express

Features

ATTENTION!

LIVING DEAD! THESE WEAPONS

HAVE BEEN PROVEN EFFECTIVE:

Close range: Clubs and blades don’t need ammo but force you to get close to zombies.

DO NOT use against a horde!

Ranged: Bows and slings can be extremely effective and are reliable and simple. They require ammo that can be found and reused.

Firearm: Easily most effective against zombies.

Long range allows user to deliver from a distance, however, ammo may be difficult to find and very heavy. Best used as a main weapon with another as a backup.

SOUCE / ZOMBIEHUB.COM

BE CAUTIOUS OF THE DO:

Organize before they rise, have no fear, use a bike, run, locate supplies, always have a weapon, kill walkers.

DON’T:

Let personal feelings take over, be off guard, hesitate, be fat, travel on main roads, linger in densely populated areas.

RECORDED (literally) ZOMBIE OUTBREAKS 1978 OF THE

DEAD ‘65

DEAD ‘70

‘75

‘80

1981 DEAD

LIVING

LAND

LATER

DEAD

‘85

‘90

1993

20%

‘95

ARMY

2004

‘05

DEAD

2011

THE WALKING

DEAD

75%

‘00

SHAUN OF THE

OF DARKNESS

CAUSES OF ZOMBIE OUTBREAKS 15%

2009

ZOMBIE

REMAKE

THE EVIL

CURSE: VIRUS: UNKNOWN:

2002

28 DAYS

NIGHT OF THE

DAY OF THE

1st episode of Season 2 shattered basic cable ratings & became the strongest telecast in cable drama in history.

SOUCE & IMAGES / IMDB.COM

LIVING

1990

1985 DEAD

DAWN

SOUCE / USATODAY.COM

1968

NIGHT OF THE

11

Features

The ‘Stang Express

Volume 2, Issue 2 December 2011

Houston’s haunting landscape provided the best IMAGE / PSDGRAPHICS.COM

FRIGHTS of the season

If you craved a certain scare, Houston definitely didn’t disappoint horror fans this year

by GRICELDA JASSO Vampires, zombies, and psychos…you commonly see these iconic characters in your favorite horror films. However, imagine having these creepy characters all under one roof terrorizing, chasing, and freaking you out.

Well, many Houstonians made all their nightmares come to life by visiting one of the many Haunted Houses of Houston this past Halloween. If you loved multiple-scare attractions, but dreaded long lines,

ScreamWorld

ScreamWorld was the haunted house for you. ScreamWorld’s attractions were all located under one roof, so there was no need to wait in long lines, and you got all of their attractions for one price.

This house of horrors was voted the #1 haunted house in Houston by Houston Chronicle and Houston Press. Scream World had also been selected by America’s Best Haunts from 2007 through 2011.

The famous Haunted Hotel attraction was considered the most hi-tech attraction in Houston because it contained many elaborate scenes and countless animatronics.

The Edge of Darkness used classic scare tactics and long twisting pathways to get under your skin. For blood- thirsty visitors, Jake’s Slaughter was complete with skinned animals, slaughtered hogs, rotting carcasses, and human remains.

There were also two outdoor attractions, the Maze of Maniacs and the Psycho Path.

“The Maze of Maniacs was the scariest

12

attraction for me because the lights flickered, and it felt like I was in a nightmare.

People chased us in there, and they got so close to us,” said 7th grader Jessica Rodriguez.

ScreamWorld was located in 2225 Parkway and general admission was $25 which included all attractions. You could’ve also purchased the Fast Pass which was $35, but if you had bought it online at it was reduced to $29. There were also Thursday and Sunday super discount nights where you could have bought your tickets for $17.

Phobia Haunted House

Phobia had received a reputation as the scariest and most hi-tech haunted house in Houston. This haunted house offered eight different attractions and two different locations that were sure to unleash your true phobias. You could have chosen to visit the Phobia at 18777 Hwy. 290 near West Road exit or the Phobia at I-45 south near Mall of Mainlands.

The Darke Institute attraction focused on a mental institute that lost control, so you could have been ready to be terrorized by psycho patients. The Mind Control Asylum was the place you wanted to visit if you wanted to go nuts because in this attraction no one controlled you.

The 3D Clown Phobia attraction featured two complete stories of wacky, trippy, psycho clowns on the lookout to freak you out in visually stimulating 3-D. Watch your step as you entered CloustroPhobia because in this multi-level attraction the floors twisted and tilted, up was sideways, and down was a long, long drop.

The Dawn of the Machines attraction

focused on a world run by machines, and featured many mechanical nightmares.

Phobia’s Exile attraction was actually three different attractions all under one roof. Exile included the Fowler Woods –Zombies in Exile, the DarkeWood, and the Mania attraction.

Ticket prices varied on the amount of attractions you chose to visit. One attraction was $13, two was $25, three was $30, four was $40, and five was $50. If you chose to visit Exile had to pay for all of the attractions listed ($30).

Nightmare on the Bayou

Did you desire actual paranormal activity from a real haunted house? You should have visited Nightmare on the Bayou, Houston’s only actual haunted house.

Nightmare on the Bayou was located directly next to Houston’s oldest graveyard, and was said to be haunted by the many spirits from the grave. This haunted attraction had also received its great reputation because of its Hollywoodquality props, animatronics, and dozens of well trained actors.

The Willow of the Whispers attraction was sure to have freaked you out because once you were left in a dark room all alone you could have heard and seen the hunting whispers, and spirits of the of the night haunt you.

The 3-D Zone was a very scary, yet exhilarating attraction; this attraction featured the classic scare tactics and freaky characters all in spine-tingling 3-D. The House of Freaks contained bloodthirsty murderers, mental freaks, and psychos who were sure to have freaked continued on next page

December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 2 continued from previous page and grossed you out.

