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@valleyventana
English classes shake up after leadership shift By Preston Davis
Student teachers benefit instructors, class throughout campus curriculum By Kolby Barber & Hailey Whittaker They grade tests, homework and quizzes. They teach, take attendance and assist in daily lessons. And they receive no financial payment for their time and labor: These are student teachers. A student teacher is an assigned assistant to an official teacher to gain field experience and motivation for desired careers as educators. This gains them as much field experience as possible while under the direction of an experi-
enced superior, while their assistance appreciated as it lessens the workload of the official educator. However, students misinterpret that student teachers are not substitutes or classroom helpers. They are, in fact, teachers for that class. Coach Douglas Ulbricht, geometry teacher and football coach, said Robert Monroe, his student teacher and assistant, helped him immensely with tutoring and teaching. “It is definitely benefiting me,” Ulbricht said. “He comes to the classroom in the morning and afternoon for tutorials. So, it isn’t only
Raise the Roost By Valeria Kubalka
When it comes to turkey feathers, math teacher Richard Rathburn rules the roost. Rathburn’s math classes collected $1,887 out of more than $3,500 raised in November to help those in need in the school community. The annual Family and Community Services fund-raiser encouraged students and teachers alike to donate money to help pay for food, clothing and necessities for needy families during the holiday season. The money also is used to help thank custodial and cafeteria workers for their efforts during the
school year. “I love giving the students at SV the opportunity to give from their hearts,” FACS sponsor Lori Niles said. “In the past three years, students have come through in their giving. I think giving and serving can be a life changing experience, and I love being a part of changing lives. To reward his classes, Rathburn gave four of them a pizza party. “The classes were so excited!” he said. “They were very proud of what they had accomplished. It feels great to win! It was truly amazing to see the kids respond so overwhelmingly to help others.”
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benefiting me, but it’s also benefiting the kids too.” While Monroe teaches five class periods a day, he seems to be not only teach the students but also the teacher. “The different things that he has brought in and taught the students are things I really need to remember for next year’s class.” Ulbricht said. However, unlike Ulbricht and other teachers, he does not receive any payment for his teaching. To support himself financially, Monroe is employed elsewhere and
“Student Teacher” continued on Page 4
“English” continued on Page 2
Pre-Cal class raises half of FACS charity funds
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Frosted Facades: Putting the finishing touches on her masterpiece, junior Shelby Machado works on her castle inspired gingerbread house during a Dec. 6 assignment in the culinary arts lab. Photo by Emily Etter
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Bake, Make, Eat: Culinary students made gingerbread house like this one Dec. 6. The houses ranged in skill in the making and baking process, but all allowed for students to creatively outlet their inner pastry chef. Photo by Kolby Barber
When juniors heard rumors of an announcement in English III in early October, they expected a pop quiz, maybe a test. The possibility of a new English teacher was furthest from their mind. “I thought she would’ve waited to the end of the year at least,” junior Sam Austin said. Ronessa McDonald, Advanced Placement English teacher and department chair, left her work at the school for a new job at central office where she will oversee English Language Arts instruction across the district. Taking McDonald’s place will be English IV teacher Kristen Watkins, who expressed excitement over her new position and her ambitions for the AP class. “My hopes are that they are obviously successful on the AP test in May, but, pass or fail, I hope they gain helpful skills that they might not have had if they had chosen to take one of the other courses,” Watkins said. Although McDonald’s departure was very rapid, leaving little time for goodbyes, she said she had many memorable moments in her 12 years as a teacher. Some of these moments included the days she spent fighting cancer and trying to maintain order in a class full of juniors. “I remember the first time I came back to school after my cancer diagnosis,” McDonald said. “I decided not to wear my wig one day. This was the year I had been gone for six months, I came back, and I was teaching my students, and I was bald! So there I am, in this class full of eleventh graders, and to break the ice a little bit, I said to my class, ‘Well, I forgot my wig today,’ even though it was very obvious I didn’t forget. One girl in the back said, ‘Yeah but you look beautiful,’ and it was really touching.” McDonald assured students that she would be on site advising Watkins and providing advice on her old curriculum plan. “Really it’s no different from every year when students graduate; it’s just me who’s sort of graduating,” McDonald said. “Yes, I’ll miss students, but I’m not going very far. I’ll still be on campus. I still want to come back and do the AP reviews and that sort of thing, but, yes, I’ll absolutely miss my students.”
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“Death” continued on Page 2
Culinary arts students design individual gingerbread houses
Social, Much?
