Warrior Post - December 2014

The Warrior Post Martin High School /4501 W. Pleasant Ridge Dr. Arlington, TX 76016 / Volume 33, Issue 2 December 12, 2014

Ditto kindergartner and honorary Warrior Micah Ahern leads senior varsity linebacker Josh Watson off the AT&T stadium field at the Homecoming game on Oct. 24. Photo by Alex Ramm

What’s i n si d e Trading

13 -14 15 -18 32 places

Experiencing one another’s religions

Superhero Micah

On the rebound

Ashes to ashes

More than a childhood cancer statistic

A sneak peek into this girls basketball season

Time to put the cigarettes down, E-cigs included

28

What you’ve missed

A look back at what you’ve missed the past month at MHS

2.

1.

3.

1. After winning a school spirit concert sponsored by the Texas Rangers, Martin got a private concert from the Eli Young Band. Band members Mike Eli and Jon Jones were taking selfies with seniors after the performance. Photo by Madison Grisham

2.The freshman concert choir warms up before

rehearsing for their upcoming winter concert. The Winter Concert will take place in the Martin High School auditorium on Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Photo by Chardonnay Darby

4.

3.Junior Natalie Jones picks up her class ring from

the Jostens representatives on Nov. 20 in the Upper Gym Lobby. Photo by Cammi Skanes

4.Seniors Jireh Davis and Benedict Anukwah are all smiles after being announced this year’s homecoming king and queen Oct. 24. Photo by Bailey Lewis.

5.Senior Alex Shamshoum leads the varsity football 3. news

team through the tunnel to begin the second half of the Martin vs Allen in the Nov. 28 round three playoff game. Photo by Bailey Lewis

2

#BrodyStrong

With MHS support, graduate recovers from August car accident

Roberta Flores • Reporter 2014 graduate Brody Blakely was involved in a severe car accident in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 5. The first time Brody’s dad, Randy Blakely heard about the accident was from the DFW Scanner page on Facebook, which posted this as a “violent accident” on Sublett Road.

Randy knew Brody was out with a friend around the area.

After not replying to any of the calls and text messages from him, Randy drove over to the area of the scene of the accident.

The officers asked him who he was looking for and he replied, “Brody Blakely.” They hesitated and told him he needed to go to the hospital quickly.

“I was numb,” Randy said. “I had no idea what the extent of the injuries were. I expected the worst, as even in fender benders you hear about broken legs, broken pelvis, broken ribs, etc.”

The doctor explained to him that Brody had suffered a serious fracture on his right arm, a laceration on his left leg and brain swelling.

“If he had not suffered the brain injury, he would have walked out with minimal physical injuries,” Randy said.

“His head injury is what’s kept him in the hospital.”

There was initial swelling of Brody’s brain that has diminished over time. His arm fracture required several surgeries with plates and pins, but the doctor was able to put his elbow back into place so all the bones healed together.

Brody was with a couple of his friends the night of the

accident. One of them was fellow 2014 Martin graduate, Brandon Lawing.

“We stopped by my brother’s to get fishing poles to go fishing the next morning,” Lawing said. “On our way to my house, he left before me.”

Lawing was about a block from Brody when the accident happened. He didn’t see the accident but saw the result of it.

He pulled Brody out when he saw that a natural gas pipe that the car hit had busted. His car had been cut in half. Emergency crews had to shut the power off in the area due to the impact of the hit and damage caused in the area.

Martin graduate Brody Blakely hit a gas meter and utility pole Aug. 5. The impact was so big that the car split in half. Today, Blakely is home and recovering. Photos courtesy of the Blakely family

stronger and stronger. His dad said that it’s going as scheduled and he is getting better, but doctors are saying that he is ahead of schedule.

“Every day is a new day as we see improvements in his speech, cognitive and motor skills,” Randy said. “He’s having to relearn things we take for granted every day.”

From September to just before Thanksgiving Brody was at a Baylor Rehab center in Dallas. He’s now an outpatient of Baylor in Dallas for training and therapy, five days a week, six hours per day.

The first week after the accident, Randy never left his son’s side. He was even given a room near him and stayed for about five weeks. Randy returned to work as regional manager of a specialty gas company after Brody was out of his critical stage.

Warrior football career Brody played on the football team freshman and sophomore year, but suffered an injury sophomore year. He remained as the team’s manager his junior and senior year. Players knew him as a phenomenal, tireless worker who was the same happy, positive guy every day.

“He is a guy that made the team better in every way,” head football coach Bob Wager said.

When Brody’s former teammates heard about his injuries, they were devastated as well as heart-broken, not knowing the full impact of his injuries. They said they feel so grateful now that Brody is recovering and alive today.

“You see these things everyday on the news, but not the people you know or love,” Wager said.

“Every day is a new day” Today, Brody is getting

3

“Thank everyone” Brody is currently living with his mom right now. She has also been with him in the hospital as much as possible.

“Anytime there is an accident involving a kid, most are quick to jump to conclusions,” Randy said. “He wasn’t texting and driving, he wasn’t drinking and driving. We do know he was speeding, but he was also alone. You know, things happen for a reason and sometimes bad things happen to good people.”

Randy and his daughter, 2011 graduate Emily Blakely, had many family members and friends offering services to them, but their mind wasn’t on what people could do for them.

All they could think about 24/7 was Brody.

“The Blakely family would like to thank everyone from Martin that have sent well wishes, positive thoughts, and prayers,” Randy said. “The MHS football booster club has been amazing in their support and we couldn’t thank Coach Wager and his staff enough for visiting Brody every week before the season began. I read the results to Brody every Saturday and look forward to one day being able to return the support again soon.”

news

Take a bow Hook, line and sinker Bass Fishing club is unerway for its second year Archery club members practice to Luke Bishop • Reporter Since the Bass Fishing Club started last year, there has been exponential growth in the club, or, as sophomore Josh Soroka calls it, the “sport.”

“We started with only about five to ten people last year,” Soroka said. “Now we have over 30 people in the club.”

Many of these students participate in this club for the enjoyment of fishing, and getting out and competing in the sport they love.

“I wanted to join because, first of all, I love fishing,” sophomore Taylor Sherrill said. “I also wanted to fish at all these different lakes I’d never fished at before, and to fish with all my friends and have the experience.”

However, none of this would’ve happened if juniors Jarod Peterson and Tom Overman hadn’t started it last March when Peterson’s mom, Psychology teacher Rachael Peterson talked to Coach Matt Criner, one of the teacher sponsors, about it.

“I grew up fishing and I know a lot of kids don’t so I wanted to expose a lot of them to this type of fishing,” Criner said.

It wasn’t easy forming the club though.

“There was a lot of paper work,” Peterson said. “But I had no problem talking to the administrators about it.”

Though it may not be the biggest club, a lot of money

take first in competitions

goes into it. For every tournament, around $500 is spent on fishing supplies.

Members and their parents, such as sophomore Jackson Hall’s dad, provide funding for the club.

“We took it to the next level,” Hall said. “Without us they wouldn’t have the jerseys.”

However, with these jerseys comes a lot of time and effort.

For a typical tournament with traveling, fishermen would typically wake up at 2 a.m., get to the lake around 4:30 or 5. The trip ends when they get home around 7 or 8 at night.

“It’s an all-day thing,” Peterson said.

In the end all the work is paid off with Martin finishing third at Lake Arlington last year. Martin has placed in the top 10 at Joe Pool Lake and Lake Texoma with Soroka and Jackson at third for Angler of the Year.

Many of the people in the club now have been fishing since childhood.

“My dad would always go fishing with me,” Overman said. “It was sort of my childhood. Every day of the summer I’d go fishing.”

So what about the future of this club, when the founders graduate? Criner thinks it will continue to grow.

“I’m 100 percent sure, because we have middle school kids who are wanting to come up here and do it.” said Criner.

Parker Poulos • Reporter average at each meeting. Right Two whistles pierce the air, and all the students swarm the rack, pick up a bow, and walk to the shooting line.

“Bows on toes!” Coach Ricky Albus reminded the shooters.

“Everyone ready?”

Albus blows one whistle, and everyone begins to shoot at will.

Once each shooter runs out of arrows, they put their bows back on the rack and wait for the next signal.

When everyone finishes shooting, Albus blows three whistles, which means, “go get arrows.” All the members walk to the target line and remove their arrows from the targets.

The archery club at Martin began this year in September.

“Archery really seemed to be one of the most popular units that we covered in Outdoor Adventures, so we asked the students who was interested in starting a club,” Albus said.

Over the past four years, Albus and coach Sabina Harrington have been trying to start the archery club at Martin.

“One of the things that turned some people away is space,” Albus said. “We were really excited our first meeting. We had about 112 students attend the first meeting, but since that time our numbers have dropped to about 25 to 30 students on

Sophomore Jackson Hall reels in a largemouth bass while practicing fishing at a local pond.

Photo by Luke Bishop

news

Freshman Samuel Gattorna works on his form to prepare for competition.

Photo by Parker Poulos

4

now we only have eight targets, which means we can only have 16 shooters at once.”

Archery Club meets to shoot on A-Day Thursdays in Gym D, and the requirements to join are very simple. They include a small safety test and an admission fee of $20.

The Archery Club also has competitions planned for the year, including one in December and one in March.

“It depends on how many entrants there are, but you show up, and there are two distances you shoot from: ten yards and 15 yards.” Harrington said, “You would go shoot three rounds at ten yards. Once all the contestants have shot that distance, then you shoot three rounds at 15 yards, and it adds all the scores up, and the shooter with the highest score wins.”

However, archery is not only about the scores.

“There are so many good, high-quality benefits that can come from it,” Albus said. “I just enjoy the discipline side of archery, and it brings so many things to the table that I think can benefit not only me but all the students that take part in it.”

“I just think it’s fun, it’s a good challenge,” Harrington said.

“It’s something that equalizes everybody.”

YEARBOOK TIME. order yours today!

Give your kids the chance to look back at all of your bad hairstyles and fashion trends in 30 years.

$65 before March 1. $75 after yearbookforever.com for easy online payment 260B for cash or check. Payable to MHS Yearbook

5

advertisements

World Nails & Spa 817-483-9300 •UV filters •Density autoclave tool sterilizer •Chemical air filter •Clients disposable kit •Special plastic liners on all pedis 5312 Park Springs Blvd #110• Arlington, TX 76017 Corner of Park Springs, Blvd & Green Oaks (across from Walmart Neighborhood Market)

5 Eyebrow $ 99

wax

Mon-Fri: 9:30-7 • Sat: 9-7 • Sun 12-6

$ 00 7 OFF Shellac Manicure 5 OFF Acrylic white tip Solar full set $2499 new set $ 99 17 Any Pedicure OR pedicure

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SPECIAL

$ 00

Includes clear gel reg. $35

reg. $25

Not valid with any other offer. High school students only. With student I.D. One coupon per customer. Expires 6/3/15

Not valid with any other offer. One coupon per customer. Expires 6/3/15

Not valid with any other offer. One coupon per customer. Expires 6/3/15

advertisements

color only Reg. $30

Not valid with any other offer. One coupon per customer. Expires 6/3/15

6

Making Spirits Brighter

Martin reaches out by donating christmas gifts to deployed soldiers Binh Le • Reporter

Approximately 330 bags of beef jerky, 558 Rice Crispy treats, 934 fruit snack packets, 544 energy bars, and many more items were collected for the donation project on Nov. 14 from different organizations, people, and schools.

“Making Spirits Bright” is a donation project managed by Bonnie Flynt, a retired Spanish teacher. Flynt retired from teaching at Martin in 2011.

“This project is for the men and women that cannot be home for the holidays,” Flynt said. “I think the project is very fun and satisfying.”

Her son-in-law, Kelly Velder, is currently based out at the 301st Security Forces Squadron, NAS Fort Worth JRB. Velder sent an email asking for help in making this holiday season a little easier for the men and women of the 879th Secu-

Spanish teacher Michelle Torres hands retired teacher Bonnie Flynt donations Nov. 14. Students collected hundreds of items for troops overseas. Photo

by Binh Le

rity Forces Squadron in Saudi Arabia.