“During the tour they left us in a dark room, and after a couple of minutes we heard moans, and saw what looked like ghosts. It was an amazing experience, but I was so scared,” said 8th grader Eric Munoz.

You could have bought your tickets at 1515 Studemont St. where admission was $30, or you could have purchased a VIP pass for $40, or a Sunday Family Night discount ticket for $25.

Next year, these attractions are sure to get bigger and better so make plans to attend next Halloween season.

“The Maze of Maniacs was the scariest attraction for me because the lights flickered, and it felt like I was in a nightmare.

People chased us in there, and they got so close to us.”

- 7th grader Jessica Rodriguez

Houston’s Actual Haunted Places The Highway 6 Office Building at 1011 South Hwy 6 is said to be haunted by a distraught man who had committed suicide during the Christmas season.

Workers who have stayed late at the office have often heard footsteps, elevators would open as they passed them, and things have moved, disappeared, and reappeared in strange places.

Hogg Middle School, located at 1100 Merrill St. in the Heights area of Houston, is said to be haunted by the ghost someone who died at the school’s flagpole. Custodians and late-night librarians have said to have seen his shadow and heard his footsteps.

The Spaghetti Warehouse restaurant at 901 Commerce St. in downtown Houston is supposedly haunted by the former owner after he fell down the elevator and died. Many of the waiters have refused to venture upstairs due to all the paranormal activity that has taken place there.

The ‘Stang Express

Features

AVID students visit Rice, experience college life Students learn AVID program is more than just note-taking well.

“Education is something I deeply care about and seeing all those students trying What is your dream job? Working at a to become better people is exciting,” he fast food restaurant or being the owner of a 5-star restaurant? Well whatever it is, said.

When touring Rice, a group of AVID you’ll always need a good education; that means staying in school, going to college, students ran into former NSMS student Cynthia Alejandre as she was leaving a working hard, and that’s what the AVID class. She graduated number one in her program here prepares you for. class at North Shore Senior High School “AVID was created to help close the back in 2010. achievement gap by giving all students “I am so glad to see that North Shore access to rigorous classes and for them students are being exposed to the greatto be in a college experiences,” said the sponsor of AVID, Mrs. Parrish. One of the ness of Rice,” she said. “Eighth grade was when I started preparing for college,” she programs goals is to create educated, said. responsible leaders in a democratic During the campus tour, Mr. Drexler got society. a chance to talk to her.

Advanced Via Individual Determination, “My favorite part was when I saw Cynor AVID, is a group that teaches you orgathia and listened to her experiences about nization skills, responsibility, and critical college life,” he said. Cynthia is now a thinking, which prepares you for college. sophomore and majors in biochemistry On October 27 and 31, AVID students and cell biology. visited Rice University, one of the best From touring Rice, seeing that a North colleges in the nation.

Shore graduate is attending, and listening “Students went to Rice so they could to their teacher, AVID see what a college “I am so glad to see that North students have learned campus looks like. how critical it is to finAlso to give them a Shore students are being ish school and attend motivation to do well in exposed to the greatness of college. all their classes,” said Rice. Eighth grade was when I “It’s important for Parrish. Rice University started preparing for college.” us to finish school is a very prestigious because if we don’t, college, and you have - Cynthia Alejandre, former we can’t achieve anyto be a top notch stuNSMS student and current thing,” said 8th grader, dent to get into it.

Brianna Gonzales, Rice was voted No. sophomore at Rice University “And you also wouldn’t 1 in the country for get a job.”

“Best quality of life” and No. 2 for “Lots And life is boring without and educaof race/class interaction between students of different ethnic backgrounds” by tion, according to Mr. Drexler.

“I think life is a journey, and that jourThe Princeton Review. It was also ranked ney is more enjoyable with knowledge, as No. 1 in materials science research, and institution help give you that knowlNo. 4 for best value among private universities in 2010, and No. 10 for great edge,” he said.

AVID has done so much for North financial aid and for total number of Shore and serves as an encouragement National Science Foundation graduate for students to achieve great things in fellows. Rice staff members have also life. won two Nobel Prizes in chemistry. The “I commend the efforts of our AVID mascot is an owl because owls are such staff for providing this learning to our keen birds and have amazing abilities. students because without determination Going to Rice was entertaining, accordand effort, we wouldn’t be able to do it,” ing to 8th grade AVID student, Victoria said Mr. Drexler. Having this program Cancel. will help students accomplish more in life “I enjoyed the field trip because I like visiting other colleges to see my options,” and opens enhanced education opportunities, which will result in even more she said. Our principal, Mr. Drexler, also success. went on the field trip and enjoyed it as

by ALIYAH HAWKINS

13

Features

The ‘Stang Express

Volume 2, Issue 2 December 2011

15 Minutes of Fame: Taking it one note at a time Music ‘just happens’ to Kevin Rostacia...will he be a future Gustavo Dudamel?

You might see him as a typical eighth grader, but he is more than an ordinary guy.

Kevin Rosacia is an extraordinary boy that is involved in many musical organizations such as North Shore Middle School’s band and choir, and is also active in his church’s choir.

Kevin plays numerous instruments including the piano, French horn, and (used to play) cello. How many people can play these instruments and sing, all at the age of 13? Chances are very slim of finding a talented person like him.

Kevin Rosacia’s favorite instrument above all, whether it is playing it or looking at it, is the piano. He started to play the piano at the age of four and has been practicing for about nine years.

On Saturdays, he takes time off to perform at his church.

Kevin’s choice of playing the piano was all a coincidence.

“It just happened,” he said.

And no matter how good he is, he always strives to be better.

Another instrument he plays is somewhat in a shape of a circle, and that is… the French horn. Kevin started in the sixth grade and has been playing ever since.

