Vol. 18 No. 4

the

Roar

A&M Consolidated High School

Get to know the girls soccer keepers on page 19.

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

Friday, February 15, 2013

Vol. 18 No. 4

ammunition debate for

Consol reacts to recent school shootings, outcry for gun control 2007

2005 1999

1998

2003

2007

2006

1998

2012 2006 2007

2000 2008

2001

2006 1999 2001 2001

1999

2008

Snapshots

1999

1997

Student Life

pages 14-18

pages 6-10 Sports

page 19-21

pages 12-13 Etc.

1999

2000

Map information from http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/ guns_in_america/html/framesource_schoolmap.html

pages 2-5 People page 11 Entertainment

2007

2008

where Viewpoints

1998

2005 1998 2008

With over 60 mass shootings in the United States between 1982 and 2012, some might suggest that the average American’s perception to such violence has been dulled by their frequent occurrences. But the blood of children spilled upon the floors of Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 2012 has forced the country to reevaluate school safety and security.

"Safety" continued on page 3

News

1997

1998

michelle liu, features editor

tolook

2003

pages 22-23 page 24

nthis ssue

The Habitat for Humanity club at Consol dedicates a Saturday to build a house for a family in need. PAGE 15

Senior Mary Inovejas joins Clare McDougall as a second keeper for Consol's girls soccer team. PAGE 20

n the news

2 | news | the roar

Senior receives prestigious Boys and Girls Club honor

Color guard retains first place in Texas with regional win

The Brazos Valley Boys and Girls Club recently named senior Jamarcus Ransom the club’s Youth of the Year, the highest honor a member of the club can receive. The award recognizes a member’s leadership qualities and their commitment to their school, family and community. Ransom moves on to compete against other Youths of the Year in the state for the Texas Youth of the Year title and a $1000 scholarship.

The A&M Consolidated varsity color guard, led by captain Cayley Elsik and lieutenants Laine Huebner and Laura Woods, placed first in its division at the Dobie High School Texas Color Guards Circuit competition on Feb. 9. With the win, the varsity guard held the top spot in Texas.

Additionally, the junior varsity guard placed fifth in the novice division. The previous week, the varsity guard placed first at the Cypress Lakes High School Texas Color Guards Circuits competition, and the junior varsity guard placed fourth in the novice division.

Eighteen debaters qualify for national competition Eighteen members of the Tiger Speech and Debate team advanced to the finals of the National Catholic Forensics League competition by placing first or second at the qualifying tournament in Austin on Jan. 16.

The national tournament will be held from May 24-26 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

UIL team wins sweepstakes at Magnolia invitational The A&M Consolidated academic UIL team won first place sweepstakes at the an invitational meet at Magnolia High School on Feb. 2. Additionally, the speech, journalism and spelling teams accumulated enough points to win first in their respective areas.

Senior recognized as Texas Cross Country Runner of the year Senior cross country runner Karis Jochen was recently selected by Gatorade and USA Today as the Gatorade Texas Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the Year. Gatorade annually honors one boy and one girl per sport in each state with the award. Jochen is now a finalist for the National Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the Year award.

Mock Trial team places in regional competition The A&M Consolidated Mock Trial team placed second at the regional Mock Trial competition in Huntsville on Feb. 2. Senior Mei Tan received the outstanding attorney award.

friday, feb. 15, 2013

A qu ck view Hannah Ridgway, McKenzie Forsyth, Kelsey Kipp and Emily Venuti perform in the choir’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” on February 2. Proceeds from the musical helped fund the choir’s upcoming trip to Italy. PHOTO BY JANET NI

Com ng up Feb. 16:

Band Zumbathon in the gym, 10am

Feb. 16:

Invisible Children Fashion Show, 7pm

Feb. 18:

Staff development/student holiday

Feb. 19-22:

CARE Week

Feb. 20-21:

NHS induction ceremonies, 7pm

Feb. 27-28:

HOSA Blood Drive

March 2:

Sadie Hawkins Dance at the Expo Center, 8pm

March 12-16:

Spring Break

March 22:

Consolapalooza

March 29:

Student holiday

Consol is a family.

K&K Cuts call 979-696-5787 walk-in at....

If you wish to contribute, BCS Soccer is selling memorial wristbands for $5 today at all lunches.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Salerno and his family.

1738 Rock prairie rd

the roar | news | 3

friday, feb. 15, 2013

School shootings provoke discussion on security, guns on campus

“Safety” continued from page 1 In light of these recent tragedies, CSISD has been looking at internal improvements.

“I think every school district in the country has taken a step back and looked at what [they] have in place, what [they] need to do in the future, and certainly, we’ve done the same thing,” superintendent Eddie Coulson said. “We’ve reviewed with our principals and assistant principals what we currently have in place for security, what we might need to think about doing and what we might need to stop doing.”

Admittedly, both students and staff see Consol and the district as relatively secure.

“I think Consol’s pretty safe.

As far as I know, the doors are locked, we have cameras, police,” sophomore Derek Henicke said.

Currently, Consol, along with College Station’s other secondary schools, has one armed resource

measures regarding the funding of this and other security precautions enabled by the act.

Students straddle both sides of the spectrum in the debate on greater firearm presence in schools, whether in the form of armed faculty or armed guards.

For example, Shane paints a hypothetical situation, claiming that teachers trained to handle guns could have saved lives at schools such as Sandy Hook.

“Say a teacher with a license [and] psych evaluation heard gunshots going off in Sandy Hook.

What would have happened?”

Shane said. “They would have gone out and killed [the shooter]. They would have killed him, stopped him or at least injured him so [fewer] people could have died.”

Henicke echoes Shane’s sentiment on the positives of guns in certain situations, but makes a distinction. “[That precaution would] just make me feel safer,” Henicke said.

“[Putting armed officers in campuses] would be tremendously expensive—and so, how do you manage such a program?” Coulson said. “I think it’s still too early to know whether that’s a reasonable plan.”

Coulson adds that he is wary about the burden placed onto local police forces and communities, financially and resource-wise.

“How are we going to do that and balance all the other needs we have as well?” Coulson said.

The school’s armed resource officer KeKe Johnson, whose duties involve school security, maintains that “minimizing the amount of force” she has to use is often the best option.

Johnson stresses that fewer arms at school is often safer in actuality and that more attention should be paid to planning well and constant vigilance.

“I’ve always had the mindset of [having] to mentally plan and prepare for any and everything

Texas: schools and safety Should the state of Texas pass a law enabling teachers to carry concealed handguns, where would they carry them? What implications might that have? Below, a factual look into guns, schools and security.

Shoulder Holster Several Texas congressmen have proposed the Texas School District Security Act, which enables voters to decide to increase taxes for increased school security, like armed guards.

“Everybody has to play a part in the safety of the school as a whole.”

Under Shirt A 2010 survey by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found 9.4% of US high schools had a crime incident involving furearns or explosive devices.

—superintendent Eddie Coulson officer, a measure some perceive as comforting-but not nearly enough for others.

“That is safer than no officer, so we do have slight protection,” sophomore Leland Shane said.

“But if some person did come in with a gun and start shooting us, I don’t believe that the officer would possibly be able to get there in time; there’s one officer; you can’t really do much.”

The increased attention on school security has led various groups to push for an increased security presence, inevitably focusing on increasing the number of firearms on campus.

Governor Rick Perry has vocalized support for concealed carry on campuses by teachers, and State Representative-elect Jason Villalba has announced the Protection of Texas Children Act, a plan that would assign to schools one trained faculty member carrying a concealed handgun; Texas law enables school districts to allow for concealed handguns on campus already, however.

Likewise, the recently proposed Texas School District Security Act lets school districts partner more easily with local police forces to have peace officers on campuses, as well as creating new

”I’m definitely pro-armed guards over the teachers’ carry. I feel like they’d be more trained and more useful than teachers that just have minimal training.”

Others, though, find the implementation of more weapons at schools, whether in the form of teachers carrying concealed handguns or having armed guards on campuses—foolish and irrational.

“I don’t think that increasing the amount of arms that faculty have would really help. Even if they were trained, it’s not their specific stated job to engage in arm-toarm combat with a shooter,” junior Cynthia Zhang said. “It would be ineffective. I don’t think that would change much.”

Evidently, this issue of contention requires careful planning before action. “[School security] is a complex and nuanced situation with a lot more factors to consider than to say that [just] adding more guns is a solution,” Zhang said. “We can’t accept more guns as panacea for all these kinds of shootings and solutions.”

The logistics of having teachers trained to handle firearms or armed guards on campuses must be taken into consideration, Coulson said.

that could happen,” Johnson said.

“It’s just really getting the idea out there for everybody, for staff, for students, that if you’ve overheard something or if you have somebody that you know that’s made some type of threat, you have got to say something [to an authority].

Everybody has to play a part in the safety of the school as a whole.”

Ultimately, school safety is a responsibility that rests not just upon the administration or faculty, Coulson said.

“Student awareness is a huge issue,” Coulson said. “[Having] students take an active role in just being aware of their surroundings is something that high schools can do.”

Following policies and procedures, especially in practicing drills, will enable Consol to become better prepared as a whole, guns or no guns.

“You have to practice. Those drills take on a whole new meaning and a whole new context now as well,” Coulson said. “While you can’t practice for every scenario, you can put people in positions where you have to make decisions.

The more you practice, the more comfortable people get with making those decisions.”

Pocket Carry A 2008 NCES survey found that 27.2% of US public schools had daily police or security presence on campus.

Ankle Holster The state of Utah has enabled teachers to concealed carry for the past 12 years.

Since this law took effect, no school shootings in Utah have occurred.

Here are ways to express your opinion on this issue: • Write a letter to the editor! See The Roar’s policy and how to contact us on PAGE 6.

• Contact your local congressperson! Constituent voices are important.

• Sign a petition at petitions.whitehouse.gov, a petitioning system called We The People. complied by Michelle Liu

4 | news | the roar

friday, feb. 15, 2013

Club provides haven for politically conscious, promotes informed discourse this club has issues gay marriage

▪How is marriage defined?

▪Can the government impose regulations and restrict rights on a religious ceremony?

abortion

▪When does human life begin?

▪Does the government intrude on a woman’s rights by making abortion illegal?

▪Are there situations in which abortion is justified?

torture

▪Does it work?

▪Is it morally correct?

▪If so, what limits should be set on it?

rojas oliva | staff reporter Monday afternoons, Student Council gets the lecture hall right as the weekly Global Issues meeting comes to a close. Student Council has erased from the communal white board, among other things, the pros and cons of abortion, a sprawling diagram displaying the complexity of legalizing prostitution, “eugenics would fix all of this,” the National vs. Weezer, opinions on the exact purpose of government, a detailed diagram describing the invasion of a small country and more. These are the leftovers from the weekly debates of Global Issues.

“I was expecting it to be a lot more angry, with people yelling at each other all the time, but that’s not the way it was. It was calm and polite,” said Global Issues co-president senior Vilja Jarvi.

In reality, each meeting lasts about 75 minutes and consists of a vote on the topic of discussion, and then a discussion. No rules, schedule or structure; just conversation.

The club originally started as an branch of Interact Club. A group of students stayed after each meeting and discuss global issues until Student Council would arrive at 5:30 and kick them out. Eventually, this became a more formal organization, and when it came time to select a name, they chose to keep it simple.

President Bettie Oliva sees the club as a way for high school students who generally show either

apathy or close-mindedness towards political or moral issues to get together and work past these obstacles.

