April Warrior Post by Tricia Regalado

Pops

ost rrior P

a The W

WP Humor

It’s Landry time!

Photo by Zane Stewart

Rejoicing in his victory, senior Brady White raises his award as the crowd cheers for the newly named 2018 Mr.MHS Photo by Matthew Flores

Servin’ looks

Photo courtesy of Theater

Photo by Curt Leland

Martin High School - 4501 W Pleasant Ridge Rd., Arlington, TX 76016 - Volume 36 Issue 4

Chicago

Varsity Chorale travel to Chicago for their annual Spring Trip to see city sights and sing for Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago

1. On Sunday March 11, Chorale sang two services at the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. 2. The choir sang at The Holy Name Cathedral chapel. 3. Chorale visited The Bean on Saturday of the trip. 4. The choir visited the Chicago Art Museum March 10. 5. Chorale members touch the fish while at the Shedd Aquarium. Photos by Elizabeth Prickett

Pops

5 On Saturday March 3, Varsity Show Choir showcased the talents of senior members through throwback music and choreograhy

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1. Junior Varsity boogies to “Come on Everybody.” 2. “Shake Your Tailfeather” presented by Varsity Show choir was filled with tricks and a retro flips. 3. Senior Jonathan Husband and junior Maddie Cendrick “Sway” to the beat during their duet. 4. Seniors perform Channel 18, a senior showcase choreographed entirely by senior showchoir members. 5. Seniors Alex Fratto and Jonathan Husband perform “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” in full costume. Photos by Matthew Flores and Zane Stewart

' We're here for the students'

New assistant principal excited for a change Elena Regalado• News Editor

hen assistant principal Scott Johnston announced his retirement at the end of the fall semester, administrators hired Amanda Cobb, who could bring as much spunk and hard work to the table. “We were looking for somebody with test experience, and somebody who had some ideas,” assistant principal Luann Kennedy said. Six applicants were interviewed for the job, and two were narrowed down to be considered for the position. “Those two people then went to the area superintendent and interviewed with them and Mrs. Roddy,” Kennedy said. “After that, one person was chosen, and had to interview with Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos.” Guidelines were set in place during the interview process, but there were still opportunities for the applicants to express themselves. “The district puts on some requirements and they have to pass that check before we can even interview them,” Kennedy said. “They had to have their administrative degree, and a principal’s certification.” Cobb was selected as the new assistant principal after transferring over from Seguin High School, after working in Arlington for 17 years. Cobb has been a testing facilitator, AVID coordinator and a Biology and Environmental Systems teacher. “I wasn’t just doing testing,” Cobb said. “I helped fill in for administrators when they were

out, I worked with teachers on data, administration on their duties on testing days, and with counselors to make sure that the kids had what they needed for testing.” The shift to an administrative position for Cobb was seen as an opportunity to help the student body versus a handful of kids that were in specific programs she helped with. “Our AVID site team started taking more of a leadership role,” Cobb said. “When you have a more global impact on a campus, the changes you make can impact students across the board. I wanted to be able to impact not only students that I dealt with directly in my class, but I wanted to help make a positive impact on a campus culture.” Martin was one of two schools Cobb considered transferring to as an administrator because of the culture and community. With 2,000 more students, Cobb said she was surprised with the culture change in place when it came to how many students participated in clubs and organizations. “I always heard that once somebody goes to Martin, they never leave because of the relationships and the community within and around,” Cobb said. “There are so many activities and clubs that the students have available to them, and that’s been really impressive.” As the assistant principal, Cobb covers the student body whose last names are Lf-Or. She deals with discipline, working with teachers, and conducting walk-throughs.

New assistant principal Amanda Cobb receves a hug from an AISD administrator after getting approved by the board on Jan. 18. Photo by Curt Leland “My goal is to work with teachers on developing their practice by using data they’re getting from their students to be more successful,” Cobb said. “That’s what I’m passionate about and really love.” Cobb has morning duty in the cafeteria, and at lunch she walks the halls to make sure students are doing what they’re supposed to. After school she is stationed outside, in the front. “In between every class I like to walk the halls and make myself visible to the students,” she

said. As a new Warrior, Cobb said she is eager to apply her knowledge of testing and helping students and faculty to assist students in achieving their goals. “Sometimes it’s looking at the data to tweak something so small, and make such a big impact with our students,” Cobb said. “I’m looking forward to making a positive impact on instruction because what we’re all here for is the students – to help them be the most successful they can be, and to make sure as adults we are doing our part.”

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“Pull those around you toward a better life” Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos discusses his path from picking okra to being named Superintendent of the Year

Michael Sandoval • Reporter

quarter mile away from the border that separates Mexico from Texas, the scorching hot summers were dedicated to hard work. From the summer between the fifth and sixth grade, the current superintendent of the district, Marcelo Cavazos began picking okra on the fields near his home. The driver of the bus behind his success, though – his mother – refused to let him work during the school year. The reasoning for her stern decision to not allow her children to work during the school year was simple: No matter what, no matter how, school always came first in her household. A women who didn’t finish school herself, she did everything in her being to not allow any doubt of achieving a higher level education to creep into the minds of her children. “Times where obviously tough when I was younger to the point in which I started working in the fifth grade,” Dr. Cavazos said. “But my mom’s unwillingness to let up on school being my first priority, gave rise to my love for education.” A strong upbringing by his mother and humble beginnings has made Cavazos the man that AISD teachers feel comfortable speaking highly of. “I started working in the district about four months ago,” assistant secretary Samantha Green

said. “And my first impression on our superintendent was how humble he genuinely is, and how without taking any matter lightly, he still finds a way to keep a balance between everything he does.” With his love for education constantly growing because of topics touched in school, teaching English came to mind because of the ability to be different. Different stood out to the teenage boy who saw so much of the same, year after year, summer after summer. Different being something that English seemingly offered. An opportunity to express himself by being himself. “I chose to teach, first off, because of my mom’s willingness to push me towards being better than what I’d become accustomed to,” Cavazos said. “And teaching English gave me the opportunity to teach students that there are many different ways to express themselves, they just have to be willing to pursue creativity.” Many administrators lack actual experience in the classroom, but before ever becoming an administrator, Cavazos was first an English teacher. He’s not only a leader in the district but at home too, with two children who both attend Gunn Junior High and Key Elementary. Cavazos has experienced comments as a student that have contributed

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Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos details the balance between the business side of his position and the student/teacher aspect. Cavazos was named the Superintendent of the Year for Texas. Photo courtesy of AISD to not only the grit he’d later need to become successful, but to his ability to relate to students today. “In elementary school, to this day I still remember having a teacher that would just talk down on certain students,” Cavazos said. “I remember getting older and still keeping her hurtful words in mind, but using them as fuel for my success and as an example of what not to be as a teacher and leader. I try to install the ability to turn hurtful words into fuel to all students, because life’s going to constantly knock you down. We have to learn to rise above it all.” From English and government teacher in several different schools, to member of the Tex-

as Education Agency Department of School Finance and Support, to finally working in AISD as first the assistant superintendent and later the superintendent, life hasn’t come easy for Cavazos. Quitting could’ve come much easier for a man who changed the entire spectrum of his family with his success. “Being successful at one point was no longer about creating a better lifestyle for just myself,” Cavazos said. “But instead it became about doing what I love and creating better situations for those who helped me get out of tough times. My message to all students has and always will be to strive for success, but to pull those around you towards a better life, too.”