This year is his third year of playing the horn. He normally practices on the French horn for about an hour but doesn’t perform anywhere outside of school.

Kevin also tried out for Region band and received third chair in symphonic (the highest band) a couple of weeks ago. On the same day, he qualified to play in the orchestra band that will perform on January 21, 2011.

Kevin Rosacia is most likely to extend his musical mind more and more. By the looks of it, he will probably reach his goal of becoming a conduc-

14

tor. Who knows, you might see him conducting an orchestra one of these days.

1. Why are you so involved with musical organizations?

“It just comes to me.”

2. Why did you choose to be in band and choir?

“I chose to be in band and choir because I like music.”

3. Would you prefer band or choir more?

“I enjoy both evenly because it’s a perfect balance between using your vocal chords as an instrument and playing an actual instrument.”

4. What made you decide which instrument to play?

“I liked how the French horn looked like, and as for the piano, it just happened.”

5. How long did you play the cello and why did you quit playing it?

“I played for about one year and stopped because I didn’t have enough time in my schedule to practice at home.

6. How long do you usually practice your instruments?

“I practice for about two hours for the piano and one hour for the French horn.”

7. How does playing the instruments make you feel?

“They make me feel like I’ve accomplished something.”

8. Do you play your instruments outside of school?

“I’ve been playing the piano at my church for about five years.”

9. Does anyone else in your family play an instrument or sing in the choir?

“My sister plays the clarinet and is in choir.

My mom used to play the piano, and my dad used to play the guitar.”

10. Do you want to be a musician or be in the music department when you grow up?

“I want to be a conductor, or something along that line, because it feels like a natural current.”

11. What made you realize you wanted to be a conductor?

IMAGES / PLAYMUSIC.ORG

by CINDY MAI

“I particularly enjoy watching conductors conduct symphonies and orchestras.”

12. When did you notice you wanted to be a conductor?

“I noticed I wanted to be a conductor last year when I was in 7th grade.”

13. Who is your favorite conductor? “I like Anton Rubinstein because he understands the flow of music.”

PHOTO / CINDY MAI

December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 2

The ‘Stang Express

Sports

Lady Mustangs take on rivals in nail-biter Mustang and Wildcat volleyball teams clash on hard court in tense thriller

by JARENY ORTIZ On Oct. 27, the 7th grade red and white volleyball teams competed against Cunningham at North Shore Senior High to close out the season.

Soon after warm-ups, the Lady Mustangs took their positions on the court. Cunningham served first, and received a point.

They missed the second serve and we received a point so we began to serve. Megan Strickland served high which scored a point. As the game progressed, Cunningham was in the lead by 5 points. There were two high serves in a row by Lexus Walton and the ladies on the bench cheered to motivate the players.

Cunningham was still in the lead, the needed one more point to win the 1st game, and their server got an ace. An ace is when the ball is served, and the other team doesn’t get to the ball fast enough, so it is never touched by the other team. The crowd supporting CMS went nuts. Cunningham won the 1st game with a score of 14-25.

As the second game began, the Lady Mustangs served first,

but the ball hit the net and Cunningham received the point.

Lexus Walton served high again which lead to a rally. A rally is when the ball goes back and forth over the net multiple times until the ball drops. The rally ended with Cunningham receiving the point. The the Mustangs slowly started to catch up. The crowd and ladies on the bench stomped their feet in anticipation. Cunningham called a time out.

“It’s not over, we have a job to do, we have to make this happen,” said Coach Parrot as the girls sucked down water.

Together the girls replied, “Alright!” and they got back to their positions. The whole crowd got anxious as the teams reached the game point. Cunningham’s server served high and received the point winning the second and last game with a score of 23-25.

Now the A team started the game and served first, receiving a point. There were high serves made by Shamyra Luna, Jasmyn Salas, and two high serves made by Olivia Cisneros. With all the high serves that were scored, the Mustangs slowly started to gain momentum, but Cunningham was still

in the lead with a score of 1624. Cunningham needed only one more point to win the first game. Cunningham served high and our defense missed the ball. Cunningham won the first game with a score of 16-25.

The second game began with Cunningham serving first.

They missed and the Mustangs received a point. Claudia Martinez scored two good serves, and Beatrice Cruz scored four high serves, followed by good defense which lead us to victory. They were even 1-1. The crowd and ladies on the bench cheered loudly with excitement. Cunningham tried to make a comeback but failed when the ball hit the net. On the next serve, Cunningham received the point but the Mustangs were still in the lead as the score was 20-8. The ladies on the bench and crowd shouted and screamed giving the players encouragement.

After a big rally, the Mustangs won the second game with a score of 25-9, a great victory.

Claudia Martinez served to start the final match. Cunningham came on strong and they took the lead. The Lady Mustangs slowly caught up as

Ladies show it all to get it all Basketball tryouts bring out the best in the Lady Mustangs

by BRITAINI STATUM Over seventy seventh and eighth and eighth grade girls tried out for the 2011-2012 Lady Mustang basketball teams Nov. 2-4 in the boys’ and girls’ gym. The girls had to work hard during these past few days in the morning and after school to show the coaches that they had discipline, dedication and determination to make the team.

“Okay ladies, this season we’re going to make you work hard and make you run

a lot. We might not have the best basketball team, but we will have the best track team,” Coach Gordon said the first day before the tryouts started.

Afterwards, the girls ran around the gym for three minutes. Next, the girls started their agilities, a warm-up the girls use the stretch. Coach Gordon gave the girls examples of the agilities, like lunges, back kicks, and high knees that made the girls laugh because of her silly expressions and body movement, but they got serious when the coaches

took score on what they did.

Their drills were about three minutes, and the coaches set a goal for them to make one hundred lay-ups in that amount of time.