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Two seconds and two punches were all it took to send Logan Davidson, a 15-year-old Canyon High School sophomore, to the emergency room with fatal injuries. On Nov. 12, about 9:27 a.m., a juvenile suspect allegedly assaulted Davidson in the hallway at Canyon. The alleged perpetrator waited for Davidson outside his classroom as school video cameras proved. According to a Nov. 12 New Braunfels Police Report, Davidson, unconscious and bleeding from the face, was treated by EMS personnel at the scene and airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio. He died Nov. 13 from his injuries. The 15-year-old suspect was detained on the spot and later charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. Because of the ongoing juvenile criminal investigation by the New Braunfels Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit, the suspect’s name has not been released. Police report said that they have no idea why Davidson was attacked. Many people in New Braunfels paid their respects by tying ribbons to trees around the Canyon campus, New Braunfels and San Marcos and attending a Nov. 14 candlelight vigil at the Canyon courtyard and the Nov. 19 funeral where more than 1,000 people attended, or about 35 percent of the Canyon student body. At the high school, students, counselors and athletes paid their respects as well. Before the football team’s Nov. 15 game against the Johnson Jaguars in San Marcos, a long silence was held by students and staff. Simultaneously, a moment of silence was held at Canyon’s game against Reagan High School. Counselors from the high school were deployed to Canyon the days after the event to console and comfort students affected by the tragedy. “It was a heart wrenching scene,” counselor Amanda Pedroza said. “The first day I went, there was a prayer circle. I was really touched by that.” Counselor Marcia Murphy said that she was determined to help, but “didn’t know what to
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From Staff Reports
ALLEY ENTANA a r g u S ‘n e c Spi
ri v e
Canyon death draws focus
Girls Dribble Past Competition
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THE
Volume 37 /// Issue 4 /// December
de c G ivi n g
NHS Toy Drive:
Big Bird: During a lecture on trig functions, pre-calculus teacher Richard Rathburn (right) instructs his students underneath the watchful eye of their Turkey Feather count. Each feather represents a dollar. Photo by Cole Eldridge
Turkey Talk: $1,887
- rates as low as $30 - great for businesses - support your school
raised by Rathburn’s math classes
+$3,500
raised by the high school
football falls to johnson Page 6
National Honor Society has teamed up with the Spring Branch Bulverde Lions Club. Unwrapped, new toys and canned food items are needed. Service hours are available for NHS and other community service-seeking students. One toy around $10 in value can receive one service hour in return. Five canned items can be received for one service hour. See Debbie Shewbridge in room A204 to turn in your gifts for service hours, the front office if not.
FACS Angel Tree:
Family and Community Services (FACS) is ongoing in their annual Angel Tree chairty event. Classes, groups and individuals ‘adopted’ an Angel, an area child from Kintergarden to senior years, and purchased gifts, food and other Christmas necessities.
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NEWS
@VALLEYVENTANA
Briefly \\\
Band competes for All-District, All-Region seats
Three students, Devyn Richter, Natalie Morales and Andy Thomas, qualified to compete for the area band in January. All-District Band: Carley O’Sullivan Sarah Harrell Courtney Hinojos Jessica Miller Riley O’Sullivan Ellen Perkins Tatyana Prieto Amanda Waclawczyk Taylor Harrell Wade Axell Josh Nelson-Ferguson Derek Fang Danielle Morales All-Region Band Students: Devyn Richter Austin Chung Sara East Natalie Morales Andy Thomas Ashley Gorden Corby Munsell Devon Curtis William Shaffer
Class creates custom wreaths
The floral design classes began crafting with plastic bags and wire hangers to make a free holiday wreath. They first created the frame of the wreath by bending the wired hanger into a circle. Next they continuously cut the plastic bags and tied them onto the circle until they are satisfied. For this project the students needed lots of bags. They appreciated if anyone could donate any spare plastic bags.
NHS, Lions Club host Toy Drive
National Honor Society partnered with the Bulverde/Spring Branch Lions Club to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys for St. Jude’s Children’s Ranch. In addition to bringing in toys, donors also are encouraged to bring in canned goods. Service hours can be earned for donations until Dec. 17. Donations can be delivered to the front office, or Room A204.
FFA Teams Advance to Area
The SVFFA LDE Teams competed at the Nov. 12 Guadalupe Valley District Competition. The following teams advanced to the Nov. 20 Area VII competition. Radio Broadcasting - First Place Kyler Patton Trevor Perkins Shaye Weber Senior Creed Speaking - First Place Kirsten Crutcher Senior Skills First Place Kirsten Crutcher Kyler Patton Parker Smith Greenhand Skills Second Place Devin Bell Kaleigh Lawson Ali Schroeder Senior Quiz - Second Place Megan Granger Cameron Kissling Megan Michalec Jordi Young Senior Conducting - Second Place Rachel Broederick Megan Eckhardt Shelbie Hampton Joe Mays Reva Onderdonk Karigon Rion Trevor Perkins
men at arms School honors active duty military, veterans at annual ceremony
Home of the Brave:
Sophomore Baylee Reed sings the National Anthem during the Veterans Day assemblyNov. 11 at Ranger Stadium. The entire stadium went silent as she sang. “It was scary at first,” Reed said. “But once I started singing, everything was OK.” Photo by Robert Evans
Student Body Salute: Chief Petty Officer Daniel Hansen stands in front of the audience, calling off branches of the military to stand for recognition. He stood in front of the entire stadium while students honored those in the military service. Photo by Robert Evans Brothers in Arms: Sophomore Alexus Alberts holds her mother while remembering her brother. Her mother held a photo of the brother, a Marine who was killed in action by an explosion. “Usually it’s not that hard on Veterans Day,” Alberts said. “Like, I have to help my mom get though it. But I have no idea why it was so hard (this year).” Photo by Emilly Etter
Setting the Scene: Senior Saw-
yer Marshall sets the Veterans Day table with symbolic items to show that the fallen will not be forgotten. “It really shows how some people feel about Veterans Day,” freshman Eric Burrell said. Photo by Emilly Etter
Sway with Me: The Silver Spur officers dance to honor those who served in military forces. They danced to a mix that included phone calls to soldiers from their families. “It was a humbling experience, and we were honored to be a part of such a meaningful day,” junior Hannah Simmons said. Photo by Emilly Etter
From Germany, with Love New German teacher has taught abroad, statewide throughout language profession By Keagan Miller
Red, White and Blue: (From left) Monica Tapia, Samantha
Frank, Viviane Coronado and Molly Beaufait display the stars-andstripes at their Nov. 23 drill meet. Photo from Comal ISD Communications
Junior ROTC unit qualifies for area championships From Comal ISD The Smithson Valley Navy JROTC Unit competed on Nov. 23 at the Seguin Drill Meet and qualified for the Area State Championships. By placing second out of all the Navy JROTC schools present, the JROTC team has earned a bid to compete for the state championships to be held at Texas A&M University-College Station in February. Competing in several areas, the battalion, led
by cadets Walker Hobson, Sawyer Marshall, Molly Beaufait and Samantha Frank, placed second in Academics, second in Physical Fitness and third in Color Guard. The SVHS NJROTC Unit has qualified for state 18 out of the past 20 years. “The cadets have been working hard since this past summer, so it’s great to see their hard work pay off,” said Chief Petty Officer Daniel Hansen, SVHS NJROTC Naval Science instructor.