So here's what happened... Match the embarrassing moment to the teacher! Photos by Brandon Chrabasz

Curt Leland • Editor in Chief

People often look back at high school and laugh or get embarrassed because of what they used to be. Some people could not be paid to return to high school, but what about those who are? Teachers share their most embarrassing or memorable teaching moments they’ve had since they’ve been on staff.

Moments

1. 2.

Teachers

“I have fallen asleep in the middle of teaching on the document camera. I have fallen asleep while doing math problems before. I woke myself up.”

“We used to have overhead projectors. I was pretty casual and let my students sit on the floor wherever they wanted to sit and this girl came and sat behind me and I didn’t know. She sat down and then decided she was going to stretch out. So when I took a step backwards, I fell over her. She’s lucky I didn’t fall on her. I fell over her and I had on a dress, but I was coordinated enough to not show everything. Because I didn’t want to be embarrassed, as soon as I fell I jumped back up and continued teaching. Of course I was hurt, but I pretended I wasn’t. I was a trooper.” “I bought a brand new pair of pants. I walked in and was in front of the class and one of the student raised their hand and asked if I got a new pair of pants and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, thanks for noticing.’ And she was like, ‘because you still have the sticker on.’ ” “It was Open House and I was excited. It was my second year of teaching and I had prepared profusely. My husband and I went to dinner and I had a spinach salad. He dropped me of at school and I went inside. The room was full of people and I was supposed to talk to these parents for about 15 minutes. I thought the presentation went wonderfully. Nobody really had any questions and I thought, ‘Man, I’ve done such a good job,’ and I was so proud of myself. I went back the next day and I asked, ‘What did your parents say about Open House?’ I expected all these accolades. I had talked to this one guy’s dad for a long time, so I asked, ‘Jimmy, what did your dad say?’ He answered, ‘All right, if you’re asking me I’m going to tell you. None of the parents could concentrate on anything you said because you had this big piece of lettuce sticking out between your teeth. That’s all they saw all night long.’ Now, we never go to dinner before Open House. We always eat at home and I floss really well. I have a mirror right there on my cabinet just for Open House.” “I read names at graduation one year and I practiced all the names ahead of time. I was ready to go and I got up there and read them all except one kid. He handed me his card and he had rubbed off his name. I didn’t know if it was a boy or a girl; I couldn’t see. He handed me the card and the only thing I could see was ‘-nnon,’ so I said Shannon. I watched him walk around and that’s when I saw him. He let out a big sigh. I still feel bad about that to this day.”

United States History teacher Jacqueline Echols

English teacher Rynthia Clements

Calculus teacher Marilyn Broyles

Psychology teacher Rachael Peterson

“A kid realized I was wearing two different pairs of shoes. I was just sitting at my desk and one of my student asked, ‘Are you wearing two different shoes?’ One was black and one was brown.”

Government and Economics teacher Jeffrey Beck

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Earth and Space teacher Amy Dragon

Answers: 1. c 2. a 3. e 4. b 5. f 6. d

What was I

thinking? Students reveal their most embarrassing stories Nikk Hernandez • Sports Editor & Humberto Rodriguez • Reporter Photos by Meridith Moore

I was cheating.

The teacher was standing over me and she took my paper, and asked if I was cheating. I said no, but she looked under my paper, and saw under that paper I had the answers on a piece of notebook paper.” • sophomore Julian Johnson

I cried

“One time after the school day ended, I was in the parking lot walking to my car, but the door to my car wouldn’t open. I kept hitting my unlock button, pulling the door, and it took me about two minutes to realize that it was definitely I looked inside and thought to myself, ‘I don’t have a violin in my passenger seat.’ It was an identical car, but my car was parked two spots down.” • junior Rajesh Murti

not my car.

“My sophomore year there was a guy going to Texas Tech, he’s about 6’6 and 280 lbs. and I went to block him on punt. I thought I was getting somewhere, so I was about to roach him – where I put him on his back – and he started stumbling. He put his foot in the ground and

threw me five yards.” • senior Brayden Willis

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“I got caught cheating on a test, and everyone laughed because they knew that

“ in elementary school in front of my class in third or fourth grade because I didn’t turn in my homework and I thought I was going to fail. When I looked around, people were laughing at me.” • sophomore Trey Watson

10 funniest Mr. MHS moments

Wendi Rivera • Reporter

On March 1, The Martin student body journeyed over to Seguin HS to use their auditorium for our annual Mr. MHS to be entertained. This 2018 group of boys left us amused due to all of the “laugh out loud’ moments.

1. Mr. MHS contestants finish their opening dance routine to start off the show. Photo by Will Maben

2. Junior Peter Bui dressed as Cher from “Clueless”. Photo by Matthew Flores

1. Opening Dance ~Mr. MHS contestants showcased a coreographed routine to a variety of songs as the show began. 2. 104 Days of Mr. MHS ~For the casual dress category, junior Jack Billingsly dressed up as Phineas and sang the wellknown theme song to Phineas and Ferb. 3. “Single Ladies” ~ Seniors Matt Doan, Nick Gardner, and Isaiah Thomas dressed up as Beyonce and her crew and sang to “Single Ladies.”

6. Dynamite Dancing ~The well known Napoleon Dynamite dance was done by junior Tony Morelan.

10. Mr. Fratto ~Mr. MHS wouldn’t have been the same without History teacher Barney Fratto. His kazoo solo deserves a Grammy.

7. “Tight Pants” ~ Seniors Will Grindstaff and Adam Lavelle showed off their tight pants dancing to the segment from The Tonight Show as performed by Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon.

4. Kevin Hart ~ Junior Caleb Chevis, dressed as Kevin Hart, made the audience laugh by cracking jokes.

8. Soy Sauce Swimming ~For the swimwear category, senior Matt Doan, dressed as a piece of sushi, jumped into a kiddie pool labeled as soy sauce.

5. “As If ” ~Junior Peter Bui dressed as Cher from the movie Clueless and it was unforgettable.