Velder first sent the email to his wife, Carrie Velder. Velder then contacted Flynt, Carrie Velder’s mother, who thought the project was a great idea.

“I thought of an idea that might provide a little taste of home,” Velder said. “Could we give each airman a stocking stuffed with small gifts? This may be a small gesture, but I want them to know they are not forgotten and for a short time longer, we are their family.”

This inspired the project, “Making Spirits Bright.” The goal of the project was to send 153 goody-filled stockings to these men and women who serve our county. Spanish teacher Michelle Torres asked her students if they could donate and many agreed. Many students and teachers have family members who serve in the military, and being apart can be

hard during the holidays.

“My husband was in the Marines and he’s been deployed twice,” Torres said. “I wanted to help since I understand the hard military lifestyle.”

Along with Martin, Bailey Junior High, Bowen Road School, Arlington High School, and MCA Hospital volunteers donated to help out our servicemen and women. Student Council also had a part in the project.

The majority of Torres’s classes voted to donate beef jerky packets for the project. The other items that are being donated are taken care of by other schools, organizations, fami-

10 interesting facts about Benedict Anwukah

lies, or people.

“My grandpa was in World War II,” junior Kaley Ivy said.

“I felt it was necessary to donate. If I was out there, this is what I would want – something to remind myself of home when times are rough.”

Even though the items collected may not seem like very much to us, the small, thoughtful gesture may mean a lot to the soldiers who are currently deployed in Saudi Arabia.

“We are planning to send the boxes next week,” Flynt said.

“I think that the servicemen and women will be really excited when they receive the stockings.”

You may know him as the headbanging, wild headdress-wearing, energetic Homecoming King. But did you know that senior Benedict Anwukah...

1 ...was

Alec Delon • Reporter • Photo by Alex Ramm career in Bio-Medicine after injuring himself in Cross Country last year and visiting a doctor. Anwukah spent a week making a working artificial knee joint with the guidance of Dr. Liping Tang.

4... has an uncle who holds a very prominent position in the Nigerian government.

As a result, when Anwukah visits Nigeria, he is offered gifts, money and clothes as a simple offering, all of which he declines.

5... is the leader of the Heckle Squad and spends his Friday nights heckling the other team while boosting our own.

originally born in Nigeria and lived there for the first three years of his life until coming to America with his uncle, but he didn’t actually move with his whole family until he was five.

“When I was six, I spent a year in California abroad, just to experience life and see if it would be a good fit,” he said. “It wasn’t until a couple of years later that my uncle gave my family the money to move to Texas.”

2... believed his kindergarten teacher to be possessed, while arguing with his mom, so he cut off his teacher's hair and held it up, laughing hysterically.

“In Nigerian culture, it’s believed that when you’re arguing with someone, they are possessed,” he said. "I was trying to save everybody!”

3... was inspired and decided to pursue a

7

6... was chosen Homecoming

King, along with senior Jireh Davis, making them the first MHS African-American Homecoming couple.

7... holds first chair in Bass 2 section of UIL Regional Choir.

8... returns every Summer to Nigeria for three weeks as a reminder of his roots and to visit family.

“I like how every year the status of the country changes and it slowly moves away from the ‘third world’ stereotype.”

9... holds dual citizenship in both Nigeria and America.

10... will attend Cockrell School of Engineering at UT.

features

Get the scoop

Cafeteria worker Antonia Monteagudo prepares food for students and staff. Photo

by Bailey Lewis

Lunch ladies work hard to accomplish tasks with little recognition Haley Wiley • Reporter

As you walk into the cafeteria

at lunch time, it is filled with students eagerly waiting in the seemingly never-ending lunch lines to fill their empty stomachs. Students wait in line, get their lunches and leave without thinking twice about how much effort is really put into the making of their meals.

Martin is the only high school in Arlington where food is served all during the school day.

Although it brings in more money, it is a lot of work for the cafeteria workers.

“I get breakfast and lunch a few times a week in the cafeteria,” sophomore Bobby McCloud said. “They work really well together, you can tell.”

The lunch ladies work together to make our school

meals happen and each lunch lady has a different job.

“Some of us prepare fruit, and some of us make french fries,” lunch lady Silivia Chau said. “It’s overwhelming sometimes.”

The lunch ladies work in shifts, and they have set times to come into work between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.

They consistently make food and distribute it throughout the cafeteria and upstairs in the snack bar throughout the entire school day.

“Everything is very fastpaced,” lunch lady Kelly Ode���� man said. “The only break we have is 30 minutes for lunch.”

As hard as the lunch ladies work for the students, they are still treated with disrespect.

“We get cussed out almost every day,” cafeteria manager Marti Beasley said. “We handle

it professionally, but it still hurts our feelings.”

The lunch ladies also deal with theft on the daily.

“I see kids slip Gatorades and things like that in their pockets all the time,” Beasley said. “I always ask them to please put it back and they act like they don’t know what I’m talking about.”

Beasley said she tries to encourage all of the lunch ladies to become friends with one another.

“It’s hard for everyone to get along when we have people from all walks of life doing this job,” Beasley said. “I try to make this environment as

stress-free as possible.”

The number of staff each week as well as their ages vary.

“We have anywhere between 20 to 25 ladies that come in each day,” Beasley said. “Our youngest lady is 30 and our oldest is 61.”

The lunch ladies said they like to have fun while making food.

“Sometimes if you walk into the kitchen during the day, you’ll hear us singing,” Beasley said. “We sound terrible but we sing all the time.”

Despite difficulties, the lunch ladies said they love their jobs.

“We sing, we laugh, and we have a good time,” Beasley said. “Life is too short.”

BOGO 50% off all services on menu

features

8

Starving to death

Senior speaks out about her battle with an eating disorder

Behavioral Healthcare system for her first daytime treatment, but it didn’t help the situation.

“Everyone has a different body type, so when people compare themselves to others, things start getting dangerous,” Intervention Specialist Deborah Vation said.

“People are actually dying to be thin.”

Madison Grisham & Kaitlyn Rosenbaum • Reporters

I

wanted control of what was going into my body,” senior Sierra Puskarich says about her previous struggle with an eating disorder.

Almost one out of every 100 teenage girls are affected by some form of an eating disorder.

The most common eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa (Bulimia) and Binge Eating Disorder.

Puskarich was diagnosed with Anorexia in tenth grade.

“It started in fifth grade when I went to a museum and sucked the air out of a balloon,” Puskarich said. “A lady saw me and told me that I was going to die from the toxins going into my brain. After that, I got really depressed and stopped eating.”

culture and society’s everpresent unrealistic pictures and media that depict men and women who are underweight,” Lori Stone, Therapist at Southlake Psychiatric and Counseling said.

“These pictures often become altered and the young people make it their goal to look like them.

They use the restriction of food or overeating and binging to cope with the expectation of being thin.”

Once the person with the eating disorder gets into the problem, they begin to crave the control and will do whatever they must to keep that control.

This also leads to hiding the issue and keeping it going for a long time.

“Society’s ever-present unrealistic pictures”

“I got so good at hiding it”

Eating Disorders are triggered by outside pressures from people and media, coping with stress, personality traits like low self-esteem, the development of depression, and can also be passed genetically. Eating disorders are usually hard to detect, and once far in, they are hard to treat. About 13.1 combined percent of bulimic, anorexic or general eating disorders result in death.

“It’s typically brought on by

“I knew I needed help”

Usually when a person develops an eating disorder, they do not realize all the dangers that can be tied into it. Puskarich had gone to the doctor multiple times, and was told she was not taking care of things healthily. It wasn’t until negative side effects started happening that she realized the extent of her anorexia.

“I was constantly cold, my fingernails turned purple and my hair was falling out,” Puskarich adds. “I fainted and had a seizure because I hadn’t eaten for a while. I was also doing cheerleading at the time, so I was constantly tired and had no energy. That’s when I knew I needed help.”

Like other disorders, the person affected often has a hard time deciding when help is needed. Puskarich’s cheerleading coach and friends also told her parents about what was going on with the weight loss and serious side effects.

“I hated my parents for making me go, but I had scammed them for five years, so I knew I had to,” Puskarich said. “I went to the RenFrew Center for their day treatment, weeks before and during Christmas break my sophomore year. When I went in, I was 70 pounds, so

“It took my family a while to notice that I wasn’t eating,” Puskarich said. “I would pretend to eat my food, then hide it and wait to throw it away. I would try to conceal the fact that I was losing weight by wearing baggy clothes, and during weigh-ins at home I would wear layers or wear weights under my clothes. It took them awhile to notice how skinny I was getting because I got so good at hiding it.”

Puskarich went to Sundance

9

they made my goal weight 120.

I went there from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You would get breakfast and lunch at a certain time to help gain back your hunger.

There would be group therapy sessions and then I would be home for dinner. There was a little bit of freedom. My parents would make sure I was doing what I was supposed to, and I met a lot of people going through the same thing so that helped me a lot too. Although it wasn’t easy, I gained back the weight and I followed the rules, so I guess I overcame the anorexia and was released.”

“It isn’t worth it”

Puskarich said she still struggles with the feeling of not being enough. Anorexia is a disorder most people never shake. Although now she is at a healthy weight, she still finds it difficult to eat.

“I’m still not allowed to weigh myself,” Puskarich said.

“There’s no scale in my house, so the only way I know where my weight is is based on how my clothes fit. I like to make my own food, so I know what is going into my body still.”

Puskarich is now an advocate for eating disorders and works with national eating disorder groups to raise awareness and help others going through the disorders. She also participates in walks and recovery groups.

“I try to make sure other people don’t go through this,” Puskarich says. “I tell them that the damage you do to your body isn’t worth it. It’s a serious problem that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I’m not cured, but I have overcome this.”

features

Essence of beauty Martin faculty and students give their personal definiton of beauty

B

Aisha Iqbal • Reporter

Beauty has many different definitions, because everyone has their own opinion. Beauty can be portrayed in many different ways, not just in a person’s physical features, but also in their actions. I asked students, teachers, counselors, and A.Ps what their definition of beauty is, and got many unique answers.

•

“My definition of beauty is self pride and knowing your self worth. It’s not all about makeup and clothes. It’s what’s on the inside that makes a person beautiful.”

• senior Aarionna Jackson

•

“I believe that true beauty cannot be judged or revealed through our exterior looks.

Real beauty can only be shown when no one is hovering over you. True beauty is not what we look like, it’s what we feel from the inside, which is deeply placed.”

• senior Andrew Chun

•

“Beauty to me is something or someone who is naturally beautiful. They don’t require things such as makeup to show they are beautiful. It just comes naturally, like someone’s actions can be beautiful.”

• senior Taiyeb Rangwalla

•

“I think beauty means the beauty of the soul, a beautiful soul is one that is loving and nice to everyone. So, being beautiful outside and inside towards yourself and others is in my opinion the definition of beauty. Having an outside beautiful

cover costs nothing if the inside is ugly.”

• senior Fatima Mohamed

M

“My personal definition of beauty is something that’s aesthetically pleasing to the eye. If it’s a piece of art then definitely the colors, and the structure, design. If it’s a person, it is a little more in-depth. With a person, it isn’t just the looks, it’s also the attitude, intelligence, the way a person carries himself. That’s my definition of beauty.”

• English Teacher Bennett Mitchell

•

“Beauty is like a pearl. The outside appearance doesn’t always matter. What really matters is the thing in the inside. Showing who you really are is my definition of beauty.”

• senior Hyeonuk Lee

art by Audrey Dao

•

“I believe that true beauty is someone who has good character. They put others before themselves most of the time, and are honest in any decision they make. Beauty is not always what is on the outside.

True beauty comes from within.”

• junior Gloriely Salgado

•

“Beauty to me is being yourself. Learning to embrace your flaws, turning them into your strengths.”