“Death” from Page 1
Profile Picture: Logan Davidson’s profile picture on Facebook has been used in publications ranging from CBS News, the Daily Mail UK and the San Antonio-Espress News. Social media played a large role in spreading the news of Davidson’s condition and eventual death on sites such as Instagram. However, it also spread confusion about the situation.
expect” in measuring Canyon students’ grief. “They were really concerned about the families of the boys,” Pedroza said, of both the victim and the alleged assailant. Students at the high school were equally concerned and disheartened by the event. “It was horrible for that to happen at such a young age,” sophomore Ruby Smola said. Some sait that the event put the question of school security into play. “It brings the pressure of one student killing another and that the environment isn’t safe,” freshman Richard
Pulling the cap off of a marker, German teacher Brigitte Deyle copies her lesson plan onto the whiteboard. What is status quo for most teachers is a change from the San Antonio school where she recently taught. She is new to the school but certainly not new to teaching. “I have been an English teacher, German teacher, and, in Germany, a homeroom teacher,” Deyle said. She traveled abroad and lived in many places, including Kansas and Germany. She most recently taught in San Antonio and transferred to the school after the resignation of this past year’s temporary German teacher. “I thought, ‘That might be a nice place to live,’ and just by coincidence there was a (teaching) spot open,” Deyle said. Fluent in four lanDiaz said. Administrators quickly addressed the issue, asking for prayers and privacy alike. “The Comal ISD family is shocked and saddened by the senseless incident,” Superintendent Andrew Kim wrote in a Nov. 14 district-wide letter. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, and we respect their privacy during this very difficult time.” Reports from as far away as the United Kingdom covered the tragedy. The Daily Mail UK Online, CBS News, The Austin Statesman and the San Antonio-Express News were just some of the media
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?: Brigitte Deyle speaks four languages and has taught and traveled abroad. Photo by Keagan Miller guages, Deyle has the experience necessary to teach almost any language class in the school. “German is my first language,” Deyle said. “English was second, French was third, Italian was fourth.” Or, in fancier terms, she is quadrilingual. Deyle said there were many things different from Germany, many of which she missed. “We have a totally
outlets that covered the story. Several reports who jumped on the breaking story reported that it was a “fist fight,” as CBS News and some local area television stations put it. However, according to the New Braunfels Police Department and the definition of a “fight,” Davidson was assaulted and given no chance to retaliate. The Daily Mail UK retracted its initial headline describing it as a fight, instead using the term “beaten up” in its Nov. 15 story. (Robert Evans, Amanda Renteria and Madison Demmer contributed to this report.)
different school system…. That’s really a difference,” Deyle said. “We don’t… have sports teams.” Though the school is very different from the German schools Deyle once taught in, she said she didn’t want to leave. “I can combine the best of both worlds,” Deyle said. “I can work here and in the summer go to Germany. I’m happy that way.”
“English” from Page 1 As a graduate from three universities and a veteran of three years teaching English IV, Watkins similarly assured her students that she had the experience to maintain the class’s AP standards. “I hope that I can help them find a love for learning,” Watkins said, “and, if I can, (try to) ignite an interest in something they didn’t have an interest in before. I guess that’s kind of my philosophy. Finding that spark inside them and setting it afire.”
valleyventana.org
Individuals should hold selves liable
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OPINION
Do today what you shouldn’t tomorrow
From Valley Ventana Editorial Board
THE
Apple cores smash against the Ranger mural in B-wing, water and PowerAde bottles hurl like catapult projectiles into crowds of students and condiment packets pop like firecrackers along the stained trudge toward class after lunch. Those quietly following walk in the aftermath, shaking their heads in discouragement of the youth of today or of their own kind. “Would that be OK at your house?” one exasperated teacher might say. “This isn’t a pigsty,” an administrator might quip. “Are you all, like, animals?” an especially gutsy student might lament. We have all heard those familiar lines before. Most of us have heard these tired phrases since elementary school, if not kindergarten. They are ready-made phrases fit for the backdrop of collective, blind action. And, true, they are clichés. But clichés are such because they are things that most everybody already knows. In this case, it is the personal responsibility of students attending the high school. It is a rule of society. Keep your environment clean for the benefit of your fellow man/student. It is mutual regard, the Golden Rule, if extended properly. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Expect the same in return. Trash in the hallways is the most notable result left from the absence of personal responsibility. Most of this trash comes in the flurry of congregated student activity after lunch. Some “forget” about their trash and leave it for others to pick up. Others go a step beyond the perceived anonymity of a crowd and outright throw trash right in the grass or in hallways. Rebellious stuff. Besides the pointed finger of phraseology and heaving sigh of disgruntlement, there is another repeated, important reason not to litter – it makes people’s jobs harder. Custodians on staff do not get to gripe and voice discontent to students. They clean after school when we are gone and left to our rooms at home, rooms that most likely do not have trash strewn about them. But blaming amorphous crowds, society and culture usually does not go very far persuasively, and some people just want to watch the world burn as they carelessly discard their limited-release Twinkie wrappers. Instead, individual measures should be taken. Take responsibility for your actions, even in crowds. Mob mentality aside, a series of small actions can culminate quickly and can reverberate largely. While blame may be cast on those wandering, trash tromping groups, it would be much more powerful if those individual members took personal responsibility. Furthermore, taking that initiative will not only better the high school’s environment but also future outside scenes where graduates may venture.
