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1801 HARVEY MITCHELL PKWY. S., COLLEGE STATION, TX 77840 | FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2017 | VOL. 23 NO. 3 | THEROARNEWS.COM
go back to your country Stop being so sensitive You people ...
speak in english so, like, what are you? you're really pretty... for a person of color you're not an actual American not everything's about race no, where are you really from? you're so articulate! Administration, students respond to underlying issue of racial discrimination
NO ROOM FOR RACISM inthisissue
news pages 2-4
opinions page 5
olivia conway & sam de figueiredo | online editor & opinions editor In addition to backpacks stuffed with homework and heavy textbooks, students of color at Consol like junior My’yona Strange bear the weight of years of racism upon their shoulders. “I grew up in Hearne and a lot of times the black kids were separated from the white kids,” Strange said. “You have to prove yourself in order to get in those honor classes, and once you [do] you start feeling segregated from your own kind and they expect more from you.” Unfortunately, her experience is not abnormal.
viewpoints page 6
feature pages 7-11
According to the United States Department of Education Office, a quarter of the schools with the highest percentage of black and Latino students did not offer Algebra II, while a third of these schools did not offer chemistry. Although English teacher Freda Carraway believes that teachers have good intentions, she acknowledges that students do not always receive equal education.
“racism” continued on page 3
sports pages 12-13
reviews pages 14-15
brief | the roar
UPCOMING
2 | in
DEC. 20-22 Finals DEC. 28-30 Lady Tiger Invitational DEC. 23- JAN. 7 Winter Break JAN. 13 Wrestling @ Seven Lakes HS JAN. 15 Holiday JAN. 20 Tiger Swimming District Championship Meet JAN. 29 Cap and Gown Assembly
NEWS
friday, dec. 15, 2017
IN THE
Student Council hosts Tiny Tim, annual holiday event
This evening Student Council will host Tiny Tim, an opportunity for student clubs to sing Christmas carols in many local neighborhoods and raise monetary donations to benefit Consol’s food bank. Tiny Tim has been a tradition at Consol for several years, raising roughly $1,000 annually.
Wrestlers win dual match against Mayde Creek Rams
The AMC Wrestling team competed at the Ram Duals at Mayde Creek HS on Dec 4th and 5th. On Friday, they wrestled in five duals, resulting in three wins and two losses, and on Saturday resulting in four wins and one loss. The following wrestlers, freshman Anthony Criscione (8-2), freshman Jacob Sanchez (7-3), and junior Mason Kruljac (8-1) competed in this week’s match. Their next match will be a duals match at College Station High School.
Consol FFA members advance to state competition
AMC FFA members freshman Jackson Lee, junior Ethan Dobson and freshman Gentry Fox competed at the State FFA Leadership Development Events on December 4th at Sam Houston State University. They placed 2nd at the Area 3 Leadership Development Contest. Out of 271 teams, they placed 8th in the entire event. Seniors Maya Rasheed, Prashansa Gautam and Prashiddhi Neupane pose for a picture during Desi Day. PHOTO BY MAYA GIRIMAJI.
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On Desi Day, juniors James Rude, Mason Wright and senior Morgan Kehrberg fill their plates with South Asian food. PHOTO BY MAYA GIRIMAJI.
the roar | news | 3
friday, dec. 15, 2017
Students, faculty share thoughts on racial discrimination through experiences “racism” cont. from page 1
“I think subconsciously that there might in fact be a tendency to lower the expectation for students who have certain kinds of backgrounds,” Carraway said. “My colleagues and I make an effort to have an appropriately personal relationship with students and find out through communication what things may be affecting either their performance in class just by having conversations with the students.” In addition, the United States Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection estimated that black students are 3.8 times more likely to receive an out-of-school suspension than white students and 1.9 times more likely to be expelled from school without educational services. This inequality in regards to punishment is apparent with even the smallest of misdemeanors. “One time I was walking in the hallway and I wasn’t wearing an ID,” junior Selena Li said. “I walked past [a] hall monitor and she didn’t say anything [but] there was this kid right behind me and he wasn’t wearing an ID either and he was black and the lady ID’d him,” Li believes this reaction was a result of her appearance, but past occurrences have not always been so positive. “I definitely felt [isolated] when I was in elementary school,” Li said. “I remember at one point I had this actual thought [of] ‘What if I was white? What would my life be like instead?’” Over the course of her education, Li has been mocked for her choice of foods, her grades, her religious beliefs, and even her Chinese name when two girls questioned her on the bus in intermediate school. “I was very mad and irritated at [the girls] and I was frustrated that people are like that,” Li said. “I feel like we should try to better educate people about this issue and make them more aware. They [might not] realize that they’re doing something wrong.” HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT Junior Shiva Saravanan has also noticed the discriminatory undercurrent at Consol--even though it’s not always plainly visible. “I think unintentional and uneducated racism is a relatively large problem at our school because people still [secretly] hold a lot of racial stereotypes,”
Saravanan said. “When there is nobody from that race around, people feel a lot more comfortable revealing their racism, so the amount of public racism doesn’t reflect the amount of inner racism at Consol.” Although this prejudice isn’t blatant, it still negatively impacts student life. “I think at this school, your race affects what clubs and opportunities you see open to you, because a lot of clubs tend to have racial clustering. This is more common in extracurriculars, but also happens with AP classes,” Saravanan said. “With my race, I feel relatively comfortable taking it because I see people like me in [an AP] class, but there are some races that are underrepresented and they might not feel as comfortable.” Racial discrimination is not a recent problem at the school as Principal Gwen Elder realized when a student implied
[that they were] walking somewhere and had a car pull over and say ‘Don’t y’all have some place you should be? Y’all shouldn’t be walking out on the streets,’” Carraway said. “It was on the street by Consol [and] they were walking home.” Carraway seldom witnesses racism first hand, but when confronted with an issue, she does everything in her power to handle the situation. “I teach students who claim that they have experienced it and I try to talk to them about that and help them seek help and support when and if that happens,” Carraway said. “I feel honored that they will come to me and ask me for help with something like that.” ADMINISTRATION’S ANSWER Elder shares the eagerness to address the issue by enforcing a zero-tolerance policy regarding discrimination.