“To do this we need to have a topic that [everyone] wants to learn about, whether it’s to learn about [that topic] in general because we don’t even know what it is, or to learn what the other side thinks, and why,” Oliva said.

From there, the discussion can go any number of directions.

Generally, the discussion remains heavily centered on the topic, and as opinions are expressed the conversation slowly turns into more of a debate. Opinions are weighed, flaws found and adjustments made.

By the end of every meeting the hope is that while a consensus might not have been reached, everyone leaves understanding a new opinion.

“In Global Issues you’re forced to justify your opinions,” Jarvi said.

“You actually have to force yourself to think of why you disagree.”

The process is intended to inform all members, rather than to reach some sort of closure. Global Issues is constantly looking to enroll new students.

“Everyone should go for it, even if you don’t want to talk,” Oliva said. “If you’re close minded then you should go, and if you’re open minded then we want you to go [as well.]”

The number of Global Issues members has been growing, but on any Monday the actual number can vary by as much as ten people.

Parliamentarian Viivi Jarvi is happy to have more people; however, she recognizes the problems this causes.

“Last year we had like seven or

eight people per meeting, so it was just more of a conversation than anything else, but this year there are twenty something people, so sometimes you have to actually do a sort of class room setting,” Jarvi said.

Many feel that applying too much structure would create an uptight setting and turn away new members. So far Global Issues continues to attract people. A new member to the club, sophomore Alex Coopersmith, sees Global Issues as the only place where a group of students can get together and talk about what is actually happening in the world around them.

The key to this is diversity, he said.

“There are Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives, Libertarians, anti-Libertarians, there’s everyone, and that’s what’s so great about it,” Coopersmith said. “Everyone has a say at the table.”

Sophomore Alex Coopersmith emphasizes a point while debating the role of government with senior David Deng. The discussion began as a debate over a woman’s right to have an abortion, but, in true Global Issues fashion, expanded to cover a much larger issue.

PHOTO BY ROJAS OLIVA

THE INVISIBLE CHILDREN

Fashion show saturday february 16 auditorium $6 at the door

the roar | news | 5

friday, feb.15, 2013

Contagious disease disrupts schoolwork, life laura everett | editor-in-chief The rampant public displays of affection in the hallways have apparently caused an outbreak of cooties at Consol. At least, those who consider mononucleosis to be “the kissing disease” might think so.

“It’s a common misconception,” junior Sarah Higgins said.

“It is known as ‘the kissing disease,’ but I know I didn’t kiss anyone. I probably just got it from eating or drinking after someone.”

While the viral infection is easily spread through saliva or close contact, it still carries a stigma.

“My mom would be like, ‘oh, just tell people you’re sick,’” junior Meagan Gimbert said. “But if you have the flu, you say you have the flu.”

While mono might not quite rival the flu outbreak, it has certainly affected a large portion of Consol. This makes sense, considering mono occurs most frequently in fifteen to seventeen year olds.

“Whenever you say you have mono, everyone’s like, ‘ooooh,’” Higgins said.

“But it’s not like it’s an STD.” Sharing saliva through nonkissing methods seems to be the

common trend with Consol’s mono victims, as senior Maggie Drummond blames the water fountains. Tracing the origin of each case of mono becomes difficult, as some people contract the illness and become contagious without exhibiting any symptoms.

“I had a boyfriend at the time and he didn’t have mono,” senior Reagan Reynolds said.

“Of course I kissed him. He got tested but never got sick.”

While Reynold’s boyfriend narrowly escaped, those less fortunate experience a week of intense fatigue, fever, and headache.

Junior Kathleen Dill contracted mono from drinking after her cousin at a graduation party in May. By early June, Dill was bedridden.

“The day before [we left for vacation], my back started to hurt, and then I was like, ‘not a big deal; whatever,’” Dill said.

“But then, on the [8 hour] car ride there, my head was throbbing and my throat hurt so bad.”

Dill spent the entire week of vacation completely fatigued and shying away from the sunny beach due to the medication making her highly susceptible to a sunburn.

“The worst was the third or fourth day that I’d been sick,” Dill said. “I had this horrible migraine; it hurt to think. I just laid in bed all day, completely still. Worst. Vacation. Ever.”

Drummond’s symptoms had an untimely arrival as well, as earaches led to inflamed lymph nodes and a decrease in balance during the regional competition for gymnastics-precisely a time when Drummond’s balance would have come in hand.

When Drummond was finally diagnosed with mono, her liver was so swollen that she was not allowed to participate in sports for the following month, in order to prevent her liver from rupturing.

“If I had landed hard in the wrong position, I may have ruptured my liver and died,” Drummond said. “I missed state for gymnastics and district for track which was very disappointing. I actually cried at the doctor’s office when I was told I couldn't compete. But I had to accept it and move on.”

Bengal Belles Higgins, Reynolds and Gimbert agree that their practice attendance became a struggle, as they had limited amounts of sympa-

thy, adding that others did not take tiredness as a valid excuse.

“The whole summer was a huge struggle of getting back into shape,” Dill said. “I would have [tennis] practice for three hours and I physically couldn’t go for the whole three hours or I would pass out. There was lots of throwing up on the court-not classy.”

The loss of appetite that comes from the illness caused Reynolds to lose about fifteen pounds, she said. Junior Meagan Gimbert said that she relied on protein shakes and other food-substitutes.

Long after their appetites return, the exhaustion persists. Seven months after contracting the virus, Dill still feels exhausted constantly, regardless of the amount of sleep she receives. Even two years after becoming sick, Drummond still becomes tired during practices much more quickly than she did before becoming sick.

“I’ve been more careful about drinking and eating after other people,” Higgins said. “I haven’t become a ‘germaphobe,’ because you can’t live life that way. I could’ve gotten it from a door handle and there’s really no way to prove it.”

“The Kissing Disease”

What is it?

Mononucleosis is often spread by saliva and close contact. It is known as "the kissing disease," and occurs most often in those age 15 to 17 Mono is usually linked to the EpsteinBarr virus (EBV).

What is the cause?

Infectious mononucleosis is either caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or the cyto megalovirus, both of which are members of the herpes simplex virus family.

How long will it last?

The virus remains dormant in the throat and blood cells for the rest of that person's life.

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001617/

Mock trial gives realistic look into the courtroom How do I act in court?

1. Take the case seriously.

2. Make sure you don’t have biases.

3. Be dedicated.

4. Make sure procedure is followed and there is a fair hearing.

5. Try to sort through and seek the truth. compiled by Bobby Slovak

devin dakota | senior editor

As the gavel sounds throughout the court room, six teenagers act as witnesses and lawyers in pursuit of justice.

“Mock Trial is interesting because it’s as close as you can get to actually replicating a court of law,” Co-President senior Mei Tan said.

The nine-member team gets assigned a case, and then practices arguing points and questioning witnesses.

“It’s an interesting experience to be able to sit in a court room, and act as a lawyer, and see how court proceedings work,” co-president senior Tanner Jasperson said.

Mock Trial is part of a

selective group of organizations at Consol that provide real life experience.

“It’s a huge help because it gives them an

“I’ve done debate all four years of my high school career,” Tan said.

“Debate is cool, but it’s extremely hypotheti-

“It’s an interesting experience to be able to sit in a court room, and act as a lawyer” senior Tanner Jasperson

introduction to the courtroom [and] gives them an idea of that set up,” sponsor Jessica Kouba said. “They have the opportunity to ask lawyers questions about the profession, and see what a case might look like.”

Mock Trial is often compared to debate due to the amount of arguing and questioning that takes place.

cal, and it’s really cool to enter a type of debate where things are real.”

The group has the opportunity to travel to compete and train with real lawyers who help them form ideas and strategies. “[The lawyers] really know what they’re doing,” Jasperson said.

“They have good advice about asking questions and how to word things.”

The team practices once or twice a week to perfect all the skills that are needed for acting as lawyers in a courtroom.

“Some people have natural speaking talents, some [are good at] sounding professional, some [people] can ask really complicated questions, and if you have the ability [to do something like that] you can be really good,” Jasperson said.

“But the more you practice the better you get at it.”

Mock Trial participants learn more than just law tactics. The team involvement provides them with wellrounded experiences.

“The court proceedings go by extremely fast [so] I’ve gotten better at being more responsive and

listening,” Tan said. “As time goes on you get better at picking up on things and your brain moves faster.”

The benefits of mock trial can transfer over to academic life as well.

“It’s a place where you can use the things you learn in specific classes,” Tan said. “I learned about specific court trials in government, and we were able to use those as a strategy for defense.”

Mock Trial provides opportunities to students who plan to study law in the future.

“We do participate in it, and even if we don’t become lawyers, we’ll know how it allworks,” Jasperson said. “Being a part of [Mock Trial] brings you closer to how society works.”

friday, feb. 15, 2013

6 | viewpoints | the roar

Novice hiker develops appreciation for outdoors

The Roar 2012-2013 Staff Editor-in-Chief: Laura Everett

Managing Editor: Dana Branham Senior Editor: Devin Dakota Executive Editor: Rachel Kagle Photography Editor: Janet Ni Opinions Editor: Isabel Drukker Features Editor: Michelle Liu Sports Editor: Nicole Farrell News Editor: Shilpa Saravanan Assistant Editors: Anne Finch, Eva Araujo Staff Reporters: Tiffany Hammond Lisa Liu, Rojas Oliva, Aaron Ross, Annie Zhang, Channing Young Faculty Adviser: Michael Williams Assistant Adviser: Teresa Laffin

The Roar Editorial Board

The Roar Editorial Board

Laura Everett, Editor-in-Chief

Dana Branham, Managing Editor Isabel Drukker, Opinions Editor

The Advanced Journalism class is 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 editor-in-chief, managing editor and opinions editor.

The Roar is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC), the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA).

The Roar is a winner of the CSPA Gold Crown, the 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 ILPC Award of Distinguished Merit, the CSPA Gold Medal Award, the NSPA All-American distinction and 2005 ILPC Bronze Star and 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Silver Star.

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

“Flipped classrooms” not effective learning tool for students The latest education craze is the “flipped classroom,” in which students are required to do their learning outside of school on various educational websites through videos and podcasts, then come to class to be quizzed on the material from their “homework” the night before.

This system is designed to give students instant in-class feedback from teachers on specific problems as the work in class, minimizing frustration.

In theory, the idea sounds great. Homework isn’t homework anymore, and class time is maximized. However, the problem with flipping the classroom lies in the method of learning-videos just can’t replace a teacher. Even if a student’s teacher creates the videos that they are to watch as a substitute for classroom instruction, the student misses out on the the opportunity to ask the teacher questions in the moment, just when a question arises or confusion strikes.

Furthermore, the relationship between student and teacher is simply not the same within the system. Many flipped classroom proponents suggest the use of learning tools such as Khan Academy-a website with over 2,000 video lessons in subjects ranging from science to social studies. In a traditional classroom system, teachers teach, allowing their students to form a relationship with them through classroom lessons and tutorials. In the flipped classroom, without the teacher’s daily instruction, the student-teacher relationship is greatly altered; some might even suggest that the relationship is shallower in this system.

In conclusion, allow teachers to teach, and save the instructional videos for when kids are sick.

CONTACT US

that-was-so-cools, the whole family agreed that the day was a success.