• junior Aisha Selod

•

“My definition of beauty is being healthy, physically and mentally. As an animal, humans are attracted to someone who is physically healthy or fertile. A male might see a woman with a beautiful face and not consider that her beauty is due to her health and genetics. He may like her physique although those also come from her health and fertility. Women find a

features

handsome man who is strong, his beauty also comes from his health. Mental health is beautiful too, positive thoughts and kindness are examples of a healthy mind.”

• sophomore Sydney Dragon

•

“My personal definition of beauty is simple. Most people get too deep into it, but not me.

My definition is me, I am my own definition of beauty.”

• sophomore Jihaad Iqbal

•

“Beauty is when you have natural beauty, having your own style to make yourself happy and not trying to fit in.”

• sophomore Dena Elansari

•

“To me beauty is when God brings life into existence, whether it’s through the birth of a new tree or a newborn baby and when these creations prosper under Gods will and through His miracles. That’s what I believe beauty means.”

• sophomore Ali Alirezaieyan

10

•

“I think my definition is anything in the world, I believe everything has beauty, you have to look for it. A person can be beautiful from their ability to be a genuine person, beauty isn’t based on looks, but on personality and by putting others before yourself.”

• freshman Natalie Panella

•

“Beauty is something that comes from the heart. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, what I think is beautiful, someone else might not think is beautiful. Beauty is a positive word. Beauty is how somebody speaks, what you see when you look in somebody’s eyes or what you see of God’s creation.

There’s natural beauty, which I believe is God’s creation.”

• counselor Suzanne Bandy

•

“I think it’s something that makes you pleased, and content. Something that’s pleasing to the eye.”

• librarian Suzanne Severns

An equal and opposite reaction The Martin Physics Club stays active with many scientific, fun and original events Emma Marshall • Reporter Physics is often referred to as the study of everything. That’s a tall order, but the Martin Physics Club is taking the bull by the horns.

“It’s really just the group of students who like physics,” Physics teacher Tim Long said.

“The Physics club began as a support for the UIL science team, but now it really has a life of its own and probably 100 members or so.”

The Physics Club is filled with students who enjoy discussing complex topics like matter, energy, force and many other things, while hanging out and playing ping-pong.

“I think it’s fun to get to see members enjoying physics a little more because sometimes Physics gets a bad rep at Martin for being an extremely diffi-

cult course,” junior Rachel Bui had very close up shots of the said. “It’s nice seeing people moon, that were spectacular.”

Physics Club isn't all about being more enthusiastic about science. physics.”

They do things that aren't diPhysics Club also has many rectly related to Physics, and events throughout the year, even the things that are directly from stargazing to a banquet related to Physics have a fun to a Hobbit movie marathon. twist.

They undertake a wide variety “We’re basiof activities. cally raising “Sometimes “Our last awareness of event we had Physics gets a bad what we do this past week- rep at Martin for being in Physics we end was a staran extremely difficult have several gazing event course, It’s nice seeevents,” Yao we had out by ing people being more said. “Other the baseball than Physicsenthusiastic about fields,” junior related stuff, Ryan Yao said. physics.”

“We had a • junior Rachel Bui we have some entertaingreat turnout. ment.”

About 60 peo“We’re having a Hobbit movie ple came. We invited the Fort marathon at the end of the seWorth Sidewalk Astronomers mester,” Bui said.

“And we’re to come out and we saw a lot also planning this February to of different celestial bodies. We

11

listen to a lecture by Michio Kaku.”

Possibly the largest event of the year for the physics club is their spring banquet, which isn't just for Physics club members, it’s for any Physics student.

“We call it a banquet but it's actually a picnic out at Stovall Park and that’s really the big event of the whole year,” Long said.

The Physics club wasn’t always this active, though. Last year the club did not have many events, but current officers said that it is very different now.

“We ran for offices to kind of reboot the club because while we did this last year it kind of went downhill,” Bui said.

“There wasn't as much going on last year so we decide to revamp it. We already had a great first event and we hope for many more.”

features

The Warrior Post Martin High School • Arlington, TX Jarred Osterman Editor-In-Chief Kyle Desrosiers News Editor Bailey Lewis & Tupelo Witte Features Editors Sherilyn Morales Opinions Editor Garrett Elliott Sports Editor Michaelann Durden Entertainment Editor Cameron Skanes Photo Editor

Substitute your attitude Students who disrespect subs reflect poorly on teenagers and on Martin Three girls giggle in the back about their weekend plans while attendance is being called. Two boys in opposite corners of the room throw paper airplanes at each other while papers are being turned in. In the front, a student catches up on social media updates on his iPad while homework is graded.

For some students, walking into class to discover a substitute teacher triggers an “easy day” in their minds. The sub’s job is to effectively hold the place of the teacher, conduct the class and serve as a figure of authority.

However, many students may not feel the need to maintain a positive relationship with a temporary teacher, since they are only in the class for a few days at most.

Tricia Regalado Adviser Desy Thompson • Reporter

Staffers: Cailynd Barnes, Allison Beatty, Gabby Benavides, Luke Bishop, Rosa Castaneda, Jireh Davis, Alec Delon, Roberta Flores, Madison Grisham, Emily Hale, Bayan Hammad, PJ Inthanousay, Aisha Iqbal, Binh Le, Kamryn Lefan, Emma Marshall, Kayla Mattox, Gavin McGowan, Josh Parker, Parker Poulos, Kaitlyn Rosenbaum, Jenna Rowe, Caleb Smith, Desy Thompson, Julie Vest, Lexy Walters, Haley Wiley, Christina Williams, Kenzie Woodruff The Warrior Post is the official monthly publication of Martin High School. Opinion columns don’t represent the opinion of The Warrior Post or of Martin High School.

The Warrior Post will not accept advertisements for products not legally available to students.

they must dress a certain way because boys won’t be able to focus is not fair treatment. It makes the majority of female teenagers feel that the reason for a restricted wardrobe is for the sake of the males’ education. Trying to justify the dress code in this way is simply not fair.

Ripped jeans are a common style among teens. If you have holes in your jeans and they’re not showing anything inappropriate, why is there a problem? The student handbook states that students can have holes in their jeans, as long as the holes are below the knees. Realistically, how many pairs of jeans have holes only below the knees?

A big issue at Martin is over Nike shorts. From a female’s perspective, they are comfortable and easy to throw on with a t-shirt as you rush out the door in the morning.

Nike shorts are not tightly fitted and they don’t show anything

inappropriate. There is nothing distracting about them. Dresses and skirts have the potential of being inappropriate by exposing. Nike shorts, even if they’re shorter than the fingertips, do not show anything, so how are they inappropriate?

We all have different styles, and how we dress is one of the ways we are able to express ourselves. If clothing does not show any inappropriate body parts then it should not be so quickly banned. Girls should know what is appropriate and what is not, but having a little hole in their jeans, showing a shoulder, or wearing comfortable shorts should not be an issue.

The district committee that creates the dress code needs to differentiate between what is inappropriate and what is “distracting.” The dress code is out of date and times have changed.

It is time for the dress code to have an open-minded re-evalutation.

[staff editorial]

It’s time to reform the dress code

Tucker Coble Video Editor

Marlene Roddy Principal

This, however, reflects poorly on the students. If we demand respect as teenagers and young adults, we should also show it back, whether we see the person sitting behind the desk every day or once a year. Though the substitute’s presence is not for a permanent period of time, he or she is still an adult and should be respected as one.

While in the classroom, substitute teachers must follow a lesson plan laid out by the regular teacher of the course.

Since there are certain aspects of the class that they are unfamiliar with, such as rules, procedures and deadlines, often times the work left for students is individual and self-paced.

This can lead to students being less motivated to complete work and stay focused, since their attention is not being held by a lecture or note-taking.

However, this is no excuse for low quality behavior on behalf of the students. While in school, motivation and work ethic should not be determined by who is conducting class, but instead by the desire to complete the work. Not paying attention, constantly interrupting, and breaking class rules is disrespectful to everyone else in the classroom.

Students should be more mindful of their classroom behavior, particularly with substitutes, and have more consideration about how their actions can affect everyone around them.

Dress Code. It’s an issue we all have an opinion on – especially girls. Some of the standard dress code policies most girls ignore are the length of shorts, tank tops and holes in jeans.

Many girls are trying to fight dress code policies, and social media is giving them a platform.

Twitter and Instagram feeds are cluttered with girls expressing their feelings.

Many people express that the biggest issue with dress code is that it feeds into body shaming, rape culture and the idea of a male-dominant society. Saying, “boys will be boys” only makes it worse. Telling girls that

opinions

12

Take me to church Muslim student experiences a Christian church for the first time Bayan Hammad• Reporter

Walking into a church on a Sunday was completely different than walking into a mosque on a Friday. I learned so many beautiful differences and similarities between both religions – Christianity and Islam. As a Muslim, I grew up learning about the beautiful teachings and acts of Islam. However, walking into New Life Fellowship, a non-denominational Christian church for the first time, I noticed the strong bond the church held as a community, including one of the most important things: prayer.

I had many expectations of the churchs service before I

actually went and visited it.

I assumed everyone would be serious, the women would all wear dresses and heels while the men wore suits, and that the whole service would be focused on only Jesus, not God. I even thought they’d find out I’m Muslim and would treat me differently.

However, everything was completely different and the results were way better than I expected.

When I entered the sanctuary I heard gospel music and people expressing their lovely voices, which was ironic because music is forbidden to be played at a mosque.

The singing resembled their compassion and expression to God. Everyone was very thoughtful and made me feel so welcomed. The people made sure to greet everyone and not miss a single person. When we came to sit down I noticed men and women both pray and listen to the pastor in the same room,

which was something different, because the women and men pray separately in Islam.

A woman appeared with a bucket that she was passing around, and I was confused on what the purpose of it was, then she told me that it’s for people to donate to help the church and the community surrounding it.

As we listened to the pastor’s lesson, people were constantly praising, “Hallelujah” and “Amen,” with such enthusiasm like they were showing the pastor he was being heard and understood, which I admired.

Also, the pastor’s sermon was provided with a play performed by actual individuals from the church, which helped support the sermon to understand better. The pastor’s sermon showed me that both religions are virtually similar. He was saying that everything is in God’s hand and you can’t control what happens in your life. His message was that there will be a lot of interruptions during your life, but you

shouldn’t complain because God knows what’s best for you and he’s testing your faith.

“Walk by faith, not by sight,” the pastor preached, and it is the same concept for Muslims as well, to always trust in God’s plan no matter what.

The most important thing I noticed was the prayer at the church. They look down, all turn silent, and listen closely to the preacher. But the most meaningful part is that they all hold hands. Holding hands showed a very strong bond.

Everyone was praying and asking for forgiveness to the same spiritual belief as one, which resembled unity. It made me feel that no one felt left out, all were here for the same purpose.

I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. It truly was amazing. The people at the church were so loving and welcoming. I learned so much about both of these beautiful religions. The religions might be slightly different but both have the same purpose.

Christian looks at God from a Muslim perspective Kyle Desrosiers•News Editor

Growing up as a Christian, going to church almost every Sunday, and living in a country where almost everyone I know has the same religion, I

realized how little I knew about Islam. On Friday, Nov. 7 I got the chance to visit an Arlington mosque, and I was able to experience a spiritual and awesome religion.

Before I went, I had a lot of expectations. After visiting for real, I mostly noticed how the members are so devoted, and how Islam is a really misjudged religion. Before I went, I was afraid that I would do something wrong and I really didn’t want to offend anyone. I thought that everyone would be really

serious and that I wouldn’t understand anything because it would all be in Arabic. I thought that I would be judged for being Christian. But once I got there, I saw how welcoming and faithful everyone was. I felt welcomed and respected.

The day I visited the mosque, I planned to meet with the son of the sheik (prayer leader), a college student named Karam, who would walk me through the service. I went for the Friday afternoon prayer, the most important prayer, which also includes a message.