“Unintentional and uneducated racism is a relatively large problem at our school because people still [secretly] hold a lot of racial stereotypes.” junior SHIVA SARAVANAN she looked like a maid during one of her first years teaching. “I was speechless. That happened probably maybe twenty years ago and I still can recall it just like yesterday,” Elder said. “He didn’t perceive me to be his teacher so I could no longer teach him [and] he was taken out of my class and put into another classroom.” Students endure racism and discrimination outside of school walls as well, even fearing for their lives in some instances. “Sometimes I wonder [if] this is going to be my last day on earth because [there are] a lot of people being killed,” Strange said. “Sometimes I have to take into consideration what I’m doing and what my surroundings are.” Strange isn’t alone in understanding the need to stay cautious when faced with a dangerous situation, even if it is as simple as walking home. “Last year I had a kid who told me
“When Trump was elected, I had a group of students come to me [because] someone made a comment that they should go back to Mexico,” Elder said. “I know that [students] figure they can go around and say anything, but if it’s degrading, hurtful, or negative it will be addressed at this school.” In an effort to prevent future incidents and work towards finding solutions to problems of discrimination, teachers at Consol participate in Culturally Relevant Teaching training sessions. “We engaged in training because our classrooms are becoming more diverse,” Elder said. “[We wanted to learn] how we can become better equipped to work with students who are different, [not] just looking at color.” The school’s efforts are welcome, but Strange argues that the responsibility of combating racism instead belongs to the students.
“It’s not up to the teachers anymore,” Strange said. “They can say whatever they want to say, but until we start taking heed to what we’re doing then it won’t ever change.” RISING ABOVE While discrimination impacts the lives of many students at Consol, Elder acknowledges that it affects everyone differently. “I’ve seen kids use it as a motivator, to say ‘I’m better than my past’, but I’ve also seen some people who weren’t able to change their direction and [instead follow] the path that people have [set for them],” Elder said. “It just depends on the person. Personally, if you tell me I can’t do something, I’m going to prove you wrong.” Similar to Elder, Strange perseveres by drawing motivation from those who try to limit her. “They expect me not to do my school work or to have any type of work ethic. They expect me to fail,” Strange said. “I just go harder. When it comes down to grades, I try to do my best and show them that [their] words won’t stop me.” Li’s experiences with racism have given her strength that has made her more self-assertive. “[It makes me] want to stand up for myself. It actually has made me a little more proud of my culture,” Li said. “There’s this culture in Asia that you have to be hardworking and try your best on everything, and I think that’s admirable.” While Strange thinks highly of her own culture, especially the cooking, she also respects the different cultures represented at Consol and urges her peers to do the same. “We’re so ethnically different at this school and people decide to pick on each other, which I feel is very stupid,” Strange said. “We all bleed the same way, we all have the same heart, we were all put on this earth for the same reason.” Carraway also believes that instead of allowing ethnic differences to become a dividing force, students should focus on the benefits that result from ethnic diversity. “We’re lucky at Consol because we celebrate diversity more than most schools,” Carraway said. “We have so many role models in our school who are of various races, various cultures, various belief systems and I think that permeates top down through our school.”