So, two days later, we went for another hiking exdana branham cursion—this time, to the Valley of Fire (which—fun fact—actually has nothing to do with fire, but rather is managing editor named for the reddish-orange rocks around the area).

On our drive there, we ended up stopping at a place called Redstone, which—you guessed it—was full of red stones. After wandering about for a while, we came across a sign pointing us to a fairly easy, short trail. We figured another detour wouldn’t hurt. Within Over winter break, I discovered that I actually en- about five minutes we got confused and found ourjoy hiking. Like, climbing through rocks and moun- selves totally off the trail, and nobody seemed to mind. tains and what-have-you. Really, this is impressive, My parents were content simply taking in the scenes; considering that I don’t even like walking in between my sister was content climbing onto and falling off of classes and stairs wear me out. So to find myself ma- rocks; I was content evaluating the world from behind neuvering through the Nevada canyons a n d , my camera. you know, smiling about it—that’s In the middle of this almost-unbelievably serene one-hundred-percent out of the place, something shiny caught my eye on ordinary. top of a rock.

Easily distracted, I emThe family hiking exployed the help of my cursion began as a clever sister and together we ploy to get my cousins made our way to the to hang out with us for top to see whatever the a few hours and kill shiny thing was that I some time. I was pretty saw. Upon realizing that it much all for it; I figured was just a plain 1985 quarter I would be able to take that happened to catch the light, some ultra-exciting picwe sat on the rock for a while, tures of rocks. (Which, quiet. by the way, I did—and And it really was quiet. they’re about as excitFor about a minute, we ing as pictures of rocks stopped walking and just lisget.) We drove about an hour tened, all seeming to underoutside of Las Vegas, my older cousin stand the delicate wonder of the carefully manning the wheel and my silence surrounding us. No birds flew Artwork by Merritt Nolte-Roth mom making periodic remarks all above us, no wind blew, no footsteps, no basically saying that he drove like my grandvoices—nothing. The longer we sat in sima, until we arrived at Red Rock Canyon. It was just lence, the harder it was to believe that we were just barely snowing, and the vista was all incredible, vibrant under an hour away from the incessantly, overwhelmred stone everywhere, some reaching so high above us ingly loud Vegas casinos. that we couldn’t help but wonder what would happen More than anything, that moment was what was to someone stuck up there. My younger cousin, an ex- truly brilliant about our hiking adventures. It was perienced hiker, led the way and refused to let us walk strangely peaceful to be away—not just away from the on a trail. Instead, we jumped and slid off of rocks, noisy city, but away from anything I would have usualmaking our way to nowhere in particular while we ly done. In the middle of the rocky, red-stoned Nevada marveled at this curiously stunning piece of the planet. desert, I was grateful that we’d taken the detour.

When we arrived back at our hotel for the night, Dana is managing editor of The Roar. Share your the consensus for the day was overwhelmingly posi- mountaineering epiphanies with her at the.roar.brantive—with many why-didn’t-we-do-this-earliers and ham@gmail.com.

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

Key points ensure successful revolution if you’re feeling particularly unscrupulous, you could always make one up. The masses aren’t that intelligent—oops, did I just say that? Sorry, masses. I love you.

Get the people to sing a song of angry men.

This is like starting a flash mob. The people ought to be shilpa saravanan able to magically grasp the rest of whatever inspiring song news editor you’re trying to sing. That’s how dear your cause should be to them. Alternatively, if you feel that this is a more personal matter, you can sing a song all by yourself.

SO YOU WANT TO START A REVOLUTION? Find as many pieces of furniture as you can and build a Angry with your king? Feel like you’re not getting what barricade of freedom. you deserve? Afraid of being cast out for your opinions? Fear This step is of the utmost importance. not, mon ami, revolutions (and revolutionaries) are all the You have to have somewhere to look angrage right now, thanks to the recent popularity of a certain sty and sing sad songs. (Protip: “barricade” film featuring Wolverine, Catwoman, and the dashing rhymes with a bunch of revolutionaryyoung firebrands who took part in the June Resounding stuff. RhymeZone is your friend.) bellion of 1832. If they’ve inspired you to I suppose a barricade could be useful for, you start your very own revolution, and know, holding out and hiding from royalist you’re not quite sure how to go about armies as well. It doesn’t have to be made of furit, here’s a bit to get you started. niture, even—surround yourself with whatever you Find your friends. feel protects you.

Quality over quantity. Sure, the failed “Long live [x]!”

June Rebellion only involved a handful of Insert [your country] where I put [x.] Or you angry students, but the many French Revocould insert the name of a different country, or lutions involved practically everyone, and whatever your revolution happens to be for. nobody could ever agree on anything. So It doesn’t really matter if you say it in French; choose wisely, and make sure they’ll have your everyone thinks it sounds grand anyway. Yell back no matter what. this loudly and frequently during the course Artwork by Merritt Nolte-Roth Decide who you are. of the revolution. It should keep you focused Okay, look. You want to on what you’re fighting for, and (if you say it in start a revolution. It’s romantic; French) you will surely inspire people to join your I get it; I totally get the appeal. But if you don’t know what cause, if you want them to. you’re fighting for, things could get a bit sticky. You know Try not to die—but if you do, make a grand exit. how the Occupy movement ended up? Yeah. So make sure Look, statistically, it’s pretty likely you’ll die. I mean, I you have a goal. Fighting for the right to a night at the opera haven’t heard of any immortals recently. It is even more likeis not a goal. Fighting for the right to be free is. ly that you will die young; that’s how most revolutionaries You need a sign (to rally the people, to call them to end. The idea, though, is to inspire others to carry on your arms). glorious revolution—so you won’t have died in vain.

Whether the sign be something or someone, you need Shilpa is the News Editor of The Roar. If you need tips it so that the people can feel collectively angry. You can’t al- to overthrow any oppressing authority, email her at the.roar. ways count on having a dying General Lamarque for this, so saravanan@gmail.com.

rants &raves

friday, feb. 15, 2013

{

What is your favorite pick-up line?

{

“People call me Christian, but can you call me tonight.”

Christian Hunter, freshman

“My name might not be Luna. But I can love good.”

Meredith Spillane, sophomore

“Do you have a bandaid? I scraped my knee falling for you.”

Sophia Woodwaid, junior

sketchy.

by merritt nolte-roth “Party Pooper” How financially dependent are you on your parents?

“You’re just like Google ‘cause you’re everything I search for... And more.”

Linnea Hetland, senior

“Are we in the Matrix?

Because I think you’re the One.” Mr. Faulk, audio/video productions teacher

720 students surveyed.

the roar | viewpoints | 7

friday, feb. 15, 2013

Attention to appearances, aesthetics proves important in design all around us, from logos and advertisements to the books we read and the websites we surf—and we would notice the correlation between attractiveness and usability, how we avoid things that don’t work well because they’re not designed well.

michelle liu features editor

“Attractive things work better.”

Or so says the website on user experiences I stumbled upon in search of some meshing between science and aesthetics, some statistical fact that would grant me the authority to write this. (I found that fact, by the way, but that’s to come later.)

We’re always told not to judge a book by its cover, that what matters is what is on the inside, that appearances can be secondary. But aesthetics are pivotal to our everyday lives, whether we’re wearing soccer shorts and an old t-shirt or 4-inch heels and a leather skirt.

We might not notice it, but then again, good design isn’t always very noticeable. Everyday design works well, so well that it fits seamlessly into our lives; we have to look a little closer to appreciate its wonder. Think of bubble wrap (so tempting to pop, but also so useful). Think of Band-Aids, think of lightbulbs, paperclips. Even the humble Post-it Note is in the Museum of Modern Art’s collection.

Really, aesthetics do often go hand in hand with the functionality of an object. Google searches reveal papers written on aesthetics and engineering, aesthetics and offices, aesthetics and cities—people think about this (not just me).

And what if your shoes were too clunky, or your pants too long, or your glasses too big? Not only would you shuffle, trip and push your glasses back up your nose constantly, but you would look ridiculous.

Pretty things matter. After all, isn’t part of Apple’s ap-

Artwork by Joy Cope

peal its detail, its streamlined nature? (Sidenote: Steve Jobs took a calligraphy class for the fun of it in college, which later contributed to Mac computers having a variety of fonts—the first of its kind! Thank Apple for giving us a choice, whether it is Times New Roman or Futura or the font this editorial is printed in, Minion Pro, or, heaven forbid, Comic Sans.) As I write this on a Mac computer, I’m inclined to notice the minimalism involved in the computer/ keyboard/mouse combination, the package that isn’t nearly as clunky as all the other computers I might find at Best Buy. And if we look around at the world around us, we would see the influence of design and aesthetics

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: What do you think about the media coverage over Sandy Hook?

Alex Coats, senior: I think the media coverage of the Sandy Hook massacre was necessary considering the gravity of the situation. The pro-guns vs. gun-control battle that erupted almost instantly after the shooting was unnecessary and very unfortunate considering the media’s focus should have been on the shooting and victims rather than the political conflict concerning firearms.

Alex Coopersmith, sophomore: I think the media has a duty to inform the public, but their coverage of Sandy Hook has led to a culture of fear that is dangerous for America.

Add your opinion and see more responses: Friend Roar Newspaper on Facebook.

T h e re fore, let’s express a little gratitude to designers in the world, because really, we should care about what things look like, about how we go about organizing our lives visually.

So, in defense of aesthetics, suit up.

Michelle is Features Editor for The Roar. Do you judge books by their covers? Tell her what you think at the.roar.liu@ gmail.com.

Paper Clips

By Joy Cope

“Together Again”

the roar | viewpoints | 9

friday, feb. 15, 2013

Differing opinions create awkward situations, need for tolerance nicole farrell sports editor Every weekday during seventh period, I sit in a room of people that I love. We type; we laugh; we eat. We actually eat quite a lot.We’re all different. We pride ourselves on that. Twice every six weeks, we have late nights, where we come in the evening and sit in our lab as the world turns dark.

Just like during the day, we type, laugh, and eat some more. It’s one of the many times we all sit together, differently, but together.

We come from different places, work on different things, but have one common goal: to publish the best paper we can, one that all sorts of different people can read and enjoy.

I’m a little bit of everyone sometimes, but I’m also different. I can read everything we publish in the paper and feel like I glean something from it. I want to share it, tell people to read it too, which is easy for me, because if you know me at all, you know I talk. I talk a lot: excessively, incessantly, my mouth issuing a constant stream of laughs, chuckles, comments, jokes, and words, words, words.

But there are certain times I shut up.

Others might not notice. That’s probably because my silence, while odd for me, is quite normal for the average conversationalist.

When my fellow staffers or classmates start talking politics, I face my computer or stare at my desk. One of the few times I have

turned is when asked what Mitt Romney’s harshly, or judged hair looked like, because it was assumed I them or shoved would know. I helped out as best I could. their beliefs When people discuss the party they down their attended last weekend, I busy my hands throats.

I’m and still my mouth, reflecting on the only here to previous Saturday I spent working share the love, and catching up on homework. When which is present people talk about their lack of beliefs on the many sides of in something bigger than themselves, I the many controversies. stare at the home row or my phone. I’m There’s also hate on both actually pretty embarrassed about sides. That’s wrong. I’m here how I talk when it doesn’t matter to stand up alone in the room and become quiet when it does. instead of cowering in the If you know me at all, I doorway. I’m here to say talk. If you know me just a that I’m not bigoted, little better, you know I’m naïve or uneducated also a Christian, which because I’m a pervades my every thought.

