Vol. 16 No. 5

the

Roar

A&M Consolidated High School

nthis ssue

Rock out at Consolapalooza on page 15.

1801 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. S., College Station, Texas 77840

Friday, April 1, 2011

BUDGET CUTS

Vol. 16 No. 5

Teachers, staff rally to fight decrease in education funding

news

LGBT: Consol's Gay-Straight Alliance organizes a Day of Silence to increase advocacy for gay students.

Page 6.

viewpoints

sports

Boys Golf: Senior Kameron Kitchens focuses on golf after years of playing other sports.

Page 24.

entertainment Graffiti Styling Artists use spray paint to create works of art.

Page 31.

tolook

where News

pages 2-6

pages 7-13

Viewpoints

page 15

Snapshots

pages 16-17

Student Life People

pages 14,18-21

Sports

pages 22-27

Health & Rec Entertainment Etc.

page 28 page 29-31 page 32

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amy zhang, opinions editor laura everett, assistant editor

The state’s bleak economic situation will result in cuts in public education that students will soon feel echoing down their own hallways. According to Sen. Steve Ogden of Bryan, chair of the budget committee, the budget cuts have not been finalized to a point where the specific effects can be predicted. “ A s we continue to work on the

appropriations bill, it is my intention to keep any negative impact to a minimum,” Ogden said. “Contrary to what you may have heard, the Texas Senate is looking at ways to increase state funding for public education, not to decrease it.”

District 14 Rep. Fred Brown of Bryan echoes these sentiments.

“It is my goal to prevent as much of the blow to education and human services as possible by promoting government efficiency and non-tax revenue building,” Brown said. “Everyone is advocating for cuts when we should be looking for ways to build revenue without raising taxes or growing government.”

Although the state legislature will not approve a final budget until May, the school district must plan now for these anticipated cuts.

“The school district’s budget is dependent upon the state’s budget,” Superintendent Eddie Coulson said. “Because the state revenues are projected to be CONGRESSMAN

African Beading: Students raise money for Africa through beading parties.

Page 18.

BY

YOUR

people

Senior Richard Nguyen, government teacher Bobby Slovak and senior Lori Sevilla attend a rally against the state budget cuts on March 12 in Austin. The rally involved teachers and students of all ages from across the state. PHOTOS BY PREKSHA CHOWDHARY

CONTACT

PDA: Freshman Dana Branham writes about the stresses of dealing with couples tongue-wrestling in the hallways. Page 8.

less over the next couple of years, there will be less money available for public education.”

While the school district has prepared for potential budget deficits over the past few years, the Texas Comptroller recently released the state’s revenue estimate stating that Texas will suffer a $15 billion deficit over the next two years. Budget cuts are expected to be made in every area, including public education.

According to Coulson, the district is currently prepared for three scenarios, the best of which involves the system remaining the same.

“Right now, we are moving forward with what we call ‘Scenario B,’ which is a scenario where we are reducing a little over $4.5 million out of our budget over the course of the next couple of years,” Coulson said.

Scenario C involves a revenue decrease, which assumes a 5% reduction in state funding, meaning that the district would be required to reduce the budget by

FRED BROWN

Room CAP 1N.09, Capitol P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768

$6.5 million dollars over the next two years.

“I used to believe [our current situation] was the worst case scenario,” Coulson said. “Clearly, it is all a matter of perspective.”

Government teacher Bobby Slovak sees the budget cuts as foreboding for the state, as well as the nation. Statistics show that Texas consistently ranks among the lowest states in public education standings, including having the lowest percent of the population 25 and older with a high school diploma, according to the website Texas on the Brink.

“Education will be cut and certainly not allowed to grow,” Slovak said. “I saw some figures that said in the next couple of years, Texas is going to pick up several thousand new students, but the new budget plans do not provide funding for these new students.” see budget cuts on page 3

STEVE OGDEN

Texas State Capitol, Room GE.4 P.O. Box 12068 Austin, TX 78711

art by alejandra oliva

2 | news | the roar

n the news

FFA students excel in technician contest

Students participate in BPA state conference

FFA students seniors Colton Hanson, Jordan Harris and Cole Sustaire participated in the State FFA Tractor Technician Contest at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. They competed against 20 teams who also qualified for state. The team placed fifth and brought home over $5,000 in tools and prizes.

The Business Professionals of America students attended the state conference in Fort Worth on March 2-5.The students who qualified for nationals are seniors P.J. Huang for Human Resource Management and Adam Wang for C++ Programming. The students who became national alternates are junior Kevin Li for JAVA Programming; sophomore Kelly Zhou for Keyboarding Production; senior Matt Lyle for PC Servicing & Troubleshooting; sophomores Teresa deFigueiredo, Kelly Zhou and freshman Ivy Lee for Small Business Management Team; and seniors Lamees Elnihum, Lujain Elnihum, Divya Chowdhary and sophomore Cesia Sanchez for Economic Research Project.

Tiger debate team qualifies for national tournament The Tiger Speech and Debate Team attended the Heart of Texas National Qualifying Tournament.

The students who qualified for the National Speech tournament were sophomore Jeffrey Kettle and senior Tafadzwa Gwaze in duo acting; receiving the Heart of Texas District Student of the Year was senior Mauricio Arreola-Garcia; and the alternate to Nationals in Extemporaneous Speaking is senior Katherine Ray.

Consol’s bowling team finishes strong at regional The bowling teams competed in the regional competition on March 6. The girls placed fifth overall. The boys fell short of winning the team round in the regional meet.

Tigerland yearbook receives prestigious honor

The Tigerland yearbook staff has been honored for its accomplishments in yearbook design and coverage by Balfour Yearbooks.

AP students receive recognition In recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP exams, 155 A&M Consolidated High School students earned 182 Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar Awards.

In CSISD, 36 percent of those taking AP exams scored high enough to earn an AP Scholar Award.

friday, april 1, 2011

A qu ck view

Com ng up

Junior Abby Hedge cheers for the children at the College Hills Kids Klub on Friday, March 25 during a game with a hula hoop.

She is a member of FCCLA, an organization that participates in teaching and working with younger children. The theme of their visits to the elementary schools and their competitions is “Kindness inspires Kindness.”

The members of FCCLA placed first in their regional competition, and they are preparing for their upcoming state competition. PHOTO BY ALINA DATTAGUPTA

April 2: Local budget cut rally- 10:30 a.m. in Fred Brown’s office April 5-6: English 1 EOC testing April 22: School in session for bad weather make-up day April 25-29: TAKS Testing Week (see page 14 for details) April 27: Senior Wellness May 2-13: AP Testing May 6-7: Bengal Belles Springs Show- 7 p.m. in auditorium May 11-12: EOC testing May 13: WIT vs. FIT- 7 p.m. in auditorium May 14: Prom “Arabian Nights”- 8 p.m. to 12 p.m. at Expo Center

the roar | news | 3

friday, april 1, 2011

‘Budget cuts’ continued from page 1

New budget cuts cause students to rally for their rights Part of the massive state deficit comes from the state’s decision to not raise taxes.

“Texas relies mostly on the sales tax, and when the consumers stop purchasing as much during the recession, there’s less sales tax money,” Slovak said. “The Texas Constitution prohibits a state income tax without voter approval, so we’d have to amend the Texas Constitution, and voters generally don’t want to vote themselves a tax, unfortunately. So, if you’re not going to have any new taxes, then you’re going to have to cut spending.”

As the majority of the district’s budget goes toward teacher salaries and instruction, it is difficult for the district to make many modifications to that sector of the budget.

While positions may not be filled if teachers choose to leave or retire, it has been guaranteed that no teacher will lose his or her job if it is wanted, Coulson said.

“We will obviously try to reduce our budget in ways that will not impact the classroom,” Coulson said. “But because most of the money that we spend is related to instruction and staff, any significant reductions we do will impact the number of people we have working in the school district and the programs that we have as well.”

Although these budget cuts may not affect academics dramatically, they will affect the amount of money allocated

to extracurricular activities, including athletics.

“We are projecting a cut in athletics of about $70,000,” Principal Ernest Reed said.

These cuts will be compensated for through combining buses or reducing out of town trips, Reed said. Despite these significant changes, the programs will attempt to adhere to current standards, affecting as few areas as possible. For example, the school does not intend to alter the football schedule, allowing for maximum student participation. However, athletics will not receive the only budget cut, as the fine art programs face cuts in budget as well.

“We are going to have to look at all [the areas that may face cuts] and weigh the educational value [that each of these areas hold for] each individual student,” band director Van Henry said.

The reduced budget will naturally affect and reshape the fine arts programs, which rely on money for travel and supplies. However, no programs have been completely removed from the district at this point, Coulson said.

“To say that money is all that matters is not necessarily true,” orchestra director Jeffrey Hill said. “The money doesn’t make the program—the quality of who’s in charge makes the program.”

On March 12, many Consol students

gathered in Austin to show their support for the coalition against education budget cuts, Save Texas Schools.

“The idea is to bring a whole bunch of people to Austin to say, ‘Hey, we are Texas.’

We represent the cross section of the public, and we think it is important that we not cut into the bone of education in particular,” Slovak said.

That Saturday, students, teachers, business people and various groups from all across the state (including Save Texas Schools) gathered in front of the Capitol building in Austin to voice their opinions.

Some of those voices came from Give Art a Chance, a group formed by Consol’s art students and other artists who they met during the VASE Art Competition in February. The founder of the group, senior Lori Sevilla, said that her main intent was to defend the art program’s future, as well as to spread awareness of the potential consequences of the budget cuts.

“Rick Perry plans to balance the books at our expense,” Sevilla said, “at the expense of our future, and our education, but not just everyone who’s in high school right now, planning on going to college, but the entire future of Texas.”

Senior Richard Nguyen was among the students who attended the rally with Sevilla.

Despite staying for less than an hour, he was moved by the effect of the large crowd of

people with a singular purpose.

“I was really proud to be a part of one of the largest rallies of this type,” Nguyen said. “We saw the passion that [the speakers] conveyed to the teachers and everyone who attended.”

The rally intended to impact how the state legislature develops the budget, placing a larger emphasis on the importance of public education.

“The good thing about [the budget cuts] being a future thing is we have time to stop it,” Sevilla said. “We have time to protest, appeal, talk to our congressmen, those sort of things.”

Another goal of the rally was to draw attention to Perry’s avoidance of utilizing some of the $9.3 billion that the legislature has reserved for severe situations, often referred to as the Rainy Day Fund.

While Perry admitted on March 15 that $3.1 billion of the Rainy Day Fund would have to be used to alleviate the budget deficit, the source of the remaining debt has yet to be determined.

Despite all the debate and controversy surrounding the economic deficit, for Slovak, the fundamental issue is much simpler.

“We’ve sent people [overseas] to war to make the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “[Meanwhile,] back here at home, we can’t shill out a little bit more money.”

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4 | news | the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

Foreign students fear for safety of families in warring African countries

BY KATY MASSEY assistant opinions editor It started on Jan. 25. Screams echoed through the once peaceful streets of Egypt.

Battered and bruised, yet still determined, the fearless Egyptians marched through their cities, demanding that their voices be heard. Masses of people, both old and young, gathered together to denounce their dictatorial government. Senior Rowana Mohamed remembers how she felt watching on her television as her fellow Egyptians struggle to overthrow their oppressive government. “[Broadcasts of the revolution] were the only thing that ran on the TV at our house,” Mohamed said. “My parents never turned it off. They would be up at three in the morning watching the television, going through all the American news channels.

Then, they would switch to the Arabic ones.

They were constantly going back and forth.”

Before moving to the United States, Mohamed spent part of her childhood in Egypt. When she was four years old, her immediate family, which only included her parents and her sister, moved to the United States. The rest of her family, including herself, were constantly worried when the revolution started happening. “[My parents] were calling the rest of our family to make sure everyone was alright,” Mohamed said. “It was incredibly scary. My family lives around three hours from Cairo, so they weren’t in the middle of anything bad. There were protests in their town, though.”

The initial revolution in Egypt and the overthrow of their government sparked a chain reaction in many other countries in the Middle East.

Senior Lamees Elnihum recalls how she felt when protests began erupting in her native country of Libya.

“I remember seeing protesters marching

down my street on TV,” Elnihum said.

“There were actually people killed in front of the school I used to walk to when I stayed there during the summer.”

Like Mohamed, Elnihum and her parents were not able to contact their family members who remained in the country while the protests were occurring.

“We couldn’t contact our family for two or three days,” Elnihum said. “It was so hard to believe that my family was actually going through that. They cut off the telephone lines and the Internet, so we couldn’t reach anyone. However, my mom managed to contact my aunt who said that everyone was fine. We were really, really relieved.”

However, Elnihum has recieved no updated news of her family living in Libya.

“I have no idea what’s going on,” Elnihum said. “I haven’t been able to talk to them on the phone. I don’t know if they’re joining protests, and I’m really scared of finding out that something has happened to

them. Hopefully, nothing will.”

Despite the oppression, and at times, horrifying revolutions taking place in the Middle East, both Elnihum and Mohamed hope for a better future for their people.

“I’m looking forward to the new changes the revolution will bring,” Elnihum said. “All the protests are causing so much chaos, but I’m hoping it will lead to a better government so that the people can carry out their own lives and not be held down by oppression.”

Mohamed expressed a similar reaction, saying that she, too, hopes for government reform and better lives for her people.

“I just want to see [Egyptians] stand up on their own two feet again,” Mohamed said. “[Egyptians] are patient and loyal people, both to each other and to their families. But at the same time, I feel like that patience has let them trudge through their lives these 30 years. Now, I think they feel like it’s time they do something for themselves.”

Libya

Egypt

Protests in Egypt and Libya Jan. 25: Egyptians begin protesting in downtown Cairo Jan. 26: First casualties are reported: one police officer and one protester are killed

Feb. 15: Protests begin in Libya.

One person is killed and dozens are injured.

Jan. 28: Egyptians report disruptions in their cell phone and Internet services

Feb. 16-20: Protests continue, mainly in Benghazi, the second largest city in Libya. More casualties are reported.

Feb. 1: Mubarak announces in a televised address that he will not run for re-election but refuses to step down from office

Feb. 21: Protesters gain control of Benghazi.

Feb. 11: Hosni Mubarak resigns as the President of Egypt and gives his power to the military

Feb. 2-10: Protest in Tahrir Square

Feb. 22-28: Other nations become involved in the Libyan conflict. The UN, EU and the United States government also become involved.

March 1-present: Protests are still occurring.

Although UN begins airstrikes, Libyan government has not let go of its control.

Source: http://english.aljazeera.net, http://timelines.ws/countries/

the roar | news| 5

friday, april 1, 2011

Positive outlook on life instills strength in individuals affected by cancer “I had so many people from school, whether they were friends or just people I knew, that would assistant editor come up to me and just say they were sorry and that meant the world to me and helped out a lot,” Student Council’s recent CARE week project Sturdivant said. has brought attention to the many cancers that impact Sometimes in tough situations some people can young and old alike in our school. overlook the positive things, but not the Sturdivants.

“I spent my entire eighth grade year in Austin at “The best thing was that we grew closer as a the doctor going through Chemotherapy every other family,” Sturdivant said.

“It’s not a cliché, it really did day and ended up completely skipping that grade,” happen.