“They lay-ups were my favorite part of tryouts, because I am very tall and hardly have to jump,” said seventh grader Taaliyah Porchia. As the days passed, the girls improved on their drills and it looked like they knew what they were doing. On the last day of tryouts, the coaches were telling the girls that they had to come after

Cunningham started to make simple mistakes. They got tied up, but soon Cunningham took the lead again.

Jasmyn Salas made a strong bump and they were once again tied. The crown got anxious, to see who would take the lead once again. The Mustangs took the lead, and Coach Parrot called a time out. The ladies got together with the coaches, listened and went back on the court.

The Lady Mustangs worked together to get the ball to the Cunningham side and scored a point. Finally, it came down to the game point with both teams tied 14-14.

Both sides of the crowd were cheering and jumping around.

The Mustangs once again worked together to be able to score the point! Cunningham’s defense was too slow to get the ball and the Mustangs won! Everybody yelled with excitement and was wild with happiness.

Coach Parrot took the team out to the hallway and told them, “You did it! I’m so proud of you!” The Lady Mustangs screamed and clapped glad that all their hard work had paid off. school to get their letters saying whether they made the team or not.

“I felt nervous before I received my letter because I was afraid I wasn’t going to make the team because there were girls that looked like they were better than me,” said Claudia Martinez. Friday, over forty girls went home feeling successful because they made the basketball team.

“The tryouts were really tense, but at the same time it was really fun. There were so many girls trying out, but only a few could make it,” said Shamyra Luna.

After all three days of tryouts, over forty of the seventy girls made the 2011-2012 Lady Mustang basketball team.

15

The ‘Stang Express

Sports

Volume 2, Issue 2 December 2011

She’s not just a star athlete, she’s a star student

by MEGAN GRAY Kennedy Dade-Ajavon is an eighth grade B team volleyball player. She goes to school, goes to practice, does her school work, participates in choir, swims outside of school as a hobby, and still stays on top of things.

Kennedy was a back row passer in the beginning of the season, but was transferred to a setter later on.

“After watching Kennedy set the ball, I saw that she showed what a setter should look like by the way she sets the ball and the way she behaves,” Coach Du Plaga said.

“I love being a setter because it is an important part of the team, but it is also hard work.

As a setter I get to play in the game more than as a back row passer. I also get to learn more

about volleyball with a setting ability,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy has improved over the season just like any other volleyball player, “I have improved on setting, serving, and passing, and just as a better player all together,” she said.

She practices every morning and stays after school on days she has practice to work on her volleyball skills with the rest of the eighth grade volleyball team.

“Kennedy is fun to work with because she is funny, lively, and always supportive,” said teammate Taryn Surratt.

Kennedy is a student athlete which means not only does she have to focus on volleyball and her athletic skills but also on her grades and her life as a student. Kennedy maintains A’s and B’s and works hard to keep her grades up.

“My favorite subject is science because I love animals and in science I can learn a lot about animals. I also like science because it opens my mind to new things around me,” said Kennedy.

“Kennedy contributes positively to the class, she is always attentive, she asks good questions, and is a pleasure to have in my class,” Ms. Giron said.

As a student athlete, Kennedy goes through normal school days as a student, but ends and begins them as an athlete. She has to be sure she has everything she needs such as, good grades and a focused mind and eat healthy to keep in shape.

“I like school because I get to meet new people and make new friends,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy loves both school and volleyball which is what

PHOTO / MEGAN GRAY

Dade-Ajavon manages sports, classes and pressure...and still smiles through it all

makes her a good student athlete.

“Kennedy sets a good example of what an athlete should be like on and off the court by showing a positive attitude and being obedient,” said Coach Du Plaga.

Season’s Greetings from the ‘Stang Express Staff!

16

The ‘Stang Express

GRAPHIC / PSDGRAPHICS.COM

IMAGE / STOPBULLYINGNOW.HMA.GOV

SOURCE / ala.org

December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 2

17

Sports

The ‘Stang Express

Volume 2, Issue 2 December 2011

Mustangs experience déjà vu against Cunningham Fast start and big plays make for memorable game versus CMS

by BRADLEY EAST The game that everybody was waiting for, the 7th grade A-team took the field with Deaundre Simon lead the stampede of Mustangs down the sideline.

The game started with the Mustangs winning the coin toss to receive the ball. Jaylen Thomas came out strong and fast after receiving the ball after the kickoff, returning for a 15 yard run to get to the 31 yard line. The Mustangs opened up the game with a big gain by Cardell Robinson.

Then after the flag on 2nd down, Mustangs quarterback Bryant Badie launched a bullet pass right over Patrick Davis’s shoulder with great precision.

“Go Go Go!” yelled the sideline as he took off down the field with space to run… touchdown! The Mustang sideline went crazy after the touchdown. “Special teams!” yelled the coaches as they rushed them onto the field still

trying to calm them down after the touchdown. The Wildcats blocked the field goal resulting in a 6-0 start.

The Mustangs defense was itching to get the ball back, wanting a bigger lead.

“Fumble!” yelled the crowd as Cameron Middleton hit one of Wildcat’s, ending the quarter after the Mustangs recovered the loose ball.

After the pass to Patrick Davis and the run by Cardell Robinson, it was Jaylen Thomas’ turn. Jaylen rushed down the field, hungry for another touchdown but, he was tackled after a missed block. After the gain, the Wildcats held the Mustangs for the next 3 downs to give the Wildcats good field position.

Cunningham scored a touchdown with the run on the right evening the score to 6-6.

Cunningham then stopped North Shore for 3 downs.

North Shore decided to punt the ball on the fourth down but with a bad snap, the punter Robert Torrez decided to run

the ball for a couple of yards shy of a first down giving the Wildcats good field position.

With a quarterback sweep the Wildcats scored again. The kickoff return team came onto the field ready to try and set the offense up with good yards.

