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1801 HARVEY MITCHELL PKWY. S., COLLEGE STATION, TX 77840 | FRIDAY, Dec. 18, 2020 | VOL. 26 NO. 3 | THEROARNEWS.COM
100 years of winter activities
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advancing the system Honors and Pre-AP merge to advanced courses, faculty and students face adjustments course catalog, and everything will keep the 5.0.” Although there are still some parts of the plan in development as of December, catalog, you’re going to see English [and] Tramel expects the changes to be finalized Advanced English I. We are proposing a and explained in the 2021-22 course change of policy to the board to strike the catalog. language of Pre-AP and Honors out of our “In your course catalog this year, policy and include Advanced courses you’re going to see a link or a QR code instead.” or something that will take you to tables,” The new definition of“Advanced” will Tramel said. “Say I’m trying to decide if I also allow for additional standardization want to take ‘on-level’ or ‘Advanced’. What in 5.0-scale classes to prevent varying is the difference in the two? The difference difficulty levels from class to class. is going to be the same across the whole “That just gives us common language district-it’s not going to vary by teacher or for advanced courses in all core content by school.” areas. That will be true for fine arts and CTE courses as well,” Tramel said. “The current 5.0 courses that we call ‘Honors’ there are “Advanced” continued on page 3 going to be called Advanced in the new
claire grace franklin & elise sawyer senior editor & opinions editor For the upcoming 2021-22 school year, all classes at a Pre-AP or Honors level will be renamed to “Advanced”. A change in the College Board’s standards for Pre-AP curriculum would make the courses fall below CSISD’s 5.0 course standards and come with a fee, prompting this response. The alteration has been in development for months, with CSISD’s Chief Academic Officer Dr. Penny Tramel leading discussions surrounding it. “The definite changes are that we will not be offering Pre-AP in the fall of 2021,” Tramel said. “You won’t see that in your course catalog as an option. Instead of Honors and Pre-AP in the course
inthisissue
news pages 2-4
opinions pages 5-6, 16
feature page 7-11
sports page 12-13
reviews pages 14-15
brief | the roar
UPCOMING
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Dec. 24 Dec. 25 Dec. 31 Jan. 1 Jan. 4 Jan. 18 Feb. 15
NEWS friday, dec. 18, 2020
Christmas Eve Christmas Day New Years Eve New Years Day Back to School Student Holiday Student Holiday
IN THE
Wendy and Peter Pan fly to new heights, perform at Tiger Field
With the ongoing adversities of the pandemic, theatre has found creative new ways to put on their fall production. Wendy and Peter Pan invited their audience to join them at the Neverland of Tigerland Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 5.
Boy’s basketball season delayed due to COVID concerns
The boy’s varsity basketball team missed the first few games of the season because of COVID-19. The team is expected to pick up their season in the spring semester. The varsity team will come out strong in their first game of the year on Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Paetow.
Seniors Kaitlyn Owens and Hunter Condon work together to study for their fall finals during an NHS tutoring session. PHOTO BY SAANYA PATEL
Philosophy Club places second at NHSEBBridge competition
Philosophy Club members juniors Freddie and Robert Behemer, Evelyn Conway, Ellie Hague, and Andrew Sorescu were invited to virtually compete at the National High School Ethics Bowl at the Paar Ethics Center for the University of North Carolina. At the competition, they discussed multiple ethical cases involving global issues, such as whether it is ethical to dine out during a pandemic, or to consume factory farmed projects. They were victorious as second place finalists.
