October 2011 Warrior Post

The

Warrior Post Photo by Karsen Cinquepalmi

Issue No. 1

13 October 2011

Back to the roots

Mumorablilia

Karsen Cinquepalmi • Staffer

Junior Alyssa Stanley:

What is your mum made out of?

The mum is mostly made out of duct tape with a jungle print theme to match last year’s Homecoming theme “Welcome to the Jungle.”

What kind of duct tape did you use?

I used all the animal prints like zebra and cheetah, because it has to be school colors.

How long did it take you to make the mum?

It took about two weeks and around an hour each day.

How did people react when they saw your mum?

They asked me what it was made out of.

Junior Rachel Palmer:

Why did you decide to make Sean Tyler’s garter mum size?

I wanted the garter to be unique.

At first I didn’t know it was going to mum sized until I picked it up.

How much did you spend on Sean’s garter?

After getting all the supplies and getting it made it was around $60.

2011 Homecoming dedicated to honoring fallen Warriors Erin Hibbs • Staffer

M

ums clanking, cameras flashing and students exploring the jungle that their school has been transformed into were the sights and sounds of Martin High School’s Homecoming in 2010.

The Homecoming halls are not only a Martin tradition, but something that upcoming Warriors look forward to experiencing.

But Homecoming this year won’t be same.

The countless amounts of money and time spent on planning and decorating the hallways will instead be focused on going back to the roots of Homecoming by honoring Matt Mills and Jeremy Smith, the Martin alumni who gave their lives in the armed forces this past summer, and raising money to support their families.

It will be called “Blast to the Past30 years of Excellence!” and it will include “Memory Bracelets” to remember our fallen Warriors.

The bracelets will be sold by each class and the class that sells the most

gets the bragging rights at the Homecoming pep rally. The money earned from selling the bracelets will also go towards a college fund for the children of Matt Mills.

There will also be a statue and cornerstone laid in the new Memorial Garden outside of the upper gym lobby to honor our Fallen Warriors.

The Smith and Mills families will be attending the Homecoming pep rally to show their gratitude towards Martin.

Our Warriors varsity football team will also be wearing memorials to honor both of the Warrior alumni who gave their lives.

But we still get to throw in a little of Martin’s Homecoming pizazz. The library lobby will have decorated murals made by each grade and even teachers will be able to participate in a door decorating contest. Each grade is given the exact same supplies to create the banners and judging will be based on how each grade decides to use these supplies.

The teachers with the top three doors will be rewarded with gift cards to local restaurants.

Although Homecoming will be beneficial to and focused on the alumni, there are still some mixed feelings throughout

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the student body. For new fish, there are many expectations for what homecoming day will include.

“I’m bummed out because as a freshman I don’t get to experience Homecoming like everyone else did,” freshman Paige Donart said.

Many sophomores were also let down with the change in Homecoming this year.

“It upsets me that Homecoming won’t be the same,” sophomore Jessie King said. “I was really looking forward to all of the the chaos and excitement of the Homecoming hallways.”

Juniors also were disappointed with not being able to decorate their first hallway this year.

“I think they should decorate the hallways,” junior Blake Bishop said. “They’ve done it for so long and it will not feel the same with out all the cool hallways.”

Even though some students are let down, there are many who see the lack of decoration from a brighter perspective.

“I am supportive of the change,” student body President senior Austin Taylor said. “It’s a step in being green, and it’s beneficial to people’s time and keeps them focused on what Homecoming is really about.”

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news

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Conference Losing a conference period prompts district to look at changes

high school students in AISD, analyze the financial and logistical practicality of that schedule, and recommend a change in schedule to the Board of Education,” Beck said. “I want to create a schedule that will allow teachers to deliver the best possible instruction to students with our given resources.”

The idea of a seven-period day has reoccurred several times over previous years. Once again, the suggestion has come back, and is now more than ever a serious consideration.

“A seven-period day is a very viable option, one that most districts have moved to,” Hibbs said. “The key point to remember is that any move to the sevenperiod school day is that it needs the support of teachers and the community.

The district has tried to move from block scheduling in the past with objection from those who like the system. By moving to a seven-period day, AISD would realize a significant financial savings.

Block scheduling is expensive.”

Connor Gillaspia • Editor-in-Chief

“I

t’s not a good situation,” math teacher Marianne Varner said. “Nothing good about it.”

So much time, and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it. Actually, teachers have had less time than ever to operate with one conference period gone and another classroom full of students added on. District leaders will decide Nov. 17 on the high school schedule for next year.

More work, less time “We are teaching 15 percent more classes with a 50 percent reduction in planning time,” AP World History and Macroeconomics teacher Jeff Beck said.

“Any business that was expected to produce 15 percent more output with a 50 percent reduction in input would put out a poorer quality of product than before.

The same is true for education. Additionally, the ‘long’ day without a conference period is an assault on teachers’ bodies, minds, and spirits.”

Last year, AISD discovered that $29 million of budget was being cut by the State of Texas over the next two years.

Obviously, a lot of changes had to be made, including the new 3/4 schedule.

“The Board mandated that the administration bring recommendations of ways to trim the budget without cutting jobs,” AISD Board member John Hibbs said.

“This effort resulted in some jobs not being refilled through attrition and the addition of the 3/4 schedule that had teachers losing a conference period and adding an additional class.”

With this decision, 90 high school positions were reduced across the city’s public schools.

With the move to the 3/4 schedule, $4.5 million was being saved at the high school level. As a member of the AISD Board of Trustees, Hibbs hears all of the concerns that have come with this new schedule.

“The feedback that I have received has been primarily from the English departments,” Hibbs said. “They feel that the system does not afford them the time that they need for grading, private tutoring, handling parent concerns and creation of lesson plans, all issues that are of a major concern by the district. We have to ensure that instruction in our core classes is not being compromised as this is the foundation of education.”

This year, teachers have been given more students apiece, and with more students per teacher comes less time to help them personally.

“More parents to call, more forms to fill out, more papers to grade, more names to learn. Some teachers have more than 200 students now,” Beck said. “All of this with half of the conference and planning time that we used to have.”

“There are less grades, and more grading in class,” Beck said. “The reduced time to plan has led to lessons that are not as well planned or effective as before.

Additionally, the tiredness of teachers, particularly on the ‘long’ day, has led to less interaction and energy with students.”

Looking for a solution “Teachers are working with administration both at Martin and at the district level to address the situation,” Beck said.

“Administration has been very receptive and helpful in reacting to this situation.

They realize that overburdened teachers will produce a lower quality education for students, which no one wants.”

The Board of Trustees met Sept. 15 to discuss the issue. Also, on Sept. 23, a new committee of administrators and teachers started working on the changes for the 2012-2013 school year.

They have discussed future options for a schedule. Beck is one member of this committee.

“Our job is to look at what type of schedule would best serve the needs of

Benefits of a seven period day With block scheduling no longer an option, more faculty members have begun leaning toward the seven-period day.

“It would provide more instructional time with students overall, 900 more minutes over the year compared to block,” Beck said. “And there is the benefit of seeing your students everyday to keep their knowledge fresh. It also saves money by reducing the credit load from 32 to 28. However, more passing periods means more chances for chaos and misbehavior, and teaching six classes of 50 minutes is still a lot to handle in one day, even with a daily conference.”

Not only seven, but eight period days have been considered as well. However, the eight class schedule is unlikely to be approved.

“Most of the teachers and committee members I have spoken with have responded negatively to an eight-period day,” Beck said. “All of the problems of an increased class load still exist with an eight-period day. The only difference is that teachers would have a conference daily while still teaching seven classes.”

Immediate changes Bottom line, the 3/4 schedule has no doubt hurt the teachers’ time.

“The current situation is very difficult and is hurting the productivity of teachers,” Beck said. “This loss of productivity is going to hurt students in numerous ways – less personal attention, lower AP and TAKS scores from lack of adequate preparation, etc.”

But AISD staff members are looking for changes to benefit all sides.

“First and foremost, we have identified some issues now, so we will be implementing some relief for the teachers in the coming weeks,” Hibbs said. “Having been in the corporate world, I have been through seven company downsizings where millions of dollars were cut and changes made because they looked good on paper. The reality is that what looks good on paper doesn’t always translate in the real world. This issue is a prime example of why you review changes that have been made and determine if you have missed the mark and then fix it.”

Possible schedules for 2012-2013

Besides the current schedule, here are some of the options under consideration.

A 7-Period Day

1st Period- 7:35-8:25 2nd Period- 8:30-9:20 3rd Period- 9:25-10:15 4th Period- 10:20-11:10 5th Period- 11:15-12:05 LUNCH- 12:05-12:55 6th Period- 1:00-1:50 7th Period- 1:55-2:45

An 8-Period Day

1st Period- 7:35-8:20 2nd Period- 8:25-9:10 3rd Period- 9:15-10:00 4th Period- 10:05-10:50 5th Period- 10:55-11:40 LUNCH- 11:40-12:20 6th Period- 12:25-1:10 7th Period- 1:15-2:00 8th Period- 1:05-2:50

Combination

Monday, Tuesday and Friday are 7-period days Wednesday is a four-block A-day.

Thursday is a three-block B-day and all students would be released after 7th period.

What surrounding districts are doing:

• Mansfield, Fort Worth and Dallas school districts all utilize A and B days.

• HEB ISD has a 5-period day that includes a zero period before school.

• Pantego Christian Academy follows a ‘modified block’ schedule where Monday-Thursday are block days and Friday includes all 8 periods.

If you wish to voice your opinion on the subject, contact the listed AISD board members: • Peter Baron – President peterbaronaisd@tx.rr.com • Bowie Hogg - Vice President bowie@bowiehogg.com • Dr. Aaron Reich – Secretary areich.aisd@tx.rr.com • Jamie Sullins - Asst. Secretary sullins.jamie@yahoo.com • Gloria Peña - Board Member GloriaPena.AISD@yahoo.com • John Hibbs - Board Member hibbsaisd@gmail.com • Tony Pompa - Board Member tpompa@me.com

Cristiani Fernandez • Staffer

The anticipation of senior year had just begun. It was toward the end of the summer, when suddenly, news arose about a loss very close to the hearts of seniors and faculty. We had lost a fellow student, Parminder Walia.

“Parminder was the nicest girl you could ever meet,” senior Teresa Bui said. “She was a bit quiet, but when you would ask her a question, she would be so helpful. She would help you with any kind of schoolwork you had.”

Walia passed away Aug. 3. She had a lung condition that required oxygen nonstop since the age of three months.

“Parminder was always so positive. She never would say she was sick,” her cousin, senior Harjot Singh said. “She was so happy, always joking around, always had a positive view of life. She always had a way to make my problems seem small.”

Walia was a very dedicated student and was also a part of various clubs at school.

She was a part of AVID, Key Club, HOSA, Spanish Club, NHS and Spanish NHS. She made sure she did the best at anything she was a part of.

“She had an unbelievable work ethic,” AVID Sponsor Kristen Session-Brown said. “She was always in a competition with herself to be the best she could be.

That is what made her a true role model to the other students.”

Walia’s hobbies included watching Indian soap operas, shopping and spending leisure time on the computer.

“All of her belongings were always neat.

She was so organized,” Singh said. “Parminder was always putting everything together. She had all the certificates and awards teachers had given her organized perfectly.”

Not only did everyone know her as a nice, quiet girl, she had a very positive outlook on life despite the hardships she faced that led her to be an inspiration to many.

“She showed me you can achieve what you set your mind to do despite whatever may be holding you back,” senior Griselda Sanchez said. “She showed everyone not to give up so easily.”

Whether someone was in need of comfort or help on a math assignment, Walia was always there.

“We were only born a month apart so we basically did everything together, if it was doing homework or watching TV,” Singh said. “She always had a way of cheering me up. She was so happy no matter what obstacles were in her way.”

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Adam Flores Jr. Licensed/Insured Cell: 817-925-9216 Home: 817-478-4617 adamjr8@sbcglobal.net

Science UIL trains for the big test Lauren Florence • Online Editor-In-Chief

S

olving physics problems, balancing chemical equations and deciphering the qualities of biological specimen are only basic, warm-up tasks for members of the Science UIL team.

Striving for another State-placing year, Science UIL’s sponsor, physics teacher Jay Atman, began teaching a class titled Research and Design in hopes that it would be used as an aid for his team members.

The class has become a haven for introspective thought and creativity, where students develop and conduct their own experiments from which they draw conclusions.

“One of my reasons for the Research and Design class was to get UIL kids to prepare for 90 minutes every other day,” Atman said. “One group in the class is going to be designing a crime scene for upper-level criminal justice classes. They set it up and do all the science behind it and then have criminal justice classes solve it.”

Having placed at state level in the past, the UIL team is serious about beating out the competition again, meeting every Friday after school and taking practice tests in their free time.

Reviewing outside of class and maintaining prior knowledge is pertinent if the students want to be more successful than they have been in the past.