4 | news | the roar
friday, dec. 15, 2017
tech support
Technology students provide solutions for homeless shelter, apply practical skills drew howerton | senior executive editor Information technology students were awarded a twenty-five thousand dollar grant in September to install network infrastructure and build computers for Family Promise, a recently opened local nonprofit that shelters homeless families as they work towards self sufficiency. “Before this year they didn’t have an actual facility to house families, they just bounced around from church to church and that’s how they found shelter,” senior Delphine Leoue Ngoko Djomo said. “Now, they were able to buy an old elementary school and they’re opening their own shelter.” Djomo is one of many students involved in the project after receiving the grant from SkillsUSA, a national career and technical organization that allows students to build practical job skills inside and out of the classroom. SkillsUSA has a strong corporate partnership with Lowe’s, which helps sponsor grant projects. “Every SkillsUSA member and chapter has the opportunity to apply for this grant program for grants of $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000,” Djomo said. “Obviously the $25,000 grant is the most competitive. Chapters from across the nation apply for it.” Networking teacher Bart Taylor said that he first heard about Family Promise through his church. When he learned that Family Promise was in need of comput-
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ers he realized he could utilize the Lowe’s grant to help. “The news came about that Family Promise was getting this new facility and they were looking for people to come out and do what they can,” Taylor said. “And my brain just clicked. I know about these Lowe’s Grants, I know about Family Promise, and I know they’re going to need everything, why not take this opportunity to see what we can do.” After getting in contact with Family Promise, Taylor worked to get his students involved in the grant process. “[Taylor] came to me and asked me how I felt about the idea and if I was willing to co-author the grant,” Djomo said. “I co-authored a little over the third of the grant and so he orchestrated the project and I started the publicity strategy. I spoke about how powerful it would be in the region and why it was so important.” The project also allows Taylor’s students to practice the skills that they learn in the classroom. “We’ve had a lot of practice running our own cable through our networking racks and through the roofs,” senior Keith Adams said. “It’s definitely been rewarding, getting practical hands on experience in something I might be doing in the workplace.” Dr. Phebe Simmons, executive director of Family Promise, said that the grant came at an opportune time after a previous grant for technology fell through. “We applied for several smaller grants in the com-
munity to assist with our technology needs, but with over 5,000 non-profits in the Brazos Valley all vying for the same dollars, we don’t always make the cut,” she said. “We just didn’t make the cut on the original grant for technology, the donor chose other worthy causes to support this time. It happens.” The technology provided by the grant will not only allow families to easily hunt for jobs and apartments, but streamline day to day duties as well. “In the past, families had to go to the local library or workforce center to use a computer for an extended length of time. Staff often shared their laptop with families in the office when they needed something,” she said. “To have an office equipped with computers and printers is like a Caribbean cruise.” Besides providing ease of access, Djomo believes that because job applications are almost all online, having access to computers and the internet is a must-have for disadvantaged families. “This the 21st century, it’s a digital century and right now technology is the infrastructure by which we live and if you don’t have access to computers, to a fast internet connection there’s absolutely no way that you can survive,” Djomo said. “For people who are in poverty, without this infrastructure it’s going to be impossible to access any type of social mobility or to exit poverty in the foreseeable future.”
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friday, dec. 15, 2017
this is me
the roar | opinions | 5
maya girimaji managing editor
Difficult encounters lead to acceptance of identity That day in first grade is still etched deep in my memory. “What’s that orange thing on your hand?” “It goes all the way up your arm. On both sides. Do you have a fever?” the student sitting next to me asked as they reached over to touch my forehead. “I think those designs on your hand look pretty.” “I think it’s ugly and gross. It looks like you have a disease, Maya.” Opinions of my classmates were divided on the henna designs on my hands and arms, making me very self-conscious. Quietly slumping into my seat, I pulled down my shirt sleeves as my peers discussed the henna. I had just returned from my cousin’s wedding in India and instead of excitedly telling my friends about the events, I became embarrassed of the little Indian things I loved very much. Being the only Indian kid in my class, my friends were not used to many of the things that made me different. Fast forward seven years. I was changing out of my costume in the bathroom stall after an Indian dance practice. “What are you doing in here?” said my best friend from the other side of the door. “You know that you can change in the locker room, right? There’s more space.” I shook my head as I peeled off my Indian dance costume in cramped privacy. Thrusting my dance costume into a bag, I pulled my Hollister shirt over my head, stepped into my Ugg boots, and emerged from the stall. Looking in the mirror, I knew the transformation was complete. Throughout middle school I suppressed the Indian side of me because I wanted to fit in. I refused to wear Indian clothes out in public except for Indian functions. I never let my mom pack Indian dishes for my lunch. I developed a great liking for popular western music and enjoyed talking to my friends about the latest One Direction hit. At home,
though, I was the traditional Indian girl who learned classical Indian dance, enjoyed Bollywood movies, and loved dressing up in the bright, beautiful ethnic dresses. I had two separate identities: the typical American teen and the traditional Indian girl. Growing up in an immigrant family and trying to assimilate into a new culture while staying connected to my native culture has been a big challenge. It’s a true balancing act, learning what is right, wrong, or even appropriate. Fortunately for me I never experienced harmful racism. My experiences were limited to wide-eyed stares, thoughtless comments, and sometimes being excluded from certain activities. As I grew older, I became tired of this juggling act and finally realized that I like my ethnic background and am proud of my cultural heritage. My friends love me for who I am and do not judge me by the color of my skin. And I realized the importance of embracing both my sides and being true to myself and the people around me. Move forward to present time: “Momma that girl looks weird. What is she wearing?” Confidently marching into the local yogurt shop I watched as the little girl tugged at her mother, staring at me with wide eyes. Even some grown-ups were looking at me, but from the corner of their eyes. I flaunted a traditional Indian dress with flashy jewelry and a bright smile. At seventeen years old I found myself in the same situation I have been in many times: the only Indian girl in the room. But this time, instead of shying away from the situation, my head was held high. A girl around my age walked by with a friendly smile saying, “Work it girl. Your outfit looks lovely.” That comment made me even more unapologetically who I am: a confident and proud Indian-American. Want to talk about struggles as a person of color? Contact Maya at the. roar.girimaji@gmail.com.
