the warrior post
Martin High School - 4501 W Pleasant Ridge Rd., Arlington, TX 76016 - Volume 35 Issue 2
Sophomores Larissa Hackley and Jason Gauthier lead the junior varsity show choir in a dance at the show choir dinner theater on Dec. 3. Photo by Destiny Jaime
the money issue what’s inside Photo finish Martin life hacks
No body The 10 days of like me Christmas
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Photo finish Juniors leave Martin to pursue photography career Sofia Viscuso • Reporter
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indows down, music blaring, backpacks loaded with multiple cameras and lenses, the warm Texas heat surrounds juniors Madi Siegenthaler and Caitlin Harwell on their way to their favorite photography spot in Fort Worth. “We’ve been taking photos since we became friends, about three years ago,” Siegenthaler said. Their photos tend to be of abandoned buildings, nature and occasionally people. Siegenthaler and Harwell work together on each shot to create unique, stylized photos. But more recently, they have become absolutely engrossed in their work. After researching internships, reaching out and receiving interest from photographers regarding work shadowing, they have decided to turn their photography from an after-school hobby into a career. “A lot of internships require a lot more time than we would have staying at Martin,” Siegenthaler said. After the end of first semester, Siegenthaler and Harwell will
be switching to online high school through Texas Tech University rather than finishing their junior year at Martin. They will receive the same high school diploma that Martin offers, just in a way that fasttracks the rest of their life. They plan on attending the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, California and majoring in photojournalism. “Our ultimate goal is to travel the world with National Geographic magazine,” Harwell said. Siegenthaler and Harwell rec-
ognize the difficulty of getting into National Geographic. They must first be recognized by at least several other magazines before being able to make the jump to the “big leagues.” “We will take it step by step,” Siegenthaler said. Both Siegenthaler and Harwell wrote a letter and created a PowerPoint to present to their parents pitching the idea to leave Martin. “Madi and I go through a lot of phases, but this is one that we’ve stuck with so I feel like our parents are on board with it
for the most part and they’re being as supportive as they can,” Harwell said. After much consideration, deliberation and persuasive arguments, their parents agreed to the plan. “In the end, I am completely overwhelmed and impressed with her maturity and initiative to do this,” Madi’s mom, Kim Siegenthaler, said. “I believe in having an open mind and supporting her in something she is excited and committed to do.” After Siegenthaler and Harwell’s two and a half years at Martin, they said they are more than ready to explore life outside of conventional high school. “There is nothing more daring than to be nothing but exactly what you want to be,” Siegenthaler said. “I have a burning passion for photography and an endless love for the world and all the places left to see and I would do anything to be able to do this.”
Photos courtesy of Madi Siegenthaler and Caitlin Harwell from one of their weekend shoots at an abandoned building in Fort Worth.
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Smiles wrapped up with ribbon CPS care teens are now able to receive gifts through Teen Angel Elena Regalado• Reporter When December comes around the children’s gift boxes at Child Protective Services are spewing with cartoons, coloring books, puzzles, toy figurines, and picture books. But over towards the corner of the room there’s a box that is barely filled. Teen Angel, an organization sponsored by CPS, draws attention to the lack of gifts that are given to teens in the Arlington metroplex.
There are more than 800 kids from 13 to 17 year olds,
Typically people who are shopping to donate to Teen Angel usually shop at Walmart or Target. A lot of times the Teen Angels aren’t able to drive, so when they are wanting to buy anything from household necessities to birthday presents for siblings, they are in need of transportation. In some cases, a Teen Angel may have to ask for a ride from others or rely on public transportation when needing to run errands.
many of whom live in group homes. About 70 to 90 classes participate through their second period. Christmas gifts can be dropped off
in second
period classes.
The donated gifts are then
collected by Student Council and dropped off at
CPS suggests that two arti-
CPS.
cles of clothing, and one fun item are typical
Teen Angels are teenagers
items donated to Teen Angel such as: gift cards to Target and Bed Bath & Beyond, sports and fashion magazines, books, makeup, movies and CDs.
who are under the care of CPS.
Unlike typical teenagers who ask for new phones, laptops, and even cars, the teens often ask for the bare necessities like: books, art supplies, clothes,
The goal is for each class to give $75 per Teen Angel.
and household items.
A lot of times kids ask for cellphones, which is not very practical because they have to activate them, and there’s also monthly bills that come along with it.
Band and choir typically
adopt two kids, and many faculty members personally adopt one. Once a child in foster care turns 18, they are no longer under the care of CPS. So often, those who are about to age out ask for things such as: pots and pans, sheets,
towels, or gifts for their younger siblings.
Juniors Bekah Alverson, Maddy Bethmann and Emma Clingenpeel load up with gifts for the Teen Angels. The yearbook staff has adopted two Teen Angels this year. Photo by Emily Britt
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Unlike typical teenagers who ask for new phones, laptops, and even cars, the teens often ask for the bare necessities like:
books, art supplies, clothes, and household items.
news
The cash for clubs
Breaking down the cost for how much it really cost to be involved at Martin Haleigh Trevino • News Editor
The cost to be an involved student is often overlooked. Sure, most clubs have a flat fee to join that isn’t so scary. But once you get in, additional costs are thrown at you. You weren’t expecting the club to be more than $20, but now $200 trips are being thrown at you. Art by Binh Le
Organizations
Band Senior Michael Rogers, Percussion Captain Base cost: $600-$800 Added cost for drumline members could be $130 for extra drumsticks, and mallets. Carnegie performance in New York last year cost around $800 extra dollars. Choir Junior Daniel Powell, Chamber Base cost: $50 Activity Fee Additional Cost: trips and lessons FFA Junior Pamela Ramos Base cost: $25 fee to join $50 a month to raise a bunny. HOSA Senior Abigail Duskin, HOSA president Base cost: $40 to join Additional cost for optional Basic Life support CPR training, $20. There is also an end-ofyear banquet. Newspaper Senior Kamryn LeFan, Features Editor Base cost: $50 at beginning of year $180 for ILPC Austin trip for editors, $90 if participate in every food run over whole year. National Honor Society Senior Samantha Baxter, NHS President Base cost: $15 induction fee $40 for TAG gifts over the course of school year.
Orchestra Freshman Will Hight Base cost: No fees to join, just cost of uniform ($80), rent/ buy instrument, $20-$100 per month to rent, $600-$800 to buy that will last around five years. Those not able to afford an instrument will be provided one by the Orchestra program. Additional fees can include private lessons, or the cost to travel Ready, Set, Teach Junior Bethany Tran Base cost: $10 for gifts for teacher at the end of the year Cost of shirts $20, T-shirt $15. These are free if they fundraise. Theatre Junior Prem Desai No base cost to join Participating in plays, there are costume fees (usually around $30) and additional fees for field trips to see plays (optional) and t-shirts $20. Science NHS Junior Tatum Tran Base cost: $30 fee to become a member Field trip cost and activities. Show Choir Sophomore Haley Loyd, JV Member Base cost: $100 for girls dresses and $50 worth of panty hose throughout the year Private lessons $140 per month Student Council Officers Senior Josh Stringer, Student Body Secretary Base cost: $750+ for required clothing, and mandatory trip
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Additional cost could include the cost for campaigning which can be up to $400. Sundancers Junior Lauren Bartleson Base cost: $1000 for camps, practice wear and uniforms Cost for costumes for optional dances can be up to $300. Yearbook Erin Adwell, Yearbook Teacher Base cost: No fee to join Optional trips throughout the year can cost up to $200.
Tennis Senior Ishan Pinto, Varsity Base cost: $12 towel fee $100 in equipment, includes, racquet, and shoes Volleyball Junior Carleigh Cooke, Varsity Base cost: No fee to join, Optional booster club Before the season starts, cost for camps, occasional optional food, and t-shirts is applied. This can run up to $200.
Basketball Junior Yafet Alefnew, Varsity Base cost: No fees to join Lost items, and entry fees for tournament Cheerleading Junior Autumn Jones, Varsity Base cost: $630, if you are returning cheerleader. $1300 if new member $160 per month for practice, $300 summer cheer camp Football Senior Zach McVeigh, Varsity Base cost: All gear is provided, no fees to join Booster Club (optional), and Additional Gear (optional) Golf Senior Ben Robinson, Varsity Base cost: No cost to join. The option of joining booster club is available. $1.5k for golf clubs, $100 for shirts, membership fee to join Softball Junior Jenna Rude, Varsity Base cost: No fee, Optional $50 booster club $90 for cleats, $250-$300 for bats, $100-$150 for gloves Soccer Senior Wesley Williams, Varsity Base cost: No fees to join Shin guards $5-$25, Cleats $40-$300
Art Club Senior Carson Johnson Base cost: $5 to join All additional cost are optional and can include things like supplies and field trips. Academic Decathalon Senior Mady Gomez Base cost: No fees to join $10 activity fee Bass Fishing Club Senior Jackson Hall Base cost: $10 to join. For competing in tournaments, members pay $25 to Student Angler Federation, and $30 to Texas High School Bass Association. And $25 for each person per tournament(technically $50 per boat for a team of two), around $1000 in equipment per year. Key Club Officers Junior Lauren Kinnear Base cost: District Convention trip is $100-$200, $20 membership fee, $15 t-shirt fee Officers are required to drive to multiple events, and the cost of gas adds up. Additional shirts for officers are $25. Quidditch Club Senior Matthew Hail Base cost: No fees to join $10 t-shirt fee
Sports
Clubs
Clubbing time
How much time do club members dedicate? Lauren Worth • Reporter Martin is full of so many different clubs that anyone can find at least one that they’re interested in. Every organization requires their members to meet different requirements, whether it’s attending meetings, getting service hours, or participating in competitions. Maybe you’re looking for something to be involved in or just something to put on your resume, but either way, see which clubs fit best with your schedule.
NHS
Key club
Hours - 10 service hours per semester (20 per year, four of which can be earned by doing community service unrelated to NHS events). At least one hour per year must be tutoring at a junior high. Meetings - Required to attend two meetings per semester
Hours - 60 service hours throughout the time of being a member Meetings - 10 meeting credits per year in Gym A “Key Club provides volunteer opportunities for the students involved and we help at feeder schools, runs, libraries, Mission Arlington and so many more places,”senior Cameron Nguyen, Key Club president, said.
“NHS is a group of academic students using their abilities outside of school to serve others and their community, and demonstrate that they’re more than just good students in the classroom,” senior Samantha Baxter, NHS president, said.
Psychology Club Hours - None required Meetings - Usually once a month at lunch in room 104 Three social events per semester (optional for members)
Science NHS Hours - 6 service hours each year Meetings - Once a month at lunch on Tuesdays (not required)
“We have guest speakers, we watch and discuss movies, we have pizza parties, we usually do the Autism walk, and we do fundraisers for the field trip that the club votes on,” AP Psychology teacher and Psychology Club sponsor Rachael Peterson said.
“Science NHS encourages STEM related thinking and inspires students to become more involved in science and their community,” junior Tatum Tran, chairman, said.
