Vol. 21 No. 4

the

Roar

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

Friday, Feb. 12, 2016

Vol. 21 No. 4

SKIPPING OUT

Administration combats student rationalization of truancy rachel lamb & yanichka ariunbold senior editor & assistant editor

SCHOOL POLICY

Senior Mandy Perez* was enjoying a Blizzard during school hours when she found herself hiding from her father in the parking lot of Dairy Queen.

“My dad’s truck drove by, and he was parked right in front of where I was at,” Perez said, laughing. “I ducked and hid behind my backpack because I didn’t want him to see that I was skipping. Luckily, he didn’t, but I ended up leaving my wallet [at Dairy Queen].”

From seniors like Perez who have already submitted their college applications to budding underclassmen, a wide variety of students skip school, or in other words, become truant.

“Truancy is not being where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there,” assistant principal Omar Espitia said. “That could be looked at as you’re not coming to school at all and you’re at home, which is an unexcused absence.

Or, I can see you were here first and second period; third, you weren’t, and then that’s considered truant skipping.”

In Texas, a student has to be at school for at least 90% of the semester in order to receive credit.

“A way that students could qualify as a candidate for the truancy court is if students miss ten days, or parts of days, within a six month period that we treat as a semester,” assistant principal Aaron Hogan said. “In addition, there’s a much more stringent set of truancy prevention measures that’s required; those are the things that are going to help make sure that students are here so that they’re getting the classroom support they need.”

“truancy” continued on page 3

inthisissue

news pages 2-5 opinions page 6-7

viewpoints page 8

snapshots page 9

people pages 10-14

sports pages 15-17

entertainment pages 18-19

2 | news | the roar

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the roar | news | 3

friday, feb. 12, 2016

Despite classification of civil offense, truants skip school for academic, personal reasons “truancy” cont. from page 1

Since September 1st of last year, truancy has been decriminalized in the state of Texas, changing many students’ opinions regarding the seriousness of the criminal-turned-civil offense.

“I can’t get in serious trouble for it because now there’s no extreme consequence for [truancy] anymore,” Perez said.

Espitia, however, emphasizes that the punishment for truancy has changed only in name, with the incorporation of a few minor adjustments.

“The only thing that has changed is that it moved from criminal court to civil court,” Espitia said. “We can still take you to court and hold you in contempt, and most of our kids are 18, so it can turn into a criminal thing.”

In order to reduce the number of teenagers with truancy-related records, the state has instituted preventative measures in schools, including community service, extended detention and tutorials.

“We’re trying to work with students to try to get them here. Our goal is not to fine you or take you to court, our goal is to get you to be in school,” Espitia said.

“That being said, what we end up doing is [putting] preventative measures in. If that still doesn’t seem to help curb the problem, then we can go to court.”

The school’s administration also wants to enact consequences that will help students progress.

“We try and put appropriate consequences in place that not only send the message that we don’t want that behavior any more but also help curtail some of that behavior,” Hogan said. “If you decide to not go to one of your classes, it seems very appropriate for me to respond with the consequence of ISS, In-SchoolSuspension.”

Junior Ivy Johnson* disagrees, instead

strongly believing that punishing truants through ISS is “redundant” and ineffective.

“The point of ISS is to isolate a person, so it can make them focus more; however, when you’re in ISS, a lot of your teachers don’t send your work until the end of the day, and now you have an entire day’s work you haven’t done,” Johnson said. “It’s sad that a kid who gets caught skipping gets punished and the reform is to go to ISS, which is basically a classroom where you don’t learn and get even more behind.”

Yet the school administration stresses that not only is skipping school an academic problem, it’s also a safety liability as well.

“Your parents send you to school, think that you’re here and then, if you’re not, and something happens to you, parents have the tendency to blame the school. We’re not really at fault because, well, let’s face it — there are 1800 students and about four assistant principals out there looking for y’all,” Espitia said.

“The biggest thing is that your safety could be in jeopardy. You could have somebody pick you up or kidnap you on a very busy highway. It’s an accountability [issue].”

in their courses.

“My parents do know [that I skip]. If it’s for an important academic event, or if it’s a logical reason, then they don’t really care,” junior Brian Thompson* said. “I haven’t really skipped because I literally just didn’t want to go to class, and I just wanted to leave. It’s mainly for an academic reason.”

Perez, for one, believes that truancy is excusable when considering both academic and personal stress.

“I think that it’s okay to skip if you need a break or if things are going crazy in your life,” Perez said. “Sometimes you need to take time off from school because it just gets to be too much.”

Miller agrees that sometimes students may need to take a day off.

“The justification is completely different for [different students],” Miller said. “It really just depends, I wouldn’t say it’s more or less right with anybody but certain people have certain stress levels that they reach when they can’t handle it anymore.”

Some students simply do not find their classes engaging and, consequently, see no reason to attend school consistently. “[I skip school] mainly because I am not interested in any of the classes I am in,” senior Kendra Edwards* said. “I just don’t feel like I should go [to school], but if I was in classes that interested me, I would go a lot more.”

Other factors, such as bullying, also contribute to skipping, due to students’ desire to avoid conflict.

“My little sister used to skip all the time because she was getting bullied, and she was afraid to tell the school about it,” senior Samantha Howard* said. “When she got filed for truancy, she finally had to

“I think that it’s okay to skip if you need a break or if things are going crazy in your life.”

MANDY PEREZ senior

REASONS FOR TRUANCY

While every student skips for a unique reason, similar trends often develop among students of every class level.

“A lot of the people I know [skip for] academics,” senior Kenneth Miller* said.

“Which is pretty ironic considering we should probably be coming to school to do our work.”

For some students, especially those in multiple AP classes, their parents — understanding the rigor of their workload — allow them to skip to study or catch up

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tell why, but [the school] still did nothing about it.”

Furthermore, Howard, a mother, considers taking care of her daughter, not going to class, her first priority.

“I actually missed a whole week of school because my daughter didn’t have daycare. The school helped me get [daycare], but if my daughter hadn’t gotten it, I would probably not be in school,” Howard said. “I would come as often as I could, but I’d probably get filed for truancy, which would be messed up because I’m caring for my daughter.”

Teachers often face more difficulty than coaches in motivating students to show up to class, which career and technology teacher and freshman football coach Thomas Rucker attributes to the lack of control teachers have over students’ desire to go to school, in contrast to their desire to participate in athletics.

“If you’re a coach, you can usually discipline a student by, say, making them do extra before and after practice, so you kind of have more accountability for the athlete there because they want to play the sport, they want you to coach them and they want to be there,” Rucker said.

“In class, there are so many different areas we’re not in control of as teachers.”

Regardless of every individual student’s unique circumstances, Johnson believes that every student should be grateful for receiving an education in the first place.

“I’m just trying to graduate and get my education. If I [skip], I’m skipping out on a perfectly good education that a lot of people don’t get to experience,” Johnson said. “We take our education for granted when there are people all around the world who don’t even get one, so it’s really spoiled to skip school. We’re given such an advantage.” *Names have been changed to protect the students’ privacy.