“We’ve won state four times in the past, but we are on a drive for five this year,” Atman said. “Last year we were third place by four questions. There are 180 questions split between three people and we were out of first place by four.”

The team has practice meets once

a month, with the district meet in March, the regional meet in April and finally the state competition in May. Their first worthy opponent is Paschal High School, who the team has rivaled against for several years now.

Competitors who have placed high at state in the past and have returned to Paschal’s UIL team again this year are Martin’s greatest threat.

Despite the UIL test’s difficulty and the vast span of knowledge required to take it, Atman said he feels the team is preparing well and will be completely capable of doing well on the test. Even if the team doesn’t place as high as they hope to, the students will have gained an incredible amount of information to support them in college.

“I personally think UIL Science is by far the hardest of the UIL tests,” Atman said. “It’s at least nine college courses. In general, the test consists of the first two semesters of biology, plus anatomy and physiology. Also, the first semester of chemistry and then both organic and physical. All three levels of physics are on the test, too. This year for physics there’s special required reading, ‘Beyond Einstein’ by Michio Kaku. For biology there’s just 10,000 things to memorize and in chemistry there’s redox equations and acid-base equations. Our physics scores are higher than anyone else’s though.”

“Students who compete at state are doing better than 99.99 percent of college students,” Atman said. “Whether we win or not, what we have done is amazing. I’m honored that all my students work so hard.”

5297 S. Cooper St. Arlington, Texas 76017 (817) 784-6613

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news

Martin students, faculty remember Parminder Walia

Things about 10

news

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Roddy

Principal Marlene Roddy opens up about the woman behind the new face of Martin Lauren Florence • Online Editor-in-chief

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Roddy’s husband is fluent in Spanish and grew up in Nicaragua, where they travel to

She has three dogs: a Pekingese adopted from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, a Corgi named Emma, and a bloodhound and Great Pyrenees mix named Hera after the character in Greek mythology.

often and plan to visit

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In high school, Roddy was in the National Honor Society and a self-proclaimed studious

Roddy has two children, both Martin alumni – a daughter who graduated from UT and teaches at Bowie High School in Austin and a son who graduated from Rice and works for an oil company in Houston.

student.

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Roddy played violin for her high school

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She enjoys jogging and running several times a week as well as doing yoga, which she used to do with other staff members in the past.

orchestra.

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She entered her first year in college as a music major, but later switched to political sci-

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Roddy likes Indian food and menudo soup, but is always looking to try new foods.

ence.

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Roddy lived in California for 10 years after she graduated from college, where she taught junior high English and math and high school social studies.

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Roddy taught AP U.S. History, Government and World History at Martin and was even the Student Council sponsor for a while.

Photo by Emma Cuppett

Pentatonix

Three former Martin students competitively sing on a national TV show Lauren Peel & Ashley Cunningham• Copy Editors

A

year after going their separate ways, Martin alumni Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi and Kirstie Maldonado reunite with the hopes of changing their lives forever.

Unlike the days they sang together in high school, the harmonies they croon now have a much more pointed purpose.

All they have is one day is to prepare for a momentous opportunity. The familiarity of working together in the past helps their practice run smoothly. However, no amount of rehearsing can prepare them for the unknown territory of television producers, cameras observing their every move, and a crowd of millions of American viewers.

Their audition the following day for the NBC television show The Sing-Off marks the beginning of their journey to becoming successful performers.

•

Hoying found out about the show when he joined an a capella group called “SoCal VoCals” while attending The University of Southern California. Some of his group members had been on The Sing-Off and suggested that he try out.

Remembering the trio he was in during high school, he asked Maldonado and Grassi to audition with him. Because the

show requires more than three people to be in a group, Hoying chose two other members, one from his group at college and one from the viral YouTube video “K.O. Cello Beatboxing Experience: Julie-O.” With the addition of these two people, the group decided on the name Pentatonix. They all decided to fly out to Los Angeles to take a chance and audition for the show.

“All of us missed a bunch of end of the year things, and Mitch even missed his high school graduation,” Hoying said.

•

The trio, along with their new group members, walk into The Sing-Off auditions, feeling both unprepared and outnumbered. Their eyes scroll across the crowded room, sizing up the other groups that consist of 10 to 16 members. Despite what appears to be a disadvantage due to the much larger groups around them, Maldonado, Grassi and Hoying all have something that no other group has: experience built from their four years at Martin High School.

•

All three members were a part of show choir, chamber and chorale. Each of them was also in the All-State Choir for

three consecutive years.

“I knew when these kids were in ninth grade they were far above the norm,” choir director Kay Owens said. “They could all do various styles of music which isn’t common in high school. All three have an unique ability and it made it a joy to teach them.”

Their raw ability was shaped by the training of Owens and theater teachers Larry Cure and Sharon Miller. Without the help of these skilled teachers the trio believe they wouldn’t have the performing and musical abilities that lead them to this opportunity.

“Without that training, I’d be nowhere near the musician I am today,” Maldonado said. “Mama O pushed our limits in class, show choir, All-State and life.

She taught us amazing musicianship and connection within a song. Ultimately, she taught me how to be a better person.”

•

Finally Pentatonix is called to audition.

Among the rolling cameras and critical eyes of important people, the quintet performs three songs.

The producers of the show seem impressed, but suddenly ask them to perform a rendition of Katy Perry’s “Firework” on the spot. Nervously, Hoying, Grassi and Maldonado begin their own

arrangement of the song, fully aware that their other two group-mates have never performed it with them. The two join in with their own parts, made up on the spot.

About a week later, the phone rings.

Over the excitement a car full of band members, Hoying picks it up. The voice coming through the phone is that of Joel Gallen, the producer of The Sing-Off. Their hard work has paid off.

•

Along with the excitement of being on the show also came the fear of losing anonymity.

“I definitely think being on the show will open many doors for me, personally,” Grassi said. “I’m a little nervous that passersby will recognize me and approach me. I’m actually quite shy.”

Winning the show would bring them the prizes of $200,000 and a recording contract with Sony Music. However, they hope that participating with The Sing-Off, whether they win or not, will help them in the future.

“The Sing Off is something I could barely dream about being a part of,” Maldonado said. “It is incredible and if it opens up any opportunities in Los Angeles, New York, or anywhere, I would be so happy.”

I don’t know how she does it

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Freshman juggles drill team and band

at halftime she performs her dances and p.m. at a Friday night football then marches with the band.

“I was relieved after our first perforgame. It’s halftime. out of the 220 band members, 219 are focusing mance because I sometimes pretend to mainly on their show. One however, is play my flute from being out of breath,” thinking about the drill team perfor- Garza said. “I was mainly worried about mance she did merely five minutes be- marching because at practice I would go off things that are on the grid that aren’t fore.

Parents and students are stunned. there on the field, but I’m proud of how Murmurs and questions circle through I did.”

Crankiness can become a problem the stands. “What is a Sundancer doing out there with the band?” Leaving peo- among band and drill team members by the end of the week, but Garza tries to ple utterly clueless, she starts marching.

“When I’m out there with the band, maintain an upbeat mood. Her friends all I think about is drill team,” freshman and family support her, but one person Krista Garza said. “And when I’m danc- in particular, helps her get through all the tough practices and the lack of time ing all I can concentrate on is band.” she has for a normal life.

For most people, waking “My best friend Jake is up at 4:30 a.m., going to “It doesn’t even always there to help me school until 2:45 p.m., then feel like a chal- cope with problems at going to band practice until 6:30 p.m. does not sound lenge to me,” home and other things.

He will always make like an ideal day. For freshGarza said. “It my day,” she said. “He man Krista Garza, it’s just a typical day of the week. feels like just understands that I don’t have much time for On game days, especially, is when all the hard work another practice, him, and can’t even talk comes together. except my feet to him at the games because I’d get in trouble.

“It doesn’t even feel like a challenge to me,” Garza usually feel like But with just one look, said. “It feels like just anweights, and I it’s like we’re having a conversation.” other practice, except my All tiredness aside, feet usually feel like weights, sometimes fall Garza said she loves beand I sometimes fall asleep asleep on the ing involved in band and on the bus.” drill team. She hopes to bus.”

Friday is generally the continue on with both, most hectic and busy day of all. Her mom curls her hair for her ev- despite the hectic schedules and all the ery Thursday night, while she stays after time that they each require.

“I am strongly considering summer school on Fridays to do her makeup, get dressed and eat dinner. She goes to band school,” Garza said. “And I hope I can rehearsal for about an hour and then come up with a plan to stay in band and rides to the game with the Sundancers. drill team because I absolutely love doAt the game, she sits with drill team, but ing them.”

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features

Paige Patterson • News Editor

Freshman Krista Garza preforms at the football game wearing her Sundancer uniform while marching. Friday nights are always stressful for Garza when she is concentrated on two big aspects of the game preformances.

Photo by Karsen Cinquepalmi

features

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:)

Sophomore Taylor Helland keeps a smile as she finishes chemo

Morganne Clay & Ashleigh Jones • Staffers

C

olon cancer patient, sophomore Taylor Helland holds her head high as she pushes through her last few chemo sessions.

“Before my surgery I knew they were operating through my belly button so, I drew a smiley face on it and now every time I look at my scars I think of the smiley face,” she said.

Her total number of chemo sessions will be 12, and she has gone every two weeks for six months.

“My boyfriend, Chris Messer, was upset at first but he has been really supportive of me,” Helland said.

Three months into her sessions, she had a CT scan that came up clear of any cancer.

“When I learned that it was clear I was a little relieved, but I hadn’t been worrying too much,” Helland said. “I had a positive feeling the whole time.”

“I was in the hospital on Easter, and my friends surprised me with an Easter egg hunt in my hospital room,” Helland said. “The nurses probably thought I was crazy.”

Helland came back to school Apr. 20 last year, and a lot of people came up to her asking her how she was doing.

But there were some people who were kind of stand-offish and didn’t know what to say to her.

Before she was diagnosed with cancer, Helland was already a religious person, but after she had gone Sophomore Taylor Helland holds some of the books, through it, it brought cards, and gifts people gave to her while she was in her closer to God. the hospital. Photo by Lizzie Kirkham “It didn’t really The sessions usually last from four to change my perspective on anything in five hours, but she usually sleeps the life, except I appreciate life more now,” whole time or occasionally watches TV. she said.

“During each chemo session they kill Helland didn’t let this change anyseveral cells in my body and it causes me thing she did on a regular basis. to get really nauseated and tired,” HelShe tried to keep her life in order and land said. do everything she did before.

While she’s been at Cooks Children She still participates in band and still she hasn’t made many friends since the keeps her grades up. other patients are mainly young kids She now has only two sessions of cheand nurses. mo left to do, and then she will be done “I didn’t really care if people found out for a little while. about my cancer,” Helland said.

“The doctors say there is a chance for The doctors told her family and friends the cancer to return, but we are pretty before they told her. positive that it won’t come back,” HelWhen her parents came into the room land said. crying she started to figure out what was Ten down. Two to go. And she gets going on, and she knew it wasn’t good. stronger week by week.

Computing Chinese Martin is only school in the AISD to introduce an online Chinese course Amber Lim • Staffer It’s another day in Chinese class, and students are actively learning. A cheery “ni hao” is heard, yet there is no Chinese teacher around to be seen. Instead, the voice comes from headphones plugged into a computer.

Martin’s Chinese course is new this year, offering students a chance to learn about this global language. But the language itself isn’t the only thing that’s new – Chinese is offered as an online course,

another class.”

In a regular day of class, students log on to the website and complete that day’s assignments.

The virtual course teaches Pinyin, a Romanization of Chinese pronunciation. A quiz is given every Friday, since the curriculum is not taught on an A/B block schedule. However, this is not a problem for students because one hour and a half is plenty of time to complete two days.

“We’ve had a few roadblocks along the way,” facilitator Karen Epperson said.

(Left to right front row) Corbyn Yip, Josh Wei, Daniel Chan. (Back Row) Mariam Nguyen, Helen Nguyen, Amber Lim, Jeff Moseley, Daniel Edwards gather around a computer during Chinese 1. These computers are used for learning the language. Photo by Calvin Lemley

part of the Texas Virtual School Network program (TXVSN).

Last spring, AISD asked schools to survey students’ interest in the course.

“The district hopes to equip students to work and thrive in a global economy,” counselor Dana Bishop said. “Being able to speak two languages helps students learn about another culture and prepares them for travel abroad if the opportunity presents itself.”

Martin had the most students signed up for Chinese in the district at 38. But at the last minute, tremendous budget cuts prevented Martin from hiring an instructor.

Because the district hires teachers based on student enrollment, Martin administrators faced a problem: would they have to move Chinese students to other already-full foreign language classes?

“Because we had so many students, we didn’t want to drop the course,” principal Marlene Roddy said.

But instead of an actual teacher, administrators looked into an online Chinese course, which was less expensive.

