October 2012 'Stang Express

The ‘Stang Express The Newspaper of North Shore Middle School Volume 2 • Issue 1 • October 2012

The West Nile

Threat

With over 700 cases in Texas and 54 deaths, the disease has everyone’s attention. What you need to know to fight back. - Page 6 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012

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‘STANG EXPRESS STAFF

The ‘Stang Express • Oct 2012

Co-Editors-in-Chief Opinion Editor News Editor Features Editor Sports Editors Entertainment Ed. Photo Editor Social Media Mgr

6 COVER STORY

Lots of the little pests have become a big problem and they’re targeting Texas.

by MAKENNA POULAND

IMAGE / CDC

Cover Story Page Design

NEWS 4 PETER PIPER PICKED THE PIZZA PHOTO / REAGAN NUNEZ

New pizza place packs a big crowd on the weekends.

by HAILIE RUSSELL

4 COMMUNITY WELCOMES NEW RESTAURANT

If you like charbroiled burgers, this place will hit the spot.

by IVON LOPEZ

FEATURES 8 HISTORY, MEDIA & ITS AFFECT ON HALLOWEEN Popular holiday has roots in ancient culture.

by CHRISTINE CABANG

9 VICTORY IS JUST THE BEGINNING

Eighth grader Victor Rios has big dreams for his future.

by MARIA RENTERIA

10 THE 2012 VOTE

The choices you make on election day will affect your like.

by MABEL IDICULA

OPINION 20 YOU TAKE TWO, I GET NOTHING

Students who take more than they need leaves others in D lunch will few alternatives.

by SARA HINSHAW-HATTEN

21 POLITICS: WHY SHOULD WE CARE? Josh Vlasich and James Holler on playing for the New England Junior Revs this winter.

by EMILY LIM

21 LEFTIE OR RIGHTIE?

A few musings on the age-old question: Which hand is better?

by KENNY MA

21 PERSPECTIVE:

Teachers in Chicago strike out in the eyes of students.

by BRYANT BADIE

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OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

SPORTS 19 MUSTANGS OUTLAST COUGARS IN DEFENSIVE FIGHT Last quarter touchdown ensures a big win.

by ULISES SALAZAR

20 MUSTANGS RETURN WITH REDEMPTION IN MIND

Is winning about competition or settling scores?

by VICTOR DAVILA

ENTERTAINMENT 21 FRANKENWEENIE Josh Vlasich and James Holler on playing for the New England Junior Revs this winter.

by ALENY GUAJARDO 27 BAND STUDENTS PRACTICE DURING MIDNIGHT MADNESS

Night of hard work ensures solid performance at Region.

by ENRIQUE GONZALEZ

PHOTO STORIES 5 STUDENTS DISCOVER CONVECTION CURRENTS IN SCIENCE CLASS

Eighth graders in Ms. Thompson’s class experiment to learn what happens in the ocean.

by MADISON MERICLE

23 ORGANIC SHAPES HELP TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT ART ELEMENTS

Students in Ms. Bey’s class use geometic shapes to learn about one of the elements of art.

by MELANIE GOMEZ

Martin Batrez Joanne Cobos Cristal Garcia Sara Hinshaw Mabel Idicula Ivon Lopez Kenny Ma Ulises Salazar

Bryant Badie Cindy Mai Emily Lim Daisy Estrada Christine Cabang Leah Maxwell Victor Davila Enrique Gonzalez Madison Mericle Emily Lim Daisy Estrada Makenna Pouland Aleny Guajardo Sara Hinshaw

Writers Crystal Ortez TaAliyah Porchia Makenna Pouland Maria Renteria Leonardo Reyes Fermina Rodriguez Hailie Russell

Photographers Melanie Gomez Madison Mericle Reagan Nunez Adviser Principal Superintendent

Mr. Ron Burke Mr. Paul Drexler Dr. Angi Williams

CONTACTING US 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 student publication distributed to the students, teachers, and parents of North Shore Middle 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. The ‘Stang Express is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Association and the Columbia Scholastic Press Assocation. The newspaper earned an Award of Distinguished Merit and won a prestigious Silver Star Award from the ILPC in April 2012.

Behind the performance: There’s more to being a Fillie than you think

The Fillies perform their jazz routine to Adele’s “Rumor Has It” on October 2 at North Shore’s football game against C.E. King to entertain the crowd during halftime. A jazz routine compared to their pom dance is more relaxed and sassy.

“The girls did great and they’ve really improved since the summer,” she said.

As you can see, there is more to being a Fillie than you think. It takes decent dance ability, 100% of effort, and responsibility.

“You may have to put way more effort

than usual, but it all pays off when you hear the crowd cheering with satisfaction after you perform,” said seventh grader, Kyla Clark.

The Fillies next major performance will be during the football game versus Cunningham at Galena Park ISD Stadium.

PHOTO / MADISON MERICLE

Lights, camera, everybody dance now!

Do you know what it takes to be a Fillie?

It isn’t all about making the tryouts and wearing the dance outfit. There’s more to it than you think.

“Being a Fillie means you have to reach Mrs. McComb’s [Fillies Director] expectations,” said 7th grader, Bethany Luna. The Fillies have to be willing to give 100% of effort at all times as a dancer. They also have to have good grades, discipline, and responsibility.

Another thing that Fillies had to do was attend a mandatory summer camp and practice for six days, from August 6 – August 11 at North Shore Middle School.

Monday–Wednesday practices were from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., and they practiced a field routine, a pom [a dance for a competition]routine, and football cheers. Thursday–Friday practices were from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m., so they could learn and practice five custom routines and two to three pep rally routines.

Finally, Saturday they practiced the last custom routine and a hip-hop routine.

The Fillies don’t only perform at football games, but also at basketball games, pep rallies, a dance contest, and at the Spring Show at the end of the year.

After all that preparation, performance day finally arrives, and the girls come to school in their Fillies uniform. Once all classes for the day are over, they report to the cafeteria. They practice again until 5:30 pm and head outside and sit on the bleachers. While on the bleachers, they perform football cheers. Sometimes the NSMS band will play a song to cheer to.

As performance time approaches, they go behind the bleachers on the grass to stretch and practice one last time. Once they’re done, it’s halftime and the girls file into one single line and walk over to the football field. The crowd stands and yells support while the girls wait with their hands behind their backs.

After they get to their places, the Director presses play on the stereo and the girls start dancing. This time, the girls danced a jazzy, sharp, and sassy routine to one of Adele’s hit songs “Rumour Has It”. Once they were done, the crowd went wild, clapping and cheering with satisfaction at their performance. The girls then headed inside and Mrs. McComb gave them a pep talk on their performance. She told them what they need to improve on and what they did perfectly.

PHOTO / MADISON MERICLE

by FERMINA RODRIGUEZ

Fillies eighth grade members, Madison Bellard, Ana Marquez, and seventh grader, Katie Breeland-Newcomb stretch before their performance to avoid injury on October 2 behind the bleachers at North Shore. They stretch before every performance and every practice.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012

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NEWS Peter Piper picked the pizza New family fun center opens up in the community

by HAILIE RUSSELL Are you getting tired of those old hangout places like the movies and the skating rink? Well, did you know there is a new restaurant that recently opened, on 6223 E Sam Houston Parkway which is just down the street and around the corner from school?

Peter Piper Pizza opened its doors to the public on September 22. The coolest thing about Peter Piper Pizzas location is that it’s close to North Shore Middle. Maybelline Ibarra said, “It’s closer to where most people live, and it is convenient for kids to ride their bikes and walk.”

Peter Piper Pizza is known for its entertainment, food, games, rides, and pizza.

The restaurant has over fifty games that you can play, including the traditional skeeball, driving, and shooting games. It even has a virtual roller coaster ride. Not to leave the little ones out of the fun, they even have three kiddie rides and a carousel, so the whole family can enjoy quality time.

The best part is that you can even win tickets for the games you love and turn them in for prizes. The more tickets you earn the

bigger the prize.

They serve five types of pizzas, including a New York 3-cheese with pepperoni. You can order them in four different sizes or you can help yourself to the buffet.

“They sell pizza! And who doesn’t like pizza! And it’s also close to North Shore Middle School, there you can catch up with your friends,” said eighth grader Eugenia Villanueva. Peter Piper Pizza can also throw all types of parties for only $7.99 per child that even comes with 350 prize tickets for the birthday child.

While Peter Piper Pizza restaurant is filling up with eager customers, eighth grader Maegan Levy said, “Peter Piper Pizza is a good place to hang out with friends on the weekends and let loose.” Mrs. Beauvais, our Encounters teacher, said, “It’s always good to have new places opening up because it means more jobs for people.”

If pizza, games, and fun sounds good to you, then go down to Peter Piper Pizza.

Also if you want to book a party at Peter Piper Pizza, contact them ahead of time because the restaurant is usually packed during the weekend. Coupons and more information are available on their website.

Community welcomes new restaurant New construction signals improvement on Wallisville “It depends what kind of people it attracts, like if it attracts bad people, than it Carl’s Jr. who? Is that the new kid? Isn’t would be bad,” said 8th grader, Nathalie that the old man that lives around the Lopez. corner? Those questions are over!

“I think it could be another good family Coming soon, a new fast food option restaurant,” said Ms. Beauvais. It can be is opening up on Wallisville called Carl’s a family place or some teens can also Jr. Carl’s Jr. currently has 10 locations count it as a hangout place. around Houston, TX. This new location “There are more food options in our is just around the corner across from the neighborhood,” said Kathy De Leon.

Bubbles Express Car Wash just inside the There will be a bigger variety of fast food big shopping center where Starbuck is. places. It will be closer for the teachers Carl’s Jr. has been around for 72 years, who are eating lunch. but not too many people have heard about Opening up a new fast food place can it. They’re famous for their charbroiled even persuade parents to take their kids hamburgers. out to eat more.

“I’ve never actually heard of it until they Of course, with a new place opening started building the new one,” said seventh up, everyone thinks differently about the grader, Kathy De Leon. Many others have restaurant. heard of Carl’s Jr. “I just feel excited to know that they “Yes, I’ve been to one and it was in San are opening another restaurant from L.A.,” Diego, California,” said Encounters teacher, said Nathalie Lopez. The restaurant is Ms. Beauvais. now under construction, but there is no Some citizens love the idea that it is exact date for the opening. Hopefully, it opening, while others worry about it afwould be open soon so all can enjoy a fecting the community. new place to eat on Wallisville.

by IVON LOPEZ

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OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

Parents welcomed during Open House

by DAISY ESTRADA & MADISON MERICLE Parents and current students filled the building after school Thursday, September 13 for Open House.

Parking spots soon filled up as both parents and teachers were anxious to meet each other. By the time Open House began at 6pm, the parking lot was full and parents had to park across the street from the school.

As parents walked in, counselors and staff greeted them and information was waiting on tables. While exchanging friendly greetings, papers were given to parents to inform them what would be going on within the first few months of school. Parents also had to sign a check-in form.

“To prepare for Open House, I made sure teachers were here and we posted information about Open House on the school marquee and website,” said Mr. Drexler, principal here.

Although the halls were crowded, students still managed to guide their parents to all their classes. The turn out was so large that there were lines of people waiting outside teachers’ doors.

“The turnout was about the same as last year’s.” said Mrs. Stanowick, one of the 8th grade math teachers.