Math NHS
Bass Fishing Club
Hours - 5 hours per semester Meetings - Once every 1 or 2 months (not required)
Hours - None required Meetings - Tournaments once a month (not required), meetings at lunch before upcoming tournaments
“For Math NHS, there are some different things we do like the math circles on some Wednesdays,” junior Nicholas Epperson, Math NHS President, said. “We tutor at junior highs, and have some different contests coming up.”
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“At tournaments, we wake up at 4:30 in the morning, check in, launch our boat, get on the water at 7, fish the entire day, and then we’re done fishing at 3 p.m.,” senior Josh Soroka said. “Then you go back at 4:30 to weigh in your fish and at 7:30, they dispense all the prizes,”
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Spending money makes cents Kids with jobs explain how they spend their money Olivia Dague • Reporter
Clothes: $100. Gas: $40. Lunch: $10. Groceries for your family: $60. Many Martin kids have different jobs, but how they spend their money varies from student to student. Kaitlyn Roth Junior
Where do you work? “I work at Aeropostale.” What do you do at your job? “I fold a bunch of clothes, honestly. I have to welcome people into the store. Mad customers will come in and I have to calm them down as well as possible.” How much do you make? “I make $10 an hour.” How many hours do you work a week? “25-30 hours at Aeropostale.” What do you spend your money on? “Most of it goes into savings for college. And I have a car so I have some money just in case. Since I turned 16, I probably have about $2000 in savings.” What’s the most expensive thing you’ve spent your money on? “I spent in on my car.” What has your job taught you? “A whole lot of patience. Also how to interact with customers.” How do you feel about kids who have to spend money for themselves rather than to support their family? “That’s awesome. I totally support that if you’re putting your money where you want it, especially towards your family. For me, family comes first.”
Veronica Salinas Junior
Houston Garner Senior
Where do you work? “I work at Sonic.” What do you do at your job? “I make drinks and I also carhop.” How much do you make? “Carhops make $3.50 plus tips and if I fountain I make $7.25.” What do you spend your money on? “I buy makeup and clothes. But also I help get groceries and pay for gas money for my family’s car.” What’s the most expensive thing you’ve spent your money on? “Oh my God, makeup! That’s where most of my money goes.” How much have you saved and what for? “There is money in savings for a car or college later. I have probably a couple hundred in savings.” How do you feel about kids who have to spend money to support their family? “I can relate because I’m kinda in that position right now. It’s hard because I like spending money on myself, but I don’t want to let them down.”
Where do you work? “Putt Putt.” What do you do at your job? “I’m a party host. I do little kids’ birthday parties. I’m a shift leader, but parties are more fun.” How much do you make? “$8 an hour plus tips.” What do you spend your money on? “Food and dates. I have to pay for my gas and if I get a flat tire or a ticket.” Have you saved any money
Photos by Zane Stewart • Photo Editor
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and what for? “A thousand for college.” Are there any perks to your job? “I get a lot of things free, and I can take my friends bowling.” What has your job taught you? “How to deal with other people’s schedules and how to time manage. Interpersonal skills.”
The fine print
Information about most popular colleges for Martin students
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Annual Total Cost
Brooklin Bruno • Reporter
fter graduation you’re wondering what comes next, what colleges are worth giving a shot. So, here are the top colleges that Martin kids decide to attend after their high school years and their prices. The top colleges Martin students apply to are: Texas A&M, UNT, UTA, TCU, Texas State and Baylor.
Texas A&M - $27,272 UNT - $37,175 UTA - $18,516 TCU - $55,630 Texas State - $22,190 Baylor - $54,160
Average Yearly Tuition and Fees
ACT Composite
Texas A&M - $10,094 UNT - $10,519 UTA - $9,616 TCU - $10,200 Texas State - $10,200 Baylor - $34,480
Texas A&M - 26 TCU - 26 to 30 UNT - 26 Texas State - 20-25 UTA - 22 Baylor - 25-30
All these colleges are looking for: Room and board Texas A&M - $10,368 UNT - $8,690 UTA - $18,516 TCU - $12,000 Texas State - $8,110 Baylor - $10,808
GPA requirement Texas A&M - 3.75 UNT - not yet reported UTA - 2.25 TCU - no min Texas State - 2.75 Baylor - median range
Books & supplies Texas A&M - $1,054 UNT - $1,00 UTA - $1,206 TCU - $1,050 Texas State - $820 Baylor - $1,250
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• Dedication to one specific area ( specific areas of concentrated interest), for instance, being in the same clubs or classes all four years. • A well-rounded student. Someone who has dabbled in both AP and regulars classes. Someone who has interests in multiple areas. • High test scores. Colleges are looking for pretty high SAT, ACT, and STAAR scores, on top of a good GPA. • Good attendance and behavior. Colleges are looking essentially for a student who enjoys schools and excels in it, someone to make their school better.
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Booking it
Benefits of library volunteering range beyond college applications Jason Stephenson • Reporter Volunteering hours can look good on a resume for certain job, and even better on a college application. The average student sees volunteer work just as something clubs make you do, but volunteering doesn’t only help the community. It can help your chances of being accepted into colleges just by doing consistent work every week or two. “Sign up! They will train you, no experience needed,” Arlington Public Library Volunteer Coordinator Sharon Granado said. Volunteering at the library is
an event where you can sign people up for library cards and inform them about the benefits of going to their public library. Every month or so they hold shelving parties where everyone comes on a Sunday or holiday where the library is closed and the workers bring food and drinks for the volunteers while up to 10 people shelve instead of just roughly two on a good day. “We have hired many students who started out volunteering,” Granado said. “I have also written many recommendations to universities for admission, scholarships opportunities and medical schools. It’s a great
the perfect place to gain job knowledge and skills. They can start you off with no prior experience with volunteering, or even with libraries. You will most likely begin with shelving duty for the first 10 times you go in, granted you stay for at least two hours or you might have more shelving shifts. After they start to recognize you and realize you aren’t just going in there a few times to make some deadline for hours, they will start telling you about events that they’re doing, like being a Library Ambassador at
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stepping stone for high school students.” While the library isn’t the only option for volunteer work, it may be the best option. Working at the library is a great opportunity to get to know important or famous people including the mayor and local celebrities like players from The Texas Rangers. And if you plan on going to UTA, it’s a great option to volunteer at the library since they collaborate on many events. Having a recommendation from someone at the library and several consistent volunteering hours looks extremely good on a resume.
Doing things differently Martin students share their uncommon jobs Gabby Benavides • Editor-in-Chief & Binh Le • Staff Artist
With more than 3,000 students at Martin, there’s a good handful of students who work while they attend school. Along with those students, several have unique or weird jobs that may be unconventional for their age. Match the description and job to the student.
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Art by Binh Le
Robert Wortman
Maverick Culp
Jerry Tram
Trevor Evinger
Dylan Russo 1. Junior Dylan Russo - Horse riding instructor 2. Senior Robert Wortman - Commissioned painter 3. Sophomore Trevor Evinger- Baker 4. Senior Jerry Tram - Computer technician 5. Senior Maverick Culp - Busboy
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This student is a baker who started his own business two months ago. He once tripped over his dog while carrying a cake and had to start it all over. This student is a computer technician. He fixes, upgrades, debugs, and code programs onto computers. The weirdest thing he’s done is get rid of a spider infestation in four computer blocks. This student works in a wedding chapel as a busboy. The first wedding he worked for was a lesbian ceremony which he initially thought was a joint wedding. This student works as a commissioned painter for game board characters. His favorite part is when he gets to choose his own color palette. This student works as an instructor for people who want to ride horses at Golden Gait. He teaches every Saturday from about 6 to 12 and has a horse named Cash.
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Preparing for art school
Strengthen your portfolio while reducing your suffering Carson Johnson • Staff Artist
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t’s dark out by the time you finally look up from the work at your desk. The clock reads 2:28 a.m., and you take a moment to acknowledge the fact that you’ve been poring over the same drawing for almost six hours now. Your hands are starting to cramp up, and it’s getting hard to keep your eyes open, so you decide to call it a night. This isn’t the first good night’s sleep you’ve lost to finishing a piece of artwork, and it won’t be the last, because deadlines are coming. Professional art colleges are no joke. Despite the common stereotype that pursuing an artbased career is taking the easy way out, the bigger parts of the art world are actually very competitive. A serious career in art is not to be mistaken for a hobby; people don’t just dedicate years of work improving their artistic abilities to end up selling portraits out of a roadside tent. Instead, most aim for the bigger and more stable careers like the various branches of design and mediaproduction. If you want to get up there with the big guys, then you’re going to need to take your work seriously. “It’s good to start early,” senior Megan Lim said. “That way you can prepare some art pieces that display your skills and potential.” Lim said she hopes to study fashion design, and has recently been accepted into the Savannah College of Art and Design. “A lot of people recommended that I apply to SCAD, so I did,” Lim said. “Besides the usual application, I had to submit a portfolio of at least ten of my best pieces, and a resume for a
Art by Carson Johnson chance of getting a scholarship. Art schools are super expensive.” Information on good art scholarships can be tricky to find if you don’t know where to look. The most direct way to find out about opportunities like this is to explore the admissions tab on the website of your college of choice, or to contact that school’s admissions counselor via their site’s provided information. However, art students must also take into account that the applications for financial aid of this sort will take time to construct.
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When it comes to getting started, many people think it’s more beneficial to start taking AP art courses as an upperclassman. “A lot of growth takes place during those few short underclassman years,” art teacher Dan Darr said. Darr is one of Martin’s two AP Studio Art teachers this year, and he said he believes the class is more rigorous, so students will be getting a feel for the pace at a more demanding level that’s going to be required. They’re learning to work hard while managing their time.
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Application deadlines start to hit towards the end of the first semester of senior year, so students are encouraged to take Studio Art during their junior year. That way, portfolios will already be completed (rather than only halfway done), and there’ll be more time to make any necessary changes and work on scholarship and grant applications. Despite these advantages, taking the class senior year is not out of the question. You can always work on a portfolio independently, as long as you make sure to keep up with your college’s application requirements. While some schools may only ask for a few samples of your artwork along with a statement or two, bigger schools like CalArts or Ringling require complex and diverse portfolio submissions. CalArts even asks that some applicants send in an entire sketchbook fitting within their guidelines (depending on what program you’re applying for). You don’t want to rush your portfolio’s completion either. Art teacher Lauren Kulesz said she recommends that her students try their best to build up the best quality portfolio. “Make it very diverse,” Kulesz said. “Show every area that you are able to. You want quality over quantity, but you want to show off all of your abilities and not just focus on drawing.” If you want to make it into a big art school, you’ll need to give your best effort. If that means starting off at a normal college and transferring to an art school later when everything’s put together, then so be it. In the end, your actions are the ones that decide how prepared you’ll be.