Four choir students place at Pre-Area, advance to Area
Choir students attended virtual Pre-Area via the TMEA website on the weekend of Dec. 2. Results were later posted on the sixth, revealing four students advancing in the competition to Area: juniors Emma Barrow, Silas Meryl, and Carson Seiber and senior Lauren Moore. The four are expected to compete in early Spring after we get back from Winter Break. Tiger Theatre performs their Wendy and Peter Pan play at Tigerland Stadium, creating a unique experience for the cast members and audience. PHOTO BY MEDHA SARIN
theroarnews.com
the roar | news | 3
friday, dec. 18, 2020
Administration addresses perceived GPA imbalances, prepares for registration “Advanced” continued from page 1 Consol’s curricula is above Texas’ standards and requires teachers to be trained to a higher specification . “The Pre-AP [curriculum] has always been higher than others; some of it is not aligned with the state standards that Texas requires that we teach,” social studies department head Lindsay Zahn said. “And we would be reading more into it anyways. And then the cost of what we think our teachers need. Our Pre-AP teachers have been doing a great job. Ultimately, the long term goal is to not spend the money when we have a great curriculum.” The Development of Imbalance The plan to remove honors and Pre-AP and replace it with ‘Advanced’ coursework has involved not just administrators; students, as well as teachers such as Dameon Wilson, have been included in the conversation. “When [the district] approached us, it was pretty much the beginning of the school year, ‘’ Wilson said. “They said that each department needed to send a representative to the district
committee to have this discussion about the future of Pre-AP. We didn’t necessarily know [that] it was going to affect Honors at that point. After the first meeting, we realized we’re gonna have to kind of revamp everything.” The inclusion of both Honors and AP levels of “advanced” coursework in CSISD curricula has varied throughout the years. “The Honors Program was for those that were seeking the extra rigor for not just English, but social studies,” Wilson said. “Then AP started coming around, and it was introduced slowly. It took a while for AP to displace honors, [it took] years and years and years. Eventually, the programs were balanced. With a school split, the Honors Program went smaller. And AP programs got larger and larger until there was an imbalance.” Although there will only be merges for the first two levels of English under the current plan, these merges could still impact students; Senior Annalynn Lewis believes that having three levels of a class lets the “honors” level work as a middle ground for students. “[I think] if you talk to more AP teachers, they will testify that AP classes are more rigorous than the honors classes; depending on homework load, or how hard the tests are,” Lewis said. “If you’re comparing AP to the level, that is a huge jump, whereas honors is like a middle ground. Comparing AP to on-level is a huge jump. I wouldn’t have taken higher level classes if Honors wasn’t an option.” Tramel ultimately sees these alterations as more language and organizationbased. “I think the name change is just a vocabulary change. The change is going to be in the calibration of rigor across campuses.The name change is not going to have an effect at all,” Tramel said. “What’s going to change is the curriculum expectations to earn that 5.0. For advanced, we’ve needed to work on this for quite some
time. We’ve been working toward getting our base curriculum in line. The adjustments are going to be in the curriculum expectations.” Teachers on the committee are well respected and trusted with making the decisions regarding the change in courses. “The teachers that were gathered in that committee are some of the best and the brightest teachers that we have across our campuses,” Wilson said. “They don’t take these types of decisions lightly. And so there has been a lot of thought put into it, from all aspects and from people that are genuinely invested in this. In the long run, it will be a change that benefits students and teachers and [all] of the schools and administration.” New AP Enrollment Requirements Although they might seem difficult, AP classes can be beneficial for students and teach skills that are helpful for adapting to college, Zahn says. “If you have a passion for the subject, it’s great [to try an] AP class. We love teaching how to read college textbooks, how to study and [we] try to guide thinking,” Zahn said. “For every AP class, it’s a different writing style, but we can teach that, so we hopefully will get to encourage a lot of people to go ahead and take that jump.” Overall, teachers hope to educate all courses to be more prepared for college classes, as well as teach skills that apply outside of the classroom. “[Teachers] will encourage a lot of people to go ahead and try AP classes,” Zahn said. “If that’s the case, then you’ll see some of our teachers who didn’t teach AP have sections of it.” When it comes time for students to determine their 202122 schedules, Tramel recommends that students look closely at the new course list and see the new requirements for being in ‘Advanced’ and ‘AP’ courses. “I think students need to read the course descriptions and look at the tables to know what’s required in on-level and what’s required in advanced,” Tramel said. “I always encourage students to stretch themselves and take a challenge. I think kids will be able to make that decision with good information based on the tables that are going to be in the course catalog.”