V ENTANA ALLEY
The Valley Ventana is an online and monthly print publication. The Ventana is a student publication meant for the student body, and a production of the Smithson Valley High School Media Team. The Media Team’s publications include: The Ranger Yearbook Ranger Report (weekly broadcast) Social Media: @valleyventana Twitter/Instagram and on Facebook. The Ventana also welcomes letters and opinions to the editor. Send letters to either room C105, or email them to m.edmonson@comalisd. org. Letters can be anonymous or addressed. No return letter will be sent asking for information. Letters should expect no attention if they are biased, libelous or slanderous.
Editor-in-Chief: /// Robert Evans Editor(s): /// Orlando Mendiola Adviser: /// Margaret Edmonson Principal: /// John Montelongo Superintendent: /// Andrew Kim Staff: /// Christopher Adams / Kolby Barber / Magdalena Barnes / Eric Burrell / Wes
Cornelius / Preston Davis / Madison Demmer / Cole Eldridge / Xavier Fajardo / Rebecca Flores / Gianni Harvey-Montgomery / Angelique Herrera / Madison Janes / Valeria Kulbaka / Keagan Miller / Ashley Ousby / Jessica Owens / Meagan Park / Amanda Renteria / Stephanie Schweitzer / Hailey Whittaker Contributors: /// Emily Etter / Comal ISD / Kelson Rohrer-Cuervo
By Kelson Rohrer-Cuervo
Grim Garbage: Littering is a personal responsibility issue. Editorial Cartoon by Josh Quesada
Canyon death sparks debate A few friendly words might have prevented the attack altogether. Nobody can confirm what happened in the classroom before the attack. However, if insults were exchanged, whoever initiated the verbal attack would be morally responsible. The one who initiated the physical attack would be legally responsible. If someone can prevent a tragedy, it is his moral responsibility to do so. The alleged attacker is the only one being held directly responsible, but many people around might have had the power to prevent it. A knowing friend could have stopped the death with a single word. Though the cause cannot be confirmed, the result is widely known, and we are all left wondering how to keep it from happening again.
By Keagan Miller Logan Davidson died after he was assaulted at Canyon High School on Nov. 13. The police have a 15-year-old male suspect in custody, but was he the only one at fault? In the moments directly before the attack, there were many people around. None of these people caused it and were not legally obligated or might not have been able to take any preventative action. But, if they were given a chance, were they morally obligated to try to prevent the attack? Although schools are required to protect their students, the school should not be held at fault. Furthermore, this event could not have been foreseen by teachers. Moral obligation kicks in only if you have some knowl-
edge of what is about to happen. If you see someone about to jump off a bridge, you should try to stop him. If you see someone falling off a bridge, there is absolutely nothing you can do to save him. Maybe the attack was foreseen by a student. Students know each other like no teacher ever could. Someone might have known that the alleged assault was eminent through these personal connections. That person had no legal obligation to stop it, but he or she did have a moral obligation.
\\\ Top Tweets @A_Howarrrd
“Wow Smithson Valley is more supportive for Johnson than other schools and we’re not even in their district. #classy” Dec. 7, 9:53 p.m.
of
@TPerkins_RP2
“90% of the kids (at) smithson valley drive one of three things: 1. A pickup of some sort 2. A Jeep 3. A mustang #ObservationsByTrevor” Dec. 3, 10:46 p.m.
Walking home from the bus stop, I already had it in my mind that I was going to watch TV instead of doing my homework. I went over it in my mind. Do I really want to watch TV and do my homework tomorrow? When I walked into my house, I dropped my backpack at the table and lazily fell on the couch. I wanted to watch the History Channel because an Abraham Lincoln documentary was on. The shadow of my homework rested on my mind as I watched the program. I was wrestling with the decision to continue to procrastinate my work when the documentary mentioned a quote of Abe’s. He said, “Do not postpone for tomorrow what you can accomplish today.” The quote clicked in my head, and my internal conflict was done. I rose from my comfortable trap and began to work on my homework assignment. As I worked, I thought of all the negative consequences that could have transpired from not making my decision. I could have forgotten about my homework; I could have been scrambling to do it during lunch. Finally algebra, biology and English were all done. The program I was watching was still on. I watched the TV and saw a picture of Lincoln; he was smiling at me. Kelson Rohrer-Cuervo is a sophomore.
SVHS
@Squiiidneeey
“My life is honestly such a struggle because I don’t have brown riding boots.” Dec. 7, 5:41 p.m.
@felixrendoniii
“The real panoramic of Smithson Valley high school...” Nov. 18, 1:40 p.m.