Since we knew his days were numbered we said freshman Mark Ebbole, a cancer survivor. took more advantage Ebbole was of the time we had diagnosed with together so we could Hodgkin’s lymphoma cherish it.” his eighth grade year Ebbole agreed “God gave me this challenge after visiting the doctor and mentioned that for what seemed like because He sees more in me “staying positive just a cold. makes every day a lot than I see in myself.”

“I was always easier.” feeling bad, and Just like the throwing up and falling SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER ASHLEY HOBBS students, several asleep in class,” Ebbole teachers have also said. “I felt a lump in experienced a battle against cancer.

Recently married my chest and so I assumed I had cancer. My mom special education teacher Ashley Hobbs battled cancer doubted it but took me in anyways.”

After finding out the news, Ebbole’s mother was in high school and was just recently diagnosed again very helpful, because she had gone through the same in January.

“There is a purpose to everything in life, so I thing a couple years before, he said. knew this would make us stronger and teach us a lot “My mom had been sick with breast cancer since of things such as humility, enjoying relationships, and before I can remember. She knew how I felt and could being thankful for even the worst days,” Hobbs said. comfort me; She was always there for me,” Ebbole Hobbs now visits the doctor every other week for said.

Chemotherapy which is a very difficult treatment to Similar to Ebbole, senior Preston Sturdivant also go through, she said.

Hobbs keeps a positive attitude had a parent with cancer. to help her make it through.

“Six years ago, we were going to go camping, and “God gave me this challenge because He sees my father needed an annual checkup. When he went to more in me than I see in myself,” Hobbs said. the doctor, he found out that he had a blood disorder, Hobbs thanks her husband for being a helping which turned into leukemia, the cancer, a couple years hand and never giving up on her, she said. after that,” Sturdivant said.

“My husband and I continue to learn a lot about Because lfeukemia has no cure, Sturdivant’s each other for the better,” Hobbs said. father passed away in February. The Sturdivant’s have Though we have yet to find a cure to cancer, found support from their friends and family to be very having an optimistic approach seems to come pretty helpful, he said. close to the cure.

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Senior Preston Sturdivant poses with Dad, Mom and brother for a family photo.

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Special Education Teacher Ashley Hobbs and her husband Michael Hobbs take engagement pictures in Port Aransas in May. The newlyweds tied the knot in December, just before Hobbs was rediagnosed with colon cancer this past January. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ASHLEY HOBBS Freshman Mark Ebbole meets Will Ferrell in Austin during his stay in the hospital. Mark was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in the eighth grade. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARK EBBOLE

6 | news| the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

Silence speaks in support of mistreated LGBT youth

BY DINI SUSANTO

editor-in-chief

“There are times when silence has the loudest voice.”

For the lesbian/gay/bisexual/ transgender (LGBT) community and their allies, these words from Leroy Brownlow, a preacher, author and businessman, epitomize the ongoing battle for respect, for equality, for a voice.

The Gay-Straight Alliance club is responsible for promoting and sponsoring Consol’s participation in the national Day of Silence. Traditionally, those participating in the event undergo an entire day without speaking to symbolize the silence that LGBTs hide behind to avoid bullying and abuse, both verbal and physical, that ensue one’s “coming out.” This year, Day of Silence will take place on April 15.

“Day of Silence isn’t about being pro-gay or pro-straight,” theater instructor Michelle Greene said. “It’s about recognizing that no one has the right to belittle [others] because of who they are.

Just because you identify yourself as LGBT or as an ally and stand up for a gay friend, no one has the right to make you feel like less of a person. The Day of Silence lets people know that it’s not okay.”

Last year, over 190 students participated in the event, along with several faculty members. To prevent disruption of classroom activities, students partaking in the silence were and will again be required to carry a note card explaining what they are doing, along with a notepad and a pen to aid any necessary communication

with teachers. In addition to the silent participants, there were also vocal supporters who served as representatives for those who could not speak.

While “The Scarlet Letter’s” Hester Prynne and “Easy A’s” Olive Penderghast suffer public shame by means of a scarlet “A” sown on their chests, LGBTs and their

LOUDER

allies live under an “invisible stigma,” said Jacquelyn Shoemake, an English teacher and Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) sponsor.

According to Shoemake, the mission of GSA is to provide a safe haven for students who share the same mindset regarding LGBTs to gather and socialize without judgment and discrimination, as well as

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HATE ORTED EP RE R E W ES CRIM 05 0 IN 2 OF THE SS N HOMELE O I L L I M E 1.6 YOUTH AR N A C I R E AM LGBT

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to learn and educate others about issues of sexuality, emphasizing on the alliance, or unity, between gays and straights.

“A lot of times, I find that LGBT students don’t have anyone to talk to, and once they can find someone they know they can rely on, then you become the go-to for a lot of issues, LGBT or not,” Greene said.

Theater director Beth Creel agrees.

“Once these kids realize that they have someone who will stand up for them and make sure they don’t get picked on, you become more than just a teacher,” Creel said. “You become somewhat of a colleague and someone they trust.”

Years ago, Consol’s attitude towards LGBTs differed from that of today’s.

“GSA did disappear for a while after I graduated [from Consol], but the reason why it did is because it felt like the climate [here] was comfortable and friendly,” said Greene, who was a member of the original GSA while enrolled in high school at Consol. “It wasn’t hostile. There was no need for it, because the whole school was a gay-straight alliance. But then something must have changed since then.”

Shoemake, who also plays a leading role in the Aggie ALLIES support group, promotes the development of acceptance and unity in our community.

“The final and very crucial step of becoming an ally is realizing that not only are LGBTs not bad people, but also that they, like everyone else, contribute tremendously to our community,” Shoemake said. “Our society would not be the same without them.”

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theroar | viewpoints |7

friday, april 1, 2011

Junior learns valuable lessons from outdoor hobby

kelseygaines

The Roar 2010-2011 Staff Editor-in-Chief: Dini Susanto Managing Editor: Alejandra Oliva Executive Editor: Alex Hall Senior Editor: Emily Nelson Photography Editor: Becca Gamache Opinions Editor: Amy Zhang News Editor: Alina Dattagupta Features Editor: Faria Akram Sports Editor: Anna Huff Entertainment Editor: Kate Williams Assistant Opinions Editor: Katy Massey Assistant Editors: Elena Edwards, Abigayle English, Kendra Spaw, Kimmie Cessna, Anne Finch, Dana Branham, Preksha Chowdhary, Isabel Drukker, Laura Everett, Kelsey Gaines, Rachel Kagle Staff Reporter: Kirsten Bevan Artists: Morgan Murphy, Maurice Vellas Faculty Adviser: Courtney Wellmann Assistant Adviser: Mike Williams

The Roar Editorial Board Dini Susanto- Editor -in- Chief Alejandra Oliva- Managing Editor Amy Zhang- Opinions Editor

The Advanced Journalism class at A&M Consolidated High School, 1801 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South, 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 editorin-chief, managing editor and opinions editor.

The Roar is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC), the National Scholatsic Press Association (NSPA) and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The Roar is a winner of the CSPA Gold Crown, the ILPC Award of Distinguished Merit in 1997, 1998 and 2000-2010, the CSPA Gold Medal Award in 2003-2010, the NSPA All-American distinction and the ILPC Bronze Star in 2005 and the Silver Star in 2007-2010.

College Station Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap in providing education services.

Glynn Walker, 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. Catherine George, 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.

State legislature should prioritize education funding The legislature has made it clear that the $15 billion deficit that the state will suffer over the next two years will be compensated by reducing the budget for several public services, with education as one of the sectors most affected. Even though the impact will not affect CSISD as drastically as many districts across the state, thanks to capable planning and budgeting by our district staff, it is appalling to hear that the students across the state will suffer at the hands of the legislature’s inefficiencies. Public education should not be allowed to suffer such indecencies when there is plenty that can be done to decrease reductions in funding.

Despite having the second largest public school enrollment in the nation, Texas has consistently ranked low concerning other educational matters such as SAT and TAKS scores. The state already ranks 47th in the amount of state aid given per pupil, based on average daily attendance. With these alarming statistics, it is difficult to believe that the legislature intends to continue to reduce the amount of funding given to schools, providing even fewer opportunities for students to improve themselves.

Currently, there is $9.3 billion that the state legislature has set aside to use in “dire” circumstances, known as the “Rainy Day Fund.” While Governor Rick Perry’s recent decision to use $3.1 billion will be useful in counteracting the deficit, protesters wonder what will be done with the remaining dormant money. After all, if this is not considered a “rainy day,” what is?

While the state may be trying to ensure that public education will not suffer long-term harm, it must be recognized that the state of public education has already been under attack. The state needs to recognize how much harm is being done to the future generation through these reductions and rethink where budget cuts are being made. Education is essential to a student’s future, and should not be shorted due to a weak foundation. Why continue to safeguard for the future when the present is already suffering?

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this numerous times, isn’t my personal cup of tea. To me, hunting is about nothing but respect: being submerged in the animal’s natural habitat and letting my senses become acute to their home I am simply a guest in.

Along with respect, hunting has taught me nothing less than true patience. More times than not I return home empty handed when I squirrel hunt, not due to lack of ability, but because I couldn’t relax my own senses. I’ve found that respectful hunting is mostly a mental game. If I am not able to flush out all lingering anxiety and worry from my materialist life and focus on every detail that nature has to offer, I am not able to get into the mindset of the animal.

At the adventurous age of four, when most girls were It proves unsuccessful if I am unable to transition from playing with Barbies out in the front yard or delicately my normally hectic and fast paced life in to the easy going sipping tea with their six closest stuffed friends, I was in the and simplicity of nature. Learning to love the woods has bed of my daddy’s Ford, ear muffs on, my right eye closed, taught me what it’s like to have patience by looking for peering down the sight of my single shot .22, aiming for the something that I may not necessarily find. Even though can perched upon the ant mound 20 yards behind the truck. I I may not kill anything, I am able to enjoy myself was brought up learning how to hunt, fish, and get a little and the time that I get to spend in the midst of simply muddy, but at the same time, appreciate the beauty beautiful creations. and power of the natural world around me. As Through my hunting endeavors, I have learned the I’ve grown up, I’ve learned almost more from magnificent powers of the natural world. I have learned the time I’ve spent in the woods than during all how to respect the elements and the animals that inhabit the hours I have spent in school. its territory and understand the calming Hunting has always been a big part of ability that it possesses. As Bon Iver who I am. There is nothing I enjoy more than puts it, when “I’m spending a whole day by myself, walking in up in the woods, the woods alone to think and feel however I’m down on I wish. I’ve never really my mind.” As I enjoyed spending emerge from the woods and reseemingly enter into my scheduled way of endless amounts living, I am peaceful, relaxed of time in a deer and refueled to take blind. While I enjoy shooting a nice buck, whatever is handed it’s not my highest preference. Instead, I to me. am a passionate squirrel hunter. Something We, as about their impressive agility and students, the challenge that it presents is get wrapped up in the next big invigorating to my senses. It’s project or the latest gossip and end up become somewhat of an art being strung out by the end of the day. form to me.

I know I forget how easy it is to walk Through squirrel hunting outside and spend even a small amount I’ve found that there is so much of time in nature. Even this tiny dose can more to hunting than bringing Artwork by Maurice Vellas help refocus my mind, as well as my attitude. When home some meat for a future meal.

I return from a day of hunting and get reacquainted with It’s grown to be very important to the world I left to be in the natural elements, I can’t help but me to actually be hunting the animals, by walking through crave for a life where we didn’t live so out of touch with the the woods, listening and watching for them, not simply sitting and waiting for the feeder to go off at seven o’clock. way life should truly be.

Kelsey is an Assistant Editor for The Roar. If you would Watching as the animals flock into the freshly fallen corn like to discuss hunting and nature with her, email her at the. and getting to sit back and choose the biggest and best roar.gaines@gmail.com. specimen to hang on my wall, even though I have done

If you would like for your opinions to be read, contact the editorial board by sending your letter to the editor. Review our policy for letters before submitting.

E-MAIL the.roar@ymail.com

8 | viewpoints | the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

Displays of affection unnecessary in school hallways

W hat’s your memorable Amost Fool’s prank? pril “My friends paint-bombed my RV while I was asleep inside. I was blue for 3 days. They still call me a Smurf!”

-Jean Perrenot, freshman “I switched my mom’s shampoo and conditioner bottles and pu ta rubber band on the sink faucet so it soaked her!”

-Emily Venuti, sophomore ste on “I put oral gel numbing pa nt e we Sh . sh my sister’s toothbru g able in the rest of the day not be to speak correctly!”

-Laura Beck, junior “I put the family cat inside the medicine cabinet. When my mom opened it, she had to take twice as many Tylenol because she was so freaked out!

-Christian Wolz, senior “I ducktaped Ms. Klein’s room shut--while she was in it.”

-Bart Taylor, technology teacher

However, I don’t mean to say that all public displays of affection are bad. Holding hands or hugging quickly between classes isn’t offensive, and that kind of PDA shouldn’t have to be banned. I like hugs as much as the next person, and if a faculty member called me out or punished me for giving a hug, yes, I would have a problem with that.

Hugs aren’t distasteful, nor is holding hands a shameful act.

I don’t think kissing is necessarily bad either, but everything has it’s time and place. Wanting to show our emotions for people close to us is natural, and there is nothing at all wrong with it in moderation. Nearly everyone has heard the saying, “Too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.” This Public displays of affection—they are inescapable in saying directly applies here. Hugging and holding hands are our school. Touchy-feely couples seem to be lining every all good things that make us feel loved and wanted, but too hallway. I’m okay with just a peck on the cheek, but having much of any of it can make an observer think lowly of the to avert my eyes while somehow participants. Sure, in a perfect world, we wouldn’t judge you unhinge your jaw and press people so quickly just based on their actions. However, your face to your boyfriend or we’re humans. We all do it, whether we do it girlfriend is repulsive. Although consciously or subconsciously.

PDA is clearly against the rules, In the end, it’s all about respect. Respect only once have I seen one of these yourself by not throwing yourself at couples being told to knock it off. whomever you are so desperately in love It could be because I’m single with in the hallways. Respect your and hostile that I feel a certain classmates and authority figures by disgust towards the overly physical refraining from having passionate pairs of people sprinkling the hallways, make-out sessions between classes. but kissing and feeling one another is Save those special moments for simply inappropriate for a school setting. somewhere special, and somewhere Such acts should be saved for somewhere private. By respecting ourselves, private—and no, directly in front of my locker is our peers, and our school rules, we not a private place. And yes, when I cough and clear can walk the hallways without my throat and otherwise make noise to make you Artwork by Morgan Murphy worrying about having to shield our aware of my presence, I do want to you remove your eyes from some slightly overzealous lips from one another and move away from my locker. To couples. On the opposite side, too, there would be no worries me, it’s obnoxious and unnecessary at school. Surprisingly, of snap judgments by strangers if there was minimal PDA some of us are actually here to learn. at school. We, as students, just need to remember this in What perplexes me most, though, is why couples feel regards to love: just because you got it, doesn’t mean you compelled to show PDA. If you’re truly in love, why should gotta flaunt it. you have to boast it to the world to prove it? Maybe this Dana is an Assistant Editor for The Roar. If you’d like reveals some of the insecurities possessed by the expressive to brainstorm routes aimed at avoiding lovey-dovey couples, couples in our school—just a thought. email her at the.roar.branham@gmail.com.

danabranham

word on the street

By Morgan Murphy

“Graduation”

How would you describe your eating habits?