13

But when I arrived at the mosque before the 1:30 service, I got a text from Karam saying that he’d be running late.

The service was about to start and I didn’t want to miss anything or walk in late, but luckily, another man who was directing parking offered to take me in.

In a mosque, the men and women sit separately, so we walked to the men’s entrance.

We took off our shoes to enter the mosque. The man explained continued on page 14...

opinions

God from a Muslim perspective ...continued from page 13 to me that this is done out of a sign of respect as you enter the house of God. The prayer hall was a big room, with a the sheik’s pulpit at one corner and verses from the Qur’an on the wall. After going inside, we sat on the ground. There are no pews like in a church, because they believe that man came from the ground when he was created, so that is where they shall worship God. As all the men came in to sit, they each bowed in the direction of Mecca, then stood up, and then went back down and prayed bowing on the ground. Then they all took their seat on the ground.

Everyone sat on the floor for the lecture except for people who were old or in bad health, who sat in chairs at the front of the large prayer hall. One really cool thing I say that was different from a church services I’d been to was that

while the sheik began speaking and reading announcements, men who saw their friends, or people they knew would wave or even get up to shake their hand and give a short greeting.

It made everything seem more informal and less serious.

But as the sheik began the sermon, everyone was quiet and watched him speak through a loudspeaker. The sermon was a mix between English and Arabic, and to be honest, I didn’t really follow 100 percent.

The sheik would make a point, and back it up with scripture from the Qur’an, similar to the use of Bible verses in a church.

From what I caught, the lecture was about remaining true to your faith in the world around you, something they teach at church too. It was really not that different from a Christian sermon, and lasted about 25 minutes.

Then it was prayer time.

Everyone was standing up to begin prayers, and before I moved to the back (I was just watching and not praying), the man I walked in with told me a little bit about the significance of the prayer.

“We pray in one uniform line to pray to Allah (God), who created the world, the sky, and the universe,” he said. “We pray in unison to show devotion.”

The sheik chanted in Arabic and the worshipers all joined together in perfect lines. With the different words of the prayer, people bowed, prayed on the ground, and rose again.

Everyone was in sync. It was moving to see the devotion in the prayers.

After the five-minute prayer, the service ended. I was greeted by the sheik, who gave me an English copy of the Qur’an.

That gesture really meant a lot to me. I know that he didn’t have to welcome an outsider

to his place of worship, but his faith led him to. I walked outside, put my shoes back on, and left a little more aware.

A few things I learned about Islam are: The Arabic words of the Qur’an have never been changed in 1400 years, and the book is believed to be the exact words of God. Muslims believe that Islam is the third installment of the perfect and holy religion from God, and believe that Judaism and Christianity are good, but not perfect like Islam.

My experience at the mosque was a positive one. Everyone I talked to was welcoming and devoted to God. Even though the service itself was different, at the core the two faiths have a lot of beliefs in common.

Going to the Friday prayer showed me that we’re really not all that different. You just have to take the time to understand each other.

Social media braggers Social media isn’t for bragging about the material items you’ve received

Christina Williams • Reporter In the world today, children, even grown adults, like to show off their materialistic things on social media. This can be considered rude and disrespectful to people who don’t have that kind of money to spend. Instagram, Twitter and Facebook were not made to flaunt pricey items; they are for taking pictures and socializing with family and friends. Showing off pricey items on social

media seems to be a way to simply ask for attention.

This can lead to others to assume that a person may be spoiled, or that they are handed everything without a question.

This happens a lot around Christmas, when people like to post pictures of all of their presents. I used to follow a girl on Instagram who posted pictures almost on a daily basis. Some of her pictures in-

opinions

cluded a brand new BMW, new clothes and fancy places she had traveled. It got to the point where I had to unfollow her. It needed to stop.

Some people see expensive gifts and items on social media, and they feel horrible because they might wish they could have something similar. They might even become angry with whoever posted it. Personally, I would comment on their post telling them to stop, because I can’t stand the behavior.

There was a time in my life where I had everything that I could ever want. I didn’t realize that constantly posting about all of my new things would hurt people. On one occasion, one of friends texted me telling that I needed to calm down with posting so many pictures because I was hurting her feelings. She was going through a

14

hard time and didn’t want to see items she wanted cluttering her Instagram feed. I realized that I was hurting people, so I was careful about what I posted.

We don’t always get everything we want, but when we do get something special, it is not necessary to put it on social media. I understand how it feels to have people’s really nice things right in front of your face. I use social media to see what people are up to and to keep up with them.

I am extremely bothered by people who constantly post about their pricey items. I wish people would look at and read what they post before they post it. It is okay to post pictures, but bragging or being rude is where it crosses a line. Before you post anything on social media make sure that no one will think of it as disrespectful.

Warrior strong

More than a statistic or number the story of five-year-old Micah Ahern, honorary Warrior, is one of superhero legends

O

Story by Jarred Osterman • Editor in Chief & Lexy Walters • Reporter

to write things to remember, we were ready to begin the interview.

At first Micah hesitantly answered questions by shaking his head yes or no, but after being told, “Use your words” by his mom, he responded verbally and with more detail.

With the excitement every five-year-old has when explaining Five year old Micah Ahern has relapsed Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. something that they loved, he told us what Photo courtesy of Laurie Endsley Photography his favorite part of the showed off her new pink Bar- have known bie phone and dolls. Immedi- Micah’s story ately she clung to Lexy as soon of courage and as we got there, trying to get her bravery. to join and watch Frozen.

Micah sat in Five-year-old Micah Ahern, his superhero honorary Warrior football pajamas while team captain, committed TCU playing with baseball player and cancer some of his toy survivor was who we had come and shyly said to talk about. The whole school hello to us after saw him at the Homecoming we met his mom pep rally and game, but few Linda Ahern.

Micah impatiently told his dad he’s hungry, so Maurice went to the kitchen and made him a grilled cheese sandwich. After Micah climbed into the comfort of his mom’s lap, our phones Micah runs out of the tunnel with the recording and football team at the Homecoming Micah, Eden Kate, Grace and Nolan Endsley. Photo pen in hand ready game. Photo by Cammi Skanes courtesy of Laurie Endsley Photography

n the ���������������������� drive over to the family’s house the nerves of a big interview and the excitement of covering a topic that so well deserves to be covered were overflowing in my 2003 Ford Focus named Martha. We had everything planned out to the T: camera ready to take pictures of the family, all questions written down, phones fully charged to record the interview and even a hairbrush to make sure one last time, that we looked professional and presentable.

The front yard was littered with proof of a family with children: bikes, scooters and a child-sized blue Jeep. In the entryway, Thanksgiving decorations were set up neatly, with a wreath hanging down the door with the sign “Cure Neuroblastoma” in the middle.

We rang the doorbell, eagerness coursing through our bodies. We were greeted by Maurice Ahern and four-yearold Eden Kate, the youngest of four children. Eden Kate, delighted to see new people,

15

features

game at AT&T Stadium on Oct. 24 for Homecoming was.

“I liked getting to be in the tunnel with the big boys and tear the paper,” Micah said.

“Our kids were as emotionally moved as he was,” head football coach Bob Wager said.

“It was as inspiring for us as it was to him.”

“You could tell from his facial expressions and the giant smile on his face that he enjoyed it,” senior Josh Watson said.

Watson, a varsity linebacker, was the superhero Micah looked up to that day.

“It is really a heartwarming opportunity to meet such an inspirational young man,” Watson said. “He battles everyday for his life, where as we go out every Friday night and go battle against the other team.”

While interviewing Micah’s oldest sister, Grace, she giggled when we mentioned that Micah loved to see, talk to and take pictures with the cheerleaders.

When we joked with Micah that we had heard he loved “his girls,” he went from being focused on his grilled cheese to a shy innocent smirk. His mom and dad told us how at TCU football games, they sit near the cheerleaders and Micah always asks if he can go take pictures with the girls really quickly.

Micah Ahern runs out of tunnel with the football team at the Homecoming game on Oct. 24 at AT&T stadium Photo by Caelan McCulley “He loves his girls!” both his “Legos take up a bunch of our old when his family moved parents and Grace said. time,” Maurice said. “A lot of overseas to East Asia for After finishing his grilled Mommy and Daddy’s time.” mission work. Living there cheese, Micah grabbed his Micah is the youngest player influenced him a little bit in his Nintendo DS to sit and play on on TCU’s baseball team. With food taste and his personality. the couch while we asked his a letter of intent, Micah will Of all of the four children, he parents the questions regarding officially be drafted onto the most loved letting people hold his disease, relapsed Stage 4 team in February of 2027. TCU him and their house helper Neuroblastoma. introduces him as a part of the really loved him. Micah was an Our first question was about team now and his entire family outgoing baby. what Micah’s days at Cook goes to the football and baseball Children’s hospital consist of. games as often as they can. It’s “Never ending fun, literally,” one of the things they can do as The first signs of Micah’s Micah’s mom said. a family together and one of the disease that made Linda and He wakes up and after ordering first things they did as a family Maurice decide to take him to breakfast, they play a few iPad where Micah could participate. the doctor was when he would games, do some school work Every Sunday that they are get hot from playing, only half and read a few books, play home and Micah is feeling of his face would get red and some games and play with well, the family goes to church sweaty, right down the middle some Lego. at First Baptist Euless that they of his face.

“It was like the Joker,” Linda are home. The treasure box was said.

“There was a clear line one of Micah’s favorite things down his face. We noticed it in the church. and didn’t think much of it “Candy, candy, candy!” Micah until it started happening much said when we asked what was more frequently.

With us being in the treasure box and what he in a foreign country, it wasn’t had gotten from it. just calling up the doctor and “Oh yeah, Micah loves his making an appointment.

So we candy,” Maurice Ahern said, got an appointment in Bangkok, laughing. “��������������������������� It’s just candy!” Micah re- Thailand.”

After being stumped, the plied back, sarcastically.

Linda and Maurice Ahern have doctors did an MRI and found four children: Grace, 13, an 8th a massive tumor within 10 grader at Young, Nolan who’s minutes. They said they thought seven years old and in second it was Neuroblastoma. grade at Ditto, Micah who’s 5 “So we flew back to our home years old and in Kindergarten at country in Asia,” Linda said.

“Within five days we sold and Left to right: Micah, Eden Kate, Grace and Nolan.

Ditto and Eden Kate, 4.

Photo courtesy of Laurie Endsley Micah was seven months got rid of all of our belongings

features

“It was like the Joker”

16

and home and flew back to Florida because we knew he’d need surgery. They took him into surgery and removed the entire tumor, then performed a biopsy on it, which is when they confirmed the ���������� Neuroblastoma.”

Micah was fine for awhile ���������� because doctors caught the tumor early and were able to remove the tumor completely. About two or three months later at a checkup, they found a lymph node that tested positive for Neuroblastoma. The lymph node involvement moved the disease up to a Stage 2. They scanned him frequently for years.

where they thought they’d be living, leave friends and a support system, all while knowing their child has this disease.

When the family initially found out about Micah’s cancer, their minds reeled.

“When you hear your child has cancer, you immediately think this is a death sentence,” Linda said. “It’s not something you get excited about or go, ‘Yay! We’re going to get through this!’ We were feeling like, ‘How long would we have and how much suffering would he go through and what was the best thing for him?’

Ten minutes ago my life was something else and now it will never be the same and in a way, that’s okay.”

Micah was cancer free for two years and three months, but around March of 2013, he started experiencing leg pain that gradually got worse and worse until it got so bad that he wouldn’t walk one evening.

“We took him to the doctor and gave him a urine test, which showed markers for ���������� neuroblastoma,” Linda said. “The test took four days to come back. The doctor gave us a call to come in.

They told us his scores were really high and admitted him immediately because he was so sick, fever and vomiting.”