“I was excited,” freshman Marian Nguyen said. “I’d be depressed if they didn’t have Chinese. I don’t want to take

Epperson had no idea that she would become the facilitator. The facilitator oversees students and guides them on how to use the online program. She also teaches Introduction to Human Services as well as Nutrition and Food Management.

She was called, receiving news that she would help supervise this course.

“I was shocked,” Epperson said. “I had no background in Chinese and I couldn’t learn quickly enough to speak. But once I met the students I got excited. It’s going to be cool.”

In fact, the course was not implemented until the second week of school. Headphones and a permanent location weren’t available until the third week. Some students dropped the course because of the delayed start; others preferred not to learn virtually. Next year, however, Martin is planning to hire a teacher, and introduce a Chinese II course.

“I believe that it will be difficult for the program to see growth if the district does not hire a Chinese-speaking classroom teacher,” Bishop said.

Growth is expected for the next year, but for now, students said they are content with their small class size.

Did you know?

Bracelets were made and handed out to friends and family of Taylor Helland in support of her treatment and recovery. The bracelets were blue to respresent the fight against colon cancer. Photo by Lizzie Kirkham

• There are only two class periods • There are 12 students total • 58 percent of students have a background in Chinese • 38 students signed up initially • 26 students dropped after the first

Painted and tainted Students rock out to their own beat 7 Sophomores team up for t-shirt business With a delightfully twisted, yet beautifully witty imagination, one has the power to both amaze and frighten fellow students with his or her creations. That’s exactly what sophomores Kimberly Yee and Charley Davis unleash with only a pencil and a notebook filled with bizarre doodles.

Together with their similar dark tastes and interests, they’ve formed a T-shirt business.

“Skate shops make them, not the computer.” Yee said. “It’s way easier because we can set what’s going to be on our shirts.”

“We just make the initial design,” Davis said.

Yee and Davis are somewhat famous around the skate parks.

“We ask people if they’d like to buy a shirt around school,” Yee said. “We sell most of them at skate fests as well. Last year we printed about 50 shirts and sold them all.”

Yee also does shoes, flyers, band logos, and skateboards.

“During third grade I was knee-deep in Pokémon,” Yee said. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is pretty gnarly. I’m going to do it for a long time.’ So I did.”

If you were to page through Yee’s notebook, you would adventure through sequences of watercolor monsters and zombies, while also entering the mind of a skilled artist.

“I just think of unnatural things and turn them into monsters,” Yee said.

To Yee, her art is more of a therapy than a hobby.

“It calms me,” Yee said. “I’m not much of a sporadic drawer, it just gets my mind off things. “As in some people write, play music, skate, this is my way.”

People seem to have mixed opinions about Yee’s art. Some think it’s awesome, others think it’s creepy.

“I don’t get negative comments,” Yee said. “Maybe about how they’re too scary, but it’s not negative to me, some people like it, some people don’t. Usually when I draw, things drip, especially when I draw blood. Maybe that’s what creeps people out.”

Yee is also inspired by other artists like Vin Celocke and Shepard Fairey. Celocke does album artwork such as “Cannibal Corpse”; he’s also an illustrator. Fairey is a street propaganda artist and designed the famous Obama Hope poster. He also has a clothing line called Obey.

“I like them because they separate themselves from the others,” she said. “I don’t like repetition.”

Yee doesn’t exactly show her family her drawings, but she assumes that they’ve figured it out.

“I draw pretty much everyday,” Yee said.

“They’re laying all over my room and are hanging on the walls. My mom would tell me to stop drawing scary things and to take them down because I would have nightmares.”

Despite the amount of time she spends on art, she isn’t quite sure what she wants to do with her talent.

“Right now it’s just an experiment to see if I can get anywhere,” Yee said.

Her partner-in-crime, Charley Davis’s ideas revolve around the art of human bodies.

“I mostly do like figures and people, I make sure that their anatomy is perfect,” Davis said.

Drawing is one of Davis’s hobbies; she says that she draws all the time.

“I’m in Art II, and actually I’m in the same class as Kim, I didn’t know her too well in the 7th grade, but we became really good friends in 8th,” Davis said.

Davis has been doing this long before the 7th grade; in fact she’s been doing this for almost her whole life.

“When I was little I used to draw a lot, and it just kind of stuck,” Davis said. “I’ve been drawing ever since I could pick up a pencil. I appreciate art; I think it’s beautiful. I want to make a picture one day and just go ‘wow.’”

Davis has so many drawings; she doesn’t even know what to do with them.

“I just throw most of my drawings away, I have no use for them anymore. I just lay them out on my desk until I don’t like them anymore,” she said.

For Davis, art is a challenge, or a process of getting better and better.

“They’re just a work in progress,” Davis said. “If it’s not that good, I try to improve myself, then I know that I can do better.”

Perhaps all that hard work has paid off, because now it’s becoming a strategic career move.

“I want to design video games,” Davis said. “I’d rather work in the EA than design clothes. It interests me because first of all, I love video games. I don’t actually play them put I watch other people play. My favorites are “Silent Hill” and “Resident Evil”. Also it pays good, and it would be a job that I’d love to get up every morning and go to.”

Their business is called Tainted and can be checked out on the web.

“For those who like to barge the gnar, our next shirt could be for you,” Yee said.

They have pictures of their art, previous shirts, and how the paying customers wear them. See Yee and Davis’ drawings and Tshirts at www.facebook.com/taintedtx Sophomores Kimberly Yee and Charley Davis.

Photo by Danielle Valencia

features

Ariel Hernandez • Staffer

Mustapha Elkassih, Jordan Urashi, Dalton Sessumes, Spencer Evans and Sam Schoenfeld make up Fight for Tomorrow.

Photo by Coral Davis

Natalie Buongiorno • Staffer It’s another miserable, hot day in Texas, but inside of the venue it’s a completely different environment.

The lights are dim and there’s a buzz of excitement. Finally, the idle chatter quiets down as the band takes its stand on stage.

Whether it’s an intimate show in a backyard, a popular venue in downtown Dallas, or a party on the fly, the band Fight for Tomorrow is there for a good time.

“Our love of music is what truly inspired us to start our band,” sophomore Jordan Urashi (guitarist/back-up vocalist) said. “It also gets you a lot of chicks.”

Their genre of music, being pop-punk/ hardcore, was inspired by bands such as A Day to Remember, Four Year Strong and The Wonder Years.

The idea of a band started out with just a single song written by senior Dalton Sessumes (vocalist). From there, senior Mustapha Elkassih (bassist/ back-up vocalist) joined that idea, followed by Urashi, sophomore Spencer Evans (guitarist) and senior Sam Schoenfeld (drummer).

“Well I wrote a song and I was like, ‘Hey Mustapha,’ and he was like, ‘Whoa we should make that into a band song!’”

Sessumes said. “And we found a band and it just kind of happened.”

Fight for Tomorrow is born, and of course for a band to survive there must be songs.

“Me and Dalton write most of the songs,” Urashi said. “So usually me and

Dalton just get together on random days and go up to the lake and write stuff.”

Second stage for band survival: practice, practice, practice.

“We usually do two practices a week with the whole band,” Urashi said. And of course, the final stage, playing in front of audiences.

“Before my first performance, I was nervous,” Sessumes said. “We’ve all kind of played in front of crowds before though, just not all together as a band.”

They started out small, playing shows for friends in backyards, and have worked their way up to playing shows in Dallas and the Texas Scaregrounds.

Practice is key to their success, but another key to their success is something a little more abstract.

“Every time before a show we have a stretch circle,” Sessumes said.

Stretch circle? Just imagine five people gathered in a circle touching their toes.

It’s as amusing as it sounds.

Playing your favorite songs and hanging out with friends sounds like a few obvious advantages to being in a band, but Sessumes and Urashi also said they agree that there is another great opportunity to being in a band: meeting new people.

“Whenever you go to shows, there are always those people that are there for other bands that you meet and talk to,” Sessumes said.

After taking some time down to write songs, Fight for Tomorrow will be back to playing at local venues.

Life saver

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Student enforces her life guard training to save a life Victoria Powers • Features Editor

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he moment to save a life has finally come. Adrenaline pumping through her body and all the months of training are now necessary for the series of events that begin to take place.

Groups of people crowd around a man who’s been knocked unconscious and appears to not be breathing. Another group of lifeguards clear the area.

Now, after all the months of training the regular schedule, the reality starts to sink in.

At the beginning of the summer, training consisted of everyday drills and random testing.

Being pulled away to take an audit or having to save a fake baby from the Lazy River was all involved in training.

“Everyday at Hurricane Harbor, was pretty much the same,” senior Hannah Grinter said. “I’d get up, go to my station, and do my regular routine.”

After going through the motions for the morning, the day started to intensify.

“I was about to go on break when I saw a bunch of guests in a group,” Grinter said.

“When I got to the area, a few lifeguards were already there. He was having a seizure, and unfortunately there was nothing we could do, so we waited.”

There were two other lifeguards who were involved and what they suspected was that the guest had suffered from heat

exhaustion.

The exhaustion from the heat forced the guest to pass out, hit his head on a stairs as he was falling, and go into a seizure.

“His lips were turning purple so we knew he wasn’t breathing,” Grinter said.

“Once he started gasping, we knew what we had to do.”

Once someone stops breathing, brain damage can take place within minutes from lack of oxygen. The race to get his breath back had begun.

The lifeguard pinched the patient’s nose shut gently and then positioned their mouth over a breathing mask.

Grinter breathed into the patient’s mouth through the mask and checked to see that his chest rose.

She waited five seconds and repeated 12 more times and checked the patient’s pulse.

After a minute, he was breathing.

“Once we got the guest breathing again our supervisors took over,” Grinter said. “I had to fill out a statement form because we’re liable for everything that happens at our park. The supervisors came with a stretcher and I went back to my station.”

Taking someone’s life into your own hands can become a huge responsibly.

“I feel useful now,” Grinter said. “I feel that this experience showed me I can help.

It’s a great feeling.”

Serving Delicious:

Senior Hannah Grinter helped save a life this summer. “I feel that this experience showed me I can help. It’s a great feeling.” Photo by Karson Cinquepalmi

“Once he started gasping, we knew what we had to do.”

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The new tattoo

9

Laurel Gregory • Staffer

E

ach needle sat wrapped in plastic atop a tiny wooden desk. The walls were stark white. The couch, a solid blue. A box TV played softly in the background and plastic containers of ink lay sporadically along the floor.

Senior Abe Ayyash began to grit his teeth. It couldn’t be that bad, right?

The hot dog and chips he had consumed half an hour ago began to churn inside his stomach.

Each needle was opened, plastic tossed and crinkled on to the carpet. The first needle was placed inside the gun.

For Ayyash, the tattoo was not a thoughtout decision. It was a bit spontaneous and a whole lot of risky. He had friends who had gotten tattoos outside of a professional studio. This time he had his friend Chase to accompany him, a strongly built, dark-haired teenager with tattoos down to the elbows.

“It was just a regular day,” Ayyash said.

“I think I surprised myself when I said yes to the idea of getting a tattoo.”

The tattoo man himself is named Vinny.

He is married and in his late 20s. He is stocky, but short. His black hair is cut to a buzz. On his bicep reads the date of a friend that has passed. He greets the two

in a sleeveless shirt and red and black jeans. He wants to work as a professional tattoo artist, but until then, must build up his portfolio.

Vinny leads the boys up the steps of a two-story, red brick house. Presents are stacked in a pile on the kitchen table for his daughter’s birthday. Ayyash shows him a picture of what he wishes to have inked into his skin. Vinny examines the photo and begins to sketch.

“It didn’t occur to me that I was taking any sort of risk until later on,” Ayyash said. “I was focused on the end result and he seemed like a trustworthy guy.”

However, this need for ink is what drives many students to take the risk of getting an “underground” tattoo. This can be classified as any tattoo done outside of a professional studio. While these tattoos do not always follow the safest procedures, students resort to them because of age limits placed by studios.

For senior Jayln Gorman, her tattoo experience was slightly similar to Ayyash – the questionable studio, this time a kitchen corner, the nervous ache in her stomach as she lay on her back in a worn leather chair.

“It was a bit sketchy,” Gorman recalls.

Senior Caleb Slagle has also resorted to this new tattooing method, placing his

features

Students find a new way to get inked

trust in “Tattoo Tim”, the man responsible for Gorman’s tattoo along with several other students who have received the new tattoo.

“Honestly I don’t regret my tattoo at all,” Slagle said. “The pain was not nearly as bad as I expected it to be.”

But for Ayyash, the pain really was that bad. A sharp, piercing pain. He bit into his shirt for a distraction. The needle scratched into his skin his own design, a

tree of life with his last name written in Arabic.

Vinny stopped and pulled back.

“All right I’m finished,” he said. “You can wash off some of the ink in the bathroom.”

In a dimly-lit bathroom, Ayyash rinsed fresh tattoo in tap water. He stepped back from the sink to examine his new permanent body mark. A bit sore and hazy from the ink, he traced the outline on his chest.