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4 | news | the roar

friday, feb. 12, 2016

Lab aides’ work enriches academics, encompasses career experience drew howerton staff reporter Nearly every student who has taken a science class is familiar with labs: beakers, test tubes and the glossy stone of lab counters that are commonplace in schools. What they might not be aware of is that labs aren’t just managed by teachers, but by other students known as lab aides.

Lab aides are students who help science teachers set up labs and handle science equipment depending on what class that student is an aide for.

“I’m a lab aide for chemistry,” senior Mary Steiner said. “We get to make solutions, so we have to measure out how much we need and put it with water, and make dilutions from super concentrated acids.”

Steiner said that along with preparing solutions, being a lab aide is “a lot of take down, set up, wash dishes.” Biotech lab aide and senior Erica Branham would agree.

“Usually, I’m a cleaner,” Branham said. “So I either clean glassware or wipe down the lab.”

But lab aide work encompasses much more than just setting up equipment and washing dishes; Branham says that lab aides often come out knowing more about the area of science they work in.

“We would be as prepared as if you enough to do your job and get out.” took a college course,” Branham said. “I As well as requiring students to be feel like I’ve gotten a lot of knowledge out trustworthy, being in a lab aide class can of that class.” come with a leadership role, Branham said.

On top of an added edge in academics, “The three lab aides, we’re leading a lab aide work can help to prepare for real really big project, an experiment for the careers in science. end of the year,” she says. “Mr Young helps “In a lab, you don’t start off doing re- us, but he’s pretty much like ‘this is your search; you start off kind of as an intern,” responsibility.’”

Steiner, who wishes to pursue a career in As well as leadership, lab aides are scientific research, said,“I feel like interns responsible for personal safety when hanwould have to dling lab equipdo the same ment. kind of stuff I “You deal have to do now.” with really Still, like harmful chemmany othicals,” Steiner er specialized says. “You have classes, there is to be careful, a time commitand you have ment required. to know what ERICA BRANHAM “You get you’re doing.” out what you Along with senior put into it,” a significant Branham said. increase in re“Yes, it’s time sponsibility on consuming, but it pays off.” the student’s part, Branham said that the With commitment comes an increase job isn’t always as clean as washing glassin responsibility on the part of the student. ware.

“A lot of times,[the teacher] just gives “At the beginning of the year, we were you the keys and says, ‘Go do this,’”Stein- working with live yeast--trying to exer said. “You’re walking around the school tract DNA from yeast,” Branham said. “It with keys, and you have to be responsible smelled so bad. I had to deal with so many

“We would be as prepared as if you took a college course. I feel like I’ve gotten a lot of knowledge out of that class.”

bad smells.”

Lab aides can also face scheduling issues, and not all students have designated periods to do their duties.

“I don’t have it third period, a lot of the other three lab aides that Tollett has will do everything third period, so then come fifth period, there’s nothing for me to do,” Mary Steiner says. “But he usually tries to save stuff for me.”

Although this may prove to create some obstacles for students with busy schedules, Steiner says teachers are sometimes willing to make arrangements with students interested in becoming lab aides.

“If you don’t have room in your schedule for an actual class, some teachers will accommodate you and let you come in.”

Despite these downsides, lab aides agree that the experiences they have had have ultimately been rewarding, and not just by way of academics or career preparation.

“I have my own lab coat, and it’s embroidered with my name on it,” Branham said. “I love wearing that and showing people.”

And Branham thinks that with that her lab coat comes with an air of trust.

“Teachers know that you’re trusted by your science teachers,” she says. “So other teachers do [too] by association.”

Mr. Young’s aquatic science room was recently vandalized, and students are trying to raise money to help him replace the damaged tanks, filters and fish. Scan the QR code to donate.

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the roar | news | 5

friday, feb.12, 2016

School administration stresses role of surveillance in ensuring student safety vi burgess & jennifer zhan executive editor & opinions editor Sixteen years ago, two high school students murdered 12 of their peers and one teacher. The Columbine High School shooting was unprecedented, directing national attention onto school security for the first time.

“In response to that, schools started to examine school safety a lot more,” assistant principal and school safety coordinator Omar Espitia said. “That’s when [administrators] started looking at different ways of protecting students, having more set, concrete procedures, drills, etc. These things were never done when I was at school.”

According to district security coordinator Jon Hall, the security system comprises processes like drills, security plans and training in addition to physical pieces like the vestibules that streamline people in the office for screening, safety stickers and security cameras.

“There’s the old mindset that every chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” Hall said. “If we have [broken] one link in the system—say that we don’t keep our doors locked on the other side of the building—potentially someone could figure that out. Then it doesn’t matter how good the screening system works in the office if someone can just sneak in through a back

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door.”

Though students may feel that the school’s preventative measures are similar to those of Big Brother, school resource officer Joe Alaniz emphasizes that the security system is intended to protect students and staff from any internal and external threats.

“I’m always monitoring my police channel,” Alaniz said. “So as soon as something happens, there’s a chance that I would put Consol into lockdown before even [the] CSISD administration office got the call.”

When a student started a fire in the spring of 2014, Hall says it literally took only a few minutes for administrators to pull up the cameras, which are otherwise not continually monitored, to determine who went into that restroom and exactly when they entered.

In addition, the administration uses the cameras to apprehend dangerous peo-

“We update our security every year.

We look back and say, ‘okay, what have we done? What could we do differently?’”

OMAR ESPITIA school safety coordinator

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ple on campus. This school year alone, Alaniz has issued 14 criminal trespass warnings.

“It’s pretty rare that we have somebody come up, but occasionally someone hits on the [office background check] system. If it’s a person we really don’t want inside and walking around in the building, we’ve actually denied them access to go anywhere in the school,” Hall said. “And I say that’s a win for our system, for not letting somebody like that just have free access in the building.”

For those situations, an administrator or Alaniz will ask the person what the nature of his or her visit is before determining whether to escort them through the school or completely deny access. Additionally, administrators roam the hallways ensuring that nobody slipped through the system.

“We have to be out and about so that we’re fixed pieces, so that we’re observing and we’re visible,” Espitia said. “[Trained

responders] are also strategically placed around, so I’ll have one teacher in one hall, one upstairs. They’re there to help [in case of an emergency].”

While the system may not be perfect, Espitia says the school is constantly working to improve it. For instance, the school hires an outside company to audit, or randomly attempt, to enter the building without permission.

“We update our security every year.

We look back and say, ‘okay, what have we done? What could we do differently?

What’s occurred that we may need to adjust?’” Espitia said. “We meet every year with the district and we revise an Emergency Operation Plan. We have a plan for almost every contingency that could come up.”

Although students might not know the details of the security, administrators assert that everything—from the ID policies to the vestibules to the administrators and police officer in the hallways—comes into conjunction to ensure the best possible protection.

“I can’t just lock the doors and say ‘y’all are safe,’” Espitia said. “At a high school, you guys have work, study, you’re off, you’re coming, you’re going. We don’t just sit in our office all day and hope that everything works out.”