Parents and students also had the opportunity to look or buy books or other merchandise at the Book Fair that was going on in the library.

“The school Book Fair was an added bonus to the excitement,” said assistant principal, Mr. Eagelton. This was the first year that the Book Fair has been open during Open House.

Parents definitely took the opportunity to buy books because the library was crowded with parents and the line to purchase was unbelievably long.

“Open House is a really good event because it gives parents a chance to see how their student is doing,” said 8th grade science teacher, Ms.Comeros. Some teachers were in their classrooms from the end of school until the start of Open House getting things ready.

“I think Open House is a good idea so that my teachers can meet my parents and my parents can see who’s teaching me,” said 7th grader Alyssa Rodriguez. This year’s Open House proved to be the annual success thanks to involved parents and the dedication of North Shore’s teachers.

Eighth graders discover convection currents in science class

by MADISON MERICLE

Eighth grade students Melvyn Guzman and Amy Briceno prepare for their science experiment in Ms. Thompson’s 10th period class over convection currents in the ocean. Students use experiments to prove or negate scientific questions.

Eighth grader Tony Rodriguez places water on a hot plate to heat it up for the experiment. They’ll pour the water into the bucket along with cold water and see if the warm water sinks or rises to mimic what happens in the ocean.

“Get the materials you need, then wait until I give you further instruction,” Ms. Thompson explains to her students. She went on to list the steps to conduct the experiment so her students don’t get confused and can accurately measure the results.

Ms. Thompson pours the water into a beaker with a protective glove on to make sure that she and the students don’t burn themselves.

This is something they learned in the beginning of the year as a part of their “Lab Safety” unit.

(Above, right) Ms. Thompson and students Vanessa Estrada, Samuel Zamora, and Ricardo Herrera watch the water from the cups pour into the bucket as part of an experiment showing density. The cold water sank to the bottom, showing students what would happen in the ocean.

Eighth grader Vanessa Estrada writes her conclusion after the experiment was over. She’s writing, “The warm water stayed on top because it’s less dense than the cold water.”

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012

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THE

WEST NILE

THREAT Lots of the little pests have become a big problem and they’re targeting Texas

by MAKENNA POULAND

Continued on next page

SOURCE / USGS

Have you been outside and bitten by a mosquito recently? Little, red, itchy bumps might be the start of a virus from your least favorite blood suckers. This year, the West Nile virus has managed to bring itself right into our backyard thanks to the increase in the mosquito population. Beware Houston, they’re here, and they want blood. Your blood.

The West Nile virus epidemic has already affected many states across the country except in Alaska and Hawaii. The first case, back in 1999, started the first epidemic that ended three years later in 2002, but now, those pesky mosquitoes are back. Three thousand, one hundred forty two cases and 134 deaths later, they still won’t go away. As the seconds tick by slowly, they are getting closer to you and the ones you love.

Thirteen years ago, the West Nile virus made its first appearance in the United

States on June 10th, 1999, the first of many cases was discovered in New York City. It caused a domino effect, infecting many people across the U.S. with 4,310 cases and 295 deaths total. It ended three years later on December 31st, 2002, as a late Christmas gift for the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall.

WNV is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds that have high levels of WNV in their blood. Infected mosquitoes can then transmit WNV when they feed on humans or other animals.

What should we expect? Will the results be as devastating as last time? Will the number of cases and deaths be higher?

“It’s already higher. That’s why they have all these public health announcements,” said Mrs. Nguyen, our school nurse.

The virus was brought over to the United States by either mosquitoes who fed off dead birds that were infected, or by mosquitoes that were originally infected. Either way, it is a deadly disease that has already claimed many lives. The big question is: will students here be infected?

Nurse Nguyen said, “I hope and pray not, especially if they [students] take the precautions.” Looking at the poster hanging on her bulletin board, “The fours D’s,” she continued. “Stands for dusk and dawn, defend, drain and dress.”

That means stay inside during dusk and dawn hours, defend yourself by using mosquito spray that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, drain any standing water like in bird baths and pet bowls at least twice a week because standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and the last thing Houston needs is more mosquitoes, and dress in

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OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus is a risk you CAN do something about.

West Nile virus is now in most of the United States.

The most important way people become infected is through the bite of an infected mosquito. You can reduce your chance of getting infected by avoiding mosquito bites.

The amount of cases in Texas has risen again. According to USGS, the most cases, as of October 9, have been in Dallas County with 344 cases, but luckily Harris County only has 53.

The risk for West Nile virus is decreasing due to the colder weather, but that doesn’t eliminate the risk completely, so you should still continue to take precautions just in case.

Continued from next page

ana, Mississippi, South Dakota, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Illinois) and over a third of long sleeves and pants to defend your all cases have been reported from Texas. arms and legs from bites.

How can you tell if you are possibly According to the United States Geolog- infected with the WNV? Symptoms of ical Survey (USGS), in Texas alone there WNV resemble headaches, tiredness, and have been 1,358 infections and 65 deaths seizures or in some cases a rash on the already, and if it is anything like the last trunk of the body. Infected people also time the virus was here, you can bet there should have been outside in the last two will be more. Of the 1,358 positive mosweeks or so and have had a mosquito quito infections in Texas, 486 have been bite somewhere on their body. in Harris County, the most in the state.

The CDC reports that milder WNV As of October 9, illness improves on there have been 700 its own, and people “Students need to take neuro-invasive cases do not necessarily precautions. The four Ds in Texas. Neuro-invaneed to seek medisive disease refers to stands for dusk, dawn, cal attention for this severe cases of WNV infection though they defend, and drain and that affects a person’s may choose to do dress.” nervous system. These so. If you develop - Mrs. Nguyen, symptoms of severe include encephalitis which is an inflamSchool Nurse WNV illness, such mation of the brain, as unusually severe meningitis which is an headaches or coninflammation of the membrane around fusion, seek medical attention imthe brain and the spinal cord and acute mediately. Severe WNV illness usually flaccid paralysis which is an inflammarequires hospitalization. tion of the spinal cord that can cause a As Texas’ weather gets colder, the risk sudden onset of weakness in the limbs for West Nile virus infection is decreasand/or breathing muscles. There have ing due to the fact that mosquitoes hate been 54 deaths in Texas due to infection the cold. Although the risk is lower, you in humans. should still protect yourself to make the The CDC also reports that almost 70 risk even more unlikely, so remember to percent of the cases have been reported protect yourself and keep the four D’s in from eight states (Texas, California, Louisi- mind.

People over age 50 and people who have ever received a solid organ transplant are more likely to develop serious symptoms of West Nile virus if they do get sick and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites.

What happens if I get infected?

A small number of people (about 1 in 150) who get infected with West Nile virus develop severe disease, called West Nile encephalitis or West Nile meningitis (infl ammation of the brain or the area around the brain). Symptoms of severe illness include headache, high fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, muscle weakness, tremors (shaking), convulsions, coma, and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. See your health care provider if you develop these symptoms.

Some people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.

Symptoms can last for a few days to several weeks. Call your health care provider if you have questions about your symptoms.

Most people who get infected with West Nile virus do not have any symptoms. There is no specifi c treatment for West Nile virus infection. There is no vaccine available for people.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012

SOURCE / CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

SOURCE / USGS

Adults are at highest risk.

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FEATURES History, media and its affect on

HALLOWEEN Popular holiday has its roots in ancient culture

under bushes on Halloween night.

The tradition of putting on a costume On the night where the thin veil between is kind of bizarre when you think about our world and theirs is lifted, mischief, it. Along with many other traditions on magic, and fright hangs thick in the air.

Halloween it started with the Celtics. They It begins every year at the witching hour used to think on Halloween or Samhain on October 31st. Hide under the covers the spirits would cross over from the spirit and turn your Jack-o-lanterns on kiddos world to ours and the Celtic were afraid of because it’s All Hallows Eve! what the spirits might do to them, so they All Hallows Eve or Halloween is the time disguised themselves. They mimicked of the year when we get to dress up and the spirits to fool the spirits into thinking go from door to door screaming, “Trick or that they weren’t living. Their costumes Treat!” This holiday used to be sacred, but would usually be composed rags and dark now in the present our mind focuses too clothes and their faces would be smeared much on getting candy to think about why with ashes. Nowadays people dress up the holiday even exists. Back in the old differently, “When I was little I dressed up times before the Romans took over Engas a pumpkin,” said Mrs. Dotson. land, there were people called the Celtics.

Around the world Halloween is a tradiThe Celtics were a group of people that live tion that is passed down from generation in the great isles of England and in Ireland. to generation by the telling of stories of They were musical, artistic people, with a wicked witches and ghosts. In Mexico, love for words.

All Saint’s Day is devoted to Los AngeliThe Celts divided up their calendar into tos, which means the day for the dead four parts according to the farming cycle. children. Los Angelitos is the day before The year started off with the festival of Dia de los Muertos, which is the Day of Samhain (pronounced SAH ween), it was the Dead. Dia de los Muertos is a day the most significant festival, on that day of happiness. People picnic beside the the veil between ours and the spirit world graves of their relatives. In their houses is very thin. As the darkness would close they make little alters called ofrendas, in, people lit “The Halloween bleeze”, or and they scatter the alter with the favorite bonfire. You could see the blazing flames food, drinks, and memories of their dead across the hillsides of every Celtic country. relative’s life.

Picture the shadows of the Celtics as they threw precious objects into the dancing flames as sacrifice to the gods, along with the cursed crops found in the fields after sundown, making the fire lap up even higher against the night sky.

When Christianity started to rise, Samhain was changed to Hallowmas, or All • There are Saints Day to remember the people that kids in the U.S. between passed away that year. The night before the ages of 5 and 13 --the All Saints Day became a Hallowed Evening or what we call it now a days Halloween. prime trick-or-treating On Samhain, there was a tradition in group.

Ireland to carve out a tumpshie (turnip) lantern. To make a tumpshie you first had to find a big turnip. Then you cut the top of it off and hollow it out. After you hollow it out of parents admit • you had to carve out a skeleton like face.

Then on Samhain night you would stick a to sneaking goodies from candle in it and put it outside to protect their kids Halloween bags. your house from dark entities. Aside from turnip carving some people left candles on their windowsills and food on the front step to guide and feed the spirits. Nowadays dress up for • we carve grins on our pumpkins that laugh

by CHRISTINE CABANG

“My mom makes a shrine for my grandfather; we put lollipops and cigarettes around the altar because he loved those things,” eighth grader Gricelda Jasso said smiling.

At night family members often shoot fireworks to help dead relatives find their way back home. In some parts of Mexico they even create a path from their relative’s grave to the family house.

Our take on Halloween is not only influenced by the history but also by filmmakers and story writers. Directors like Tim Burton and M. Night Shamalyan create movies set during Halloween that keep us awake at night jumping at the slightest sounds and turns shadows into sinister creatures ready to pounce. Speaking of keeping us up at night, Edgar Allan Poe is the man for you if you never want to sleep again. His frightening stories will make your eyes snap open for each and every little sound you hear. Another author, R.L. Stine, is famous for his Halloween settings.

He writes about ghouls lurking under your bed and witches waiting to gobble you up.