“Get it, Get it!” yelled the Mustang sideline as the ball flew over Jaylen Thomas’s head. The Mustangs were scrambling and Patrick Davis came in for the reverse but, “the defense was coming to fast so I had to adjust” said Jaylen Thomas. So he kept the ball and faked the reverse to get to the 20-yard line. On second down the Mustangs fumble but recovered. Third down when the team needed Cardell Robinson the most, he ran for 25 yards.

Two-thirty-two left in the 2nd quarter on North Shore’s first down, the Wildcats intercepted the pass. A couple of flags later, Jesus Frayer intercepted the ball with 1 minute and 51 seconds to go in the 2nd quarter. The Mustangs were

on the 2nd yard line.

“You got to listen casually, walk up and smash it in,” said Coach Banks. A quarterback sneak led to the touchdown, tying the score again to 12-12.

“We made a few mistakes but keep pushing,” said Coach Banks to the players during halftime.

Right out of the gate in the third quarter with 4:54 to go, Cunningham scored with another run to the right and a 2 point conversion, taking the lead 12-19. Cunningham held North Shore for 3 downs and had to punt the ball. Luckily, one of the Wildcats accidently touched the ball and we recovered.

Once again, Cardell Robinson ran up the field for 40 yards. Our offense scored on the drive bringing the score to 18-19 but missed the field goal. Cunningham’s quarterback then kneeled to run the clock down.

Despite an evenly matched game with big plays, Cunningham won by a point, ending North Shore’s amazing season.

The Next Page Book Exchange Trade in your book for one of ours!

PHOTO / TONI VAN BIBBER

Location: Front portable building next to the North Shore 9th Grade Center track on Woodforest Blvd.

Hours: Thursdays 3pm – 6pm Saturdays 9am – 1pm Bring in your books to trade for ours OR All books $1 if you show this bookmark.

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Quarterback Charles Gonzalez tries to escape a Wildcat defender as he runs down the right side of the field during a bootleg play Oct. 31 at the Galena Park ISD Stadium. The game went back and forth and the Mustangs lost by a point to end the football season.

December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 2

The ‘Stang Express

Sports

Eighth grade team fights to stay undefeated Mustangs come in without a loss to face their long-time district rival on the gridiron On Nov. 1, the eighth grade red team played against their rival to end their football season at Galena Park ISD Stadium. The Mustangs hadn’t beaten the Wildcats in five years, they were looking to stop this streak and start a new one for the Mustangs. This was the time!

The game started with the Mustangs receiving. After the kick-off, the Mustangs had four penalties on their first drive, and then punted the ball to Cunningham.

On the Wildcats first play, the quarterback broke right up the middle for a 60-yard touchdown. However, it was called back due to a holding penalty. This only angered the Wildcats and made them more eager to score. Then it happened with 2:14 left in the first quarter, the Wildcats quarterback ran up the middle again for another touchdown, putting them up 0-6. The outstanding Mustang special teams blocked the extra point.

When the Mustangs were back on offense, quarterback Eric Monroe broke for a 50yard run. The next play Eric Monroe threw a 15-yard pass to full back Noah Campbell.

Running back Chris Woods tried to keep the drive going but was hit in the backfield for a loss of 4 yards.

Next, Monroe took off right then reversed across the field, dove into the end zone, and scored. Enrique Gonzalez kicked the extra point making the score 8-6 at the end of the first quarter.

During the first play of the second quarter, the Wildcats quarterback ran for another touchdown and ran in the extra point making the score 8-13, with 7:48 left.

The Wildcats tried to get the kick-off back but Louis Cole was smart enough to fair catch the ball, setting

PHOTO / TONI VAN BIBBER

by BRYANT BADIE

The Mustang defense swarms in to stop the Wildcat offense during their last game of the season at the Galena Park ISD Stadium on Nov. 1. Cunningham scored and added to their lead. After enjoying an undefeated season, the Mustangs fell to the Wildcats with a score of 16-40.

the Mustangs up with good field position. Next, Monroe ran past the defense and brought down by the last Wildcat defender after 45 yards. Monroe came out of the game tired and limping. Replacing him was the starting running back Chris Woods. Woods was unable to get the offense going, and the Mustangs turned the ball over to the Wildcats.

The Mustangs were pushing the Wildcat offense back then, the quarterback launched the ball 60 yards for a first down.

Then the Wildcats quarterback ran it in for 10 yards. Gratefully, the touchdown was call back again.

During halftime Coach DuBose tried to motivate his players.

“Guys, fire it up, don’t put your head down, & don’t give up. And with that the players were hopping right back down the sideline ready for the second half!” he said.

The third quarter started

off with Cunningham getting terback on the first play, the a long drive. The quarterback Mustangs thought they could busted outside, then Mustang stop them. defenders gang tackled him Then, the quarterback and he fumbled on the 20 yard picked up a high snap that line, then Monroe picked the went over his head, shook ball up and ran for 77 yards the whole team, then scored closing the again. They score 16-20, “Guys, fire it up, don’t put ran in the with 6:41. extra point your head down, & don’t On the making the give up. And with that the kick-off score 16players were hopping right return, the 34. On the back down the sideline Wildcats Mustang’s ready for the second half!” gained 71 last drive they yards. On turned the the first play - Coach DuBose ball over to the quarthe Wildcats terback ran again after outside and outran everyone four downs of trying to score on the defense, and scored, again. The Wildcats drove stretching the score back out down the field and scored on a 16-27. six yard pass making the final On the Mustang’s next sescore 16-40. ries, quarterback Eric Monroe The Mustangs had only limped off the field after being lost to the Wildcats by one squashed by the Wildcat’s depoint last year, but came up fensive line. The Mustangs lost far from where they left off. consecutive yards and turned These two teams will now play the ball over to the Wildcats together at North Shore High again. After sacking the quarSchool.