The Roar welcomes our new staff reporters, freshmen Alexia Carnes, Emily Chen, and junior Ja’den Johnson!
4 | news | the roar
friday, dec. 18, 2020
donating spirit Admin, staff discuss new rescources, technology provided for student body medha sarin | staff reporter Christmas came early for Consol in the form of a $2500 monetary prize called the 2019 Suddenlink Connectors School of the Year award. So, in the spirit of giving, the administration wanted to let students decide how the money from the award would be spent. “I know our students were a big part of the reason why we won because you had to go to this website, fill it out, and cast a vote,” principal Gwen Elder said. “Because the students were the leading charge behind us winning that award, we felt, ‘Hey, let’s go back and solicit input from our student body to see what should we use the money on.’” Assistant principal Jason Pratt created a survey in September of this year, in which students voted for their top choices from printers, microwaves, skateboard racks, projectors, phone charging stations, and ping pong and Air Hockey tables. “We want to improve the school,” Pratt said. “What can we do with this money that can make the student body happier?” PRINTERS Although Pratt offered printers on his survey, the Student Council Class of 2020 Seniors had already planned to buy printers for the Commons area as part of their Senior Gift, a yearly tradition where the StuCo seniors use earnings from school dances to purchase supplies for the school. “A lot of kids were trying to go to the library [to print but] if the library was full or you didn’t have a pass, you couldn’t go,” head Student Council sponsor Brittany Hawkins said.
“Especially this year, [we] didn’t know that things in the morning were going to be completely shut down.” Unfortunately, COVID-19 safety policies made the Commons unavailable, so instead, Hawkins collaborated with Pratt to have the StuCo seniors fund the printers offered on the survey, which will be set up in the HERO room in the cafeteria. MICROWAVES Additionally, Hawkins has heard positive feedback regarding microwaves. “For some kids, having that microwave helps because now you’re not stressing about what you can bring for lunch,” Hawkins said. “Your opportunities for food have increased, or the types of food you can bring in have increased, so now, you can focus on other things.” The microwaves and printers will be put in the HERO room. Elder had wanted to find an alternative use for the room after it was closed down due to COVID-19 restrictions. “We’re not going to be able to use this room like we’ve done in the past,” Elder said. “How might we incorporate some of the concerns, or the needs, that our students expressed, and utilize this room because it’s a room that’s available?” Pratt estimates the printers and microwaves, as well as the phone charging stations, will be set up by next semester. SKATEBOARD RACKS The two skateboarding racks, located at the front of school and in the cafeteria, were offered to provide for students who skateboard to school and had to carry their board to all their classes. Students can check
out skateboard locks from the front office. “It’s nice that we now have a way to provide [students] with, ‘Hey, you can absolutely use that to get to school,’” Hawkins said. “‘We’re glad you’re here. Let’s store it in a safe place.’” TV MONITORS Aside from Pratt’s survey, the administration placed more TV monitors around school. Two monitors were installed in the Commons eight years ago, and at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, four went up in the cafeteria. The administration uses these monitors to show announcements and keep students updated on school events. “Sometimes, our kids say, ‘We want to announce HOSA has a meeting’...or whatever it may be... because a lot of times when kids don’t know [about the announcements]…. have we communicated effectively?” Elder said. “So, really just trying to be proactive and say, ‘Here’s just one more avenue for us to communicate what’s going on.’” Amid this round of new purchases and remodeling, Hawkins encourages students to seek out survey opportunities so the school can better represent them. “It’s not always easy [to give surveys] because it’s really, really easy for people to be quiet,” Hawkins said. “It’s not always easy to state your opinions. It’s not always easy to participate in a survey. I think the more opportunities we give kids to put their thoughts and their voices out there, and the more kids take advantage of that, the more representation we can get.”