Keeping up with the times Senior runs operation that keeps music fans updated on the local music scene

Senior Christian Rommer runs Emma Bruce

Ashley Cunningham • Copy

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strong pang of anxiety works its way through senior Christian Rommer’s stomach. This isn’t out of the ordinary. He knows that a good reputation rests upon the success of the music events he plans and always wants them to run smoothly.

But this time is different. This time, nothing seems to be going right.

Two of the bands scheduled to play have dropped out of the show, withholding the ticket money they promised. A mixup with the venue leaves him with a fraction of the profit he had been expecting.

Glumly, he breaks the bad news that he can only pay the touring bands he booked a small amount of money, much less than they were told they would be getting. After this, he’s sure his reputation will be

He decided to take on the challenge himself. His first step was to interview bands.

“I originally wanted to do video interviews with bands, but I don’t have the right equipment to make that happen,” Rommer said. “Instead, I just started emailing them. I have a set list of questions I ask every band, and it all goes on the Facebook page.”

After he began interviews, Rommer’s next step to get The Update up and running was to make shirts, which he was The Update for student bands. Photo by allowed to sell at various other music events to garner money to put togethEditor er a show of his own.

“I didn’t make as much money as I tarnished. hoped I would on the t-shirts, but I still Most music events that Rommer plans got enough to be able to pay for the adrun more smoothly than this one. In fact, vertising and booking for my first show,” since he first started putting them togethRommer said. er, he has had many positive experiences.

Then he began to find bands to play for Organizing these shows is just one facet his shows. He typically creates a balance in of an operation he runs called The Update, the lineup of bands by booking a few local which includes running a Facebook page, bands and a few touring bands. interviews with local bands, and updates “If I want a touring band to play one of on when new bands are formed or new my shows, I have to contact booking agensongs are released. cies,” Rommer said. “They give me a roster Rommer got the idea in March 2011, of which bands are on tour at what times which he says was inspired by what he saw and if there’s one that is in town when I on Facebook. want to have a show, I have to find a venue “It all started when I kept noticing a at which they can play.” bunch of band updates and music events Once he finds a venue and bands to fill flooding my Facebook newsfeed,” Romit, he must begin advertising. He spreads mer said. “I wanted one place where peothe word about any upcoming event he is ple could see everything that was happenplanning by sending event invitations via ing in the local music scene.”

Facebook and designing flyers and posters that he hangs around town.

“I’ve organized enough shows now that I know which places will let me hang up posters without getting mad,” Rommer said. “However, I would really like to put up posters around school, since every show I have put together so far has featured at least one band with members from Martin.”

Each concert that he has put together has been a learning experience. He first got the hang of it when he helped to organize a benefit concert to raise money for a skate park in Arlington.

“I first decided I wanted to do this a couple of years ago at Rocaskatefest,” Rommer said. “The people organizing it let me help out a lot the past two years. I’ve even booked a few of the bands who played.”

Once an event has actually been planned and is playing out, Rommer can relax and enjoy the show.

“I normally just take money for the show, tell bands when it’s their time to play and get bands water if they need it,” Rommer said. “At some of the venues I’ve booked shows at, however, I don’t need to do much work.”

Despite the bitter disappointment of the show before it, Rommer’s next attempt has no resemblance to its predecessor. In fact, it’s successful enough he can pay back the band all the money he had previously promised them, and more.

“Giving them more money than I had originally said I would was my way of saying thank you for their patience and sorry for letting them down,” Rommer said.

Aside from the desire to support and get the word out about local music, Rommer said he hopes the Update will benefit him personally.

“My goal with The Update is to get as much experience as I can, and to make money,” Rommer said. “I would one day like to be able to put on big enough shows that I can do this instead of a typical high school job.”

features

10

Tough Breaks Student athletes suffer season-ending fractures

Broken leg can’t crush football dreams

Kimberly Clower & Lily Hill • Staffers It felt as though his heart would soon burst through his chest. He heard the blatant pop, and felt as if a 10-ton truck had just crushed his leg and his dreams of playing football junior year. He laid there motionless, unable to think.

Junior Demetri Gildon played football, his favorite sport, for over a decade. Gildon, a 250-pound right tackle, grew up in West Virginia and played for the Rising Knights for two years.

He then moved to Iowa and played for the Sudlo Tigers Junior Demetri Gildon attends football practice with his broken leg. “The hardest part for two years.

Finally, he moved to Texas about this whole thing is not being able to and played for Young Junior play football,” he said. Photo by Chandler High for two years and then Harrell for Martin, where he ran the grounds for two years before getting hurt. The doctors sliced into his tan leg to find “We were going to beat Allen,” Gildon his tibia broken in three places. It looked said of the August game. “I thought I was as if a lightning bolt had struck his bone going to ride the bus home with the rest of and left a destructive mark.

The doctors put in a plate and seven the team, but that didn’t happen.”

The 215 pound defensive tackle who hit screws to mend the bone and begin the healing process. After his leg was sewn up, Gildon had other plans in store for him.

Gildon’s coaches, family, and teammates Gildon was given strict instructions not to watched hopelessly as Demetri lay on the eat or drink.

Recovering from the grueling two-hour ground with frustration apparent in his surgery, the last thing Gildon wanted to red face.

“I’m out for the season,” Gildon thought. hear was bad news.

Gildon already knew it was true, but He was right.

Gildon watched as the paramedics raced hearing it from a professional made it over to the field. The pain level was over- worse. The seven horrifying words came bearing. Gildon was put on a stretcher and out of the doctor’s mouth: you won’t be playing football this seagiven medicine immedison. ately. He could no longer “I was devastated” Gilremember anything that don said. “I didn’t know happened. what to think.”

Everything became a After three days in the blur. The ambulance put hospital, Gildon, was reon its sirens and rushed leased to go home. He Gildon to Plano Medical doesn’t know how long he Center. will have to be on crutch“What’s your pain level es. on a scale from 1 to 10?”

“The doctor said I the paramedic said. couldn’t put any weight “Hasn’t changed,” Gilon my leg for 12 weeks don muttered. and then I start rehab,” When they arrived at the Gildon said. hospital, Gildon glanced He only has a temporary at his leg but immedicast because the doctors ately wished he hadn’t. He have to check the stitches. could tell the bone was “The hardest part about this whole thing mangled inside of his leg. They rushed him into the emergency room as quickly is not being able to play football, and havas possible. He was not allowed to eat ing to use crutches,” Gildon said.

Gildon still attends every practice beor drink anything. They took x-rays and cause he is a part of the team. hooked him up to an IV. “Through this process I have prayed a Then it was time for surgery. Game time.

“The last thing I remember is being tak- lot and I still plan to get a scholarship,” en into a room with a bunch of lights,” Gildon said. “I have a lot of faith in Coach Wager to get me recruited.”

Gildon said.

“What’s your pain level on a scale from 1 to 10?” the paramedic said.

• “Hasn’t changed,” Gildon muttered.

Photo by Lizzie Kirkham

Oh my darling

Freshman breaks femur bone during devastating collision in soccer practice Abby Bishop • Staffer She fell onto the soccer field with a snap that the whole team could hear. It was loud and painful enough to make anyone stop in their tracks. She sat on the field in pain and held her leg while soccer coach Ruth Knight called an ambulance.

Tuesday, Sept. 6, freshman Darling Hernandez broke her femur, the longest, strongest, bone in the body. She was scrimmaging against other Martin soccer girls when she got tangled up playing offense. Sophomore Kamber Kirchmeier and Hernandez both went for the ball.

Kirchmeier accidentally kicked Hernandez in the ankle, causing Hernandez to fall. Her femur snapped as she fell to the field.

“She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” soccer coach Sabina Harrington said.

Harrington knew exactly what happened when she heard the snap. It was obvious that Hernandez had broken a bone, but Harrington hoped it wasn’t as bad as it sounded.

The coaches applaud Hernandez for being so calm and collected.

“I’m just glad I went to get some water because I could not have handled the sound, but Darling handled everything so well and was very calm,” soccer coach Jessica Lewis said.

Hernandez went to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon and had surgery on Wednesday. She was given morphine to alleviate the unbearable pain.

“After they gave me morphine, I just

went out of it,” Hernandez said. “This was the worst pain I’ve ever been in.”

Because the femur is the strongest bone of the body, fractures are much more serious. The break left Hernandez anemic for a while. It could have been much worse, but she is now doing okay.

She was stuck in the hospital from Tuesday to Saturday, not being able to walk.

She missed eight days of school right at the beginning of her freshman year, and more are yet to come.

“I am not excited about missing this much school,” Hernandez said.

She planned on returning to school as soon as she could walk, with hopes of playing soccer as soon as she could run again. She spent time in the training room during soccer while she could not walk, and is waiting to get better for the next soccer season.

“I’ll be playing soccer as soon as I can and as long as I make the team,” Hernandez said.

The soccer team surprised Hernandez with a cake to encourage and be there for her. The unfortunate event did not discourage anybody, even though it was unusual and rare. Even through the pain Hernandez had to endure, she always tried to stay positive.

She is anticipating a fast recovery so she can get back on the soccer field to play her favorite sport. Her faith is helping her cope with everything she is dealing with.

“Everything happens for a reason, so I try not to see it so negatively,” Hernandez said. “I know God is helping me through.”

Everything happens for a reason, so I try not to see it so negatively. I know God is helping me through.”

Helping hands

11

for

features

hurting hoofs

Freshman Harley Baker pursues her family’s passion for horses by rescuing, rehabbing them

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Faith Lewis & Taryn Jacobson • Staffers

hree hours have passed. The vet finally arrives, but it is too late.

Babygirl is not getting back up.

“We went to go investigate a skinny horse, but we couldn’t take it from its owner right away,” freshman Harley Baker said.

“Her ribs were showing through her skin, and it was like she had no meat on her at all. We told Babygirl that we would come back for her and rescue her.”

Three days later, Baker and her mom, Mischelle Baker, went back to get the horse. The investigations are frequent and they have an official badge to investigate skinny horses or horses that seem neglected or abused.

“We loaded Babygirl into our trailer and started heading home,” Baker said. “When we were on an overpass we heard a loud noise. We pulled over and and saw that Babygirl had fallen over. We pulled her out of the trailer and called the vet. She died in the second hour of waiting. It was so sad because she was just laying there helpless.”

Equine animals, which include horses and donkeys, are abused and neglected on a daily basis. This is where Baker, Mischelle, and Mischelle’s friend, Angela Sotelo, come in. They started an organization known as LDEP, which stands for the Lonesome Dove Equine Protection. This program was created to rescue, rehab and love horses and donkeys that have been mistreated and to take in the ones from people who can no longer afford to keep

up with them. This is a non-profitable organization.

The Bakers and Sotelo currently have 24 horses, two donkeys and one henny, a breed of a horse and a donkey. To fit all of these animals, they have one barn and 25 acres. The rehab routine includes vet and dentist visits, high-quality feed and attention required to help make these animals unafraid of people again. When the horses are through with rehab, they go to the pasture.

“The most rewarding thing about all of this is helping horses that can’t help themselves,” Baker said.

Keeping up with all of these animals is not cheap. They require 24 bags of feed per week, and each horse goes through a bag a week.

Not only that, but the vet bills, dentist bills, and putting their hoofs on for them all adds up. All the money needed to keep up with LDEP comes out of Mischelle’s paychecks.

Although all of this is very expensive, it’s worth it to them. When Baker’s mom dies, the LDEP will go to her. Baker plans on pursuing a career as a vet, and also plans to continue working with the organization for the rest of her life.

LDEP is against breeding, horseracing and slaughter.

“There are enough horses already that need to be taken care of,” Baker said.

To learn more about LDEP or make a donation, visit ldeprescue.com

Freshman Harley Baker cares for her horse, Charisma.

Baker and her family rehab abused and neglected horses.

Photos by Emma Cuppett

Seeing spots

Seniors come up with original, artistic, creative parking spots Jacie Lewis • Designer • Photos by Emma Cuppett

Austin Taylor

Time: 6 to 8 hours “People love it,” senior Austin Taylor said. “They say that it’s very me. Anything that has to do with senior stuff or school spirit is awesome and it’s my passion in high school.”

Heather Salah

Time: 10-12 hours “I had an artist help me,” senior Heather Salah said. “I told her kind of what I wanted and she started with the tennis ball and then with all the other things sprawling out of it. I didn’t know what I wanted until she drew it.”

Laurel Gregory, Sara Syed, Lauren Peel, Taylor Gillum and Ashley Cunningham Time: 6 hours “We wanted to do something that included all of us but wasn’t cheesy,” senior Taylor Gillum said.

“Painting our spots really tops of the feeling of being a senior,” senior Sara Syed said. “I would have felt left out of the tradition if I didn’t.”

“I sketched out all of the buildings,” senior Laurel Gregory said. “It was a lot but it wasn’t too difficult.”

Amy French

Time: 3 nights “It was my brother’s girlfriend’s idea,” senior Amy French said.