“Very, very, very sick,” Micah stands on the sidelines Micah piped up from his with varsity senior linebacker Josh Watson, his sidekick for the game he’s immersed in on the couch. day. Photo by Cammi Skanes “He had ������������ Neuroblasto Linda knew what Neuroblas���������� ma, everywhere in his body extoma meant, having a back- cept his brain,” Linda said. “It ground in nursing and taking was in his bones, everywhere. It care of kids with cancer before. was in every bone of his body, With an element of difficulty bone marrow included. He had and sorrow added because they a new tumor. It just exploded had sold all their things to move everywhere.” to East Asia, now they were The relapse moved Micah to having to go through the whole Stage 4, the most serious and process again, leave the home dire diagnosis.

Micah walks the sidelines of the field with his dad, Maurice Ahern, at the Homecoming game.

Photo by Caelan McCulley “A lot of people say, ‘How do you do it? How do you wake up everyday?,’ Linda said. “You do what you have to do. I feel like it takes more energy to be angry, sad, bitter or mad, so I’d rather spend it being happy I’m with him. This is just a season of life, it’s not going to last forever. We try to remind ourselves of that when we are feeling like it’s gone on forever.”

Most five year olds haven’t battled Neuroblastoma before entering kindergarten. As soon as he relapsed March of 2013, he did five rounds of chemo and had a stem cell transplant. Then they went down to MD Anderson Hospital in Houston for 17 rounds of radiation where they

17

would radiate every day.

His disease had gotten worse, so at that point, they had to stop the treatment plan Micah was already on and switch to experimental therapy.

Last November he started an experimental chemo drug and did 11 rounds of that over the last year.

Five weeks ago, Micah started a new treatment of antibodies, in hopes that the antibody will attach itself to the ������������ Neuroblastoma cell and then attack it. He’s already completed one round of treatment, and is on the second round now. There are a total of six rounds over a six-month time period.

“So we’re hoping that this

features

Micah walks with seniors Deiontrez Fletcher and Josh Watson at the Homecoming game. Photo by Alex Ramm will get rid of little bit of the remaining Neuroblastoma that the first five rounds of chemo didn’t get rid of,” Linda said.

“What’s left of the disease is in his bone marrow, which is the hardest area to get rid of Neuroblastoma.”

He has a central line, which is where the IV is connected to deliver the antibody drug because it has to be centrally administered.

He has hair eyelash growth again because with chemo, it also kills the healthy cells, the antibodies don’t kill any cells other than the diseased cells.

Micah wears hearing aids because the first five rounds of chemo gave him some hearing loss. He will be tested for progress every three months, by doing a bone marrow biopsy.

Other than his treatments, he’s a normal five-year-old, and his parents plan to keep it that way as long as they can.

“We don’t treat him any differently for the most part,” Linda said. “If he feels good, he goes to school. If he disrespects us, there will be consequences.

I can’t imagine what a child is when they don’t have

discipline, no matter what situation they’re in. Our plan for him is to get through treatment and act like a normal person, so you can’t expect total freedom and then once he’s disease free, then you have rules and have to act right.

And for the most part he feels good most of the time.”

“He is Martin Warrior”

“I think awareness is important,” Linda said.

“Most people see Micah as an inspiration because he’s the only person they know affected by childhood cancer because it is so rare. I just think, specifically for neuroblastoma, doctors will say there is no cure for relapsed neuroblastoma.

The research for it is the reason because it is so under-funded. I always try to encourage people to donate to funding neuroblastoma research because it can save lives, literally.”

Newspaper and Football will be going class to class every third period during the week of Jan. 26 through 30 to collect money. All proceeds will be going directly to the Ahern family.

Despite the challenges the Aherns and Micah face, the family emphasized that they are grateful for the support shown by the community and try to remain positive.

“You don’t get to pick if your

never ever choose this. I would choose anything else, but it’s not in my control, so why should I be a big baby about it or be bitter or angry? Looking for the blessings in a situation has gotten us through this. Just the support from everyone. It’s a gross, nasty situation, but also what an opportunity to let everyone know this isn’t the end of world.”

For now, the family concentrates on living in the moment and making each day count, no matter how many days there turn out to be.

“The best part is to see Micah have these different experiences not because he’s different or there’s something special about him, but because he’s brave and it’s something to celebrate,” Linda said.

“There are days he suffers and is in pain, but he loves going up to the hospital and hanging out with his nurse friends. We can’t make the medicine work, but we can control how we

kid gets the flu or doesn’t, so we would obviously never would pick this for him,” Linda said. “But you always are going to question, ‘Why us, why Micah?’ Well why not us? There is nothing you can do about a bad situation. We are strong in our faith and we believe God has a plan for his life whether he lives to be six or 100. I would

feel about the entire situation.

We’ve had a lot of sad days, of course we have had them, but ultimately we know we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and loves Micah even more than we do and even more than we understand. I wouldn’t trade that for anything, no matter what the days were spent doing.”

“He was a Martin Warrior standing in the tunnel getting ready to go play,” Wager said.

Kristen Clark, assistant head coach Bob Clark’s wife and speech teacher at Young Junior High, knew the Aherns through the T-ball team that her son and Micah both played on.

She wanted to make a special day for Micah, so she contacted Wager and head cheerleading coach Diane Little about getting him involved with all things Homecoming that day.

They had signs passed out to the crowd that said “Micah is Warrior Strong.” When Micah and Josh Watson walked into the middle of the gym floor, the Micah meets Paschal’s football team with his fellow crowd erupted chanting, “Mi- Warriors at the beginning of the Homecoming game. cah! Mi-cah! Mi-cah!”

Photo by Caelan McCulley

Welcome to the Batcave

Micah was excited to show us his room, happily climbed the stairs to show off his Batmanthemed room equipped with beds hung from the ceiling and a Bat cave with a stuffed animal bat hanging from the “cave walls.” The Dallas cityscape above the Lego table is fully equipped with lights to show the realism of the artwork.

features

18

Flying new life to a

Sophomore finds a home in music

Emily Hale•Reporter On Aug. 9 2010, sophomore Heewon (Eunice) Yoon took a leap of faith as she stepped off of the plane from Seoul, South Korea, leaving the comfort of home and walking into a new life.

“The first thing I noticed was in Texas, there are no mountains at all, just plains, nothing to obstruct your view,” Yoon said.

After 14 hours on a cramped plane, Yoon was greeted by the melodious jumble of languages she couldn’t decipher.

“I was so excited, because all Korean people have this dream about America as the land of freedom and opportunities,” Yoon said. “But whenever I started going to school, that’s when it kind of hit me, ‘Oh no, I don’t know what they’re saying.’”

Yoon became part of Miller Elementary’s sixth grade class during the fall of 2010, diving head first into a strange, confusing world. American education proved to be very different from Korea.

“In Korea I would go to school at 8 a.m.,” Yoon said.

“Then, I would come home at three, go to tutoring until 10 p.m. and return home to do my homework. Most nights I went to sleep at 11 or 12.”

With this hectic schedule, Yoon had no time to do anything but study. She had to quit piano, art lessons, and everything else she loved, simply to stay in school.

“In Korea, unless you majored in music, you couldn’t focus on it,” Yoon said. “If you want to

learn an instrument, you had learn it after school, but tutoring came first, so most people quit their instrument by fifth grade.

As soon as I came here, I felt my future become more open.

My life could become more than studying, more than just sitting in the classroom.”

Briefly before her departure, Yoon started playing flute.

“I learned the basics before coming, like fingerings and embouchure,” Yoon said. “The flute I march with today is the same one I bought in Korea, what feels like long ago.”

While at Miller, Yoon joined band, and everything suddenly took on a new light.

“That was the one class that wasn’t stressful,” Yoon said. “I didn’t have to learn another language. Music is universal, so I could simply read the notes.”

During these uncertain times, Yoon found a sanctuary.

“Eunice wanted to join beginning band after the initial deadline and I almost didn’t let her,” former Miller elementary band teacher Angela Dodson said. “Imagine what a loss to the band program if I had stuck to the rules. From day one, she was extremely hard working and did everything I told her to do. She has always been super supportive of everyone even in the midst of her success.”

With finding her talent, Yoon also found her niche.

“In sixth grade I didn’t have any friends, because I couldn’t speak English, so flute was the only place I could go when I was sad or depressed, because flute was the place that I could forget about everything and just

Sophomore Heewon Yoon practices TMEA All State Etudes. “Flute is where I found myself,” she said. Photo

by Emily Hale focus on music,” Yoon said.

“And when people are good at something, they start to like it.”

Flute became Yoon’s life, and once she focused on that, things started falling into place.

“I started to make friends in band,” Yoon said. “That’s how I became more social.

So, although I was awkward, I was in band, and we were all socially awkward.”

The first to welcome Yoon was Susanna Zbidi, a fellow flautist.

“When you heard Eunice play, you knew that was her thing,” Zbidi said. “Flute is where she found herself, and that is where we became close.”

Before meeting Zbidi, Yoon said she had been terrified of how students would treat her and was then shocked when she was confronted with reality.

“I was afraid that if I said something that was grammatically incorrect, or pronounced something wrong, then people would make fun of me, and I was so afraid of that,” Yoon said. “And then, it actually happened, and I could hear them laughing, but when I finally got to junior high, I started to care less.”

In junior high, Yoon said she found her niche, making All City and All Region bands,

19

and finding people in similar situations as her.

During November of 2013, she fought for her spot in the TMEA All-State band.

Through these nerve-wracking and uncertain times, Yoon found comfort.

“Whenever I was nervous during an audition, I prayed.”

Yoon said. “From that moment, I was not playing for the judges before me, or the people behind me. I was just playing for God. That helped me focus, and it took the pressure off, because he was there beside me.”

After patiently waiting, Yoon received her verdict.

She became one of the elite – an All-State freshman flute player. This was the pivotal moment in Yoon’s life, she said, the moment she knew she belonged.

“We are blessed to have such a talented, young student in our program,” band director Adam Jatho said. “Eunice possesses an impeccable work ethic, and a commitment to music and service.”

Although her musical future is uncertain, Yoon said she hopes to continue making music.

“I hope that high school is not the end of my musical career,” Yoon said. “I hope, it is just the beginning.”

features

Rising

from the

ashes

Senior Mia Neel shares her experinces with bullying and how it has influenced her Bailey Lewis • Feautures Editor because of it.”

A girl sits in her room alone, feeling secluded and worthless, feeling like there’s no one to talk to who understands what she is going through. This is a result of bullying. Words like fat, ugly, or weird get thrown out. Constantly hearing these things and continuing to hear these things all while growing up shapes people and makes them insecure.

Throughout senior Mia Neel’s school career she has been teased and mistreated.

“I’ve been bullied all my life,” Neel said. “Since elementary school I’ve been called fat, ugly, and they’d say I didn’t have a good voice.”

All the bullying has caused her to deal with struggles with depression and self-esteem.

“It made me look at life a different way,” Neel said. “I didn’t have friends. In junior high I had two friends. Being bullied really gives you a different perspective on things.

I try not to judge people, and I try to be as nice as possible

As she got older the bullying only got worse until she couldn’t cope with it anymore.

Freshman year, she broke down from the years of name calling.

“It got worse in high school because I started to realize what the words really meant, and people got harsher,” she said.

“It eventually turned into ��� cyberbullying. Freshman year it really got to me. I had a mental breakdown and started crying. I tried to tell my grandma what was wrong but I couldn������ ’����� t because I was bawling too hard.”

Neel’s grandmother decided to take her to a school in Ft. Worth called Excel. Excel is a treatment facility that treats children with emotional issues.

“My grandma took me [to Excel] the next day and they assessed me,” Neel said. “They diagnosed me with mood disorder. I got therapy to deal with bullying and feeling unworthy from being bullied.”

According to bullyingstatistic. org, about one out of every 10 students drops out or changes schools because of repeated

Marvel vs DC

bullying.

“Before I went to the school I was really depressed,” Neel said. “I had self-harmed a few times.”

The school helped Neel deal with the trauma of being bullied her whole life.