Junk Food Junkie

26.8%

16.2%

Conscious Consumer

57.0% Moderate Muncher

925 students surveyed

friday, april 1, 2011

the roar | viewpoints | 9

Volunteer work leads to new perspectives for daily life

kirstenbevan Four summers ago, I first went to Kingdom Ranch, a weeklong camp that shares the kingdom of God with children. But Kingdom Ranch is not just another children’s church camp; it is specially equipped to accommodate children with special needs. The camp takes anything from mild ADHD to Down’s Syndrome to kids who have been in wheelchairs their whole lives. Each child is placed with a counselor, one to one. There are around 20 counselors and 11 to 12 kids. For five days, the other counselors and I were each in charge of a child. From seven in the morning to around ten at night, we could not let our assigned child out of our sight. One of the kids there was Caleb, a twelve yearold boy with Down’s syndrome, diabetes, hearing problems and extremely thick glasses.

I knew Caleb before I went to Kingdom Ranch, but while I helped look after him throughout the camp, he surprised me in many ways. One day at mail time, Caleb received a letter from his parents. I asked him if he would like me to read it to him. Caleb said no very politely and began to open the envelope. He slipped the card out and began to read the letter out loud. I was shocked; Caleb is legally blind. After he finished the love-filled letter, I gave him a big high-five and complimented him on the good work. He then jumped out of his seat and read the letter to anyone who stood in one place for too long.

As great as it is to laugh and praise the kids, camp is not all smiles. Kingdom Ranch is difficult and tiring and

the weight of constantly watching a mentally or physically by Caleb when a nurse was checking his blood sugar. She disadvantaged child is heavy. As expected, there were plenty had pricked his finger with a needle, and as the blood pooled of problems to run into during the week. One of the kids around the little cut, Caleb said “Thank you ma’am” in a would run off suddenly, or refuse to eat their happy, grateful voice. When I meet the parents of the kids food, or try and get outside during after the week is over, I find myself respecting each one of the middle of the night. I had them for how well they have raised their to constantly be on my child. toes to keep them Even after the five days of safe. Every night, camp, I think about them and the when I practically camp all year round. Kingdom collapsed into bed, I Ranch is one of those fantastic had to stop and smile. things that you never forget. When I would grin when I I hear someone say retarded, or remembered Caleb mental, I just think of the kids singing every at Kingdom Ranch. Maybe Veggie Tales song those words describe them known to man, in a medical way, but those or another would not be the adjectives I c a m p e r would use to explain the way galloping they are. The campers are a r o u n d bright, funny, creative and a y e l l i n g little crazy. Each and every “Jingle Bells” one of the kids I have met has in the middle something to surprise you with. of summer.

Even if it is the power to make you Even though smile (or for one kid, the ability to I was tired and outrun you when he does not sometimes agitated, want to take his medicine) helping those kids each camper is unique. It was and seeing them hard for me to understand laugh made me feel what a special needs child was fantastic. like until I went to Kingdom Ranch.

Artwork by Morgan Murphy Taking care of Now, rather than seeing a child who the kids showed how hard it is on the parents of special has a chromosomal defect or brain problem, I see someone needs children. I could hardly watch one kid for a week. who can change a life with one simple smile.

Having to keep an eagle’s eye on a child every minute of Kirsten is a Staff Reporter for The Roar. If you’d like every day sounds impossible. Not only are the kids usually more information about Kingdom Ranch, email her at the. cooperative, they are extremely polite. I was again amazed roar.bevan@gmail.com.

speak out Discussion Board Each issue, students can submit responses to The Roar’s Speak Out forum. These questions will be posted on Facebook.

Question: When does self-expression become offensive?

Richard Nguyen, senior An artist’s self-expression becomes offensive when their appearance overshadows the point they are trying to make.

Nathan Smith, sophomore Self-expression is only offensive when someone gets offended. People will probably be offended no matter what some artists do; it is just to different extents. In some cases, artists are intentionally trying to offend a certain group of people or to get attention, but in most situations that is not the intent. Art is to be appreciated.

Matthew Lyle, senior Self-expression is offensive when it violates social norms. However, the point of art is to offer a new experience or viewpoint to life. Therefore, the best art is always a little offensive.

Add your opinion and see more responses: Friend Roar Newspaper on Facebook. it’s fridayyyy fridayyy gotta get down on fridayyy

[insert creativity]

by Maurice Vellas

“Smart and Talented!”

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10| viewpoints | the roar

}

friday, april 1, 2011

opposing viewpoints Do you think the high school should

YES

start at 7:25 a.m.?

by Dana Branham, Assistant Editor

An earlier start time could benefit our school in numerous ways.

First, many students of driving age have younger siblings that, if school were to start and let out earlier, could be picked up from school by the older sibling. This would decrease the number of young students coming home to empty households where they are subject to danger. Furthermore, an earlier start time would allow for some students with jobs to pick up earlier shifts, and thus, earn more money. Also, traffic would be significantly less hectic if the high school was in session and released earlier than the other schools. This would stagger some of the traffic; therefore, students could get to their homes or workplaces more quickly and safely.

Most students who are against an earlier start time seem to be most concerned with having to wake up earlier than usual. I admit that this was my first thought. But if we are let out of school earlier, we can get our work done earlier and then go to bed earlier. I value my sleep as much as the next guy, but I find it doubtful that the sleep patterns of the high schooler would be so terribly disturbed by a somewhat earlier school start time.

However, what seems to be sealing the deal for the school board is the huge amount of money it would save the district—$250,000, to be exact.

This money would be saved by cutting back on the number of buses and bus drivers by staggering the school start times.

With a good breakfast and a decent night’s sleep, an earlier start time would not hurt the students of Consol, but rather, would prove favorable in terms of work, care of younger siblings, traffic and the greater good for our school.

NO

by Laura Everett, Assistant Editor

The proposed start times for the district admittedly have advantages, primarily the potential monetary benefits. However, these benefits come with dire consequences. Starting school an hour earlier would naturally result in the students and faculty waking up an hour earlier. The faculty and staff may opt to simply go to bed an hour earlier to compensate, but high school students are not likely to do so. Teenagers all too often stay awake into the early hours of the morning finishing projects and studying for tests, regardless of the time that they are released from school.

Furthermore, students partaking in sports may not return from away games until midnight on school nights. This leaves most high school students with far less than the recommended amount of sleep.

A lack of sleep will result in lower grades and test scores. Ultimately, the school district’s primary goals should center around the student’s success. More importantly, this could become dangerous, as tired student drivers do not equate to safe early morning commutes to school. This also negatively impacts bus-riders, who would have to catch buses before seven. Many organizations and sports have before school practices, due to the afternoon’s heat and inconvenience. Furthermore, earlier practice hours would result in an additional amount of time that the tennis court, football stadium and parking lot’s lights would be lit. This cost in electricity would counteract a portion of the money saved through the new transportation savings. High school students would also be released an hour earlier, which although sounds rather desirable, would offer additional hours for teenagers to be unsupervised by their parents.

Ultimately, the earlier start time is not an idea that benefits students.

student responses. The Roar surveys students to find out their opinions on the possibility of the high school starting earlier.

Do you think the high school should start at 7:25 a.m.?

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?

8-10 26%

NO YES 48% 52%

more than 10 1% less than 5 11%

“ “

5-7 62%

YES 75%

Yes, because I’m a senior, and I want the juniors to suffer!

”

Emma Campbell, senior What about athletes? Sports

that normally work out two hours each morning would all have to practice in the af-

Would you prefer to get out of school at 2:45 p.m.?

NO 25% 109 students surveyed

Student uotes: do you want school to start at 7:25 a.m.?

ternoon. There’s not enough room for that.

“

”

Emma Griffith, senior We would get out of school earlier! This would allow more-

”

time for homework and jobs.

Rebecca Stark, sophomore

the roar | viewpoints | 11

friday, april 1, 2011

Faith, perseverance strengthens bond between couple

kendraspaw Laughter used to escape my mouth, warm my heart and reverberate in my lungs every time we were together. Whenever he smiled, I couldn’t help but smile too, even with my hardest attempt to keep a straight face. Looking into his deep blue eyes brought heat to my cheeks and made this surge of tingly brightness flow through my body. He created a new level of happiness in my life, but also a new role of responsibility and a feeling of heartache I had only experienced once before: the heartache of seeing a loved one in pain.

I’ve never grown so much in my life than in the past six months. Between juggling a job, a rigorous school schedule and a troubled blended family, my loved one’s battling of a concussion and depression was not exactly an ideal addition to my junior year.

Everyone experiences lows in life, and relationships seem to bring more tension than enjoyment at times, but it is imperative to never give up. Life is a valuable thing

and once it is gone, it can never be regained. been difficult. Our symbiotic relationship Having faith that one day there will be had made me selfish, and now it was up to contentment again is what every high school me to glue not only myself together but him student should posses. With all the stress as well. Seeing one of the strongest people bombarding our lives, we must have faith in my life succumb to tears and plea for help that it will get better. in ways only conceivable by God caused Through this ordeal, I kept my faith as me to create a fortified shield protecting people tried to tell me it was okay to back others from seeing my deteriorating hope. out, I didn’t have to be strong for As hard as I tried, my crumbling faith him, it wasn’t my would escape into my attitude on responsibility, occasion. Thankfully, by the grace when in of God and amazing friends, I actuality I have received the strength and wasn’t only wisdom to push forward and there for him, build us up together.

I was there Although it still tears at for me too. my insides to see his longing I’ve never eyes follow the baseball games felt so secure occurring in the warm sun as than when we drive past in somber silence, I’m with him, I have realized that interaction and the faith I and positive reinforcement can clenched onto work wonders. No matter how brought us to lousy the day, whenever we where we are are able to spend quality time today. I had together, everything seems so to have faith much brighter and happier. By that he would spending a little time heal, and our lives would get better with time.

Although, as time passes, I admit it has Artwork by Morgan Murphy

together each day, we have the opportunity to grow as a couple and relieve ourselves of bottled emotion.

Peace overwhelms our minds as we listen to each other talk about everything we think and believe, and by simply revealing my every thought to him, I feel all the more closer and comfortable. Despite the depression and hardship, we find pleasure in each other’s presence alone. To maintain a high school relationship face-to-face communication is extremely important.

Although texting has been a great innovation for long distance relationships and late night chats, there is nothing like having personal conversation. Whether it’s silly or serious, these conversations can open many doors that lead to better understanding of your companion.

By revolving my relationship around positive communication, we have transformed our relationship into a stronger friendship. We have gotten so far in a total of sixteen months, and with every second, I can’t imagine how it could get any better.

I have learned to trust, to have faith, to be brave and hope with all my heart. Most of all, I’ve learned that love can heal all things.

He is my best friend, and no matter what he encounters, I stand here with him ready to fight by his side.

Kendra is an Assistant Editor for The Roar. If you would like to talk about your first love with her, email her at the.roar. spaw@gmail.com.

Close call teaches student to cherish every moment in life

rachelkagle I skipped down the halls after recess, laughing with my friends until I spied a television. I came to a sudden halt. It was September 11, 2001. There was an image of the Pentagon surrounded by a large cloud of smoke on the screen. I fell to the ground in tears screaming. It was the reaction any six year old would have if they saw their “daddy’s” workplace on the television engulfed in smoke.

All of the terrifying possibilities rushed through my young mind and I feared that one of the most important people to me was gone. I lay in the middle of the hallway at school, crying. My teacher helped me up and walked me to the nurse where I continued to cry. I could not believe what was happening, and as a six year old, I forgot to find some chance of hope in the situation. My mind quickly jumped to conclusions and only found the bad in my situation.

Shortly after I got to the nurse’s office, my mom picked me up from school. The most relieving moment of my life

was the second she told me my dad was okay. I immediately could happen and when it could grabbed her cell phone to call him. I was beyond happy happen. when I heard his voice and continued to sob while Events like September 11 on the phone. Every day, I still consider myself greatly affect even those it extremely lucky to be one of those who, while seemingly barely touches. still affected by September 11, did not lose a For me, it taught me a very family member. valuable life lesson. While So many people, especially now-aI did not lose anyone, I still days are ungrateful and don’t behave as felt as if I had come very they should when they should. They don’t close. At a very young spend the time to think about age, September 11th taught what could happen later. me that you should really Anything can happen always cherish what you at any time which is have. Many people wait until important to realize. it’s too late to realize Many don’t think how great everything before they say or truly is. Through my do something. life, I’ve grown to Unknowingly, realize that people people take let what they should advantage of hold close to them what they have slip away too often and in life and tend they begin to focus on to not even think much less important twice about what they’ve things. It is always done. important to hold everything and Artwork by Morgan Murphy I’ve learned to live life and everyone close; you never know what will to always realize what is important. I happen tomorrow. always try my hardest and attempt to end my Rachel is an Assistant Editor for The Roar. If you would days on a good note with everyone. I look on the bright like to share your thoughts on appreciating what you have side of almost every situation because you never know what in life with her, email her at the.roar.kagle@gmail.com.

12 | viewpoints |the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

Movie changes negative opinion of Justin Bieber

prekshachowdhary Kira-Kira means glittering in Japanese. It is a word used to describe all the subtle wonders of being alive. For human beings, it is the heartbeat of hope, everything worth seeing and remembering. For thousands of infatuated teenage girls, it is Justin Bieber’s smile, his hair, and his talent.

Our school is full of passionate fans that spend their days mindlessly fantasizing of one day meeting this teenage star. Personally, I do not understand “Bieber fever” or the reasons behind it, and I think it is a bit undignified for girls to throw themselves at someone that can barely sing.

At the beginning of Bieber’s career, I felt deeply opposed towards his great opportunity at fame. I hated his first song “One Time”, not because of the annoying tune or cheesy lyrics, but because of his voice. As I watched his songs and persona become more and more popular, I felt angry and became one of his negative followers. If he could barely sing, he didn’t deserve all the fame and money any more than I did. All the awards he was given disgusted me, as all I saw was a shiny trophy being given to a kid my age

that had done nothing but go to a photo shoot. I decided excellent role model. that he was just another lucky kid that had been Though I still do not like Justin recruited to make money and use music as a Bieber much, and when his songs tool to reach fame. Then, my opinion changed are played I turn down the when, not too long ago, a friend forced me volume or turn off the radio, to watch “Never Say Never”.

I do not dislike him either. I I came to realize that Bieber does have found that despite my have talent, simply not in the exact area former negative opinions, he is idolized for. He has mastered many I believe he deserves instruments such as the trumpet, piano, much of what he has, guitar and drums. He has also fearlessly maybe not for the same preformed on stage in front of thousands reasons everyone seems of screaming fans. His rise to fame started to worship him for, but when he posted videos of himself on I cannot deny that he is a YouTube. Being brave enough to post talented musician. His live videos of oneself on YouTube deserves performances drive people credit, as most comments online are negative wild and his image remains and usually crushing to young artists trying flawless after two years of insane to get discovered. Bieber has many admirable popularity. I may not be a “belieber” qualities, but his singing voice is not one of or suffer from “Bieber fever” but I them. Though I did not like it, I felt sympathetic do know when someone deserves towards the young star as most people make fun credit and a round of applause. of him or tease him for his image, as I once had.

Preksha is an Assistant Surprisingly, I learned that his image is another Editor for the Roar. If admirable quality of his. Most celebrities turn you would like to discuss psychotic when they reach the same height of your opinion of Justin fame as that of Justin Bieber, but unlike them, Bieber and his career, you Bieber has stayed under control and continues can email her at the.roar.