6 | opinions | the roar

friday, feb. 12, 2016

Routine crier overcomes stigma surrounding emotional vulnerability

stephanie palazzolo managing editor I’m a crier. And when I say that, I’m not talking about the rom-com, “tears-silently-flowing-down-my-face,” heroine style of crying. I’m talking about red-nosed, snot-dripping,“that’s-a-great-impersonation-of-a-cabbage-patchkid” sobbing. (Kim Kardashian’s “cry face” doesn’t have anything on mine.) I’ll cry at anything, too: cute puppies, life insurance commercials, Disney song medleys, even other people crying. Interestingly enough, I’ve never considered the rest of my family to be an especially emotional bunch; our outward displays of affection max out with awkward pats on the back. However, I inherited my sentimental nature from my mother (who inherited it from melodramatic Chinese soap operas), and it’s always been a source of

embarrassment for me.

Of course, I experience the usual changes in appearance: swollen eyes, a bright red face, a runny nose — but I’ve also been blessed with another perk. If I even begin to feel emotional, my voice shoots up several octaves, resembling Beaker’s from “The Muppets,” and I lose my ability to form coherent sentences. Although it’s apparently pretty amusing for other people (just ask my sister, who intentionally asked me questions while we were watching “Les Miserables” just to hear me unintelligibly blubber and squeak), I hate crying because of it. Losing my voice, losing my ability to convey my ideas makes me, as someone who loves writing and debating, feel powerless. And when your tears are often triggered by quarrels, it’s pretty frustrating to try to explain your argument or retort with a witty remark when you can no longer even control your own mouth. As soon as I sense that familiar sting behind my eyes, I feel like I’ve already lost the fight.

Therefore, the worst part of crying isn’t anything aesthetic, but what it’s always represented to me — weakness.

Ever since my childhood, people have constantly painted my easily-influenced emotions as a flaw, a sign of my inability to communicate, a manifestation of my “melodramatic” personality. It’s usually met with uncomfortable looks, annoyed sighs, and a frantic search for a tissue box. What was once endearing and sympathetic is now irritating and

exasperating. No one, especially in my stoic family, seems to know how to react to a bawling teenage girl.

I wish I could say that I’ve embraced my tendency for tears, that I’ve finally come to terms with my emotions, but I honestly haven’t. To this day, I avoid crying in front of people, even those closest to me, and over the years, I’ve come up with a variety of unconventional tricks to keep my face emotionless, like counting clouds or focusing on specific facial features (so if you see me intently staring at your nose when you yell at me, it’s probably because I’m on the verge of tears).

However, as I grow older, I’ve started to develop a reluctant acceptance of the fact that I, no matter how hard I try, will always be a crier. Now, I realize that crying is a form of catharsis — there’s a reason why you’re told to just “have a good cry” when you’re feeling down. Perhaps, I actually don’t need to be eloquent 100% of the time, perhaps I just need to tap into all of those emotions I’ve repressed while being battered by a barrage of overly-enthusiastic, sickly sweet Hang in there!’s and Keep on smiling!’s.

So the next time you see me sobbing in front of a computer while watching a sad music video, you can come join me, and we’ll cry together.

Stephanie is the managing editor at The Roar. Want to discuss your crying experiences with her? Email her at the. roar.palazzolo@gmail.com.

Friend’s advice encourages newfound disregard for others’ disapproval

darcey rydl news editor My friends had been fighting – for a while. But they always got back together.

Except for the last time they fought.

For a long time, one said she felt that she was carrying too much of a responsibility for the other friend’s problems and decided it was best to stop their relationship. She was relieved, and I respected her decision.

She told me she felt that she could finally be herself, and she read me this quote: “One day, it just clicks…You realize what’s important and what isn’t. You learn to care less about what other people think of you and more about what you think of yourself.”

When I went to the same friend for advice, due to paranoia that someone was upset with me, she told me the exact thing.

This time her advice worked.

I always considered myself someone who didn’t care what others thought about me, but I never had a problem with that. I had a close family who I loved and a few really close friends who were always there for me. They were all I needed.

Well, it turns out I wasn’t as sure of myself as I thought I was, and when my friend showed me this quote, it really touched me. Not because it was a friendly gesture or because it was a well-known phrase someone will tell you to cheer you up when you’re actually thinking, “I’ve heard that one before; I get it. I understand. What else do you want from me?”

No, it was because my friend said this to me with all the love in the world, and she was a living, breathing example of someone who had actually taken this advice and improved upon herself. Not just through word, but by example.

After listening to her, I had come to realize just how much I actually cared about what others thought of me. I flashed back to several instances when I would shy away

and avoid people because I was too afraid to talk to them, thinking they wouldn’t like me (my reserved self). One day at church, a man named Harry Price visited. He had been on the prayer list for a while and whenever I saw his name I had prayed for him.

I contemplated approaching him and introducing myself; I knew this would be my only chance since he was sick and aging. Of course, as I walked past him, I never stopped until I was completely out the door; indeed, the next week his name was removed from the prayer list. I discovered how my mindset was more like I wouldn’t like how I presented myself in front of THEM. All the incidents like these, I realized, were merely from my caring too much about what they would think of ME instead of just being myself and not caring about what they thought. But then, even if they didn’t like me for whatever reason, why would I care?

As long as I am honest and kind, I shouldn’t have to care what they think about

I can’t change who I am, what my personality is; I can merely work through that.

me because I am simply being myself. ” While I say this, I must also ensure that I do not lose myself in the midst of caring or not caring. I can push myself to do something I don’t want to do from the lack of care or insecurity, yes, and be better off from it.

However, I also have to recognize my own characteristics and accept the fact that I am not as outgoing as some of my friends and when I finally reach the point where I admit ‘I am okay with this’ that is where the real development is.

I have been so caught up with the worry of whether people will like me or not because of the fact that I am reserved and shy at times. I will admit it bothers me when I see my friends who can talk to anyone in the world and carry on an entire conversation; I think, “If only I could be as outgoing and spirited as them, then maybe more people would like me.”

But I can’t. I can’t change who I am, what my personality is; I can merely work through that and improve my confidence in myself and hopefully in other pursuits as well.

Darcey is the news editor at The Roar.

Need a boost of confidence? Email her at the. roar.rydl@gmail.com

the roar | opinions | 7

friday, feb. 12, 2016

Overusage of phrase “I love you” weakens significance of meaning haley mitchell online & photography editor If you love me, and you tell me, I may respond with nervous laughter.

Any number of cop-outs will do—Han Solo’s famous “I know,” the abbreviated “ily2” (works best in text messages), the slightly condescending “everyone does!”— but if I don’t mean it, I won’t say it back.

An argument can be made that I’m not an affectionate person. I lack the compassion necessary to understand or react normally to other people’s legitimate emotions. I save my hugs for particularly emotional rainy days and my compliments don’t get much better than “you smell nice.”

But I know when to say “I love you,” and I know that it’s when I have concrete feelings of affection for a person.

That being said, this philosophy has led to some awkward departures from grandparents’ houses because of unrequited emotional goodbyes (I stayed at your house for two days and suffered through six silent casserole laden meals, and I’m supposed to love you for that?).

“I love you” has different meanings, and I kind of hate that. It gets thrown around more than it should. It’s powerful, but overused, like that John Cena meme (please no more).

“I love myself.”

I think of the phrase with one very specific connotation, yet “I love you’s” get tossed around after unfinished arguments and mundane phone calls and on hospital deathbeds all the time and nobody questions the ethical use of the phrase. “I love you” can dwindle to “love you,” and “ily” can’t be far behind.