9. Brain Battles ~Senior Brady White performed Bo Burnham’s “Left Brain/Right Brain” skit.

3. History teacher Barney Fratto and senior Brady White reenact Back to the Future. Photo by Will Maben

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Funny Fratto

How Mrs. Fratto makes Public Speaking so humorous front of their class. “The hardest part is getting up in front of people, but it turns into the easiest part because once you get up there, Mrs. Fratto is so encouraging,” Lavelle said. Part of the ease her students have when performing or presenting speeches comes from the relationships they’ve built with the rest of their class. “Everyone gets along and it really is like a big family,” Brush said. “I remember at first it was awkward at times and people were nervous, but Mrs. Fratto makes you feel really comfortable with her and with the class, so everyone is fine with it. She laughs at everything, especially when someone is doing something to embarrass

Public Speaking teacher Michelle Fratto was awarded AISD March Teacher of the Month for March. Photo courtesy of AISD Lauren Worth • Features Editor & Ashley Odom • Reporter ost students in Public enjoy her often humorous and Speaking can verify embarrassing stories, which how fun the class is, come from moments that she but part of what makes it so claims occur for the sole purunique and enjoyable is teacher pose of telling her students. Michelle Fratto and her humor- “She always tells stories about ous and creative way of teach- when she was a kid, and those ing. are really funny,” senior Ana “She’s super high-energy and Brush said. “That’s one way very encouraging,” senior Adam she stands out from my other Lavelle said. “She’s always teachers, and you can tell excited for us and is laughing at everyone else loves them, too.” our skits.” Most of us can’t imagine Fratto’s humor, along with her having fun while speaking creative class activities, keeps in front of others, much less her students entertained and taking and enjoying an entire engaged. class centered around it. “Keeping people engaged is “Mostly, I’m just trying to tough, so being loud helps,” get them up front as much as I Fratto said. “I also laugh a lot, possibly can, and if I can come and sometimes people look up up with weird ways to get them when they hear laughter be- up there, they don’t realize that cause they don’t want to miss they’re giving this whole speech it. I like to lecture, but not for in front of everyone,” Fratto too long. Little spurts of lectur- said. ing, and when you can tell the Her encouragement and kids are losing interest, you can easy-going sense of humor also throw a story in.” help her students feel more Fratto’s students notice and comfortable when speaking in

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themself. And her laugh is just so funny that it makes everyone else laugh too.” Fratto’s Public Speaking class seems like a Martin institution, and it’s hard to imagine it any other way since we have her to thank for the class’s existence at Martin. “In 1998, I was teaching speech communication and had a bunch of kids that I loved, so I told them I would figure something out to keep teaching them,” Fratto said. “I started looking through courses that were approved in Texas and I saw Public Speaking, so I did the paperwork to get it started. From two classes, it’s grown to seven classes, and it’s evolved in so many ways since I started it 20 years ago.”

Photo by Meridith Moore

Triggered Shelby Simmel • Reporter

A variety of teachers from different backgrounds explain their views on gun control

Two month ago, America witnessed a tragedy – the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. Although horrific, this massacre that took 17 lives isn’t unique to this situation. American people have taken the lives of others with handguns and assault rifles meant to be used in war. Since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, there have been 290 school shootings. President Donald Trump suggested that teachers be armed while at school. With such a large population at Martin, teachers opinions were sure to differ.

What is your opinion on gun control? Has it changed since the Florida Shooting? Jason Forsythe

Patrick McCray

Kathy Meyer

“I have to respect the Second Amendment, but I also think you have to protect peoples’ rights because you have the right that you have to do something until it infringes on somebody else’s rights. So while I think that the Second Amendment is an important right, I also believe that other peoples’ rights are important, and if the Second Amendment infringes on that, then there needs to be some clarification on what’s legal and what’s not.”

“My opinion on gun control has not changed. I don’t think gun control will ever change. I think one side doesn’t have a true understanding. It’s almost too much of an extreme on both sides. It probably needs to be reigned in and kind of a blend, which is what our society is.”

“The Florida shooting hasn’t changed my opinion. We have a lot of problems, but bad guys are gonna get guns, although automatics shouldn’t be allowed. Someone could do some serious damage with a handgun alone.”

World Geography

Law Enforcement

Chemistry

Jeff Beck Government

“Deadly weapons with high-capacity magazines and semi-automatic rifles aren’t really for self defense and they also are not for hunting,. They really only have one purpose: to kill large numbers of people in war. Other countries do not allow these weapons to be sold legitimately, and criminals will get them anyway. When you have weapons designed for high rates of fire, they’re extremely easy to operate, very cheap to buy, and when just about anyone can buy them, well, you know.”

How comfortable are you handling a gun as a teacher, as well as handling the extra responsibilities? Jason Forsythe World Geography

“I think the thing is that no one wants to see guns in the classroom. I have a CHL (License to Carry Handgun) and I don’t want to carry in the classroom. But the question I think is really important is if I’m in a classroom with 32 kids who are looking at me to protect them, and an active shooter comes in my classroom, do I want to have the ability to protect myself or do I want myself to be helpless in that situation?”

Patrick McCray

Kathy Meyer

Law Enforcement

Chemistry

“I’ve pointed a gun at a human being before, and I have had to have my gun drawn. I can tell you it’s a lot harder than what people seem to think. The people who want teachers to have guns don’t truly understand how difficult is is to actually use a gun and point it at somebody and be in a real situation. It’s more training than most people are probably willing to do.”

“I see too many of my peers not take care of other things, so I wouldn’t feel comfortable with them handling a gun. I would feel comfortable with military trained people handling a gun.”

Barney Fratto World History

“With the proper training, yes. I think we’ve got to have the proper training and we have to have that gun locked up in one of those lock boxes and then have the key to get that open. I would trust some teachers, with the proper training and precautions added in.”

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Open carry is open for discussion Teachers voice their opinions on carrying guns in school Haleigh Trevino • Opinions Editor & Sydney DeCanio • Reporter

arjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida was subject to a mass school shooting Feb. 14. A day full of love was filled with sadness after 17 lives were lost at the hands of Nikolas Cruz. ‹ A school much like ours was under attack, and students just like us were murdered. We took this personally, and just like everyone else who has an opinion on gun control, so did all of our staff and students. With this being said, we invited students, teachers, and counselors all with different backgrounds to a round table discussion where we ate pizza and talked about something controversial in schools, guns. Everyone came in somewhat nervous. Teachers I had never seen vulnerable or scared to talk were nervous around their colleagues. No one wanted to offend one another, but everyone was eager to state their opinion on gun control. “Are you for or against gun control?” Much like expected, the answers varied. Teachers and students who were always told to not talk politics, went on about their views and their opinions to why or why not gun control should be implemented. Some said that gun control would be pointless due to people already not following the laws regarding guns that have already been implemented, while others said that any laws that would help keep our people safe were worth trying.

Art by Victoria Mai “Have you ever owned a gun?” Everyone in the room who was over the legal age owned a gun or had owned a gun once in their lifetime. Some were still enthusiastic about the weapons, and used the weapon for things like hunting or hobbies, while others had gotten rid of the guns they once owned for their fear of the weapon. Once we had gotten to know everyone around the table with the warm-up questions, we asked the teachers’ and students’ opinions on what would make them feel safe at school. “I don’t feel unsafe very often but I think the thing that would make the school safer universally is that there would be no class size over 25 because then I would have the ability to get to know my student very well and we could all fit into the classrooms corner better during the lockdown,” English Teacher Olivia Basham said. “How do you feel about about teachers carrying at school?” This was the one topic everyone could agree on, it was an absolute no. Nobody in the room felt comfortable carrying a weapon at school as a teacher or counselor, and the students didn’t feel comfortable with their teachers carrying a weapon in class around them.