S(cool)arships
Check out these unconventional scholarships that you just might be qualified for Adalyn Arce • Reporter
Having trouble finding money for college? Worried about spending the next 20 years in debt after you graduate? Do you not know where to start when it comes to applying for scholarships? Check out these cool ways to get cash for that education! Do you throw down in the kitchen? Can you make a bomb PB&J? Check this out, because a cool sandwich can win you $25,000.
Are your tweets on fire? Do you always win your tweefs? Sending out a tweet to Dr. Pepper can win you $1,000.
Think you’d look great in pink glitter tape? Make a prom dress out of duct tape and be debt free.
Quick! Tell me what I’m thinking about! If you guessed pizza, you’re right. And you’re eligible for this $5,000 scholarship for mind readers!
Think you and your bae will be the cutest at prom? If you get the largest amount of likes on Instagram, you can score $1,000 just for being #RelationshipGoals
Do you eat fries on the regular? Are you a potato addict? Do fries come before guys? Are you planning to major in a field that will enhance the potato industry? If so, apply for this scholarship for $10,000.
Guys… are you taller than 6’2”? Ladies, are you taller than 5’10”? Is the weather nice up there? Well here’s your chance to snag $1,000 just for being lengthy.
Are fish friends, and not food? Are you #vegetarian? Here’s your chance to let all of your friends know, by receiving $10,000 in money for school.
Common cents: Your money-saving questions answered Serena Corwin • Design Editor Saving money is hard. You it somewhere that is not easily see something you just have to accessible. This will help prehave, so you spend your money vent you from using the money rather than saving. you have put away. How do I save money How much should I without a bank account? save per paycheck? As cliche as this sounds, get This varies depending on your a piggy bank. It doesn’t neces- spending habits. If you know sarily have to be a pig, but pick you like to go shopping after something that you can put ex- each paycheck, then set aside tra cash in. Each time you put $100 for shopping and $50 for money in it, make sure to place saving. This way you are still
saving but you also have money to spend so you don’t have to worry about overspending. How do I save money without a job? A lot of people don’t have jobs but still save money. Make sure whenever you get money, put some aside. I save all of my $5 bills. You won’t even notice they’re gone and eventually you will save up
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a lot of money. How involved should my parents be? This is another one of those questions that depend on you. Personally, my mom had access to all of my accounts which helps me because I love to spend money. It puts a pressure on me when I want to spend money because she will see it every time.
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Sister, sister
Junior welcomes the arrival of her new sister from China Kendall Hendrix • Design Editor group of family and After five more months of friends stood in front waiting to get everything finalof the airport terminal ized, they were finally able to gate, anxiously awaiting arrival travel to China and bring Zachof their new family member, ary home. adopted from China, accompa“He came over when I was in nied by her mother and aunt. junior high, and I was marchAmong those in the group ing in band that night he came, were junior Mallory Locke and so I couldn’t go to the airport,” her younger brother, Zachary, Mallory said. also adopted from China. This Because Zachary was adopted new family member, Gianna, when he was young, he was able nicknamed Gigi, is their sister. to transition to his new life in Locke’s parents first became America easily. interested in adoption 12 years “A lot of times, people want ago, partly influenced by the to just cocoon, which means Bible and their Christian faith, to stay in their home and not and partly by, of all things, get out at all, but we didn’t Wendy’s. do that,” Mrs. Locke said. “We were just at this random “We found that he liked being Wendy’s, my husband and I,” around other kids, so being out Mallory’s mother Lauri Locke was fine with him.” said. “Dave Thomas was adoptIn June 2015, a few years ed, and so they have those plac- after Zachary’s adoption, Males where you donate money for lory returned to China with adoption services and there was her church and worked with this sign and it said, ‘Why not Zachary’s orphanage, Maria’s you?’ and it just hit both my Big House of Hope. When she husband and I really hard. We came back home, she managed were like, ‘Why not us?’” to convince her parents that Initially, the family tried they should adopt again. adoption through the United “We were going to adopt a States foster system, but after little girl, but I made a Powerfostering a boy for a year and Point presentation, and told my a half, they decided to forego family why we needed to adopt America and look elsewhere. an older girl,” Mallory said. They decided upon China after Mallory filled out the initial a trip in 2012. paperwork to get the new adop“Mallory really wanted to go tion on its feet, and her family to China, so we went with our went through the 15-month church,” Mrs. Locke said. “At process all over again. At the the time, we realized that there end of the 10 months of paperwere a lot of kids needing to be work, they were matched with adopted there, so we decided to the nine-year-old Gigi. pursue that avenue instead.” Nov. 3, Gigi landed in TexGathering the necessary files, as to meet her new family. Becompleting the paperwork, and cause she couldn’t understand jumping through the hoops of English, Mallory enlisted the the government agencies took help of her friend, senior Esther the family 10 months. After Chan, who speaks Mandarin. that, they were matched with “I introduced Gigi to evthe now five-year-old Zachary. eryone,” Chan said. “Because
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3 she didn’t understand English, every time she would talk with her family, she’d ask me, ‘What’d they say?’ She was curious about her new surroundings and the whole different culture, and she was like, ‘Why do we do this?’ and ‘Why do we have to wear a seatbelt?’ and all of these little things she was curious about.” On her first full day in America, the family went shopping at Walmart to buy her new clothes that would fit her, played at the park, and played card games. “We accidentally went swimming,” Mallory said. “We were outside, and Zachary threw something into the pool, so they grabbed our pool net and were trying to dig it out. They dropped one of the pool nets into the pool, so they just decided to jump in.” Even though Gigi and Zachary have adjusted well to being in the family, they often get a lot of attention while being in public.
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2 1. Junior Mallory Locke and her sister, Gigi. 2. Mallory, Gigi, and their brother Zachary play outside together. 3. Zachary and Gigi stop for a picture on the jungle gym while playing at the park after Gigi arrived in America. Photos courtesy of Mallory Locke
“People, a lot of times, stare a little bit, and sometimes people ask, ‘Oh, are they adopted?’” Mallory said. “The other day, actually, someone asked if they were my children, and I was like, ‘No, definitely not.’” Going to China and having adopted two siblings from there has given Mallory a new outlook of hope on the world. “There are situations that are so hard and heartbreaking, like a child being like abandoned by their parents,” Mallory said. “You can still look onto that situation with so much love.” Gigi will be attending Butler elementary, where she will be a part of speech therapy classes and a program for students who speak Mandarin. “She’s adjusting really well, and she’s definitely a lot less shy in front of new people than she was before,” Mallory said. “I’m excited to show her what it means to have a family, and what it means to belong to people.”
Minimum rage
Tips for teenagers trying to handle jobs
Madeline Barnes • Reporter It’s difficult to find a job as a teenager, and most young people have figured this out by now. It’s not only our age, but the fact that we don’t have as much experience as other people applying to the same location that holds us back. Coach Chad Rives, Communications Applications teacher, shared tips on how to act and what to wear during an interview. “You need to dress sharp, research and look up background information about the job, make eye contact, speak confidently, and follow up with either a call or email,” Rives said. With these steps, finding a job should become less painful for teenagers. Sophomore Hillary Jorgensen has been searching for a job for about three months now. “I want it more as a summer job because I’m busy with school, cheer, and soccer,” Jorgensen said.
This is a common issue for most teens with such busy schedules. They want to hang out with friends, but don’t have the money or time. “I just want money to go shopping and do fun stuff with friends,” Jorgensen said. Junior Chloe Rancher has been working at the store Six 02 in the mall, a women’s athletic store. “I knew a friend who worked there, but she didn’t help me get the job,” Rancher said. Rancher said she had to fill out an application online, then was able to get an interview with a supervisor. “You need to be well spoken when talking to them,” Rancher said. “Act like you know what they’re talking about, and be honest. Say you’re willing to learn if you don’t know how to do something.” The person interviewing you might want you to prepare or wear something that has to do with the company. “I was told to dress in
Credit for dummies
giving me the schedules and I got written up for something I didn’t do, and they didn’t even train me all the way, they just threw me in,” Ater said. Although her job was difficult before she decided to quit, she had a breaking point. “They sent me a text message about how I messed up the music and I got in trouble, and then I texted back and said to take this as my two weeks notice,” Ater said. “What I learned from this is that I stood up for myself, but I was super scared. I still haven’t gone back to get my paycheck, and I quit two months ago.” Senior Landry Smith had difficulty at his old job, Walmart. “They would schedule me outside of my available hours,” he said. “I decided to quit right before break because I felt they weren’t listening to my requested time off for wrestling and hunting. I learned that school and Walmart don’t work well together.”
Tips for high schoolers to know what credit is and how to use it
Serena Corwin • Design Editor Credit. A word not many high schoolers know the definition to. It’s not something that is required to be taught. However, it’s essential to life after high school which is why I’ve answered the basic questions about credit to help everyone get a better understanding of what it is and how it works. 1. What is credit? Credit is borrowed money used to buy stuff when you need it. It is expected to be paid back within a certain period of time.
athletic apparel like leggings, a tight shirt, and tennis shoes,” Rancher said. Rancher said she looked for a job to save for her car and extra expenses. “I did apply at different places, mostly retail, but my first choice was Six 02,” Rancher said. With help from experienced employers you can learn to become as successful as the longterm employees. However, once you do finally find the job for you, then realize it might not be for you, Rives gives some tips on how to quit. “Inform your superiors you’ll be leaving for whatever it may be, and make sure you thank them in a written note and face to face contact,” he said. “It’s common courtesy to give two weeks notice, and definitely don’t want to burn any bridges with anyone.” Sophomore Macie Ater described her experience with gaining and quitting her first job. “I quit because they weren’t
2. How does it work? You have an agreement with a credit card company that you will borrow money when needed but will pay it back when it is due. 3. What is interest and how does it affect credit? In simple terms, interest is the cost of using someone else’s money. Interest is a calculated percent of the loan that gets paid to the lender. Interest adds up, and the longer you wait to pay credit back, the more you are going to have to pay eventually.
4. What is a good credit score? The scale for credit is from 300 to 850 and a good score is generally from 700 and up. 5. What is a bad credit score? A bad credit score is generally 500 and below. 6. How does it affect my life in the long run? Credit affects your life in many ways. If you have bad credit generally it is hard to get loans, hard to lease vehicles, rent apartments, etc because it shows you did not pay what you borrowed on time which make you a liability.
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7. How do I build it? The only way to build credit is to use your credit card. Use it to buy gas, to pay rent, to watch a movie but just make sure to pay it off and not carry a balance each month. One rule to follow is if you don’t have enough is your checking account, then don’t use credit. It is very easy to spend money that is not yours. 8. How do I fix a bad credit score? Keep your balances low on your cards, pay off your debt, don’t get 10 new cards to help you build it.
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Martin life hacks By the time you’re a senior you think you have Martin figured out. But here are some Martin hacks that you might not know. Ashley Odom & Madi McLean • Reporters
Library Hacks:
Tech Hacks:
If you need need quarters for $1 or $5 bills, go to library for the change machine.
Don’t want to sign in everytime you want to check your grades? Get the TEAMS app and stayed signed in.