Artwork by Morgan Murphy to be someone that his fans can look to as an chowdhary.gmail.com.

New technology fails to replace sentimentality of books

isabeldrukker I inhale a clean, familiar smell as I flip through the pages of my beloved copy of “A Light in the Attic”. My mind leaves my room and suddenly I’m seven, sitting in a chair too big for me and reading Silverstein’s rhymes out loud over and over again to hear the words’ shape together like clay. Even at such a young age, I knew how special a book was, and I loved nothing more than the soft paper and fresh scent. As I grew older, my taste in books changed to fantasy, adventure, teen lit and thrillers, but I always returned to the worn out books I read as a child. My bookshelf was cluttered with paperbacks, but when my mother moved it to the hallway, she woke up the next morning to find that I had emptied it and placed all my books in small, discreet piles around my room. I hated the thought of them being in the hallway. To me, each book had a personality, built by the folds in its pages or crack in its spine. The way I saw it, the only thing more human than the black ink on soft paper was the person who wrote it.

My obsession with books made Kindle seem an ideal gift for me, and it wasn’t long before I got one. I first noticed was that it was cold. Even though it came with a black cover, the tiny buttons chilled my hand as I carefully tried to “turn the page”.

break certainly was an advantage.

However, nothing can compare to holding a book in my hands and tracing its pages as I read each paragraph, not having to worry about the consequences if I dropped it or ate an apple while reading it. I eventually worked up the nerve to take the Kindle outside and read on the porch swing, but no matter how brave or accustomed I became to using the Kindle, I refused to buy poetry on it. Though I felt guilty knowing that every time I bought a thick book of verse poems I was killing a tree far, far away, I couldn’t deprive Artwork by Maurice Vellas Actually, the myself the thin paper and strangely kindle doesn’t even have page numbers, making losing your place easier than ever. I discovered that arranged verses that I suspected would become scrambled the Kindle didn’t even have page numbers and as a result, I on the Kindle.

E-books are useful and at times I’m grateful for them, was constantly losing my place. but nothing can compare to a paper book’s warm feel and Also, while everyone admired the way I could now highlight quotes without actually damaging the book, I felt unique personality. I suppose I dislike the kindle the way the need to tell them that it was only because there was no I dislike borrowing a book from the library. I might get book. E-books rob story of its substance and a cover, and the chance to read a book’s story, but I never get the full most of its tools, like the adding notes or highlighting lines experience of knowing the book is mine to throw around are silly for a students since he or she can’t bring the Kindle and love. For this reason, it may be that you find me reading to school and use it on a timed writing. The newfound a torn copy of “Harry Potter” , with its pages barely clinging ability to buy books wherever and whenever barely even to the spine, while my cold Kindle waits inside, protected served a purpose, as most often I was terrified of taking the by its cover.

Isabel is an Assistant Editor for the Roar. If you would Kindle anywhere and smashing it into a thousand pieces. like to share your opinion of the Kindle with her, email her Changing font sizes was useful and not having to worry at the.roar.drukker@gmail.com. about packing too many books to New York over Christmas

the roar | viewpoints | 13

friday, april 1, 2011

Observation of kindergarten class emphasizes importance of happiness

lauraeverett At the end of last semester, I spent a few hours in my mom’s kindergarten class. I arrived at the school during her conference period to the familiar scene of teachers working in solitude in their rooms. However, once the kindergartners returned from P.E., a scene of horror and hilarity rapidly unfolded before my eyes.

The day reminded me of a feeling that is often forgotten in the busy halls of our school. As the kids walked in “a line” to lunch, they appeared to lack haste. As I held hands with the stragglers at the end of the line, I remembered the carefree feeling that comes at such a young age. These kids felt at perfect liberty to stop at any moment and simply stand there without the burden of knowing any repercussion for tardiness.

My five-minute-between-classes high school mindset caused me to hurry the

kids along, but internally, the little ones reminded me of my own childhood, and of the considerable length of time that has passed since I have felt just as carefree.

During the afternoon, the kids began to show “their true colors.” There were two girls, in particular, whom I instantly recognized as having wonderful senses of humor. Every time my mom turned to write on the whiteboard, the two girls would act foolishly and laugh loudly.

Although my mom did not find their lack of focus as amusing, I couldn’t help but chuckle along. Of course, high school students are just as capable of disrespect, but somehow these young children showed an innocent side in their disrespect. As opposed to misbehaving, these girls were simply aiming to enjoy their day, without feeling restrained by potential consequences. I smiled to myself, remembering that feeling of having no fear of the possible consequences of instinctive or spontaneous action.

Regardless of my empathy, sadly, the girls were retained from a portion of their free

time. Their smiles were replaced by tears, all traces of cheer and folly gone. Naturally, everyone must be exposed to consequence, and they did deserve their punishment for disrupting the class, but I could not help but feel that a small part of their carefree nature was disappearing.

Artwork by Maurice Vellas

Throughout the afternoon, I experienced several other amusing, or at the very least, memorable, moments that children of that age seem to encounter on a daily basis. There was the kid, for example, who cried when the dreidel granted him an undesirable outcome, the kid who

sincerely thought he knew everything, and the quiet kids who gave me constant smiles to reassure both themselves and me.

High school, however fun at times, also emphasizes each assignment as an important contribution to our overall G.P.A. and a critical component that will affect our future life decisions.

Although the hubbub of kindergarten b e c a m e completely overwhelming by the end of the day, the experience reminded me that it is okay to be carefree and happy, and maybe even momentarily forget the future and live in the moment. Ultimately, that is what we should have all learned in kindergarten, and as the posters say, that is all we really need to know.

Laura is an Assistant Editor for The Roar. If you would like to share your thoughts concerning the fond memories of your childhood with her, e-mail her at the. roar.everett@gmail.com.

Mission trip brings awareness of fortunate circumstances, appreciation of possessions

abigayleenglish While most students were visiting amusement parks, I was pushing kids on a swing. While some were eating out, I was making sandwiches. While some went to a concert, I was building a stage.

During spring break, while most others were taking an actual break, I was working. And it was one of the best weeks of my life.

I went with my church to a town called Piedras Negras in Mexico for a mission trip. In previous spring breaks I have either gone with my family to Colorado for a skiing trip or on a cruise, so this was a huge change. When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do over spring break, Mexico was not my first selection. I started evaluating my past spring breaks and how I felt after the week was over: rested and restored. But this year I was going for something different. I wanted to feel productive and effective, and I wanted to use my break to benefit someone else. And the mission trip was a perfect match for what I wanted to do.

I was just getting tired of taking advantage of things that I had been given, and going on the trip completely humbled me. In America, kids complain if they don’t have the fastest car, the biggest house, or the coolest new phone. The unsaid

theme of American teens is that bigger is better. In complete ride to the college of her choice. However, I had simply contrast to this are the kids in Mexico whose theme could given her a small rubber band. Her pleasure of this small be described as less is more. Kids were running around the token took me back and showed me how content street with no place to play, no parent to take care of them, the kids of Mexico are. They do not find their and sometimes with no shoes on, yet they were some of the worth or joy in the things they have, but they most joyous kids ever. are just content to have the bare necessities.

One instance that completely humbled me was To me, it’s so easy to get caught up in with one of my new little friends, Eime. Imagine life and forget how good we have it. It’s a a cute little puppy, in human form with a huge cliché, I know, but if you ponder it, the reason smile plus pig tails, and you’ve met Eime. She the saying is overused is because we have was the sweetest girl ever, to repeat it so much. If we just constantly and the whole week I reminded ourselves about all the benefits that kept dreading saying we get in America compared to other goodbye because I knew countries, then the saying would it would be tough. On not be overused. the last day I decided to Appreciating what hand out some ponytail you have wouldn’t holders as a little gift. be a cliché if we all These were quite small just welcomed and probably only cost the things that we one dollar, but it was have. We should all I had for the kids to give thanks for things remember me by. When I offered it to Eime, that we have been she would not take it. At first I thought it given instead of complaining was because she considered it too be small or about the things we don’t have. insignificant but then I realized that it was My trip to Mexico taught me to because she did not think she deserved it. Artwork by Maurice Vellas be content with what I have, because Finally, she took it and gave me the biggest compared to the rest of the world, I have hugest hug I’ve ever received from a sevenbeen blessed beyond my understanding. year-old. She then proceeded to run home and come back “Estar contentos con lo que tienen, porque Dios ha dicho: with a letter for me that started with “Te Quiero Abbey ‘Nunca te dejaré, nunca te abandonaré.’” –Hebrews 13:5. (meaning, I love you).

Abigayle is an Assistant Editor for The Roar. If you Bystanders might have thought I had just given this girl would like to share your thoughts with her, e-mail her at the newest iPod, complete with a brand new car and a full the.roar.english@gmail.com.

14 | people |the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

Career preparation class teaches students real-world skills

BY KENDRA SPAW

assistant editor Career Preparation, most commonly known as Co-Op, offers opportunity for students to learn life skills and working habits while in school.

“Career Preparation is the best kept secret at Consol,” Career Prep teacher Monica Smith said.

“Not only does Co-Op allow students to leave earlier, it is the class time that ties into it. We talk about money management and professional business etiquette.”

Career Preparation classes during 2nd, 3rd and 4th teach a variety of topics focused on maintaining a job and learning about the responsibilities of an employee.

“Co-Op has taught me things which will always stick with me,” said senior Steven Etter, who is employed at Aggieland Bookstore.

“I’ve learned to make resumes and fill out applications, and those are things I will always need for jobs in the future.”

Smith took Co-Op when she was in high school and has noticed many changes since then.

“There is so much more to the class today than there was in the old days,” Smith said. “This class better prepares students for the future of living on their own.”

Career Preparation puts students in situations that make them contemplate their future and deal

with realistic financial decisions.

“Right now we are learning how to save up for retirement to be well off in the future,” said senior Kristi McConnell, who is employed at Wings n More. “All the life skills we learn in this class mature you a lot.”

Not only do these students get to learn about the work force, they also get to experience it each day.

“You work a lot,” McConnell said. “Although, sometimes I won’t work until five at night, so I have all that time [between school and work] to do my homework.”

Students are required to work 15 hours per week totaling to 270 hours per semester. If students work more than 15 hours in one week, they are then allowed to put it toward the following week’s total.

With all the time spent working, it is hard to understand how high school students are able to manage their schedules.

“My students balance school, work and social time, which is the key to the whole program,” Smith said. “Time management is very important when dealing with school and a job.”

Along with being good at managing time, there are some specific qualifications in order to be placed in Career Preparation.

Students must either already have a job when the class beings or acquire one within 10 days of being enrolled in the class.

Most students will know be-

fore the school year begins whether they will be in the class or not, so they have the entire summer to get searching, McConnell said.

“Students who are in Co-Op have a better chance of getting a job than the average high school student,” Etter said. “Mrs. Smith has the hook up with bosses all over town so it is not hard to find a job once you’re in the class.”

Not only are these students more favored over other applicants, but because 40% of their grade comes from evaluation of labor at the work place, employers are more likely to hire these Career Preparation students since they will be most reliable, Smith said.

Also, before allowing students to be in the course, the school does a mini background check to see if they’re responsible enough for the class.

“They check your absences, they see why you were absent, they check your grades and try to see whether you’re dedicated or not,” Dyson said.

A strict rule in the Career Preparation class is that if a student is sick and misses school it is important they do not go to work that same day.

“If the teacher finds out you were absent from school, but you still went to work, then you get on probation,” McConnell said. “[Mrs. Smith] says that if we are too sick to go to school, then we are too sick to go to work.”

legit.

Kristi McConnell delivers a hot meal to a customer at Wings ‘n’ More.

McConnell often works the drive-thru window with friend Taylor Dyson, who also goes to Consol. PHOTO BY ABIGAYLE ENGLISH

With all the rules, restrictions and requirements Career Preparation includes, Etter believes the class is truly worth taking.

“I learned a lot about life and how to build work ethic and habits,” Etter said. “Although it’s great to make money, that is not what the class is all about. It gives students the opportunity to learn life lessons.”

Career Preparation is a course

in which students can delight in sharing with their peers what they have experienced during work, while still learning how to make a more prosperous future for themselves.

“What students learn in Career Preparation can be applied to the rest of their lives,” Smith said.

April 26-29 is TAKS Testing Week April 26 10th TAKS Math Retest E/LA April 27 11th TAKS Math Retest Math Senior Wellness 10th Math Make Up April 28 9th TAKS Math 10th & 11th and retest TAKS Science April 29 10th & 11th and retest TAKS Social Studies Testing begins each day at 8:20 a.m. Get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast .

Students who are not testing on a particular day will arrive at 11:25 a.m.

the roar | snapshots | 15

friday, april 1, 2011

the

blasting music

students combine musical talents at Consolapalooza in effort to save the music

by Rachel Kagle

T

he lights flash through the auditorium as the performance on stage throws the crowd into a state of amazement.

Consolapalooza, the Student Council run event held Friday, March 25, allows student bands to give a concert benefitting the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. This year, more than $2,500 was raised in benefit of the foundation.

“The VH1 Save The Music Foundation provides music programs for schools that wouldn’t have them otherwise,” Consolapalooza organizer junior Kyle Campbell said. “This foundation makes it so other people can have a chance to [become involved with music programs] someday when otherwise they might not have the chance to.”

Not only is the event beneficial for the foundation, but

it helps the participating students as well. Performers have the opportunity to show their true personalities on stage.

“It is a wonderful event for the kids,” teacher Jason Pratt said. “It gets tons of them involved and lets them step out of their element and perform.”

A total of 19 bands performed this year, creating a large variety in people, types of music and performing styles.

“Some [of the performances] are bands, some are just people upfront and some are just people playing the acoustic guitar,” Pratt said.

Consolapalooza is not only beneficial to the Save The Music Foundation, but also brings attention to the many musical students at Consol.

“Consolapalooza is a way to showcase all of the talent we have at Consol,” Campbell said.

Consol graduate Jay Robinson accompanies Astrochimp on bass. Astrochimp performed “The Distance”

by Cake. PHOTO BY DINI SUSANTO

Senior Taylor Slocum belts the lyrics to “Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perry. Slocum is a member of the Tiger choir. PHOTO BY DINI SUSANTO

Sophomore Joy Cope sings an original song. This is Cope’s second appearance on the Consolapalooza stage. PHOTO BY DINI SUSANTO

Senior Kasey Quinn covers “Cosmic Love”

by Florence + the Machine. Quinn also performed with seniors Emily Nixon and Travis Knight. PHOTO BY DINI SUSANTO

Senior JD McGraw of student band Patchwork plays on the drums. McGraw also sang and played the acoustic guitar in a performance with senior Piper Cain. PHOTO BY ALEX HALL

16 | student

life | the roar

friday, april. 1, 2

period reliever.”