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“There is just no way that we can assume because someone is an educator that they’re mentally sound,” senior Shelby Milhoan said. I’ve seen teachers lash out before with other items, like chairs, and I can’t imagine guns in their hands. I know that’s not a solution.” Others thought the idea of having a gun specifically for protection in the classroom in a lockbox could benefit the students and faculty. “My opinion on it is to have a lockbox down there that is extremely secure,” Woodshop Teacher Craig Coyle said. “I would have one there, but this would stop at the door, if we have a lock down and I was with my kids when somebody came in and they killed me it would not be for lack of me trying to kill them. I would not go hunt them down. If that were the case, I don’t think we’ll ever have to worry about that in Arlington. Personally I would like to have someone that’s already previously had training. Whether it’s military or police.” Although it may never happen, and our school may never be subject to a shooting, the procedures we have in place are for those “What If ” moments. These procedures are meant to keep faculty and students safe, but have failed

time and time again in other shootings across the nation. “How effective are our lockdown procedures?” “I don’t think introducing guns into an already stressful and crowded environment is the answer whether it be in the hands of teachers or security guards,” English Teacher Bill Thorburn said. “I respect everybody’s rights to having a weapon in their personal homes and cars for protection but I don’t think it belongs in school. Instead of spending more money on security, I’d love to spend money on school psychologists for students.” After everyone had gotten what they felt had needed to be said off of their chest, lunch was coming to an end. “Would you take a bullet for one of your students or friends?” “I would say no just for the simple fact that it’s very impulsive, chaotic, and all of that and then you are going to think about your family members,” Art Teacher Patrick Crouch said. “You can’t protect someone unless you protect yourself first.” “I would die for kids,” Counselor Amy Benson said. “But I don’t want to have to.”

"We need to do everything in our power" Security measures are being updated after Parkland school shooting Olivia Dague • Feaatures Editor and Aivery Zaiger • Reporter

he automated voice rings through a suddenlysilent classroom as students scramble to their lockdown positions: “Attention staff and students: We are in a lockdown situation.” Teachers look uncertain as their students ask if this is actually a drill. Currently, Martin has lockdown drills three times a school year and keeping doors locked at all times. Teachers are required to issue pink hall passes to students, and urged never give out their campus keys to students. Security cameras monitor hallways and there are eight security guards along with one (sometimes two) Arlington police officers on campus. “We are looking into adding things on more people because of all the things that are going on,” Security Sargeant Yolanda Dunlap said. “They just approved for me to have two officers added.” After a faculty meeting on March 6, teachers were asked to make suggestions about how to make Martin a safer place. “These are things the teachers think we should do,” Principal Marlene Roddy said. “Counselling for kids exhibiting behavior outside normal teenage behavior and training for kids who exhibit dangerous behavior. We do that, but recently, these intruders have been kids who have had mental health issues.” There are only one or two people who are actually armed on campus. There are 3400 students and staff, and two guns. “We have an SRO (school resource officer), [Officer Morrison], called a rover who goes between Martin and

Arlington High,” Arlington Police Department’s Officer Allen Alford said. “He picks various days to show up so that people don’t get a pattern or anything like that to show up.” In addition to the eight (soon to be 10) officers on campus, other areas of security are being amped up to safely monitor the school. “We are getting a new security system over spring break,” Dunlap said. “There’s a lot of things we do see, and some things we don’t, but we’re lucky to have seen a lot of things we needed to.” The new security system provides overall better surveillance to identify people from greater distances. “Security cameras can monitor to see if someone has a weapon walking in the halls,” senior Kellan Hill, a police academy student said. Metal detectors are used a few times a month to check classrooms according to district policy, but daily checks upon entering the campus don’t seem feasible. “We don’t have the time and personnel to send all 3,400 kids through a metal detector,” Roddy said. “We also can’t have metal detectors at all 18 entryways.” In addition to new security measures, security and staff are asking students to make some changes to old, dangerous habits. “The student body is more on the front line of defense,” Alford said. “Sometimes students leave the doors open for their friends, or they’ll put props in the door,” Alford said. “People who are going to do something bad hope you do stuff like that

New security guard Samantha Hurd communicates through her walkie-talkie. Hurd is one of two new officers added to the security team on campus. Photo by Aivery Zaiger so they can go in behind other students who have the right to be here.” All adults, teachers, counselors, VP’s, security and staff, at Martin are required to wear IDs at Martin, but administration is considering adding students to that list. “We’ve talked about going back to having students to wear their IDs to get into class,” Roddy said. Another thing that the students can do to improve safety at Martin is improving behavior during drills, especially lockdown drills. “To me, the teachers and students need to take the drills more seriously,” Alford said. “Sometimes in the heat of the moment if something were to happen, people would forget what to do.” A few years ago, new policies were added for teachers to follow to in the event of a lockdown situation. “The locked door is a requirement now,” Roddy said. “If an intruder comes in, your door is already locked, you just have to pull it shut.” Since the Parkland, Florida

shooting, there has been some conversation about whether teachers should be armed with guns. “I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Roddy said. “I don’t think most people go into teaching thinking that part of their job is to carry a gun and protect students with the use of that gun. I hate to think that we would have to go to that level.” There are far more students than security at Martin, so students need to speak up when they see something strange. “If you see a kid doing something strange, don’t hesitate to tell your teacher,” Alford said. “Tell your security staff.” While the primary purpose of school is to educate the students, now, keeping children safe is a top priority. “Schools should be safe places ordinarily,” Roddy said. “Churches should be safe places ordinarily. Going to the mall should be a safe place ordinarily, but it’s hard to protect anyone from a repeating gunfire. We need to do everything in our power to keep our children and ourselves safe.”

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Finding your f Tweet about it

A large part of humor today is on social media and especially Twitter. Some of Martin’s students, alumi, and teachers find Twitter their favorite platform to discss topics and share jokes. We surfed our timelines to find the most humorous tweets from the Martin commmunity. Brooklyn Bruno • Online Editor & Megan Mitchell •Reporter

So you you think think you’re you’re punny? punny? So

Alyssa Deluna • Reporter

Ever heard a joke and thought wow that was lame? Have you ever told a lame joke that you thought was funny? Or maybe even laughed at a lame joke to make the other person feel better. I think we’ve all been there, Here are a bunch of lame jokes provided by some of your fellow Warriors. “I heard a joke about chocolate bars and it wasn’t that funny, so I just snickered.” • sophomore Markia Alston said

“What did the dad buffalo say to his son before he left for college? Bison.” • junior Jewels Hernandez

“I love all knock knock jokes. Here’s a good one: Knock, Knock, Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Knock, knock. Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Knock, knock. Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Knock, knock. Who’s there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?” • attendance clerk Maryann Jacobs

“I actually made this joke on my own for an AP Biology project. If we were RNA Ribosomes, I’d want to be adenine, so I’d be paired up with ‘U’. I also have a really funny joke about a magician. So a Spanish magician is performing at a party and he says on the count of three he’ll disappear, so he counts ‘uno, dos’, and he disappears without a ‘tres.’ ” • junior Mia Moore “What do you call a nosey pepper? Jalapeño business.” • sophomore Alison Dearth

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“Knock knock, who’s there?” “Boo. Boo who? Awww don’t cry it’s just a joke.” • sophomore Aidan Martinez

“How do you wake up Lady Gaga? You Poker Face.” • sophomore Madison Lamb

“What do you call Batman when he skips church? Christian Bale.” •senior Rama Ensor

ur funny bone Quote that vine!