photo by medha sarin
the roar | opinions | 5
friday, dec. 18, 2020
TRASH TALK threats of pollution, climate change can change with individual, local adjustments
claire grace franklin senior editor
A giant pile of trash currently floats in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It has grown to be three times the size of France and twice the size of Texas. People may know this, but due to news outlets pushing out vast information to masses, at record speed, no one seems to understand the true significance of the situation. The island itself weighs more than 1.8 million tons. This is an astonishing number, yet no one seems to have much concern. Some try to rally supporters, but they lack the influence to make a significant change. Those who are actively trying to reduce their use of plastic are helping the environment, but what people need to understand is that without larger companies, schools, and communities also contributing to the cause, change is a far-fetched idea. Plastics are a leading issue in regards to pollution. There are currently over
Ballet. 6 years old. I was told I was a natural dancer for my age. But one day, after just a couple years of twirling on stages in that bright pink tutu, I had one dance practice that was particularly special: Firstly, I had stayed sitting on the bench outside the dance studio, even as class had begun. Secondly, I remember my mother walked into the studio to talk to the dance teacher about something, her tennis shoes sweeping the floor... That was a big no-no. You can only wear ballet shoes if you’re in the studio, my dance teachers had said. After that day, I never went back for another practice. But it was fine. I hadn’t wanted to. Although I can’t remember it, I’m sure that at some point before I quit, I must’ve bawled uncontrollably to my mother about how nervous I was to go up on stage for a ballet performance. Flash forward a few years. Gymnastics. Once again, I was praised for being naturally good. And once again, after a single year of cartwheels, spins and flips, there was a special practice that turned everything upside down: The balance beam. I was terrified of it. Well, I could walk across it just fine, but this time, they were asking me to jump on it. Heck no. So, I followed in 6-year old Medha’s ballet-shoe footsteps and quit. Bye-bye, gymnastics. It happened again and again and again. There was classical Indian dance. Then Bollywood dance. Cross country. Track and field. I even took seven years of piano. Seven! I was really good, too--I’d just started practicing sight reading, and if I’d had a little more confidence, I could tackle a difficult piece. But I didn’t have that confidence, nor could I shake off the unnecessary nerves and fear that seemed to accompany every extracurricular I’d ever set my mind to. Nerves. Fear. Perfectionism. Those were the things holding me back. Standing on the first floor of the MSC Opus, surrounded by leather chairs and little fish aquariums, I would cry uncontrollably before piano competitions. I once had a stomachache for hours before a dance recital, wandering around outside the venue until I threw up. Worst of all, my family’s consolations (“it’s okay”; “it doesn’t matter if you make a mistake”; “just do your best and you’ll be fine”) would never penetrate my thick skull. In retrospect, my perfectionist personality was responsible for some really grim moments in my life, even though, normally, competitions and
3,000 active landfills and 10,000 unused municipal landfills scattered in the United States. There are 198 landfills in Texas alone, and while they are wellhidden, they are still making a detrimental difference for the environment. These issues are not exclusive to big corporations. This issue needs to be addressed by more than those sitting at the top of companies. This issue is affecting everyone personally, and it requires individuals to step up and do their part. The step towards becoming an eco-friendly school and community is a process we should not be afraid to start. It can begin with small changes in classrooms and enforcing recycling, and then slowly move toward larger more daunting tasks. As we move forward and consider more eco-friendly options, the school board must assess the long-term benefits and repercussions of the budget. This has been a discussion amongst many large organizations, schools, companies, and communities. I believe that Consol will benefit financially from switching to eco-friendly policies. Given our status in the community, we could potentially inspire other schools in the county and surrounding areas. Small steps towards being ecofriendly can do wonders for the world around us. By reducing our plastic use, we could decrease waste and save money all while helping to save the earth. We lose millions of people to pollution every year. If we want to continue living on the earth we need to tackle pollution now. Want to discuss your opinions on pollution? Email Claire Grace at the.roar. franklin@gmail.com
LETTING GO
extracurricular events are supposed to be fun, exciting, a demonstration of the result of hard work. But in the end, I can’t change the fact that I quit medha sarin ballet at 6 years old, even though section editor I was naturally good. Frankly, I don’t regret quitting those activities, because I quit out of a nervousness and fear that I probably wouldn’t have overcome had I pushed myself to do those things. I’m glad I dropped piano, even after seven educational years, than having kept at it and cried over and over again at every performance until I absolutely hated every aspect of it. As apocalyptic as that sounds, I’m just that kind of person. At the end of 8th grade is when I had my epiphany about perfectionism, when I realized that everything everyone says is actually true: it really is okay, it really doesn’t matter if I make a mistake, I really will be fine if I just do my best. Now, whatever extracurriculars I start, I probably won’t quit them. I’ve learned just how unfounded the nervousness and fear I used to feel is. Every time I stopped doing something that I potentially could’ve had an amazing career in, it has contributed to my learning this powerful lesson about perfectionism. Sure, I quit gymnastics way back when because of the scary balance beam. But I sure as heck won’t quit the newspaper staff I joined freshman year, just because of the scary assignment I have to write a personal column.