Maybe it’s that I don’t hear it enough. Don’t take this as a plea for attention or affection—I’m not Big Brother; I’m not going to brainwash you into confessions of love for me.

I think that people who are close to me got so tired of me never saying “I love you” back that they gave up on conventional brands of endearment a long time ago.

That being said, love isn’t conventional by any means.

I love a good three-point lighting setup. I love Agent Carter. I love the ducks in Gabbard park. I love not wearing shoes. I love hearing the ticking of my Grandfather’s watch on my wrist. I love heavy handed Addams Family references. I love garlic bread. I love myself.

So if you love me, and you tell me, and I respond with nervous laughter, remember that love is supposed to be patient. If I love you, I’ll probably call you a butt sooner than admit my actual feelings.

Haley Mitchell is the online and photography editor for The Roar. Do you love her? Don’t tell her at the.roar. mitchell@gmail.com PHOTO BY MAYA GIRIMAJI

8 | viewpoints | the roar

Whether they’re banned for explicit language or topics that are deemed too sensitive like death or prejudice, plenty of classic titles are kept out of school libraries across America.

“If I was running a school, I would not ban books.

Still, I think that schools should be allowed to decide for themselves what they’re going to do for their students. There are different situations in different places. So it depends. The school should be able to make that decision. “

FOR

Staff Reporters Faculty Adviser Assistant Adviser

“You shouldn’t run away or hide from the truth.

Even though it may be out of people’s comfort zones, or something that adults see unfit for students, that’s how things are in the real world.

You shouldn’t censor a work of art, you should let it be how it is.”

allie vollentine | sophomore

The Roar 2015-2016 Staff Annie Zhang Stephanie Palazzolo Vi Burgess Rachel Lamb Haley Mitchell Josh Weimer Darcey Rydl Maya Girimaji Jennifer Zhan Olivia Garrett Yanichka Ariunbold June Jeong Drew Howerton Katerina Kountakis Maya Rios Michael Williams Chauncey Lindner

The Roar Editorial Board Annie Zhang • Stephanie Palazzolo • Jennifer Zhan

Do schools have a duty to shield students from works considered too controversial for them?

Or should students have free access to any book they wish?

AGAINST

guillermo muñoz | junior

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Executive Editor Senior Editor Online & Photography Editor Assistant Online Editor News Editor Features Editor Opinions Editor Entertainment Editor Assistant Editors

BANNED BOOKS

friday, feb. 12, 2016

The Roar is produced by the Advanced Journalism class at A&M Consolidated High School, 1801 Harvey Mitchell Parkway S., College Station, Texas, 77840. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not reflective of the administrators, faculty or staff of the College Station Independent School District.

Submissions to the editors are welcomed but must be signed and should not exceed 300 words. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions in the interest of clarity and length or to not print a letter at all. Letters containing obscene or libelous material will not be considered. The Editorial Board consists of the editor-in-chief, managing editor and opinions editor.

The Roar is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC), the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA).The Roar is a winner of the CSPA Gold Crown, the 1997, 1998, 2000-2014 ILPC Award of Distinguished Merit, the CSPA Gold Medal Award, the NSPA All-American distinction and 2005 & 2014 ILPC Bronze Star and 2007-2013 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.

the roar’s consensus Sexual content, offensive language, racial themes—all are reasons cited in claims that a book is not appropriate for a student age group. And while it’s true that some students may not be ready to read certain books, the solution is not to remove them completely.

Many of the best authors use their writing to explore topics that people hold strong, contrasting opinions about. When such books are banned, students lose more than an opportunity to read great literature. As adults, they will certainly have to face those issues, and it’s better to provide exposure as early as possible so that they’re more prepared to decide where they stand. Instead of fighting to remove books from shelves, educators and parwents should shift focus ontoshould shift onto what educators and parents can do to make themselves available to guide students as they mature.

If parents feel that their child is not mature enough to read certain book, they should communicate individually with educators. But not every student is at the same maturity level. Educators can warn students of controversial themes in a book so that the student can determine whether or notthey want to read it; however, schools should not make the final decision concerning what students are or aren’t mature enough to read.

A library obviously can’t be expected to stock every book in existence. However, a well-written book should not be banned from a school simply out of fear that students aren’t ready to handle the contents.

friday, feb. 12, 2016

puppy

the roar | snapshots | 9

MEET

THE

DOGS

love

OREO

PHOTOS BY HALEY MITCHELL

OTTO

Sophomore cares for dogs, encourages canine companionship haley mitchell online & photography editor If you don’t love your dog, sophomore Morgan Kehrberg will do it for you.

“A lot of people look at animals as something below them, but I don’t,” Kehrberg said. “If you treat them like they need just as much love as you do, they respect that.”

Kehrberg’s respect and understanding, especially of dogs, has landed her

the trust of several pet owners in her neighborhood.

“I spend two hours after school walking dogs. It’s a lot of dog time,” Kehrberg said.

Kehrberg’s talent earned her a steady job over winter break, logging almost fifteen hours a day with up to five different dogs, though her workload has decreased since school started again.

“There’s a lot of people [who] have time to walk their dogs, but they don’t.

I show up at their house and they’re just watching TV, but they’re paying me

to walk their dog instead, and then the dog starts to like me more than it likes them,” Kehrberg said. “Even though I’m getting paid to do it, it would be better if dogs had that positive reinforcement with their own owners. ” Kehrberg ultimately has one piece of advice for dog owners: “The pups need you. They can’t get out of the yard themselves, especially if you keep them trapped in the house the whole day,” Kehrberg said. “Love your dog, man. They’re literally family. You’re literally all they’ve got.”

10| people | people| the | theroar roar 10

friday, feb. 1

THIS IS NOT WHERE IT ENDS

2, 2016

the roar | people| 11

Students cope with death of loved ones, honor their memories annie zhang & june jeong editor-in-chief & assistant editor Junior Clay Burley’s greatest wish is to speak to his father again.

“There’s nothing I’d want to say specifically; I’d just want to talk to him about what’s going on in my life: work, how mom’s doing, normal conversations,” Burley said. “He always wanted me to do better in school. I’d probably tell him that I’m doing my best, for him.”

On August 10th of last year, Burley’s father passed away after fighting a year-long battle against cancer.

“He was diagnosed with cancer while I was on a band trip, although a few months beforehand he had broken his spine,” Burley said. “And that’s how they found out about [the tumor] because he was in so much pain that he had lost 30 pounds and he couldn’t do anything.”

The doctors immediately removed the tumor — which was the size of a football — but the cancer had already spread to the rest of Burley’s father’s body. “[The most difficult thing] was probably my last moment with him; he had just gone through another surgery, so he couldn’t talk or move,” Burley said. “You could tell he was in a lot of pain. Basically the entire experience was just me sitting in a room listening to him breathe, and each breath kind of sounded like he was coming up from being underwater for a while.”

Burley’s father is remembered as a man who “would always brighten the mood in any way, shape or form.”

“At his funeral, people would go up and talk about how he was the funniest guy in the office,” Burley said. “It helped me get closure, just knowing that he was finally put to rest.”

Burley and his family have since experienced several other drastic changes — among them, moving to a different house and town.