When I was seven years old, my sister broke her arm. I remember that the bone jutted out at a sickening angle and the skin around the break was covered in purple bruises. My parents spent the afternoon and evening taking her to various hospitals, all of which told them that the break was too severe for the hospital to treat. I stayed with a family friend during this ordeal and my biggest worry at the time was not my sister, whom I had just seen whimpering and unable to move her arm, but whether or not I would be able to finish my homework and if my teacher would count off points because I did not have time to complete it. My sister had a broken arm too severe to be treated in College Station, and I was concerned about a minor homework assignment. My relationship with school and education has been rocky since the beginning. Since I don’t really have any sports, hobbies, or passions outside of school, I devote the majority of my time to homework and classes with the occasional school-sponsored club thrown in. This setup is unhealthy at best and dangerous at worst since my self-worth has become completely tied to my performance in school and my ability to meet the ridiculously high standards I set for myself. For context, I consider a 98 on a chemistry test to be “lackluster,” an eight on a timed writing is “fine but not great,” and anything lower than a 95 is akin to failing. I want perfection, which is seemingly impossible to maintain for long periods of time, but not entirely unattainable. In regards to school, perfection is doled out in small bite-sized pieces. It’s not a state of being but instead a fleeting moment, here one second, gone the next. It’s the asymptote that I can’t reach, the ideal that will never be mine for long. School has given me what I love and made me who I am, but its power over my life is killing me. A “low grade” can ruin my entire week, making me feel like
olivia conway online editor
a worthless, unintelligent person, while the pride or happiness in a higher grade does not last nor make much of an impact. Even though I advocate for “learning for the sake of knowledge itself,” I still frantically check my grades multiple times a day since the weight of our futures often seems to teeter on the backs of these numbers. The need to do well in school has turned into a competition of sorts for who can work the hardest and achieve the most. Stories of disrupted sleeping patterns, neglect of basic human needs, and worrying side effects of exhaustion fly across the halls as another tale is added to the overall narrative of student life. Besides my sleep, I’ve also sacrificed my time in exchange for academic excellence. I’ve skipped bat mitzvahs and funerals, recitals and parties, time with my family and friends to write essays, complete presentations or study for tests. For me at least, the need to work until the point of exhaustion is a result of fear. Fear of failure, fear that I’m not trying hard enough to be good at life, fear that I will be ridiculed or judged for making mistakes. These fears, and school itself, are tiring. The kind of tiredness that settles over one’s head like a heavy cloud, affecting one’s worldview until all that one can see is themself going about their normal life, but with a constant feeling of exhaustion. For me, sleep has become a coveted treat rather than a necessary activity and my quality of life is suffering as a result. As a seven year old fretting over her math homework, I never expected that my educational journey would be so fraught with sadness or negativity. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to attend school, but I wish it could have come at a cheaper cost than my emotional and physical well-being. Want to talk about the struggles of school together? Contact Olivia at the. roar.conway@gmail.com.
education frustration
High standards create low self esteem
6 | viewpoints | the roar
friday, dec. 15, 2017
is the exemption policy fair? the roar’s consensus
our statement
The final exemption policy, while based upon a well-intentioned desire to reward hard work, ultimately does little good for students, and in some cases, can even cause harm. Although the exemption policy is viewed as a ‘reward’ for hard work, it’s really serves as an easy way out that benefits no one. Practically speaking, students know that finals are a good way to force themselves to review the material they have learned throughout the semester. No one contests that taking a cumulative exam tests longterm retention and forces students to do the thorough review of past units that will help them on the AP exam or future classes. Of course students don’t want to take finals, because they’re given the choice not to, and finals takes a lot of time and effort. But putting in time and effort is a part of being successful in school. In college, students will never get a free pass on finals. Meanwhile, exemption requirements move students even further away from learning. Every year, the arrival of exemption cards signals the beginning of a numbers game where students interrogate past students about whether the spring or fall final is harder, predicting whether a review for bonus points makes one final more worth taking than another, and, of course, trying to determine how many days they can ‘afford’ to be absent from school. Students who are on the brink of being able to exempt finals are often those who are struggling more and feel that the final would only hurt their grades more. For them, every absence counts, and as a result, many students end up dragging themselves to school so that they don’t ‘waste’ any absences. When discussing final exemptions, it’s not a question of whether or not schools should let students exempt finals: they shouldn’t, for purely academic reasons. Instead, we should be more should be concerned that so many students feel so unprepared that they will goto such great lengths to avoid getting an evaluative grade at the end of the semester.
The Roar is produced by the Advanced Journalism class at A&M Consolidated High School, 1801 Harvey Mitchell Parkway S., College Station, Texas, 77840. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not reflective of the administrators, faculty or staff of the College Station Independent School District. Submissions to the editors are welcomed but must be signed and should not exceed 300 words. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions in the interest of clarity and length or to not print a letter at all. Letters containing obscene or libelous material will not be considered. The Editorial Board consists of the editor-in-chief, managing editor and opinions editor. The Roar is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC), the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The Roar is a winner of the CSPA Gold Crown, the 1997, 1998, 2000-2016 ILPC Award of Distinguished Merit, the CSPA Gold Medal Award, the NSPA All-American distinction and 2005, 2014,2016 ILPC Bronze Star and 2007-2013 and 2015 Silver Star. College Station Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap in providing education services. Monica Jones, Director of Human Resources, 1812 Welsh, College Station, Texas 77840 (979-764-5412) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX. Molley Perry, Executive Director of Special Services, 1812 Welsh, Suite 120, College Station, Texas 77840 (979-764-5433) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act..