Puppies, plague and college essays By Robert Evans The blinking line on Microsoft Word is mocking me. It has been for three months now. Procrastination has got to be contagious. I like to pleasantly think Procro, a cute name I call procrastination like a kid gives to a puppy, is a viral contagion multiplying exponentially with no hope in sight. But that’s just me. I enjoy calling things cute as much as I do wallowing in depressed apathy. That is, when the mood strikes me. Then there’s the dreaded label productivity winces at – senioritis, which, according to Urban Dictionary, “tends to start after college applications and midyear reports have been sent in.” Some might argue that senioritis afflicts whenever you are first
decorated with the title of “senior.” These diverters from Urban Dictionary boundaries point to one thing in particular – college essays. I, like many other seniors at the high school, have been experiencing the plight that is the college essay, or essays, depending upon your severity of madness. It’s not that essays are difficult, actually, quite the opposite. Prompts typically don’t stray far from “Describe a place that makes you feel at peace” or “Discuss an accomplishment or
event that makes you, you.” Follow a few rules: stay within the word count, talk about you and don’t be egocentric. Easy. If it weren’t for the pressure, most would have the essay(s) done in an hour or two at most. But the pressure is there. And so is Procro, wagging his tail mockingly and spreading his plague sinisterly. Beyond the burden of deadline, there’s also the pressure to be you, to detail all of your inner character values in 600 words or fewer, to have a tone of modesty, sincerity, ambition and all other lovely things colleges love to read about. Oh, and be interesting. And funny. But keep it short, please. We don’t have all day for the rest of your life. It’s no secret that seniors harbor a certain animosity toward the
application process. It’s a roadblock on the way toward the future, toward adulthood and life. It seems like an unnecessary step, a step that we think will come inevitably. But like the drag that is senior year, the buffer between parent-cradled life and parent-supported education, we put those steps off. Whether nostalgic or wanting, we cling onto childhood, sheltered existences, something safe and warm and predictable. Procro smiles a toothy grin underneath our hands when we procrastinate. And we’re okay with that. Change will come. Parents and teachers and colleges know that. We know that, some more than others. All it takes is an afternoon sweating out an essay or two. That’s all. Easy. Right?
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LIFESTYLES
Do It Yourself @VALLEYVENTANA
“Student Teacher” from Page 1
Holiday Gift Guide
Sweet Spoons
By Ashley Ousby
The jingle bells are ringing and the fresh aroma of Christmas trees is filling the air, which means it is time to spread some Christmas cheer. Instead of going out and busting your budget this holiday season, here are a few gift ideas you can give to your family and friends.
Supplies:
•Chocolate of any kind •Spoons (preferably plastic) •Toppings of your choice •Nuts (optional)
Steps:
1. Get your chocolate into a bowl or cup and put it in the microwave to allow it to melt for about 10-30 seconds. 2. Grab a spoon and place the spoon into the cup or bowl of chocolate. 3. Wipe the back end of the spoon so there won’t be chocolate on the back of the spoon 4. Place your choice of toppings on the spoon 5. Place it down on a plate to dry 6. Repeat. *Do the exact same thing with the peanut butter, but you will not need to put it into the microwave.
Holiday Handles: These sugar covered spoons are simple treats to hand out for the Christmas holiday. The spoons are great for a sweet tooth. Photo by Ashley Ousby
Personal Letter Decoration Supplies:
•Letter of choice •Color paint of choice •Applicator •Glitter (Optional)
Picture Jar
Supplies:
•Picture of your choice •A clear jar with a lid •Vegetable or olive oil •Glitter (optional)
Steps:
1. Place your picture into the jar 2. Pour the vegetable or olive oil SLOWLY into the jar. 3. Sprinkle glitter into the jar. 4. Close the lid of the jar VERY tight.
has to manage his time wisely. “I have to work almost every night,” Monroe said. “I don’t have a life outside of work and school, and I can’t afford to take a Friday night to myself.” Despite the crazy schedule, Monroe said the lack of money was compensated through field experience. “I get to see what the students need and what the students want,” Monroe said. “And I get to be a part of the students’ lives. That’s something that is now big in my life.” “It’s a little different from when I was a student teacher.” Ulbricht said. “I walked in and met the teacher I was working with on a Thursday. I watched him teach that day and Friday. And on Monday I was the teacher while Mr. Monroe watched for a few weeks and then picked up a class or two.” Despite the difference between his experience and Monroe’s, Ulbricht was not unhappy. “It seems like very time I get a student teacher, they are even more prepared than the last,” Ulbricht said. Monroe said he focused his time and energy on fulfilling his role as a teacher because he wanted to help his students. “I want to help the students,” Monroe said. “It’s not about me. It’s about how I can make them more motivated and excited.”
Steps:
1. Place your letter on a surface FACE DOWN (you will start Fun with Glitter: Personalizing a sparkling letter is thoughtful painting the back first). for a friend. The instructions listed will make for a fast and simple 2. Begin painting the gift. Photo by Ashley Ousby first coat on the back of your letter; then let it dry. 5. Turn your letter up7. As you begin 3. Apply the second to paint your second ward so it is facing the coat and continue until coat, if you want to use right direction. satisfied. glitter begin sprinkling 6. Begin painting 4. After the back is the glitter on your letyour first coat on the completely dry, begin ter; then let it dry and face part of your letter; painting the sides and crevasses and let it dry. then let it dry. you’re DONE.
Evaluating the Future:
Memories in a Jar: Capturing photos in a jar can add excitment. The jar makes simple details pop. Photo by Ashley Ousby
While student teacher Robert Monroe teaches geometry at the board, mentor Doug Ulbricht evaluates his performance. The same method will be used for the rest of Monroe’s teaching career. “ I have the same form that the principals do when they come in and evaluate the teachers,” Ulbricht said. Photo by Kolby Barber
valleyventana.org
PAGE 5
ENTERTAINMENT
Girl on Fire “Catching Fire” leaves you wanting more
4
By Wes Cornelius
I
Against
One
By Gianni Harvey-Montgomery Battling it Out: The new generation console war begins with the release of the Playstation 4 (left) followed by the Xbox One (right). Both sold big at launch, though Sony toppled with worldwide sales. (Grapic by Orlando Menduiola.)