“My brother found a new effect on Photoshop and was playing around with pictures. She saw them and said, ‘I bet I could do something like that.’”

Rainey Norris

Time: 4 hours “I’m in love with my spot; it’s everything about me in a parking space,” senior Rainey Norris said.

“It was a total surprise for Rainey,” senior Megan English said.

“We kinda talked about it but she didn’t know I was going to paint it. I wanted her to be excited when she got back from volleyball.”

Time after

features

12

time From Newcoming in1982 to Homecoming in 2011, Martin celebrates 30 years of Warrior excellence.

Brenda Chavez-Mayo & Jennifer Forsberg • Staffers

May 25, 1983: At the end of the year, the first yearbook was published.

Mar. 9, 1985: Orchestra's Symphony group participated in UIL for the first time.

1982 August 1982: Martin opens its doors to 10th and 11th graders.

Nov. 11, 1982: The Warrior Post published its first issue to the students.

May 1984: The very first class graduated. The ceremony was held at Texas Hall on the UTA campus.

Feb. 13, 1995: The block schedule became a part of Martin. With it came the change of 24 credits for each attending student.

March 21, 1995: The Warrior mascot was banned because it was considered offensive and disrespectful to families with Native Americans in their blood line.

Summer of 1994: As Martin grew larger, construction became a need. Three science rooms with storage, two computer labs and two offices were added to the campus.

Dec. 1994: The Crime Stoppers program was introduced to Martin after an incident that The School Resource Officer Chris Mathews described as, "'Wanna be' gang members, who were only kids starving for attention."

Jan. 21, 1997: Freshmen were welco into Martin. Students fr Young Jr. High and Bole Highs start attending M along with sophomores niors and seniors.

August 1997: By this time of the ye glass windows and door added to the front of th embellishing Warrior te

ear, new rs were he school, erritory.

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omed rom es Jr. Martin s, ju-

13

Summer 2002: The Phoenix Yearbook was named the best yearbook in the nation

by Time Magazine.

Oct. 2002: Student Council members made miniature mums called "miracle mums" that were sold for $25 each to raise money for The Make a Wish Foundation. They ended up raising over $2,000.

1999: Matt McGrath became the first male cheerleader for Martin.

Dec. 3-6, 2003: The first series of student-written plays for Black Box began.

2003: The first Martin Idol was held during the spring.

2009: The music department won a Grammy after submitting a tape to a national competition held by the Grammy Association.

August 22, 2011: Martin celebrates its 30th anniversary Nov. 4, 2010: A new tradition begins after our first Lip Dub. This schoolwide event was used to show school spirit and promote unity.

2011

Then & Now

1982 Q1: About how many students were enrolled?

A. 700 B. 200 C. 900 D. 500

Q2: About how many staff were teachers?

A. 60 B. 100 C. 30 D. 80

Q3: What wasn’t here when the school opened?

A. T-1, T-2, and so on B. The elevators C. The library D. The Warrior mascot Q4: What was the first tradition adopted in ‘82?

A. The Warrior hand sign B. Fun dancers C. Senior overalls D. Booing the freshmen at pep rallies

Answers: 1. C, 2. A, 3. A, 4. A

2011

Q1: About how many students are enrolled?

A. 3700 B. 3300 C. 3000 D. 3500 Q2: About how many staff are teachers?

A. 350 B. 450 C. 150 D. 250 Q3:What was the most recent addition to the school?

A. The two physics rooms downstairs B. The front entrance of the school C. The latest elevators D. The annex to the library Q4: What is the most popular tradition?* A. Booing the freshmen at 1B 2D 3A 4C pep rallies B. Fun dancers C. Senior overalls D. The Warrior hand sign Answers: 1. B, 2. D, 3. A, 4. C *According to a poll of 50 Martin students

missed

t Sophomore Erin Hollinsworth, junior Zane Curtis, junior Armando Chapa and sophomore Julian Rangel perform in the HEB Drumline Contest Sept. 17. They placed fourth. “It’s really fun to compete,” Chapa said. “Drumline’s my passion.” Photo By Gabby Bachemin/Trinity High School

Junior Olivia Olguin, freshman Aimee Snachez, senior Colleen Webber, senior Claudia Leza, sophomore Jessica Pruneda, sophomore Cindy Cerza, freshman Nicole Vollmering and senior Madison Milhoan relax in a mud pit after their run. They participated in the Gingerbread Jamboree in Denton for the Cross Country team. “It was the most fun meet we’ve had,” Webber said. “There was a mud pit, hay bales, and log jumps.” Photo by Paisley Stevens/ Trinity High School

Assistant Principal Luann Kennedy, Counselor Susan Kingen and Principal Marlene Roddy run on the Martin track for the Warrior 5K Fun Run Sept.

17. Cross Country Booster Club sponsored the event to celebrate Martin’s 30th anniversary. “I enjoyed the run,” Kingen said, “It’s a great new tradition.

I’ll definitely return next year.” Photo By Calvin Lemly

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Junior Regan Luce was injured during the Matin vs. Bowie game held at Cravens Field Sept. 23. During the first half, the score was close, but in the second half, the Warriors defeated the Volunteers. Photo By Karsen Cinquepalmi

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Superintendent Jerry McCullough is honored by the Score a Goal in the Classroom foundation Sept 17. The event was held in the new Fort Worth Branch of Tarrant County College and was sponsored by Texas Christian Universtiy. All the superintendents in Tarrant County were honored. McCullough recieved a poster signed by professional baseball players. Photo By Emma Cuppett

Sophomore Travis Parks, senior Nia Solice and junior Donnovan Graham honor Sargeant Matt Mills of Navy SEAL Team Six, a former Martin student, who was killed in action August. 6. Parks held the flag of the United States to symbolize the protection of the country. The ceremony was part of a nationwide See Ya at the Pole event Sept. 21.“I enjoyed the ceremony,” Graham said, “I’m a spiritual person so I felt comfortable in the atmosphere.” Photo by Emma Cuppett

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features

What you may have

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14

Welcome

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u B

Photos courtesy of Abby Lewis

Jamie Gisburne • Staffer

Y

ou’re surrounded by people. They stare as if you were a celebrity.

Skinny little arms reach out to grab you. They try and take the food out of your hands. Skinny bodies and empty stomachs everywhere.

All they want is just a little food to help satisfy their hunger. Welcome to Burundi, Africa.

Junior Abby Lewis had the opportunity of a lifetime by getting picked to go to Africa with an organization called World Vision.

“World Vision is an international organization that works to build sustainable communities and provide disaster relief,” Lewis said.

Getting chosen to go was a process in itself. Through interviews and video submissions, Lewis was competing against thousands of other hopeful teens all with the same dream to go and learn more about Africa firsthand.

“Once I got chosen to go, I had register

with World Vision and take many shots,” Lewis said. “I also had learn about what I could eat there. I couldn’t drink any of the water or eat any uncooked food.”

Whenever Lewis got to Africa she went around with eight other teens chosen to go see villages of Africa. At the villages, they saw what hostile conditions the Africans were living in.

“The people there have so much pain and suffering, but at the same time they were filled with tons of joy,” Lewis said.

The group also went around to see all the progress World Vision has done.

They started water and school meal projects to make drinkable water and provide food for children during school.

“They have started the fortify rice plan where they have a hungry child at stage one and through each stage the child gets healthier than before,” Lewis said.

Whenever they went into communities, Lewis also got to play and visit with different little kids, one named Innocent.

Innocent was raised by a single dad, who worked to provide for his son. They lived

Junior reminisces about summer trip to Africa with World Vision

features

i d n u r To

in an unliveable house in a rough community, were constantly stolen from, and were abused in more ways than possible.

“They were losing all of their hope and were praying every night so that they could live to see tomorrow,” Lewis said.

While they were down there, their group raised $200 to go towards Innocent and his father to Junior Abby Lewis poses with Jeremia on her trip to Burundi. Lewis took a trip to Burundi with World Vision raise a new home.

“Since building homes this summer. is cheap down there, two hundred dollars could make a nice home While in Africa, Lewis saw many different for anybody living there,” Lewis said. communities and truly got to experience Along with Innocent, there was another many people living in poverty. little girl named Jeremia who was very “The saddest thing about the entire trip small and looked undeveloped due to lack was seeing all of the children with swolof food. len stomachs and knowing that millions “I got to hold Jeremia for an hour, she of children die every single day because of had no clothes on except for a shirt,” Lewis the lack of food, water and diseases,” she said. said.

Say

something

Martin hosts Australian international student Lauren Peel • Copy Editor “Okay class now it’s time for introductions, we’re going to go around the room and say our names and something about ourselves.”

This is a statement we hear regularly on our first day of school. Everyone is skeptical on what fact or interest they should reveal about themselves. But when sophomore Alyx Green introduced herself the first day of school, her factual statement was different.

“I’m from Australia.”

The whole class goes silent. A few moments go by and the silence is broken by her teacher shouting, “SAY SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!” After being convinced by her family, Green decided that she wanted to travel for the first time overseas from Australia to America. With the experience her family members received she thought she would like to see the American culture as well.

“My mum and my Uncle Tom went to school here, so they suggested I did too,” Green said.

Due to complications with Martin’s policies and getting a visa, Green is not an exchange student and she is not receiving credit for attending school at Martin. She is at Martin as an international student living with her uncle.

“I’m not technically supposed to be at-

tending school here, because I’m on a tourist visa and I’m only here for three months,” Green said.

However, before Martin’s school year started, Green traveled 15 hours by plane from Sydney, Australia to Arlington. She noticed first off that things in Texas are a bit different than Australia.

“Everything was bigger here and everyone says ‘y’all,’” Green said. “And the weather, oh my God. I had just come from winter so it was a shock.”

The bigger shock came on her first day of school at Martin. Green came from a school of only 600 students with a uniform being the dress code. The first week of school Green, like many of the other Martin students, was lost trying to find their way around Martin and trying to find new friends. Green had different problems with making new friends.

“Whenever people talk to me I think it’s because of the whole accent thing; they aren’t necessarily talking to me to be my friend,” Green said. “I definitely feel like I stand out, especially on the first week of school when everyone already had their friends and sounded normal.”

Martin was a new territory and still is for Green. Figuring out how the cafeteria, social atmosphere, and overall school works was a challenge.

“The cliques are weird here in comparison to my old school because my grade

was so small, there were only three different cliques at my school,” Green said.

With her friends she has in Australia, things are difficult too. Although her friends were excited for her to visit America, when she left her friends and boyfriend were in tears. Keeping up with them is also a problem due to the time difference.

“It’s hard because I can’t just text a friend and they automatically reply, but Facebook makes everything easier,” Green said.

Despite the hardships of coming to a new school from so far away, Green said she enjoys the new cultural experience.

The entire atmosphere including the mall and Six Flags are new and exciting things.

The Texas culture of football games and fried food came as a new experience, too.

At her old school she did not have the football games and pep rallies that we have, and Homecoming and mums is an entirely new thing.

“I went to the pep rally at First Event and I don’t think that my school has ever been that excited about anything,” Green said.

Along with what she has already experienced she is excited to keep doing things that an American teenager would do. In the short amount of time Green has in America she wants to make as much out of it as she can.

“Before I was nervous and excited, but I’m mainly just excited to be here in a new place,” Green said. “That hasn’t worn off.”

The

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Warrior Post

opinions

James Martin High School 4501 W. Pleasant Ridge Dr. Arlington, TX 76016 Connor Gillaspia Editor-in-chief Lauren Florence Online Editor-in-Chief Ashley Cunningham Lauren Peel Copy Editors Calvin Lemley Paige Patterson News Editors Sara Syed Rowan Sharp Opinions Editors Lauren Aguirre Entertainment Editor Taylor Gillum Victoria Powers Features Editors Kendra Brown Sports Editor Laurel Gregory Staff Artist Emma Cuppett Photo Editor Jacie Lewis Designer Jordan Pasayan Video Editor Tricia Reglado Adviser

Don’t

rock

Senior year the block price tag

The district should cut spending before changing from block scheduling

O

ver the years, Martin has become accustomed to a standard of excellence. Whether it is our Grammy Award-winning fine arts department, our renowned sports programs or our competitive academic scores, Martin is not used to accepting anything less than the best. As AISD struggles to keep up with budgets, the idea of changing out of block schedule into something less expensive has become more alluring.

It is true that switching to a different schedule will save money, but what other effects will it yield? Martin’s sports teams and fine arts are programs that define our identity. These programs depend on double blocking and outside-school training to maintain their competitive edge. A change in scheduling will decrease practice and rehearsal in a huge way. Academics at Martin such as AP classes and other timeconsuming courses demand a certain degree of time from both the students and teachers. Our tests take time, our lessons take time, and our students need to get personal help. With a schedule change, time to study independently will increased and the time to consult with the teachers will be decreased.

Though the problem seems to have no solution, finding one is essential. With our budget stretched to the penny, AISD will have to think outside the box to maintain its reputation as a remarkable school district.