So this Halloween night after you’ve put your finishing touches on your costume, and as you wait to go out and trick or treat, remember the Celts and their blazing bonfires, remember the dead on Dia de Los Muertos, remember the authors that fill your mind with images of monsters that morph the shadows in your room into flesh-eating monsters, and most of all remember to dress up because, you never know…maybe you’ll meet a spirit.

36 million

90%

11.5%

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OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

Halloween festivities • 72% of Americans report handing out candy during Halloween.

• An American consumes

24 pounds of candy

each year. That’s equal to

the weight of 2,366 Hershey’s Kisses!

SOURCE / U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, HISTORY.COM, NAT’L CONFECTIONERS ASSN.

Halloween by the numbers

VICTORY is just the beginning

FREE

ADVICE MARY ALVAREZ

Eighth grade boxer has big dreams for the future

JACCARD NELSON “My advice would be to set expectations and goals for yourselves, so you could accomplish them throughout the year,”

CLAIRE MARKS “Life is life. The road will get tough in and out of school, but even though it may seem like you have the worst life ever, others have it worse.”

MAURIO STEVENS “All seventh graders better make sure they do homework every night and get ready for a very challenging class. Also be prepared to get graded hard.”

JESSICA RODRIGUEZ “Don’t fall asleep in class because you’ll miss out on a lot and don’t shout out answers. Be open minded and listen.”

GRICELDA JASSO “If you’re feeling overwhelmed with work, just take your time and try your best. Get some help if you need it, try a study group and don’t forget to ask questions.”

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012

PHOTOS / MADISON MERICE

Ever watched a boxing match, like the one between Canelo and Lopez? As you sit in the audience or as you are glued to your TV screen, you feel the tension in the atmosphere. You watch as one fighter sends the final blow, the replay with his arm in slow-motion as it sends a shock through the opponent’s body. Boxing looks like it’s all about fame and glory on TV, but how many of you actually understand the hard work and dedication behind it? For Victor Rios, a thirteen-year-old eighth grader here, boxing isn’t just part of his everyday life, but it is a big chapter in his life.

Although he started boxing when he was eleven years old as a way to learn self-defense, Victor has gone so far in his training, that he’s just recently won at Nationals (during Labor Day weekend), a very important competition for amateurs all around the country.

“I worked out everyday…I hit the speed bags, punching bags, and I ran a lot,” Victor said.

To prepare for Nationals, everyday after a long day of school, Victor took a break from his homework and practiced at his boxing gym (Monday-Friday) for two hours.

“I trained five times a week, two hours each day. I like to do it [train] for fun. I have friends there, so it’s never boring,” he added.

With all the long hours of hard work he had put in for Nationals, you would have thought Victor would

be confident that he would have a victory, but he wasn’t. Sometimes our nerves can get the best of us when we’re under pressure. Just imagine the feeling of being the center of the spotlight for a minute.

“Before the fight, I was kind of scared.

I didn’t know what was going to happen, and I was nervous,” Rios said.

Hard work and dedication never fail to reward, and Victor was a prime example of that. Even though there was no first place, second place, or third place, all winners were awarded a medal.

“It’s not a first place second place thing. If you win your fight then that’s that-you won,” Rios said. “After the fight, when I was announced as winner, I got very excited. I was very happy when I saw that my dad was proud of me. I have three fights now. I had two for Nationals,” he explained.

Rios wants to expand his boxing skills, and might even make a living out of it.

“I want to go pro. I really like boxing a lot,” he said. Training will definitely be more intense, but Victor is one step ahead of the game.

“I’m going to try to fight at every show, which is an event where multiple fights go on at the same time. When you go pro, the fights are harder, so I want to be ready for that,” he said.

Rios is getting better and better at boxing by the day. Who knows?

Maybe someday we’ll see him on TV as the next Julio Cesar Chavez.

PHOTO / ‘STANG EXPRESS STAFF

by MARIA RENTERIA

“The advice I’d give to a seventh graders is to keep working hard because in the future, it only gets harder,”

9

2012

VOTE

The

The choices you make on election

day will impact your life

for the candidates. An Electoral College is a compromise between the vote of Congress and the popular vote.

According to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), an Electoral College is not a place but a process. An Electoral College is made up of 538 electors. An elector represents your vote for who you want as president and vice-president. For each state a candidate wins, he will receive a certain amount of votes. For example, if a candidate wins in Texas, he will receive 38 electoral votes.

Overall, he needs to receive 270 electoral votes to become the next president.

Have you ever seen a donkey that is red, white, and blue? That is the Democratic Party’s symbol. The donkey represents hardwork, diligence, and meekness. The story began when Andrew Jackson was running in the presidential campaign of 1828. His opponents mocked him by calling him a donkey but President Jackson turned the joke on them. He used this strong-willed animal as an icon in his

STOCK IMAGE / DREAMSTIME

On Tuesday, November 6th, 2012, people all over the country will vote for a leader to guide us through the next four years, and we can make a difference.

Even though students in middle school are not old enough to vote, we should still know about the importance of voting.

When George Washington became our first president, it was the start of a democracy, but the cry for a voice to be heard in government came long before that.

Remember the American Revolution you learned about in your social studies class? One of the reasons this war began because our forefathers wanted their voices to be heard. After the Civil War, the 15th amendment was passed which gave all American citizens the right to vote, no matter your race or color. Women also wanted their voices to be heard. With the 19th amendment, women were granted the right to vote. Many people fought and died for the right to vote, so don’t take this privilege for granted.

When people vote on November 6, they are taking part of an important process.

According Socialstudiesforkids.com, when we as Americans are casting votes for the presidential candidate, we are casting our votes for electors, who will cast their votes

campaign posters. The donkey became famous with the Democratic Party after Thomas Nast used it in newspaper cartoons.

The red, white, and blue elephant is the Republican Party’s symbol.

The party uses the elephant to symbolize dignity, intelligence, and strength.

Thomas Nast also drew another cartoon in Harper’s Weekly in 1874. In this cartoon, a donkey was dressed in a lion’s skin. This “lion” chased away many animals in a zoo including an elephant.

This elephant was labeled “The Republican Vote” and since then the elephant has become the symbol of the Republican Party.

Barack Obama, the first African American president of the United States, is running for re-election in the Democratic Party. The vice presidential candidate of the Democratic Party is Joe Biden.

Obama, who is currently the 44th president of the United States, was born in

STOCK IMAGE / DREAMSTIME

by MABEL IDICULA

Continued on next page

WHO WOULD YOU VOTE FOR? Barack Obama Democrat

262

33

Mitt Romney Republican

102

Students polled:

10 OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

397

IMAGE / WIKIPEDIA

IMAGE / WHITEHOUSE.GOV

Undecided

PLATFORM

IMAGE / APPLE.COM

According to History.com, the number of electors per state ranges from three to 54. Altogether, there are 538 electors. During the election in November, people vote for the electors rather than the presidential and vice presidential candidates. The electors are expected but not required to vote for the candidates they represent. Two hundred seventy votes are needed to elect the next president and vice president. If none of the candidates receive a majority of the votes, then the president is elected by the House of Representatives and the vice president is elected by the Senate. This process is known as contingent election.

Continued from next page

PHOTOS / MADISON MERICE

in the future,” said eighth grader Claire Honolulu, Hawaii. He is married to Michelle Marks. The candidate who is elected can affect the way the country runs.

Obama and has two daughters named “Whomever is elected president enMalia and Sasha. forces the law. If you don’t keep up with Mitt Romney, the former governor of the elections, you don’t know who will set Massachusetts, is the presidential candiup what type of policies,” Mr. Strzelecki, date for the Republican Party and his Paul an eighth grade Social Ryan is his vice presiStudies teacher said. dential candidate. Mitt “Whomever is elected So how does this afRomney was born in fect us as students? It Detroit, Michigan. He is president enforces the law. married to Ann Romney If you don’t keep up with the can change the future of our country forever. and has five kids. Acelections, you don’t know It could affect your cording to Biography. who will set up what type of relatives in the military, com, Mitt Romney ran the way you are taught for presidential nomina- policies.” things in school, and tion in the Republican Party in 2008, but lost - Mr. Strzelecki, the way your family It could affect to Senator John McSocial Studies teacher thinks. every aspect of your Cain. life. So tell your parPeople all across ents about the importance of voting.

America are keeping up with the elections.

When you turn 18, you can change the “It’s good to know who’s running for future because your power is in voting! president and who’s not. Young people should know what the president is doing to We will soon find out who will win the election and lead us through the next four our country because the standpoint of the years. president reflects on the way things will be IRENE MACIAS

BREANNA NUNEZ

“I would vote for Obama because he is not done finishing his promises so we should give him another chance [four more years].”

“I would vote for Obama because he is trying to help the poor people by giving them more opportunities. I wouldn’t vote for Romney because he is trying to keep the rich people rich.”

8TH GRADE

8TH GRADE

• Create more jobs • Cut taxes for the middle class • Health care, Social Security, and Medicare policies • Stabilize housing market and communities • Offer greater access to education • Use energy from America’s natural resources • Help create small businesses • Open markets around the world to sell American products • Make illegal immigrants citizens • Support troops, military families, and veterans • Help Americans with disabilities • Protect civil, women, voting, religious rights • Help rural communities grow • Ensure more safety • Help the poor people • End the war in Afghanistan • Reduce the spread of nuclear weapons • Strengthen alliances

SOURCE / DEOMCRATS.ORG / GOP.COM

DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLICAN PLATFORM

• Create jobs and small businesses • Change the system of taxes • Define marriage rights • Gives the right to bear arms • Protect an unborn child’s life • Produce American energy • Support agriculture • Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security • Repeal Obamacare • Deny amnesty for illegal immigrants • Help Americans with disabilities • Support education • Support troops A platform is a political party’s or candidate’s written statement of principles and plans. It’s usually developed by a committee at the party convention during a presidential campaign.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012 11

SOURCE / DICTIONARY.COM

The Electoral College

Galena Park ISD educates students about dangers of the internet The internet is great but peel back that layer of coolness and bad stuff lurks about t sits in our house, waiting for us to make the wrong I move. We use it every day

without even knowing its dangerous intentions.The social media monster is alive and out in the open, ready to manipulate teens’ minds.

Do your parents look over your shoulder while you’re on Facebook, Twitter, or when you’re just on the computer?

Do they go through your phone to see who and what you were texting? Do they make a Facebook account just to stalk you online? Do your parents ever give you the “privacy” you need? We’ve all been there at one point or another where your parents just can’t leave you alone, but that doesn’t mean that your parents don’t know that technology can help you in so many ways. As the years have gone by, technology has helped teens in many ways, from homework, to games, and to communicate.

“The teens of this generation are responsible enough to handle the internet, only if they have been educated about the dangers,” said Ms. Michelle Young, the Instructional Technology Program Director for Galena Park ISD. With the amount of time teens use the internet, it’s not a wonder why parents are concerned about what their kids are up to.

“I think that the internet is a great source for information and acquiring knowledge, but there should always be parental control monitoring or filtering inappropriate sites. I would recommend tracking programs to monitor use and increase awareness for everyone,” said Technology Information System Specialist, Mrs. Mullinax.

Teens around the world are practically living their lives online with social media, where they blog, make new friends, message others, and video games that transport them to battlefields of bloody carnage. Facebook and Twitter are just two of many social websites that they, as teens, visit. Online, teens post pictures of their “cute” duck faces, tweet play by plays of our everyday lives, and keep updated with their friends’ lives.