perfectionism influences extracurricular choices
Want to talk about your experiences with perfectionism in your extracurricular activities? Email Medha at the.roar.medha.sarin@gmail.com.
6 | viewpoints | the roar
friday, dec. 18, 2020
Should Standardized Testing be Optional for College Applications?
In an announcement on June 24, a representative of Texas A&M claimed that their applicants for the 2021-2022 school year would be able to submit standardized test scores but would not, unlike previous years, be required to. The university was one of hundreds (including the University of Texas and Texas Tech) that instated “test-optional” policies in the spring and summer of 2020. As the pandemic greatly reduced the accessibility of and ability to hold exam days, many colleges specified that the “optional” nature of standardized testing would only apply to the student classes impacted by COVID-19; however, many universities opted for permanent changes or several-year trials of accepting applications without requiring scores. Even without considering the virus, “test-optional” policies have grown in use, as the Washington Post reported record numbers of schools adopting them in 2019. This raises a question: should standardized tests be an optional part of the college application process, even outside of pandemic restrictions?
The Roar 2020-2021 Staff Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Executive Editor Senior Editor Online Editor Opinions Editor Feature Editor Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Section Editors
Faculty Adviser Assistant Adviser
Alex Roeder Ruby Perry-Mize Allen Zhang Claire Grace Franklin Saanya Patel Elise Sawyer Emmeline Duhon Allison Segers Piper Hitchcock Ellie Hague Medha Sarin Ian Curtis Myla Cathey Michael Williams Chauncey Lindner
The Roar Editorial Board Alex Roeder • Elise Sawyer • Ruby Perry-Mize The Roar is produced by the Advanced Journalism class at A&M Consolidated High School, 1801 Harvey Mitchell Parkway S., College Station, Texas, 77840. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not reflective of the administrators, faculty or staff of the College Station Independent School District. Submissions to the editors are welcomed but must be signed and should not exceed 300 words. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions in the interest of clarity and length or to not print a letter at all. Letters containing obscene or libelous material will not be considered. The Editorial Board consists of the editor-in-chief, managing editor and opinions editor. The Roar is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC), the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The Roar is a winner of the CSPA Gold Crown, the 1997, 1998, 2000-2016 ILPC Award of Distinguished Merit, the CSPA Gold Medal Award, the NSPA All-American distinction and 2005, 2014,2016 ILPC Bronze Star and 2007-2013, 2015, and 2018 Silver Star. College Station Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap in providing education services. Monica Jones, Director of Human Resources, 1812 Welsh, College Station, Texas 77840 (979-7645412) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX. Molley Perry, Executive Director of Special Services, 1812 Welsh, Suite 120, College Station, Texas 77840 (979-764-5433) has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Standardized tests like the SAT seem to primarily function as context: not just for students individually on their applications, but for entire schools, as college recommendation websites point towards ranges of student scores to help applicants decide what universities they should focus on. There is a certain logic behind examining student test scores for context: whereas GPA measurements can vary from school to school, a measurement system that puts all applicants on a “1600” or “36” scale will be significantly easier for comparisons. But it is still unclear what these measurements even are. ACT Inc. claims their test measures the four skills “most important for success in postsecondary education”, and the College Board claims that the SAT measures “what you learn in high school” and “what you need to succeed in college”. These somewhat-vague claims are the subject of debate among education experts, as differing statistics about how test scores correlate with college success, high school grades, socioeconomic status, and other variables turn the debate over standardized testing’s relevance into a confusing mixture of numbers.