Another seven

“Sometimes [smokin away but then I realized tha

effects

Most teen smokers are aware of the

“I definitely realize that it doesn’t help y such a thing that can cause cancer or death,” th

The seventeen-year-old current smoker feels th “Since I’ve started [cigarette smoking on a regul Besides affecting a student’s physical health, some “[One time during school], the bell rang, but I w anonymous source who was forced to quit smoking. “But test without finishing it, because I really had to smoke one Smoking can lead to someone sacrificing their morals i “[Smoking] made me a liar,” said a sixteen-year-old wh School Nurse Elizabeth Amdor said that the negative euphoria. “[When one smokes,] skin is affected with prematur gum disease, teeth discoloration, cancers and respirator

secondhand smoke by alina dattagupta & isabel drukker news editor staff reporter

young smokers find liberation from nicotine addiction while some find worth in its pleasure

Cigarettes not only endanger the smoke “I have a very big opinion on secondh be worse than just smoking, and I hate children,” the former seventeen-yearshould be responsible enough to smok around unless they are okay with yo Sometimes, the need to smoke effects on others. “[Secondhand smoking] is unfiltered, but usually I’m ou that,” the seventeen-year-old an

quitting

Besides the overall effects on heal smaller annoyances that even caused on “I hated the smell. It was always on me it,” said the anonymous source who chose to qu Most teens who are found smoking are somet members or even random people who simply dislike th “Some boys don’t like girls that are smoking, and wouldn’t kiss a girl [who smokes],” said another anonymous s Besides harming the smoker, secondhand smoke, which is eve as its unfiltered, can harm any person nearby.

Most students stop smoking because they have to, due to lack of money or inability to buy cigarettes, but students who suddenly find themselves quitting, by choice or not, often regret starting at all. “[The best advice for quitting is] just don’t start,” said the anonymous sixteenyear-old source who chose to quit.

y, april. 1, 2011

the roar | student life | 17 Underage cigarette smoking is a health threat among many teens in the country. According to the Stand Tall Against Tobacco Association, it is estimated that over 80 percent of all adult smokers started smoking as a teen. It is an addiction that leads to clouded judgment by making smokers the highest priority. Despite these negatives, teens under the age of 18 continue to be allured by smoking.

“Smoking makes me feel relaxed,” said a seventeen-year-old student who chose to remain anonymous. “I smoke before school, and around sixth period, I will get a headache and start to get angry, so as soon as I leave, I go home and smoke again. It helps me keep calm and acts as a good stress eliever.”

ther seventeen- year-old former smoker feels that smoking was a way to enjoy a mindless escape.

es [smoking] made me feel calm, because I could do it without thinking of anything else,” she said. “It was kind of a way to just get alized that there were other ways that helped [even more].”

ware of the harmful effects of cigarettes, yet they do not keep themselves from continuing the habit.

sn’t help you in any way, and it can be an addictive thing, and I didn’t want myself to be addicted to death,” the former smoker said. “[The health hazards are] one of the reasons I stopped.”

ker feels that the hazards were not enough to dissuade him. on a regular basis], it is now very hard to stop,” he said. alth, some may find it distracting or in the way of their daily life. , but I was allowed to continue my test because I wasn’t done,” said a third king. “But I didn’t care, because I [craved] a cigarette, so I just turned in my moke one.” r morals in order to satisfy their addiction. ar-old who chose to quit. “I was definitely lying [on a regular basis].” e negative physical effects of smoking far outweigh the mental

premature aging and the mouth and lips become prone to respiratory problems such as emphysema,” Amdor said.

the smoker but also the people around them. n secondhand smoke, because I know it can d I hate it when adults smoke around their een-year-old smoker said. “I feel like you h to smoke in your own area where no one’s ay with you smoking around them.” to smoke can overcome the realization of its

moking] is worse than firsthand because it is y I’m outside, so I don’t think of anything like ear-old anonymous smoker said.

ts on health, many smokers found that cigarettes brought caused one source to quit. ays on me, and people judge because they know you do hose to quit. “Andi t’s really expensive.” are sometimes berated by their friends, family y dislike the smell. king, and they say its nasty and onymous smoker. hich is even worse

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Graphic Art by Dini Susanto Source: www.smoking-facts.net

18| people | the roar

{ From Uganda, with Love }

friday, april 1, 2011

Students host charitable gatherings to raise funds for African beading program

by Preksha Chowdhary, Assistant Editor

D

iamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but some Consol students are finding a lot to like about colorful Ugandan beads made out of recycled paper. Senior Nellie Hillner and junior Kristina Raphael, in conjunction with the non-profit organization BeadforLife, host local bead parties and sell beaded jewelry around school in an effort to raise funds for Ugandan women.

Made in Africa

“It’s an effort to get these ladies a steady income, so they can provide for their families,” Hillner said.This unique jewelry comes from a group of hard-working women in a village in Uganda.

A percentage of the profits made from the bead sales go directly to these women, who possess a strong desire to improve their lives. “[The women] are not just given money,”

Raphael said. “They learn how to support themselves and their families.”

Hillner and Raphael have organized two local bead parties in the past two years, where numerous people have bought jewelry and donated towards the cause.

“We plan [the bead parties] spontaneously,” Raphael said. “It’s just something we really enjoy doing.”

New Perspectives Many Consol students have gained a new perspective on the lives of women in Uganda through these bead parties.

“It was an honor to be able to be a part of this group of girls,” junior Celina Malavé said. “The bracelets, lanyards and jewelry were all so eclectic and fun, and it was neat to see that by buying something so simple, we could be doing such good to the women in Africa.”

Hillner first became inspired to help with the cause when she received a Ugandan necklace from a family friend.

“It’s just cool how we get to be involved with it too and how they let us help these women,” Hillner said.

“It’s like a chain reaction.”

BeadforLife’s mission

is to create sustainable incomes for women to lift their families out of extreme poverty through this worldwide exchange of beads. The organization launched in Sept. 2004 and has since trained 883 beaders and worked with volunteers to host over 6,500 BeadParties.

These women are single mothers, victims of war and sufferers of rejection, homelessness, AIDS and abuse. Their stories, while full of loss and difficulty, show determination, beauty and an indomitable spirit, according to the BeadforLife website.

The beads become income, food, medicine and school fees for these families.

Future Charity Hillner said that she dreams to one day open a nonprofit family business online where she can sell these beads and send the funds raised to different places around the world.

These colorful works of art are not only evident and cherished in the hallways of Consol but also positively impact the future of Ugandan women.

“They’re getting a new hope,” Hillner said, “hope for their families, a hope for the future.”

Colorful bracelets are one of the many accessories made by Ugandan women in the project BeadforLife. Each individual bead is made of rolled recycled paper and is often a tedious task. PHOTO BY PREKSHA CHOWDHARY

Because all of the jewelry is handmade, each piece is unique. As a charity BeadforLife’s goal is to promote self-dependence and promising futures for the women of Uganda. PHOTO BY PREKSHA CHOWDHARY

{ Checklist } : How-To Host a Bead Party Step 1 - Planning the Party

Step 2 - Register at www.beadforlife.org.

BeadParties are perfect events for

Your 2011 BeadParty package includes: • Approximately 275 jewelry items • Shea Butter Soap and Peppermint Lip Balm • A DVD about the beaders & BeadforLife • A CD of Ugandan music • Educational materials and biographies of some of the beaders • African recipes • And much more!

birhdays, faith groups, showers and so much more!

Think about the following: • Who will be invited?

• Where will it be?

• What time will the party start?

Step 3 • Have a great time at your BeadParty!

• Afterwards, fill out the inventory form and return everything using the prepaid label provided.

Compiled by Alex Hall

the roar | people| 19

friday, april. 1, 2011

Dream Doctors

HOSA competitors apply various medical skills, gain knowledge for prospective career

By Faria Akram, Features Editor The suitcase lays empty as junior Kandeel Ali begins assembling her items for competition: uniform, shoes, notebooks, pencils. In also goes bedsheets, towels, gloves, drawsheets and scrubs.

“I’m very excited about going back and competing again this year,” Ali said.

Ali and seventeen other students have been spending the year practicing for a specific type of event: HOSA Competition.

HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) is a national student organization that provides opportunities for students interested in the medical field. One of the biggest aspects of HOSA is their competition. “[HOSA competition] allows students to participate in events mirrored after the medical field,” senior and HOSA President Mona Reddy said.

According to Reddy, competition events are divided into four categories: visual arts, medical tests/knowledge, group events and hands-on events.

“Students can compete in anything, from medical photography and CPR skills to medical spelling,” Reddy said. “There are several events that fit various interests.”

Reddy first became involved with HOSA competition her sophomore year. She was studying to receive her CNA (certified nursing assistant) license in her Health Tech II class and used her CNA knowledge to compete in Nursing Assisting that year.

“It was exciting to see how I could use the skills I learned in class [in competition] and be successful,” Reddy said.

Ali also began competing in HOSA her sophomore year. Unlike Reddy, she was not competing individually but with a group and emphasized the importance of being able to depend on others.

“It was fun working with a group but also more stressful,” Ali said. “We really had to trust each other, because if one person doesn’t do their work, the whole group won’t be successful.”

Students are not the only ones involved with HOSA, however. Health Tech teacher and HOSA co-sponsor Dr. Karen Osbourne was also involved with HOSA before she came to Consol. Dr. Osbourne was the president of TAHOS, or the Texas Association of Health Occupations Students (which later grew into HOSA) at her high school and first competed her senior year.

“Back then it wasn’t even called HOSA,” Dr. Osbourne said, referring to the HOSA organization. “It was limited to Texas, and there was only a state competition. Now it’s expanded to the national level and even has a nationwide service project.”

With several levels of competition all over the nation, competition can be intimidating, Reddy said.

“Having such a small number of competitors each year, it’s shocking to see other schools with hundreds of members,” Reddy said. “It’s important for us to stick together [when we go and compete].”

Ali also said that participating in the actual competition can be difficult.

“Consol is an overall average high school, and in competition you have kids who come from medical-based high schools who are a lot more prepared than [Consol students] are,” Ali said.

However, Reddy said that HOSA competition is still very beneficial to students, especially those interested in the medical field.

“Students learn to be focused about a certain event, and have a lot of perseverance and determination,” Reddy said. “It’s an amazing feeling having accomplished a certain task or technique related to the medical field, and applying skills you’ve learned at such a young age and preparing for

a future occupation.”

Dr. Osbourne also states that competition is advantageous to students.

“It helps students refine their clinical skills and medical knowledge base and helps them develop independent study skills,” Osbourne said.

Osbourne is excited about this year’s competition as it is her first year as Consol’s HOSA sponsor, she said.

“We have a nice group of students who have been working very hard,” Dr. Osbourne said. “I hope for all of them to qualify for state.”

Ali also states that HOSA competition is an event that she is eagerly anticipating this year.

“It brings out my competitive side, and it’s a great way to learn about things in the medical field and be recognized because of it,” Ali said.

Junior Kandeel Ali illustrates how to properly turn a bedridden patient during the Area II HOSA competition on Saturday, March 26 in Houston. Ali finished fourth in the nursing assistant. PHOTO BY PREKSHA CHOWDHARY

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20| people | the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

LIVING LIMITLESS

Junior Will Davis discovers passion in pursuing extreme hobbies

BY KELSEY GAINES

school, Davis’ mood became significantly less cheerful. He said he often found himself frustrated by not being able to ride, but he managed to pull through the long eight weeks of being confined by his injury.

Though most mothers would worry about their sons participating in such an injury prone sport, Davis’ mother, Kelli does not.

“I know that he has to be who he is and enjoy what he loves,” Mrs. Davis said.

This has allowed Davis to pursue his other interests.

Being friends with college students at A&M, who also share the same interests as Davis sparked his interest in the sport of rock climbing, he said he had the desire, but lacked in skill and was inspired to build his own bouldering wall to gain personal experience. With a few weeks of hard work and the aid of his younger brother Henry, Davis successfully built a wall reaching eleven feet tall and ten feet wide, taking up a large section of his garage.

“I try to climb a little bit every night,” Davis said, “[Climbing is a] way of working out [for me].”

Climbing often has helped him improve his upper body strength and added another factor to his list of unique feats, which still does not end there. He said he enjoys almost anything that he can create that forces him to take his knowledge and ability to the next level. This includes the entire sound system that he built in the back of his Jeep, a subwoofer built into a suitcase that he took on a church trip last summer and many other random odds and ends. Though these achievements are impressive, his most famous successful project would be the snow maker he assembled a few winters ago, he said.

The snow maker has made Davis popular among his friends due to the large amount of snow he can create in just a few hours. Weather allowing, which sometimes proves a challenge in Texas, he is able to create a wintery slope in his backyard for friends and family to snowboard on and even perform tricks. The nights that Davis creates snow are nothing short of impressive and leave lasting memories for those who experience them, his friend Zach Castillo said.

“I’ll never forget the night we stayed up making snow till two in the morning, and slept outside in the twenty five degree weather,” Castillo said.

Though Davis produces many successes in the projects he creates, he only gained success by trial and error.

assistant editor

As blood oozes down his shin, clumped with dirt and mud, Will Davis laughs as he admires the gruesome rebirth of last week’s injury. He examines his battle wound with a sense of enjoyment and flashes a smile of contagious unmanageable excitement. How quickly he picks up his bike from the position of where it landed without him accompanying it makes him appear to be immune to the pain for which most would desire ice and a bandage. Without any hesitation he throws one leg over his bike and refocuses his mind towards his next attempt to land the jump he overshot on his first attempt. His attitude pushes him to the next level in almost everything he does in life and by rarely ever letting anything set him back, junior Will Davis’ positive attitude, impressive skill and unique passions set him apart.

One of the most dominant passions in Davis’ life is the adventurous sport of mountain biking. Having mountain biked since he was twelve, Davis has had five years to gain knowledge, skill and love for the sport. However, it’s been hard for Davis to find new ways to grow in this specific passion due to the simple fact that College Station lacks mountains.

“Most of the stuff I really enjoy doing, I can’t do because I live in Texas,” Davis said.

This has not stopped Davis from moving forward. After reading about trails and jumps on the internet, talking to a small population of fellow mountain bikers in the area and consulting his parents, Davis began to build large trails and jumps behind his house. Here he spends most of his time improving and riding his trails whenever he is not working on managing good grades. “[Mountain biking] chills me out,” Davis said. “It gives me time to concentrate on something other than school.”

Even though Davis has found mountain biking to be an escape from daily stress, he is still aware that it can be a dangerous sport. Breaking the radial head in his elbow a few months ago while attempting to land a 360, a jump that has requires him to rotate in complete circle while in midair, was just another reminder of that truth, he said.

Davis always sports the newest cuts and bruises on his legs and arms, but breaking his radial head affected Davis physically as well as mentally. Even though he improved in

Through these failed situations, he has learned valuable lessons.

“If you really enjoy something, and you can’t achieve it, just go for it,” Davis said. “And if you can’t make the leap or jump, just try again. You can’t lose anything. All you can do is gain.”

Junior Will Davis practices extreme bicycling on a ramp he built in his backyard. Davis enjoys the thrill of performing various stunts, he said. PHOTO PROVIDED BY WILL DAVIS

The Details on Davis 1

It took weekend for him to build his snow maker.

4

He owns bikes, wooden jumps.

9 dirt jumps and 4

30 seconds to reach the top of

It only takes Davis his bouldering wall

He has been biking since he was

12 years old.

8 10

It takes to hours for the snow maker to produce enough snow for Davis to snowboard on.

Davis is able to build a ramp in

1 to 2 weeks.

Photo provided by Davis; facts compiled by Kelsey Gaines

the roar | people| 21

friday, april. 1, 2011

SkillsUSA offers competition in media, technology

BY DANA BRANHAM

assistant editor

Months and months of preparation—be it building or working on the computer—is what goes into getting ready for the diverse, lesson-filled and exciting competition that is SkillsUSA. “[SkillsUSA] is basically the entire goal of the year,” senior Matt Mullins said. “We all work for it and get ready for it, and it’s the big trip that everyone looks forward to.”