“We [changed] things up and tried to focus on each day rather than the big scheme of things,” Burley said. “It’s all about just focusing

“

on what needs to get done, then and there. My mother was always pushing me to still do good in school — I took a week off after the third week of school because I was just done with it — and it wasn’t a good time, but taking personal time helps.”

For junior Sarah Dunham, school became her safe haven, a distraction from the painfully clear memories of her father’s death at the beginning of her sophomore year.

“When sophomore year started, I would still tear-up during class, but I focused on school as a way to divert myself through the work,” Dunham said. “He was the first real person to die in my life, and then everything changed. I felt like the world had stopped.”

Dunham had walked into her father’s

to keep moving on because he’d want that; he wouldn’t want everyone to be so upset and stop.”

Junior Tiffany Barrett, whose father passed away when she was six, emphasized the importance of focusing on the positive aspects in life.

“I realize that there are so many things that I wouldn’t have experienced the same if my dad wasn’t there. Mike, my stepdad — I wouldn’t have gotten to see him,” Barrett said. “I’ve learned to accept it and realize that getting to see two great father figures is really a blessing and my dad is watching over me.”

Doctors had informed Barrett’s family that most ALS patients can only live for two years after their diagnosis; Barrett’s father lived for six, six years that Barrett deeply treasures.

“I only knew my dad as sick. He was diagnosed with ALS and for me, that was my dad,” Barrett said. “He was in a wheelchair, and we would play games. I would move his puzzle pieces for him, and he could kind of move his feet, so we would push him outside.”

Still, maintaining such a positive outlook was difficult, and in seventh grade, Barrett began to exjunior Clay Burley perience a period of despair.

“I was like, ‘Oh my god, all my friends have both their real parents and I don’t,’” Barrett said. “It room to bring him food, only to find him unre- started to make me upset and I missed him a lot sponsive. more than I had. I cried more often than I did “I was the one to find him; he was cold, and before because I wasn’t focusing on the positive I had to perform CPR. At first, I froze, like, ‘This things and I broke down.” isn’t happening,’” Dunham said. “It still doesn’t

To alleviate their grief, the Barretts befeel real at some times, and I’d just expect him to gan to observe a new tradition on her father’s walk through the doors.” birthday, “Blessings & Brownies.”

Since her father’s death, Dunham has “Our mom would give each of us twenty learned “to appreciate what [she] has in the mo- dollars so that we could give it to someone who ment.” had really blessed us. It could be something as “We got into a big fight right before he simple as a waiter who treats you nicely, and we passed away: I remember screaming at him and would give them the money and explain what we going into my room, and he went to lay down were doing,” Barrett said. “It helped all our fambecause he wasn’t feeling good,” Dunham said. ily, because it turned my father’s birthday from “Later, I felt bad, so I went to get him some fruit a negative day — where we’d just sit around and salad and I brought it in, but he wasn’t moving. cry — to a positive day, a day to celebrate.”

[My mom] said that it was because he was hard But this aspect of celebrating and honsleeper, but I said no, and I picked him up and oring favorite memories of loved ones is a comhe wasn’t responding. We called 9-1-1 and tried plicated reality: CPR, but he never [woke] up.”

“I [find] it really hard to pick one I like the Dunham grew “angry at [herself], think- best because all of them are just great,” Burley ing that she could have prevented [her father’s] said. “Once a loved one is gone, it’s hard to pick death.” a favorite moment with them, because all of the “I couldn’t believe that it happened,” Dun- moments become so much more enjoyable.” ham said. “But finally, I had to face that — I had

Once a loved one is gone, it’s hard to pick a favorite moment with them, because all of the moments become so much more enjoyable.

PHOTO BY HALEY MITCHELL

12 | people | the roar

friday, feb. 12, 2016

the picture of

HEALTH

Fitness enthusiast encourages healthy lifestyle through Instagram darcey rydl | news editor What started out as a desire to stay in shape turned into a dream to impact the world of fitness. Senior Maggie Pourrajabi currently runs a fitness page on Instagram with more than five thousand followers.

“After I quit soccer, I felt like I didn’t have anything to do,” Pourrajabi said. “I didn’t feel like I was useful enough because a lot of my friends were involved in things. Once I started working out, I saw results and I loved it so much that I decided to encourage other people to do the same thing.”

Working out, however, was not always as enjoyable for Pourrajabi as it is now.

“When we worked out [in soccer], it was a lot of weights and I was really small then,” Pourrajabi said.

“I wasn’t strong enough to lift a lot, and we went to the weight room once every few weeks so you couldn’t see a change over time. Working out forces you to have dedication, to have patience; you can’t work out for two days and expect results.”

Senior and Pourrajabi’s workout partner Marisol Menendez applauds Pourrajabi’s determination to consistently wake up in the morning and workout.

“She’s like, ‘Even though I feel sore, I should keep going,’” Menendez said. “You should always be happy when you work out, you shouldn’t [think] ‘I’m so tired,’ and you should keep pushing yourself.”

Although a naturally small figure may not necessarily be ideal for working out, it does not have to prevent someone from reaching their goals. “[Maggie] used to struggle with self-confidence, body image and believing in herself,” Pourrajabi’s mom Erika Pourrajabi said. “Now that she has found something she loves doing — working out and eating

for a healthy, balanced life style – she is happy with herself and enjoys being her best.”

Once Maggie Pourrajabi witnessed her own progress, her experience enabled her to encourage others facing similar challenges.

“You learn to motivate yourself which leads to motivating others to do the same,” Maggie Pourrajabi said. “You know what they have to go through. If you want it bad enough, you make it work.”

Instagram became her tool to reach out to people of all ages.

“I feel like a lot of people will believe by seeing,” Maggie Pourrajabi said. “If you go on Twitter to tell people these motivational quotes, they won’t really know if you’re practicing what you’re preaching; I use Instagram because I’m leading by example. I made it work and if I can make it work when I’m just a kid in high school anyone can put in their best effort and make it work.”

Maggie Pourrajabi herself was motivated by professional trainers’ Instagram pages.

“I saw a lot of workout pages online,” Maggie Pourrajabi said. “But since I wasn’t doing fitness as a job, I didn’t think it would be such an inspiration, because I wasn’t advertising anything. It was something I was passionate about, it was something I loved to do but I wanted to inspire others and I’m so glad that it turned out that way.”

Even though Maggie Pourrajabi is well-known for her workouts on Instagram, she also provides personal workout sessions to friends. “[The same] way normal people get coffee [together], she’s like ‘come hang out with me,’” senior and Maggie Pourrajabi’s workout partner Ariel Sheil said. “It’s just a way to hang out with her. She makes

it fun; she’s very encouraging and she understands if you want to laugh at her so it’s not so serious and awkward.”

Not only does Maggie Pourrajabi provide workout pictures on her Instagram, she also posts a variety of healthy eating choices.

“Being healthy and fit is not only about working out in the gym,” Maggie Pourrajabi said. “It’s also what you eat; you can’t expect to eat all the [junk food] you want and just work out. I’m still struggling with being healthy, so that’s why I [post] those pictures, and I believe if I see motivations of other people eating healthy, I can also reach towards that goal.”

Although Maggie Pourrajabi has motivated people through her passion for working out, she would inspire anyone with a passion to reach out to others and not give up on their talent.

“Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams,” Maggie Pourrajabi said. “As long as you’re out there and motivating [people], you [can] get the feeling you get when someone [says,] ‘Thank you so much for this,’ because it has helped me a lot in my life.”

In addition to her support of others’ lifestyles, Maggie Pourrajabi continues to be encouraged by the progress she has made to her body.

“I think a lot of people our age don’t really understand,” Maggie Pourrajabi said. “We’re surrounded by a lot of things; we’re healthy, we’re blessed to eat whatever we want to eat, but in the future life is going to get harder and busier so learn to work hard now.

Working out is not only looking good; yes, it’s going to hurt, but in the long run its going to teach a lot more than just your appearances; it teaches you dedication, patience and hard work.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MAGGIE POURRAJABI

the roar | people | 13

friday, feb. 12, 2016

CSISD men compete in event, cook to raise money for education foundation maya girimaji I features editor

GOURMEN PHOTOS BY MAYA GIRIMAJI

Meet the Cooks:

More than 1,000 people shuffle into a room filled with food, drinks and entertainment as the clock strikes 6:30. Each guest has four tokens in their hands that they will use to help determine the best chef of each category. This is ‘50 Men Who Can Cook’. “‘50 Men Who Can Cook’ is the signature fundraising event for the CSISD Education Foundation,” education foundation director Teresa Benden said.

“We have [male] representatives from every school who pick recipes and bring 750 sample size servings.”

Originating in Illinois, this idea was brought to CSISD nine years ago. Roughly 1,500 people, including many teachers at Consol, attend the event at the Expo Center every February to support the foundation and to raise money.

“This is my first year. There are other teachers on campus who have [cooked before for the event],” social studies teacher Jason Pratt said. “Football coaches do it. The principals do it. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Lindner [are doing it].”

Due to the support of many representatives and locals from all over the district, the Education Foundation has been able to raise more than $150,000 each year. This year they’re hoping to raise $200,000 and are currently

at $138,000. This money primarily goes towards teacher grants and student scholarships. “It’s a great way to monetarily support the unique grants and scholarships,” CSISD superintendent Clark Ealy said. “I want to be a part of giving back to the district and to our kids and teachers.”

But there is more to the event than just financial benefits.

“I wish people realize just how much fun it is to walk and share and try different foods.

Because sometimes when you’re trying to get them to buy a ticket they’re like ‘Really? I have to pay $50 for a ticket?’ and it turns them away,” head football coach David Raffield said. “But I promise [once] they get there, it’s one of the best events they’ll ever be a part of.”

This year Raffield made sopapilla cheescake, Ealy made chicken enchilada soup and Pratt is making ‘deviled devilish deviled eggs’ which are spicy deviled eggs.

Along with enjoying food and drinks, the guests participated in raffles, silent auctions and photo booths that keep everybody entertained. “[The cooks] don’t just bring the food. They decorate their booths and dress up, and we like to have themes to make it more fun,” Benden said. “We’ve had superheroes, Blues Broth-

Coach David Raffield Dish: Sopapilla cheescake

Teacher Jason Pratt Dish: Deviled Eggs

ers, Elvis and Duck Dynasty. It’s all about the energy and excitement [the cooks] bring.”

And it’s never been about winning for the cooks: it’s a rite of passage for a group of men who enjoy cooking.

“I hope that we never stop doing this. It’s a great event,” Ealy said. “It’s about getting out and seeing people for me. But some people take it very seriously, [especially since] a lot of the cooks are professional chefs.”

Although the cooks come from various levels of experience, all are supported for their endeavors.

“When I was young, my mom wasn’t particularly good at cooking, but she was always encouraging me,” Pratt said. “My mom would make a meal and I would think to myself, ‘That’s not particularly good, so how can I make it better?’ I appreciate that my mother was understanding and not upset that I wanted to cook things myself.”

And all of the cooks wish the best to fellow food lovers and aspiring chefs and urge all to try their own hand at cooking.

“I would encourage people that if they think they should cook they should cook! Try different recipes from all over the world and try crazy foods,” Pratt said. “People are scared of crazy foods. Eat crazy foods. Crazy foods are awesome.”

Superintendent Clark Ealy Dish: Chicken Enchilada Soup

14 | people | the roar

friday, feb. 12, 2016

because when you’re

fifteen

Traditional, elaborate Latina quinceañeras celebrate transition to adulthood maya rios | staff reporterr Hidden under the ruffles of her ballgown, a young girl struggles to support her heavy dress in five-inch heels. With her hair styled and face made-up, she prepares for her quinceañera.

“It’s a cultural tradition to show everyone that’s she’s already growing up, that’s she already independent,” junior Jennifer Bulux said. “When a girl turns 15, we see it as she’s already a grown woman.”

Each quinceañera is designed specifically for the girl, who chooses the colors, title and theme.

“Mine was blue; I wanted it because it reminded me of a baby — I didn’t want to feel like I was growing up,” Bulux said.

“So I chose blue and butterflies, because I don’t want to think about leaving my parents.”

Still, the quinceañera requires at

least a year’s worth of preparations before the actual event.

“First, you have to get the church, the place, the people, the food and the dances,” Bulux said. “You have to take a whole year to manage all that.”

For junior Monse Almaraz, even more taxing was the actual day of the quinceañera party. “ Yo u ’ r e up [from] 5 in the morning, you have to hair done, your makeup, you have to get your dress on and [then] you have to make sure that all of your friends — your damas and chambelanes — are all there and ready,”

Almaraz said. “After that, you have to go to church and take pictures with your friends.”

Certain traditions are vital to a quinceanera, such as the father-daughter dance and the last doll.

“The father-daug hter dance shows that the dad has been there for the girl the whole time,” Bulux said. “The last doll tradition is where the girl gets her final doll before growing up.”

Other families celebrate the dollar dance, where guests pay a dollar to dance with Miss Quinceañera, the girl who is turning fifteen.

“It was really nice to have a moment with someone as they tell you what they like about you.”

JENNIFER BULUX junior

“I started crying, because people were paying money to dance with me and they would tell me how they felt about me,” Bulux said. “It was really nice to have a moment with someone as they tell you what they like about [you].”

Family members and friends also present Miss Quinceañera with various jewelry items.

“My grandmother gave me a watch; I got a quinceañera ring, necklace and bracelet that I always have to wear, which shows that I’m growing older,” Bulux said.

But the best part about a quinceañera? Definitely the dancing, both Almaraz and Bulux said.

“What’s the point of having the audience just sitting there?” Bulux said.

“We put on the music, everyone grabbed a partner to dance with, and I [took] off my fancy clothes and heels. [It] was lit.”

the roar | sports | 15

friday, feb. 12, 2016

Sophomore made varsity basketball, volleyball, track as freshman, grows into leadership stephanie palazzolo managing editor In her 37 years of teaching, head girls basketball coach Karen Heintz has had only six players make varsity their freshman year.

Sophomore McKenzie Dimery is one of these six — and she not only made the varsity basketball team her freshman year, but also the volleyball and track team.

“It was kind of nerve-wracking; I was really nervous to play,” Dimery said. “But everyone comforted me, and I started to like it as the season went on. The seniors and upperclassmen helped me by taking me under their wing and just [being] very supportive.”