Nicole Salas • Reporter

In case you haven’t heard, the Vine app was shut down. It was shut down for many reasons: Viners were moving to YouTube, no money was being made through advertisements, but mostly because we didn’t appreciate what we had. Those six seconds of comedy continue to live on through teenagers, like us, quoting Vines throughout our day, combating whatever life throws at us. So test yourself to see how well you really know Vines that have become a such a huge part of our generation’s culture.

Quote bank

1. ““HoW dO yOu kNoW wHaT’s gOoD fOr mE?” “THAT’S MY OPINIONNN!!!” 2. “How much did you pay for that taco?” Aight yo you know this boys got his free taco *trips and drops taco*” 3. “...And they were roommates” “Mah God they were roommates” 4. “I love myself. Even though I look like a BURNT chicken nugget, I still love myself.” 5. *Pours water on girl* “Hello?” 6. “It’s Wednesday my dudes *screams violently* ” 7. “Road work ahead? UH yea I sure hope it does.” 8. “How do you keep your pants up when performing? It’s incredible!..... Belt.”

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Answers : 1F, 2G, 3A, 4C, 5H, 6E, 7B, 8D

Where are they now? Class clowns and their journeys after Martin Chloe Christenson • Sports Editor Comedians, brains, beauties, athletes – Martin has never been sparse on those. Over the years, many stand-out students have walked the halls. Their names and stories still linger long after their time here. These alumni have all parted ways and continued on with their lives and progressed towards adulthood. High school expands originality, but it also develops character. Those four years can be some of the best days of your life and they are what you make of them. “My experience at MHS was a rollercoaster,” 2011 graduate Collin Gainey said. “Overall, it was amazing. There’s not a day that goes by where I’m not

somehow reminded of a good memory or funny story. High school is an important time for grades and thinking about college, but in my opinion, it is an even bigger time to have fun with your friends, try new things, and make memories.” Martin shapes its students’ lives with friendships, hobbies and extracurricular activities, preparing them for whatever their future has in store. “The teachers were so great and really prepared me academically for college,” 2016 graduate Jay Schmidt said. “I also had a ton of fun getting involved in the tons of extracurricular activities the school offers. I’ll always have great memories of Martin and the people there with me.” From Mr. MHS to promposals to Student Council to public

speaking plays, tales of Martin’s greatest graduates live on. “One of my most memorable moments was when I asked my date to prom senior year,” Gainey said. “I dressed as Moses and the night before, my mom helped me make ‘10 prom commandments’ and a costume. As the lunch bell rang, I stood in the bed of my truck above the ‘sea’ of people. When my date arrived, I part-

Even though Martin shapes its kids so much, they still have their own character that really unfolds and shines when they move on into the real world.

“I’m currently the starting kicker for the football team at Purdue. I’ve got one more year of college football and then I’ll be looking to sign with a NFL team next spring.” Spencer Evans, 2014 graduate

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ed the sea and read her the 10 prom commandments, the last of course reading, ‘Thou shalt go to prom with me.’” Everyone wants to be remembered as the best version of themselves and sometimes that leads them to become the class clown, athlete, beauty or nerd. “I’d like to think I was remembered as the most beautiful person in my grade,” 2017 graduate Bailey Woodard said. “But if I was remembered as nice or funny I suppose that’s okay. And probably more accurate.”

“I’m a sophomore at UT Austin studying Information Systems. I’m currently working for a non-profit that focuses on academic tutoring and mentorship of kids in East Austin’s low income neighborhoods. After college, I hope to continue working in non-profit/for-purpose fields that focus on empowerment through education in low income areas.” Jay Schmidt, 2016 graduate

“Now I am in college in NYC studying journalism. I’m a comedy writer for Fordham’s the Rival Live, the sketch comedy and I do stand-up. I’m working on my degree in hopes I’ll be employable after college, but most importantly I’m working on getting my name out into the comedy world in New York.” Bailey Woodard, 2017 graduate

“Today I live in Fort Worth and am an Aeronautical Engineer for the F-35 program at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. I am planning on applying to an engineering leadership development program this summer and starting to work towards getting my MBA from TCU.” Collin Gainey, 2011 graduate

It's Landry time!

Behind the face of Martin Student News Madison Everett & Sydney Pugh • Reporters Martin Student News helps students know what’s going on in our school like club meetings, theater production dates, and so much more. But, Martin Student News wouldn’t be Martin Student News without senior Landry Beckley. “Martin Student News has helped me make better decisions and helped me do a lot better for the school,” Beckley said. “And when I walk down the hall, people notice me because of the Martin Student News after school. I do not want to major in news broadcasting, but I would like to major in acting and musical theater.” Beckley said that being part of the Martin Student News broadcast has helped him with different social skills like making many new friends and help-

ing him break out of his shell and become the energetic optimistic guy he is today. “What got me interested was my friends and [Video Production teacher Adam] Powell,” Beckley said. “He told me how fun it is and how I basically just need to be myself and that’s exactly what I did. The advice I would give to somebody who wants to do Martin student News is to come in there with a great and positive attitude and that’s the one major thing you must have.” Doing Martin Student News requires a lot of energy because the announcements are trying to appeal to the attention of high schoolers. “I was a little nervous when I first started doing Martin Student News,” Beckley said. “I didn’t know anybody, but

as soon as I started talking and getting to know the other students, our bond got bigger and stronger. Martin Student News has positively affected my life as a student and it was something I really needed to do and I wouldn’t change it for anything.” One of Beckley’s on-screen teammates said he enjoys working with him. “Before Martin Student news started, me and Landry were just acquaintances in Theater and I was friends with his girlfriend,” junior Brendan Mercer said. “But when we started doing the news, our friendship really took off. We’re always brainstorming together and laughing and exchanging stupid jokes.” Mercer and Beckley also hosted Martin Idol together Feb. 1 “My first impression on

Senior Landry Beckley has helped host Martin Student News since it began in October. “Martin Student News has positively affected my life as a student and it was something I really needed to do,” Beckley said. Photo courtesy of Martin Theater Landry was that he was charismatic, smart and funny and I knew he was a good student,” Theater teacher Jordan Chambers said. “He has grown as both an actor and a person.”

Shoutout to the funny kids

Students recognize someone who makes them laugh Annika Reeves • Reporter In life we tend to find ourselves with many different people at different times. We have those friends who are our shoulders to cry on, or the ones who bring the party on Friday nights. But somewhere in between these others there are the people that can make us laugh. Laughter is like medicine for the soul. And this is what makes those special friends who can always make you laugh important.