Christian.

My belief has made some of the people I’ve come across lately roll their eyes: Artwork by Joy Cope the free-thinkers, the artists, the bleeding poets, the people In an era where more who insistently think for themselves and is political and less is correct, I feel a pressure can’t wait to get out of this stupid, smallish, to just be quiet and keep my conservative conservative town. I relate with those people beliefs to myself. But I’m here to say, that largely. With many of my newer friends, I if I’m not expressing hatred or denying feel a creative heartbeat that’s really special, common courtesy and respect, I have the so it hurts that their hearts don’t always beat right to disagree. Because disagreement is when mine does. not necessarily a fight, and I apologize for When it comes to many of my more those who have made it that way. liberal-minded friends, the ones who believe I disagree with the homosexual lifestyle. in universal acceptance and openness, only But you won’t see me in hate protests, or their opinion matters. The other perspectives bullying or shunning those who have made are not valued. That’s hypocritical. Maybe it’s that choice. (Yes, I believe it’s a choice, but because “people like me” have treated them that’s another topic). I can disagree and

continue to exist as a human being. Firm disbelief does not make me condescending or give me a superiority complex. I’m not perfect, and I won’t ever pretend to be.

I’m also pro-life. But I’ll be there to comfort you no matter what your choice. I just want you to celebrate in the wonderful, terrible, but beautifully bearable aspects of life with me. There are such things as miracles in this gritty life and no one has the right to say someone won’t be able to make it.

I don’t party, but I’ll always remember what I did the night before. I don’t cuss.

Apparently, this makes me lame or less respectable. I just believe in the power of words, so I choose better ones. If this all offends you, well, frankly I’m not sorry. I’m tired of being sorry, of apologizing because my beliefs are not “politically correct,” and for believing in a return to normality instead of a progression into chaos.

Being a Christian is not just something I am because my parents take me to church and I live in the predominantly conservative South. It’s something that I, as a strong, independent young adult believe in because it beats worrying about tomorrow. I’m so drenched in love, hope, and grace that the rains of life often seem inconsequential.I’m not here to pour a bucket of judgmental and hateful water on you. I’m here to offer you an umbrella and lead you inside.

I’m willing to hear your story. The question is: will you hear mine?

Nicole is Sports Editor for The Roar. Share your perspective (but keep it respectful) at the.roar.farrell@gmail.com.

Mememto serves as reminder of attempted activism, enviromental concerns leah crisman entertainment editor

On my bulletin board above my bureau, a treasured bumper sticker of mine sticks out from all the Christmas cards, tchochkes, and pictures of pets-both current and deceased-that cover the rest of the board. Emblazoned with the rather bizarre phrase “HEMP HEMP HURRAY!” and accompanied by the subtitle ‘Food, Fuel, Fiber, Freedom!,’ it is at odds with every other aspect of my room and indeed my personality.

Let me explain. I couldn’t care less about hemp. I don’t even really know what it is, or rather; I didn’t know what it was until I looked it up on Wikipedia. That sticker was a freebie I got at an ecologically-centered country fair in Maine. I went to that little Birkenstock-studded affair with my classmates as a weekend activity during my five month long sojourn at an environmentally-focused semester school last fall. “HEMP HEMP HURRAY” wallowed among all the other memorabilia from that experience (organic cotton tote bags, homemade lip balm and the like) until a couple weeks before school started when I pulled it from the pile,

straightened out the edges, tacked it up, and was struck with an epiphany.

I decided to (as the motivational posters encourage) be the change I wish to see in the world.

“HEMP Artwork by Merritt H E M P Nolte-Roth HURRAY” w o u l d be my reminder. It would come to represent my best efforts t o be conscious of my impact on the world and make others conscious of theirs as well. With that weird little bumper sticker guiding me I would not only reduce, reuse, and recycle like nobody’s business, but also persuade other people to do likewise.

Then school started. And as quickly as my resolution took form, it died away. Symbolically, around the same time “HEMP HEMP HURRAY” fell off my bulletin board and spent a couple weeks collecting dust under my bureau.

In many respects I have failed to live up to my bumper

sticker pledge. I do actually recycle more; if nobody is looking I will take paper out of trashcans and move it to the recycle bin and the same goes for plastic water bottles. I may turn off unneeded lights, compost food scraps, and charge my iPod with a solar charger, but my will power is continuously broken by cafeteria chicken poppers. After watching Food, Inc, I unsuccessfully swore off these questionablelooking nuggets that (if my assumptions are correct) boast corn-based coating and mechanically shredded chicken. Alas, because I bring my own lunch, I am reduced to stealing these strangely addictive nuggets from the people I sit with, sometimes while they foolishly leave their trays unguarded, sometimes while looking pleadingly into their eyes. Is there no hope for me?

I never transformed into the person I had envisioned; the one who would openly and pointedly reject wastefulness and unsustainable food sources. I do care, but I will do my caring unobtrusively and somewhat falteringly.

To do otherwise is not in my nature. Or at least that is the excuse I use.

So: do as I don’t. Be that person who is vocal about local and ready to recycle and I will follow you instead. You will be the change you wish to see in the world and I will cheer you on, my hands filled with chicken poppers.

Leah is Entertainment Editor for The Roar. Share your contributions to help the enviroment with her at the.roar.crisman@gmail.com.

10 | viewpoints | the roar

{opposing viewpoints} YES

friday, feb. 15, 2013

Do tragedies have a place in politics?

NO

by Rojas Oliva, staff reporter

Whether it is to highlight the need of government agencies like FEMA after hurricane Sandy or the push towards gun control after the shooting at Sandy Hook, whenever a tragedy causes people to care, political consequences are not far behind. This “politicizing” of a tragedy might seem manipulative at best and downright disrespectful at worst. However, this discourse is imperative in the progress of our entire society.

To back up a little, the philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel proposed that society is in a constant state of progress towards a theoretical state of perfection. He viewed history as the story of humanity struggling towards rationality and freedom. This process follows a simple formula. An idea is proposed, cynics find flaws and propose their own idea, tension between the two mounts until either the two ideas are combined incorporating the best of both, or a singular idea survives. Through this process, what is right survives.

For all of this to take place, the first step is to begin a dialogue. For example, in 1996 Australia suffered a killing spree at a popular tourist resort. The shooting left 35 dead and 23 wounded. The outcry from the public was so strong that merely 12 days later Australia passed much stricter gun control legislation, as well as initiating a government gun buy back program. In the decade leading up to this abrupt change in policy 11 mass shootings had occurred, but since 1996 there have been none. So when a tragedy outrages people to the point of action, the last thing we should do is silence them. Whether it’s a politician attempting to push legislation, or that annoying person on Facebook flooding your feed with their opinions, this dialogue is essential to begin the tension that will eventually lead to change. By silencing dialogue, we are essentially halting this natural progression in the hopes of showing respect to those affected.

We choose to show respect in order to comfort those affected. However, if we really want to assuage these people, we should show them that we have fought tooth and nail to ensure that this will never happen again, and all this should be done with the hope that no one will ever have to go through what they have.

And in the wake of a tragedy, hope is really what we all need.

by Dana Branham, managing editor

After the horrific Newtown shooting, a gun control debate exploded on nearly every social medium. Facebook was crawling with heated back-and-forth comment wars; news websites and TV channels boasted bold headlines, some of which barely acknowledged the tragedy in the situation, but rather seemed to see the ordeal as a forum to voice their opinions.

Considering the nature of the shooting, a political debate hardly seemed appropriate or respectful to the grieving families who had just lost their children on what began as a fairly typical Friday. I understand that such tragedies indicate problems within people, and that those problems need to be dealt with in a timely manner to avoid their recurrence; however, voicing political opinions and suggestions on how to sidestep a future tragedy must come second to showing compassion and sympathy for people and families currently affected by a tragedy. Using others’ grief as your political ammunition simply shows insensitivity to those whose lives have been forever altered by this tragedy.

In the case of the Sandy Hook shooting, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t discuss gun control. I’m not saying that laws regulating—or not regulating—gun ownership aren’t important.

On a bigger scale, the September 11 attacks certainly merited attention to the topic of national security, just as a shooting merits attention to the topic of gun control. The issues that tragedies bring to light are issues for a reason, and it’s understandable— necessary, even—to discuss them and plan for a safer future.

By the same token, we must show our respect for those affected by tragedies such as these by learning when and how it is appropriate to address the underlying issues that may have caused them. So, before we jump to the—albeit enticing—part where we discuss what political change needs to occur to remedy the situation after the incident, we must remember to first respect the victims, the victims’ families and those who were otherwise affected by the tragedy. First sympathize, then—if you must—politicize.

student responses. The Roar surveyed 117 students to learn their opinions on media coverage.

Do you believe that tragedies garner too much media attention?

50.5%

49.5%

When do you think it is acceptable to publish a tragedy or accident?

“ “

I think it’s always acceptable because the world needs to know

”

No Yes 46.5% 53.5%

what is going on.

Claire Kirby, junior

I think it is acceptable to publish if it was a public occurrence but not

Do you believe it is acceptable for a tragedy to be used as an example in a political argument?

What is your opinion of the media coverage of the Sandy Hook shooting?

acceptable if it was private or if the people involved do not want it pub-

Yes

No

lished.

”

Kayce Campbell, junior

62% believe it was excessive.

32% believe there was not enough.

6% believe there was a proper amount of coverage.

the roar | snapshots | 11

friday, feb. 15, 2013

flooring the crowd

PHOTO OF REBECCA MCDONALD BY EVA ARAUJO

Acrobatic pastime liberates tumblers, offers future opportunities eva araujo | assistant editor The mat is below her and she hears the team, her team screaming her name, encouraging her to stay focused. She knows she can do this. Everything goes silent. She takes deep breaths in and out, narrowing her focus to right where she wants to start her stunt. She closes her eyes 3..2...1. They open and before she knows it she is soaring through the air. She is flying one second, then she is on the ground. Her eyes open and everyone is still cheering. For freshman

Kayla Brock, junior Rebecca McDonald and senior Christina Vaughn, tumbling has developed into a passion.

“Once you learn a new skill it is very rewarding because you work really hard to get that skill,” McDonald said. “When you learn a new skill and finally get over your fear it feels extremely liberating. Its always fun to be able to put that new skill in a cheer or practice it in tumbling class.”

Vaughn has been cheering and tumbling since her seventh grade year.

She enjoys the way tumbling makes her feel. It’s a sensation like no other sport-a

Junior Rebecca McDonald executes an arm move often performed while doing jumps.

McDonald said she plans to keep tumbling in college. PHOTO BY EVA ARAUJO

Junior Rebecca McDonald executes a back handspring. McDonald started gymnastics at age five and switched to cheerleading in ninth grade. PHOTO BY EVA ARAUJO

sport that allows you to fly, even if only for a few seconds, Vaughn said.

“My favorite part about tumbling is the power and rush I feel when I’m flying through the air,” Vaughn said. “It is an ability that most people can’t do, so it makes me feel unique. When I started tumbling I had to learn to trust my body.”

McDonald said that even when she isn’t having a great day, her team and family are always there to brighten her day with encouragement.

“While you are doing your tumbles or cheers everyone is encouraging you and shouting your name and it’s just really great,” McDonald said. “Both of my parents are really supportive and they just want me to be happy. They remind me that I am talented and blessed to be able to tumble and that’s what is important. If you don’t have any bad days how will you be able to recognize the good ones?”