Photo by Bailey Lewis “It helped a lot getting therapy and having people who you know care about and not show your emotions,” you and love you,” Neel said. counselor Susan Kingen said.

“They love you for you and not “I tell my freshmen not to have because of your looks or riches. Twitters or Facebooks.”

I felt really loved at the school.” Neel said she is now confident The school helped Neel love about herself and is no longer phased by the name calling. and accept herself.

“Now I look at things in a “I don’t look at it as people completely different way when hating me,” Neel said. “A lot of people call me names,” Neel people bully because they want said. “I think about the people attention. I look at it as I don’t who do love me for me and need them and they don’t know I think of my favorite Bible me. I now go to the people verse, Romans 5:8: You are that support me. Always find loved more than you know by someone that you can turn to.” someone who died to know Neel now has a YouTube you. I remember that Jesus channel that she uses as a creand God love me even when it ative outlet. She is very involved in her church and got seems like no one else does.”

Neel said she has found several accepted into Dallas Baptist University. She plans on maways to cope with bullying.

“As a victim the best way not joring in Christian Studies and to get bullied is to brush it off becoming a youth pastor.

Martin students share their preferences on comics Allison Beatty • Reporter

In the fantastical world of superheroes and villains, two comic companies have been competing for fans since the dawn of time – well, since the 1930’s. These two powerhouse companies are popularly known as Marvel and DC. Marvel Comics, started in 1939, has created over the years such characters as the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. DC Comics,

founded in 1934, spun out such associations as the Justice League, Teen Titans and the Green Lantern Corps.

In recent years, both of these entertainment companies have been blowing up the box office with movie adaptations of their comics.

But in all the years these companies have coexisted, one main question has floated about: Which is better? When we asked 35 random Martin

features

20

students, 29 said they thought Marvel was better, and six said they preferred DC. “The Marvel characters just have more depth than the DC ones,” sophomore Dawn Manuel said. “When have you ever seen Superman as the bad guy unless he’s being controlled by another influence? The Marvel characters are just more complex.”

When it comes to character

complexity, Marvel seems to arise on top, by popular demand. But another main draw of the comic universe simply revolves around the characters’ powers, and what they can do with them.

“Superman has enough powers to beat everyone in Marvel, if he wanted to,” sophomore Christian Taylor said. “Sure, he has weaknesses, but that’s where Batman takes over.”

Jennifer Gilmore Owner/Creative Director

(817) 483-9191 Momentum Dance

4802 Little Rd. Arlington, TX 76017

www.mdarlington.com momentumdancearlington@yahoo.com

Tan Spa

3851 SW Green Oaks Arlington TX, 76017 817-483-1999 tanspa.arl@gmail.com

Memberships one month Standard bed $29.50 Super bed $39.50

Tan Packages 15 tans (valid for 6 months) Standard bed $49 Super bed $59 7 tans (valid for 2 weeks) Any bed $29.50 Single tan Standard bed $7 Super bed $10

Two Tone Nails Complete Professional Nails Care (817)-465-5544

Hours of operations Monday-Thursday:10a-8p Friday:10a-7p Saturday:10a-6p Sunday:12p-6p

We specialize in: solar nails, facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, 3D nail art, and gel nails.

Student discount

Full body airbrush tan $25

Student Special 10% off any service

Custom sunless airbrush tanning

5960 S. Cooper St., Ste 100 Arlington, Texas 76017

Full body $30 Half body $20 Face only $10

21

Monday- Friday 10:00am- 8:00 pm Saturday- 9:00am- 7:00pm Sunday 11:00am- 6:00pm

advertisements

“I stopped myself” Sophomore opens up about his suicide atttempt

H

Tupelo Witte • Features Editor

e lies on his bed, staring at the blurred ceiling through his teary eyes, pondering why he is still here, and why he can’t let it all go.

The idea of suicide unceasingly flows through his befuddled mind, and his muscles tense as he struggles to close his eyes.

All he wants is to not think of the heartbreaking sadness that has settled in his heart.

“I was feeling depressed for about two years,” sophomore Gavin McGowan said. “The suicidal thoughts happened for about a month before I attempted.”

McGowan lived restless nights of over-thinking and constant sadness for months, until reaching the breaking point.

“I would lay in bed at night, until around 2 a.m., just thinking about suicide,” McGowan said.

McGowan was in eighth grade, and had reached an alltime low. He had realized his friends weren’t his real friends, and it was tough for him to face the feeling of being lonely.

“I was too big to be bullied... to my face,” he said. “I would ask to hang out and they would say no and that they didn’t like me. It hurt more and more.”

There had been a number of things taking a toll on his life.

He said his parents had been arguing frequently, and his father had some anger issues, not only towards McGowan, but also towards his mother and brother.

“Gavin got the most of the chaos, and all he wanted to do was please his father, and did

everything he could to make him happy,” Katie said.

Gavin said he later realized impressing his father was an unattainable goal.

“He has an explosive anger disorder,” Gavin said. “He can’t control how fast he gets angry. I can say one thing to set him off, and he will go from zero to 60.”

Katie and Gavin’s father split up in January 2013.

“Gavin was ‘happy’ that I left him,” Katie said. “I think he felt guilty for being relieved, and trying to process that, on top of the normal trials of a teenager.

It was overwhelming.”

Aside from Gavin’s wistful emotions, he never attempted self harm.

“I felt constant sadness inside, even when I was smiling,” Gavin said.

Gavin said he wasn’t feeling emptiness or nothingness on the inside, but a feeling of deep sadness, crushing sadness.

“It’s the biggest pain anyone can feel,” Gavin said.

Gavin said one night the emotions on the inside became too much, and he attempted to commit suicide.

“I prefer not to share my attempt,” he said. “I don’t want to give anyone any ideas.”

Gavin told his mother the next morning.

“I was initially scared,” Katie said. “Two seconds later I felt an enormous amount of guilt, then absolute anguish. This is my child. My brilliant, outgoing, witty, awesome child, and he had become so hopeless that he didn’t know how to breathe.”

features

Art by Audrey Dao Gavin let his mind a n d heart overpower his actions in the moments of the attempt.

“I stopped myself,” Gavin said. “I think I just had this epiphany of, ‘This is going to hurt my family more than it’s going to hurt me, more than it’s going to make me feel better.’”

Gavin said he stopped himself was because he knew there was someone to talk to.

“I went to Millwood Hospital for treatment,” he said. “It’s not the place to go. It’s a place for criminals, people who are violent, and when they are put with people who are depressed and have reflective personalities, they become criminals too.”

Gavin said he became more of a “thug” figure because he wanted to fit in, and it didn’t help his condition.

“It felt like a prison,” Gavin said. “I remember one day, a kid wanted to get out so badly that he began to try to kick the doors down,” Gavin said. “He even broke his toe, and still couldn’t get it to open. He got so angry that he began to bang his head against the door, and spit blood across it. The blood stayed there for weeks.”

story continued on page 29 22

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

Sundance Hospital 817-583-8080 7000 U.S. 287 Frontage Rd. Arlington, TX 76001 Open 24 hours

Signs of depression or that someone may be suicidal: -Loss of interest -Rage -Anxiety -Humiliation -Feeling like a burden -Feeling trapped -Withdrawing themselves from activities -Sleeping too little or too much Information from American Foundation for Suicide Awareness website: afsp.com If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or these signs, consult an adult as soon as possible.

Photo by Tucker Coble

Video of Glaspie’s interview and of him showing off his advanced tumblling skills.

Scan the QR code to watch. Video by Tucker Coble

Taylor the tumbling fiend Senior Taylor Glaspie flips out about his cheer and gymnastics talent Jireh Davis • Reporter

O

ne day when he was seven years old, senior Taylor Glaspie was watching the Olympics, saw the gymnastic competition, went outside and tried one flip, and completely fell in love with the sport.

“I was watching the Summer Olympics and saw someone do a flip and thought to myself, ‘Wow that’s really cool. I’m gonna try it,’” Glaspie said. “I went outside and tried one back handspring and it worked. So I kept adding another and another until I couldn’t do anymore.”

Glaspie, the boy you saw tumbling the court during the Fundancers performance, and often see in the front row of the Heckle Squad is multi-talented.

His one true love, however, is cheerleading. He started out at ASI Gymnastics quickly after discovering his new ability.

“I stayed at ASI for maybe two or three years,” Glaspie said.

“I was on a competitive team there.”

After being burned out by the practice schedule at ASI, he then ventured to other things like basketball and played

tuba in band. His sophomore year he even tumbled in the band’s competitive halftime show. Sophomore year he quit band to pursue his passion for tumbling.

“One day I just realized I missed it,” Glaspie said. “So I went and tried out for the gymnastics team.”

He has made it to District competition every year, but couldn’t compete sophomore year due to a hernia surgery.

Last year he made it all the way to Regionals, but barely missed advancing to State.

“I was extremely upset and it made me want to do greater things the next year,” Glaspie said.

Over the summer he visited Rebel Yell, a competitive cheerleading gym, for open tumbling.

He said he loved the new and exciting world of cheerleading.

Glaspie said he quickly realized he loved cheerleading more than gymnastics and quit the gymnastics team.

“I went with other friends to their tumbling classes, talked to my friends who are cheerleaders, and just really

started to love the sport,” Glaspie said. “Besides, cheer tumbling and gymnastics tumbling are two different things and it would be too hard to switch back and forth between the two. I picked the one that I not only loved but found fun.”

Gymnastics and cheerleading are two totally different sports.

Gymnastics is more focused on form and technique and it includes uneven bars, high bar, beam, vault, pommel horse and floor.

Cheerleading focuses on cheers, dances, stunting, jumps, and of course tumbling. Since Glaspie favored floor over everything else, cheer was an easy decision for him to make.

“My tumbling skills are some of my best assets and since cheerleading emphasizes that so much it makes it fun, and that is why I love it,” Glaspie said. ����������������������������� Glaspie recently made the Senior Level 4 team at Rebel Yell.

“I was told they needed another back-spot, who had great tumbling and jumps, and that they were considering me,” Glaspie said. “But the funny thing was that I’d be the only

23

boy, which would switch them to a whole new division.” ����������������������������� Glaspie was accepted to Oklahoma State University this summer and quickly after applying researched their cheerleading team.

He loved what he found. He plans to try out for their nationally-ranked team.

Glaspie went for a weekend cheer clinic and got to meet, greet, tumble, stunt and cheer with the team and hopefully some of his new teammates.

“It was really helpful to be there and get tips from the actual OSU cheerleaders,” Glaspie said. ����������������������������� Glaspie wants to major in International Business and minor in French. He plans to go on and pursue International Marketing.

Along with that he is also a very involved student at school.

He is in Key Club, NHS, Geo Club, the Lady Warriors Soccer team manager and works at Best Buy. “Yeah, I’m busy all the time,” Glaspie said. “I have no downtime, but in the end it’s all worth it because I’m doing what I love.”

features

Nothing

Photos by Sherilyn Morales

but thebeat

Senior finds passion and talent in creating music Sherilyn Morales • Opinions Editor Windows of editing software cover the desktop and music blares as senior Conner Bryce edits his music beats in the comfort of his own bedroom. After hours of careful composing and cutting, he listens to his final pieces before moving on to the next.

“I’m a lot of aspects of what you would call a musician,” Bryce said. “My role, as far as the music business and what I want to get into, is producing.”

Bryce’s interest in music began in grade school when he was given his first guitar.

“My father played guitar, and it made me want to play also, so I eventually learned,” Bryce said. “I’m a real-world musician first, before what I can do on the computer.”

Guitar is not the only instrument that Bryce has found his talent with.

“I play four instruments: banjo, ukulele, guitar, and I’m learning piano,” Bryce said.

“They’re all self-taught.”

While experimenting with many instruments, Bryce realized his love for making music.

“In eighth grade, I had a friend who played drums, Bryce said.