“I don’t like that when you’re sick, you can’t exempt because then kids end up coming to school sick, which just ends up getting more people sick. Also, students can’t always prevent illnesses so they shouldn’t be at fault for that.” sophomore sydney criscitiello
“I do agree with exemptions because I think having seven finals is stressful and we all need a break. Also, if you exempt a final one semester, you have to take it the next semester, so it’s not like you’re not taking a final at all. ” freshman libby scott
The Roar 2017-2018 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Senior Exec Editor Online Editor Opinions Editor Section Editors Staff Reporters Faculty Adviser Assistant Adviser
Jennifer Zhan Maya Girimaji Drew Howerton Olivia Conway Sam de Figueiredo Sueji Han Tessa Matthews Kaleigh Waguespack Michael Williams Chauncey Lindner
The Roar Editorial Board Jennifer Zhan • Maya Girimaji • Sam de Figueiredo
the roar | snapshots | 7
friday, dec. 15, 2017
HOT LINE BLING
Senior curates personal jewelry collection sueji han | section editor Precious jewels sparkle and shine within their small leather boxes as senior Kaley Montelongo puts them on display. Last May, senior Kaley Montelongo decided to start her own jewelry line, Kaley Kollection. Her collection includes 35-40 jewelry items like bracelets, rings, and necklaces ranging from 60-250 dollars. “[My parents] thought it was a good idea especially since they knew how much I loved jewelry and fashion,” Montelongo said. “They thought it would be a good idea for me to branch out and do something for myself.” Montelongo received money startup money from Jesse Montelongo, the owner of the Montelongo’s jewelry store, and [he] was excited for Montelongo in taking a passion of being a part in the jewelry business. To start, Montelongo used Pinterest to help her brainstorm more ideas. To set up her line, Montelongo takes the steps of going to the market to find and purchase jewelry wholesale. Then she tags the prices
on the pieces, cleans the jewels, and finally examines for defects. Since Montelongo’s line is fairly new, it’s only advertised at The George hotel. She hopes to create a website and other forms of media to further advertise her products. While creating a line, Montelongo finds important characteristics in order to have a successful line. “Keeping your patience and focus [is important] because there are times when you want to rush the process to get your line out faster or get the word out faster,” Montelongo said. “When you are patient and take your time, the outcome will be better than what it could have been.” Jesse advises that Montelongo should stay updated on today’s trends and marketing to be successful. Montelongo hopes to open a retail store for her jewelry, and envisions a big future for her line. “I hope to get several more brands under my belt, some more expensive, and some less expensive,” Montelongo said. “I want to appeal to everybody’s taste but I want [my line] to have a whimsical and dainty [kind of] image.”
PHOTOS BY SUEJI HAN
Montelongo displays the line’s maroon cuffs, which sell for around $60.
Montelongo tries on some of her collection’s bracelets.
Montelongo models one of her everyday wear long necklaces.
10 | feature | the roar
friday, dec. 15, 2017
Krinhop's Crowd Triplets share common interests, develop individual indenties, personalities tessa matthews | staff reporter She sat there in shock. Tears streamed down her eyes as she sweated profusely. Then she got up to check if her car had room for three more. Geography teacher Samantha Krinhop was expecting triplets. This year, those triplets, Zane Krinhop, Vaughn Krinhop and Grace Krinhop, finished their first semester of freshman year. But by the time they hit middle school, the triplets became busy with music lessons, sports and social life. “When they were younger it was like don’t be afraid to ask them over because you might potentially be asking three over,” Samantha Krinhop said. “There might have been fewer invitations because I might be taking three kids but I think most people treated them well.” Growing up, Vaughn Krinhop said that they shared a lot of the same friends. For birthday parties, the boys would have a separate party from their sister but overall the crowd was the same.
ZANE
The triplets also share an interest and love for mu- fun time. I usually hate heights but it was actually pretty fun.” In fourth grade, the Krinhop triplets came home As time has gone on they have branched out and from school and all independently announced that they developed their own personalities. would do orchestra. They each chose different instru“It is fun to have them all in one class and it’s amazments; Vaughn, the violin; Grace, the cello; Zane, the ing because you can really see the difference in their bass. personalities,” orchestra director Jane McCormick said. “We’ve just been in orchestra ever since,” Vaughn “[I can see] who the most serious about music is and Krinhop said. “We didn’t want to drop out because we who the most flakey is and who the responsible one is.” really liked it. We do [play together] at home someTheir mother says that as they’ve grown older, their times.” personalities have begun to differ. While they all enjoy orchestra, the triplets differ in For example, Samantha Krinhop said that Grace many ways. Vaughn Krinhop and Zane Krinhop enjoy Krinhop is more progressive and the boys are more learning history and watching military documentaries conservative. while Grace Krinhop spends her time trying new ac“In the last couple of years, they’ve tried to be a littivities like rock climbing However, their personalities tle more independent from each other. And they might often influence each other. squabble a little bit,” Samantha Krinhop said. “They’re “We went to Florida. My sister and my brother de- finding their own identities and stuff like that.” cided we to go parasailing, so they talked me into coming,” Vaughn Krinhop said. “And I actually had a pretty sic.