They could even communicate with each

12 OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

other without having a Facebook or Twitter account because most of the games teens play enables them to talk to other players from all around the world. They find themselves engulfed in this cyber world and their eyes stay glued to the screen. At times, you might go overboard and find yourself on computer or laptop from dusk to dawn, but like food, you have to know your limits to stay healthy.

Think about it this way, do you want the internet to be your kryptonite or your power up?

Time flies by when you’re having fun.

Right? Every now and then teens go online and don’t realize how many hours of their lives they’ve wasted just sitting there staring into cyberspace.

“I spend about two hours on the computer everyday uploading pictures, updating my statuses, and chatting,” said eighth grader Chazlynn Goodson. There are going to be times when you just don’t pay attention to the clock and end up wasting a whole day of your life doing who knows what on the computer. Maybe you’re unaware of how addicted you are to the online world, if you’re uncertain whether your obsession could be an addiction, here are a few ways you can test yourself to see if you’ve been infected with internet fever: Are you constantly obsessed about your latest excursion on the net? Do you feel moody when you’re trying to cut down on your internet time?And if food is less important than the game you were just playing or the witty new post you came up with, then you need to calm down and get the heck away from any electronic device.

You’re probably thinking, “I can’t get addicted”, but you are wrong. Anyone can be an internet addict. Instead of saying, “It won’t happen to me,” try to prevent the addiction and spend time away from the internet. Have some fun with your family and friends, go outside get some fresh air.

If you’re the type of person that doesn’t like hanging out with your family, or if you’re allergic to the outside just re-

member to set clear limits with yourself on how much time you want to spend on the internet.

Over the past few years, more and more teens have been exposed to the online world. They have been warned about how dangerous it can be, yet we learn every year still hasn’t sunk into their brains.

“I think the internet is a great tool and educational, but it is a potential risk and teens need to be educated about the dangers online,” said Ms. Young. Teens don’t seem to realize that there are real sexual predators, pedophiles, and stalkers out in the real world who are just dying to get their hands on naïve kids.

For instance, in the movie Taken, the two girls in their late teens assumed that the hot guy they met at the airport was just another guy. They didn’t expect him to kidnap them and auction them off at the black market as prostitutes.

“Never assume that who you’re chatting with is the same person as they say they are. Anyone can hide behind a picture,” said Mrs. Mullinax.

“If I got a message from someone I Continued on next page

IMAGE / BULLYSUICICEPROJECT.COM

by CINDY MAI & CHRISTINE CABANG

to kill herself. From the voicemails on her phone, Robinson’s parents finally put the didn’t know, I would ignore and delete it just to be safe,” said eighth grader Peyton pieces together and realized that their daughter was on her way to Kentucky.

Luu. She drove 1000 miles before she was “If a stranger messaged me online, I stopped in Nashville, Tennessee, by the would try to find out who they are, but police. The police had been tracking her if I don’t find out who they are, I’ll end down for hours by the debit card she was up blocking them,” said Chazlynn. It’s using. An alert policeman calculated that not that regular teens don’t know about she was heading his way, which was on these kinds of people, they think the the outside of Tenneschances are highly see, around 10 to 11 unlikely that they “The teens of this at night, and waited for could ever end up in generation are responsible her to come. Just as this sort of situation, enough to handle the he had expected, the but think again, it’s officer pulled Elizabeth already happened. internet, only if they have over and notified her In September, a been educated about the parents. tragedy was just dangers.”

Later that day, her avoided when Elizaand her parents went beth Robinson, a - Ms. Michelle Young, to go meet Dylan, 13-year old from he wasn’t there.

Cypress, Texas, stole Instructional Technology but Imagine what would her brother’s car and Director for GPISD have happened to got on her way to Beth if the authoriHodgenville, Kentucky, to meet the “love of her life” that she met ties hadn’t tracked her down in time. while playing a game online called Call of Would she have been raped and killed?

Or worse? Who knows what would have Duty, a popular game on the Xbox. Robhappened. inson must have thought about meeting We all know middle school, that’s when this boy for days and days, but was still you start feeling the weight of the world iffy about what she should do until the on your shoulders, whether it’s about day her parents told her she was never grades, boy/girlfriends, or things at allowed to talk to him anymore. Her home, but it’s not going to be the end of parents telling her to never talk to her the world. If you ever need help or some“soul mate” may have been what erased one to talk to, go to someone you trust, any doubts about going to go see him in person. With a mind set on finding Dylan, someone you actually know, not someone you met in a chat room minutes ago.

Beth woke up around 4 in the morning, “Friends and parents should be talkstole her mom’s ATM card, brother’s car, ing about what they do online,” said Ms. and took off.

On Thursday morning when her parents Young. Being frustrated all the time, would sometimes make it tempting to came into her room to wake her up for spill your feelings out to someone you’ve school, they found a note saying the only met in the cyber world because you Beth was going to her girlfriend’s house because of bullies at school and threaten think you’ll never see them, but slowly,

Facebook users under the age of 10:

48%

25%

of teens say they hear news through Facebook.

8%

of online teens (12-17) say they ever use Twitter.

you start trusting this person more and more, sometimes even more than your own family and friends. You don’t realize that sex offenders usually stay put until the broken kid asks for help. At first, they may seem nice and sweet, but that’s how they lead you into their web, where you might get tangled up in; then you’ll be another victim.

Seventy-one percent of teens 13 to 17 years old have received an anonymous message from strangers online, but 40% of them reply to it. Are you going to be part of that 40%, or are you going to be the other 18% that tells an adult about it? Almost half of the teens that are online have been asked for personal information from people they don’t even know, and 30% admit that they have considered meeting someone they met online in person.

There are many different types of people on the internet, and if you want to keep yourself on the safe side, just remember the golden rule online and offline is to never give out too much information about you or your family, no matter how “cute/hot” the guy or girl is.

In a perfect world, nobody would have to be kidnapped and forced into the prostitute life, but in reality, after they have their hands on you, it would be a million to one chance of them finding you alive.

“The most important thing to remember while using the internet is to be safe because it’s like a virtual playground,” said Ms. Young. You can make new friends and have fun there, but you could also fall hard and get hurt, and with that fall, your whole life could change forever. It’s like that for the cyber world as well, so tonight or tomorrow night, as you get on your computer, watch your back because you could be the internet’s next victim.

Teens who send 50 or more texts:

33%

50%

send 100 or more texts daily.

38%

73% of online teens 23% use their phone use social networks. to get on a social media site or app.

75% of all teens

20%

Teens who use Skype, iChat, or some other chat program:

of Facebook users are under the age of 13. have a phone (and 58% of 12-yr-olds). of Tumblr users are ages 12-17. of teens text.

90%

37%

SOURCE / STATISTICBRAIN, DIGITALBUZZDOG, CONSUMER REPORTS, PEW INTERNET, THE GUARDIAN

Continued from next page

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012 13

WHO’S IN MY SEAT? day? Have you ever claimed that the desk you sit in was ‘yours’?

Have you ever wondered who sits in your desk after your class or even the next school, it has 30 desks, 7 computers, and a projector. In every period, Mr. Burke’s classroom in C Hall is like any other Pre-AP English classroom in this different each time. The only exception is, during 8th period, the Burke basically teaches the same material to each class, but the people there are that one period, seventh and eighth graders come together to create for and Staff, classroom transforms into a work place for the ‘Stang Express News the school newspaper. Track who sits in the 1st seat in the 3rd row…

by CINDY MAI photos by REAGAN NUNEZ

TYANNY PEREZ

VALERIE MOYA

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3rd Period - Pre-AP English “I really like this class. I have a lot of fun discussing things in class with Mr. Burke. He’s very fun and hardworking teacher.”

RUBY RODRIGUEZ

JESSICA RODR

IGUEZ

MARES

MELISSA PALO

5th Period - Pre-AP English “I like that Mr. Burke is emotional when he is teaching. Also that he encourages students to do their best.”

4th Period - Pre-A P English “Mr. Burke is fun because he acts out everything he teaches us. He also break s down how to write prope rly in an easier wa y.”

S

MAURIO STEVEN

LEONARDO REYES

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ERLINDA GONZALEZ

7th Period - No class P English 9th Period - Pre-A ss classes. This cla st mo like g rin “It’s not bo o doesn’t make wh er ch tea at gre also has a t of the book.” us write things ou

8th Period - Journalism This helps “It’s fun, but it’s also a challenge. me and with my writing skills and can help my future.”

14 OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

Sound off! Which class should we do next?

10th Period - Pre-AP English “I like the way Mr. Burke teaches the class.

He puts fun in everything he does and actually makes me want to go to English.

New teacher starts journey with music education Bongat’s journey sets up choir for success

You see her in the hallways, but how well do you really know new assistant choir director? Her bright smile can light up anyone’s day. She lives a musical life in and out of school. Beginning her first real journey in teaching music, Ms. Bongat chose North Shore Middle School to start her career in education.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be making music with people, to know that with just a wave of my hands, I can change the way the music sounds,” she said.

Ms. Bongat is very fond of music and teaching. She has been in choir since she was a little girl. During her senior year at Judson High School, in Converse, Texas, she helped her friends practice to get into Region Choir, and when she saw how many of her friends made the choir, she realized how much she enjoyed helping them. That’s when she decided to expand her help to students in choir, so she went to Texas State University, to gain more knowledge in the art of music.

“It was the most incredible experience, and I learned a lot from my professors,” she said.

Luckily, she brought her love and knowledge of music here.

Just like our seventh graders, Bongat is barely starting to adapt to North Shore.

Though she is new, she is an amazing teacher that Mrs. Huston, the Choir Director, relies on for help. Even though Mrs. Huston has been here for some time now, and she has

PHOTO / REAGAN NUNEZ

by JOANNE COBOS

Assistant choir director Ms.Bongat uses her hand signs to help her students in the Nova choir class read their IFA. This teaches them how to read music for their upcoming concerts and the big UIL performence at the end of the school year.

a lot of experience, she probably couldn’t handle all the students in choir. Choir is hard to teach, and without Ms. Bongat, choir would probably not be as successful.

“With over 300 students, I couldn’t do this job alone, it takes a strong partner to make a winning team,” said Huston.

Apart from being dedicated, Ms. Bongat is also nice. She does her best to help everyone, and makes sure they understand everything. It takes a lot of time to teach young students, but Ms. Bongat makes it possible for them to learn in the nicest way by being patient and kind.

“When we sing a wrong note or do something wrong, she guides us toward the right way,” said eighth grader Kimberly Rosacia.

Ms. Bongat barely got here, but already she is winning people over.

“I think she’s very nice because she has a positive attitude and always has a smile,” said eighth grader Erlinda Gomez.

Ms. Bongat may be new, but she is catching on fast, and will be a great addition to our choir. Maybe adapting to a new place is difficult, but Ms. Bongat will fit in perfectly here, as her first journey in musical education continues.