Don’t have a printer? Go to the library for black and white text printouts for 5 cents, black and white printouts with graphics for 10 cents, and color printouts for 20 cents.
Want to get around the blocked school wifi? Get the VPN Onavo app and unlock the apps and websites like Twitter. Want to get texts about reminders at Martin? Text @counsmhs to 81010.
Need a poster board at school? Get one in the library for 50 cents.
Didn’t hear the announcements this morning? Find them on the homepage of the Martin High School website.
In the library, the GO Center will help walk you through any college application form you need help with. Also, a UTA representative will help with all sorts of UTA information and applications.
Does your teacher use Canvas in one of your classes? Download the Canvas app on your smart phone to have easy access to your assignments or notes.
Athletic Hacks:
Lose your I.D.? You can get a new one for $5 in the library. Forget your headphones at home? You can get a pair in the library for $1.75.
Food Hacks: Forget the vending machines. Go to the cafeteria for: Water bottles for 75 cents Chips are 50 cents Izze sparkling drinks and Gatorades are $1 Capri Sun is 50 cents Propel drinks are $1.25 Forget to bring your lunch and can’t go off campus? Papa John’s delivers to Martin. Missed breakfast this morning? Chick Fil A chicken biscuits are sold everyday in the Upper Gym Lobby, but make sure to get here early to get some because they sell out quickly.
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Want to work out at Martin? The weight room is open after school daily as long as a coach is present. If you need a PE credit, become a sports manager, take Off Campus PE, or take the Outdoor Adventures class.
Personal Hacks: Stressed out? Go visit the comfort dog, Marcus, in the nurse’s office. Need someone to talk to confidentially about anything? Deborah Vation is our campus intervention specialist located in room 241B. Slide a note under her door, email her, or tell your teacher you need to talk to her. Want to get a credit faster or make up a credit for a class you failed? Ask your counsoler about taking summer school to get the credit to graduate.
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10 Grades, 12 Years “She’s insanely mature for her age”
Photo by Zane Stewart Maria Deloera & Josephine Wei • Reporters
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arge glass doors, booming voices and cluttered halls compete in the atmosphere of Martin High School. While this is the daily routine for most, this is a new chapter for some and this can be quite intimidating to any incoming student. Especially a 12-yearold. Sophomore Fifehanmi Ayeoritsekomlno Bodunrin sparks questions and shock at the mention of her attending a high school at age 12. Transitioning to a new public school can be frightening for most, but Bodunrin’s goals keep the fright at bay. “I came into Martin because they have a good program,” Bodunrin said. “I’m handling my classes pretty well because I decided to take it easy after transitioning here from home school.” Bodunrin said she was not used to conventional public education. “In third, fourth and ninth grades, I was half home schooled and half at Grace Prep,” Bodunrin said. “I skipped second, fifth and eighth grades. That’s how I’m a sophomore at this age.” Twelve-year-olds are widely perceived as moody preteens
opening up to the reality of adulthood. However, Bodunrin proves those theories wrong. “She acts like she is 16 or 17 years old,” Food and Nutrition teacher Linda Fetters said. “She is very kind and considerate to other people. Fife is very responsible, she comes to class before anybody comes.” Inferences are immediately made that Bodunrin must be extremely intelligent to be able to skip multiple grade levels. However, the questions and inferences get overwhelming. “There are some things I hope I never hear again, but I learned,” Bodunrin said. “I don’t know if people would treat me differently if I were their age because I’ve always been the younger kid, so I don’t know how they would treat me if I wasn’t. I feel awkward hanging out with people my age because I’m not used to it. Every time I hang around them I think, ‘Wow, is this how I act?’ The most common question I receive from people my age is, ‘Are you smart?’ Because of that, I feel more comfortable being with people in the sophomore class of 2019.” Despite her young age, Bodunrin was still able to make an
impact among her peers. “She told the theater class she was 12 when we first met her because it was the elephant in the room,” junior Megan Mitchell said. “She’s insanely mature for her age, and because she is is younger and in the same situation we are in, she is just as mature. I was really impressed that someone as young as her is doing work I was doing at 14.” Bodunrin cites the source of her academic excellence from her significant experience of traveling the world. Opening her mind to different environments allowed Bodunrin to enjoy learning. “My dad is a missionary so we travel to different places such as Mexico, Peru and Europe,” Bodunrin said. “Learning about these different cultures helps me academically to reach out in various parts of knowledge.”
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Being an underage sophomore did not stop Bodunrin from reaching her goals of excelling in school. “She is an extremely hard worker,” track coach Christopher Capeau said. “Not only does she include herself in all the group discussions, but also participates in everything. She completes her work in highest effort possible and is a friendly person towards her classmates,” Not many teachers have to opportunity to teach 12-yearold sophomores in high school, so according to her teachers, it is a privilege. “She’s amazing,” Fetters said. “She has a three-year difference with her classmates. She is always current on her work and is always open to help other people. Not only is she socially accepted, but humble about her beginnings and proud of her education,”
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“They wouldn’t be with me anymore” Sophomore Olivia Davis counts on friends after she loses her brother and sister in-law to a drunk driver
Ashley Byrd • Reporter
The hall light snaps on, this bad feeling inside that was and sophomore Olivia Davis telling me otherwise.” squints. All she can see is her An hour passed after Mrs. mother and father standing Davis left the hospital and there with anxious faces. Her Olivia had yet to hear the heart aches. Distress and crushing news. confusion flood throughout her “I was staying the night at entire body. Her life is about to my best friend’s house when change forever. my mom and dad came to pick Olivia’s brother, C.J., and me up at 4 in the morning and his wife, Lauren, were both 26 took me home to tell me that years old and had been married my brother and Lauren were for about a year and a half. They in an accident, and that my were walking across the street brother had passed away and on their way to a Mavericks Lauren was still in the hospital,” basketball game in downtown Olivia said. Dallas Nov. 13, 2015 when a Although this tragedy was and drunk driver ran the red light continues to be a very difficult and hit them both. C.J. died experience for the Davis family, on impact, while Lauren was they have received support from rushed to Parkland Hospital many different sources. Olivia’s and passed away the next day. best friends, sophomores Cora “I was very close with my and Veda Mize, were there for brother and Lauren,” Olivia her every step of the way, from said. “They played a big role in hearing the news with her to my life so it was hard hearing being a shoulder to cry on that they wouldn’t be with me today. anymore.” “Olivia told us her brother Earlier that evening, when and Lauren had been in a car Olivia’s mom, Susan Davis got accident and of course we a phone call from a random imagined the worst,” Veda Mize number, she ignored it. But said. she answered the next call she Not only have those two received which was from her friends been there to support oldest daughter who told her them, many others have there had been an accident and generously uplifted the family. the hospital was trying to get “We have a great network of ahold of her. Anxiety filled Mrs. friends and family and couldn’t Davis as she was about to hear have made it this far without from a stranger that her son had them,” Mrs. Davis said. passed away. “They’ve done everything from “A second later the hospital was bringing food, running errands, calling again,” Mrs. Davis said. to just listening when we need “Although I was trying to keep to talk and cry. The abundance calm and tell myself everything of support and love we received was going to be okay, I just had and continue to receive daily
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Sophomore Olivia Davis’ brother and sister in-law, Lauren and C.J. Davis. Photo Courtesy of Olivia Davis has been so appreciated.” Olivia said that the tragedy has brought the family closer together in their mourning over the past year and will continue to forever. To cope with such a tragic experience, Mrs. Davis and all three of her daughters have gone through grief counseling to heal. The
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Davis family said that of course they miss C.J. and Lauren and the love they brought and are always sad when reminded they are no longer here. “But I am happy when other people talk about them,” Mrs. Davis said. “I don’t want C.J. and Lauren to ever be forgotten.”
10 Things you didn't know about STEM Academy You know they’re into science and math, but did you know these things? Ashely Byrd • Reporter 1. STEM students receives their own Dell touch-screen laptop and graphing calculator for free. “Having a school computer really helps me keep organized and learn in a unique way,” sophomore Courtney Peterson said. 2. STEM students go on field trips throughout the year (many to college campuses) and all of them are free. 3. This spring, STEM students will be traveling to Houston to visit NASA medical center to see firsthand what they do there. 4. As juniors and seniors, STEM academy students have internship opportunities.
5. Students who are a part of STEM all have a similar area of interest. “Students get to explore their areas of interest in depth with other students like them and get the support of specially trained teachers and professors,” Psychology teacher Rachael Peterson said. 6. For all their core classes, STEM students stay with the same cohort of students all four years of high school. “Because you spend so much time with the same people, over time you become very close with everyone who is a part of the STEM academy including the teachers,” Courtney Peterson said. 7. STEM applications are available at aisd.net/aisd/stem.
8. To get into STEM, there is an application process. “You fill out an online application, the people in charge pick a top number of people,” sophomore Mikhala Street said. “If you make it, then you write an essay about why you want to be a part of STEM and then they pick around the top 100 students per year.” 9. STEM students can take dual credit classes at TCC like regular kids for $50 a semester. They also have the option of taking dual credit classes at UTA for free. 10. There is absolutely no fee for any student to be apart of STEM Academy.
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Sophomore Ashley Taylor works on her STEM chemistry lab. STEM students have core classes with other students from the program. Photo by Anabelle Hernandez
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Better to give than to receive Students and teachers recall their stories of the best gifts they have ever given Cameron Mayes • Reporter Christmas time is the sea- ing room and open up loads son for the jingle of Christmas of presents resting beneath the bells, the lights glistening, the Christmas tree from our friends animatronic reindeer and elves and family. But nothing is better than in the front lawn, the smell of hot chocolate and pine, the purchasing or making a gift for fire roaring in the fireplace as a family member or a friend the comforting heat hits your and watching them open it up cold fingers and toes, wrapping and seeing their face light up. presents for your friends and “I gave my baby sister a Bafamily, 25 Days of Christmas bies R Us toy and she loved it,” on TV every night, the deco- freshman Braden Johnson said. rations around the house, the “It wasn’t expensive at all, and Christmas tree gleaming in it felt good to make her day. It your living room – all the little was pretty cool.” ••• aspects that make the holidays “I bought my neighbor Justin so resplendent. We all love to wake up on Bieber concert tickets,” junior Christmas morning, we ram- Vanessa Tarango said. “It was ble and wander into our liv- extremely expensive but it was
so worth it, plus it was special because she was a huge fan of him. It felt good.” ••• “Last year, I gave my mom this beautiful necklace that was my grandma’s that she had been looking for but couldn’t find it anywhere and I found it and I surprised her with it,” junior Jessica Vinson said. “And when I gave it to her, her reaction was absolutely priceless. It was such a precious moment. Let me tell you, there were surely many hugs and tears exchanged between us both.” ••• “Last Christmas, I proposed to my girlfriend (now wife),”
Criminal Justice teacher Patrick McCray said. “I invited my mom and my sister over to exchange ornaments to place on the tree. I took her ring and found an ornament with a similar color to the ring so it didn’t stand out. I placed the ring inside with a string attached to it. My girlfriend gave me my ornament and I thanked her and all that. Then when I gave her my ornament she saw the ring and she placed her hand over her mouth in disbelief and my mom and sister started crying. My mom passed away at the beginning of the school year, so it was special because she got to see her youngest child (me) get married.”