Since the SkillsUSA awards ceremony at state last year, Mullins has been planning and working towards this year’s project: a model of the Star Trek Starship Enterprise with a functional computer built inside of it, called a Case Mod. “Case Mod is where you take a design that you have and incorporate a computer or some type of technology into it,” Mullins said.

Though district competitions have already passed and Mullins has earned a Superior rating, he said he has been actively working on the project for about three months and still has to perfect it before state competitions.

Alyssa Adcock, senior and Animation II student, also participates in SkillsUSA. While her work is geared towards animation, Mullins works on both Tech related contests and Extemporaneous Speaking.

“It’s a totally different talent, to go into the computer and use the mouse and keyboard as your hands, and actually create this huge landscape and setting from scratch and make it live and put your whole heart and your

whole intentions into it,” Adcock said.

Through SkillsUSA, Adcock has learned real-world job and life skills that will help guide her to her dream of being employed by Pixar or Dreamworks, she said.

One of the real-world skills SkillUSA teaches is teamwork. In the 3D Animation Team project, Adcock worked with partner Morgan Murphy to design a short animated film. “[SkillsUSA] really emphasizes teamwork, but at the same time, you are doing your talents to the best of your abilities and that means letting your partner take over for the things you lack and taking over for the things your partner lacks to make a solid film,” Adcock said. “You set your limits, and it’s very independent and very much like what you would do in the real world.”

While SkillsUSA is a fantastic experience for the students, they’re not the only ones who benefit from it.

Teachers Bart Taylor, Barbara Klein and Scott Faulk, not only sponsor and coordinate participation in SkillsUSA, but grow from it as well, they said.

“It’s been a joy to see how the program has gone from being five or six students interested to where we are now—we took 100 kids to district this year,” Taylor said.

Faulk concurs.

“It’s been very rewarding to see the kids take what we teach them and be successful with it,” Faulk said.

Klein said she enjoys how the students mature and succeed under the time crunch of SkillsUSA competitions.

“The students grow a lot and they push themselves and surprise themselves with what they can come up

Seniors J.D. McGraw, Piper Cain and Travis Knight entertain the SkillsUSA team by playing a variety of music in Beaumont on Feb. 17-19. All three will compete in the state competition this weekend in Corpus Christi. PHOTO BY DINI SUSANTO

with,” Klein said. “Under pressure, they push through and really see what they’re made of.”

Without a doubt, SkillsUSA provides an experience unlike any other for students, regardless of what they choose to compete in. “[SkillsUSA] is just something I am passionate about,” Mullins said. “It made my weekend when [the Case Mod] was finished, and I’m just so happy about it.

PHOTOS BY DINI SUSANTO

Check out the final issue of the Roar Newspaper dedicated to seniors on May 13, 2011.

22 | sports | the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

Athletic director, coach resigns after 11 impactful seasons

BY ANNA HUFF

Athletic director and head football coach Jim Slaughter resigned after 11 seasons to accept a job as athletic director at San Angelo ISD. Coming to Consol, Slaughter was known for turning football programs around, which is just what he did, leading the Tigers to the State playoffs nine times. “[Consol] had a great run and a great stay,” Slaughter said “With other high schools around half of the members had the ability. At Consol out of 60 players, 50 would be outstanding athletes. The ability of the guys here are wonderful.”

Along with skill of Consol’s players, he said he will also miss the great friendships developed by the people and the kids.

“The main message I want my players to receive from me is that I care a lot, and I always will,” Slaughter said.

Junior quarterback Jake Brownoski will miss Slaughter.

“Slaughter never let me settle for mediocre results, and he motivated me by how much he put into every practice,” Bronowski said, “I loved the winning mentality he brought to the locker room.”

Wide receiver coach Josh Symank will miss Slaughter too.

“I will miss his grin and high pitched screams after big wins,” Symank said.

As the 65th head coach of Texas to reach 200 wins, he never let that get to his head and managed to always keep everyone in mind.

“Slaughter always wanted what was best and put the coaches and the players first,” quarterback coach Jason Richards said.

What set apart Slaughter from many other coaches are the results that he gets from his team, Richards said.

“He never settles for less and always gets the most out of every player and coach, which is unbelievable,” Richards said.

During the Cy-Woods game, coach Jim Slaughter paces Offensive line coach Kyle Walsh will miss his down the sideline. This was his last season with Consol. hardworking attitude.

PHOTO BY AMY ZHANG “He made sure his teams were prepared physically and mentally for each game,” Walsh said. “Coach Slaughter was a hardworking man who instilled in his players and coaches the work ethic needed to be successful.”

His knowledge and love for football started at a young age.

“I was raised on a farm in Ballenger, Texas, where I played varsity football since sophomore year,” Slaughter said. “The most fun I had was in the high school athletics, which influenced my career choice.”

Slaughter decided that coaching would be a good way to make a living and still enjoy what he was doing every day, he said.

“I love being around people, which is why coaching suits me so well,” Slaughter said.

Coach Slaughter is also well known for the love he shares for this sport.

“I admire his energy and passion,” Symank During the 2006 playoff game, coach Jim Slaughter is en- said. “ Coach Slaughter still has the energy and passion of couraging the team from the sideline. Slaughter resigned a coach in his twenties.”

sports editor

to become the athletic director at San Angelo ISD. PHOTO

BY LAURA ACUFF

Stats on Slaughter 27 years of coaching total

O Overall record of 206-107-1 80-45 record at Consol

5-4

2005-2006

11- 3

2006-2007

11- 3

2007-2008

5-6

X

200th win achieved this year

O Went to playoffs nine times In 2005 Consol went to class 5A Division 1 state semifinals

X

Coach Jim Slaughter looks down the field during the Belton game in 2006. Slaughter achieved his 200th win this year. PHOTO BY LAURA ACUFF

Coach Jim Slaughter’s Record at Consol 2004-2005

X

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

7- 3

7-4

11-2

Making Waves

friday, april 1, 2011

the roar | sports | 23

Swim team finishes state, has strong outlook for next season

BY KIRSTEN BEVAN

staff reporter

It is seven-thirty at night, and sophomore Cody Green and his club teammates are throwing in the towel for the day. They have spent about four hours in the water swimming. For most of the Consolidated swim team, their day starts at six in the morning, when they start their high school swim practice at the College Station Middle School pool. At around 8:30 a.m, they head over to the high school to go to their second period class. They practice for another two hours after school, then head home for the remainder of the day. The teammates know that it is hard on everyone to practice for so long, but they support and encourage each other to do their best every day.

“There are a lot of different personalities, and not everyone is going to like everyone,” Coach Ryan Goodwyn said. “They have got to realize that these are the people they have to work with and put aside personal differences.”

The swimmers, who just finished their season, won district this past year. Both the girls and the boys won second at region. Overall, Goodwyn said he is very happy with the results of the team’s hard work and especially with Green, who swims the 200 and 500 free events.

“Cody is one of our strongest upcoming swimmers,” Goodwyn said. “Next year, we are really looking for him to step up and maybe get fast enough to go to state.”

Green, who swims both at club and at school, has trouble finding time to finish the heap of homework handed out each day.

“I stay up late, and I don’t get much sleep,” Green said.

“Having good friends on the team makes everyone want to come to practice, because it is fun.”

Investing so much time to a sport can be tough, but good friends make it enjoyable. Along with just hanging out, the boy’s team also had a “gallon challenge.”

“It was kind of fun,” Green said. “And we all threw up a lot afterwards.”

“Swimmers: they’re a strange group. Maybe it’s because they walk around in swimsuits all the time,” Goodwyn said.

While the swim team does not try the gallon challenge every year, they do go on a campout at the beginning of each season to break the ice between new swimmers and the returning team, whom he expects to really come back strong next season, he said.

Goodwyn is relying on Green to step into the spot currently held by senior Hayden Duplechain’s spot next year, who placed fourth in state in the 200 IM. “Beyond just sending relays, I would like to get individuals, and I think Cody is our strongest shot,” Goodwyn said.

Along with Green and Duplechain, junior Robyn Miller

and sophomore Teresa Defigueiredo are other swimmers who are stepping up and improving their times, Goodwyn said. Miller, who has more school records than any other swimmer, is an athlete who Goodwyn is really counting on for next year.

“I really look up to Robyn Miller,” Defigueiredo said.

“She and Cody are really hard workers. They push the rest of the team to try their best.”

“Swimmers: they’re a strange group. Maybe it’s because they walk around in swim suits all the time.”

COACH RYAN GOODWYN In addition to trying their best during the season, Goodwyn also commends his swimmers on their outstanding academic performances.

“I would put our GPA up against any sport, and there would be one or two that would come close. We’ve had kids ranked in that top two or three in their class,” Goodwyn said. “And for kids to spend that much time on athletics, to still have that strong of academics shows what a special group of kids we’ve got.”

Senior Mauricio Zambrano finishes his freestyle at practice on Wednesday, March 23. He placed sixth in the 50 free at regionals. PHOTO BY ANNA HUFF

Freshman Shelby Lerew performs a dive at practice on Wednesday, March 23. She has been diving for 11 years. She placed sixth at state, and her step sister junior Niki Reich placed third at regionals.PHOTO BY ANNA HUFF

Quotes:

Varsity

varsity swimming

Team Results: Jan 21-22 placed first at district championships in College Station Feb. 4-5 placed second at region championships in Mansfield

Individual Awards: senior Hayden Duplechain - qualified for the USA Swimming National Championships senior Caleb Appelton - selected as Academic All-American Swimmer

“The season started off right when we got our Tiger stripped speedos and the guys were closer than ever,” senior Caleb Appelton said.

24 | sports | the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

HOLE IN

NE

Senior discovers passion for golf, gives advice for athletic success

BY ALEJANDRA OLIVA

managing editor

As the sun starts to sink behind the subdivision, as dogs bark and kids begin to play in their backyards, senior Kameron Kitchens eyes hole seven of the Pebble Creek golf course. He does a few practice swings before sending the ball flying down the fairway. He squints into the sun, tracking the movement of the ball before shouldering his golf bag to the green where the ball came to rest.

Kitchens’ came to focus on golf after practicing a variety of sports, including basketball, baseball, football and track, and has been playing golf exclusively since his sophomore year.

“Baseball was actually my first choice,” Kitchens said.

“But after I won my very first golf tournament and people started telling me I was good, that I should do this, I decided to.”

Kitchens has been playing for six years, after being introduced to the sport by his father.

“I still go out [to] play golf for fun on the weekends with my dad, with my step-dad, with my grandpa, mostly my grandpa,” Kitchens said.

Kitchens, who will be playing in the district tournament April 4 and 5 in Waco, is one of the lead seniors on the golf team, scoring among the top five on the team.

Coach Justin McKown said that although UIL regulations consider golf to be an individual sport, the team provides support and advice for each other on the course.

Kitchens especially provides useful tips during rounds and that his performance is typically a good indicator of the team’s overall performance, McKown said.

“When Kameron does good, the rest of the team typically does pretty good too,” McKown said. “That’s not to say that they do good when he doesn’t, or that he doesn’t do well when the rest of the team doesn’t, but overall, he’s a pretty good indicator.”

Kitchens agreed with McKown on the overall evaluation of golf as a blend of both individual and team elements.

“I like how relaxing golf is, how much patience you need, the difficulty level of the sport,” Kitchens said. “At the same time, the guys and I are always talking to each other, helping each other out.”

McKown hopes that the team does well both at regionand district and feels that the team has a relatively good chance this year.

Putting OUTSIDE THE BOX

Senior Kameron Kitchens aligns his shot. His six years of golf experience allowed him to finish in the top ten in the Big Eagle Classic on March 5. Kitchens has scored among the top five players on the team. PHOTOS BY LAURA EVERETT AND PREKSHA CHOWDHARY

Girls Varsity Next Tournament: District tournament in Waco on April 6 and 7

varsity golf

“Like every year, I hope we advance as far as possible,” McKown said.

Kitchens’ goals align closely to his coach’s.

“Hopefully I’ll make it to state, finish top five at region,” Kitchens said. “Our region is a lot like state though.

Just about everyone at state comes from our region.”

After graduation, Kitchens hopes to continue playing for Tyler Community College. He is currently in conversation with the golf coach there.

Kitchens ascribes his success to his commitment to golf.

“I’d like to say that you should have a goal, and that you should stick to it and try to achieve it,” Kitchens said. “I quit all the other sports I was playing and stuck to this one instead, and it’s really paid off.”

Senior Kameron Kitchens takes a swing at the Texas A&M Golf Course on March 28. Kitchens earned the low round in relation to par with a 74 at a recent tournament at Pebble Creek. PHOTO BY PREKSHA CHOWDHARY

Boys Varsity Team Results: Bryan Tournament on April 25-26: eighth

Next Tournament: District 12-5A tournament at Twin Rivers Golf Club in Waco, Texas on April 4 and 5

Team Results: Vernon Newsome Invitational: 15th Big Eagle Classic on March 4 - 5: third

the roar | sports | 25

friday, april 1, 2011

chalking up for state

by Becca Gamache, Photography Editor

Girls gymnastics team finishes second at regionals to advance to state

A

fter unexpectedly placing within the top six teams at the state meet last year, the Tiger gymnastics team has completed a 7-1 season thus far.

“The season has been going really well,” junior Maddie Street said.

“Our team goal was to place first at every meet and we were able to do that until regionals where we got second place. Now we’re excited that we get the chance to advance to state as a team.”

The advancement to state would not be possible without the contribution of each gymnast within their best events.

“Alison Garlick and Maggie Drummond are our two solid All-Around gymnasts, but everyone has their strengths,” head coach Julie Foght said. “I definitely rely on each girl to perform on each event.”

Goals and high expectations also push the team to compete to the best of their ability. “[The team] never gave up [at regionals] even though we were behind in the standings,” Street said. “We finished really strong and that’s what counts the most.”

In order to achieve high scores within meets and competition, the team practices Monday through Friday for three to four hours a day.

“It’s a lot of hard work and we have to devote a lot of time, but it all pays off in the end,” Street said. “We’re like a family. We have fun together, and we goof around, but we still get our work done.”

The team will make their appearance at this year’s state meet in mid April. However, this time they strive to place within the top four teams.

“This season has been awesome so far,” Foght said. “But I expect us to stay on the track we’re on and really perform at state.”

Junior Alison Garlick displays the stages of a back handspring on the balance beam at practice on March 1. Garlick competes in both high school gymnastics and USA Gymnastics, or USAG, competitions. PHOTOS BY BECCA GAMACHE

Junior Catherine Chenault performs a fronthandspring front-flip on the vault apparatus on March 1. Chenault is considered an allaround gymnast, performing all four girls’ events during competition. PHOTO BY BECCA GAMACHE

Junior Maddie Street leaps across the balance beam during practice on March 1. With gymnastics as her priority, Street has also balanced Tiger Cheer and track during her high school years. PHOTO BY BECCA GAMACHE

Sophomore Maggie Drummond completes a sheep jump on balance beam during practice on March 1. Drummond advanced to finals at the state competition last year and is now ranked ninth in the state on the beam apparatus. PHOTO BY BECCA GAMACHE

Junior Megan Schill swings into a Giant on the uneven bars while completing her bar routine. Schill is in the midst of recovering from an ankle injury that has allowed her to only compete on uneven bars. PHOTO BY BECCA GAMACHE.