IMAGE / ALA.ORG

IMAGE / STOCK IMAGE

To cut down on run times, script writers often cut great scenes and information from your favorite stories. Just imagine what else you could discover just by reading the book! Read...your mind will thank you.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012 15

YOU TAKE TWO, I GET NOTHING Students who get more than required leaves nothing for others

by SARA HINSHAW-HATTEN D-lunch is known as the worst lunch. I have been going to D-lunch every school day since seventh grade. The problem is that they seem to always run out of food. Using the lunch menu they give in the beginning of the month is pointless because by the time you get to the front of the line the cafeteria workers are running out of food.

I’ve seen the them resort to giving kids food that’s for breakfast because they didn’t have any lunch food left. It is incredibly frustrating to have to wait until 12:35 to eat and then only get a muffin and a yogurt. I think that D-lunch is a bad lunch because the food is never what it’s supposed to be. All of the good food was taken by the people in the other lunches.

We have worked just as hard, yet we aren’t even able to get a decent lunch. I’m not saying that it has to be five-star, just good enough to where you would rather enjoy your meal than not eat what you just bought. I have to pay the same amount of money as everyone else who goes through the regular lunch line, yet I don’t get the same quality of food. You probably are thinking we should just switch lunches and I asked that same question. Apparently, changing the lunches won’t do any good because they can’t move D-lunch. Most of those kids come from class where D-lunch is the most convenient time.

It isn’t the cafeteria workers’ fault because they try to keep the right amount of food by how many numbers are punched in that

day. From what I discovered, from the ladies who work there is that they have about 850 people go through the lunch line every day which makes calculating exact numbers difficult. So, every time you grab an extra pizza, just remember that some kids in Dlunch aren’t going to be able to get a full meal. I get that sometimes some students are hungrier than normal, but I don’t care enough to not eat.

So, lets make our school lunches a whole lot better. If you see someone trying to buy an extra burger, remind them they give you a certain amount for a reason. We were all taught to share so put that knowledge to good use and don’t take more than you are given. I’m tired of having to run to the lunch room, so I’m not the one who gets the leftovers. This may not seem like a big deal, but to kids in D-lunch it’s what we gripe about all day.

Even if you don’t go to regular lunch, the same thing happens at the snack bar. If you buy five bags of chips, none of the people in D-lunch can get any chips. All we can get is the expensive stuff that not a lot of people can get more than one of. We don’t get lemonade or we don’t get spicy chicken sandwiches because kids in other lunches decided to buy more than one sandwich or lemonade.

It isn’t fun to always be groaning about how our friends in other lunches are getting all this good hot food, and we have to have a battle strategy to make sure we get a good lunch at the snack bar. I think that kids in D-lunch don’t want to have to go through another year of eating leftovers.

POLITICS: WHY SHOULD WE CARE? Boys? Girls? Both? Another take on the age-old question

by EMILY LIM Did you know that our ‘justice system’ used to be quite unfair? Many things we commonly do today could have easily been illegal in the past. Nowadays people criticize our government constantly without a second thought. When the Untied States were still thirteen colonies, however, John Peter Zenger was arrested and imprisoned just because he published the truth about a greedy and ill-tempered governor in the New York Weekly Journal.

Luckily, in the First Amendment now, we have the freedom of press and speech included in the Bill of Rights. Whenever you hear people talk about the government these days, take the time to understand why they bother with it and to not take what you have now for granted.

As you might know, the next round of presidential elections will take place on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. You might

SOUND SOUND OFF!!

ON LUNCH

OFF!

consider it as nothing you should be concerned about, but it actually should be important to you. Why? The reason is simple. Even if you are under the age of eighteen, everyone living in the United States determines who will be the next president. Sure, you can’t vote for who you want yourself yet, but what about your parents? Maybe they will take your beliefs into their own consideration and vote for who you want.

The campaign leading up to Election Day is a political war. Every little action on each side of the battlefield either helps a candidate or hurts them. Take the current candidates of 2012, for example; Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are doing things to have people believe that they are the right person to be president. Though they both have done their fair share of good deeds, they have done their share of bad ones as well. Such as Obama with his “clinging to their guns and religion”

comments at a private fundraiser back in April, and Romney with his ‘secret speech’ that was revealed online this September.

With Obama’s case, his comments won’t necessarily affect him now since this was in April, farther away from Election Day. However, Romney is in a bit of a hassle since his speech was revealed more recently, so people might remember it while they decide who to vote for next month.

Originally, I did not have any particular interest in who won what or politics in general, but I have come to learn that it benefits me to know what goes on in the world. The President of the Untied States leads our entire nation. I am one of the many people who make up this great nation, and you are one of them as well. The candidate who is victorious in the election will have our future in their hands, so I personally would want to know how my future turns out. Wouldn’t you like to know, too?

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16 OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

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LEFTIE OR RIGHTIE?

Perspective

A few musings on the question: Which hand is better?

by KENNY MA

ON LEFT OR RIGHT HAND

SUMMER BENEFIELD

NICHOLAS WOODS

“All the people I know who write with their left hand write prettier than me.

I’m ambidextrous but I don’t write with my left hand.”

“It depends on how they [students] learned. Usually the parents teach them to write with a specific hand, so they learn to write better with that hand.”

8TH GRADE

7TH GRADE

PHOTOS / MADISON MERICE

IMAGE / WELLBEING.COM

Have you ever thought about the little differences that make you unique? Everyday you see people write, but the little details, like how they write, can make them different. Have you ever thought that you write with a different hand than the person next to you, and why they are different? Scientists haven’t found out the real reason to why we are a leftie or a rightie, but they said the reason you write usually depends on the hand your parents write with.

The majority of people prefer to write with their right hand because most items are made for righties, and the rest write with their left or a few people may be ambidextrous. Ambidextrous means that you can write with both hands equally. There are items specifically for left handed people like scissors, mugs, and more. There are many disadvantages and advantages for right and left handed people.

If you’re a right hander, when you eat you don’t notice where you sit but for lefties it’s different. They have to sit where they don’t bump their elbows with the neighboring person. When we write we don’t think about where our hands are going, so left handed people sometimes smudge when they write because they move on the letters while they write. Lefties usually have a hard time with pens on a chain at the bank, the numeric key pad, and more. When a left handed person writes in a binder with rings, they bump their hands—making writing hard.

According to Discovery Health, lefties are said to be easily scared and angered

and that they are more emotional, but most people say that this is a myth. Both left and right handed people are equally creative. Most lefties think that they are smarter, more creative, and athletic than a right hander but that isn’t entirely true.

Lefties are better at multi-tasking than a right hander, but they are not smarter. It is said that lefties are more political because most of the former presidents were left handed. People say that most lefties can think faster than righties, they are more aware of their space, and are more athletic. I think that they are not smarter or more athletic than right handed people but equal.

For example, when playing sports like tennis, lefties have an advantage, most of them have more experience with righties, but righties don’t play with lefties often. Some sports don’t allow lefties to play, like field hockey and polo. For polo, lefties are not allowed because of safety hazard. They may run into each other with the sticks and get injured.

I think that even though left and right handed people have differences they are equal. We shouldn’t treat each other differently based on what hand we write with. Both left and right handed people have advantages and disadvantages and we should be treated the same. Even though left handed people have less things made for them, research shows they are better at multi-tasking. Although we all function the same, we may do it differently and it doesn’t matter if you can do more things or can do it better, it depends on if you can do it. What do you think? Are you a leftie or a rightie?

STRIKING OUT

by BRYANT BADIE On September 10, 2012, Chicago teachers went on strike due to many difficulties. No teachers? That also means no school! Chicago happens to have the third largest school district in the country. That means 350,000 kids were not at school for two weeks!

One reason that may have triggered this huge conflict may have been low teacher salary, but Chicago teachers make average $69,000 a year, which is $22,000 more than the average Houston teacher’s income. If you ran a race, and won, you would be happy, right? Well these teachers are some of the highest paid teachers in the country, and they’re complaining! This isn’t the first time this has happened though. Chicago teachers also went on strike in 1983, 1984, and 1987. Teachers were demanding a 10 percent raise, but received a 5 percent bonus, with a 2.5 percent bonus.

That’s still a great outcome, for the teachers at least.

This mess has affect the students too. Students still have to cover academics they missed over that period of time by going to school on holidays, or any days they would have had off during the 2012-2013 school year. Not only are they missing out on school work, senior athletes are missing games that can interfere with their scholarship offers from colleges.

We should be lucky to not have selfish teachers here. That’s why all students should come to school and do what they need like behaving appropriately, turning in work, and just doing what they have to do to succeed and move on to high school.

Imagine if this happened here! We would have to make up two weeks of school after June 6! I need my two months out of school to prepare for the upcoming season. I like to attend camps and have fun with friends during the summer. So the next time you see your awesome teacher, thank them for doing what they do!

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012 17

Nova choir uses African music to learn sight-reading

by REAGAN NUNEZ

The large trophies were won at the Deer Park Festivals and the smaller plaques were won at UIL competition. They range from 2000 to 2012 and were earned by practicing non stop throughout the school year. Practice helps make perfect.

Seventh and eighth grade Nova choir students sing “Yesn Kwetu Ni Rapiki,” a very challenging African song. Students have to sound out the unfamiliar words. “A song like this needs to be taken step by step in order to be sung right,” said Ms. Bongat.

Mrs. Bongat, the assistant choir director, helps 8th grader Jennifer Villegas on her IFA during 8th period.

Students are working on reading music and using their hand signs so, when competition comes up, they can do it easily.

18 OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

Seventh grader Ayana Tabor reads her solfege, which are music notes on her IFA. Learning to read music improves your brain power and guides you in how the song is supposed to be sung.

Seventh grader Dayana Torres hands in her choir folder to Mrs. Huston at the end of 8th period. At the end of each class, students have learned something new in choir and they use all they’ve learned to help them achieve good scores in competition.

PHOTO / MELANIE GOMEZ

“It’s a fight, y’all are doing a good job!”

- Coach Atkins, Athletic Director

Mustangs outlast Cougars

IN DEFENSIVE FIGHT On September 18, the first 8th grade red team football game took place here against the Crosby Cougars. The Mustangs were hyped and ready to start their year off with a win. Last year the Mustangs tied with the Cougars, 14-14.

The game started off with the Cougars kicking off to the Mustangs. The first play the Mustangs had on offense, Bryant Badie dropped back and threw an interception. “It’s ok, make up for it next time,” Coach Williams told him after the play.

As soon as the Cougars were on offense, De’Andre Simon hit the quarterback in the backfield two plays straight.

“De’Andre, De’Andre, come here, fast,” called out Coach Atkins. Atkins explained what he wanted him to do for the next play. When Simon went back out on to the field, the Cougars were punting the ball to the Mustangs. After a few more three and outs, the first quarter ended, 0-0.

The 2nd quarter started with the Mustangs on defense. The Cougars were running back trying to get to the sideline, but Jaylen Thomas got there first and hit the runner, knocking the ball out of his hands. When the Mustangs were back on offense, Jaylen Thomas ran the ball for a few yards and got tackled. Badie then tried to throw to Patrick Davis, but the defender was playing good defense and it ended up as an incomplete pass.

Badie ran the ball and got the first down, setting the Mustangs up 40 yards from the goal line.

There were 44 seconds left in the 2nd quarter when Badie ran for a first down and got tackled at the 26-yard line.

Badie threw the ball to Eltroy Potts, but he juggled the ball and dropped it as time expired at the end of the 2nd quarter.