GRACE
VAUGHN
friday, dec. 15, 2017
taking the stage
the roar | feature | 11
Theater members share positive experiences, community within company kaleigh waguespack | staff reporter For senior Madeleine Phillips, the Brazos Valley Theater Company is like a home away from home, but it wasn’t until she watched her neighbor perform in a show that the theater became a new way of life for her. “As a little kid I remember thinking, ‘I want to do that, I want to dance,’” Phillips said. “I wanted to be on stage and sing and be a character in a fun show.” Phillips’s thoughts and dreams soon became a reality when she decided to audition for her first show. Although she was met with disappointment when she wasn’t called back, she made a new and life changing friend, Randy Wilson, the director of the Brazos Valley Theatre Company. “[Wilson] forced me out of my comfort zone and molded me into the person I am today,” Phillips said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.” Unfortunately, Wilson became very sick nearly a year ago and passed away unexpectedly. Wilson’s death was difficult not only for Phillips, but also for freshman Lauren Moore, who also grew up as a part of the Theatre Company. “Randy was an amazing man,” Moore said. “His death was very sad for the theatre community as a whole.” Wilson had a major influence on many people within the theatre community, one of those people being Chris Hoffman, the vocal director and orchestra conductor. His students were the ones who originally got him involved with theatre but it had always been Wilson who encouraged him to give it a chance.
“[Wilson] was always trying to get me to participate as the music director,” Hoffman said. “I jumped in and just enjoyed the experience so much that I decided to do future shows with them.” As a private musical instructor in the community Hoffman spends much of his time on music, including both teaching and conducting. The most challenging part of his role as the vocal director and orchestra conductor isn’t actually the music itself, but choosing the right person who will best fit the role for a particular character. “It’s very difficult when you’ve got a lot of talent to pick from,” Hoffman said. “We try to choose someone who will bring the character to life and do the music justice.” Although music isn’t the only thing that goes into each production, it is still an important piece to the overall show. Another important piece is acting, which has helped shaped Phillips into someone she never knew she could be. “Acting is really about stepping out of your comfort zone [and] being able to be pushed in a role that maybe you’re nothing like,” Phillips said. “Through acting I’ve gained confidence and and self esteem for myself.” From the music to the acting, the company’s hard work in the six weeks leading up to the show creates a lasting bond between members. “The theatre company is one of those places where people are very open and affirming and loving and accepting,” Hoffman said. “It’s like family and everybody cares for each other.”
PHOTOS BY OLIVIA CONWAY
12 | sports | the roar
friday, dec. 15, 2017
BORN TO RUN
Half-marathon finishers discuss merits of continued participation in long distance races jennifer zhan | editor-in-chief When senior Taylor Coleman’s brother-in-law asked her if she wanted to run a race with him, she had no idea she’d be in it for the long run. Three years and three half marathons later, Coleman is proud to be one of several Consol students and staff that participate in the endurance race. “Half marathons weren’t even within my mind’s capacity at first. Like, do you even drive that far from my house to school?” Coleman said. “Now people say, ‘Half marathon? What’s that, 13 miles?’ and I’m like, 13.1, because when you run that far, you can feel that extra 0.1.” Building the endurance necessary to complete the race can take anywhere from three to six months. “You have to show dedication to learning the proper way to do it, putting in the time, the effort, the energy, and, especially in Texas, you have to get up early,” Coleman said. “And that physical training also builds the mental training to get you to the point where you can believe, ‘Hey, I can do this.’” Student teacher Paige Millburn, who has completed eight half marathons, agrees that preparation is paramount. “Nothing can beat good training. I can attest to that from half-marathons that I was not fully ready for,” Millburn said. “You know, you pay for it. You’re very sore the
next day. And it doesn’t feel good during it.” However, she said that half marathons are not as daunting as most people think. “People hear ‘half marathon’ and they think, ‘Oh my gosh, all of this work, all of this time, all of this effort, I’m not physically capable.’ But they’re really accessible to people who aren’t cross country runners or dedicated to long-distance running,” Millburn said. “It’s really all about setting up a schedule that works for you and following it, like maybe every Monday I’m going to run, every Wednesday I’m going to run, Friday I’m going to run, and Sunday’s going to be my long day. If you take the baby steps, and give yourself enough time, you will be fine come race day.” Senior Ben Woods, who ran his first half marathon last year, added that he would advise prospective racers to find friends with comparable athletic abilities to run with. “It’s a lot more fun and takes away some of the pain, especially at the end when you have someone you can talk to or be with,” Woods said. The hardest parts of the race, Woods said, come in the eighth or ninth mile. “You’re kind of having to tell yourself, you can do this, push through it, you paid $90 to do this so you have to finish,” Woods said. “And at the end, you’re just kind of looking at the finish line, like okay, it’s so close, I’m
almost there.” Millburn said that in the second half of a race, she repeats a mantra in her head, telling herself it’s just an easy Saturday run. “I kind of just don’t think about the fact that I’m running. I’m known by family as the dancer,” Millburn said. “I usually have either an audiobook or music in. So when I’m running and I have a really good song, I’m just air drumming along. It’s really fun.” At its core, Coleman said a half marathon is about having fun. “When you show up for a half marathon, it’s just a bunch of crazy people up at 5 in the morning running a really long way. You have the people that are making jokes, and you have the people that are super dedicated, at the front sprinting off,” Coleman said. “That unique feeling of community and the different purposes that people are there for is really cool to see.” Woods agrees, saying that to him, half marathons are more than just a method of exercise. “It is a great way to stay in shape, because running 13.1 miles isn’t easy,” Woods said. “But it also just kind of teaches you to be able to push through your problems and get to the end of anything, you know, in running, or anything else in life.”