Playsation 4
Xbox One
PROS
PROS
Cons
Cons
• Biggest new-generation console sale in the U.S and U.K • Ability to download games at the same time as playing them • Better graphics with 8GB GDDR5 RAM with more memory • New controller equipped with share button • $100 less expensive than Xbox One at $399.99 • You can transfer your PSP games to the PS4 and play them there
• Sony will make a loss of $60 per unit sold for $399 at launch but expects to immediately recoup the losses through PlayStation Plus subscriptions and game sales. • Playstation Plus is now a paid service • The confusing menus and sub-menus, and the fact that games are displayed in an “endless horizontal line with no organizational options whatsoever.” - Huffington Post Reviews
• More first and second party launch titles • Reports indicate that the Xbox One is gaining ground on the PS4 for pre-order sales in the U.S. as Microsoft’s console sold more during the past month. • Players on the same console can use one player’s online interface. • Entertainment system along with gaming able to switch between TV to Netflix to Skype and back to games.
• Cost of $499.99 per unit • Cannot read Xbox 360 discs • While the Kinect 2.0 has very high optical rating, it can become easily confused by voice recognition of multiple people at a time, mishearing commands and pets being signed in as guests as they walk into. • Kinect can become activated easily by external sounds
n “Catching Fire”, the second part of the “Hunger Games” series, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark must find a way to survive threats from the Capitol and get through their second games. Directed by Francis Lawrence, this film stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, and Liam Hemsworth as Gale, a close friend of the Everdeen family. It is rated PG-13 and opened on Nov. 22. “Smart, smoothly directed, and enriched with a deeper exploration of the franchise’s thought-provoking themes, ‘Catching Fire proves a thoroughly compelling second installment in the Hunger Games series,” according to the review by Rotten Tomatoes. The movie starts one year after the events of the previous film with Katniss and Peeta facing the consequences of ending the games with two victors instead of one. When a special anniversary edition of the
The Challenge : “Catching Fire” is the second installment in the Hunger Games series, which starts with the first of many obstacles for the protagonist, Katniss, as she defies the Capitol. Hunger Games is called upon by President Snow, the previous victors face going back in the arena fighting to the death once again. This new game takes place in a new arena with different obstacles harder to get through, with Peeta and Katniss fighting to keep each other alive. With revolts spreading throughout the districts while the games are commencing, an uprising is inevitable. “Catching Fire” is an improvement from “The Hunger Games,” staying closer to the book than the previous and the action rising faster. The ending will leave nonreaders and readers of the book on the edge of their seats, creating great anticipation for the next two films with the series expected to end fall of 2015.
Not Bad at All: After becoming a breakout band in UK, Bastille are ready to make their mark in the U.S.
What the Professionals Say
Good Blood: Bastille’s debut album makes for a good way for the band to introduce its sound and unique way of presenting its music in a
cinematic way.
A
fter making a strong debut in the U.K. with “Pompeii,” which became the band’s first top five song, Bastille made its debut in the U.S. with its album “Bad Blood,” released Sept. 3. The aim for the album, front man Dan Smith said, was to create an album that tied together like a film soundtrack that’s “broad and varied but tied together by the film itself.” The album accomplishes
this goal with dramatic cinema-worthy songs like “Things We Lost in the Fire” and “Laura Palmer.” All the songs on the album are unique in their own way, tied together by a unique sound that incorporates pop dance beats with dramatic strings and drums adding another dimension that separates the songs from being radio throwaway hits. The theme of a film soundtrack surrounds itself not just in the songs but the look of the
Spin Magazine: 6.6/10 Consequence of Sound: 2.5/5 Metacritic: 7.2/10
album as well. The cover is designed to look like a soundtrack, and videos for “Flaws” and “Pompeii” have a movie-like quality with stunning visuals that help make the album a complete package. Its 15 songs last about 3-4 minutes each, which is a bit overwhelming for a debut, but the songs fit the theme with no “filler” tracks some artists tend to add. The album is a great start for the band setting a unique sound that separates it from others.
New King in Town
Krule impresses listeners with new album
A
rchy Marshall, otherwise known as King Krule, is a 19-year-old singer/songwriter. Marshall, originally from a suburb around London, released his debut album, “6 Feet Beneath The Moon,” on Aug. 26, his birthday. Marshall studied at Forest Hill, then the BRIT school over the course of three years before releasing his debut single, “Out Getting Ribs,” in late 2010, under the alias Zoo Kid. After a few years of going by this name, Marshall changed his alias to King Krule, which was influenced by “King Creole,” a film starring Elvis Presley.
Marshall’s music has been compared to indie rock infused with jazz, soul and hip hop with some darkwave origins. Marshall, who has been producing his own music his entire career, has released a few singles, such as “Out Getting Ribs/Has this Hit,” “U.F.O.W.A.V.E,” “King Krule EP,” and “Rock Bottom/Octopus.” Marshall’s album, “6 Feet Beneath the Moon,” includes a variety of songs in many different genres and styles. The album itself has 15 songs, each very original and produced with close attention to detail and freshness. Marshall’s style has been evolving for the better since
his Zoo Kid days, and you can really tell in some of the tracks on this album. In conclusion, King Krule is definitely one to keep an ear out for. With his albums and singles out there is much to be listened to.
By Eric Burrell
What the Professionals Say
NME: 8/10 Pitchfork: 7.3/10 Spin Magazine: 7/10
Beneath the Moon: The cover for “6 Feet Beneath The Moon”
depicts Archy Marshall standing under a drawn black and white moon while playing the guitar.