This year Student Council made the tough decision of cutting down Home-

Staffeditoral

Where’s the red?

Organizations change up the school colors and leave some students confused on who they are

Marlene Roddy Principal Staffers:

Aide Alvarado, Oscar Araujo, Abigail Bishop, Emma Bruce, Natalie Buongiorno, Katelyn Burley, Meghan Cabra, Brenda Chavez-Mayo, Karsen Cinquepalmi, Morganne Clay, Kim Clower, Maddy Cope, Brittany Daniels, Danielle Daulton, Cristiani Fernandez, Katy Fitzgerald, Tyler Forde, Jennifer Forsberg, Samone Franklin, Susie Gibson, Jamie Gisburne, Larissa Gonzales, Chandler Harrell, Lathan Henderson, Ariel Hernandez, Erin Hibbs, Lily Hill, Rachel Hodnett, Trevor Ingram, Taryn Jacobson, Ashleigh Jones, Elizabeth Kirkham, Nida Laheji, Kaylyn Lefan, Faith Lewis, Amber Lim, Sara Mancha, Madeline Maxwell, Kristen McNaughton, Sarah Meo, Jordan Pasayan, Madison Smith, Rachel Storm, Madison Terry, Tyler Vanskiver, Emily Zerr The Warrior Post is the official monthly publication of Martin High School. As a public forum, we will publish letters to the editor as space allows. Letters must be signed, but names may be withheld. Opinion columns don’t represent the opinion of The Warrior Post or of Martin High School. The Warrior Post will not accept advertisments for produsts or services not legally available to students. The Warrior Post is a member of ILPC, TAJE and Quill and Scroll and a recipient of both the Silver and Bronze Star Awards.

coming hallways to Homecoming banners. Though the decision wasn’t popular, Student Council’s decision was smart. The thousands of dollars saved will be put to better use and unfortunately many other extravagant Martin traditions should follow in its footsteps if we want to save money and block scheduling. Bahama Bash, Prom and other programs that don’t benefit the Martin need to cut back in a major way if we want to continue our academic standards.

Even if Martin is to cut back on all unnecessary programs, we still would not save enough money to keep our schedule, unless AISD is also willing to cut back as a whole. For example, the IB program costs a huge amount of money with only a small number of participants. If AISD is to limit the program to just one school, instead of multiple schools, a huge amount of money could be devoted towards keeping block scheduling. This is just one of the many ways AISD can cut back on their spending and maintain our regular schedules.

Whether it is for our sports, fine arts or academics, keeping our schedule the same is essential. Every school in AISD will needs to join together in an effort to save money to maintain our standard of learning. We realize that keeping block scheduling will require a large amount of money, but as students of Martin and students who have received an exceptional education from AISD, we truly feel keeping block schedule will be most beneficial.

Victoria Powers • Features Editor For 30 years, Martin has been known as the Warriors. Red, black and silver have been our colors and we’ve worn them proudly, but this last year one of the organizations has everyone asking one question: Who are you?

This past year our band program has changed up its style. The prominent color scheme has shifted from red and black to silver/gray and black. The symbol is no longer a warrior but an M. It has one side of the M with five red bars that represents a music staff and the other side that fades from white into black.

To be fair, it’s not a horrible looking design. It’s very modern and new, which might be the reason some don’t like it as much as the old one.

Most people don’t like it, nor do they accept the change. With the band having to replace two director positions, along with the look for the band, it feels like all the old traditions are changing with the uniforms.

Many other organizations have changed and used different colors for the school but why is the band’s change such a big issue?

The band not only goes to every football game and gives up all their time to become what they are, but they are also one of the largest organizations, consisting of more than 200 students to represent our school.

So, if our largest organization is the one that gets out the most in public, why aren’t they showing our colors?

Some have complained about our mascot, the warrior, being “lost and forgotten.” The red to the uniforms has been left out, but has is it really? The view on the situation varies from person to person. Being that it is modern and new has some students and teachers actually like the new design.

It’s said that the new design for the organization is to symbolize all the change.

The title of their production this year is “Emergence,” which helps with the new uniform’s concept. The band is emerging from the old and rising from the new.

Maybe if there was some sort of contribution to the old traditions it would help the ones who don’t conform as easily to understand and agree with what’s to come.

The change doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

After 30 years we know there will be change. Every class is different; from the food, the cars, to the traditions it’s all different. Everything in its own way has changed.

Even though it may take some getting used to, I know that we will eventually accept it.

Senior traditions can bankrupt students

Taylor Gillum • Features Editor Parking spot: $30, coveralls: $120, senior year: comes with a price. Parking spots, senior pictures, coveralls, senior ads, prom and Bahama Bash are some traditions that are unique to senior year.

However, all these traditions come with a price that can make them seem out of reach. This can exclude people from the traditions they’ve been looking forward to since they were freshmen.

When added up, the prices of these traditions can seem overwhelming, and the additional costs for the traditions outside of school can make the prices soar even higher. Prom dresses and tuxedos, party buses and limos, are by no means cheap.

There are also the traditions outside of school, such as coveralls and senior pictures. Though the prices of these traditions can’t be controlled, they should be considered when the prices of school traditions are assigned.

The issue isn’t only the price, but the feeling of unity and school spirit that comes along with these traditions. Seniors bond over the traditions we share.

Girls talk about the different patches on their coveralls and people discuss their excitement for prom. During your last year of high school, being involved can be more of a priority. The seniors excluded from these traditions can feel like they’re losing this connection to their class.

These traditions aren’t necessary to an amazing senior year, but for the people who have been planning out their parking spots since freshmen year these things define senior year. Some people simply don’t have the resources to buy a parking spot or coveralls and this shouldn’t be a reason they can’t participate. For people on a budget, these traditions should be made more achievable. Taking part in traditions makes everyone feel included.

The money that the school receives from the seniors for parking spots and prom isn’t wasted. The $65 prom ticket and $25 Bahama bash ticket both pay for our expensive prom night. The money for painting the parking spot goes to an array of things: Homecoming, hall decorations, gifts for the members of the Homecoming court, pep rallies, charities and student appreciation projects.

Since the money has to come from some source, the clubs that make school spirit a priority should consider holding fund raisers to lower the prices on the traditions controlled by the school. Even though the school doesn’t have much control over many of the senior traditions, lowering the prices on the traditions they control can make these and other traditions more possible for seniors on a budget. Fundraisers were once held to raise money for prom. If fundraisers are held by clubs then everyone will be able to receive the benefits, not just the people who have time to raise money.

Making these things more accessible will open the door for more overall involvement in school activities.

Sara Syed • Opinions Editor

Peoples actions don’t define their worth

Facebook has taken over the lives of young adults on a global level. Friendships have been replaced by “likes,” real relationships have been replaced by “relationship statuses” and everyday conversations have been replaced by “wall comments.” If Facebook is going to continue to take the place of social lives, here are a few trends that need to go.

Constant Check-ins

Why would you want all the questionable characters on the internet to know your exact location? Though the concept of Facebook check-ins are creepy on their own, this trend could be forgiven if the locations being checked into were consistently real locations. “John Johnson has checked into his hallway,” “John Johnson has checked into his bedroom,” “John Johnson has checked into his bed,” “John Johnson is closing his eyes now.” The people abusing this trend have undoubtedly ruined it for everyone. If you are checking-in to a place you go to multiple times a day, then it’s possible you should rethink your post.

PPl d@T tYp3 lyK di$

We all have a friend who does this. You’ve never seen them before. You only added them because you have four mutual friends and now every time you log on to Facebook, you spend 10 minutes decoding their statuses. Now, there is nothing wrong with writing in short hand. Facebook is not supposed to be like English class, but it is likely one would save far more time simply typing out a word correctly then typing in this genius code we all created in junior high.

People who change their middle names to something made-up

Did your mother really name you John makedagirlsholla Johnson? If so, then kudos to her for being so hip. If not, then please change your name back to what it really is. As clever as your fake Facebook persona is, making up fake names is behavior reserved especially for Myspace, whatever that is.

“Truth is...” statuses

When your Facebook wall is looking a little too barren, liking every “truth is status...” is generally appropriate behavior. A little Facebook attention on their status, in exchange for a little Facebook attention on your wall. How else would you get people you’ve only meet once in your life to write an uncomfortably nice wall post about how they “don’t really know you that well, but you seem pretty cool and stuff ”?

Facebook groups made by people campaigning for your votes

If you absolutely must take your school campaigning to Facebook, please be considerate and refrain from constant posts reminding us we should vote for you. Chances are if people get 17 notifications a day from your page telling them how you “will totally be the best Homecoming queen ever,” your campaign page will not have its intended effect.

The vague and depressed status poster

The vague and depressed status poster is someone who wants you to know that they are living in a world of darkness and despair, but that’s about all the information they are willing to share. “Why is this happening to me?”, “What did I do to deserve this?”, “Nothing makes sense anymore,” are all examples of regular posts by the vague and depressed status poster. These status posters are unmistakably begging you to ask “what’s wrong,” but when you do, the answer you get will always be far more vague than the original status.

Facebook pretend activism

If changing your profile picture to a picture of Spongebob Squarepants could really end child abuse then the world would be a much better place. Unfortunately, when trends like this are on Facebook, the cause they represent is hugely overshadowed by everyone’s attempts to show one another how clever they are. If you truly intended to raise awareness for whatever cause has been chosen, there are countless websites and donation programs that can provide real help.

The Facebook chat conversation forcer

It almost seems like this person stays online at all times waiting to see when you log on just so they can force you into a uncomfortable conversation. When you log onto Facebook and see they are online, chances are you have never made it to the “go offline” link in time to avoid the uncomfortable conversation coming your way. This person is usually someone you haven’t seen in years and don’t plan on seeing anytime soon, but thanks to Facebook you repeatedly find yourself having two hour conversations about nothing with them.

The TMI Facebook poster

At first their posts were entertaining, you actually looked forward to reading what wacky personal information they would be putting online that day, but that excitement quickly wears off. The too much information Facebook poster has no sense of Facebook decorum. Posting statuses about how their lunch isn’t quite settling and pictures with captions like “Does this look infected to you guys?” is all common behavior. The worst part of being friends with the too much information Facebook poster is that you will probably never delete them because, their post are often equally disturbing and entertaining.

Danielle Daulton • Staffer Sixteen-year-old Drew Sanders knew it was time to call it quits. High school just wasn’t the thing for him. He was a rebel, a party boy, and he liked to show it. Early on a Tuesday morning, he drove to school, parked in the principal’s parking spot, purposely showing his lack of amusement for school.

As Sanders walked up the Timberview front steps, he knew that what he was about to do would open his life to freedom. He walked into the office, gave a signed slip of paper to a lady in bright pink shirt, and walked out, never to return. He was now free and regret-less.

Or so he thought.

He left not knowing what he was going to do with his life. He was only 16. But he didn’t care; he just wanted to party.

And he did, every night for a long, long time. Until one Saturday night about a year later, his partying days ended with a broken face and a busted lip.

Someone had kicked his face in with a brown steel-toed boot while he was sleeping and then the intruder left. No one knows who he was, where he came from, or why he hurt Sanders. His friends drove him home and woke up his mother Janice in a panic. His face was unrecognizable and dripping blood trails all the way to his room. He had a concussion, and Janice rushed him to the hospital for a face recovery surgery that took three days. After getting metal plates in his face and hundreds of stitches, he was wheeled into the hospital lobby to be welcomed by 32 of his friends and family members.

Sanders made a decision that day, that he realized he didn’t want a life of partying and drinking, he wanted to be something important. He wanted to feel like he meant something to the world. So he did what no one ever thought he would do, something HE didn’t even know he would do -- joined the air force, but be-

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opinions

Facebook {dis}likes Sky’s the limit Facebook fads that need to end

cause of how his surgery was in the last four months, he was denied. Which made him even more devoted to get in shape and wait one more month to request again. He ate healthy, worked out everyday and stopped partying.

When he reapplied into the Air Force, he was accepted and was sent to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Sanders was one of the youngest guys there, only 18 years old. He went through months of training and worked so hard, that he got a medal of honor out of 65 other people in his base. Achievement after achievement, he kept going farther in his career. He turned from a drunken homeless teenager to a brave accomplished role model.

Sanders, now 21 years old, is training for a marathon where the runners must run over fire, jump over ditches and swim through freezing cold rivers. This marathon is known for being one of the most dangerous marathons in the state of Texas, and he’s determined to win. After the marathon he is selling his car and is canoeing all the way down to Austin.

He’s so much happier now than he ever was. He’s influenced eight of his friends to join the Air Force, that is why I am writing this story.

I’m not saying that the Air Force is only for losers, or that it should be your last resort, but the Air Force is a career where you will never be alone, and it will always make you a better person.

And how do I know this much about Sanders?

Because he is my brother. And I’m proud to say it.