“My friend Dylan Maben makes my day. If I’m having a bad day, he can really make me laugh about anything.” • sophomore Madison Everett “I can always make myself laugh. Laughing makes me a happier person. I’m kind of weird in a way. I’ll say something and that can make me chuckle.” • senior Zander Green

“I love my best friend Meredith Riley her with all my heart. She’s smart and funny and her witty humor is the best kind of humor. It never gets old.” • senior Maria Dalton “Collin Adams always knows how to make me feel better and his overall personality is based around making jokes.” Sophomore Kyli Beach “Mr Villela always makes me laugh. He has such a great sense of humor.” • junior Tim McDaniel

“Mrs. Eschols can always make me laugh and feel good about myself. She never gives up on me and realizes that I can be better and improve. She’s a really great teacher. • junior Anabel Medina “A group of people who always make me laugh, at least this year is my ninth period and that’s just because they’re special. And what I always say to them is, ‘Bless his heart’ and so they’ll know what that means.” • History teacher Jacqueline Echols

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Overheard conversations Sofia Viscuso • Copy Editor & Katie Kohutek • Reporter Walking through the halls, minding your own business, you catch just a bit of someone else’s conversation. Out of context, the things you hear other people are talking about can sound crazy. After some intense eavesdropping, here are some of the funniest things that Martin students gossip about during passing period.

“She keeps eating and eating

and then she will look at me and keep eating. Then at 2:50 in the morning she will go ‘BLEH’ right on my bed. I just don’t know what to do with my life” - 10:49 Feb. 26, library lobby “When you don’t know who the other person is and you’re like, ‘I don’t know you, fool.” - 9:39 March 2, outside room 203 “Can I get a ‘yee yee?’” - 10:30 March 5, room 238 “A&M is my heritage.” - 12:10 March 2, upper gym lobby “This stuff is like crack cocaine.” - 8:45 March 6, room 202 “My mom will be talking to me and I just stare at her and don’t listen to a thing she says.” - 8:45 March 6, 202 “The next dog I get is either going to be named Banjo or Carl. Carl so I can say, ‘Noooo Carl, that kills people!’” - 9:00 March 6, room 202

“Tell me how Michael Jackson is alive, tell me!” “Well for one he went to his own funeral.” - Upstairs history hall, March 5 10:50 “As long as you aren’t snorting cocaine, you don’t have to apologize for snorting.” - 7:59 March 7, room 261 “A man lives in a pink one-story house. Walls are pink. Doors are pink. Furniture is pink. Cups and plates are pink. Even his pet is pink! What color are the stairs?” - 9:08 March 8, outside room 260B “I got these from a really sketchy Chinese website. That’s the only way to get them.” -10:53 March 8, room 239

“You don’t know how to say problems so you say parabola.” -12:54 March 2, outside room 261

“Why would you let him handle hardware if he can’t even handle software?!” -12:28 March 20, outside room 227

“They’re, like, really cheesy.” - 9:36 March 1, cafeteria vending machines.

“She read us a book about Elvis poultry.” -9:00 March 21, history hall

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Flush away the pink pass Teachers get creative with bathroom passes to spice up their classroom Elena Regalado • News Editor

There’s no personality in signing a pink pass for students to leave the classroom. Teachers took it into their own hands to express their excitement for their subject, quirky personalities, and sense of humor into their bathroom passes to make the 30-second trip to the restroom a bit more entertaining. English teacher, Olivia Basham’s classroom is decorated from the door to the Kleenex holder in her Camp Warrior theme. Her “potty pattle” is no exception, and her students use a three-foot tall, highlighter-yellow canoe row as their ticket to the restroom. “My students asked me, ‘Do I really have to take this?’ I told them, ‘Yes, you really do,’” Basham said.

Not only does it flow well with the theme, but it’s easy to sanitize. Basham makes sure to Lysol it at the end of every day. The pass isn’t just fun and easy to remember for students, but it’s also functional for the teacher. “My students can use the bathroom more because I don’t have to write them a pass, they can just grab the pass and go,” Basham said.

For U.S. history teacher, Laura Riall, Party City had the bright and colorful element that was missing from her classroom when it came to bathroom passes. “I use a taco-shaped hat as my bathroom pass,” Riall said. “I thought it was ironic that it could be worn in the style of a historical figure.” Most of her students think it’s funny to

wear, but there’s the occasional student who is embarrassed by it. For Riall, it’s an expression of her personality, and sets the tone she wants in her classroom. “It’s part of a classroom culture, it’s more laid back,” Riall said. “I try to make sure the kids realize that they don’t need to take themselves too seriously.”

Law enforcement teacher, Patrick McCray

have decreased the amount of times they leave class because it’s flashy and unsubtle to carry around. “They have more apt to carry it than me just handing them a generic pass,” McCray said. “I knew for a fact I was getting it back because no one wanted to be seen with a Thor hammer with a toilet in the hallway.”

uses a Thor hammer as his bathroom pass to lighten up the mood to help his students enjoy elements of the class. “I chose it because before, I had people sign in and out, and that didn’t have much character,” McCray said. McCray has noticed that his students

A lot of the student body has witnessed

one of English teacher, Bennett Mitchell’s students carrying a large cardboard cut out down the hallway either shamefully or filled with giddy pride. “My bathroom pass is a small Keebler elf,” Mitchell said. “It’s about half the size of a normal human. I inherited it from a former teacher of mine when she retired.” The pass doesn’t only serve the primary duty of giving a student permission to use the restroom, but it also is a prime line of communication between teachers regarding student’s wandering tracks during class time. “Teachers know that it’s mine,” Mitchell

said. “So if a kid does wander with it they’ll call or email me to say, ‘Hey, so-and-so is in the science wing. What’s he doing out here with your bathroom pass?’” According to Mitchell, students are worried about how they’ll look with it, so only the serious kids will go to the restroom and take it. “It’s one-of-a-kind and it dissuades students who like to wander instead of going to the restroom,” Mitchell said. “It keeps them from walking around with it. They look at me as if it’s a surprise to them and they don’t want to do it, and I’ll say, ‘Yeah it’s the pass, that’s what you’ve got to carry.’”