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Clark claims two national cross country spots for Nike, Footlocker By Robert Evans
One of only four girls in the nation to clinch both spots, junior Devin Clark qualified for both the Nike and Footlocker Cross Country National Championship races. Clark squeaked by at the Nike South XC Invitational Nov. 22 in a sixth place finish. The top five girls were eligible for national grabs, but top runner and friendly competitor for Clark, sophomore Paige Hofsted from New Braunfels High School, had her entire team qualify, letting the sixth place finisher in to the national championship event in Portland, Ore. Dec. 7. Clark ran with the “South” team. Over the Thanksgiving
break, Clark made her way to Charlotte, N.C., for the Nov. 30 Footlocker South XC Invitational. Again, she made it into the top performing girls in a run for the finish in the final 200m of the 5k race. “Despite being ill and sub 30-degree temperatures, she managed to close hard,” cross country coach, Brittney Lanehart, wrote in a Dec. 1 email. “It was an incredibly gutsy performance.” Clark was headed to San Diego, Calif., shuttled by Asics and Footlocker, Dec. 14 to compete in the Footlocker National Championship, racing the top 40 girl runners in the nation for All-American Honors.
Season Triumphs: Junior Devin Clark (far left) races during the Nov. 2 UIL region meet at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Clark
finished first ahead of New Braunfel’s competitor, sophomore Paige Hofsted (left, following Clark) from New Braunfels High School, who later placed above Clark’s third place spot at the Nov. 9 state meet in Round Rock. Clark and Hofsted teamed up at Nike Nationals Dec. 7 in Portland, Ore., racing in the “South” team. Photo by Robert Evans
Up in the Air (basketball) Scoreboard
Play Your Zones: (From left) During the Nov. 12 Seguin game
at home, varsity players A.C. Reid, A.J. Carr, Jonah Mahone and Carter Defries play defense. Mahone tried to maneuver around the box set up by the opponents. Photo by Megan Bowling
Boys basketball hitting new heights By Maggie Barnes
team was very different from previous school. “With my last team there was no connection with any of the players or even the coaches,” Carr said. “At this school, we all seem to get together and play as a team, not as individuals.” Every member was important when it came to a basketball team, Carr said. “There really is no pressure at all being a starter,” Carr said, “People think being a starter’s amazing, and don’t get me wrong: I love it. But it is just a title; there really is no other meaning to it. In my opinion, our cameraman is just as important as I am to the team. No one person is better than the other, and that is what makes a team.”
When junior center A.J. Carr transferred from Central Catholic to play basketball, he brought a new look and perspective. From about 6 foot 6. His presence not only raised the average height of the starting five but also raised expectations for the entire team. “I came here because of this team,” Carr said. “We all have been playing against each other for years in select basketball. I see an opportunity to take Smithson valley basketball to a place where it has very rarely been in the past.” Coach Roger Strauch had the same kind of expectations. “I feel very confident for this upcoming season,” Strauch said. “We have a bunch of guys who have something to prove and are ready to show everyone that Smithson Valley basketball is a serious contender in the 5A.” The first district game is Jan.10 against San Marcos at home, and the team is currently 7-3 with only a few games left. “We are coming into the season with new tactics, allowing the team to become successful,” Strauch said.. We are Starting the Play: Varsity approaching this year a player junior Jonah Mahone little different, focusing dribbles down the court during a little more on being the game against Seguin. Boys basketball is currently 7 - 3 with displaced and staying games before district. focused through the long eight Photo by Megan Bowling season. Also another big focus this year is making the tough play.” Carr joined senior guard A.C. Reid at 6 feet 70 - 60: Brandeis 5 inches, senior forward Keith Collins at 6 feet 4 67 - 66 : Lee inches, senior forward Carter Defries at 6 feet 6 84 - 62: Madison inches, and junior guard Jonah Mahone at 6 feet 59 - 49: SA TMI 1 inch. Since the season 60 - 57: Kerrvill began, Carr noticed that playing with his new
(Basketball) Scoreboard
42 - 68: Brandeis
40 - 36: East Central
60 - 46: Marshall
30 - 33: Kerrville
41 - 54: CC Ray
41 - 51: Roosevelt
63 - 35: Miller
51 - 81: Steele
64 - 45: Floresville
59- 47: Boerne Cha.
58 - 47: CC Carroll
66 - 54: MacArthur
In It to Win It: (Right) Freshman Jena Mehlbrech, junior Jordan Traxler and sophomore Erin Ashley listen to Coach Nicole Villarreal on Nov. 23 at the main gym. The Lady Rangers fell to Roosevelt 51-41. /// Junior Elizabeth Cathcart attempts a rebound while battling a Roosevelt defender at a Nov. 23 home game. Cathcart leads in scoring with a 14.2 points per game and more than 200 points total throughout the 2013 season. Photos by Robert Evans
Tough opponents leave uncertain future for Lady Rangers By Chris Adams The girls basketball team snapped a five game losing streak after beating Boerne Champion 59-47 in Boerne on Dec. 6. The girls were close going into the second half, but they held Boerne Champion to two points in the third quarter while they scored 19. The leading scorers were Elizabeth Cathcart with 23 points,
and Jena Mehlbrech with 11. The girls are 6-9 for the season with only four games left before district play. “We’ve played against many teams in the top 10 of the of the city,” Nicole Villarreal said. “No. 2 Steele, No. 5 Brandeis, No. 7 Churchill, and still have No. 4 Reagan on our non-district schedule.” Having such a tough non-district schedule
will be good practice leading into the first district game against New Braunfels on Jan. 3. Junior Elizabeth Cathcart leads the Lady Rangers in points per game with a 14.2 average and more than 200 points shot overall. Freshman Jena Mehlbrech is runner up in points with a 10.4 PPG and a total of 145 points. At an away game, MacArthur overpowered
the team 66 - 54, Dec 10. The leading scorers were junior foward Elizabeth Cathcart with 14; freshman guard Jena Mehlbrech, 12; and junior guard Jordyn Mireles, 11. Top defensive rebounders were Cathcart with three; Mireles, three; and freshman foward Kenndi Tanks, two. Mehlbrech had three assists, while Cathcart had one assist.