“It was such a precious moment.”
Holidays gone wrong Warriors reveal their funny but outrageous holiday stories Lauryn Warren & Erin Rosenbaum • Reporters
Junior Daniela Pineda
Freshman Alice Goodall*
Junior Payton Stanton
Junior Mark Salgado
“On Thanksgiving one year, my family and I decided to visit my grandpa’s farm and my brother and I had the idea to pet all of the animals at the barn. When we got to the goats, my seven-year-old brother had the genius plan to yank one of the goat’s tail. The goat ended up kicking me in the stomach and I got to spend my Thanksgiving in the hospital that year.”
“On Christmas Eve, my family and I were coming home from the store. When we got home, we saw a bunch of teenagers on our yard. Supposedly, there was going to be a fight there, and someone else had called the cops to stop the fight. It was a weird Christmas to say the least.”
“Last year on Thanksgiving, my family was getting ready to start the meal of the day. We noticed that my little sister wasn’t anywhere to be found. At that time, my aunt lived across the street from us. So, we started looking for her and my step-mom was on the verge of calling the cops. Turns out, she was sleeping in my cousin’s room across the street.”
“One year, I had planned to visit my family for Christmas at Mexico. Without realizing, I brought my school ID instead of my passport. The man at the station would not permit me to enter so I ended up not being able to visit my family that Christmas and almost cried, actually.”
* name has been changed
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Are you ready to become
A gameboard that can tell you how much you really know a Kamryn LeFan • Features editor
4 Do you know who pays back a student loan? Yes: Move forward two spaces (student) No: Move forward one space 5 Are your passwords easy to guess? Yes: Go to the bank No: Move forward one space
3 2 Do you know your Social Do you know how to write Security number? a check? Yes: Move forward one Yes: Move forward two space spaces No: Move backwards one No: Move forward one space space
START
Do you know your school ID number? Yes: Move forward two spaces No: Move forward one space
6 BANK Do you know your driver’s license number? Answer one of these questions to get you back onto Yes: Move forward two the game board. If you are able to answer the following spaces questions, then go back to the square you were on, but No: Move forward one move forward one space. space If you have been to the bank 3 times, then you might 7 need to get some guidance on what to expect in the Do you know what APR adult world. means? 1. Do you know what an insurance deductible is? Yes: Move forward one 2. Do know where to check your credit? space (Annual Percentage 3. Is 750 a good or bad credit score? Rate) No: Go to the bank 8 9 10 11 Do you save money? Do you know what a credit Do you know how to bal- Do you change Yes: Move forward one score is? ance a checkbook? words of space Yes: Move forward one Yes: Move forward two Yes: Move forw No: Go to the bank space spaces space No: Go to the bank No: Move forward one No: Move forw space space
BANK
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ome an adult?
This doesn’t make cents
Students are tested on their knowledge about money Curt Leland • News Editor The idea that teenagers are clueless about money is nothing new. Our generation has a reputation about wasting money or overall just making horrible choices with it, so I wanted to put it to the test. If we are supposed to be living on our own in a few years, are we financially aware enough to support ourselves? I made a list of questions the average money-wise adult would know to see if students had any answers. The names of those who these quotes belong to are kept anonymous, so their cluelessness is not public.
know about managing money
ck onto ollowing on, but
u might in the
le is? ?
11 you change your passwords often? s: Move forward two spaces o: Move forward one space
FINISH
Congrats, you’re ready to become an adult!
What is the difference between credit and debit? Student Answers: “Debit is when you can put money in the card and credit is when you can pay it back on the deadline.” “Credit builds up over time, and I should know this because my mom is in investments. Credit is used from the bank.” Correct Answer: Debit cards are used to buy things at stores, where the money is immediately taken from an account. It’s just like cash on a card. When credit cards are used for purchases, a company pays for the purchase where the owner has to pay back.
15 Do you know what interest is? Yes: Move forward one space No: Go to the bank 14 Do you know what a warranty is? Yes: Move forward one space No: Go to the bank
Should there be a half dollar coin?
13 Do you know what a tax refund is? Yes: Move forward one space No: Go to the bank 12 Do you know where you should store your passwords? Yes: Move forward one space No: Go to the bank
Student Answers: “Yes! that sounds like fun.” “Yeah because that would eliminate the use of me having so many quarters all the time, having to look for two when I could just use one coin.” Correct Answer: The half dollar has existed since 1964.
What information do you need to write a check?
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Student Answer: “You don’t need anything, I don’t think. You just need to have a savings or checking account.”
Correct Answer: You need the name and amount.
How do you do taxes? What are they? Student Answers: “Boy! You think I know?” “All I know is that it’s money given to the state.” Correct Answer: You will need your end of year statement from your job and an online or paper tax form.
What is a checking account? Student Answer: “It holds your money? I don’t know. I don’t think about my money stuff that much.” Correct Answer: An account at a bank where checks can be drawn by the check depositor.
Who’s on the ten dollar bill? Student Answer: “Not Andrew Jackson. Not George Washington. Not Abraham Lincoln. Jefferson?” Corrrect Answer: Alexander Hamilton
What’s score?
a
good
credit
Student Answer: “What the heck is a credit score?” Correct Answer: In a range of 300 to 800, a good score is about 700.
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Kayla’s declassified school survival guide How I learned to stay organized with a cluttered mind Kayla Mattox•Reporter
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omething always felt off with the way my brain worked. I struggled to concentrate and pay attention, but it was like my brain would leave and I wouldn’t realize it was gone until I missed 20 minutes of a lecture. My grades were never stellar either, though I wanted them to be desperately. It wasn’t that I didn’t care about school or the classes I was in, I just have a brain that’s hardwired
to make success in school difficult. I felt like there was a disconnect between what kind of a student I wanted to be, and what kind of student my brain would allow me to be. It wasn’t until the summer before junior year that I got an answer to why I felt this way. I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). My doctor, my parents and I carefully weighed my options and came up with the best
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treatment for me: Adderall. People have very strong opinions for and against ADD/ ADHD medications, and I completely understand both sides. For me, Adderall was the best option. That being said, everyone is different and there are tons of other options out there. It all depends on the person. I finally felt like the student I always tried to be, and I was so proud when I got my first report card. It was the first
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3. Make a mental and physical to-do list. Having a plan to tackle the day makes being busy much easier.
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one I was ever proud to show my parents A popular misconception associated with ADD/ADHD medication is that all you have to do is take them and amazing grades will follow. This couldn’t be more wrong. You still have to work hard to achieve the grades you want. Adderall helps me pay attention the way people without ADD can, that’s all. The rest is up to me. I work hard to stay organized and make good grades. In fact, I often have to do more to make sure I stay successful. So, here are some school survival tips from a girl whose brain is hardwired a little differently.
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Hiding behind
numbers
Art by Carson Johnson
My struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Emily Hale•Copy Editor
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aroon with six green triangles, two curved yellow lines, four orange circles 1-2-3-4-5. I trace over the shapes again and again before I feel her staring at me 1-2-34-5. I look up from the geometric rug and I realize that I’ve missed something. “What was the question again?” “When did this all start” My mind flashes back like a movie in rewind 1-2-3-4-5. I see myself age eight, pulling my rug 25 times in between reading chapters of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. 1-2-3-4-5. I pause and then rewind back further. I’m in Kindergarten now and I can’t stop tapping the table an equal amount of times with each hand. 1-2-3-45. There has to be more though, so I arrow back further. I see a three-year-old girl dressed in a pink checkered dress 1-2-3-4-5. She can only step on maroon tiles at the Parks Mall because she is afraid something bad will happen 1-2-3-4-5 if she doesn’t. Like more than three million other Americans, I suffer
from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, commonly known as OCD. I imagine a normal brain as an open circuit. A thought may go from Point A to Point B like a current and end there, and it isn’t that big of a deal, but with OCD, my brain is like a closed circuit. Thoughts go from Point A to Point B and then circulate around on repeat. This may not be as bad as it sounds, until you get what I call a “bad thought.” For example, my grandpa died when I was six, and I thought maybe it was something I did that made him die. I assume most brains would consider this for a second, and then think, “No, he probably died from a brain aneurysm.” However, this thought circulated over and over, like that one persistent fly that follows you around for no apparent reason. This is what we refer to as an obsession. To get rid of these obsessions, people with OCD do compulsions which can range anywhere from having to touch something an equal number of times with each hand to having to scrub your hands so much that they bleed. I loved numbers, so I would count 1-2-3-4-5-1-2-3-4-5-1-2-34-5 over and over to get the thoughts to go away. I didn’t understand until much later what this was. I thought
that every kid had to chew each bite of their food 25 times and recheck their homework five times. As time went on, it became much more apparent that something was different. I worried about this, and the more I worried, the worse it got. My head was a whirlwind of numbers and patterns, taps and noises. I don’t remember exactly how I found out that I had OCD. I just remember how terrified my elementary school self was when I told my mom that I thought I was crazy. It didn’t take the adults too long to figure out that I had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but I was told in no uncertain terms by my parents not to tell anyone. In my silence, I became embarrassed of who and what I was. I didn’t know where OCD stopped and where I began. I was trying to face a monster in the dark with no weapon. Trying to hide OCD without getting help is like trying to keep a dog under your bed without your parents noticing. It just doesn’t work. This behavior, however, is merely a stem of a much larger issue with mental illnesses. There is a stigma surrounding mental illness, like an opaque force field that no one talks about. As if having OCD or depression or any other
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mental condition makes us less human. Kids with diabetes aren’t told to hide that they’re a diabetic. People understand, because it’s something that they’re born with, and it is something that they try to manage. Maybe it is because diabetes is such a tangible issue. We can understand the biology behind it fairly transparently. Issues of the mind, however, vary just as each individual’s’ brain chemistry varies. Regardless of the reason, kids are told not to tell people why they must re-tie their already meticulously tied shoe, or why they can’t seem to understand social cues. By not talking about mental illness, we further the problem and distance ourselves from any sort of impending solution. Thankfully, I’ve grown as a person since sixth grade. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I’ve learned to cope with the waves of panic and whirlwind of thoughts. I’ve become a relatively high functioning member of society. But I’m still hesitant to tell people, and so are many others. Maybe we’re afraid of being ostracized, perhaps some are still working on it, but at any rate, we’re all just trying to cope. And the first step is to talk about it.
opinions
THE
WARRIOR POST Martin High School • Arlington, TX Gabby Benavides Editor-In-Chief Emily Hale & Allison Beatty Copy Editors Haleigh Trevino & Curt Leland News Editors Kamryn LeFan & Elizabeth Prickett Features Editors Nikk Hernandez Sports Editor Dean Kelly Entertainment Editor Gavin McGowan Opinions Editor Zane Stewart Photo Editor Serena Corwin & Kendall Hendrix Design Editors Binh Le & Carson Johnson Staff Artists Tricia Regalado Adviser Marlene Roddy Principal Staffers:
Adalyn Arce, Madeline Barnes, Taylor Barnett, Emma Beard, Sara Blain, Jonathan Blinn, Emily Britt, Brooklin Bruno, Ashley Byrd, Chloe Christenson, Breanna Cochran, Olivia Dague, Maria Deloera, Alyssa Deluna, Caitlin Harwell, Cameron Hayes, Morgan Lloyd, Rayn Martin, Kayla Mattox, Cameron Mayes, Madi McLean, Ashley Odom, Elena Regalado, Marleigh Richey, Erin Rosenbaum, Nicole Salas, Michael Sandoval, Faith Smith, Jason Stephenson, Sofia Viscuso, Emily Wadley, Curtis Warren, Lauryn Warren, Lauren Worth and Josephine Wei
The Warrior Post is the official publication of Martin High School. Opinion columns don’t necessarily represent the opinion of The Warrior Post or of Martin High School.