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Sports

The ‘Stang Express

Volume 2, Issue 2 December 2011

Strong defensive game ends in last minute score

by TAYVIEN JOSEPH

that,” yelled Coach Johnson.

We went three and out, and were forced to punt the ball.

The defense was irritated with this three and out stuff and hit the running back for 4 yards.

On the next play, the safety Eric Pena mans up and hits the opposing team’s fullback which ended the first half of play.

On our first time on offense after halftime, Aizac Tucker got the ball and danced in the backfield and lost 7 yards.

On the next play, Quinn threw an interception and Josue Arriaza hit the free safety who caught the ball.

The opposing team’s running back ran over one of our defenders, but fumbled, recovered and still got 4 yards. Eric Pena hit and stopped the running back on fourth down and we regained possession.

“That’s how you hit Pena,” yelled Coach Dubose.

We gained possession and couldn’t get anything go-

PHOTO / TONI VAN BIBBER

On Nov. 1, the eighth grade football B team faced Cunningham at Galena Park ISD Stadium seeking revenge on the 0-36 loss last year, trying to end the streak. Our record was 5-2 and the team was looking to expand it to 6-2.

To start the game off, we kicked off to Cunningham and made a tackle on the Wildcat’s kick returner. On Cunningham’s first possession, they came out smashing gaining 9 yards. Then an offensive lineman held Trevor Mouton and that penalty cost the Wildcats a loss of 10 yards.

“Smack!” on the next play, the Cunningham’s quarterback’s shoulder pads as he is hit and dropped for a loss of 3 yards.”

Our defense fought hard but their offense fought back with a long bomb to Cunningham’s wide out who caught it and ran as fast as he could down the sideline. He got a little bit too

excited and fumbled, “Ahh!” was the sound you heard as the crowd rose out of their seats. There was a scramble for the ball, and we came up with it.

Quarterback Quinn Herber came out on the field ready to lead his team to the end zone. He came out running strong and gained 12 yards getting a first down and more. We tried running the same play, but Cunningham’s defense saw it coming and stopped us for no gain. Our offense couldn’t get anything going.

As a result we went three and out, forced to punt the ball ending the quarter with a score 0-0.

At the start of the second quarter of play, our defense came out hitting offensive players, putting us back on offense. On first down we didn’t get anywhere because the backfield was confused. Next, Eric Pena ran scared and got hit in the backfield.

“Come on Eric you’re better

Linebacker Josue Arriaza wraps up the legs of a Wildcat running back as free safety Aizac Tucker rushes to hit the ball carrier during their game at the Galena Park ISD Stadium on Nov. 1.

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PHOTO / TONI VAN BIBBER

Evenly matched teams battle for district supremacy to close out football season

Two Mustang defenders work to bring down the Wildcat’s running back during the last game of the season on Nov. 1 at Galena Park ISD Stadium. The game was a long defensive struggle and the Mustangs lost in a tense ending.

ing, but on fourth down the coaches called a fake punt and Quinn Herber ran and got a first down. Next, the running back Aizac Tucker got hit because someone missed a block, ending the third quarter.

To start the fourth quarter the Wildcats came out smashing on our defense gaining yard after yard, but a host of defenders from the mustangs hit the running back, and got us back on offense.

On offense, Aizac Tucker tried to catch the ball, but he missed and caused a fumble, which gave the ball to the Wildcats on the two yard line.

The Wildcats running back punched it in making it a tough time for the Mustangs to score.

With 59 seconds left on the clock the Mustangs tried to score, but Quinn Herber threw an interception with 27.5 seconds left, and the season was officially over.

It was a tense game for the first three quarters with the score 0-0. The Mustangs fought to the end, but Wildcats came out with the victory.

December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 2

The ‘Stang Express

Entertainment

Witness forty years of video gaming evolution When was the last time you actually played outside? Thank gaming engineers for that...

Games have been around since the beginning of time, nowadays it’s all electronic, even board games. The games also use the internet, so we would be able to play with people around the world for a better multi-player experience.

Back in the early 1970’s, most kids would go outside and play, but when it rained they would have to stay inside. In 1972, a man named Ralph Baer found a solution to in-house boredom. He created the first home video game console and named it the Magnavox Odyssey. People were to control a white square on their TV while placing a plastic piece of paper over the screen. On the paper was a game that the player would use the white square to play the game. To most people today they might have thought that the Odyssey was pretty dumb idea, but if it wasn’t for this invention we wouldn’t have consoles such as the Xbox 360 and the PS3.

After the release of the Odyssey, many other companies tried to make their own home consoles. Atari seemed to have beaten everybody to the punch with their hit console the Atari 2600. This console introduced a lot of new features. The controller used a joystick and a single button to control your character. Also instead of putting a piece of plastic over your TV you were now given little cartridges which had games installed into

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them. The graphics upgraded from a white square to 8-bit, color graphics which was a big improvement.

The downfall of the Atari was caused due to The Game Crash of 1983 (a time period in which the gaming industry was failing) and the infamous game E.T. Even though there was a game crash that wasn’t stopping Nintendo from releasing their first system.

The Nintendo Entertainment system or NES was released in 1985 which sold very well.

The controller introduced the directional pad or d-pad.

It still used cartridges, but made them sturdier than Atari’s. Most consoles used the NES’s style for awhile like Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis.

In 1995, came a big evolution in gaming. Sony had released their first console, the Playstation. What was so great about this console was that it instead of using cartridges it used CD’s. A year later the Nintendo 64 was released.

The Nintendo 64 was the same as its predecessors except for the graphics and controller. It stayed with the cartridges, but changed its controller style.

The controller had something no other console had, an analog stick. This allowed the player to move their character with ease and to have 3-D graphics.