He has taught me not to judge people by how they are, and that people aren’t defined by their actions. They are defined by what matters to them in life. In Sanders’ life he took care of our family, provided for himself, and would be by your side as soon as you called. Never has he left me when I needed him, he’s always there even when he is busy with the Air force. Joining the Air Force opened his future to a lot of different options.

If you would have asked his classmates or teachers five years ago what they thought Drew Sanders would grow up to be, they would all say that he would probably work at just a fast food restaurant or some other small company. No one would have ever guessed that he would be in the Air Force. And Drew Sanders, my brother, proved them all wrong.

opinions

18 Everybody

Lunch IDs for underclassmen would benefit students as well as the school

Maddy Cope • Staffer

I remember the knot in my stomach. It twisted as I snuck past the security guard for the first time. I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding in as soon as I reached the west lot. I climbed into the front of the white Saab and I kept my fingers crossed.

As we pulled cautiously into the crammed Martin parking lot, I whipped my head around the opposite direction as the security guard watched our car pull in.

Relief washed over my body as I successfully made it up to the upper gym lobby unnoticed, until the unpleasant sound of the security guards voice behind me asked, “Excuse me ma’am, may I see your

wins

I.D?” My heart sank, and unwillingly I turned around. Before I had time to make up a sob story, I noticed the security guard was asking the freshman behind me. Relief struck me again and I walked away.

For years underclassmen have been prohibited from going off campus during lunch and for years underclassmen have stood against this rule.

Every underclassmen wants the opportunity to go off campus for lunch without getting in trouble. Maybe Martin should consider this.

There should be a permission slip in the front office, available for underclassmen only. It’s a contract stating that the legal guardian of the student is allowing their child to go off campus during lunch with any upperclassmen. Rules can also state that the underclassmen will not be allowed to drive, they must have an upperclassmen take them off on account of possible traf-

Photo by Emma Cuppett fic issues. Students should be required to pay a $5 fee to purchase a new ID with a stamp on it showing they are allowed off campus. The permission slip should be signed by a legal guardian along with contact information.

Consequences for breaking the rules can be chosen by the school. Legal guardians will be informed that the school will not be responsible if their student is late or absent to class, and is not liable for any

Zander’s

injuries or accidents off campus.

Implementing this permission slip program will benefit Martin in many ways.

The cost of the new lunch IDs will bring in more income for Martin. New lunch IDs will also make the school less crowded during lunch.

The number of students in D-hall will decrease greatly because students will no longer need to break the rules and sneak off campus.

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cooler online We’re so much

Check daily for updates, videos and extra photos and stories. Leave comments. Take a survey. Watch a lip dub.

Whatever.

[thewarriorpost.com]

Kendra Brown • Sports Editor

IVY BARESH

NICK HENDRIX

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi 3 year lettermen

Duke University 3 year lettermen

(Volleyball)

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sports

Onestowatch

College-bound athletes at top of their sport are spotlighted as ones to watch

Photo by Kendra Brown

(Baseball)

“It’s on the beach. I love the coach, perfect “They have great academics and are in the best weather, and it’s the place that I want to get my baseball conference, the ACC.” degree in Physical Therapy.”

“It’s been my favorite thing to do since I can “I enjoy the competitiveness and I meet some remember. It takes up all of my time, but of the best friends through it.” there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. It’s the best sport there is.”

Statistics: 6-1 record 80k’s, 8 walks and 1.5 ERA

Photo by Chandler Harrell

CAMERON KNIGHT

Photo by Karsen Cinquepalmi

Photo by Chandler Harrell

(Football- Defense)

(Football- Special Teams)

Texas Christian University 3 year lettermen

3 year lettermen

“I want to go to Texas State. I like the area, San Marcos.”

“I like the coaches, the environment and I fit in there.”

Why do you play your sports and what’s so special about it?

“It’s fun and you’re part of a team.”

“I get to hit people and I don’t get in trouble for it. Football is something I have been wanting to do since I was little.”

Statistics: 4 Touchdowns per year

MYLES JOHNSON

DEVONTE FIELDS

Statistics: 8 tackles/ 2 sacks per game

Photo by Brittany Daniels

(Basketball)

AMANDA BARNES (Basketball)

4 year lettermen

3 year lettermen

“I hope to go to UNT or SMU. “I went to visit both and they’re really pretty. I like both programs and they are both not too far from home.”

“I would like to stay in Texas so I’m just letting my offers build up and then I’ll decide with my family.”

“I like the competitiveness and it’s one place that I can be myself and not worry about other things. I don’t think it is easy being a student-athlete and if you can do it, you’re special.”

“Basketball rocks and I love the game. My dad played in the NBA so it’s in the family.”

Statistics: 18 points/ 12 rebounds/ 3 assists per game

Statistics: 10 points/3 assists per game

Photo by Lizzie Kirkham

ANNI EGER

SARAH BRICKER

(Swimming)

(Soccer)

McNeese State University

“I want to go to Stanford because they have the best swim team in the U.S.”

2 year lettermen

“I had a lot of offers, but I really liked the coaches and I could see myself there. I felt a good vibe there.”

“I have been swimming since I was six and it’s fun and it keeps me in shape.”

Statistics: Martin 100 Backstroke 59:14

Photo by Lizzie Kirkham

“I have been playing since I was four. I played other sports but this was one I liked the best and I thought I was best at. It keeps me in shape and out of trouble. I have met so many friends through soccer.”

Photo by Lizzie Kirkham

Coaches’ corner

20

sports

Photo by Karsen Cinquepalmi

Pep talks, Practices, Phenomenal Players, and Pep-rallies. We asked the coaches from football, Athletic Training, Volleyball and Cheerleading about their teams and players.

Karsen Cinquepalmi & Kaylyn LeFan • Staffers

Volleyball Assistant Coach Jessica Lewis: How long have you played the sport?

I have played since I was 12. I also have played for Martin and in college. This is my fifth year coaching at Martin.

What makes the team phenomenal?

There is just an overall high talent level at Martin.

How do you think the teams will improve this year?

Everyone always improves, even in the smallest ways. The girls push really hard to be the best that they can be.

Name five adjectives that describe the players: Hardworking, fun, talented, positive and serious.

What is the most embarrassing moment that has happened to you or the team while playing this sport?

Girls are so focused that sometimes they run into people, they have knocked over water coolers, and just really silly things that we all laugh about.

How close are you and the team?

It really depends on how open the girls are. We respect each other. Most of the time, it’s a very positive relationship.

How does the team express unity?

We do a thing called “Secret Pals.” The girls send encouraging notes and gifts to each other before games. I think it inspires them to play better.

Sundancers Coach Ashley Gaither: How long have you danced in your lifetime?

I have danced a long time – since I was really little to this day.

How do you think your trainers will improve over the year?

I think over the year they will learn more with all the different injuries that will come up through the year.

Name five adjectives that describe the trainers:

The student trainers are very fun, hardworking, outgoing, responsible and smart.

Football Head Coach Bob Wager: Why did you decide to be a Martin Football coach?

Well, I coached in Arlington from 1992-1997 as an assistant coach at Carter Junior High and also four years at Sam Houston as an assistant. I knew that Martin had great potential so I just worked my way up-1A, 2A, 3A and so on. I had the chance to put my money where my mouth was, so to speak. From a personal view, I am a big family man.

I have a six-year-old son and a four-year- old daughter. I just want my family to be proud of where we are because it is a great place to be.

What makes your teams phenomenal?

The character of the players. These are some of the best kids in the school and they have an amazing work ethic. They have high performance skills and are very low maintenance.

They are fun to be around, and they don’t need to be chased around like little kids.

Name five adjectives that describe the team: Committed, unselfish, high character, talented and pirate-like.

What is the most embarrassing moment that has happened to you while playing this sport?

It’s really embarrassing when we don’t play well. We are 13-1 out of the last 14 games, which means the moments are fading. We have some minimized moments where players have crashed into me on the sidelines. There is something funny every week.

What are some of your pre-game rituals?

On game days from 11:15 to 12:15 we lift-out unlike other schools. Right after school we do a walk-through on our plays. At 6:20 we arrive at the field and stretch. Finally, at 7:25 we take the field.

What makes your team phenomenal?

Their willingness to work really hard.

How do you think the Sundancers will improve over the year?

Their technique will improve, of course. Also, they will be more responsible and disciplined.

Name five adjectives that describe your team members: Respectful, beautiful, talented, dedicated and fierce.

What is the most difficult thing about the team?

For the dancers, I think the hardest thing is staying motivated all year long because it’s a non-stop season.

What is the most embarrassing moment that has happened to you while playing this sport?

At a game I was dancing really silly in the stands, and some people caught it on video. It was everywhere for a while. Then it calmed down, but it was at the Sundancers banquet.

Training Coach Chris Lemoine: What makes the student trainers phenomenal?

They all work together; they’re punctual and have very interesting personalities.

1301 South Bowen Arlington, TX 76013 (817)-299-8491 www.kw.com

Read it... or weep?

21

Lauren Aguirre • Entertainment Editor & Rowan Sharp • Opinions Editor

Studying is one of the most important things high school students learn how to do.

How to study, what to study, when to study, and of course, when not to study.

For example, English. Read a novel? Nah, I’ve got a volleyball tournament this weekend. I’ll just watch the movie. The test will only be over the plot. It’ll be easy to pass. We watched the movie for each of these novels and took the online test for it. Can we pass? Let’s find out!

Freshman year:

There are plenty of topics on the literary devices page to sink your teeth into.

Most of the descriptions are very thorough and would be helpful if you read the novel. If you don’t, then you wouldn’t understand the characters and references they’re talking about, so it would be defeating the purpose.

Sophomore year:

A Tale of Two Cities

Ethan Frome

Movie (grade: 60) Plot: The basic overview describes the French Revolution and the importance of this event in the characters’ lives. The movie I watched seemed to really get the plot down, but it lacked the symbols of the book.

Chapter titles are really important and of course don’t get mentioned in the movie version. I doubt it would be a good idea to watch the movie version for this reason.

Literary Devices/Themes: You might be able to get a theme out of it, but the devices used are not in it at all. A very important symbol was only mentioned at the end and was just in passing.

Spark Notes (grade: 77) Plot: Basically, a family crime/murder mystery set way back in the late 1700s. The plot overview on the site just barely skims over the major developments, but the themes/motifs page goes deeper on some events.

Still, when taking this test I didn’t feel prepared whatsoever. I barely made a 77, but that was mostly luck. Out of 13 questions, I had to guess on eight of them and most of those were desperate stabs in the dark.

Literary Devices/Themes:

Movie (grade: 80) Plot: It’s really boring to experience this novel in movie form. Since most, if not all, of the plot development is emotional, it’s hard to tell what’s happening on screen and why. Still, I managed to make an 80 on the test, but I guessed on eight of them and there were at least three that I remembered from reading the novel.

Literary Devices/Themes: If you’re paying attention, there’s obvious foreshadowing in the movie, but that’s the only literary device you can spot. There’s a lot of crucial plot devices that are skimmed over or left out of the movie that it would just be detrimental to your grade to rely on the movie alone.

Spark Notes (grade: 50) Plot: A man is displeased about his marriage, has an affair with another woman and the book ends in a twisted way. I have read this novel, but I tried to make it so that the grade I got would reflect the Spark Notes. I got a 50 on the test without using other information.

Literary Devices/Themes: The overview gives hints of devices, and that might help you but you need to be looking for them if you don’t read the other sections. If you go to the section of devices, it does have them and you will know pretty much all of the devices ex-

by Charles Dickens

by Edith Wharton

plained quickly and on the surface, but it seems to be missing some depth.

Junior year:

Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Movie (grade: 44) Plot: The 1995 movie with Demi Moore has no correlation to the plot of the novel whatsoever, except for the characters’ names. Otherwise, this movie will not help you with plot, period. I got a 44 on the test just from guessing. Though the movie was enjoyable, the novel itself is probably a better bet.

Literary Devices/Themes: Because of how “freely adapted” the movie is, none of the literary elements they tried to weave into the movie are correct.

They still helped the movie along, but on a test over the novel, you’d definitely fail.

Spark Notes (grade: 60) Plot: A woman that commits adultery is the main focus of the novel. Spark Notes seems to be good for the plot and you will get the overview, but the details are definitely lacking. I went off of Spark Notes for the test and it did have things I didn’t notice in the novel, but I still failed.

Literary Devices/Themes: It really lacked on the devices but there are so many in the book that they couldn’t have gotten all of them if they tried.

Senior year:

Turn of the Screw by

Henry James

Movie (grade: 75) Plot: This is basically a ghost story set in the 1800s that centers on a governess and two children. When watching the movie it seems like a horror story, but it isn’t. I got a 75 on the test that I took, but

at least five of those answers were luck. So if you watch for details, you might get lucky enough to pass the test.

Literary Devices/Themes: With it being a movie, I didn’t really see any devices, but I could see some social themes, maybe...if I squinted and turned my head slightly.