friday, dec. 15, 2017
PUMPED UP
the roar | sports |13
Students find alternative way to stay fit in dance based classes samantha de figueiredo | opinions editor After months of searching for a new gym, juniors Abby Cotter, Joyce Benjamin, and Joelle Benjamin have found their perfect fit for fitness: Tone 360, a gym with cardio-driven dance classes. “In my opinion, Tone 360 is one of the coolest places. It’s a dance studio, but it’s a lot harder than just normal dancing, ” Joelle Benjamin said. “The gym is pretty small, but it’s so comfortable in there.” The intense dance class provides a full-body workout through a mixture of different exercises. “We work on legs, arms, and abs for an hour. The most exhausting for me are high knees,” Joyce Benjamin said. “It doesn’t help that I’m not very good at them. When we do them for a long time, I can’t even feel my legs, let alone how high they are going.” Spending three days every week together at the gym has even created new bonds between the Benjamins and Cotter. “I’ve gotten into the habit of dedicating a certain amount of time each week strictly for working out,” Cotter said. “It lets me see the twins a lot more and doing something that challenges us has brought us together.” Their newly-developed relationship allows them to deal with any awkward experiences together. “One time I was dancing right behind [Joyce Benjamin], and everyone was perfectly in sync except for her. She didn’t realize what the dance move was,” Joelle Benjamin said. “She was jumping when everyone else was swaying. I was laughing so hard I
Common Excercises at
Tone 360
had to take a break.” Although Joyce Benjamin was initially embarrassed by her slip-ups, she has learned to shake them off. “I was intimidated by all of the fit people dancing around me, but the more I came, the more I started not to really care what I looked like to everybody else,” Joyce Benjamin said. “I realized that since I didn’t care what anyone else was doing, nobody else cared what I was doing. I started to have fun with the songs.” Joyce and Joelle Benjamin were especially happy to find the gym after quitting the Consol tennis team. “Previously working out was a chore, because though I love sports and being active, it’s hard to push yourself when you’re not motivated,” Joelle Benjamin said. “The cool thing about Tone 360 is that I have the ability to push myself but also have a lot of fun dancing.” Because of her positive memories of the gym, Joelle Benjamin makes sure to recommend the class to her friends. “The atmosphere feels like home and all the staff is so nice and tries to get to know each person that walks through the door,” Joelle Benjamin said. “I can’t think of a better way to stay active than by taking a class that physically challenges me, but that I also thoroughly enjoy, and I want every single person to come too.”
PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA DE FIGUEIREDO
Arm Swings
Lunges
Squats
Planks
friday, dec. 15, 2017
14 | reviews | the roar
During the golden age of video games, kids had to go to arcades to play video games, their pockets stuffed with quarters, brimming with high hopes of high scores. My generation missed out on going to the arcade and spending an afternoon hunched over a Pac-Man machine - That is, until I learned about Nerdvana Vintage Arcade & Toys. Nerdvana Vintage Arcade & Toys is a combination toy store and retro arcade, complete with black lights in a dark room and a collection of ‘70s and ‘80s hits blaring over the soft chirps of games. Nerdvana offers all sorts of neat memorabilia from days gone by, from vintage action figures and toys to a growing selection of movies and games, but its main attraction is the arcade. The arcade offers a great selection of games, ranging from classics like “Pac-Man” and “Galaga”, to gems like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “NBA Jam.” Although I was a bit disappointed at first to find out that most of the cabinets are emulators and not authentic, I prefer this because games can be swapped out through emulation software, allowing for new experiences on every visit. And despite games being emulated instead of running original hardware, high scores are saved, meaning that I can still check back in periodically to see if I’m still the champion of “Final Fight.” ties the atmosphere of Nerdvana together - when I left after a day of beating up baddies and chomping ghosts, I could’ve believed that it was 1986. For fifteen dollars, I was allowed to play all day - no digging for quarters under my couch or in my car when I lost all my lives. Compared to the hundreds of tokens or quarters any other arcade would charge me, fifteen dollars was well worth the experience. Nerdvana is a great addition to the local business scene in town - when the mall is empty, and the movies are mediocre, I think I’m going to head down to the arcade for a couple hours. If you’ve got a free Saturday and some spare cash, give Nerdvana a shot.
Let the games begin the roar reviews: Nerdvana Vintage Toys and Arcade
HIGH SCORE player drew howerton senior executive editor
score 999
the roar | reviews | 15
friday, dec. 15, 2017
THRIFTY THRIFTY jennifer zhan editor-in-chief
maya girimaji managing editor Mindlessly winding my way through the racks of clothes around Plato’s Closet, I somehow ended up at the sunglasses stand. After my dad sat on my last pair, I decided it was time to buy new ones that I wouldn’t be too heartbroken about if my dad decided to break yet another pair. Initially I grabbed a black pair of sunnies that were in my comfort zone. But my friend who came with me suggested I try on the pair that she was holding. The rose
gold frames and brown tint to the lense immediately made me fall in love with it. These sunnies were different from what I was used to but after trying it on I knew this was the pair for me. The classy shape and the muted colors were perfect for any situation or weather. Wearing it makes me feel powerful. They were only $7. I went into this experience expecting to walk out with a vintage jacket on my arms. Instead, got probably the coolest pair of sunglasses I’ve ever owned.