Although Dimery was only a freshman at the time, she was already a veteran in all three sports, her favorite being volleyball.

“I’ve played [volleyball] ever since I was little, so I’ve started to grow a personal connection to it,” Dimery said. “I play it year-round, and it’s something I really love and enjoy.”Her father, who is an assistant boys basketball coach at Consol, has also trained her since childhood.

“My role is to help [my children] be the best they can be in whatever sport they choose,” assistant boys basketball coach and Dimery’s father Thirman Dimery said. “I am definitely harder on them because I am

a coach and have higher expectations for them. I also understand they may not be the best at every sport they play, but [I] expect them to put their team first instead of themselves.”

Despite the benefits, McKenzie admits that her father’s involvement in athletics has brought drawbacks as well.

“Some people were like, ‘Oh, she’s only on varsity because her dad’s a varsity coach,’ and that’s not the reason,” McKenzie said. “He [doesn’t] treat me like his daughter when he coaches me; he treats me like just another player. I earned my spot.”

However, in spite of the criticism, McKenzie’s coaches attest to her impressive skills as a high school athlete.

“In basketball, one of her main roles is [being] a good defensive player and a rebounder,” Heintz said.

“She hits the floor all the time in both [volleyball and basketball]; she goes after loose balls. During the College Station game earlier in the year, the ball went out of bounds, and [she] and the College Station kid literally threw themselves on the ground [to get the ball]. Those are things that, as a coach, you just appreciate.”

Her coaches also emphasize her selflessness on the court and how she places the team’s success over her own gain.

“I think McKenzie is almost like the glue [of the team],” Heintz said.

“She accepts her role, even when her

PHOTO OF MCKENZIE DIMERY BY STEPHANIE PALAZZOLO

role changes game to game. That’s huge because it’s very easy to get wound up in, ‘oh, I need to score this many points.’ So I think McKenzie has total commitment to the team, like, ‘put me in whatever I can do, coach.’ That’s leadership.”

Although McKenzie is active in all three teams and club sports outside of school, she still finds time to pour all of her energy into the sport at hand.

“Think about it,” Heintz said.

“I’m a varsity starter as a freshman on a team that went to the state tournament. It would have been very easy for McKenzie to say, ‘You know, I want to take a season off.’ But she didn’t do that. So I think that says volumes about her, her work ethic and her commitment to Consol — not just Consol volleyball, basketball or track, but Consol.”

McKenzie and those who support her see the upcoming year as a time to encourage new success and continue her growth and maturity.

“I just [say], to quote her father, ‘McKenzie, you had a dream season last year. You went to the state tournament in volleyball, you went to the regionals tournament in basketball, you played as a freshman… that’s a dream season,’” Heintz said. “Well, we certainly have the opportunity to repeat that for basketball, and I think that she won’t forget all these great high school experiences.”

AHEAD

of the

GAME

on thin

16 | sports | the roar

friday, feb. 12, 2016

ice

Hockey organization allows for bonds outside of school, fosters growth olivia garrett entertainment editor Sophomores Matthew Schooler and Jared Williams have a unique way to escape the Texas heat— they play hockey.

“I really have fun [playing hockey] whether we win or lose games, whether we have a good practice or a bad practice. We have fun; we play hockey,” Williams said.

The local ice rink, Spirit Ice Arena, sponsors hockey teams for adults, high schoolers and youth. Williams’s and Schooler’s team consists of members from schools all over the area.

“Our coach says that we’re a family, and we need to learn how we work together,” Schooler said. “We need to get along because when we play games, we’re going to not like the other team mostly, so it kind of [grow into] a bond and we all get along.”

Having teammates who don’t attend Consol has helped the athletes make connections with students from other schools.

“We’re all just friends — we go to practices and games, we hang out in the locker room, and we talk to each other,” Williams said. “It’s a welcoming thing.”

While many children play sports like soccer or baseball, few find themselves on the hockey rink.

“I was looking for another sport to do when I was younger, and it was down to either

soccer or hockey,” Williams said. “So, I just decided to do hockey as my next challenge.”

Of the challenges associated with playing hockey, the most obvious one is learning how to skate.

“I guess I just really have a lot of fun playing hockey,” Williams said. “It has a bit of a learning curve to it, but once you get that down, you really can just do whatever.”

Both Schooler and Williams learned how to maneuver on the ice while in elementary school.

“Once you really know how to skate, it’s like riding a bike— you know it forever,” Schooler said.

On top of their school work, the teens practice throughout the week and compete against other teams during the weekend.

“Sometimes it’s like I really don’t feel like [practicing], but that’s the way it is with any workout,” Williams said. “You just kind of have those workouts where you don’t want to go do this, but then you get into it and you go and you keep going.”

Conversely, the teens also use hockey as a form of stress relief.

“I like hockey because whenever you’re at school, you just have so much stress, but you can always take your anger out on players during games,” Schooler said. “So, it releases stress.”

Schooler, who plays right wing and center, enjoys the action of the game.

“What’s best about playing center is that you’re always constantly chasing the puck, but you also have to play the body too,” Schooler said.

Both Schooler and Williams have experience with other sports.

“With the other sports I do, with football, discus and powerlifting, you show up and you just do something that you’re told to do,” Williams said. “With hockey, you go out and you do what you want to do. You read and react, and it’s really a whole bunch of your choices.”

the roar | sports|17

friday, feb. 12, 2016

RAISING

THE

BARRE PHOTO

BY JENN IF

ER ZHAN

Bengal Belles dance team discusses highly-anticipated new studio, work ethic katerina kountakis | staff reporter On the first day back from winter break, the Bengal Belles returned to Consol to receive their belated holiday gift — a new dance studio.

“Most dance teams have a studio, and we just happened not to have one,” junior Melody Donaldson said. “We only had the little space behind the bleachers, and we can’t do anything in there, so we got a studio.”

The studio is smaller than a gym, but big enough for the girls to perform in. With mirrors along the walls the girls can see and correct themselves when needed. There are also bars along the walls, and a closet for props and costumes.

“We really like it. We got to decorate it, so it is personalized to the Belles and dance team,” senior Tara Hennigar said.

The studio will be a second home to the Belles from now on, due to how much they practice. From 7 to 8:30 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Belles work hard to make all dance performances perfect.

“We practice hard so that we may be the best dancers we can be,” junior Marissa Lartigue said. “We also practice hard to improve and prepare for our competitions.”

Bengal Belles do more than perform at football games and pep rallies. In the spring, the girls get ready for competitions and the spring show. During the year, the seniors perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, and last

year, the Belles performed on a cruise during spring break.

“Sometimes we get requested to perform at birthday parties,” Lartigue said. “The little girls at the Little Belle Camp that we host love what we do, so they invite us to their birthday parties, and we teach them some dances.”

With so many practices and performances, the Belles are constantly there for each other. The girls have created friendships that will last a lifetime, and their director, Cathy Raffield, is right there with them, supporting the girls through everything.

“As a team, we are very unified and we get to know each other very well,” Hennigar said. “Ms. Raffield is like a second mom to us all; she is always there. She not only helps us with school, but also guides us through life situations.”

Bengal Belles believe that being part of the team and a family that loves dance is a great way to get involved with the school. Hennigar said that it also teaches them a lot about themselves and really challenges everyone to be a better person and dancer.