26 | sports | the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

On the Mat

Three seniors pindown opponents, proceed to state

BY ALEX HALL

F

executive editor

ighting the strength of an opponent, endurance forms in the shaking muscles as adrenaline pumps through the wrestler’s veins. Goals of overcoming such opponents and, maintaining an unstoppable sense of motivation helps balance an athlete’s performance.

Three seniors that qualified and wrestled at the state level agree that their goals reassured them that years of training finally paid off.

Led by Coach Brian Wessel, who has coached at Consol for 13 years. Tiger wrestling has proven itself to other teams in the state that they without a doubt, belong on the mat.

“When I first see the opponent on the mat, I don’t really think about them,” senior Tyler Ward said. “I don’t care about how tough they look. I just think about myself and what I have gone through to be on that mat.”

With the stakes raised, wrestling at the state level was a daunting experience at times.

“It is really scary to think that everyone at state is good,” senior Ericson Caldwell said. “At a regular tournament I’m thinking I could beat every one of these guys here and take first, but at state I was thinking every match is going to be my hardest match.”

In order to pin-down and overcome fears on the mat, multiple mannerisms both mental and physical, help keep the wrestlers composed.

“A wrestler has to be in shape, quick, strong and mature,” senior Garret Goodman said. “You have to be very strong mentally because when you’re out on the mat getting beat up, you have to be able to keep yourself motivated.”

Wessel as a coach who has been involved in wrestling since 1979, agrees about the amount of muscular advantage a wrestler must have against his opponent.

Seniors Tyler Ward, Ericson Caldwell and Garret Goodman pindown their teammates during practice on Tuesday, March 7. The boys are under the direction of coach Brian Wessel who has coached at Consol for 13 years. PHOTO

BY ALEX HALL

District Results: First place - Ellison High School Second place - Bryan High School Third place - A&M Consolidated High School Fourth place - Killeen High School

varsity wrestling

Regional Results: Thrid place- Garret Goodman Thrid place- Ericson Caldwell Fourth place - Tyler Ward Fifth place - Jacob Wilson

“You have to be very strong mentally because when you’re out on the mat getting beat up, you have to be able to keep yourself motivated.”

SENIOR GARRET GOODMAN “You don’t have to be strong to wrestle, but it certainly makes life easier if you are,” Wessel said.

While wrestling may seem a ‘simple pick up and throw down’ sport, it also has technical obligations that must be attended before a match. One of the more important obligations is the classification of individual wrestlers by weight.

“There is a lot of pressure sometimes to make your weight,” Caldwell said.

Goodman, who must weekly maintain his weight, agrees.

“It is terrible watching your weight,” Goodman said.

“I’ve gained almost thirteen pounds, and it’s only been two days since the end of the season.”

Standing against society’s misconceptions of the sport, all three seniors agree that the wrestling is more than it seems.

“Wrestling is a lot more intense than other sports,” Ward said. “It is just made out to be fake from the fake wrestling on TV.” Wrestling also tests the individual’s commitment and consistency. In order to promote strong attitudes, roles of leadership have been filled by the seniors on the team.

“All of the seniors pretty much lead practice,” Caldwell said. “Leadership is really important to the team, and my freshman year the seniors didn’t’ take charge, and that [attitude] hurt my freshman year.”

The state competition was an overall success and the credit is distributed amongst the wrestlers and their coach.

“Our coach is easy to talk to, and we can relate to him,” Goodman said. “We really wouldn’t be anywhere without him, so we owe a lot of it to him.”

Individual Results: District champions- Tyler Ward, Jacob Wilson, Garret Goodman District second place finishers- Kevin Falhman, Trevor Croome, Dustin Tschirhart, Ericson Caldwell District third place finishers- Andrew Roberts, Evan Brickey

Senior Clayton Schubert: “My favorite thing about wrestling has been my teammates. They have been a good group to work with, with and andthere there are no conflicts.”

Junior Jacob Wilson: “This season has definitely been the best season I’ve ever been a part of or heard about in the history of Consol’s wrestling team.”

the roar | health

friday, april 1, 2011

& rec | 27

Boys powerlifting team ends season with strong state finish

BY KIMMIE CESSNA

assistant editor

The weight is stacked, the judges are watching and the crowd is gathered to watch a power lifter attempt to succeed.

“My mind becomes completely blank when I start to lift the weight on the bar,” junior JJ Bynum said.

Bynum, one of the varsity power lifters for this year’s season, began power lifting his freshman year.

“The summer going into my freshman year, Frashure told me I had to do it, so I did,” Bynum said.

Lifting since freshman year has helped Bynum, as well as junior Zerrick Merchant, to become stronger each year and improve in skills to be better each year. This season at the Region II Championships, Bynum was awarded Outstanding Heavyweight Squat with 710 lbs. Merchant was also awarded Outstanding Light Weight Deadlift with a lift of 475 lbs.

“To get better, I try to put in maximum effort in the weight room every day,” Merchant said.

For senior Chris Ceazer, his last year of power lifting has been a benefit in many ways. He was awarded at the Region II Championships with Outstanding Heavyweight Bench with 370 lbs., Deadlift with 600 lbs. and Overall Lifter with a total of 1585 lbs.

“Power lifting has kept me in shape and has helped my body stay in shape,” Ceazer said. “It has really helped me get prepared to play college football.”

Only 132 lbs., Merchants size does not deter with his ability to lift tremendous amounts of weight.

“In squat I lift 410 lbs., in dead lift I lift 465 lbs., and in bench press I lift 255 lbs.,” Merchant said.

To make sure the competitions for power lifting are fair, weight classes are created that separate the competition.

“The purpose of the weight classes is to lift against people that are equal in size and in strength,” Bynum said.

Power lifting consists of practicing daily, and can have an effect on your body.

“I can feel my body get bigger, but you have to be careful and manage your body,” Ceazer said The power lifting meets are held on Saturdays, and the teams travel to different schools to compete.

“On the way to the meet, I like to get in the zone by listening to Colt Ford on my ipod,” Bynum said.

When arriving at the meets and seeing the competition, fear can creep in and intimidate, Merchant.

“Whenever I get intimidated, I just focus on the lifts I am good at and make sure I get my lifts,” Merchant said.

Preparing for the meets is a task that can take up to a week.

“I eat big meals in the beginning of the week, but towards the end of the week I slow down on my meals,” Ceazer said.

Power lifting is not the most common sport, but it takes many hours of work and a great coach to motivate and help out, Merchant said.

“Coach Frashure is a really cool guy,” Merchant said.

“He will tell you what you need to hear even if it hurts your feelings.

varsity boys and girls powerlifting

Junior JJ Bynum spots junior David Levias during practice on Tuesday, March 8. This is Levias’ second year to be on the team. PHOTO BY LAURA EVERETT

Junior JJ Bynum practices squating 475 pounds during practice on Tuesday, March 8. His max for squat is 715 pounds, and he placed second at state. PHOTO BY KIMMIE CESSNA

Varsity Girls

Varsity Boys

March 14 State Results:

March 26 State Results:

second - Daricia Henson second - Bri Holtcamp third - Christina Salas sixth - Madison Becker

second - JJ Bynum fourth - Zerrick Merchant fifth - Chris Ceazer sixth - Cedrick McCan

Junior JJ Bynum practices squat reps during practice on Tuesday, March 8.He can lift up to 600 pounds on deadlift. PHOTO BY LAURA EVERETT

Quotes “This season has helped me keep strong and give me something to do which is lift weights and constantly get stronder so I can win medals,” junior DJ Levias said.

28 | health

& rec | the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

Simple recipes make healthy living easy

BY EMILY NELSON

O

senior editor

ur bodies are like a machine: constantly working, constantly moving. In order to keep them in pristine working condition, we must be conscious of what we choose to put into our mouths to feed our insatiable

hunger.

“We have different types of people at the school who need different intakes of food,” Foods 101 teacher Erin Stutts said.

“For example, athletes and boys need a larger consumption of calories per day; as where a small girl needs less.

Our diets are what keep us active and moving throughout the day. Therefore, it is important to eat what benefits o u r systems.

“I think that most people eat way too much and way too many processed carbohydrates, refined flours and sugars,” Stutts said. “That’s why it is important to eat something that has whole grain in it, whether it’s brown rice or whole wheat pasta.”

In order to help promote a healthier diet, Stutts offers advice in what to look for when preparing meals.

“What I’m looking for in a healthy recipe is something that is a reasonable amount of calories for a reasonable serving,” Stutts said.

For a full dinner including sides, students should eat around 700 calories or less, depending on their body type.

“For a dinner plate, I like to have a whole grain, a vegetable or two and some kind of carbohydrate,” Stutts said. “Most people overdue the carbs by making their base a refined flower pasta and then eating triple the correct serving size.”

Rather than depend on the fast food industry to sustain hunger, Stutts has provided three recipes that are simple to make and cater to a healthier selection.

“As fast as you can go through a [fast food] drive through, you can just as easily park and walk into a grocery store and buy two or three things, and spend the same amount of money, but it is much more nutritious,” Stutts said.

Chicken Pasta Primavera INGREDIENTS •6 ounces uncooked spaghetti •1 can (10-3/4 ounces) cream of chicken soup •3/4 cup water •1 tablespoon lemon juice •1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil •3/4 teaspoon garlic powder •1 package (16 ounces) frozen California-blend vegetables, thawed •4 cups cubed cooked chicken breast DIRECTIONS

•Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the soup, water, lemon juice, basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir in vegetables; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

•Stir in chicken; heat through. Drain spaghetti; add to chicken mixture and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese.

Baked Beef, Bean and Corn Quesadillas

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS: •1 lb. 95% lean ground beef •salt and pepper •1 cup prepared salsa •1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed, drained •1/2 cup frozen corn, defrosted, drained well •8 small flour tortillas (6 to 7-inch diameter) •3/4 cup shredded reduced fat Chedar cheese

•Heat oven to 400F. Brown ground beef in large nonstick skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is not pink, breaking up into crumbles. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

•Stir in salsa, beans and corn; cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes or until thickened and heated through.

•Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange 4 tortillas on baking sheet, overlapping slightly if necessary. Sprinkle 1/2 of cheese evenly over tortillas. Spoon beef mixture evenly over cheese; top with remaining cheese and tortillas. Spray top tortillas with cooking spray.

•Bake in 400 degree oven 11 to 13 minutes or until quesadillas are lightly browned and edges are crisp. Cut into wedges to serve.

Asian Express Beef Lettuce Wraps INGREDIENTS •1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef •1/2 cup hoisin sauce •1/2 cup Asian peanut sauce •1 medium cucumber, seeded, chopped •1/4 cup torn fresh mint leaves •salt and pepper •12 large Boston lettuce leaves (about 2 heads) or iceberg, or romaine lettuce •fresh mint leaves DIRECTIONS

•Brown the ground beef in large nonstick skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, or until beef is no longer pink, breaking up into small crumbles. Pour off drippings. Stir in hoisin sauce and peanut sauce; heat through.

•Just before serving, add cucumber and torn mint; toss gently. Season with salt and pepper. Serve beef mixture in lettuce leaves. Garnish with mint leaves.

friday, april 1, 2011

the roar | entertainment | 29

Vocal Ensemble

Choir students challenge vocal ability to compete against elite singing groups

BY KATE WILLIAMS entertainment editor The room is silenced, a hush falls over the audience and finally as soft simple tune is played from a harmonica, a group of several talented voices is brought to life in a vocal ensemble.

“We sing at acapella contests where [the judges] are more interested in what the music sounds like and the entertainment value,” vocal ensemble director Travis Angel said. “In choir, they are more concerned about reproducing the music correctly.”

The Vocal Ensemble groups not only perform during choir concerts, but are given other numerous chances to express their talent.

“We have the opportunity to compete out of state and throughout the community,” junior Paige Blomstedt said, “like school board meetings or for different clubs.”

In order to be selected for the Vocal Ensemble, choir students must participate in try-outs and perform a solo in front of Angel.

“The [students] sing acapella, and I listen for who can stay in tune with a clear, warm tone,” Angel said. “It’s kind of like American Idol.”

The two current vocal ensemble groups are “The Tentations,” which is a co-ed group of ten vocalists directed by Travis Angel, and “Here Comes Treble,” which consist of seven female vocalists directed by Andrea Welty-Peachey.

Angel works to select music that will address the strengths of the group.

“I look for music that we can do that other groups might not be able to do,” Angel said. “I like them

to sing something that’s currently on the radio to reach high school audience.”

The all-girls group “Here Comes Treble” use more jazzy music for their performances, junior Joy Pfunter said.

“We have done Lady Gaga, Sting, The Beatles and Shania Twain and sometimes use the music from other established acapella groups,” junior Allison Peters said.

“It’s a wide range from slow to fast and contemporary to old.”

To have an effective ensemble many factors come into play when performing in front of an audience, Blomstedt said.

“Stage presence is everything, so choreography is a main factor,” Angel said. “Being able to sing with expression and emotion is also very important.”

All of the vocalists work together to create a harmonized sound so that the group’s voice parts blend together effectively.

“You also have to be willing to give up a little of yourself to blend in,” Angel said. “That can be hard for singers who are used to standing out.”

Vocal Ensemble also requires individuality too.

“Dedication is key,” Pfunter said. “You have to come into vocal ensemble knowing you have to work individually and not just rely on the people around you.”

The challenges of singing in a small ensemble are differ from those of a large choir.

“It can be frustrating when we have difficulty blending,” Blomstedt said.

“Everyone has a different voice, and sometimes it’s hard to all sound the same, but really rewarding when

we finally get it down.”

Both ensembles participated in an acapella qualifier competition held out of state on Feb., 19.

This year “The Tentations” placed third in the competition in Florida and received an award for best choreography out of the groups there, Blomstedt said.

For “Here comes Tremble” the competition was thought as learning experience.

“It was an eye-opener to see all the groups there and their talent,” Pfunter said. “Some had a much as thirty people in one group and performing in front of such a large audience was completely new to us.”

The ensembles grew closer together after the many hours of practice and preparation for the competition “I think spending a lot of time together this year has made us more of a close knit family,” junior Erin Sherry said.

Although the group did not qualify in Florida, the group was given a second chance by participating in a video competition.

“Any group across the country can submit a video,” Angel said.

“The judges pick the top four based on the same criteria from the competition in Florida, and those four continue to the finals in New York City.”

Many of the choir students now in vocal ensemble have recognized improvements in the way that they perform after several years in choir.

“I feel like over the years I have come further along with music than I ever thought I would,” senior Peyton Austin said.

The all-girl vocal ensemble group hums a tune while rehearsing for a state video competition. “Here Comes Treble” incorporated choreography to interpret the songs they sing. PHOTO BY KATE WILLIAMS

Both “The Tentations” and “Here Comes Treble” sing songs from the oldies to current pop pieces.

Listed are the playlists for both ensembles. Their upcoming event will be May 17.