Privileges have to be earned Students are given lots of privileges here at Martin. We have the ability to eat lunch almost anywhere in the school and, if you’re an upperclassmen, being allowed to leave the campus. However, more often than not you’ll hear complaints about the restrictions we have rather than praise for the permissions we’re given. Restrictions like the courtyard being closed for lunch and the bathrooms being locked after school are just a couple
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of examples that you›ll hear students discussing in the halls. What’s usually overlooked by the student body, though, is that all of these restrictions are in place because of the actions of previous, and to a certain extent, current students. At some point or another the courtyard and bathrooms were open during their respective restricted times. However due to immature or irresponsible actions, they were
closed. They remain closed still because we, as a student body, haven›t proven ourselves to be responsible enough to handle it yet, leaving trash all along the halls and yelling and screaming during lunch or using the bathrooms for unsavory activities after school. Trust has to be earned, and perhaps if we did more to earn the trust of the administration here at Martin, we could earn back these privileges or even gain new ones.
The great divide
AP and Regulars classes need a happy medium
Marleigh Richey • Reporter You’re sitting in your fourth period English class bored out of your mind while your teacher lectures about something you already know about. You tell yourself, “Next year. Next year I’ll take Pre-AP. I’ll push myself, I could use the challenge,” as you begin to doze off. Next year comes around and you’re sitting in your eighth period Pre-AP English class freaking out because the teacher is lecturing and you have know idea what’s going on. Of course, assistant principals and counselors will tell you that having balance is good, that you should be in both Pre-AP and regulars classes. They’ll tell you that in a sense, that is an in between. I was asked, “Would you rath-
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er be making excellent grades in your regulars classes and not challenging yourself, or would you rather fail in a Pre-AP class, challenge yourself and learn more material that will help with preparing you for college?” But if I’m failing, then that’s most likely because I’m not understanding the material that will prepare me for college. Regardless if it’s helping me prepare for college or not, those failing grades also bring down my GPA greatly. There needs to be more of an in-between, whether that in-between is more tutoring opportunities, or teachers in Pre-AP classes going over the material a bit more with those who aren’t seeming to figure it out on their own. Pre-AP classes are meant to help you prepare for college and give you an understanding of how these college classes are going to work, what the workload feels like and how to plan some sort of organization that’s going to work best for you. But what about regulars classes? Regulars students are going
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to college too. They should have an understanding as well. I believe our regulars classes should help prepare our students more for college. This would give the classes more of an in between, more of a balance. Dual credit classes are an option for juniors and seniors, and those classes are sort of considered an in-between because you can take a mix of classes while still getting the college credits. Shouldn’t dual credit or something of the sort also be an option for freshman and sophomores? Regulars classes need to help prepare our students for college classes just like our Pre-AP classes do, and there needs to be some sort of dual credit opportunity for freshman and sophomore students. Perhaps if we make these classes a bit more similar, when a regulars student decides they want to challenge him or herself and take a Pre-AP course, they will understand what is going on and be able to keep up more easily.
Mo’ money less problems How school is skewed toward wealthy Allison Beatty • Copy Editor Martin Warriors cover a wide array of ethnicities, customs and economic backgrounds. We pride ourselves on being a tribe – one that focuses on its shared values while simultaneously embracing our differences. However, that’s not the perception others hold of us. Many students and faculty alike may be aware of the stereotype among other schools that Martin is a school for the rich. I hear this in the hallways, followed by murmurs of dissent, promising that these rumors are untrue and we have so much more diversity than the world tends to see. That’s true. We do have much more diversity than generally thought. However, this stereotype is perpetuated
by almost every aspect of life as a Martin Warrior. We boast a vast expanse of extracurricular activities and clubs to encompass every student and their interests. But a large part of our student body is being hugely underrepresented. There are currently a ridiculously low number of extracurricular activities and clubs that are absolutely free to join. There are may be a couple more that come with only a $5 to $10 membership fee of some sort. Most are above this price bracket – some way above. A majority of the time, getting involved at Martin comes with a price that can be rather hefty, depending on where your interests lie. Even if you decline the expensive extracurricular
activities in favor of pursuing a more affordable interest, you can still be caught off guard by the investment that some classes present. Some art classes generally require students to purchase their own materials and supplies, a good number of science courses require the purchase of special lab notebooks, and even English classes sometimes require students to order specific flashcards or novels to analyze. Many clubs or classes also don’t account for students who have less time than others. Students who need to work after school in order to help pay bills or students who need to take care of younger siblings after school are automatically unable to participate in many things that require inflexible
after-school time. Martin covers a wide financial margin, but those on the lower end of that margin are being unfairly represented. This sort of unfair disadvantage creates a divide among students and perpetuates the very stereotype they dislike hearing about, because the faces representing our most visible organizations are the faces of those who meet a certain specific criteria. The school, and by extension its students and faculty, should take into consideration all of its students, not just the ones who are already involved. Perhaps this means clubs hold more fundraisers to lower the costs of membership, or build in flexibility for students with no free time for themselves. Either way, something needs to change, or we run the risk of excluding a large part of our student body permanently.
The struggle of saving money Money. Something we never quite seem to have enough of. Almost everything costs money. Those expensive shoes online and the cute jeans from Forever21 aren’t going to pay for themselves. Sometimes it gets difficult to decide what’s a necessity and what’s not. For me, money comes from the long and tiring hours I put in at work. When I get my paycheck every week, I’m like a little kid
Alyssa Deluna • Reporter that I might need in the future. Sticking to a budget helps a in a candy store. But in reality, I lot when I need to save. Every have responsibilities like saving paycheck I get, I take $25 and for college, my first car, or even put it in my mom’s safe. This for my first house. way I know I won’t blow all my Although it may be enticing, money right away on clothes I can’t just go out and buy and makeup. whatever I want considering I spend a lot of money I’m a teenage girl who wants the on things I want but don’t whole world. necessarily need, like buying I have to limit myself and clothes for my dogs or drinks spend money on things I need from the vending machines. rather than want. While it may not sound like It’s challenging when I have much, it really adds up. to turn down going to the art If I resist the temptation to museum with my best friend buy drinks from the vending because I simply cannot afford machine every day, I could potentially have saved $720 this it. On the bright side, I will be school year. If I reluctantly able to save up for other things stop buying those addicting
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drinks, and even those cute doggy clothes, then I could actually buy something worth saving for. Saving is hard. It takes real self control. I’ve learned that having any sum of money comes with responsibility. I have to focus on saving and not blowing it all on the first thing I see. I’m still learning how to handle temptation; however, this will take lots of practice. We all have to start somewhere. Instead of shopping for fun, make a list of the things you need, only go to the store for those specific items. Resist those mean little temptations, those voices nagging you to buy those unneeded items.
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Ready for the future?
Students need to be taught what prepares them for their future careers
Emily Britt•Reporter In today’s age, the educational system has stopped concentrating on creating students who are ready to take on their futures, and instead has become focused on standardized tests and how much they can make per student. Yes, I know that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of
the cell and I have the Pythagorean Theorem carved into my brain. But I still don’t know how to file taxes, balance a checkbook, or simply how to change a tire. A German experiment showed that on average, high schoolers forget 95 percent of learned information in three days. I can have the lyrics to the new song from my favorite band learned by heart after listening to it three times, but place a new set of vocabulary words in front of me and I probably would not have them memorized for another two weeks. This is because students remember information they want to remember, not what
teachers try to drive into their minds. School is necessary. It is extremely worthwhile and has the potential to prepare students for their futures, but there are things schools can do to encourage kids to truly learn the information placed in front of them. Schools need to put a better focus on teaching what the students want to do when they are older. Core curriculum should still be taught, but there should be a lighter load on those classes and more focus on what the students want to do as a career. This would give students more opportunities to exper-
iment with different career choices instead of stressing out about the calculus homework or physics test. Test scores would improve, the school day would be more pleasant, and students would be excited to learn. If you think classes that teach how to handle your finances or how we need to protect our environment should be mandatory, then speak up. Talk to your counselor. Speak at a school board meeting. We are high school and we are the future and we should be able to influence what we are taught, not just rely on a group of board members focused on how to make money.
Spoiler alert Stop flooding social media with pictures of their lavish gifts Sara Blain • Reporter On Christmas holidays, for some it’s all about getting wonderful presents from parents, but within every situation, there are exceptions. Christmas can and should be a wonderful time for us, but for some people this time of the year can be stressful and difficult. All around social media, television, billboards, and advertisements, we promote the vision of the perfect family enjoying the
festivities, but sometimes they go a little overboard with the “perfect family Christmas” idea. The appeals of these commercials can even go as far as making families who don’t share the same ideas and beliefs of Christmas think they’re some type of weird or unfit family. Nowadays the new generation wants to portray themselves as having a “cookie cutter” family which may be true, but for those who don’t have an ideal family life, this is less fitting. Think back to when there wasn’t social media around for people to post the presents they received, or when posting a picture of your huge family gathering wasn’t even a choice. Numbers of people nowadays are sharing the enormous
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presents they receive and making it seem as though they’re bragging on their elaborate lifestyle. While most people are receiving smaller, more meaningful gifts that seem great, this is sometimes soured when you check your Instagram and see people who are getting luxury cars and flat-screen TVs. Looking how others celebrate is routine in this generation, and it’s fun to see how your friends enjoy their holidays. But when you get that picture on your feed of a teenage with thousands of dollars in presents, your mood turns sour. What used to be a nice time to gather around with family now turns into looking through a lens to see what other kids are
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receiving and how much better their holidays seem. We as teens should filter what we post in general during the whole year. No one is naive enough to think we won’t post about everything that makes us happy during the span of a year, but even the least bit of consideration over what we put on social media during the year could make someone else’s holiday better, instead of spoiled by jealousy. So next time you have the overwhelming urge to post a picture of your luxurious gifts, think about how those that received less would feel about it. And if you are the one to see these posts, just put down the phone for the holidays or stay off social media.