“Joining the Belles combines two really enjoyable things: dance and close friends,” Donaldson said. “It is really fun, and there is always someone there for you. It is very rewarding in the end.”

18 | entertainment | the roar

friday, feb. 12, 2016

The Roar reviews Valentine’s Day activities for single students

Girl’s Night katerina kountakis staff reporter Single? Hold a grudge against Valentine’s Day? Hate pink hearts and overly attractive couples? Well it’s time to stop feeling miserable about being alone, and start embracing it. For all the single ladies out there, it’s time to change Valentine’s Day to Girls Night Out. Being with your best girl friends can be uplifting, and y’all can do many different types of fun activities! For example, you can go out to the movies, or play a movie at home and have a sleep over. During the sleepover, someone can play music and

there can be a dance party, or everyone can bring food so you can sit around and watch y’all’s favorite TV show.

But if everyone wants to go out, you can go to a nice restaurant and enjoy the food and company of friends, catching up on lost time.

There are many different ways of celebrating Valentine’s Day, but there isno excuse for sulking.

Valentine’s Day, or as it is commonly known by the date-less, Single’s Awareness Day, is just as fun on your own as it is with a partner. Contrary to popular belief, there is plenty to do without a significant other. You can hang out with friends, capitalize on holiday candy, catch up on your television to do list, or try out a new dating app.

Testing Out Tinder vi burgess I executive editor When I’m attracted to a guy, I expect to feel a real-life, honest-to-God spark. So when I joined Tinder in the wild days of my youth (two weeks ago), I didn’t think that there ould be so much heat through an iPhone, despite the app’s notorious reputation.

Over a couple hours, a few of the guys somehow managed to out-innuendo me, but I also had a couple of really great dis-

cussions about classic literature.

However, I feel obligated to leave a word to the wise: judging by some of the messages I received, some of the boys (like me, all under 18) were only interested in one thing, and that definitely wasn’t a candlelit dinner.

Tinder might be a good place to flirt and make really awful innuendos, but for something a little more concrete, I’m probably better off flirting with someone I actually see every day.

Netflix june jeong I assistant editor Valentine’s Day, while exciting for couples around the world, can often be annoying for singles. Luckily, there are ways to combat the Valentine’s Day blues when the going gets tough, particularly by watching your favorite tv shows while eating your favorite snacks, or as a fellow staffer referred to it, “Netflix and chilling by yourself.”

If you’re alone but still want to have a good time, Netflix and chilling by your-

self can be the perfect opportunity for you. You can binge watch your favorite shows, catch up on something new or revisit your old favorites. And yes, you can definitely always watch a few anti-love movies. Just don’t forget the ice cream.

But in all seriousness, Netflix is great for Valentine’s Day. I’d know because I’ve spent the holiday single for 16 consecutive years now!!

Candy Crush drew howerton I staff reporter As Valentine’s Day comes around again, most people’s first thoughts often go to candy, specifically chocolate. Most of the time, people are used to receiving chocolates from their significant others. However, if you don’t have a significant other (you loser), you can buy candy for yourself for super cheap the day after Valentine’s Day. Nothing can get you more into the spirit of Valentine’s Day than drowning your sorrows in sweet, sweet candy.

the roar | entertainment | 19

friday, feb. 12, 2016

T H E R OA R

GRAMMY AWARDS

PRESENTS

WATCH LIVE ON CBS: 2.15.16 7 P.M.

:

Or rather, the nominees that you should really listen to.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR Beauty Behind the Madness

The Weeknd’s second studio album is an amalgam of hypnotic R&B sounds with an underlying pop presence. Released to much critical acclaim, “Beauty Behind the Madness” has since been certified 2x platinum.

SONG OF THE YEAR Thinking Out Loud Slow, touching and even a little steamy, “Thinking Out Loud” is the third single off of “x”, Ed Sheeran’s second album. Undeniably catchy, the song has charmed its way into the hearts of millions, topping the charts in Australia, Canada, Denmark, the US and several other countries.

BEST NEW ARTIST

MUSICAL THEATER

James Bay

Hamilton

English singer-songwriter James Bay released his first album “Chaos and the Calm” last year, which sold more than 64,000 copies in the first week alone. An insightful lyricist who pours his heart out into each songs, Bay ensures that his music carries the same soulfulness that first propelled him into fame.

This fast-paced, rap-based musical about Alexander Hamilton’s life is another hit

by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also plays the role of the title character. Miranda describes this out-of-the-box musical as “the story of America then, told by America now.”

20 | etcetera | the roar

friday, feb. 12, 2016

josh weimer assistant online editor Every artist starts a project with brushes, paint and a canvas. But for students participating in Skills USA’s case mod competition, their brushes are old computer parts, their paints are LEDs, and their case is the canvas. “[You just] draw some sketches, get the parts, and then put it together,” senior Michael Ivey said. “Just make your dream come true.”

In case mod competitions, contestants are tasked with building a computer inside of a custom-made case and are graded in three different areas: functional hardware, aesthetics and unique tweaks in the operating system to fit their modifications’ theme.

“We are [working on] a terrarium, so if we were going to tweak some things we would make the wallpaper a plant,” sophomore Taylor Saputra said.

Students are also faced with the challenge of supplying their own hardware and materials for modification. Many times, students have to pay out of their own pockets to get parts, or use alternative materials such as wood, Plexiglas and even 3D printing.

“You have to think cost effectively and performance-wise as well,” Ivey said. “They aren’t going to be doing any specification tests on them as well, so you can buy the less expensive RAM and you don’t need liquid cooling for this. Nothing is being purchased for you, [so] you want to see if you can get donations or trash hardware that works.”

Creativity is also a very important part of the modification process. However, it is essential for the case mods to be practical as well.

“When we are coming up with ideas, we think,

‘which one is most plausible to fit a computer in?’” junior Brandon Zhao said. “This year it’s a Tron light bike, but technically it’s a light runner because it has two seats. We chose it because it’s bigger and it’s easier to fit a computer in.”

Although students may be restricted by lack of computer hardware or modification supplies, they can add many other unconventional features to a case mod.

Saputra’s group even included a bonsai and succulents in their case.

“We wanted to do the terrarium; it was our first choice because it looked nice. It was different, it was cool,” Saputra said. “No one was putting live plants inside a computer machine.”

Because some mods are intricate and delicate, complications can arise when they are transported to competition.

“Last year there was a gumball machine, [but] it broke on its way to district,” Saputra said. “They had a bad idea of putting all of their computer parts in the bottom of the gumball machine, so that rattled around a bit and broke some things. You have to make your mod sturdy.”

While some may consider constructing a computer a tedious chore, participants in case mod agree that it teaches valuable lessons.

“It’s very fun,” Ivey said. “You can make friends at Skills USA, you make friends with your case mod group, and it teaches you a lot.”

In the end though, the best part of the modification process is seeing the finished product.

“I like when we have it all done, and you can see that there’s a computer in it, and you can show it off,” Zhao said. “And [people are] like, ‘Wow. You put a computer in that?’”

new homes

old computers,

Skills USA competition meshes art with technology, encourages collaboration

PHOTO BY JOSH WEIMER