However, there are flaws in these tests outside of these statistics. The “test prep” industry’s existence alone suggests the tests are more than measures of aptitude, as programs that guarantee improved scores “or your money back” are apparently successful. Even the testing organizations themselves reference the non-concrete aspects of scores, although they suggest an alternate solution; College Board, when referencing how test scores are subject to many testing-day factors on a webpage about “understanding scores”, encourages students to retake the SAT as “students usually do better the second time”. The fact that these scores can vary and that they are subject to many different factors and situations is not a justification for the eradication of SATs and ACTs from college decision-making. However, they should not be considered superior to other factors in an application such as a transcript, extracurriculars, teacher recommendations, or essays. They might be more standardized, but they should be less of a standard.
THE ROAR ASKS: What do you think about standardized testing?
“I think it’s good COVID happened because how colleges are giving you the option to not take the SAT. For people who aren’t good testtakers, that’s really helpful-- I hope they keep it that way.” -senior Allison Mendoza “Making colleges testing optional really helps widen the range of options for seniors because if you want the study liberal arts and you fail in the math section, now you can’t get into college. I feel like the pressure is lifted because now I have options. -senior Hudson Allen
the roar | snapshots | 7
friday, dec. 18, 2020
‘ tis the season Students celebrate holiday season ellie hague & myla cathey | section editors Delicious food. Wonderful family. Enjoyable friends. That’s what the holidays are meant to celebrate, but each family has its own unique way of celebrating the holidays. One of junior Molly Keefer’s unique holiday traditions is decorating a Harry Potter themed tree with her collection of ornaments from her grandmother. “My grandmother’s really big on giving us Hallmark ornaments every year, and when I was younger, I was super into Harry Potter,” Keefer said. “I love them so much, and I’ve just collected enough that I’m able to have a Christmas tree dedicated to them.” Keefer’s family also has a tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving on the Sunday before the actual holiday. “It just ended up being easier because we have our family, but then everyone else has like a bunch of other families that they also see,” Keefer said. “Thanksgiving got really busy, and I think that was just what worked best for us.” To junior Evie Conway, who celebrates Hanukkah, traditions that honor the history of the holiday are important. “Hanukkah is just celebrating [the] history after the [second Jerusalem] temple was destroyed and the Israelites found oil. They thought it would only last for one night, but it lasted for eight nights,” Conway said. Each day of Hanukkah, which lasts for eight days, Conway receives a gift from her parents. “I’ll usually get a small present and then one day I’ll get a more expensive present,” Conway said. “Like socks, blankets, [or] a gift card somewhere and then get like a purse,
something [more] expensive.” Math teacher Cheryl Gold and her family celebrate the holidays with matching pajamas, family photos, and a white elephant gift exchange. “I wanted something that people remember, and I didn’t really have [this tradition] as a kid, so I want to do it myself,” Gold said. “It’s something to look forward to, the pajamas, because no one really knows really what I’m going to get [them].” Food and family are also vital parts of Conway’s Hanukkah festivities. “We like to make Latkes; they’re like fried potatoes. My mom and my sister make them,” Conway said. “I’m not a baker, [but we] make jelly donuts. You’re supposed to have fried food and stuff like that.” Gold has found joy in the playfulness of the holidays ever since she was a child. “As a kid, my mom was a nurse so she always wrapped our presents in medical tape, so I would always unwrap all the presents to see what I got,” Gold said. “Because it was medical tape, it was easy to stick it back together, so I would wake up in the morning, and know what my presents were.” Keefer is pleased with her simple yearly tradition of spending time with loved ones. Even though she has had to alter them due to the pandemic, her holidays will always be centered around family. “I think it’s just important for us to get together and see each other,” Keefer said. “None of us are getting any younger, so any time we have together is precious.”