“It’s a fight, y’all are doing a good job,” said Coach Atkins to the team. “Now everyone take a knee,” Coach Davis said.

At the start of the third quarter, the Cougars fumbled again, “Fumble, Fumble, our ball!” Coach Atkins yelled while the Mustangs scrambled to get the ball. The

teams were wrestling for the ball in a big pile. Unfortunately, the Cougars regained possession of the ball.

When the fourth quarter started, Badie threw the ball to Darin Jones for a first down, but he fumbled the ball when he was tackled.

Jaylen Thomas then ran the ball for a first down then ran out of bounds, setting the Mustangs up for within scoring range. Next play, Badie went right behind Khayman Johnson and Darin Jones into the end zone giving the Mustangs their first score. The fans went wild when the team scored a touchdown. The Mustangs missed the field goal but was still in the lead, 6-0. In order to win, the Mustangs had to hold the Cougars back.

Before everyone knew it, the Cougars were ten yards away from scoring. Then Eltroy Potts intercepted Crosby’s pass, stopping the Cougars from scoring.

Before the Mustangs shook hands with Crosby, De’Andre Simon got the Mustangs to chant, “Whose house, our house, whose house, our house!”

The game ended with the Mustangs

Coach Davis takes a timeout to motivate the players on the 8th grade A team during their game versus Crosby here. Coaches use timeouts to plan new plays and the players take advantage of the timeout to rehydrate.

defeating the Cougars, 6-0. The Mustangs were on the path to an undefeated season by beating the Stallions, Bulldogs, Panthers, and the Hornets the following four weeks.

PHOTO / MELANIE GOMEZ

by ULISES SALAZAR

PHOTO / MELANIE GOMEZ

Last quarter touchdown ensures a win for footbal team

Quarterback Bryant Badie stumbles as he runs between his blockers during their first home game here on Sept. 18. Badie managed to get the first down thanks to the Mustang offense blocking well during the play.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012 19

Mustangs return with

REDEMPTION IN MIND

Is winning about competition or settling scores? then, the team has gotten better. They’ve had more practice, and even added new Have you ever had that feeling of resent- players including Darin Jones (former CE ment after an argument or competition be- King Football player). cause you want to get even with the other “We’re trying to win every game, and team or an individual? Sports are designed play our hardest,” said Coach Atkins. to be competitive and fun, but when you We’re just looking to execute our plays, if lose or think the other team wasn’t playwe execute we win,” he said. However, the ing fairly, you get angry and the situation players have a different perspective. escalates to a personal level.

“We want to beat them so bad that it On October 31, 2011, the seventh grade hurts, as an athlete, the coaches teach us A football team lost to Cunningham (18-19), to do our best, and I expect us to be the the game was over, but the memory rebest,” said eighth grader Khayman Johnmained, a memory of losing to a rival. That son. However, is this grudge pointless? memory stained the Mustangs’ minds. Just Honestly, if you think about it, some of the a couple of weeks back on October 4, they North Shore and Cunningham 8th graders had lost another game to C.E. King (24-27). are bound to be friends next year…they’ll “I remember them laughing at us when play on the same team too. they beat us,” said eighth grader Jaylen By this time next year, they’re going to Thomas. When a team adds insult to injury, forget all about wanting to dominate each it can result in the losing team being infuri- other in sports, or how they hated the ated and can give them more motivation mentioning of the other schools name. to win, which is sometimes enough to give One thing is certain, this year the Musplayers that extra “push” when their down tangs will play with last year’s game on in the game and need inspiration. Since their mind.

by VICTOR DAVILA

NORTH SHORE FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD 8th grade A team vs. Crosby MS 6-0 vs. Null MS 32 - 6 vs. Anthony Aguirre 30 - 0 vs. C.E. King MS 34 - 6 vs. Alice Johnson 37 - 2 vs. Galena Park Tuesday 10/30: Open Tuesday 11/6: at home @ Galena Park ISD Stadium against CMS

7th grade A team vs. Crosby MS 13 - 18 vs. Null MS 45 - 0 vs. Anthony Aguirre 39 - 0 vs. C.E. King MS 52 - 0 vs. Alice Johnson 63 - 0 vs. Galena Park Tuesday 10/30: Open Tuesday 11/5: at home against Cunningham

8th grade B team vs. Crosby MS 0-6 vs. Null MS 34 - 6 vs. C.E. King MS 30 - 0 vs. Alice Johnson 16 - 6 vs. Galena Park 30 - 0 Tuesday 10/29: at home against Woodland Acres Tuesday 11/6: at home @ Galena Park ISD Stadium against CMS

7th grade B team vs. Crosby MS 40 - 40 vs. Null MS 13 - 0 vs. Anthony Aguirre 25 - 0 vs. C.E. King MS 30 - 2 vs. Alice Johnson canceled vs. Galena Park 34 - 0 Tuesday 10/29: at home against Woodland Acres Tuesday 11/5: at home against Cunningham

20 OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

Dedicated coach shows passion for job

by TAALIYAH PORCHIA Do you know a coach that is fun and hardworking all in one?

Well, Coach Alicia Sanford is just that type of coach.

Coach Sanford has been a coach here for regular classes and sports, for four years now. She is energetic, encouraging, caring, and dedicated to her kids and her job.

She was born in Fort Worth, Texas, but raised in Dallas, Texas.

Some of her kids feel that she is very dedicated, 8th grader Beatrice Cruz said, “Coach Sanford takes the time out of her busy schedule just to help us.”

Although Sanford’s personality is very subtle to grasp at times, her special coaching techniques are also unique.

“She makes us do special drills to help us with things we’re not good at,” said eighth grader Claudia Martinez.

As for Sanford’s opinion on the new group of 8th grade volleyball players, “It’s a good group, lots of talent, and good potential,” she explained confidently. Even though Coach Sanford isn’t head coach but has been here for a long time.

“I love the school, the community, and I think we have a great program here.” Although we’ve lost to our ultimate rivals the past few years Sanford believes in hard work.

“We always have room for improvement as far as coaches; we can provide new creative activities and new skills.

Students as well always have room for improvement and should take advantage of the things we have here to help, as far clubs, open gym, and other activities to help us prepare,” she said.

Some of the 8th grade volleyball players do take advantage of the extra advice given.

“She’s a good coach because she knows how to teach you the correct way to fix your faults,” said 8th grader Madison Francis.

Despite all the jobs and roles Coach Sanford is busy doing through out the day, she still finds a way to talk and be involved with most of the students and athletes here. In the meantime, Coach Sanford works hard and continues to help push her students and athletes towards success.

PHOTO / MADISON MERICLE

SPORTS

Lady Mustangs lose to new school on the block Anthony Aguirre dominates on offense, frustrates coach and players in third game of the season

by TAALIYAH PORCHIA

PHOTO / MADISON MERICLE

On September 27, the Lady Mustang B volleyball team played at home against the new school in the area, the Anthony Aguirre Bulldogs of Channelview ISD. While getting ready to serve, the crowd encouraged them with cheers of, “Let’s go Lady Mustangs!” The ball was served by Cheynee Williams and landed out of bounds and Anthony Aguirre earned a point with the sideout. Then the server for Anthony Aguirre served four devastating points leaving the Mustangs at 4-0 deficit and caused Coach Du Plaga to call a timeout.

“Go for every ball. Let’s talk and move our feet towards the ball, the girls who show me these things are the ones who are showing me who wants to play,” said Coach Du Plaga harshly.

Next, Katlin Torres served and again came up short. Right after the ball was given to the Bulldogs the Mustangs got called for being out of rotation, which led to the ladies lagging behind with a score of 6-2. As #9 from Aguirre continued to serve consistently in the same spot, the Mustang defense failed to dig the ball up and Coach Du Plaga called a timeout with the score at 14-3.

“What’s going on out there! None of you have any room to pointing fingers at each other because none of you are stepping up or work together as a team. We have to go out and change something,” she said.

As the Mustangs hustled back on to the court, the red team cheered them on from the stands. Socorro Rodriguez came back

with everything she had, and it seemed like the turning point of the game because she served four consecutive aces.

This caused the girls on the red team to shout, “Awwww ACE!” and “What’s up, what’s up, back that ace up!” But as the nerveracking first set came to an end, the Lady Mustangs fell apart and Aguirre won with a score of 14-25.

To start off the 2nd set the Mustangs had the 1st serve and served out of bounds giving Aguirre a point. Aguirre‘s #9 again served five consecutive aces leaving the Mustangs in an 0-6 hole. At this point in the game the ladies were not calling for the ball, moving their feet and not so much as even making an effort. When the next ball was served, they finally decided to give the Bulldogs a little surprise by starting up a rally. Both teams were trying to set up the front row players so they could attack [hit] the ball. After several consistent rallies, the Lady Mustangs worked to pull through to try to win the nail-biting set.

Now Aguirre got the ball and #9 served twice and the Mustangs seemed to be mesmerized by the serve and didn’t move, communicate, or anything they just stood there. Aguirre’s star server served one last time for the 2nd set and aced the serve, leaving our Lady Mustangs to fall short once again with a score of 11-25.

While in the team circle deciding what to do for the third set, Coach Du Plaga suggested calmly,“Our faults did not help us at all out there and they never will in any game, but you still have three options: give up and go home, go out there and let them sweep us in all three sets, or go out there and win this last one. What do you want to do?”

“Play!” all the girls screamed. “Well, let’s do the thing we should’ve done the first two sets,” said Du Plaga. As the Lady Mustangs got back on the court they seemed to lose their momentum again and lost the 3rd set with a score of 10-15, allowing the new school to sweep them in all three sets.

Poor play and bad communication caused their record to go from 1 win and 2 losses to 1 and 3. Despite the loss, the ladies still kept a little spark of hope in themselves for next week.

Eighth grade B teamer, Cheynee Williams serves the ball to the Anthony Agurrie Bulldogs on September 27, in the girls’ gym. The ladies fought hard but came up short to the Bulldogs.

NORTH SHORE VOLLEYBALL SCOREBOARD 7th grade A team vs. Crosby 12-25, 25-19, 11-15 L vs. Null 25-18, 28-8,10-15 W vs. Aguirre 12-25, 26-24,15-5 W vs. C.E. King 14-25, 21-25,15-4 L vs. AJMS 14-25, 21-25,15-4 W @ Galena Park tourny vs. GPMS 14-25, 21-25,15-4 L Thursday 10/25: at home against Woodland Acres Thursday 11/1: at NSSHS against Cunningham 7th grade B team vs. Crosby 25-21,19-25, 10-15 W vs. Null 25-14, 26-24,15-5 W vs. Aguirre 23-25, 12-25,15-5 W vs. C.E. King 25-25, 21-25,15-4 L vs. AJMS 25-23, 25-22,15-11 W @ WAMS tourny vs. GPMS 14-25, 21-25,15-4 L Thursday 10/25: at home against Woodland Acres Thursday 11/1: at NSSHS against Cunningham 8th grade A team vs. Crosby 13-25, 15-25, 13-15 L vs. Null 20-25, 25-23,10-15 L vs. Aguirre 25-22, 25-21,15-2 W vs. C.E. King 25-6, 19-25,15-9 W vs. AJMS 9-25, 21-25,15-4 W @ Cunningham tourny Cons. vs. GPMS 14-25, 20-25,15-2 L Thursday 10/25: at WAMS against Woodland Acres Thursday 11/1: at NSSHS against Cunningham 8th grade B team vs. Crosby 8-25, 25-10,15-12 L vs. Null 25-19, 26-24,15-5 W vs. Aguirre 14-25, 11-25,10-5 L vs. C.E. King 18-25, 17-25,15-10 L vs. AJMS 22-25, 16-25,13-15 L @ North Shore tourny Cons. vs. GPMS 14-25, 21-25,15-4 L Thursday 10/25: at WAMS against Woodland Acres Thursday 11/1: at NSSHS against Cunningham

NS VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012 21

He’ll be leaving

DIFFERENT is just a word

ON A JET PLANE

by CRYSTAL ORTEZ

22 OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

Eighth grade student athlete works hard to pursue a dream

by LEAH MAXWELL

PHOTO / MADISON MERICLE

You know those people who are afraid to show their true self?