Playoff dreams cut short by bounding Jaguars By Rebecca Flores
A week after sealing another perfect regular season and claiming the title of District 25-5A champions, the football team found itself in unfamiliar and unexpected territory by losing the first game of the playoffs 49-45 to Johnson Nov. 15 at Bobcat Stadium. “It’s always hard to know what to tell those guys; you never see the end coming,” Coach Larry Hill said during his weekly program on svabc.com. “The finality of a playoff loss … it just hits you suddenly.” Seconds into the game, senior wide receiver Joseph Barsalou ran an 85-yard kickoff return. After a Johnson score with 9:59 left in the first quarter, senior quarterback Garrett
Run Through: The dads line up to great the players just before the third quarter in the first playoff game. The players were encouraged by family members with their enthuastic high fives. Photo by Cassie Stricker
Smith completed a 42yard pass to senior wide receiver Tyler Coiner for a touchdown. The first quarter ended with a three-yard touchdown run from Smith followed by yet another Johnson touchdown. In the second quarter, senior kicker Aaron Kennedy kicked a 23-yard field goal. Near the end of the half, Johnson scored two more touchdowns.
After halftime, senior running back Cameron Jones scored his first touchdown of the night. Johnson answered with another score before Jones ran in his last touchdown at the end of the third quarter. Beginning of the fourth Johnson scored with a 14-yard pass. Barsalou answered with a 27yard pass from Smith. The game ended with
a Johnson touchdown, putting the Jaguars up. Hill praised the football team in his weekly program. “We’ve never had anyone work any harder or be more diligent on attention to detail as this group was,” he said. “There was a reason they went 10-0 and it wasn’t just ability. “They’ll be sorely missed.”
Seniors Sign Off Athletes pledge to play at college level during letter of intent ceremonies
St. Edwards: Senior Johany Rivera signs with St. Edwards Nov. 15 in front of the main gym. Rivera plans to further her golf competition.“It was a lot of fun, and also a relief,” she said. Earlier in the year, Rivera attended the Nature Valley First Tee Open golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Fla., Sept. 27 - 29. Photo by Delia Alderete
Liberty University: A.C. Reid, senior shooting guard, signs his commitment to play basketball for Liberty University in Virginia outside the main gym on Nov. 13. With his parents and coaches by his side, he signed with his home state. “I just want to make a difference in the program,” Reid said. During the Nov. 12, 2013, basketball season opener, Reid scored his 1,000 point for the high school. Photo by Sean Dooley
Tarleton State: Pen in hand, senior Emily Medlin signs her letter of intent to play volleyball for Tarleton State on Nov. 13 in the gym foyer. “I cannot wait to be part of their family,” Medlin said. Medlin racked up 1,028 assists during the 2013 season as well as 2.8 digs per game. Photo by Delia Alderete.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: Signing with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Nov. 13 to play golf, senior Megan Woods signs to be a “Moc” for four years. Woods was one of the top performers at the high school for girls golf. Photo by Delia Alderete
valleyventana.org
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Swim competes at TISCA meet Freshman eyeing backstroke record By Cole Eldrige The swim team competed at the Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association meet at the Blossom Natatorium south of Austin on Dec. 7. More than half of the swim team headed to the event, including freshman Ian Ogrognick, who had his eye on crushing the school’s 100 meter backstroke record. “This year we had
15 female entries and 22 male entries,” coach Kari Osborne said. Certain times had to be aquired iprevious meets in order to qualify. Pacemaker: Freshman Cole During a swim team Mansker prepares to leap off practice before the the block and race his fastest TISCA meet, sophomore 50 meter butterfly and finish in a second place performance at Clayton Taylor echoed the 2013 preliminaries for TISCA the meet’s importance. at the Blossom Natatorium on “We all need to do Dec. 7. Photo by Cole Eldrige our best to step up, even the underclassnick came .51 seconds man,” Taylor said. short of breaking the They placed fourth in record. The next meet the division and Orogwas set for Dec. 14.
Soccer season nears Girls Soccer
By Xavier Fajardo
After a 10-7-5 finish this past year caused elimination in the first round of playoffs, girls soccer is lacing up its cleats in preparation to start the new season. “This season is so different from last year, but our team is still a family,” junior Miranda Ashley said. “We’ve united as one this year, and our success will come from all our heart, effort and discipline.” The season kicks off at the Round Rock Tournament Jan. 16-18. Eleven players will be returning. With them every step of the way is head coach Jason Adkins. He said he hoped to get the team back to dominating the league
just as the girls had done for years before last year. “One of our biggest strengths is our experience,” Adkins said. “We had a lot of younger players on our varsity last year that played good minutes, so this year, there should be no surprises for them.”
Boys Soccer
By Jessica Owens
Boys soccer is ready for this year’s season and ready to work. This season will be different from last because the team has a lot more “chemistry,” head coach Jonathan Jarrett said. “We’re coachable and we are working harder,” senior Isaiah Coombs said. The team plays its first home game Jan.
14 against Victoria East. Last year’s season record was 11-8-3. “We had a quality season,” Coombs said. “Although we could’ve improved in some places, we still had a good outcome for the season.” The team has five returning starters: Jackson Alexander, Brett Lindsey, Elijah Thompson, Isaac Jenkins, and Dalton Reid. “Being a returning starter means that I have to continue improving and executing my role on the field,” Alexander said. Eight new varsity beginners have joined the ranks . “I think they will work hard for their teammates, their coaches, and their school,” Jarrett said.
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