Growing up with a single parent Steering away from misconceptions and preconceived ideas
Michael Sandoval • Reporter Today a large and growing number of American children are living in households headed by one parent. The new normal for some of these kids has become getting bounced around from relatives’ homes to anyone else’s house their mother is comfortable leaving them at until they get off work. I can say this with assurance because I’ve experienced growing up with a single parent firsthand, yet I appreciate the situation I was born into more than anything else in life. Being raised by one parent can be rough for a child, especially when a parent not being around isn’t something they chose, but something that’s a product of life’s happenings. Yet it isn’t the end-all, be-all life scenario many people believe it to be. For a period of time, expressing to others that I only had one parent around usually caused them to tell me how bad they felt for me. Everyone always pitied me instead of trying to comprehend what I truly feel and go through. Although we cannot
allow the staggering number of 12 million single parent homes in the United States to become the new norm, we also can’t feel the need to pity the kids who grow up in these situations. Instead, we should allow them to express themselves. It’s human nature to look for a solution to a problem and in this case I do agree that the number of single parent households isn’t something we should be comfortable with. The kids who endure these excruciating situations aren’t looking to be saved in any way shape or form. Making kids who are missing an important person in life feel like they are some type of unorthodox problem that needs solving isn’t the solution. We as humans should focus on learning from each others’ situations, not highlighting our indifferences for others. When I first began to play sports, no one was around during the day to throw the ball with and one of my neighbors quickly took notice. Several throws later, the conversation with my neighbor was centered on how my father should be throwing with me, not on why I was practicing alone on the first place. Before even learning to throw a ball correctly, I learned that what I needed wasn’t to be questioned, but at times to just be accepted. As a teenager who spends all day alone until his only parent comes home, feeling empty and frustrated is quite common and even builds a sense of normalcy. At a young age I became accustomed to being alone and
at times even feeling out of place when people were around for long periods of time. Except most people think that, and only that, comes from growing up with a single parent. They fail to comprehend all the good not having someone around does for a teenager juggling the ups and downs of life. I strongly believe learning to live without someone who’s supposed to be around gives us an edge as leaders in the sense that there’s never any dependency on anyone else. There’s so much in life that can’t be controlled regardless of tears or frustration, but appre-
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ciating those who take care of us and put clothes on our back defines our personalities and character. In a generation where items go out of style more quickly than they even come into existence, we sometimes tend to forget our roots and our struggles and grow apart from them over time. Although some of us have adopted the idea that time is the essential need for growth, we can’t allow ourselves to only appreciate certain situations life throws at us after the fact or over time, but find ways to live in the moment and embrace each and every struggle.
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No body like me
Senior Andrea Serralta shares her love of an unorthodox sport: bodybuilding Elizabeth Prickett • Features Editor
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he streets are silent, streetlights buzzing in the relative darkness. She jumps in the car and, through sheer willpower, makes it to the gym. She starts off with an hour of cardio, then weights for an hour. She watches herself in the mirror and sees the progress she is making. This is why she started bodybuilding: the progress, the control. Senior Andrea Serralta started bodybuilding her junior year to cope with stress. “I was always into fitness and bodybuilding really changed my life,” Serralta said. Serralta goes to the gym every day before and after school. After a while, however, weight wasn't the only thing she was losing. As she started to dedicate herself to building up muscle, she started losing friends. “It’s kinda like a lifestyle and when you start changing, so do the people around you, ” Serralta said. “Since I spent so much time at the gym, I started making friends at the gym and they started understanding why I was eating all these things and they could teach me more things, so I just ended up being friends with them.” Every week, Serralta spends hours working out and meal prepping, making sure she stays on track by breaking everything down and staying motivated. “I eat seven meals a day,” Serralta said. “I measure everything by macronutrients, which are proteins, fats, carbs and sugars. Everything I consume, I think of it in macronutrients instead
of bad or good food. If I don’t prep, I don’t eat. ” Serralta also participated in bodybuilding competitions in Texas, the last one being the Europa Dallas competition where she placed second in her section – an impressive feat for her age group. “It takes a certain mindset to compete,” Serralta said. “I’m on a break right now just because of how tedious it is, but I’m putting on weight for the next competition this coming year.” Serralta said she plans on going pro with her bodybuilding and going into her own practice after high school. “In the long run, I want to open up my own business or create my own product along these bodybuilding lines so that I can sell to the platform I’m creating,” Serralta said. Serralta is not new to the social media platform with her active Instagram and YouTube accounts chock-full of her recent gym visits and progress. She is also not new to the responses her posts elicit from her followers and other unsavory characters. “I’ve gotten some negative comments on media about how girls should look and things like that, but you just gotta look past it because everyone has an opinion and not everyone’s gonna think the same,” Serralta said. Serralta said her parents support her in her bodybuilding and the way it has impacted her life. “We saw bodybuilding as a
good way for her to focus energy in a positive way,” Rafael Serralta, Andrea’s father said. However, at first her bodybuilding raised a few flags. “At first we were curious as to why that sport and general parental concerns surrounding it,” Serralta’s father said. “But once she demonstrated her commitment, it made the transition easier.” After years of bodybuilding, Serralta is as strong as ever. “Andrea is a tenacious individual and once she puts her mind to something she will follow through,” Serralta’s father said.
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Competition week diet: •1 cup of egg whites with 1 egg and spinach •3 gallons of water •White fish proteins •99 percent lean turkey with spinach Day of Competition •No water •Lots of white fish •Dry rice cakes •Sweet potatoes •Lots of carbs
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For the love of the game Seniors on varsity baseball and basketball talk about playing sports their whole lives Faith Smith & Caitlin Harwell• Reporters How long have you played baseball/basketball? Maddux Miller: “I have been playing baseball for 12 years.” Tristan Lutz: “I have been playing baseball since I was seven years old.” Spencer Sackett: “I have been playing baseball for 13 years.” Deaven Stovall: “I’ve been playing basketball since freshman year.” Seth Harwell: “I’ve been playing since I was six.” Kenneth Waller: “I’ve been playing baseball since I was six.” Cade Marriot: “I have been playing basketball seriously since 8th grade.” ••• How long did it take you to build up pitching speed? Miller: “I’m still building up my speed. It’s improving.” Lutz: “My current speed from the outfield is 95 mph, but I would still like to build it up.” Sackett: “It took me until I was a freshman.” Waller: “It’s not where I want it to be yet, but right now I throw about 88.” ••• Did it take a lot of time outside of your regular practice to perfect it? Miller: “Yeah it did, just working out and throwing with my dad.” Lutz: “Yes, I practice all the time.” Sackett: “Oh yes, about
three times a week and on weekends. I was always out there playing ball.” Harwell: “I go to the gym at least three times a week.” Waller: “Every day.” Marriot: “I’ve probably put in more time training or shooting around outside of school more than I have ever practiced. ••• How do you feel like you could improve? Miller: “Mentally learning from mistakes – mine and other people’s – and physically getting my body in the best shape possible.” Sackett: “Oh definitely, there is always room for improvement no matter how good you are.” Harwell: “Of course, I need to take more shots when I get the chance.” Marriot: “Yes, in a lot of areas. I think you can always improve.” ••• What was your biggest struggle? Miller: “My biggest struggle is dealing with injuries.” Sackett: “Being compatible with the whole team and having team chemistry.” Stovall: “My biggest struggle has always been dribbling, but I’ve been working on it and it’s gotten better.” Marriot: “My biggest struggle on the court is not letting other things get into my head and staying level headed and focused.”
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Photo courtesy of Caitlin Harwell
••• What was the easiest thing that came to you naturally? Sackett: “Hitting in baseball. It’s what you do everyday and you can do it anywhere.” Stovall: “I guess the physical part of basketball, the bumping and being tough, that’s the easiest thing so far.”
Waller: “I’m left handed and people want left-handed pitchers.” Marriot: “Honestly, nothing came easy and I used to be horrible but if anything, I guess rebounding and stuff that tall people do.”
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1. Senior Seth Harwell 2. Senior Cade Marriot 3. Senior Deaven Stovall Photos by Athen Smith
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The costs of being a musician Cameron Hayes • Reporter
Almost everyone in the world listens to music, but some people don’t realize the cost of making music. Here’s a diagram of the expenses of being a musician in today’s standards.
#4: Cables/Hardware: Now that the main rig is set up, every single item has to receive power. These usually aren’t too expensive unless you have an abundance of pedals. Cost: Anywhere from $50 to $250
#5: Studio Costs: Okay, you have everything paid for, and your rig is working. Now, go to the studio to record your own music. The catch is, unless you build your own recording studio, no studio is going to let you record for free. Cost: Anywhere from $20+ per hour.
#2: Amplifier: Yes, your guitar is the most important thing in your rig, but without your amp, there is no sound. No two amps sound alike either, with all of the different wiring and components used. Choose wisely. Cost: Anywhere from $50 to $7,500
#1: Guitar/Bass: This is the number-1 most important thing on your entire setup, AKA your rig. Your guitar (and cost) ultimately decides what your sound is, and with so many options of model, make, and cost, you can go a lot of different routes. Cost: Anywhere from $100 to $5,000
My rig: ESP LTD Viper-401 guitar: $700 #3: Pedals: Pedals are a guitarist’s best friend. These can make your guitar go from really soft and pop-sounding to really heavy and metal in one push of a button. If you want to add any sort of “extra” to your sound, pedals are a must. Cost: Anywhere from $250 to $3,000, depending on how many you have.
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Peavey Vypyr VIP-1 20 Watt Guitar Combo amp - $250 Peavey Sanpera I Vypyr Foot Controller - $200 Cables: $50
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Studio Costs: $20+ Per Hour
Money ball
The costs being an athlete are not all fun and games Nikk Hernandez • Sports Editor & Curtis Warren • Reporter
Football players like junior Brayden Willis at Martin are privileged to wear such nice uniforms. Varsity players don’t typically pay for things, but a lot of it is because of the sponorship Under Armour paying for the uniforms. With the helmet, shoulder pads, jersey, pants, socks, and cleats; the total comes to roughly $730. Photo by Cora Mize
Being a select baseball player can cut in your pockets pretty deeply. Sophomore Nathan Lange spent over $360 just to play for the Arlington A’s. This price included cleats, a bat, a helmet, two pants, two jerseys and a hat. Photo by Erin Rosenbaum
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sports
School of rock
Martin students build up their music careers Breanna Cochran •Reporter
Hearts on Fire
Big Red Ants
Hearts on fire came together as a couple of music enthusiasts and just decided to put all their talent together. They all have their own musical background including junior Marissa “Rose” Havener, who is the Hearts on Fire vocalist and is also in choir. The other members of Hearts on Fire include guitarist, Christian Life Prep freshman, Davis Dodds, who picked up the guitar during his childhood and the drummer, Arlington Heights sophomore, Ben Phillips, who has been playing the drums for five years now. Havener said that the band members wanted to make music that everyone could enjoy and settled for a soft rock and the occasional hard rock. Their music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play.