McDonald wishes to continue tumbling through college and will do whatever she can to prepare for her future, she said.

“I am looking to taking private lessons to get better and at college tryouts in the future,” McDonald said. “If I go to UT, their cheer program is really good and you have to be able to tumble as well. I just want to be prepared.”

Brock said that tumbling isn’t always just fun and games; it also has a dangerous side. However, with every bruise and scar she grows in strength and it is all worth it in the end, she said.

“In seventh or eighth grade I shattered a growth plate in my ankle so I might have to wear a brace every time I tumble and make sure that I pay attention to that injury,” Brock said. “It was definitely worth it, though. I love it honestly. I think when normal people exercise, they might just go to the gym and run. I get to fly.”

the roar | student life | 13

day, feb. 15, 2013

rious genres, gain perspectives

m full of inexperienced fingers fumbling through

akingly test their abilities, each note vitally part of know what allegro means. otes of jazz music, the melancholy but passionate Junior Nick Lindner plays bass guitar during a band practice on Jan. 19, 2013. PHOTO BY DANA BRANHAM

verything down. But with the band, it’s the drums ou can put in without totally screwing everything

playing bass and guitar; Victor Leon drums while west addition, plays the keyboard. The band plays

ying bass-guitar in the Grace Bible Church youth

aid. “My cousin actually taught me [to play bass]. n playing, I’ve gotten better.” pe of upbeat Christian rock he plays at church is

he notes on the page and that’s what you have to e you’re playing something that you don’t have to

sical music and rock music, like he plays with his

—it’s about getting everything to work together,” he band, it’s like you’re playing a solo all the time,

c emphasizes the group rather than the individual he larger ensemble. you’re doing; [your part] is a lot more noticeable,”

or a deeper appreciation and understanding of the

m each respective genre,” junior Zach Howell said. d through the noticing of these patterns, your ear

an edge.” t as playing it, or anything else that you could do,”

Senior Jeremy Parulian practices his orchestra music during advocate on Jan. 29, 2013. In addition to playing viola, Parulian plays the bass guitar at Grace Bible Church’s youth group.

PHOTO BY DANA BRANHAM

Junior Zach Howell plays electric guitar during a band practice session on Jan.19, 2013.

PHOTO BY DANA BRANHAM

will allow him to succeed in other areas of his life. s. Even if you’re gifted, a lot of things may come ell said. “If you ever want to achieve greatness in e. You’ve got to apply yourself—it takes hard work

something I really like, it makes me feel good that someone says, hey, that sounds nice, or someone

o a community that has allowed him to grow. ve not only other people but for the Lord, because

Senior Victor Leon plays drum set during a band practice on Jan. 19, 2013. PHOTO BY DANA BRANHAM

listen along to Nick’s, Zach’s and various genres.

Howell’s pick ndromat” ry Gallagher

Victor Leon’s pick “F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X”

by The Fall of Troy compiled by Dana Branham

Sophomore Pablo Leon practices for solo and ensemble contest on his violin on Jan. 30, 2013. For the conterst, Leon will play 9th Violin Concerto in A Minor, Movement 1 by Charles deBeriot.

PHOTO BY DANA BRANHAM

12 | student

life | the roar

from Bach to Rock by dana branham, managing editor

friday, feb. 15,

Orchestra students explore various not only skill, but new musical pers

Most young musicians will take their start in an orchestra or band class in a room full of ine scales and rhythms until finally, they’re correct.

Many will continue from there, learning classical pieces that intricately and painstakingly test t a bigger melody. They’ll gain some limited knowledge of Italian―at least, enough to know what a However, few will take their classical training and apply it to the sultry swung notes of jazz m music of the blues, the wide-ranging, many faces of rock and roll music.

“In orchestra, I think it’s more about form and passion; it’s about really getting everything do and the guitars and all this noise going on—it’s more about energy and how much you can put in up,” junior Nick Lindner said.

Lindner and four others make up the band OMF―Lindner alternates between playing bass brother Pablo Leon sings; Zach Howell plays lead guitar and Esther Lim, the band’s newest additio mainly seventies rock.

Senior Jeremy Parulian, however, applies his classical training on the viola to playing bass-gu band.

“I started [playing bass] because I wanted to play in the church band,” Parulian said. “My cou He’s really good, so he taught me just the basics and I just picked it up, and as I’ve been playing, I’v Parulian said that the main difference he saw between classical music and the type of upbea their levels of strictness.

“Playing in the orchestra and piano, classical music, it’s a lot stricter. You have the notes on follow,” Parulian said. “You’re given a lot more freedom with playing in a band because you’re play strictly follow.”

Furthermore, senior Victor Leon said that another major difference between classical music a band, is the widely varying sizes of the two groups.

“Orchestra is about sounding as one unit. It’s not as much about self-indulgence—it’s about Victor said. “In orchestra, we play with a ton of violins, so I’m just one out of 32. In the band, it’s but it has to work with the other parts.”

Sophomore Pablo Leon agreed with his brother. He said that while orchestra music emphasize player, much of the so-called “hiding” behind others has to do with “blending” into the larger ense “In a band, it’s harder because there’s only one or maybe two people doing what you’re doing; Pablo said. “You have to be more confident in your playing.”

Many of these musicians agreed that listening to music―all kinds of it―allows for a deeper a music that they play.

“If you’re wanting to play something, it always helps to listen to lots of artists from each respe “If you listen repetitiously to a lot of different songs, you’ll start to notice patterns, and through th will pick it up and transfer it to your fingers or however you’re playing.”

Lindner agreed, saying that listening to many different styles of music “gives you an edge.”

“Listening to a wide variety of music—classical and modern—it’s just as important as playing i Lindner said. “It gives you good insight on the kind of emotions people can convey.”

Howell mentioned that the work ethic and drive that comes from playing music will allow him “You can apply tenacity to something—you’ve got to work for things sometimes. Even if yo naturally, but down the road you’ll find something that takes a lot of practice,” Howell said. “If y music, you have to work a lot for it. I think that applies just about everywhere else in life. You’ve got and dedication if you want to be successful.”

Howell said that he plays partially for himself and partially to bring joy to others.

“In terms of self-fulfillment, I really feel accomplished if I’m recording and I play something I I was able to do that,” Howell said. “It also feels good, almost equally as good, when someone say compliments what I’m playing.”

Parulian, too, sees music not only as a personal hobby, but as a way to give back to a commun “As for playing in the church band, [the most rewarding part] is being able to serve not only o

turn it up

Scan QR codes with a smartphone to listen a Victor’s favorite songs to play across various Nick Lindner’s pick “Light Calvary; Overture Movement”

by Franz V. Suppe

Zach Howell’s “Laundromat

by Rory Gallag

14 | people | the roar

groundUP from the

leah crisman | entertainment editor

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built over

60,000 houses and served more than

3 million people.

ndUP

he

United Nations declared the first Monday in October as

World Habitat Day.

ndUP

he

friday, feb. 15, 2013

By 2030, an additional

3 billion people will need access to housing.

Their vision:

A row of students in muddy sneakers drive shovels into the unyielding earth in front of an empty house. The sky may be a dreary charcoal grey, but spirits are high and the work moves quickly.

This buzz of activity is the result of Habitat for Humanity’s most recent project, landscaping for one of the many colorful, compact Habitat for Humanity houses nestled in a Bryan neighborhood. In the past, projects (commonly referred to as builds) have ranged anywhere from laying sod to putting up walls to painting.

These activities and indeed all Habitat for Humanity’s service projects require no previous experience from the prospective member senior Rebecca Stark emphasizes. She explains that all required skills are taught to members on-site.

“I was worried at first I’d screw everything up…but it’s not hard,” Stark said, adding: “you are working as a group, with your friends.”

Although Habitat for Humanity does allot time for constructing houses for families in need, the organization also pitches in for other related causes such as gift wrapping donations at Barnes and Noble during Christmas and organizing monthly bake sales to benefit the B/CS Habitat for Humanity. Says club sponsor Bobby Slovak, Habitat for Humanity members are dedicated to community service.

“They are selfless, they just quietly go out there and do their work, get paint all over themselves [and] never complain about anything” Slovak said.

The students are certainly not the only

Habitat for Humanity gives back to community ones chipping in. According to senior and president of Habitat for Humanity Samantha Wang, the families who eventually move into Habitat for Humanity houses are an integral part of the building process, often working alongside club members.

“Habitat doesn’t just give out houses to lucky families, people have to actually work for their houses—they have to put in equity hours, take training on how to manage a house and manage a job,” Wang said. “Altogether [Habitat is] just a really good program that prepares people for life.”

Stark, who has participated in builds with future Habitat homeowners, was affected by the experience. She explained that it was humbling to see people struggling with the problem of affordable housing.

“You can’t pick the situation you’re in, but you can choose how to deal with it. I respect people for doing [habitat for humanity]” Stark said.

Slovak agrees and encourages all students to be of service to the community. “[Participate] in [service projects] not because you’re putting it on a college application or getting points for some sort of club or something” Slovak said. “Do it because that’s what people do—help each other.”

"a world where everyone has a decent place to live."

Senior Nazia Ahmed lays linoleum in the new home. Consol’s Habitat for Humanity spent an entire Saturday building a home for a family in need. PHOTO BY LAURA EVERETT

Junior Marianne Muyia shovels dirt to make room for freshly laid grass. Muyia was among roughly a dozen Consol students at the build. PHOTO BY RACHEL KAGLE

Consol volunteers shovel dirt to make room for freshly laid grass. The volunteers laid grass in an economical checkered pattern, as the grass will grow in to fill the space. PHOTO BY RACHEL KAGLE

friday, feb. 15, 2013

the roar | people | 15

on faith & family Further exposure to alternate choices causes shift in religious beliefs shilpa saravanan & annie zhang news editor & staff reporter

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MICHELLE LIU

Growing up in a household with one Presbyterian parent and one Catholic parent, freshman Susie Lebuffe has been exposed to more variety in religion than most people her age.

“It’s enabled me to make decisions on moral issues apart from any religion,” Lebuffe said.

During Lebuffe’s childhood, her parents introduced their respective religions to her. However, she found that neither fit her personal beliefs— indeed, no religion did, which led Lebuffe to become an atheist.

“My parents let me find things out myself,” Lebuffe said, “and atheism is just what I chose.”

The change has not affected the relationship between Lebuffe and her parents—her parents are fine with her choice, and Lebuffe bears no animosity towards her parents’ religions.

Sophomore Mattie DeWitt, the child of an agnostic mother and an atheist father, found herself in quite the opposite situation when she converted to Christianity during her eighth grade year.

“One of my friends had a Bible study after basketball practice, and I just went originally because they were going to get Chick-fil-A,” DeWitt said. “But the Bible study itself made Christianity feel a lot more meaningful to me.”

DeWitt had previously been agnostic, and she felt uncomfortable towards the idea of becoming a Christian because her Christian friends would form “exclusive cliques” that she didn’t want to be a part of, but seeing the other girls at the Bible study “actually make an effort to be good Christians” helped convince her that Christianity was the right fit for her, she said.

DeWitt’s parents accepted her conversion with good grace—her mother was perfectly fine with it, and her dad, though initially surprised, was not at all upset.

“I think my upbringing makes it a lot easier for me to identify with non-Christians,” DeWitt said. “It’s easier for me to talk to people of other faiths. I make a big effort to keep balanced and not only hang

out with people of my religion.”