Socorro Rodriguez, a 13-year-old here, is not one of those people; she is her own person, a leader making herself stand out from the usual crowds.

Those who don’t know Socorro Rodriguez, her name is pronounced SUH-COR-ROW, and you can find her on the back row of the volleyball court during a game doing her best to win.

“I like volleyball because it’s a good source of exercise and I get distracted from other things,” said Socorro. How is her passion for volleyball going to help her and the team defeat Cunningham this year?

“I think calling for the ball, moving more, and doing our serves right will help us be successful this year,” she explained. Socorro is a student athlete which means, she doesn’t just focus on volleyball, but also on her school work.

Socorro maintains A’s and B’s in all her classes by studying and working hard.

“I think Pre-AP classes are stressful and hard work” said Socorro. Even though she thinks that Pre-AP classes are stressful, she keeps up with her work by doing her homework first and staying for tutorials if necessary. Socorro might look like everybody else but she’s not.

What makes Socorro a different type of person beside a volleyball player, is that she likes to dance.

“I like to dance because I like to move to the beat of the music,” she said. Socorro works hard, keeps her grades up and does the best she can do to be a good athlete.

“She is a good listener, she is a motivator, she makes sure that she does things right, and she’s not here just to be with her friends, she’s here to become a better athlete,” said Coach Du Plaga, her eighth grade volleyball coach.

This determined eighth grader shows commitment and a good work ethic, which is exactly what a North Shore Mustang student athlete should have to succeed.

Everyone always notices the tall people, right? Well, this 13-year-old 8th grader is not the one who gets the most attention, but there’s only one reason why…he’s shorter than the average person.

For those of you who don’t know Nic Esparza, let me start by stating that his full name is Christopher Nicolas Esparza, and you can find him on the football field playing as a wide receiver or a cornerback wearing jersey #2.

“I like football the best because it is fun to watch and play, and it’s great exercise,” said Nic. Nic also has a good relationship with the coaches.

“I think Nic is an outstanding athlete and a great student and it is a pleasure to have him on the team,” said Coach Davis.

Features like dedication, commitment, and devotion could help the team win against Cunningham this year, but what makes this year different from last year?

“To win against Cunningham this year, we’re going to work hard all season long and execute offensively and defensively.

We are also working on plays to perfect them and running everyday to build stamina. I think we have a good chance of winning this year because we’re not only physically prepared, but we’re also mentally prepared,” said Nic. He not only uses this winning attitude on the field, but he also applies that energy to the classroom, making him known as a great student.

“Nic is lots of fun, and I enjoy being around him because he is a bright kid,

and he’s very smart and respectful,” said Coach Banks. Nic is in all Pre-AP classes and also in a college prep class, also known as AVID. He’s also a very outgoing person.

“He leaves a positive impact on people and makes a great role model to other kids,” said 8th grader Jaccard Nelson.

“He doesn’t get into any drama with anybody and he doesn’t gossip, he’s just very funny,” said 8th grader Adrianna Ware. Those qualities should take him far in a career such as a jet pilot, which is exactly what he wants to be when he grows up.

“I want to go to the Air Force Academy and become a pilot because I want to serve the U.S. and do what brave things many soldiers do,” said Nic. His greatuncle was a pilot and he’s Nic’s inspiration for becoming a pilot.

“My great-uncle is my inspiration for becoming a jet pilot because he has always been there for me when I needed him and I want to follow in his footsteps,” said Nic. He is already on the right track to pursuing this dream. As hard-working student and an active athlete, Nic is making himself known as a responsible person which is very important when it comes to having a dream you want to pursue, especially when teachers complement you.

On the path that Nic is on, he’ll be leaving this school with something every teacher and peer will remember…the knowledge and athleticism of a North Shore Mustang.

Help protect your environment!

Please recycle this newspaper by either passing it off to another student so they may enjoy reading it or put it in a classroom recycling box.

Thank you!

Mustang defense shuts down Stallions Last quarter touchdown ensures a tough win

by LEONARDO REYES

Seventh grader Nicholas Petry leaps forward to gain yards after getting tackled by a Null defender during a home game versus the Stallions. Players are taught to break tackles in order to gain yardage for first down so they can keep possession of the football.

PHOTO / REAGAN NUNEZ

PHOTO / REAGAN NUNEZ

PHOTO / REAGAN NUNEZ

loss, Robbie Mullins hiked the ball and tossed it to On September 24, the 7th grade white the running back who was football team battled it out against the Null tackled and fumbled the Stallions in their second game of the seaball, the Stallions recovson. Their first game was against Crosby’s ered. After the fumble Null B-team which resulted in a tie, 40-40. Last couldn’t convert and the year, the game against Null resulted in a score was still 6-0. loss, 20-0.

The third quarter began The game began when the Mustangs when Null kicked off to kicked-off and the Stallion’s kick returner Cecil Henry, who returned ran up ten yards. The Stallions played three the ball 20 yards. After the downs but failed to convert so they had to run, the Mustangs failed to punt. Nicholas Petrey returned the punt for convert and the ball was 40 yards to the 21 yard-line to start off the turned over. The Stallions offense. At the 21-yard line, Brett LeBlanc ran the ball and Simione made a 20-yard run to the 1-yard line Mckinzey made the first big for another first down. On the first down, hit of the day. On second Mustangs ran and lost two yards. The down, Cecil Henry and Decrowd went wild when Brett LeBlanc made rian Buckner blazed through a 3-yard run to the end zone for a touchthe opposing offensive line down. The Mustangs then kicked off to the to sack the quarterback Stallions. The Stallions began their series and after the sack, Coach where Nicholas Petrey stripped the ball from Killough yelled, “Keep up Seventh grader Joshua Stullivan bursts through for a large the quarterback the pressure!” gain after a good block by his teammate Bret Leblanc during for the fumble to the Mustang “I want the team to play their game versus the Null Stallions. The Mustangs went on to which he recovdefense . The shut out Null and win the game. physical, fundamental, and ered at the 46third quarter sound football.” yard line. After Mustangs. ended with the next play, During this game, there were some neither team scoring since the the first quarter close plays where the Stallions could have - Coach Johnson, first quarter. ended with a scored but were stopped, and the offense 8th grade football coach The fourth quarter began score of 6-0. showed team effort by making big plays when Brett LeBlanc made a The second throughout the game. Coach Johnson 60-yard run for a touchdown quarter began for the Mustangs at the 53said, “I want the team to play physiand after the touchdown, Petrey scored yard line with a first down where a 13-yard cal, fundamental, and sound football.” the two point conversion for a lead of run was made by Cameron Zahopalis for a The Mustangs’ defense continued their 13-0. The fourth quarter was a back-andfirst down. After the run, #32 made a 23dominance in the next two weeks as they forth in possession but after a penalty in yard dash to the 6-yard line. Petrey made shut out Aguirre and only allowed 2 points the remaining minutes, the game ended a 5-yard run to the one-yard line. After the with a score of 13-0 and a victory for the against C.E. King.

Coach Johnson holds up a clipboard showing defensive formations so the entire defense can see what he’s talking about. Coaches constantly go over formations so players can improve their moves and make the blocks needed to win the game.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012 23

FRANKENWEENIE

PG

Spellbinder brings out laughs and emotions...and it’s basically about a resurrected dog

The black and white stop-motion animation film “Frankenweenie,” an 80-minute long movie, was released September 20, and is about a boy named Victor, a lonely boy whose only friend is his dog Sparky.

Stop-motion animation means the directors set and move their clay people frame by frame through the entire movie to create movement.

The movie is basically about the heart break of a boy named Victor and his deceased dog, Sparky. Victor loved his dog so much that he rejuvenated Sparky.

Victor’s adventure begins at a baseball game, when he hits a homerun. Sparky chases the ball into the middle of the road, where he met his fate to a moving car. The next day in school Victor learned that electricity can make dead animals move. Victor wanted to do the same with Sparky.

His plan succeeded and Sparky was brought back to life. The next day while Victor was in school, Sparky ran out and was spotted by a boy named Edgar. When Victor came home he saw Edgar waiting.

Victor was forced to show him how Sparky had returned.

I liked the movie a lot because I can easily relate to Victor and his dog because I have a dog and lots of other people have dogs who are treated like family. They don’t want to lose their pet.

But this wasn’t Tim Burton’s first movie about a dog that comes back to life. His first Frankenweenie movie dates back to December 14, 1984. Back in 1984, Frankenweenie was a new movie, the difference being that in this movie, it only ran for 30 minutes and it was not stop-motion animation, just a regular black and white movie with real people and dogs.

The two movies have the plot in common but some of the details and characters are very different, like when the less important characters get more involved in the second movie than in the first, and how some characters do different things for example, in the 2012 version, Edgar spotted Sparky on the streets alive after he was already dead, when in the 1984 version, Victor’s parents are the ones who found out Sparky was alive again.

24 OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

I personally rate the movie 3 out of 4 stars because it was in black and white which I very much dislike, but anyone with a dog or animal at home that is a part of your family makes me like the movie a lot,

would you do the same to your beloved pet? The reason Burton made this version of the movie black and white was to stick with his past movies that help show the history of the film and plot.

IMAGES / APPLETRAILERS.COM

by ALENY GUAJARDO

AWESOME

VERY GOOD

GOOD

IMAGES / ITUNES.APPLE.COM

Reviewed Music, movies, books and more...

TRASH

The TRUTH About LOVE

Cruel Summer

KISS

Wild Ones

P!NK Pop/Rock

Kanye West Hip Hop

Carly Rae Pop/Rock

Flo-Rida Rap/Hip hop

by CRISTAL GARCIA

by ENRIQUE GONZALEZ

by ALENY GUAJARDO

by MARTIN BATREZ

Pink’s new album, The Truth About Love, has 13 songs and came out on September 18.

Since 2000, she has released 6 albums with the label RCA. You can download the album on iTunes for $10.99. This is Pink’s first album since her daughter, Willow Sage, was born in 2011.

Pink’s songs are mostly about love like “True Love”.

She sings about a person she hates so much, but at the same time she doesn’t want that person out of her life. I like when Pink repeats “It might be true love”.

In my opinion, the saddest song in the album is “The Great Escape”. Pink doesn’t want to lose this person. She probably lost a very special person and says she is not going to forget that person. I like how she changed her style of singing in this song. Her songs are usually danceable, but this one is different. It’s slow instead of loud and fast.