Big Red Ants started with two seventh graders who held a strong passion for music and grew from there. Four talented teenagers now make up the alternative rock band, three being current Martin Warriors and a UTA student. Junior Ayden Trammel and senior Nathan Walters show their love for music through the guitar, while Walters also covers vocals, senior Angus Rochen plays the drums. Walters said that music means everything to them and they feel like sending out their messages through music is stronger than words. Although it might be hard to balance everything out while being students, they all seem to make things work by coming together to produce amazing work. Their music can be found on iTunes, Apple Music and Spotify.
Scan the QR code to check out Hearts of Fire
Big Red Ants members, including seniors Angus Rochen and Nathan Walters
Scan the QR code to check out Big Red Ants
No longer a hidden talent
Junior Nick Hight expresses himself through rapping Morgan Lloyd •Reporter
Junior Nick Hight has been rapping and freestyling since 2015. Hight uploads his music to Soundcloud and has had big hits on it. “It first started off as me and my buddies just doing it in the car, but I never knew this many people would know about it,” Hight said. Some people have stopped him in stores asking him if he is the one who raps and asks for a picture with him. Hight said he never thought that he would become so successful in such a little way. All of
his music is on Soundcloud.com as “Greasy Squad Inc.” “Rapping and making music is something me and my friends had done,” Hight said. “It’s something fun to do and I think it’s an interesting way to express myself.” Pursuing rapping as a career involves many highs and lows, just like many other jobs. Starting something like rapping at such a young age becomes a hobby at first until you realize people enjoy what you have made. “It depends on how big I get, then I may pursue it,” Hight said.
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Often times parents’ opinions matter to teenagers, but we don’t always want to listen to what they have to say about something we like to do. “My parents support the talent,” Hight said, “But they don’t support how I use it.” Hight’s best friend, junior Drew Sequera, brings so much support and positivity to Hight’s rapping. “I think it’s mostly impressive when he raps about things in the moment,” Sequera said. “On the spot Nick can rap about absolutely anything around him and make things up in a matter of seconds.”
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SOME GOOD COMBINATIONS:
Make your own coffee Make high-quality coffee for under $100
Chemex + Starbucks or World Market coffee dark roast + Pour over kettle (to evenly saturate the grounds)
Dean Kelly • Entertainment Editor & Gavin McGowan •Opinions Editor We all love coffee, and with our busy student schedules, we usually need it to function. With the holidays just around the corner, it’s about time to show you how to step up your game. You can make fresh and full coffee that isn’t spat out of a rusty metal box; with flavor rivalling that of any coffee shop you visit, all in the comfort of your own home.
Moka Pot + Lavazza (comes pre-ground to perfect grind size for moka pots) + Milk frothing wand
COFFEE ACCESSORIES: $12.99 and up Grinder (used to grind whole beans)
French Press + either World Market or Starbucks dark roasts + Grinder (grind size should be course)
$34.99 and up Pour over kettle (used to heat water and pour it much more evenly)
Aeropress + Milk Frother
Toddy Cold Brew + World Market or Starbucks medium roast + Milk Frother
RECOMMENDED COFFEE:
$$
Toddy Cold Brew
$
The same flavor you know and love, at home!
A fair priced source for imported, high quality coffee
A cheap, good tasting brand you can find in grocery stores
$29.95 Air pressure allows for shorter steep time, leading to a well-balanced and full cup that can be made in a very short period of time.
$59.99 A simple, handheld machine that makes a single shot of rich, creamy espresso in seconds. It is manual, so it requires no batteries and can be taken anywhere.
$14.74 Relies on air pressure and steam to brew, making for an intense, full-bodied cup of coffee, but requires the use of your home stove.
Aeropress Starter kit
MiniPresso
$57.90 Simple, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to pick up. This beginner kit filters out oils that make the cup bitter, providing better overall taste. Can make up to six cups at a time.
Minipresso + any finely ground (espresso) coffee + Milk Frother
$6.99 and up Milk frothing wand (used to froth/foam milk for home lattes and frappuccinos)
$$$
Chemex Starter Kit
Moka Pot
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$27.96-$39.99 The original cold brewer and one of the first of its kind, it takes usually 12-13 hours to steep, but provides a smooth and sweet iced coffee.
French Press
$12.99 A classic, the French Press gives good control over steeping time and produces a heavy cup, bringing out a higher caffeine content than other brewers.
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DIY holidays
How to make holiday gifts on a budget Story and photos by Nicole Salas •Reporter
Being a broke teenager with the holidays coming up quickly, the pressure to have a gift worth giving starts creeping closer. No need to worry. The following DIYs satisfy both your budget and time constraints. Hot Cocoa Kit supplies: Hot glue gun/super glue Mason Jar decor kit- $1 Mason jar- $1 Mini Marshmallows pack$1.45 Cocoa mix- $4 Total Cost: $7 (without glue) Source- Dollar General
How to: 1. Glue decoration to mason jar 2. Pour thin layer of marshmallows 3. Add cocoa mix 4. Fill the rest of the jar with marshmallows. (Be generous with them!) Total DIY time: 10 min Festive Igloo supplies: Hot glue gun/super glue Mason jar- $1 Tree- $1 Loose glitter- $2 Total Cost: $4 (without glue) Source- Dollar General
Goody Bucket supplies: Hot glue gun/super glue Bucket- $3.50 Mason jar decor- $1 Fuzzy socks- $3 Candy canes- $1 Hershey cane- $1 Kit Kats- $1 Misc. decor- $1 Total Cost: $11.50 (without glue) Source- Dollar General
How to: 1. Glue item of choice (tree) to the inside of lid. 2. Pour in loose glitter and water to the brim of jar. 3. Screw in lid with the item (tree) carefully. Total DIY time: 5 min
How to: 1. Glue decorations to bucket. 2. Stuff goodies into bucket. 3. Arrange goodies in festive fashion. Total DIY time: 12 min
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The music of Martin Guilty pleasure music
Adalyn Arce & Elena Regalado • Reporters
Carson Johnson • Staff Artist
Each song tells a story, whether it’s about a tragic romance, or one of a night spent partying at some crazy rager. Behind the beat, vocals, and melody, there’s a unique story that’s told differently for everyone who presses the “play” button. All music is different, and the surprising reasons for why people listen to their music prove otherwise. Whatever the reason, these songs aren’t just words and music, they’re a story.
Music is a form of expression, not something to be ashamed of. Remember that a lot of these traditionally “cheesy” and “overplayed” songs became well-known for a reason, meaning you definitely aren’t the only one out there who’s enjoying it.
“I like 50’s music, the older stuff, like Sam Cooke and Ray Charles,” senior Josh Goodman said. His top-played on Spotify are: “The Weight” by The Band “The Less I Know the Better” by Tame Impala “Jackie Wants a Black Eye” by Dr. Dog “Hard Times” by Ray Charles “I Love You, Honeybear” by Father John Misty
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“I am considering naming my first child Ophelia,” junior Allena Avery said about her most played song. Her top played on Apple Music are: “Ophelia” by The Lumineers “Drive” by Oh Wonder “Let Her Go” by Passenger “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers “You and Me” by You + Me
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“It’s good music. I understand it because some is German,” said junior German exchange student Alexander Herzog. His top played on Spotify are: “Wir sind groB” by Mark Forster “80 Millionen” by Max Giesinger “Geiles Leben” by Glasperlenspiel “Astronaut” by Sido “My Way” by Calvin Harris
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“I really like country music
because it feels really homey and I relate to it more than regular pop,” freshman, Bella Thatcher said. Her top-played on Spotify are: “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band “Lion King Mashup” by Jason Derulo “Back to Basics” by The Barden Bellas (from Pitch Perfect 2) “Colors of the Wind” by Tori Kelly “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood
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“I like these songs because whether they’re happy or motivational, they’re relatable,” teacher Melanie Mize said. Her top played on Apple Music are: “Do You Right” by 311 “Float On” by Modest Mouse “Ride” by Twenty One Pilots “Wish You Were Here” by Incubus “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
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Senior Cristina Vega: “Let Me Love You” by Ariana Grande “It’s different from what people I know usually listen to.”
Senior Sara Yoon “Fabulous” by Ashley Tisdale (ft. Lucas Grabeel) “I know it word for word. It’s so sassy.”
Junior Matt Kelsch: “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves “It’s catchy and uplifting.”
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Sophomore Jazzy Hatcher “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman “I like how Newman’s voice sounds and how well it goes with the Toy Story theme. It’s cute.”
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“I’m a very outdoorsy person, and that’s what my most played song is about,” senior Ashley Myers said. Her top played on Spotify are: “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Everyday” by Luke Bryan “Let Me Love You” by DJ Snake “Toothbrush” by DNOB “Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots “This Girl” by Kungs & Cookin’ on 3 Burners
Senior Spencer White “The Final Countdown” by Europe “It’s just old-school pop. It’s a jam.”
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History Teacher Jeff Beck: “Every Rose has its Thorn” by Poison “It’s a song that’s obviously trying to be really deep. It desperately wants to be taken seriously, but it’s so cheesy in the most amusing way.”
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Dual Credit English Teacher Gail Young: “Rainy Days and Mondays” by the Carpenters “It has a wonderful melody, and the melody and lyrics are exactly right for each other. It has the right tempo and it’s soft, which replicates what the lyrics are about, but a lot of people think the Carpenters are sappy or too sentimental.”
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Science teacher Brian Crawford: “Space Age Love Song” by Flock of Seagulls “It’s catchy, I guess.”
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Sophomore Suzanne Hayes: “Fergalicious” by Fergie “It’s my happy song.”
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Senior Kandi Kenrick: “Dat $tick” by Rich Chigga “It’s so funny and he is actually not bad at rapping.”
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Senior Julie Le: “Buttons” by The Pussycat Dolls “It’s a guilty pleasure song.” Why not hear a few for yourself?
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Senior Shazib Haseen: “Pokémon Theme” by John Siegler and John Loeffler (performed by Jason Paige) “It’s inspirational.”
http://tinyurl.com/ WarpoMusic
The 10 days of Christmas
Ten activities to fill your heart with Christmas spirit Emma Beard & Chloe Christenson • Reporters
The Nutcracker A traditional holiday ballet held at Bass Hall. $70 and up per person.
Ice at the Gaylord Ice statues and slides and gift shops. $30 per person
Go meet Santa At your local mall. Costs may vary
Holiday in the Park Enjoy Six Flags fun with hot chocolate. About $60 per person.
Prairie Lights Light show in Grand Prairie. Drive around with family and friends. About $35 a car.
North Pole Express Ride a train in your PJs for $25 per person. Palestine Station in Palestine Texas.
Galleria Ice Skating Center Ice skate with friends at the Galleria in Dallas. $11 per person.
Dallas Arboretum Christmas lights and plants decorate the arboretum and botanical garden
Volunteer at the Seniors home with Key Club Every other Wednesday until the end of the 2016 year. From 3:30 to 4:30.
Mission Arlington Volunteer work free. Go to the front office and they will give you a job to do.
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