Senior Doug Adams*, formerly a devout Catholic, is one of those non-Christians. He began incorporating Buddhist and Daoist ideas into his now-agnostic belief system roughly two years ago.

“I’m not Buddhist in any strict sense, in any real sense; I just particularly like the philosophies of Siddhartha Gautama,” Adams said.

The particular branch of Buddhism that Adams follows is Zen Buddhism, which most people associate with the calm state of mind that comes from frequent meditation. Adams meditates often, he says—mostly in his room, but he has also meditated at the Hindu temple in Navasota.

“Meditation, in addition to providing a very spiritual connection, has scientific roots,” Adams said. “I consider myself a very factual and scientific person, but even so, I have a very deep spirituality.”

The “scientific roots” Adams refers to originate in a study done on the brains of monks who meditated under the direction of the Dalai Lama. Scientists proved that regular meditation can significantly reduce stress and increase productivity.

Adams experiences these benefits, but he has quite a time getting there.

“It’s kind of hard to meditate in a totally Catholic family,” he explains. “Your mom can’t just walk into your room and hear you going ‘Om.’ I have to do it late at night, or when my parents aren’t home; otherwise they’d get very curious and legitimately troubled.”

Adams is not quite ready to reveal his changing beliefs to his parents because of the distress this information would cause them—hence, his desire to remain anonymous. However, he does have hazy plans to let them know eventually.

“I plan to tell them after my first year at college,” he said. “That way, I can develop true confidence in my beliefs.” *Name has been changed to protect the identity of the source.

16 | people | the roar

friday, feb. 15, 2013

PHOTO OF HILLARY HOUSE BY JANET NI

Students learn to adjust, overcome vision impairments janet ni | photography editor The sun has yet to rise as the girls cross country team jogs alongside a road. Yet, they are short one member. Junior Hillary House runs alone on the track, the rubber beneath her feet set ablaze by the stadium lights. She does not run apart from her team by choice; she runs on the track because she cannot see without lights on. House has been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa-more commonly called night blindness. “[The doctors] said that one in a million people have it,” House said.

Because of her condition, House is unable to see anything in dim lighting.

House’s family decided to take House to the eye doctor after many repeated incidents in the second grade, she said.

“I had night terrors all the time,” House said. “I would wake up in the middle of the night and scream. I thought someone had been in my room and moved all my furniture so I couldn’t get out because I couldn’t see where the door was.”

House’s condition is a result of impaired light sensitive cells, or rods, in her retina.

Her night blindness has forced her to make adjustments in her everyday routine.

“I can’t drive at night, and it’s really hard at school because when teachers turn the lights off I can’t see my paper,” House said.

Moreover, House’s involvement with cross country also poses difficulties.

“This year I actually had to run a meet in the dark and it was so scary,” House said. “All the parents had flashlights and were pointing them on the course for me. There was a girl in front of me for most of the race, so basically I stayed right behind her because she was wearing white.”

Luckily, a treatment for night blindness could be developed in the near future. “[The doctors] said that there should be some sort

of treatment by the time that I’m twenty,” House said.

“I’m supposedly going blind by the time I’m sixty-five, so hopefully we will get it cured.”

“I would wake up in the middle of the night and scream. I thought someone had been in my room and moved all my furniture so I couldn’t get out because I couldn’t see where the door was.”

junior Hillary House

Like House, sophomore Matthew Cohen also must cope with a vision impairment.

Cohen’s parents found out that he had oculocutaneous albinism, usually referred to as albinism, a few months after he was born. “[My parents] thought I might be blind because I could not follow what they were showing [me],” Cohen said.

After taking him to a specialist, Cohen’s parents discovered he had albinism, which is a lack of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes, leading to poor vision and sensitivity to the sun, he said.

Cohen has 20/60 vision with glasses, and though it can’t be corrected any further, Cohen does not view it as a major inhibition.

“In school I have to have very large print paper and large print textbooks, but that’s not too big of an issue,” Cohen said. “I’ve gotten accustomed to it.”

However, Cohen did acknowledge that his low vision caused problems when he was younger.

“I can’t see faces as well as a person with 20/20 vision so I might get lost in a crowd, but that was mainly a problem when I was younger,” Cohen said. “In [third grade] we had

pep rallies, so I usually went with my teacher.”

Junior Nicole Monsivais’s vision has also presented difficulties for her. However, her impairment is due to an injury, unlike House and Cohen.

“I burned my eye with a green laser pointer,” Monsivais said. “I was shining it [at my eye] just joking around and ended up burning my pupil and losing peripheral vision.”

Because of her injury, Monsivais was forced to wear an eye patch for a week, she said.

Now, three months after the injury, Monsivais is still facing some obstacles.

“I can still see a black spot in the center of my eye, and my peripheral vision is still a little blurry sometimes,” Monsivais said.

Monsivais commented on the quick shift in her quality of eyesight.

“I miss seeing clearly,” Monsivais said. “I used to have perfect 20/20 vision. Before, I could see anything and I was far sighted, but now I can barely read the words on the Smart Board.”

Despite the difficulties that arise from vision disorders, some are still able to maintain positive outlooks on their conditions. “[Albinism] made me a more independent person,” Cohen said. “I think in general, it has shaped my person for the better.”

AAAPRINTING PRINTINGPREDICAMENT PREDICAMENT PRINTING PREDICAMENT This is the font size of a regular English assignment Mr. Lindner prints off.

This is the font size of the English assignments Mr. Lindner prints off for Matthew Cohen.

{on their own {

friday, feb. 15, 2013

the roar | people | 17

Self-sustained lifestyle teaches students value of money, life skills tiffany hammond and rachel kagle staff reporter and executive editor

a look inside

Seniors Leah Vitale and Garrett Luedtke, (left) and alumnus Sara Landreneau and senior Jesse Stephens (right) relax in Luedtke’s, Landrenaeu’s, and Stephens’s shared apartment before they have to go to work on Feb. 11, 2013. The three moved into their apartment on Jan. 5, 2013, after a semester of planning. PHOTOS BY TIFFANY HAMMOND

M

ost students at Consol go home to their families who cook them dinner and pay the bills. For senior Chad Burrus, these underlying responsibilities fall on his own shoulders.

“If you slack off, everything falls apart,” Burrus said. “I’m on my own, I’m independent, it’s all on me.”

Texas A&M is Burrus’ dream school, and attending high school in College Station was one of the only ways for him to have a chance there. His family is in Pennsylvania and California. While Burrus has a roommate, the monetary responsibilities of rent, groceries, and gas for his car create the feeling of living alone.

“I have to choose between getting a certain thing I want at the store or quarters to do wash and clean clothes,” Burrus said.

“Every time I get a paycheck, I do a budget so I know what’s going on.”

This degree of independence requires many sacrifices. This year, Burrus had to give up a role in a musical because the practices interfered with his work schedule,

and earning money to pay bills has to be top priority.

“You think of all the time you lost,” Burrus said. “I’m ready for the future, but you only get one time in high school.”

Burrus explains that additional difficulties include coming home to an empty house and not having someone to lean on, especially on a bad day.

“The worst part is the emotions you go through,” Burrus said. “Sometimes you just

people don’t know what to do with credit cards; a lot of people don’t even know how to read a thermostat; a lot of people don’t know where to get quarters or stamps.”

For seniors Jesse Stephens and Garrett Luedtke moving out has been a positive experience. Stephens and Luedtke moved in to an apartment with Consol alumni Sara Landreneau in January. Their living arrangement differs from Burrus’ because they are all best friends.

“I’m ready for the future, but you only get one time in high school.” senior Chad Burrus miss your parents.”

Aside from the negatives faced while living alone, students can develop skills that will be necessary in the future.

“Without living on my own I wouldn’t know how to do things that a lot of people won’t know how to do,” Burrus said. “Not a lot of people know how to budget; a lot of

“Living with your two best friends is awesome. It’s definitely one of the biggest pros,” Stephens said.

Even though they do benefit from living with people they like being with, they still endure the struggles of having to work enough hours at their jobs and cook their own meals.

“During the week it’s just routine: school, work, come home,” Stephens said. “[We’re] living paycheck to paycheck.”

Luedtke agrees and commented on the difficulty of balancing school and adult life.

“It’s really hard to work and go to school and buy groceries and do laundry,” he said.

“We’re broke all the time.”

Despite the extra effort to budget and save money, the seniors appreciate their ability to live on their own.

“I just needed a change,” Stephens said.

“Supporting yourself is a really satisfying feeling.”

Burrus agrees and believes that through supporting himself, he has gained valuable life lessons and skills that he will need later on.

“Living on your own, you learn that the small things are actually really big things,” Burrus said. “It changed my perspective a lot.”

it all adds up

{

Senior Chad Burrus, who lives nearly 1500 miles away from his family in Pennsylvania, handles his expenses on his own—from the laundry to the rent.

laundry

rent

gas

groceries

$20 $400 $15 $100 per month per month

per month

his mom’s place Chad’s place

per month

compiled by Rachel Kagle

18 | people | the roar

what’s your

friday, feb. 15, 2013

type?

HOSA club desires more participants in blood drive isabel drukker & aaron ross opinions editor & staff reporter

According to the Red Cross, every two seconds a person is in need of blood.

Ten years ago, Consol’s coach Kimmie Daily was one of those people.

“I just think that it’s important that you donate, because if someone hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here,” Daily said.

Daily required blood when complications arose while giving birth to her daughter, who also received a blood transfusion. After surviving the procedure, she named her daughter Precious Miracle.

On Feb. 27 and 28, HOSA is holding a blood drive at the auditorium in Consol. Walk-ins are welcome to join, as long as they are 17 or older. 16 year olds may donate, but they must have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian.

“A lot of the time as teenagers we want to give back to the community, but we don’t know how,” HOSA member Bella Abouelkheir said. “I feel that this is a very practical way to give back in a very real way to someone who we otherwise wouldn’t have touched.”

At last year’s blood drive, HOSA did not meet the expected goal, receiving only 70 out of the 170 units needed.

Despite this, the group has decided to increase its goal to 200 units, meaning to meet it, 100 people will have to donate per day.

“We’re going to have more donation tables and screening

booths than ever before,” HOSA presuident Austin Beltrand said. “This means that we’re going to have practically no wait times. We aim to collect a hundred units each day.”

The drive itself is run primarily by students, though professionals will be drawing blood. HOSA members will contribute by taking volunteers out of class, running desks, and collecting food for recovery stations. Due to their efficiency, a student donor will miss an hour of class at most.

“It’s not something that’s hard,” Daily said. “It’s something that can be done easily and it doesn’t impact you in a negative way, so anyone who can do it should. It’s an easy way to help save a life.”

Recently, freshman Jill Cope’s life was saved through this simple process.

During Cope’s surgery on Dec. 24 and 25 last year, she needed two pints of blood.

Cope has an O blood type which means she can receive blood from other only other O type carriers. The O blood type is the most requested blood type, which means it often has a short shelf life. Through this, Cope realized how necessary giving blood is to those who need it. “[Donating] blood is really a life saver for others,” Cope said. “[When] people from all kinds of blood types donate it helps everyone in the long run” Since Daily received blood, she realized the importance and need donors fulfill, and has volunteered to give blood since then.

“I think if we are blessed with an abundance of something, we have a duty to share it and share it with those who are not as blessed as us,” Abouelkheir said.