The Tentations playlist

Here Comes Treble playlist

•“A Minute on Your Lips” by The Real Group

•“We Are” by Sweet Honey

•“And So It Goes” by King’s Singers

•“The Rock Fields of Gold” originally by Sting

•“Forget You” by Cee Lo Green

•“Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga Compiled by Kate Williams

Senior Peyton Austin belts out a note as the co-ed vocal ensemble group known as the Tentations sing along. They recently competed in a state competition where they submitted a video performing multiple songs. PHOTO BY KENDRA SPAW

30 | entertainment | the roar

friday, april 1, 2011

The Roar Reviews

Seasonal Senses

Tongue-Freezing Treats

for the month of April

Happy Yogurt reviewed by Emily Nelson When strolling along the sidewalks of Northgate looking for a sweet treat, one must keep their minds open and taste buds on alert when they come across this peculiar yogurt shop. Happy Yogurt is Aggie-owned and operated and offers a diverse menu of Asian cuisines and sweet concoctions. However, their creative combinations are not always complementary. Delicacies such as egg rolls, dumplings and pot stickers are served alongside the menu with their slim selection of frozen yogurt. Offering only original, strawberry and chocolate yogurt with minimal topping choices,

customers are limited to their frozen yogurt cravings. The yogurt is runny, plain and has minimal flavor. Although, what they lack in their non-dairy based yogurt, they make up for in personality and character. Their employees are polite and friendly, and will stay until “you go home.” They are open every day at noon and will remain available past midnight. However, I would advise that if you have the slightest inkling for a thick and creamy treat, you may want to place your indulgence elsewhere.

Yogurtland reviewed by Kelsey Gaines With the ever growing interest and desire for frozen yogurt, I was expecting the same-old, same old. Yogurtland was surprisingly nothing short than impressive as well as a wonderful burst of happiness to my day. Immediately as I walked through their door, I was greeted by an extremely friendly worker who gave me sample cups to try their yogurt before I committed to any one flavor.

The walls were entrancingly cheerful with bright, green paint and mouthwatering photographs of a vast variety of fruits. The seating was beyond plentiful, as well as comfortable, and the fact that they had booths added a relaxed feel to the room. The overall atmosphere was soothing and calming to my otherwise frazzled mind. Their music was at just the right volume, the store wasn’t too cold, and the staff singing along with the tunes behind the counter substantially uplifted my mood. I found myself becoming happier the longer I was there.

As I stood at the beginning of their long line to claim my frozen yogurt, I was overwhelmed with decisions. At the end of my yummy Yogurtland experience, and only having to pay thirty cents an ounce, I had tasted sweet and tart flavors. Each was unique, but equally delicious. The texture was smooth with a hint of graininess, the perfect combination for frozen yogurt. As for the toppings, all the fruit was extremely ripe, there wasn’t any hint of brownness to the bananas sitting out and their selections of candies as well as their Ghirardelli syrup could cure any sweet tooth’s craving.

I was beyond impressed with Yogurtland, the staff, the atmosphere, the variety, the taste, the quality, and of course, the free water. Whether you’re having a wonderful day or a wretched day, Yogurtland is a perfect way to brighten up any moment.

high-performance street-driven vehicles race at the World Speedway located on highway 6 on April 30 from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Admission is from $5 to $20 per car, depending on the event.

• Smell the floral scents of springtime at Martha’s Bloomers located on Highway 6 in Navasota.

• Taste

chili on April 8, at the 20th annual Chilifest in Snook, Texas from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

• Hear

the Brazos Valley Symphony orchestra on April 10 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m at Rudder Theater. Visit http://bvso.org/pianoextravaganza/ for more information.

• Touch

Fro Yo Yo reviewed by Alejandra Oliva Froyoyo is one of a recent up cropping of frozen yogurt parlors in College Station, but given its lackluster yogurt, service and ambience, as well as its uncompetitive pricing, Froyoyo does not seem destined to do very well. Upon entering, Froyoyo has a dark red color palette and dark lighting, as well as cheesily photoshopped pieces of classic art. Froyoyo sells about 8 different flavors of yogurt, including ‘Super 8’ yogurts, which are lower in calories and fat. Most of the texture was creamy and smooth, although one flavor came out of the machine a sloppy, runny mess. Topping variety is fairly wide, although a few of the

• See

fruits were visibly frozen, rather than fresh. Also, the yogurtstore special, cheesecake bites, were mushy, somewhat stuck together and difficult to serve. In addition, the boy behind the counter seemed more concerned with his laptop than with the small stream of customers coming in. The Original Tart yogurt was good, if a bit more yogurt-y and less sugary than expected.

New York Cheesecake and Vanilla were sweet and complemented the toppings well. The yogurt is fairly expensive in comparison to others at 39¢ per ounce. Froyoyo is hardly the place to go get your frozen yogurt fix.

dirt on Earth Day at Wolf Pen Creeak on April 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit brazosvalleyearthday.com for more information. B V Earth Day - (11:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.)

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the roar | entertainment| 31

friday, april 1, 2011

specialists Young artists express talent through various forms of spray painting Assistant Editor As the paint sprinkles down lightly at first and then brushes across the desired surface with a strong stroke, an image begins to take shape. This is spray painting, a form of art practiced around the world, and among a few Consol students as well.

“One great thing about spray painting is that it’s a stress reliever,” Junior Jacob Wilson said. “I know that’s cliché, but through spray painting I can express myself, and my work reflects my mood, whether I’m feeling angry or mellow.”

There are two ways in which an artist can practice the art of spray painting: airbrushing, or spray painting with the aerosol can alone.

“Spray painting is harder to control because you press the nozzle and all the paint sprays out, whereas with airbrushing you buy small bottles of liquid, poor them into jars which connect to a little gun, and just press the button from there,” Wilson said. “I like airbrushing because it’s more high-tech and saves time.”

Senior Reed Teel, who spray paints with aerosol cans, loves the art for its unpredictability.

“I like spray painting because it’s very different from drawing or painting,” Teel said. “The spray paint just kind of does its own thing and you don’t really have that much control over what’s going to happen. It’s weird, because sometimes color will go places where you don’t mean for it to go, but it works.”

Art teacher Jamie Bevans has experimented with spray painting herself, but believes that it requires both practice and control.

“I like spray painting if you can control it and know what you’re doing, but it’s hard, it really is,” Bevans said.

Wilson agrees that both spray painting and airbrushing take commitment and practice.

“I think spray painting is not very common because it’s pretty hard,” Wilson said. “I started in the seventh grade, and I’ve learned that it can be frustrating. I was about to quit at one point, but my dad encouraged me to go out and buy

Senior Reed Teel spray paints a space scene on Friday, March 25. Teel uses various types of paints and props in order to perfect her paintings, she said. PHOTO BY KENDRA SPAW

books about it to learn. I read a countless number of books before I actually started getting good at it. It took a lot of practice and experience, and it took me about a year and a half before I could ever start selling stuff.”

Both Consol artists believe that spray painting should not be classified by the stereotype that spray painting and graffiti go hand in hand.

“For one, I know this is a really conservative town, so I think not that many people get into spray painting because it

does comes off as this rebellious thing,” Teel said. “People think it’s gang-related because of movies they see. They think like ‘oh no stay away from it’, but honestly spray paint art isn’t technically all graffiti. I mainly do planets, outer space and mountains. It’s not graffiti street style. It looks more real.”

Wilson agrees with Teel and feels strongly against graphitizing on public property.

“My dad would kill me if I ever graphitized on public property,” Wilson said. “That’s actually the only rule he had when I bought all of my airbrushing supplies.”

Wilson, who began airbrushing after watching a man customize a shirt in the mall, has sold a few of his pieces.

“I started airbrushing in the seventh grade, because I’ve always liked my shirts and shoes to be custom made. So, when I saw this guy in the mall, I thought it would be a cool way to customize my own stuff. My favorite thing to do [with airbrushing] is bubble letters, and I’ve sold a lot of shirts and a couple pairs of shoes.”

Teel grew inspired to learn how to spray paint after watching a man teach a lesson at her sister’s art competition.

“I got into spray painting when I was young, about the sixth grade,” she said. “I went to the art competition VASE with my sister, and there was this workshop out front where this guy was spray painting planets. I didn’t hear anything he said, but I just watched everything he did and went home and practiced right after that.”

Every artist needs a canvas, and spray painting allows a broad selection of surfaces in which paintings can be created upon.“You can spray paint on canvas, fabric, actually pretty much on anything,” Teel said. “I’ve done it on cardboard, I’ve done it on glass, I’ve done it on plastic. I give some of my work to my friends and family because they think it’s so cool.”

Wilson agrees, and has done experimentations of his own.

“I’ve spray painted on all kinds of things. I do shoes, shirts and last year the school asked me to do the entrance sign for prom,” Wilson said. “There are all kinds of things you can do with spray painting. It’s like picking up a pencil with a blank sheet of paper in front of you. The possibilities are endless.”

Steps to Spray Painting Art 1.

4. Put on protective gear before you start to

7.

2. Spread out newspaper or a drop cloth

5. Practice using the spray paint cans if you

8. Lay a stencil on the paper and spray paint over

Choose a well-ventilated space in which to practice your spray paint art.

over the area where you will be practicing your art.

3. Tape the edges of your posterboard or peice of wood to the protected surface.

practice your techniques. A face mask and gloves are necessary. are a first-time painter. Adjust the rate of paint flow by using more or less pressure from your fingers on the nozzle.

6. Create layers and texture on your painting surface with glossy pages from magazines.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_2140015_practice-spray-paint-art.html

Collect household items to make uniform shapes. Use the bottom of paper cups or tops of bottle for circles. it. Carefuly lift up the stencil and the shape will be revealed on the page.

9. Use clay modeling tools to provide more texture and straight lines for spray paint art.

32 | etcetera | the roar

For sophomore Michael Bettati, solving Rubik’s cubes has been his hobby for the last two years.

“I had a Rubik’s cube for a long time,” Bettati said.

“I never got into it until I realized how cool it really was.”

Bettati explained that several different kinds of Rubik’s cubes exist, other than the standard cube most people associate with the hobby. The standard cube contains three rows of three smaller squares on each side of the cube.

“Most people do the 3x3 because it’s standard, it’s been around everywhere and when you think about a Rubik’s Cube, a 3x3 is what pops into your mind,” he said.

Bettati stated that he has several different cubes, including standard cubes ranging in size from the 2x2 to the 7x7, and more complicated puzzles, such as the Megaminx, a silver cube that is solved by shape instead of by color, and the Rubik’s 360, which Bettati explained is more of a 3-D puzzle than an actual Rubik’s cube.

“I have a deal with my parents that every time I can solve the next hardest [Rubik’s Cube], we can buy the next one online, because there aren’t really toy shops where you can buy Rubik’s Cubes,” he said.

When taken into account the difficulty of and expense of finding more complex Rubik’s cubes anywhere other than the internet, Bettati said he averages about two cubes a year.

solved it?

friday, april 1, 2011

Sophomore Kensen Shi, however, stated that whether or not he buys a new design of Rubik’s cube depends on what kind of cube he gets.

“Not too long ago I got a couple of different shapes,” he said, “but I don’t think I’m going to get any more until they come up with a better design for the 3x3.

Like many Rubik’s Cube enthusiasts, Shi has practiced his cubing skills to the point where he can solve a standard size cube in less than half a minute.

“I average around 25 seconds,” he said. “Seventeen [seconds] was my fastest [time].”

Bettati’s fastest time averages around 45 seconds.

Completing a Rubik’s cube, he said, is achieved, contrary to some students’ beliefs, less through use of intellectual power and more through memorization.

“There are two main ways [to solve a Rubik’s cube].

You can solve it by algorithms, or you can think about it,” he said. “Very, very few people can look at a Rubik’s cube, and they already know how to solve it in the shortest amount of time, because when you mix up a Rubik’s cube, the shortest amount of moves is basically doing what you did before in reverse.”

Because of the rarity of this backwards memorization, most students are inclined to use the algorithm method, such as freshman David Blinn. “[An algorithm] is a different pattern that you turn into certain patterns,” he said. “There’s a bunch of different [algorithms] for a bunch of different situations.”

Bettati defines an algorithm as having three main stages of completeness: First is to get the centers of each

turn in your completed puzzles to Mrs. Wellmann in room 2146 to be entered in a drawing for a $10 iTunes gift card by 4 p.m. Monday, April 4. find solutions at consolroars.tumblr.com starting Tuesday, April 5.

ACROSS 1. School nickname #1 4. School nickname #2 10. How you should be by the time the bell rings?

16. One of the Three Stooges 17. What Amelia Earhart loved to do 18. Source of many oil spills 19. A long period of time.

20. Rocked and 21. Sonic’s choice: “Would you like fries with that?

22. Wager 23. Rapper Dr. 24. Saw 27. Use, as a coupon 31. Place to be pampered 34. Singer Stewart 35. Not good 36. Ancient Greek harplike instrument 38. What a teacher expects you to do while they’re talking?

41. Uncooked 42. 1-down, minus A 43. Join the military 44. What you take during a breather 45. What drives your car 46. TAKS suggestion 50. Peace symbol 51. Passenger’s Ed? 52. Irish gal 53. Epithet for smartguy?

56. Weapon, or limb less?

58. Japanese fish 60. “ Love” 61. The opposite of from 62. One of the proposed programs to be cut in Texas schools?

63. Like a mouse, in a band’s name 67. Surname of boss about to leave NBC comedy 69. End of Descartes’ declaration?

70. Not many 71. “ little late.”

72. Genetic makeup 73. Unimpressed 74. The best scenario DOWN 1. Alternative spelling for common bacterias 2. The heart of the matter 3. What vegetarians avoid 4. Tended to 5. Egg-related, biologically speaking 6. None 7. Made flavorful 8. Abb. for a salary a salesman should be able to achieve.

9. Showed a path 10. Put away for later 11. Dog , as a book?

12. Insect known for its work ethic 13. Boxing term indicating

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side the same color. Next follow the edges, and the cube can be solved from there on. He has also invented his own algorithm.

“My algorithm is where if you define [a Rubik’s Cube], it has three main parts: a center part, an edge part and a corner part,” he said. “The center part has one face, the edge part has two and a corner part has three faces. My way is you solve all the edge parts first, then you manipulate the corner parts around it.”

The best way to memorize the solution to a Rubik’s Cube is with constant practice, Blinn said.

“To get to where you can do it without looking at the algorithms,” he continued, “it would probably take a week, just [practicing solving the puzzle] a lot, at least an hour a day, just doing it over and over while looking at the algorithms.”

For Shi, solving Rubik’s cubes in his free time is a source of entertainment.

“It’s just for fun,” he said. “[Solving Rubik’s Cubes] is basically something to do when I’m bored. It keeps my mind active.”

Shi said he had no interest in one day using his skills to compete; Bettati, however, has considered trying a competition one day.

“I’ve always liked Rubik’s Cubes,” he said. “Some people say it’s a pointless problem, because you just solve something, then you’re stuck again and you solve it again, but there’s a mathematical origin, and it’s just interesting to me because it’s something that I’m potentially really good at.”

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a victor 14. Regina Spektor track 15. MD’s 23. Portray the principal?

25. Elementary school retort 26. Lone Ranger’s sidekick 28. Deciduous tree 29. Slang for something extremely visually appealing 30. Beloved retired geometry teacher 32. Beg

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33. What Billy Bob said to his mother when she asked him if he was using the computer 35. Bread-baking Mrs.?

37. Sunrise locale 39.“Indentured servant” is a euphemism for this 40. Our school’s mascot 41. A bite from an animal like this would require a shot 47. No longer damp 48. Do really well on

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48. German first name 49. Part of the VonTrapp’s Song #1 54. Aggieland Fitness 55. It’s a fact 57. Polka point 58. Earned wages 59. Algerian city 64. GPS stat 65. Part of the VonTrapp’s song #2 66. What you stub?

68. Part of Liesl VonTrapp’s song