“I took my guitar, we made a band, and just played. And that’s when I realized that I really want to do this forever. I never want to stop making music at any point in my life.”

Bryce took many opportunities to show his talent.

“When he was thirteen or fourteen, he used to play at a little coffee shop,” Bryce’s mother Kim Bryce said. “He’d get up there by himself and play three songs he wrote. He was really brave to get up there.”

Bryce’s interest extends beyond pure instrumental music. He became interested in composing different genres in different forms and began creating beats on his computer.

“Some people get bored with

Bryce uses FL Studio to create beats. He has produced many different genres of music on his computer.

features

Senior Conner Bryce plays his acoustic guitar. Bryce received his first instrument in elementary school. one aspect of music that they’re exploring,” Bryce said. “They give up on it and go on and do different things with their life.

But I found a way to never get bored with it, because I make different types of music, and I can go back and forth.”

Bryce’s love for playing eventually developed into an interest for making music on the computer, experimenting with many sounds and genres.

“I put all the aspects of music, something I enjoy, and put it in a melting pot,” Bryce said.

“Then I eat it like stew, and whatever’s on the spoon that day, I go for it.”

Bryce spends a large portion of time in his room perfecting the music beats he creates.

“You can do anything on a computer,” Bryce said. “You’re not bound by what you can perform, you’re bound by what you can imagine.”

Bryce uses FL Studio, a digital audio workstation, for his work.

“I just sit down and mess around with things until it sounds good and I like it,” Bryce said. “Once you get the hang of it, there’s an infinite amount of things you can do.”

Bryce draws inspiration from many other peers and people who share his love of music.

“There’s so many people who are really good at what they do,” Bryce said. “I like to say I’m a leader, but I tend to look

24

up to people.”

Bryce has many different ��� inspirations which reflect his motivation to pursue all aspects of music.

“There’s a band called Right No Wrong that came from Martin, and I’m talking to them about doing some promos,” Bryce said. “I want to explore my horizons. I’ve gotten to know Adrian (Crit) Morris, and he’s one of the most popular rap artists in DFW. And there’s a lot of people in my video class who are so talented.”

Bryce hopes to one day pursue a career in producing music.

“I want to make music for artists,” Bryce said. “If a rap artist came in and said, ‘Hey, I need a beat, a place to record, and someone to make me sound really good,’ then they’d call me. I’d make all the music for it, and they’d just write their part. That’s my dream.”

To hear some of Conner Bryce’s music, check out his SoundCloud:

Grab ‘N Go Lunch $4.99 FOOD IS OUR ART AND OUR PASSION! 4331 Kelly Elliott Rd. Arlington, TX 76016

Come see us today!

Here to serve...Valero gas, snacks and more!

25

advertisements

Just keep selling

Best of both worlds Twins McKenzie and Madeline Karickhoff share their different interests and life goals

Junior Luke Shannon shares his love for aquatics and successful coral selling business

Kamryn Lefan • Reporter Photos by Cailynd Barnes

The prolonged 60 seconds that separates two people from birth doesn’t make them any less than sisters. But they aren’t just sisters, they’re best friends.

Junior twins Madeline and McKenzie Karickhoff share many of the same qualities, but also have several differences.

Madeline and McKenzie are both very hardworking, once they set their mind to a task they strive to keep going, whether it be school-related or sports-related.

“Madeline is more sports minded, where as I am more artsy and theatrical,” McKenzie said.

Madeline devotes most of her time to practicing basketball.

She plays for Martin’s Lady Varsity team, as well as for a select team. Madeline has been playing since she was six years old.

“I love basketball because it pushes you everyday to be better,” Madeline said. “I also love the enthusiasm and challenges that comes with it.”

McKenzie is very involved in the fine arts programs here.

She loves to sing because it is a way to escape and express her greatest talent.

“I am in the Chamber and Chorale choirs, which means I have choir double blocked,” McKenzie said.

Caleb Smith • Reporter

These two sisters are both very ambitious. They have big futures planned ahead with high goals set for themselves.

“I plan to play basketball in my future,” Madeline said.

“After college I either want to be a veterinarian, in the Air Force, or in criminal justice.”

“I want to do something with medicine,” McKenzie said.

“Perhaps a nurse or doctor.”

Their personalities aren’t the only things that are different.

Their style and clothing choices also contrast each other.

“Madeline dresses more casual than I do,” McKenzie said.

“McKenzie likes to dress up more than I do,” Madeline said.

“She is more girly than me.”

Madeline and McKenzie’s daily routines consist of many different activities from start to finish. Their work allows them to be well-rounded and very active around the school.

“We take very different classes,” McKenzie said. “After school, everything shifts.”

The sisters try to spend as much time together despite their busy schedules. These two sisters have a special bond that makes them best friends.

“We like to take walks and talk about life,” Madeline said.

“We tell each other everything,” McKenzie said.

“We are best friends.”

features

26

Photo courtesy of Luke Shannon When you think of a business, you may think of a new food chain or clothing line. Junior Luke Shannon has a passion for coral.

Beginning at a young age, Shannon�������������������� had a love for anything and everything about the water. Shannon and his family would always go to oceanic places for vacation like Hawaii and Florida because it was a second home to them.

“Since I was a little kid, I have always been fascinated with the ocean and oceanic animals,” Shannon said. “My dad has a PhD in Quantitative Biology and a bachelors degree in Marine Biology, so I guess you could say saltwater runs in our veins.”

As well as the water, Shannon’s first real experience with coral came with his first fish tank that his parents bought him when he was five years old.

“We put the fish tank in a huge TV box and snuck it into his room while he was asleep one night,” Luke’s father Paul Shannon said. “The next morning we walked into his room and saw Luke with a big smile on his face. We knew it was destiny for him.”

“Over time I began to get

more and more addicted to fish tanks and now I have a room which is dedicated only to fishtanks which I call my Aquarium,” Shannon said.

Luke also has his own ����� business which he sells coral and fish to his customers locally and nationally. He prides himself on letting the customers decide what kind of coral and fish they want and then he gets it for them.

“The coral comes in different colors, shapes, and sizes ranging from $5 to $850,” Shannon said.

“I try to provide a variety of options and the coral depends on the size of the fishtank.”

Some of the main corals he sells are LPS, SPS, Zoanthids, NPS and anemones.

“Those are the most popular corals on the market,” Shannon said “Coral selling is like feeding candy to a baby.”

Luke wants to take this coral selling business as far as possible. He makes up to $600 a week selling coral.

“I would like to pursue a career in Marine Biology and possibly business by owning my own store that sells aquarium goods and also help people set up their own tanks,” Shannon said.

Smart phones or dumb phones?

Teachers and students share their opinions on the use of Twitter, smart phones and other devices in the classroom environment Julie Vest • Reporter We use technology at school for so many things, including making designs in IED, looking up information, writing newspaper articles, and even just finding a ride home at the end of the school day. But where does technology cross the line that distinguishes between helpful and harmful?

PAP English I and Creative Writing teacher Jennifer Rothwell often implements laptops and other forms of technology into the curriculum for test-taking purposes.

“There are times when you can embed it into the curriculum and it works wonderfully, but you just have to do it with some wisdom,” she said.

Though she uses technology for the benefit of the class, Rothwell said she was disappointed when the new BYOT rule came out.

“It makes it too easy for them to cheat,” she said. “I think it’s taken away a vital part of the brain development where kids have to come to conclusions to derive an answer. Instead, what they know how to do is search an answer and find it and that’s all they care about. Since paper was invented, kids thought, ‘If I cut it small enough, I can put it in the palm of my hand.’ If someone is going to cheat, they will use whatever resources are available. It’s just that technology is a better resource than the palm of their hand or the inside of their hat.”

PAP Biology and Astronomy teacher Brian Crawford uses Twitter to give students opportunities to score extra points and to share interesting information with his students.

“I had a tweet that I wanted the students to see and some of them don’t follow me, so I figured if their friends retweeted, it would spread the word a lot more quickly,” he said. “I use Twitter to get messages out about my class.

It’s a way to communicate without having to invade their personal space.”

Crawford’s use of Twitter does not appeal to everyone.

“Because I don’t have a Twitter, it makes me a little upset because I think he should give us people who don’t have

27

that kind of social media other opportunities to get more points,” she said.

Sophomore Sydney Dragon, Crawford’s former student, said she was a fan of the extra credit opportunities on Twitter and the idea of teachers using Twitter to further interact with students.

“I liked that he tweeted,” she said. “Teachers should tweet when we have stuff due.”

Despite their strong ability to distract in class, smart phones can be beneficial to learning.

“When they have a place, they can be good,” Crawford said. “I think, in general, a lot of students are addicted to them and they can be a distraction but if the teacher can carve out a purpose for it they can be beneficial.”

features

The generation that could end smoking How we could put a stop to an age of addiction Gavin McGowan • Reporter • art by Audrey Dao Smokers pull out a cigarette and light it up, passing the smoke through the filter and into their lungs. People around them either avert their eyes or light up their own cigarettes.

Senior John* said he started smoking in 11th grade because it relaxed him at first. However, as time went on, doubt began to creep in his mind.

“I asked myself, ‘Why? Why are you doing this?’ and I decided to quit,” John said. He quit smoking later on in 11th grade, and he claimed it was as easy as wanting to quit for himself.

“If you want to quit, it needs to be for yourself,” John said.

“That was the only thing that worked for me.”

A popular alternative to cigarettes are the infamous

E-Cigs, or Electronic Cigarettes, which claim to be cheaper, easier, and healthier.

While there are some benefits to E-Cigs, they are pretty much equal in terms of the damage they can do to your system.

Much like cigarettes, E-Cigs can cause cancer, lung diseases, and increase the risk of illness, as well as enhance asthma.

School nurse Victoria Miller said that the benefits ����������������� to smoking E-Cigs versus real cigarettes is noticeable; however, it is still much worse than not smoking at all.

However, if you can’t avoid them altogether, E-Cigs are simply better than cigarettes.

“Punishment for cigarettes and E-cigarettes are the same thing when it comes to campus rules,” Assistant Principal

L u a n n Kennedy said.

“But cigarettes will actually get you a ticket and E-cigs won’t.”

Perhaps it is better to smoke E-Cigs, but of course not smoking is the best option.

And apparently, people are finally listening. As of 2013, only 18 percent of people in the United States smoked. That’s an incredible drop from the 46 percent who smoked in the 1960s. Many view the decline in smokers as a sign that we could be the generation that ends smoking.

“If we push hard enough, we absolutely can, but it’s gonna take a lot of work, and the sub-

Merry Christmas, Warriors!

*names have been changed

Elegance Perfums

Enjoy your break & be safe!

Cell phones, Designer perfumes, Handbags, Jewelry, Hats & Accessories 6201 Matlock Rd Ste 135 Arlington, Tx 76002 Store # 817 896 1085

From Shepherd of Life Lutheran Church 715 E Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX 76011 (817) 460-0631

features

stances will still be around, so the problem isn’t, ‘Can we stop smoking?’

It’s, ‘Can we get rid of tobacco?’” John* said.

28

story continued from page 22 Gavin recalls being scratched across the face by a kid who was in Millwood for attacking his mother with a knife, and the only punishment received was being locked in a room for a bit of time.

“They released me with the pants they give you that rip if you put pressure on them, socks, no shoes, and my clothes in my hands,” Gavin said. “I just walked out.”

After about a week of staying at home, unable to return to school, McGowan continued his journey at Sundance Hospital for about two months.

“That was way better,” Gavin said. “That’s what I think finally made me happy, and turned my life around – going to Sundance and meeting the counselors there. They were fun, but they also understood, because they had been through the same stuff.”

Gavin said he has not had any suicidal thoughts since leaving

Sundance, and now turns to activities like Theater and Newspaper as his main sources of happiness.

“It’s a much different atmosphere here in high school rather than middle school, and being a part of Theater where there are loving people definitely helps,” Gavin said. “I’ve gotten happier because I’ve found better friends, friends who care about me. I have this wonderful program that I can follow, too. I simply can’t be sad anymore.”