Aucoin stressed the importance of coming prepared for a donation. However eager the person is though, they should take the correct precautions. Abouelkheir fainted after attempting to donate at last year’s drive.

“Some people have the false notion that you should give blood on an empty stomach,” Consol’s Pharmacy tech and BMP teacher, Aucoin said. “[But] you’re taking a pint of blood so you want to make sure that you have enough energy in your body to do that.”

Drawing blood only takes ten minutes. However, donors will be given about thirty minutes out of class to spend time in the recovery station with food, water, and resting areas.

Beltrand encourages students to walk-in for a screening, even if there is a possibility they will be ineligible to donate. “[If] students and adults don’t give blood, then there’s a possibility that others will not live.” Daily said. “I named my baby Precious Miracle for obvious reasons.”

The blood obtained at the drive will be used in local hospitals, and will benefit local community. Each pint can save up to three lives.

“This really is an event by the people,” Beltrand said.

“Not only HOSA but also the sick are depending on AMCHS to rally and show what we can do.”

Interested in donating blood to the Red Cross?

What you need to know before participating in the blood drive?

To donate blood, you must weigh at least 110 lbs.

Bring a friend or mp3 player to kill time.

Get a good night’s sleep.

If you are 18 years of age or younger, you must also meet Bring your ID. additional height and weight requirements.

Come dressed prepared (no shirts that cannot be pulled In the weeks before make sure up decently past elbows). that you have been eating foods rich in iron.

Be prepared for vigorous exercises for the rest of Drink plenty of water the day of the day. and have a balanced meal.

No fatty foods.

no

Senior Austin Beltrand encourages students to sign up for the blood drive at lunch on Feb. 10. Beltrand became president of HOSA at the beginning of the year. PHOTO BY DEVIN DAKOTA

Type it out: who your blood can help.

O

O

A

A

B

B

AB

AB

one common goal

the roar | sports| 19

friday, feb. 15, 2013

Senior goalies offer different levels of experience, contribute to team by nicole farrell | sports editor New and old keepers have a common goal: no goals.

Senior goalkeepers Mary Inovejas and Clare McDougall have two very different levels of experience in the position, but both significantly contribute to the senior leadership so evident in the Lady Tiger soccer team.

“Our class does a good job of setting standards and living up to the responsibility placed before us as a soccer team,” McDougall said.

New head coach Stuart Keogh agrees with McDougall’s statement with his commentary on the captain voting that was completed earlier this year.

Keogh explained that every senior got at least one vote, which he declared a completely unprecedented “testament to the senior class.”

“Every one of them could be a captain on this team,” Keogh said. “They set the tone for the whole program.”

Goalkeepers are the captains of the defense, defining play in the back field by directing defense and providing a unique perspective from the net.

“The job description gives you the ability to be a leader,” McDougall said. “You can command the field.”

Specifically focusing on McDougall’s and Inovejas’s field leadership, senior teammate Megan Kriger emphasizes their impact on the team.

“Clare is always a really strong leader and is always yelling at you, telling you little things like where the pressure’s coming from,” Kriger said.

Kriger contrasted with Inovejas’s lower self-confidence when it comes to giving instruction.

“The coach is always telling Mary to do that and she [says], ‘I did!,’’ Kriger said, “But she spoke it softly. She’s starting to get louder and take control.”

Inovejas is always humble.

“I don’t like telling people what to do,” she explained.

“I’m still worried that if I say something, it will be wrong.

It’s part of my personality, and I don’t want to take authority

soccer

PHOTO BY JANET NI

over someone, especially if they’re good at what they’re doing.”

Her coach and fellow keeper negate her doubt, praising her raw talent.

“Mary’s a very natural athlete,” Keogh said, “So the instincts, the reactions, are natural to her. Mary’s the kind of person, that whatever the team needs, she’ll do and that’s the kind of mentality you want to have in your goalkeeper.”

McDougall describes Inovejas’s reactions and reflexes as “crazy good,” adding that with longer training, she would have had the opportunity to further refine her goalkeeping ability.

“She already is a very talented goalkeeper just having

“The job description gives you the ability to be a leader. You can command the field.”

senior Clare McDougall

trained for it this year,” McDougall added. “Mary’s a lot better than when I first started.”

McDougall further added that the only other difference between experiences would be their mentalities.

While McDougall does play for the fun of the game, she takes a more serious approach on the field.

“When Mary plays, she’s sheer joy,” McDougall adds.

“She plays best when she’s laughing.”

Inovejas has earned the respect of other players for starting a new position in her final year on the team, and both goalies reminisced on growing into their position originally.

“I’m not completely comfortable,” Inovejas said. “[But] it’s sort of in my mindset now.”

McDougall explained that her first soccer coach suggested the keeper position to her because of her younger siblings.

Recent Results: 2nd place in Brenham 1-1-1 at Georgetown Tournament

Upcoming Games: Feb. 15 Home - 6:30

Overall Record: 4-2-2 recored Overall

Feb. 19 Oak Ridge - 6:30

“[He] decided that since I had little brothers, I had quick reflexes, so he put me in the goal,” she said, admitting she disliked the position at first, but became more comfortable between the posts than on the green.

Inovejas described her first day as an offhand offer to fill in for a minute, but her coach saw the potential as a substitute in case of McDougall’s absence or injury.

The coach offered her a more permanent practice spot with the current goalies and Inovejas accepted, cementing her spot as the second varsity goalie for this year.

After four years on the team, both attributed the attitude and relationships to their enjoyment of the game.

Inovejas explained her reasons for starting and continuing the sport is the girls she has met and formed friendships with.

“We don’t even need to do anything big or plan anything extreme, but everything we do is so fun,” Inovejas said. “They’re all good people.”

McDougall added that her teammates make her time and commitment worthwhile.

“Soccer is really just the underlying tone [in the] relationships that we’re forming,” she said. “[Playing] gives people common ground and makes it easier to relate to people.”

These friendships and attitudes were ones already set before Keogh’s entrance as new coach, but Keogh’s upfront honesty and focus on technical play will hopefully increase the team’s goal of advancing in playoffs despite a more difficult district.

Keogh is confident with both his keepers and field players, appreciating their dedication to the sport and looking forward to his first season.

“The character of the group and how they carry themselves is outstanding,” Keogh said. “The kids’ attitudes overall and work ethic are great. The foundation was set long before I got here.”

Co-Captains seniors Charis Brantley and Kirsten Bevan:

“Communication has been good.

It works well because we have two very different personalities.”

- Brantley

20 | sports | the roar

friday, feb. 15, 2013

Senior Rejhai Dickey (23) and sophomores Tori Carraway (12) and Beth Ashley (42) execute a play at the Jan. 15 game against Conroe High School. Consol won the game 48-39. PHOTO BY CHANNING YOUNG

Freshman Alexis Oaks and a Conroe player reach for the ball. Oaks was the only freshman on varsity this year.

PHOTO BY EVA ARAUJO

Girls basketball team fosters athletic, social alliances channing young | staff reporter On any given weekend you will find the girls basketball team together, whether they’re playing at a tournament or seeing a movie together.

“Our team chemistry is so good and we all get along so well together, on and off the court,” sophomore Beth Ashley said.

As their season began, girls varsity basketball has been working hard towards their ultimate goal, playoffs.

With the majority of the varsity team graduated last year, each player, old and new, must learn to work coherently each other.

“We’re basically a new team,” Coach Heintz said.

Before the season started, the coaches required the team to participate in boot camp to promote team unity as well as overall preparedness.

“The boot camp is more of a team building thing, to get us going in the right direction,” Heintz said. “We’ve had a challenging year and had we not had that group bonding early on it would’ve been easy to fracture when things got rough.”

Boot camp was just the beginning of a strong relationship between the players. Before each game, the team participates in team dinners where they just enjoy each other’s company.

On weekends the girls hang out at each other’s houses or go to the movies.

Sophomore Tori Carraway said that she always has so much fun with the team on the weekends.

“We just have so much in common,” Carraway said. “I just like being able to spend time with my friends that also love basketball.”

Coach Heintz encourages the team’s strong friendship so that they can support each other on and off the court.

“One of the best things about coaching girls, [is that] girls are fun,” Heintz said. “They like to do things together and want to be good as a group.”

Although the team does enjoy simply hanging out and having fun, Carraway said when the team starts playing the game, the attitude becomes serious and they don’t forget they are a

team for one reason: to play basketball.

“We are all pretty direct to each other; if someone has a suggestion we just tell them,” Carraway said. “We all know we’re not trying to be mean, but just help each other out.”

“I think this team is a work in progress,” Heintz said, “and we get better at something every week, and we build on that. We’re progressing, and we have a good chance to play in the playoffs and that’s everybody’s goal this season.”

Despite the difficulties the team is always there for each other, whether as a friend or as a team mate. That’s what makes a true team.

Junior Kayla Bowman realizes that the key to their success as a team is by just simply being there for each other from the time the clock starts until the final buzzer sounds.

“Picking each other up and letting each other know we have each other’s back, that’s what helps us win, “ Bowman said.

Senior Cierra Thomas prepares for a free throw while her teammates smile on the sidelines. Thomas consistently shoots free throws for the team. PHOTO BY EVA ARAUJO

Recent Results: Jan 29 vs. Bryan 59-53

girls basketball

Feb 6 vs. Oak Ridge 47-49

Senior Callie Eddens: “We always have each other’s backs, whether we’re winning or losing.”

Freshman Alexis Oaks

[on being the only freshman on varsity]:

“It’s kind of intense, but fun at the same time.”

the roar | sports | 21

friday, feb. 15, 2013

the final match 1

1

Top wrestler, team leader ends season with injury lisa liu | staff reporter Nearly four years of training and devotion have led up to senior Chris Paulus’s final season of wrestling before graduating, but an unexpected setback will keep him from finishing it. Just weeks before his last few meets, Paulus broke his leg during a match.

“I honestly think there was something wrong with it the week before,” Paulus said. “I’d been stretching it because I thought it was something muscular, and then at the match I just twisted it the wrong way and heard it snap. It was bad.”

Paulus, who had been preparing for a district meet the following Saturday, was initially unaware of the extent of his injury and thought he would still be able to wrestle.

“For the whole rest of the match, I didn’t know my leg was broken, but then I went to the ER and got it x-rayed.

It turned out it was actually broken, and that just killed me,” Paulus said.

Since Paulus’s injury will take too long to heal for him to compete in any more meets, his last season is already over.

“I won’t be wrestling [at district], I can’t go to regionals, I can’t go to state, or anywhere,” Paulus said. “Everything I’ve worked for, for the past four years, is worth nothing. I’m done.”

The injury is especially discouraging for Paulus because it was his own choice to go into the match. He had already been ranked first in district, and his opponent had not even been in his same district or weight class.

“That match didn’t matter at all,” Paulus said. “[But] the kid that I was wrestling in that m a t c h had already beaten me twice last year, so I just really wanted to beat him this year. It was a bad decision, and I broke my leg doing it, all for pride.”

The match marked not only the end of Paulus’s wrestling season, but also his entire wrestling career.

“I don’t plan on doing any of it in college,” Paulus said. “This is my last season. That’ll be it for me.”

Junior Riley Urbina, who has been on the wrestling team with Paulus for three years, predicts that it will be more difficult for the rest of team next year without Paulus.

“I think it’ll be tougher, because

“It was a bad decision, and I broke my leg doing it, all for pride.”

senior Chris Paulus

sometimes we’re not doing what we need to, and Chris just makes us do it,” Urbina said.