Photo Meridith Moore

Photo by Trevor Evinger

Photo by Javier Venzor

Photo by Marleigh Richey

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Read between the stalls

Students answer questions we posted in the bathroom stalls Faith Smith • Opinions Editor & Caitlin Harwell • Entertainment Editor When you walk into the bathroom stalls, you find yourself reading mini conversations about anonymous people’s love lives, friend drama or any random thought they may have. Of course, it may be entertaining to read, but it’s a pain for our wonderful custodial staff to clean up. So, we decided to put some questions of our own up in the stalls on poster board and see what the students had to answer. We first tried to put signs in both the boys and girls stalls but the boys signs were torn down in less than 48 hours. The girls signs got lots of responses after a week and a half of having them up, these were their answers:

What's your deepest regret? Answers: “Not being able to speak my mind when times were important” “Letting others get to me” “Loving others more than I loved myself ” “Not saying no” “Keeping to myself and not making friends” “Giving my all to people that don’t deserve it” “Not getting away from abuse” “Drugs” “Nothing. Everything happens for a reason. Live life with no regrets.” “Not letting people know I loved them”

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What is one thing you wish people knew about you? Answers: “I used to be really outgoing until the parents divorce and the abuse. Now I just keep to myself and watch everyone live their lives. I have a very supportive boyfriend but I can see that my anxiety and depression is a lot for him to handle. I try to smile, but somehow depression sneaks up on me and I get those horrible thoughts. I want to be truly happy and I am trying. A lot of people don’t know about my past. Seven years of torture.” “I wish my friends knew how much they really mean to me. I love them a lot.” “I’m gay!” “I tried to make sure I’m always happy because that’s peoples’ expectations of me.” “I’m not always happy like I appear.” “I don’t want to go to college for my sport and there is nothing I can do about it.” “I’m not really a poster child with a poster family.” “It’s easy to smile through pain just to make others happy.”

the warrior post

Curt Leland Editor-In-Chief

Taste of Italy

My experience in a foreign country

Elizabeth Prickett & Sofia Viscuso Copy Editors Elena Regalado News Editor Olivia Dague & Lauren Worth Features Editors Chloe Christenson & Nikk Hernandez Sports Editors Caitlin Harwell Entertainment Editor Faith Smith & Haleigh Trevino Opinions Editors Brooklin Bruno Online/video Editor Ashley Byrd Design Editor Zane Stewart Photo Editor Tricia Regalado Adviser Marlene Roddy Principal Staffers: Emma Beard, Sara Blain, Sydney Decanio, Alyssa Deluna, Rama, Ensor, Madison Everett, William Jeffery, Katie Kohutek, Saber Lamb, Morgan Lloyd, Rayn Martin, Cameron Mayes, Megan Mitchell, Meridith Moore, Ashley Odom, Sydney Pugh, Annika Reeves, Rylee Richardson, Marleigh Richey, Wendi Rivera, Humberto Rodriguez, Nicole Salas, Michael Sandoval, Shelby Simmel, Savannah Thompson, Aivrey Zaiger The Warrior Post is the official publication of Martin High School. Opinion columns don’t necessarily represent the opinion of The Warrior Post or of Martin High School.

Rylee Richardson•Reporter The constant ringing of the seat belts sign silenced the rustling of the plane, forcing people to finally take their seats. It wasn’t until this moment that it finally set in. I was headed to Italy. Day 1: Following a sleepless night, the girls in my room and I rolled out of bed and headed down to the first floor of our hotel to get breakfast. It was our first day in Venice and everyone was jittery and overjoyed. By the end of the day we had fallen completely in love with the city.

Day 2: We walked through the city until we finally reached our destination where we were handed bikes, and then was escorted to a ferry boat. We were headed to the island of Libo for a 10 Kilometer, two-hour bike tour in the pouring rain. Even though we were completely miserable, we still got to experience a smaller city and even rode along the sea. That night I was reconnected with my Italian host student. Day 3: It was Monday morning in Udine and we were headed to my Italian’s school, Uccellis, for our first day together. The drive to her school was filled with a beautiful view of the mountains before we reached the inner part of the city. The school was very small, only having two stories and one hallway of classrooms on each floor. Some of the students in the class showed us around the city, introducing us to the more

famous landmarks. Day 4: We headed towards our meeting point to load the bus for our first day trip to Klagenfurt, Austria, about two hours away through the mountains. Day 5: The group loaded the bus to headed to the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. The city was more modern compared to most of the places we had visited, and we soon learned about some of the rich history of the city as the Italian students presented about different important places throughout the city. Day 6: We arrived at our destination in Trieste, Italy for our last day trip that week about 30 minutes out of Udine. The city was filled with boats and bridges, and held the small-town feel that Udine has. Our last stop before we headed home was to the Miramare castle that overlooked the sea. Day 7: Instead of going somewhere outside of Udine, we stayed and went to school with our Italians. This was our dedicated day to teach some of the others in the school about Texan culture, involving presentations and a dance lesson. That night we all met up at the school for a large dinner and a fun night at a bowling alley. Day 8: Our last day in Udine began by attending school with our Italians. Their Italian teacher created a lesson to work on the pronunciation of the colors with the American students. Along with attending some of their lessons we also attended English dialogue to help the younger kids on their conversations in English. The day was filled with bittersweet goodbyes because we knew we had to board a train in the morning. not knowing when we would see our Italian friends

Fixing lunch is up to us

[STAFF editorial]

No matter the grade or age, everyone has in the same 55-minute lunch and has the same rules. These rules have been broken time and time again by those who carelessly start trouble and break out fights and trash the hallways. Because of this issue, the possibility looms of multiple lunches for the upcoming school year. Some schools divide lunch by section off the school but it is also an option to do it separating upper and lower classmen. This would cause a problem between classes that are blended between upper and lower classmen. Also, Martin has many clubs and great student involvement, but other schools that have multiple lunches are a different story. With many lunches, clubs could not have meetings at lunch, teachers could not be available to tutor, and meetings such as AP registration could not take place. We should also consider opening up different areas of the school for lunch. If gyms and the courtyard were open for lunch this would give students the opportunity to get rid of the pent-up energy they have from the long school day. Also, adding extra trash cans and administering D-halls to those who do not pick up after themselves would help the littering issue within the school. If we make an effort to solve the problem in a less extreme way it could help not only the students have a better lunch but also would help in avoiding issues that could come from multiple lunches.

opinions

Keeping up with the Oscars

Hollywood’s finest compete for various awards Saber Lamb • Reporter

he 90th annual Academy Awards, aka the Oscars, took place on Sunday March 4 with late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel running the show. All of the best movies Hollywood had to offer from 2017 were nominated for the usual big awards such as Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress. However, over the past few years the Oscars have been subject to some criticism as many people in the media believe that the nominees often lack diversity, citing that most of the big winners fall under the category of “Oscar bait,” movies that usually come out late in the year and most often include a reputable director and award winning actors. A perfect example of this is 2017’s The Post, which was directed by Steven Spielberg (reputable to say the least) and starred Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep (26 award nominations between them). Did this movie, which was up for best picture, kept up the tradition, or did some of the more diverse and exciting nominees like Get Out from comedian and first-time director Jordan Peele break the cycle? Actor in a supporting role: Our first winner, Sam Rockwell, portrayed a corrupt police officer in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. He went up against some tough opponents as well, such as the 88-year-old Christopher Plummer from All the Money in the World.

Actor in a lead role: This Oscar went to Gary Oldman for his performance in the movie Darkest Hour, which centered around the Prime Minister of Great Britain Winston Churchill (Oldman) navigating his country on the precipice of World War II. The makeup and hairstyling team for this movie also took home an Oscar as they used extensive makeup to make Oldman appear overweight to fit his character. Actress in a supporting role: This award went to Allison Janney for the movie I, Tonya in which she played the abusive mother of a talented figure skater played by Margot Robbie. Many critics cited her as a great comedic relief for a movie that otherwise dealt with a serious topic.