She sang “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” at the VMA’s, and I think it was awesome because the performance had dancers with big kisses as costumes. I like the way she sounds in this song.

The song I loved the most is called “Here Comes the Weekend”. I like it because it explains how I feel on Fridays.

I give the album 3 and a half out of 4 stars because it’s not perfect, but I do really like it. It has more songs that I like than songs that I don’t like. Overall, I think the album is good because of the songs it has in it.

You can download or preview the album on iTunes.

Hip Hop star Kanye West has recently released a compilation titled “Cruel Summer”. It was released on Sept. 18 and costs $8.99. This new CD is a compilation of Kanye’s previous songs, has 12 tracks, and is produced by the members GOOD music (Getting Out Our Dreams) through the label Def-Jam. His song “Clique” really does not appeal to me. I didn’t like the song because West repeats the word ‘clique’ about a million times, also the beginning of the song gives me goosebumps because West autotones his voice which makes it sound like a broken robot.

Another song I listened to, titled “Mercy” was a very good song. At the end of the song, the beat changes from slow to a techno-type beat which is really catchy.

The third track that I listened to is called “Cold”. This song was excruciatingly repetitive.

During the climax of the song, DJ Khalid raps about locations and stays on the same monotonous tone. The tone also completely kills the climax and leaves the song in a bad place.

His final song, “To the World” is actually a decent song it has an excellent beat and features the singer R Kelly who, in an alto-voice, sings a perfect verse that leaves the song with a mellow and peaceful ending. Overall, I think that this compilation was a very good one I give it three and a half stars. Kanye’s album can be downloaded on iTunes, and can also be purchased at Wal-Mart.

On September 18, Carly Rae Jepsen released her second album, “Kiss”, which costs $13.99 and includes sixteen songs.

Although most of Jepsen’s songs are about happiness and her crushes, she does have another side, the example being her song “Curiosity”. In this song, Carly Rae wants to break up with her boyfriend but won’t because she is curious as to what her boyfriend will do to with their relationship. Some girls can relate to this with a boyfriend that you love but won’t let him go for whatever reason.

Another example is, “Almost Said It”, which is about Carly Rae having a crush but won’t admit it and she constantly ‘almost said it’ or accidently told him. A lot of girls can relate to this song with an ex-boyfriend that they want to get back to but won’t say it.

Jepsen has two feature songs including “Owl City” and “Good Time” and Justin Bieber is featured in, “Beautiful”. The song “Good Time” is about a how friends can have such a great time with each other… typical for teenagers. “Beautiful” is about Carly Rae and Justin Bieber singing about how they are so beautiful in their own special ways.

Jepsen’s album is a great album because of it has a variety of catchy tunes and songs you can dance to. I rate it 3½ out of 4 stars mainly because her songs are extremely easy to connect to and they have such an awesome beat. To check out more of her songs go to iTunes.com.

Back in July, Flo Rida released “Wild Ones” with the label Atlantic. Out of 11 tracks, most of the songs in the album are 4 to 5 minutes long and is now on Amazon for only $6.99.

“Good Feeling” is a good song that I listened to the most because it’s one of the songs I can relate to when I am feeling sad or down. Most people say that this is their favorite song out of all the others that Flo Rida had come up with or he wrote because it has a good beat and it’s catchy.

Another song in the album is “Wild Ones”, which I really can’t understand because both Flo Rida and T. Pain make the song so confusing by singing/ rapping really fast. This is a certainly song that I like because the speed of the lyrics.

Also this song could possibly be talking about a situation that may be getting out of control or how something being destroyed.

One of the other songs that was on the CD was “Thinking of You”. This song is clearly talking about someone thinking of somebody else. Some of the other tracks feature artists like Sia, Jennifer Lopez, and Redfoo.

Another track I listened to is “Let It Roll”, which I really like because it has a special beat to it like all the other songs that I enjoyed. I’d give this album four stars because I really liked it and think that others will too.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012 25

Organic shapes help teach students about elements of art

by MELANIE GOMEZ

Seventh graders Tamera Washington and Amyre Ellias, finish an art project about organic shapes in Ms.Bey’s eighth period class. Organic shapes are the opposite of geometric shapes because an organic shape has curves and geometric shapes don’t.

Eighth graders Jennifer Perez and Alexis DeLuna are putting their finishing touches on their piece of artwork.

(Right) Two of Ms. Bey’s art students put detail on their paintings to make it stand out from the rest. once the art students are done they will hang their finished products on the wall.

Eighth grader Marcus Rogers uses a steady hand to finish his painting of organic shapes. An organic shape is one of the seven elements of art.

(Right) Eighth grader Alexis DeLuna admires her hard work while hanging her piece of art work on the wall in D hallway for display. Students take pride in their work after learning about new art concepts.

(Left) Ms. Bey takes time to explain organic shapes to eighth grader Bianca Molina during the eighth period rap time. Ms. Bey distinguishes the difference between organic and geometric shapes in a fun way.

26 OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

Band students practice music during

MIDNIGHT MADNESS

Night of hard work ensures solid performance for Region

by ENRIQUE GONZALEZ Every year, the two top bands, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, gather at the school in the month of October to work on their music for region band auditions. For all band students, it’s a great experience and also great practice, and it’s known as Midnight Madness.

On October 5, students arrived in large numbers at 6:00 pm here to continue their practice. Everybody was called down to different rooms because they play different music. As students were slowly called to their room numbers to warm-up, the flute players walked to one room to start the process of learning new music. Mrs. Tao, the director for the flutes, pulled out her instrument and got to work on teaching her students the material for region band auditions. Whenever they played a note incorrectly, she pointed it out and made them fix it on their own.

Afterwards, I went to the clarinet room where Mrs. Wilson, the instructor for the

clarinets, cheerfully welcomed me to her room. The teacher slowly and patiently helped her students with the notes presented in their music and showed them what note to play and how to play it. Mrs. Wilson was very patient with the students that kept on incorrectly playing the given notes. Then, I went to the stage were the French horns were practicing their music.

Several of the students were beautifully playing music and demonstrating to their teacher that they already knew how to play parts of the music. After about an hour, teachers were told to release their students for the first break.

Students were then provided pizza and drinks. After everybody was done eating and relaxing, several students started playing “ninja”, which is a fast- paced game where you are supposed to try to slap your opponent’s hands, and whoever gets their hands slapped first is the loser of the game. After about thirty minutes, students were called back to their rooms to continue working on their music.

This process went on for about two hours, and then students were called to the gym for another break. The students played basketball and volleyball for about an hour and thirty minutes then were called back to continue with practice.

At 11:00 pm, everybody picked up their music stands and proceeded to the cafeteria to show off what they learned.

“This year, Midnight Madness was better [than last year] because there was a lot more stuff to do and I got to meet a lot [of] new people,” said eighth grader Alejandra Salinas.

After everyone was setup, several students performed their music flawlessly, while Mrs. Killough, the band director of Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic, listened to the students with pride. “I learned a lot of things this year...I think I play[ed] better this year then last year,” said seventh grader Ryan Price.

“Midnight Madness was a great experience for all of our students. We hired 10 teachers to come in and teach region music, the students all learned a lot, but they also had fun in the process” said Mrs. Killough. Several of the eighth grade students were sad because Midnight Madness was over, while the seventh graders were overjoyed because they would go to Midnight Madness next year.

Coming Up...

Homework - Do it or Don’t

The annual Blackout Pep Rally is always a main event prior to playing our rival, the Cunningham Wildcats. We’ll also cover the volleyball and football games.

Homework is a part of school. Some students do it and do it well...while others don’t bother and grades drop.

Why do we have homework and why are some students choosing to not do it?

The Walking Dead

Dec. 12, 2012-Fact or Fiction?

Love zombies? Look for the review of the 3rd season of AMC’s The Walking Dead. Who’s new and who’s dead... walking dead that is!

December 12, 2012, is fast approaching...will the prophecies of the Mayans come true? Will there be some sort of global apocalypse or will life go on as normal?

Breaking Dawn, Part 2 After four years, the Twilight series comes to a close with Breaking Dawn Part 2. We’ll revisit the series and review the latest installment featuring Edward, Jacob, the Volturi, the new Bella and Renesmee.

IMAGE / STOCK IMAGE

IMAGE / AMC.COM

Blackout the Wildcats!

IMAGE / BREAKINGDAWN-THE MOVIE.COM

December 2012

LIKE US! Scan this with your smartphone to see the North Shore MS Journalism Facebook page.

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 • OCTOBER 2012 27

Reagan from The Exorcist (1973) is a young girl who was possessed by a demon.

This movie is sure to scare as her head spins around and she walks upsidedown down a staircase! Her mother has to ask two priests to help her.

2. PENNYWISE THE CLOWN Pennywise from IT (1990) is an evil demonpossessed clown that drags kids down into the sewers and eats them. The book,

by Stephen King, is much better than the movie that features the clown who feeds on your fears. As he says, “We all float down here!”

3. FREDDY KRUEGER Freddy from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) is a psychopath who has a razor-bladed glove and stalks his victims in their dreams. He was a killer of children in the real world before the parents of the children he killed burned him alive.

“One, two, Freddy’s coming for you”.

4. CHUCKY Chucky from Child’s Play (1988) is a doll who is possessed by the soul of a serial killer. This movie is full of oneliners and references to other famous horror movies. It’ll make you think twice about buying that next toy doll.

28 OCTOBER 2012 • THE ‘STANG EXPRESS

Ranking our most famous

MOVIE MONSTERS Just in time for Halloween, the ‘Stang Express staff has compiled their list of the most famous movie monsters. Of course, the list varies by person and according to what a ‘monster’ is but at least they can all provide a scream or two. So whether you’re petrified of evil clowns, transfixed by demonic possession, love watching zombies gorge on your friends, or just love the classics, enjoy and scream away!

5. LEATHERFACE

8. JASON VOORHEES

Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) is a member of a cannibalistic family that terrorizes a group of friends who stumble upon their home. The last ten minutes of the film will definitely surprise you.

Jason from Friday the 13th (1980) is a little boy who drowned in Crystal Lake. He resurfaces many years later to stalk the current camp-goers and counselors. This one is considered one of the best in horror classics.

6. PINHEAD

9. WEREWOLVES

Pinhead from Hellraiser (1987) is a frightful demon unleashed on Earth after a puzzle-box is solved. He and his gruesome followers want to drag you back to hell and put you to torture. “No tears please, it’s just a waste of good suffering,” he says.

Werewolves star in many movies aslo. If you want to see the one that started it all, you have to watch The Wolf Man (1941). If you want something a little more modern, watch the 2010 version, The Wolf Man. If you want a more vicious take on them, watch Underworld (2003), where they battle vampires.

7. MICHAEL MYERS Michael from Halloween (1978) is a psychotic murderer who is sent to an asylum after he stabbed his sister. After 15 years, he breaks out and terrorizes his town during Halloween. No one will forget the creepy music either. A true classic slasher film that launched a series that has spanned more than 20 years.

10. VAMPIRES Vampires star in several movies.

If you want to see the one that started it all, you have to watch Nosferatu. If you want something a little more modern, watch Dracula (1992).

Of course, they wouldn’t be around if Bram Stoker hadn’t written the book back in 1897.

SOURCES & IMAGES / IMDB.COM, SMASHINGMAGAZINE.COM

1. REAGAN