“If he wasn’t there, we probably wouldn’t.”

Urbina adds that Paulus leads the team by keeping them on track during practice.

“He helps us win because he’s always pushing us. He’s a good team captain,” said Urbina.

Wrestling coach Brian Wessel shares a similar opinion about Paulus’s

District Results:

boys wrestling

indispensability to the team.

“We have three seniors on the team, and only one with any real varsity experience. So he has assimilated the leadership role from day one,” Wessel said. “And to be honest, if he’s not here leading our practices, the kids kind of fall apart. They just look disoriented when he’s not here.”

Before his leg injury, Paulus also helped the other wrestlers by demonstrating moves and teaching them new skills.

“It’s kind of funny—I’d go up and teach somebody how to do a new move, and then Coach would go over and say the exact same words I said,” Paulus said. “And I’m like, ‘Yes, I got it right.’”

Wessel credits Paulus’s capability as a leader to his experience from joining the team his freshman year and having been “very focused” ever since then.

“He just knows what he’s doing,” Wessel said. “Chris is very, very intelligent about it. He’s really looked up to as our inspirational leader.”

2

3

4

1 Chris Paulus sits on the side after

his injury on Jan. 30. Paulas broke his tibia, a season-ending injury. that left him in a thigh-high cast.

2

Paulus loudly cheers on his teammates as they compete in their matches. Junior Riley Urbina attributed team success to Paulus’s encouragement and drive.

3, 4 & 5 Paulus wrestles a varsity opponent from Bryan High on Jan. 30. This was his last match before his injury.

5

[

PHOTOS BY DANA BRANHAM

Junior Shawn Goodman - 160 1st place Junior Justin Barnett - 152 4th place Sophomore Cody Marquardt -132 4th place Senior Zach Grubbs - 145 4th place

Sophomore Alan Wortman:

“[On the team] we support each otherand help each other out.”

22 | entertainment | the roar

friday, feb. 15, 2013

what we’re roarin’ about:

books and their movie adaptations

The Roar staff compares popular books to their silver screen counterparts

reviewed by Janet Ni Plotline

J. J. R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” essentially follows the travels of a rather odd troop consisting of thirteen dwarves, Gandalf the wizard (because every fantasy movie needs a wizard) and the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

Their main quest is to reclaim the dwarves’ mountain home and the treasures within it, which had been captured by the dragon Smaug years ago. In the novel, members of the group encounter goblins, an array of giant creatures (eagles, wolves, spiders and a bear), the perpetually creepy Gollum and of course, a dragon.

The movie was actually split into three parts, so we do not see many of these characters in Part 1.

What Changed?

Interestingly enough, I actually watched the movie before reading the book (which is usually a no-cando thing for me). While reading the novel, I realized that the movie actually follows the book very closely, with few alterations. However, one major difference between the book and the movie is that the movie has an additional back story and “bad guy.” I think that this addition works quite well; the first third of the book that was made into “The Hobbit” was somewhat slow-moving, so the introduction of a new opponent kept the film interesting.

Takeaway

I am surprised to say this, but I preferred the movie over the book. Tolkien certainly gets props for writing the original plot, but even though he crammed so much action into one book, I still found it a slow read. Even in the most interesting parts, I had no problem putting the book down. I will admit that the movie was predictable to an extent and in many ways your typical fantasy adventure. However, despite its predictability, I immensely enjoyed the movie.

It’s very possible that my opinion is skewed, since I had extremely high expectations for the book after watching the film. I would highly recommend reading the book and then watching the movie before making the judgment as to which is better.

reviewed by Anne Finch Plotline

“The Silver Linings Playbook”, a novel by Matthew Quick and now an acclaimed film by the same name, relates the story of Pat, a man recently released from a mental hospital who struggles with his family, his therapist, his attempts to get back with his ex-wife, Nikki, and a budding relationship with a widowed dancer named Tiffany.

What Changed?

Although they follow this similar premise, the film and the novel differ dramatically. The book features Pat Peoples, who has completely repressed his four years spent in a Baltimore institution and has resolved to henceforth be “kind rather than right”, while the film’s Pat Solitano, (Bradley Cooper) however, can easily recall the circumstances that destroyed his marriage and his life, has only spent eight months away from his Philadelphia home and how approaches the world with a blunt and uncomfortable honesty. (I personally preferred the film version of Pat.) The difference I found most striking however, was Pat’s relationship with his family. In the novel, Pat’s mother tries desperately to keep her family together, especially because Pat’s distant father is surly and unresponsive except during Eagles football games. In the movie, however, Pat’s father tries and fails to connect with his son the only way he knows how: through Eagles football games.

Takeaway

The movie is well-acted, well-written, very funny and incredibly poignant. After reading Quick’s novel I also realized the movie is also much better than its predecessor. Although the novel is a well-written yet straightforward study of mental illness, love and family ties, as I read it I missed Cooper’s likability as Pat, as well as the movie’s more optimistic and emotional ending. Both versions of “The Silver Linings Playbook” are highly recommended, for the sake of comparison if nothing else.

reviewed by Channing Young

Plotline

Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables”, which takes place during the French Revolution, begins with the release of a convict after years of imprisonment for simply stealing a loaf of bread. Although this man completely transforms his ways after he is granted freedom, he still lives in constant fear that the story of his past may be discovered. His trials are intertwined with those of many other characters’ which involve love, fear, and war. The entire plot is an example of grace and forgiveness.

What Changed?

Unlike most movies based on books, I felt “Les Miserables” was an accurate representation of the book. It is a tear-jerking musical filled with tales of love, heartbreak and the tragedies of war. I for one am known for being overly sensitive so I may or may not be guilty of tearing up throughout the entire film and singing along with the soundtrack for weeks after. As we all know, no movie includes every detail found in the book by Victor Hugo; even so, this interpretation did the novel justice. Even though the book outshines the movie, “Les Miserables” is one of the few instances where I find the movie almost as good as the book.

Takeaway

Considering I’m a sucker for musicals, I preferred the movie to the book. Usually I’m disappointed in the actors or actresses cast, because they do not fit what I had imagined, but the casting was close to perfect. Like anyone else who has good taste in men, I immediately fell in love with Marius, played by Eddie Redmayne, and his genuine passion. I think it is safe to say many who went to see “Les Miserables” all have a new man crush. The music was haunting; Anne Hathaway in particular did a stunning job as Fantine. I have never seen a movie completely sung, which I thought was amazing, but perhaps annoyed some moviegoers. The main reason I preferred the movie to the book is because the film is a lot less dark, and the music in particularly lightened the mood. Altogether, the movie is more than worth your while to see at least once, or twice, or maybe everyday.

@ CONSOL

the roar | @consol | 23

friday, feb. 15, 2013

hotspots

sadie take me to

‘‘

y r a B n n w o t n DowStroll down the most

historic part of Bryan and browse through cute shops and dine at tasty restaurants. Enjoy live music on the first Friday of every month.

ark P l a r t Cen

Spend a day taking in the scenery of Central Park. For a romantic evening, bring a picnic to share and take a walk at sunset on the docks.

agg, iel St n a D , rake on yla D a Hamilt K s e c r i o s s om , Je Soph Rudder n a l y D

‘‘

We wanted to do a scavenger hunt to lead them up to it.

The hardest part was coming up with the clues and rhymes.

-Kyla Drake

‘‘

significant other on the couches of Muldoon’s Coffee House. Enjoy a latte and a cupcake in a quiet and cozy atmosphere.

It took me a while to read it from the stage, but when I figured it out, my answer was most definitely ‘Yes!’ -Kyle Chism

Senio r Chis s Macky m E

‘‘

uldoon’s M Snuggle up with your

COMPILED BY THE ROAR STAFF

Students voice their opinions about

Valentine’s Day

45% 32% 23% love it!

don’t care

!

dwar ds an d

hate it!

Kyle

photos provided by Hannah Rudder and Macky Edwards

“It’s a day to tell anyone, a date or just a friend, that they are special and that they matter.”

Mrs. Faith

“It’s a time to show someone how much you care about them through gifts. The candy is just a plus.”

sophomore Jacob Trevino

lovers and haters

“First of all, pink and red don’t go together.

I don’t like the colors.

Also, too many people eat their feelings.”

junior Mycah Miller

242 Students Surveyed

“Valentine’s Day is a made up holiday to stimulate the economy. But, I still buy my wife flowers and candy so I don’t get in trouble.”

Mr. Cote

stroke of spirit

24 | etcetera | the roar

friday, feb. 15, 2013

Student art makes statement in faculty lounge

anne finch | assistant editor

On the first floor, artwork by various students hangs in the hallway near the art classroom. However, in the teacher’s lounge, a much larger and more permanent student art project is visible to the staff and faculty.

Juniors Cayley Elsik, Montana Caler, Carolyn Frankson and Hannah Moore were commissioned at the beginning of the school year to paint a mural in the Consol teacher’s lounge, a project they finished at the end of the winter semester. They spent about sixty hours over two months to complete the project after being enlisted for the project by their teacher.

“They wanted a family tree on their wall because they wanted to bring more people into the teacher’s lounge,” Moore said.

Elsik added that the original design of the mural was supposed to be relatively simple, with stick figures to represent the faculty. However, the girls’ complete creative control over the mural led to a more complex design.

The girls said that they exerted a high level of creative control on the project.

“We wouldn’t have been satisfied if we had just did the simple little stick figure thing,” Elsik said. “We wanted to make it really cool looking.”

The group did, however, stick to the original intent of

using the mural as a way to emphasize the importance of the faculty. “[We wanted to make] something that everyone could have a part of,” Caler said. “The adult tigers [on the mural’s design] represent all the teachers, and the baby tigers represent students.” Moore added to this statement, saying the overall tree design of the mural is meant to represent the school community as a whole.

“It wasn’t just ours, we had to work together. We had to share it with each other.” junior Cayley Elsik The girls all expressed excitement at completing this project, especially at the idea of leaving a lasting impression.

“I thought it was pretty awesome,” Frankson said. “I participated in a mural somewhere in this school! It’s very exciting.”

Elsik agreed, adding her hopes for the longevity of the project and its legacy.

“I think it was really cool because we all could make our mark on the school,” Elsik said. “Hopefully our future kids from 2100 or something will be able to see it and go,

‘Oh that’s so cool!’ Just the fact that it’s here and we finished it is pretty amazing.”

All four girls attribute their involvement in this experience to their belonging to the school’s art community.

Moore especially credited the art community with helping her make friends after moving to Consol.

“I just moved here a year and a half ago,” Moore said, “So I didn’t know anybody, and the art community was like, ‘Here, we’ll be your friends!’ and it was nice to meet new people and really great people.”

Caler said that her knowledge of art was also expanded by her interactions with the other members of the mural team.

“Before the mural, I already knew the three of them,” Caler said. “Whenever we’d ask each other for help we’d be like ‘That looks good,’ or ‘Maybe you could do something with that.’ Working on a mural, we [got] to see better how each other works and take techniques away from that so our art can improve by learning from them.”

Elsik added that the close quarters in which the group worked on the project helped them function as a team.

“Obviously when you have to work with other people it’s not just going to be your own way,” Elsik said. “Though there were some parts of the mural where we designated each other to different parts, it wasn’t just ours, we had to work together. We had to share it with each other.”

PHOTOS BY RACHEL KAGLE