People were not satisfied just playing through the main campaign, or as we refer it, to as the story line, where the player completes levels. Neither did people like waiting for Nintendo

1977 Atari 2600

their friends to come over and play split-screen.

So in 1999, Sega decided to change that by releasing the Dreamcast. The Dreamcast was the first console to have internet capability. This feature allowed you to play with people around the world through the internet. In 2000, Sony released their next hit console, the Playstation 2. The Playstation 2, or PS2 for short, had kept a lot of old features from the PS1 except for the body of the console. It had a ton of great features, but it was missing one thing, online gaming. You were able to go on the internet, but weren’t able to play online with other people.

A year later Microsoft unveiled their first console, the Xbox, now this was a step up for online gaming. Microsoft created an online network specifically for online gaming and named it Xbox Live. Many people were satisfied with what Microsoft had brought to the gaming community and hoped they would keep finding better ways to improve their services. That is exactly what they did in 2005 by releasing the Xbox 360. This system was the perfect upgrade people were looking for; 1080p picture quality and surround sound. It gave a more slimmer and refined look to the console and the controller had the same look except the guide button, which could return you to the home screen, was a bit smaller. The console had changed over the years adding live TV, movies, music, and the biggest

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names in entertainment.

Kinect had also made a huge impact on the Xbox sales because it gave it a way to not just play games but practically control the Xbox.

Players were now able to games only using their body, and were also able to control the home screen with a wave of their hand. The Kinect also came installed with a webcam, so you were able to take pictures and video chat with people through Xbox Live.

The PS3 had started to step up its own online gaming in a new ways as it was based around plat-forming and Japanese manufactured games just as the Xbox was based around first-person shooters.

Sony gave a lot more creativity to the design of the home screen although it was in the format that they usually use in their products. The PS3 had sleek, glossy, new design, same controllers, and Wi-Fi. Sony’s new invention, the PS3, was available on the markets on 2006.

From 8-bit square-like graphics to 1080p HD graphics, games have really changed throughout the years, and especially now that you’re able to literally use the internet on your home console and enjoy things like Netflix, Facebook, and Twitter. Even the games have changed, such as Mario from going to 2-D side scrolling to 3-D free movement.

With the way consoles and games are progressing now, I don’t think we’ll need controllers in the near future because we will be the controllers.

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2005

Xbox 360

2010 Kinect

SOUCE & IMAGES / WIRED.COM

by SHABAB KARIM AND ALEJANDRO ALONSO

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Entertainment

The ‘Stang Express

Volume 2, Issue 2 December 2011

‘Fallen’ series will have you falling in love Who needs to fall in love with vampires when you can fall in love with an angel?

by ABIGAIL SANCHEZ

thinking about life, death and angels, it’s a good book,” said eighth grader Alyssa Boudreaux.

Although many other Fallen fans have different opinions, they all agree that this is an amazing book.

The author of the Fallen series, Lauren Kate, has published this book in over 30 languages and is therefore majorly known around the world.

Also, the author has published another book called ‘The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove’, it is not involved with the Fallen series but it’s still a good book. Right now Lauren Kate is currently working on the final book of the Fallen series, Rapture.

The Fallen series will take you on a whole new level of eternal love and will have you anticipating for the last and final book, Rapture.

I highly recommend you to read these books if you love romance that will last forever and if you are tired of reading vampire love books and want to read something new.

You can check out Lauren Kate’s blog, Twitter feed, upcoming book signings, Facebook activity, and view the book trailers at her website: www.laurenkate.net.

IMAGES / LAURENKATE.NET

Would you fall in love with the same person only to have them die again and again? Daniel Grigori definitely would.

In the Fallen series (Fallen, Torment, and Passion) by Lauren Kate, Lucinda Price, or Luce, falls in love with Daniel, a fallen angel, and discovers that both she and Daniel are under a curse, Lucinda dying in every lifetime when she spends time with Daniel, and Daniel heartbroken when Lucinda dies.

In the first book, Fallen, Luce is sent to Sword & Cross Boarding School, where she first meets Daniel (in that lifetime).

Although, Daniel acts as if he wants nothing to do with Luce, Luce is immensely attracted to him. In the end, unable to ignore her, Daniel returns her affections like he always had in previous lifetimes.

After finding out Daniel is a fallen angel and that there are other immortal beings that want to kill her, Luce is forced to hide in order to avoid death.

The next book, Torment, Luce is sent to a different school, Shoreline, where she’ll be safe from the immortal beings that are trying to kill her. There she befriends two nephilim, beings that are half-angel and half-human, named Shelby, Luce’s roommate, and Miles, whose

feelings for Luce causes her to doubt her relationship with Daniel. As Luce, Shelby, and Miles go through her past lives using the announcers, shadow- like creatures that allows you to step through time, Luce discovers about her past lives with Daniel and tries to find out more about their curse.

In the third book, Passion, Luce leaves Daniel and goes through her past lives alone to try and break their curse. Daniel, heartbroken by Luce’s sudden disappearance, chases her but is always one heartbeat late to catching Luce. As Luce goes through her past lives, she learns a lot about their curse. Like how Daniel’s half of the curse is much worse, how much Daniel truly loves her, and how it’s only love that brings them together and not the curse. When Daniel finally catches Luce, both of them are met with a big obstacle that will be hard to pass.

Many of our students like the Fallen series and how it’s all set up, “I like how it incorporates the history into the pages, it shows you another person’s way of

Fallen was published in Sept. of 2009 and is geared toward 12-17 year-olds.

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Torment, the sequel to Fallen, was published in 2010.

Passion was published in June of 2011 and the next book, Rapture, is due out very soon.