Achievement in score: The Shape of Water, which was nominated for 13 awards, snagged one here with Alexandre Desplat at the helm. He used warm and melodic themes in the score to create a “voice” for the two mute stars (the creature and the woman). Best picture: Once again, The Shape of Water took home the prize, this time in the most contested and most anticipated category of the night. Other nominees included the extraordinary Get Out from Jordan Peele, (which ended up win-

Actress in a lead role: Another Oscar went to Three Billboards here, as Frances McDormand took one home for her lead role as a feisty mother who is desperate to solve her daughter’s murder, even if it means going to war with the police chief and his second-in-command. Achievement in directing: Guillermo Del Toro earned this for his outstanding work on the original film The Shape of Water about a woman who forms a special bond with a mysterious scaled creature. The interesting factor of this movie however, is that both the woman and the creature are mute, adding a unique dynamic between them.

entertainment

ning best original screenplay) and The Post from Steven Spielberg, which I considered to be the favorite to win. Overall, I think that the Oscars were a success. Jimmy Kimmel did a fine job as host, although his constant jabs at the White House eventually became repetitive. The winners were definitely more diverse than in previous years, although I was disappointed that my personal favorites Dunkirk and Get Out both lost in the Best Picture vote.

Love wins

Fake Twitter of AISD Anonymous parody accounts confuse and provide humor

Love Simon is shows that insecurities are normal Katie Kohutek • Reporter One of the most terrifying things a teenager can do is allow people to see who they truly are. We hide ourselves behind fake smiles that mask depression and anxiety, and we make sure our Instagram pages are filled with images of sunsets and physical beauty that don’t at all reflect our sleepless nights spent binging on Netflix. The student at the center of the movie Love, Simon hides part of himself from the world as well. The film Love, Simon is based on the book Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli and features a teenager named Simon Spier whose high school experience is quite a struggle. While Simon doesn’t post pictures of sunsets on Instagram to hide his Friday night activities, he does keep a massive secret from his friends and family – he’s gay. One of Simon’s many internal struggles with this fact is that he can’t figure why he hasn’t “come out” yet. His mom is liberal, and his dad is not by any means homophobic, so he knows that there would not be any problem if he were to tell his family. Yet, he still can’t bring himself to do it. This is one of the key points of the film. Simon is scared to show the world who he is. He enjoyed the life he had when everyone just assumed he was straight, and he loves his friends and family deeply. He didn’t want to destroy that. While we all may not relate to being gay, or even having an enormous secret that could have major

Emma Beard • Reporter

repercussions, this is a film that the majority of teenagers can find themselves in. The portrayal of high school is pretty accurate, and not the romanticized High School Musical version that we secretly wish high school was like. The truth is, we all have some insecurities about ourselves, no matter how big or small. It’s called being teenager. That is why this film is so important. Not only does it provide representation of the LGBT+ community where a gay character is actually the main protagonist of the film (something that is rare in films aimed at teens), but it also provides a motivating message about allowing yourself to shine. It doesn’t matter what you look like, what race you are, what gender you are, or even who you love. What matters is that you remain true to yourself. Maybe you aren’t in a place where you feel comfortable enough to reveal yourself to the world, or maybe you just flat out can’t do it for certain reasons. That is okay too, as long as you know and embrace who you are, and aren’t hiding it for someone else’s sake. We need to learn that true friends and family will not abandon us for things that are out of our control, and will love us no matter what. Love, Simon embodies this, and I recommend it to anyone who feels the insecurities of being a teenager and needs a reminder that the best version of ourselves is the truest one.

Twitter is used for comedy as much as information. Confusion arises when anonymous users make parody accounts of schools in AISD. Some of the more harmless, funny tweets are below. The official Martin Twitter account, run by teacher Lauren Henson is @MartinHigh.

entertainment

Stepping out

Step team returns after seven-year drought Reporters • Meridith Moore and Marleigh Richey The floors of Martin rumble at the sound of the step team, each step more powerful than the last. This distinct sound has not filled the hallways in many years...until now. “I think having a step team brings more variety and culture to the school, because I feel like we have a lot of things and this is something that is really different,” sophomore Madison Parks said. “It’s something that I have really been passionate about since I was younger and it is really important to me and it makes me feel happy and feel like I kind of have a place.” Due to the fact that the step

team could not find someone to sponsor them, Martin was forced to go without a step team for seven years. “I feel that one of the reasons step team hasn’t really been a thing is because Martin as a whole doesn’t understand the meaning of step, and that’s what we’re here to change,” junior Alana Hubert said. Although the step team is made up of fewer than 30 students, to those performing, it is something much bigger. “Step team brings a different vibe to Martin,” freshman Winter Willis said. “I have been on a step team for years. I was really sad to know they did not

have it at Martin, so when it came back I was really excited.” The current step team coach is English teacher Genice Mayeaux. “The importance of a step team is to be a team and work together,” sophomore Mercedes McKnight said. “What made me want to join the step team was just because it sounded fun. That’s what I like to do and they didn’t have it before, so when they got it, I joined it.” The team is currently preparing for an upcoming performance in April. “The importance of having a step team here at Martin is basically for building a team and building leadership, responsibilities, and finding culture,”

sophomore Aalayah Williams said. “I love the energy and coming up with cool steps and getting to be yourself. Step team is something good and something Martin should have to keep students focused and together. It is very important and is very important in college, too.” The team holds practices every week after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. “Being able to come back after so long and being a team really shows family,” freshman Corey Ford said. “When you step you have a lot of power and shows it's not too late to start anything.” Tryouts for next year are going to be held in August.

news

Servin’ looks

Tennis goes to Austin to gear up for season

sports

1. Preparing to hit the 2 ball, senior Jillian Tran is determined to serve the ball over the net. 2. Embodying pride, senior Brittney Dao yells after scoring a point. Photos by Curt Leland

The Martin Tennis team doesn’t rest as they soar through their spring season. The Tennis team traveled to Austin March 2 for their annual Cuuwi trip. “Coach Moore named it Cuuwi as a native Warrior language that was here way back in the day,” tennis coach Sara Giles said. The trip is overnight and a special opportunity, but who gets to go on it is even more special. “It doesn’t matter what rank you are on the ladder,” Giles said. “It’s how hard you work. You earn points by taking lessons, playing matches, volunteering, and playing in

said. “We went to the Byron Nelson tournament the other day and it has 20 or 21 teams and we ended up getting third overall.”

Answers:

extra tournaments. The ones who have the highest number we took with us.” “We played a huge tournament with a lot of great teams, my doubles partner and I were there for like eight hours and got to play five matches,” junior Megan Bishop said. “We also got to go eat out on Lake Austin and spend some time in Round Rock. The trip definitely brought the team closer together.” This year 16 students went on the trip. In the fall season, tennis is a team sport and Martin closely missed the highest podium and placed second in district. “We have gotten first in almost every tournament in different events so far,” Giles

Curt Leland • Editor-in-Chief