Spark Notes (grade: 33) Plot: This book seems interesting and since it’s the only one we haven’t read, it will be a true test of this experiment. I got a 33 on the test just from reading the plot overview and the literary devices page. Nine of the questions I guessed on and I barely felt that I got the four out of 12 correct. This novel is apparently completely ambiguous and I barely comprehended the Spark Notes.

Reading the book seems to be the best option here.

Literary Devices/Themes: The literary devices page was very helpful in this area. It explained all the devices and themes thoroughly and completely. Still, you’d have to have knowledge of the book to understand what they’re talking about.

entertainment

You only read the back cover...so you watched the movie to study for the test

Overall, you probably won’t pass using either method. Most of the English tests are short answer or identification, it’s rarely only multiple choice.

We were very lucky with our guesses, but most of the time that doesn’t work out for short answer or essay questions.

Still, you might be able to muddle through and get consolation points for trying. But the likelihood of that happening...

Students share some of their favorite books that they think everyone should read Emily Zerr • Staffer Do you ever have the urge to just read a book, one that’s not for English class?

There are people in the world who open up a book and just want to smell the pages. That’s how much they love to read. It’s an escape, like TV in your head. Here are some students’ favorite books that they say everyone should read.

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier -

This is a story about a young girl who marries a rich widower whose wife supposedly died in a ship wreck. It follows her new life, in which she lives with her husband in his famous mansion, Manderley. While she’s still very young and learning how to run such an enormous

house, she finds out many things about her husband’s mysterious dead wife, Rebecca. With many twists and turns and an underlying tone of self discovery, Rebecca is an absolute must read.

“At one point when I was reading, I just wanted to throw the book on the ground because I couldn’t even believe what I had just read. I was so shocked and amazed and confused all at the same time.”

• junior Madison Lavadour

When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy -

This book is written by husband and wife, talking about how God is the author of love and romance. This book tells us that we have the privilege of asking

God to write our love story for us. There are different chapters explaining different struggles you’ll have in relationships, and how to handle it with God’s help.

“It changed my view of relationships completely.”

• junior Alexis Bauman said.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling -

The fourth book in a series of seven, this book follows Harry, the main character, back to his magical school, Hogwarts.

He’s again caught between his difficult home life, his school work, and fighting against the dark forces of the magical world. This book is exciting and fun, and may even have you in tears by the end.

“It had a very interesting story, and it

was relatable to an extent. Plus, it was the first book I’ve ever actually read for fun.”

• senior Andrew Farmer

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher -

This book is about a young girl named Hannah who commits suicide, but is written in the point of view of the boy she was in love with.

Before Hannah’s death, she sends out cassette tapes to all the people she believes contributed to her death. It’s a sad, shocking book that makes you think, and gives you a different perspective on peoples’ lives.

“Jay Asher’s writing style is phenomenal. He really knows how to affect the emotions of his readers.”

• junior Rachael Britton said

Cake wars

22

entertainment

When the time comes to choose where to go for dessert, these places will greatly please your taste buds and your tummy

Rachel Hodnett • Staffer

A

s we head into the fall and winter months, the craving for frozen yogurt will be replaced by a yearning for something warm and delicious. While the idea of cupcake and bundt cake bakeries is still a work in progress, there are many places just minutes from Martin that offer these delicious pastries. We decided to taste test and compare these treats as we satisfied our own cravings.

Bundt Cakes:

-Nothing Bundt CakesThe small shop on Cooper by Smashburger and Yumilicious looks like every other store in the shopping center, until you go inside. This store’s sole purpose is to sell bundt cakes. Their bundt cakes are large enough to feed two people, come in various flavors, and are covered in cream cheese icing. The Chocolate Chocolate Chip bundt cake was extremely moist and even had full chocolate chips in it. The taste of the cake was amazing, but the icing was too much. I could only eat a fourth of the cake before it became too rich, but overall, Nothing Bundt Cake’s bundt cakes were pretty good.

-Corner BakeryCorner Bakery is commonly known for their great meals, but their desserts are the best part. They offer a wide variety of desserts, from cookies to pound cakes. Bundt cakes are in the middle of it all. The Chocolate Baby Bundt cake was more personal sized than those from Nothing Bundt Cakes, but were equal in flavor. The gooey icing goes wonderfully with warm cake. It was perfectly moist, and the icing complemented it very well without overdoing it. Corner Bakery is sure to please.

Tasty foods, tastier prices Cheap ways to satisfy your hunger Meghan Cabra & Madeline Maxwell • Staffers Lunch just started, you’re hungry, but you don’t have much cash. Where would you go and what would you order when you don’t have much to spend? Would you pay more for less even though it tastes better?

In this recession, it’s all about getting more for your money. So when it comes down to it, food is probably the last thing you would want to be spending a fortune on. But are you really receiving the proportion you paid for?

Pricing (cheapest to most expensive): 1st- Chicken Express ($5 Chicken strip combo) 2nd- Chick-fil-a ($5.25 for Chicken sandwich combo) 3rd-McDonald’s ($6 for big mac combo) 4th-Sonic ($6.50 for combo burger)

Tasting (Best tasting to worst tasting) out of 15 people: 1st- Chick-fil-a (66.6 Percent) 2nd- Chicken Express (26.6 Percent) 3rd- Sonic (6.6 Percent) 4th- McDonald’s (0 Percent)

If it’s not awkward, it’s not funny

Cupcakes:

-The Cookie MachineJust a six-minute drive from Martin is The Cookie Machine. The cupcakes are small, but are sold for a small price. The best part is the taste. The moist cakes are delicious, and the frosting, while firm on the outside, melts in your mouth when you take a bite. It plays off the cake perfectly. This bakery also offers gluten-free options, with the same great taste of their original cupcakes. All in all, their cupcakes are perfectly savory and gratifying.

-Cooper Street BakeryCooper Street Bakery is known for their great cakes, but they have a lot more in store. From cookies to cake balls to cupcakes, everything is beautifully decorated and on display in the cases that surround you as you walk in. I received a freshly-baked cupcake right off of the pan. It was simple, and absolutely perfect. While there was nothing fancy in the batter or the icing, it was a flawless, classic cupcake that satisfied me completely. After just one, I was wanting to go in and buy two more, and, at only a dollar apiece, why not? This bakery fills every dessert desire at a small price. It was definitely my favorite stop.

That awkward moment when you don’t know what you’re about to read...

Samone Franklin, Faith Lewis & Maddy Smith• Staffers That awkward moment when everyone in your class looks like they’re five

years

old.

Student discounts

Yet another reason to bring your ID to school

Susie Gibson • Staffer

• AMC Movie Theater- $6.50 movie tickets on Thursday with student ID • Palm Beach Tan- Silver Level Student Memberships- $18.88 every month • Pure Bliss - Student faculty staff 20 percent off if you mention it or bring ID • Taco Cabana - 10 percent discount for students with ID

That awkward moment when you get excited and raise your hand because you think you know the answer, but you confidently say the wrong answer.

That awkward moment when you get in asking for a pencil.

trouble for talking, but you were only

That awkward moment when security comes into your classroom and you have a

mini heart attack.

That awkward moment when your teacher asks you for your ID and you pretend to look for it, knowing you don’t have it.

That awkward moment when you trip going up the stairs.

That awkward moment when you make eye

contact with your ex-best friend.

That awkward moment when you accidentally touch someone’s butt in the hall.

That awkward moment when your ex-boyfriend acts like you’re invisible while he’s talking to all of your friends.

• Chicken Express- four chicken tenders, side order and drink for $5

That awkward moment when you walk past an assistant principal when you’re wearing Daisy Dukes.

• Subway- Regular six-inch sub sandwich and any size drink for $3 with ID faculty AND staff (only at 4401 Kelly Elliot location inside Exxon Tiger Mart)

That awkward moment when your teacher tells you to stop flirting.

• Cici’s Pizza - Ends at 4 p.m. $5.50 buffet and drink

That awkward moment when you’re looking around, but the teacher thinks you’re

• Molly’s Burgers- Combo meal burger fries drink $5 • Quizno’s- 10 percent discount with ID

cheating.

That awkward moment when your teacher gets look at them.

mad and everyone stops to

Come to Cookie Machine for our Warrior Lunch Special!

Buy any sandwich and get 6 cookies FREE with your school ID We have soups, salads, and sandwiches!

Cookies, cakes, and cupcakes!

We do cookie dough fundraiser too!!

3100 W Arkansas Ln # O Arlington, TX 76016-5872 (817) 795-3905

entertainment

24

1, 2, Freddy’s comin’ for you...

Whether it’s a scary doll or a man behind a mask, these top five gory murders are sure to make you cringe

Sara Mancha & Emma Bruce • Staffers

3. Nightmare on Elm Street: Eyeball scene

Everyone is afraid of Freddy, Jason, Hannibal Lecter, Chucky and even Death.

They may not be real, but these murderers made an impression on people with their horrifically original ways of killing.

We took the time to ask our fellow classmates which movie scenes make their stomach turn. Then we took their answers and narrowed it down to the top five goriest movie murders.

An unfortunate ending comes for Nancy’s mother when, with her back to the mirror, Freddy Krueger’s clawed hand reaches through the mirror, into the back of her head and exits through her eyes. But voters decided they thought a rippedout tongue was way worse than poked out eyeballs and placed this scene at number three.

5. Carrie: Mom is pinned to

2. Silence of the Lambs: Tongue scene

wall by flying knives We all can get a little frustrated with our moms, but using telekinesis to throw knives at her, pinning her to the wall as you and your house sink into the earth is a bit of an extreme.

In a successful attempt to escape his high-security prison cell, the hungry Hannibal Lecter rips out the prison guard’s tongue using his own teeth. Although a ripped-out tongue is horrific and disgusting, it falls behind the scary death of being trapped in a burning tanning bed.

4. Friday the 13th:

1. Final Destination 3:

Sleeping bag scene Who would of thought a fun camping trip would turn into a massacre?

Well, one unlucky camper, Amanda, was trapped in a sleeping bag dangling over a pit of fire. Burning to death in a bag is terrifying, but it earned fourth place behind the bloody eyeballs.

Tanning bed scene Ashley and Ashlyn experience a flesh-boiling death in their burning tanning bed coffins after an accident in the tanning room causes their beds to be forced shut. If that doesn’t make you claustrophobic...

TV dinner

Students describe their idea of the perfect dinner with movie characters Trevor Ingram • Staffer

M

ovies and dinner are great, but what if you could actually eat dinner with your favorite characters of all time? It doesn’t matter if they’re a real hero or from a galaxy far, far away. What movie characters would the Warriors like to eat dinner with?

All kinds of characters exist, but certain combinations might be more interesting than others. Some might like a character for their looks, power or personality. You can tell someone’s personality from the movies they watch and the characters they look up to. The characters someone likes might reflect their own personality, or can change your way of thinking.

“It would be funny to have Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd the hunter at the same table. Also I would have Batman and the Joker together.”

• sophomore Taylor Zhao

“I would want to eat with Batman, Danny from Grease and Bethany Hamilton from Soul Surfer. I love Grease, and Soul Surfer was a really inspirational movie.”

• sophomore Brittany Philips “I would have dinner with Yoda, Pikachu, Optimus Prime and Cob from Inception. Yoda would teach me the ways of a Jedi, I would see what Pikachu eats and Cob would be there so he can tell me it’s all a dream.”

• senior Matthew Neathery

“I would probably pick Justin Bieber, Maggie from The Simpsons, Spongebob Squarepants and Garfield.”

• junior Conner Beene “I would invite Jack Sparrow, Summer, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Jack Sparrow is entertaining, funny, but also clever. Summer from 500 Days of Summer because she’s spunky and awkward, Harry Potter because he’s a freaking wizard and Ron Weasley is funny and cute.”

• junior Chaney Greenwood “The characters I would invite would be Spock from Star Trek, Dug from Up, Olive from Little Miss Sunshine and Alex from Everything is Illuminated.”

• junior Julyssa Fregoso

Brains!

The A to Z’s of the ZA

Calvin Lemley • News Editor Cardio, check the backseat, limber up... You may recognize all of these as rules for the zombie apocalypse. Here’s the research on what to do and what not to do when a mass breakout of zombification occurs.

Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks For the best preparation against the zombie horde, this would be your best bet. Everything from the origin of the zombie virus to selection of members for your survival team, this book will inform you that you do not want a shotgun to protect yourself, much less anything that has a fully automatic setting.

World War Z by Max Brooks This book isn’t so much a supplement for your survival techniques as much as a chronicle of fictional zombie wars.

While not at all instructional, this is more of an entertainment read and the cliched “learning from history.” World War Z chronicles the beginning outbreaks from around the world to the eventual spread and desperate situation of the remaining humans and eventual defeat of the main zombie horde.

Zombieland Zombieland is quite possibly one of the most popular zombie flicks of the past ten years, probably even longer.

Mainly because it includes comedy with the horror of a zombie apocalypse and even includes Bill Murray. This film also sets up a few rules to follow for when the inevitable happens. If you watch a zombie flick, this should be it.