Around 750,000 Americans attempt each year, and according to the American Foundation for Suicide Awareness website, every 12.9 seconds someone died from suicide in 2012.

“People need to know that no matter what, they are not a burden,” Gavin said. That was my problem, I didn’t want to be a burden. To anybody who has suicidal thoughts, there is someone who cares. It will get better. All you have to do is admit to wanting to be happy.”

Rivard Brothers

Band Instrument Repair Specialists Highest Quality Repairs – Supplies – Rentals

2425 W. Arkansas Lane, Suite A Arlington, TX 76013 817-459-2263

$100 off

Cannonball Saxophones, Trumpets, and Clarinets, Pearl Flutes and Piccolos, Buffet Clarinets, Courtois Trombone, Getzen Trumpets and Trombones

Come enjoy Martin Choir and Orchestra in their combined winter concerts: JV Winter concert on Monday, December 15, from 6:30-10:00 in the auditorium. (choir begins at 8:30) Varsity Winter concert on Tuesday, December 16, from 7:00-10:00 at Fielder Church. (2011 S Fielder Rd, Arlington, TX, United States)

29

MHS Choral Department 4501 West Pleasant Ridge Arlington, Texas 76016 682-867-8717

advertisements

The next man up

Sophomore had to finish season as quarterback Josh Parker • Reporter

The injury of a key player can be detrimental to any sports team. They must adapt to a new game plan with a new player.

This year, that was the case for the Martin football team.

Junior Quarterback Eric Walker went down with a broken ankle in the game against Sam Houston on Oct. 3. The quarterback is a key piece to the offense and the whole team.

It was necessary that someone step up and handle the daunting task of playing quarterback midway through the season, and sophomore Tre Brown did.

Brown had to lead his team.

This was Brown’s second year as a varsity football player. As a freshman, he was one of the starting defensive backs. It’s rare for a freshman to start on varsity at a 6A school.

“I was nervous but I knew that I had to step up and be the leader,” Brown said.

Brown found out that he was going to be the starting quarterback the day after the Warriors played Sam Houston.

“Coach Wager and Coach Reeves got together and told me that I will be learning to play quarterback,” Brown said.

“And they were going to need him to step up and be a leader.”

Brown has been playing football since he was five years old. He played quarterback throughout junior high, so this wasn’t his first experience playing the quarterback position. Despite the experience that Brown has at different positions, he said he prefers playing quarterback over other positions.

This wasn’t head coach Bob Wager’s first time that his quarterback went down with an injury.

“Eric Walker. He is as good as there is. Period. At any level,” Wager said.

Wager and his staff had to change their game plan to adjust to Brown being the new starting quarterback. The coaching staff had converted Brown from playing defensive back to quarterback. Switching somebody from a defensive position to an offensive position can be difficult, but the Warrior coaching staff was able to do so. Brown didn’t lose a game, or turn the ball over all regular season.

“Every single week, he gets a little bit better and a little bit better,” Wager said.

Sophomore Tre Brown prepares to throw the ball against Arlington High at Maverick Stadium Oct. 31. Brown took over for injured quarterback junior Eric Walker.

Photo by Cammi Skanes

sports

Clean finish

Wrestler wraps up her senior year in the hopes of winning a title Gabby Benavides • Reporter

Senior Kyiva Beasley is ready for this season. She’s starting the year off as captain and has her eyes set on a State Champ.

She already won a gold medal at the first meet and is prepared to take on obstacles ahead.

“It’s been a good year so far and I’m excited for the season to start,” Beasley said.

The road to state is a long one and the team is working hard in order to get there. They practice as much as they can and have high goals set for the season.

“We have a good solid group of wrestlers who are going to have a lot of success,” head wrestling coach Sabina Harrington said.

Harrington is leading the girls wrestling team for the first time this year and her main goal is sending as many kids as she can to state and beating their main competitor for district, Sam Houston.

“You always want to knock the top dog off,” Harrington said. “If we make some inroads to knock down Sam Houston then we would like to.”

Harrington said she is excited for her first year and is going in with intensity. She has a strong team and has confidence in her captain’s abilities.

“Kyiva works hard, she comes in with a lot of intensity, she’s a competitor and she wants to win,” Harrington said.

Beasley is very dedicated and said she wants to do very well this season. She makes sure to go to her full potential in every practice and wrestling match. ������������������������������ “I wanted to do wrestling because it’s an individual sport and it’s very hands-on,” Beas-

30

Senior Kyiva Beasley poses in her Martin wrestling spirit wear.

Photo by Bailey Lewis

ley said.

This is her second year on the wrestling team. Even though she hasn’t decided whether she wants to pursue wrestling after high school, she still has big plans for the future. ������������������������������� “I want to go to the University of Texas next year,” Beasley said. “I plan to study to become a social worker.”

Beasley is also involved in several activities other than wrestling.

“I’m also involved in softball and track,” Beasley said. “My family comes to all my meets and supports me through it all.”

Her coach also supports her and believes that she will be able to improve in her wrestling abilities this year.

“I think she’s going to have a great season,” Harrington said.

“She’s solid and has good technique and work ethic, I think she’s going to be tough to beat.”

Heckle Squad leads student section to enhance spirit and tradition

Spice up the spirit

Are you ready kids?

How could pep rallies be more interesting?

Michaelann Durden • Entertainment Editor, PJ Inthanousay & Kenzie Woodruff • Reporters Photo by Cammi Skanes

Annoying, obnoxious, and loud – the three words Heckle Squad would use to describe their tactics to frustrate the opposing team.

Heckle Squad is a selfappointed group that attends sporting events to get the team and student section hyped about being Martin Warriors.

Heckle Squad includes many, but only ten official members on the squad: seniors Benedict Anwukah, Aaron Fanning, Alfredo Tamayo, Dakari Hill, Jonny Swearingin, Mason Michell, Garrett Odom, Taylor Glaspie, and juniors Jay Schmidt and Conner Lidiak.

“After being on the basketball team last year, and seeing how much of a difference it made to have the Heckle Squad there, I just figured I’d help out whenever I could,” Lidiak said.

“The Heckle Squad is a great addition to games and school spirit,” English teacher and varsity cheer coach Diane Little said. “I think they’re wonderful.

All of the creative things they do to get the kids yelling ������ is always positive and fun. I enjoy having them do it.”

Little also stated that the

See Heckle Squad in action at the Arlington vs Martin game

Jenna Rowe • Reporter

cheerleaders have enjoyed the interaction with the squad and student section at games.

“The ultimate goal of Heckle Squad is to embody the student section,” Anwukah said. “We want to get everyone involved and make sure we’re supporting the team.”

Members from the squad attempt to be at every pep rally and game. The squad members said they agree that pep rallies are difficult since most members are in the senior section and some are in the junior section. Another problem is that not as many people are pumped for the pep rallies as they are the games.

“People are thinking, ‘Oh since there’s not a game going on, we don’t need to cheer,’ but your team is out there, and the point of the pep rally is to get your team pumped up for their game,” Odom said.

The squad hopes to make pep rallies more energetic and fun for students as the year goes on, and for years to come. They get a lot of their ideas and chants from Vine and other schools.

“We don’t bum them off from other schools, but we make them our own,” Tamayo said.

Anwukah saw a Vine where a school incorporated a TV show’s theme song into a chant.

After seeing this, he created the ‘Are you ready kids?’ cheer that he starts before kick-off during football games. This is one of many ways the squad gets the whole student section involved with what they do.

“Last year the Heckle Squad

was good, but they excluded others,” Anwukah said. “That’s why it wasn’t always a fun time for everybody else. This year we’re trying to get everybody going.”

Last year’s Heckle Squad was made up of senior boys who centered �������������������� around going to basketball games more than other sports.

This year’s Heckle Squad is trying to incorporate more than just basketball by attending football games, and maybe some future tennis and golf tournaments.

“I think Heckle Squad is about making it fun for the student body,” senior Dakari Hill said.

“Last year no one would’ve come to a North Crowley or Sam Houston game. Since we’ve started doing this, more and more people have been coming to every game.”

Over the years the student section has changed dramatically, from being criticized to being at its peak and establishing a tradition that it’s been needing.

“I think we have a united front, and it’s been a significant change. Now we have more tradition and student support,” principal Marlene Roddy said.

“I think it’s at the best ever since I’ve been associated with Martin, and I’ve been here since 1988.”

The squad wants other schools to look at Martin, and wish their student sections were like Martin’s. Long-term, they want a more consistent school spirit for Martin, not just for specific games, but all games.

31

To do fun things and games with the faculty like a pie eating contest and chubby bunny.

• English teacher Rynthia Clements To have a theme for each pep rally and to change the decorations and music to go with the theme for that pep rally.

Like if it’s cold outside, do snowflakes and things like that.

• senior Jeff Flair Have music that relates to more groups and have more genres.

• football coach Clifton Odom Have more representations of other sports that also have a championship or game that night or something along those lines.

• senior Austin Hughes Have more things like Fundancers and more activities that involve the student body.

Maybe throw a beach ball or two in the stands.

• freshman Dylan Ford and junior Ethan Fisher I think that football players should be more involved. I personally would like to see them get in a dance-off.

• senior Garrett Odom I think that if the freshmen were more involved and less booed that more freshmen would enjoy it and more would like to come. Even though it is tradition to boo us, I think it would be more fun for us.

• freshman Hayley Oberbeck

sports

Shooting for success

Lady Warriors Basketball team prepares to make a run at a district

I

Garrett Elliott • Sports Editor

t’s tough living under the shadow of a team that had stars players like Nick Babb and Myles Garrett. This is the story of the Lady Warriors basketball team.

For years the Lady Warriors have been in the shadow of the boys’ team, but feeding off last year’s playoff run to the Regional Quarterfinals, they’re ready to step into the spotlight.

“We just have to go hard every game,” senior point guard Bailey Carpenter said. “Making sure we’re resilient and not letting the previous play affect the next.”

After making the deepest run in the State playoffs in Lady Warrior history last year, and just barely losing to cross-town rival Lamar in the third round, the expectations for the team are higher than ever.

“We have been working to build on the success that we had last year since March,” Head girls basketball coach Brooke Brittain said. “Every day these players commit, work, and grow toward our vision of what we want for Martin Basketball.

These players want to make history. They push to grow daily, even on the inevitable rough days a team faces. The plan is to stay the course and charge forward because these girls are on to something special.”

Every team goes through adversity but this year’s team seems ready to take on whatever highs and lows the season throws at them.

“We do team bonding activities and everybody gets along really well,” Carpenter said.

“On some teams, not everybody gets along, but we all get along really well and love each other.”

Over the years the Lady Warriors have not had as much success as the men, but have continued to build each year getting farther and farther in the playoffs each year and this year’s team plans to continue to keep that streak going.

After a solid set of non-district games and tournaments, the Lady Warriors are ready to take on our rival, the Arlington High Colts this coming Tuesday Dec. 16 at home in Gym A starting at 6 p.m.

O

“Our Warrior program is packed full of driven athletes with tremendous work ethic and character,” Coach Brooke Brittain said. “I always have high expectations for the players in this program, because anything less would be selling them short.”

Varsity Lady Warrior Basketball players huddle during a scrimmage against Colleyville Herritage. Last year’s team placed second in District. This year they hope to go deeper into playoffs. “These players want to make history,” head coach Brooke Brittain said. “They push to grow daily, even on the inevitable rough days a team faces.” Photo by Garrett Elliott

While the boy’s team cruised to a district title last year getting boatloads of media coverage and attention, the Lady Warriors were fighting to get second place in a very strong District 3-5A (Now 6A) and got little media coverage or fan support.

“We’d love to have more people come to our games,” guard junior Maddie Karickhoff said.

“It’s a game and we’re giving a show. That’s why people show up – to watch it.”

The Lady Warriors are ready to take their place alongside the men in the spotlight this season.

sports

32