December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 2

The ‘Stang Express

Entertainment

He rises to fame and he’s still the same

by TONI VAN BIBBER He’s a music icon, a teen idol, and was discovered on YouTube by Scooter Braun, a music agent, in 2008. His name is Justin Bieber or, as most ‘Beliebers’ call him, JB. Justin Bieber was born in Toronto Ontario, Canada, on March 1st,1994.

Justin’s fame all started when he sang ‘So Sick’ by Ne-Yo for a Stratford music competition and Pattie, Justin’s mom, put a video of Justin on YouTube to show other family members what Justin’s singing was like. Justin often liked to keep his music aspirations to himself but, when the videos started going online other kids started liking him.

Soon Pattie received a call from Scooter Braun; he said he wanted to fly Justin and Pattie to meet him in Atlanta, Georgia, at a record company named Island Records.

When Justin got there, he ran into Usher and asked could he sing for him. At first Usher was not too interested, but when Justin sang, Usher was very impressed.

Usher took Justin to L.A Reid and he also

fell in love with Justin’s singing.

Justin later was signed with Raymond Braun Media Group and later recorded his first album, ‘My World,’ with Icon Studio’s, Atlanta on June 11th, 2009. In 2009, Justin came up with his first song, ‘One Time’, and it hit Canada’s top one hundred, and Justin’s first album, ‘My World’ peaked at number five on the U.S. Billboard Two Hundred, selling 137,000 copies in its first week.

Justin Bieber will have grossed approximately 15 million in total recorded music sales, not including ringtones, streaming revenue, t-shirts, or posters in less than his first nine months. Also, Justin’s four albums ‘My World, My World 2.0, My World Acoustics, Under The Mistletoe and Never Say Never Remixes.’ Justin has been on two tours, ‘Urban Behavior’ and ‘My World’, and also has been nominated for over sixty-five awards! People say the fame is getting to Justin but his best friend Ryan says he’s “still the well grounded goofy kid he was in Ontario.”

My opinion on Mr. Bieber is that he is a role model for all the teens in the world that

IMAGE / BILLBOARD.COM

Hollywood and the big-time music business hasn’t negatively affected Bieber

Bieber’s Under the Mistletoe album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 210,000 in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan.

want to be in the music industry. He is a very big part in many teen’s lives, and makes us all have faith that one day we could be famous. That’s why we’re called ‘Beliebers.’

Drake’s new CD sends a message

by JENNIFER LOZANO He is an awesome singer, rapper, actor, and song writer. Lots of teens love him, and girls are obsessed with him.

Who am I talking about? His name is Aubrey Drake Graham, known as ‘Drake’ or ‘Drizzy’.

Drake was born in Toronto Ontario, Canada on October 24, 1986. He has been acting from 2001, and has been singing since 2006.

Most students might know him from the teen show ‘Degrassi’. Most parents may think that he’s a bad person, don’t like his music, or think he isn’t even singing, he’s just talking. My mom for instance, she thinks he is a bad singer that he’s not even singing. I told my mom, “He sings in some of his songs but he also raps.” Every time one of his songs comes out on the radio she changes the station and I get mad at her.

Drake has a few albums out but one album I want to focus on is his new album that he has recently made and was released on Nov. 15, 2011, Take

Care. Drake named the CD ‘Take Care’ because he said, “‘Thank me later’ was a rushed album. I didn’t get to take the time I wanted to on that record. I rushed a lot of the songs, and sonically I didn’t get to sit with the record and say, ‘Ok, well maybe I should change this verse.’

No, once it was done, it was done. That’s why my new album is called ‘Take care’ because I get to take my time this goround.”

Drake’s new CD features 17 songs with 2 bonus tracks. His album is good and a few of my favorite songs on this album are ‘Take Care’, ‘Shot for me’, ‘Doing it wrong’, and ‘Make me Proud’. ‘Take Care’ features Rihanna singing the chorus which is a song about a person that has been hurt and doesn’t want to get hurt anymore so the other person knows what they’re going through and they’ll take care of them. That’s why that song is called ‘Take Care’. ‘Make me proud’ features Nicki Minaj, who sings a verse in the song.

In my opinion, Drake’s CD is about him learning from a relationship he has had

IMAGE / BILLBOARD.COM

The number one ranked album on the Billboard Rap Chart deals with relationships

Take Care is Drake’s seventh album and ranks No. 4 on the Billboard 200.

in the past, and is trying to tell the girl something. You should listen to it, and actually listen to his songs slowly to understand the message he’s trying to get to you. If you would like to know more about him, check out his official website, Drakeofficial.com.

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Peace!

The ‘Stang Express

Volume 2, Issue 2 December 2011

Next issue: Dystopia. Could it happen here in America? dys·to·pi·a [dis-toh-pee-uh]: noun; a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding reigns.

Related forms: dys·to·pi·an, adjective; dys·to·pi·an·ism, noun.

IMAGE / APPLETRAILERS.COM

SOURCE / DICTIONARY.COM

If you’ve read the Hunger Games, which will be a major motion picture very soon, you know that what is now the United States has become Panem and the government in power rules with absolute authority. Every year, Panem hosts the event where two “tributes” –a boy and a girl–are drafted from each of the twelve districts to be brought to an arena and fight to the death.

Characteristics of a Dystopian Society • Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.

• Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.

• A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.

• Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.

• Citizens have a fear of the outside world.

• Citizens live in a dehumanized state.

• The natural world is banished and distrusted.

• Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.

• The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.

• Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. Examples include Minority Report and The Running Man. • Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. Examples in film include V for Vendetta.

• Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. Examples include The Matrix, The Terminator, and I, Robot.

• Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

SOURCE / www.yalsa.ala.org

There are scores of dystopian movies, books, and comics out there. We’re going to examine this in-depth using Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games as a starting point. Look for the next issue due out in March 2012 and prepare for the arena when The Hunger Games movie comes out right after publication!

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