We first went to 2nd Chance Resale and spent about thirty minutes flipping through the racks. The clothes were good quality, but I couldn’t find anything for me. At first, I tried to check out of the thrift store with a simple gray t-shirt. It had no patterns, it was sure to match with jeans, and of course, it was very cheap. But right before I stepped up to the counter, one of my friends gave me a dubious look that changed my mind. “I mean, it’s nice, but you probably have dozens of solid-colored shirts like that at home,” she said. “I feel like the whole point of thrift shopping is to get something you couldn’t get anywhere else, something that you wouldn’t
normally buy.” Deciding she was right, I headed to the nearest aisle, determined to buy something that I would never wear on a normal basis. I ignored the temptation to pick a straightforward black skirt and grabbed the most colorful one on the rack. I ended up with this tropical flowery button-up skirt. I was nerous that this skirt would clash with my entire wardrobe because it was so flashy, but I soon realized that the colors are easy to match with. Furthermore, the material is comfortable, and it only cost me 8 dollars. Thrift shopping could have been just another way to get my typical clothes at a cheaper price, but instead, I left with something something unique that ended up becoming one of my favorite things in my closet.
drew howerton senior executive editor When I saw a black, green, and yellow Saucony running jacket on the rack at Plato’s Closet, I knew it was meant for me. Normally, a high end Saucony jacket is about $150, but I scored mine for $15. It checks off a lot of boxes for me - it’s comfortable, fits perfectly, and has a ton of pocket space with spacious interior and exterior pockets. It’s also a really rad mix of green and yellows that you don’t see in clothes anymore; my friends tell me that it makes me look like a Power Ranger, and I’m stoked about that; I feel groovy wearing it. This is one of the best thrifts I’ve ever picked up and I can’t wait to find more thrifty finds.
the roar staff sent four of its staff to local thrift shops with a $20 budget each. here’s what they found.
16 | etcetera| the roar
friday, dec. 15, 2017
GSA officers promote awareness, create open minded environment drew howerton senior executive editor Gay Straight Alliance is a club intended to provide a safe space for lesbian, gay, transgender and questioning students at Consol, as well as a means to educate students on issues that affect the LGBTQ community. “The officers invite everyone to share their name, class, and preferred gender pronouns,” English teacher and sponsor Jackie Shoemake said. “The officers educate the group on some sort of LGBTQ issue and lead the group in an informal discussion.” Besides holding discussion, GSA’s biggest event is participating in the National Day of Silence. “Students take a vow of silence to raise awareness about the silencing effects of anti-LGBTQ bullying,” Shoemake said. “ Each year we have more than two hundred students, faculty, and staff participate.” When GSA began, meetings were held after hours and students came in pairs to ensure each other’s safety. As the social and political climate became more tolerant, GSA has been able to be more visible as a safe space. “When I [came out] and had a girlfriend but hadn’t been out to my parents, it gave me a place where we could spend time together,”
senior and social media manager Morgan Kehrberg said. “It was a place I could hang out with people who have the same views as me.” Senior and club secretary Avery Wright said that joining GSA has helped him be more comfortable with himself. Wright, who is transgender, serves as the secretary of GSA and is the only transgender officer. “I see that as an opportunity to motivate or help other transgender people in the school,” Wright said. “It’s helped me to be more open about myself and be able to talk to other people without fear of being judged.” Being the sole transgender officer gives Wright the opportunity to help illustrate issues that he faces to those who otherwise would not understand them. “I feel like without somebody to represent the transgender community it’s kind of difficult for people to discuss topics like that,” Wright said. “So I feel like I help to open conversation and not isolate the topic of transgender people.” GSA also functions as a way to educate allies. Junior and vice president Lucy Harper hopes to break the stigma of GSA as a place only for gay students. “[People] think it’s just for gay people but it’s not,” Harper said. “We do talk about issues that people in the LGBTQ community face, but I think that you don’t have to be part of that community to learn about it. There are straight
people that come and I think that’s really important.” More than ensuring that all feel welcome, GSA officers are concerned with eliminating stereotypes surrounding LGBTQ students. “I don’t see anything inherently bad about it being the gay club,” Kehrberg said. “It’s more about breaking the stigma of ‘Why is it bad to be around gay people?’” Other challenges include addressing concerns from faculty and students whose beliefs may conflict with the club’s purpose, as well as working to highlight issues that LGBTQ students face. “We’ve been able to address their concerns and fears in a professional way and maintain an open dialogue,” Shoemake said. “Always, we worry about the health and safety of our LGBTQ students who are at greater risk of depression and homelessness.” Despite these problems, Wright believes that joining GSA has helped him become a more active member of the LGBTQ community. Recently, Wright has begun writing to the school administration about issues that affect LGBTQ students. “If I hadn’t been in GSA, I wouldn’t have the motivation to write to the administration,” he said. “It’s helped me to become more of an advocate than saying it’s a community I’m part of - I’m actually involved.”