Top: Junior Evie Conway lights menorah Middle: Junior Molly Keefer’s Harry Potter themed tree Bottom: Math teacher Cheryl Gold and her family in matching holiday pajamas
8 | centerspread | the roar
the roar | centerspread| 9
friday, dec. 18, 2020
2009
2019 2001
1999 1999
2009 Every winter, Tigers celebrate with the Sadie Hawkins dance, where girls ask guys, as opposed to the traditional format of most dances, where guys ask girls. In 2019, the Sadie Hawkins dance was changed to the Winter Formal. Girls still ask guys, but the dance is formal attire rather than casual as with Sadie Hawkins.
1968 For decades, the Tiger bonfire has been a key tradition at Consol. Although the annual bonfire is now discontinued, the bonfire served as a source of many meaningful and memorable moments for Tiger alumni.
centennial celebration Staff uncovers history of winter traditions ellie hague & medha sarin section editors
2009
1965 1970’s varsity and JV cheerleader squads pose with Tony the Tiger in the football stadium.
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: The A&M Consolidated Centennial Committee: Randy Bond, Brad Corrier, Marc Parrish, Shelly Peters, Julie Schultz, Katy Scott, Heather Simmen and Kelly Waguespack. Tigerland Yearbook
2009 2009 On the occational winter snow day, Tigers have always taken advantage of the cold weather. Students play in the snow by making snowmen and making snow angels. Snow days serve as a way for Tigers to celebrate and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the holiday season.
2001 2019
1965
10 | feature | the roar
friday, dec. 18, 2020
spotify stardom
Teenage rappers, producer use music as outlet, face struggles in music industry, find voice piper hitchcock | sports editor Eminem once said that some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard for it. Three seniors have taken these lyrics to heart, pushing through the adversities of being young and completing education in order to reach their goals. Seniors Jaylon Walters (No Lya Jay) and Javon Ross (Back Boy Jay) are making their way to hip-hop stardom with the assistance of the production stylings of senior Zach Haas (Tanko). However, their passion for music sparked at a much younger age. “I was never super shy, I really liked the attention I would get [from rapping],” Walters said. “I performed at churches, and invested myself in music videos. [Now I have a producer and] I really like Zach because we’ve got a bond, so I try not to go to anyone else; we’ve got a lot of chemistry. I was rapping and I needed a consistent producer, then I finally met Zach. After that day, we were just locked in; we were in the studio every day, and now he’s like my brother.” Senior Javon Ross also discovered his passion for music during childhood and continued to pursue this discovered talent through the assistance and support of his family. “Growing up, my dad was a DJ, so he was always playing music around the house,” Ross said. “One day I just decided I’m going to try rap, because I’ve been into it since I was a child. Once [my family] heard me rapping, they pushed me to keep going, so I feel like they inspired me the most.” The artists all want to develop a message behind their lyrics and hope to inspire their listeners. Walters uses past experiences to shape his music, he says. “[My songs are about] me coming up as a black man in America,” Walters said. “I’ve got songs about my past life-- me growing up. I wouldn’t say I take my anger out [through my music], but I sort of use rapping as a way to vent, and persuade people to keep going.” Ross similarly creates the theme of endurance through his lyrics, reiterating that
although life throws many curveballs, the right mindset can get you where you want to go. “I want to inspire [my listeners] by showing them you can get through anything, you just have to believe in yourself and make dreams come to life,” Ross said. Although the music industry is rewarding, there are multiple factors that come into creating an album that most people don’t take into account, Ross says. “A lot of work goes into the album process because of the way things have to be put together, like the marketing, promotions and videos,” Ross said. Haas agrees that making music is a timeconsuming business. “The first [album, Jaylon] and I already had songs, but as we do it more and more, we have to start from scratch,” Haas said. “Jaylon’s last album was pretty cool because it’s the first album where we actually started from nothing. It would be two months of recording three times a week. We usually make so many songs, and then just pick which ones.” However difficult and impossibly long the creation process may be, t h e rappers a n d producers agree that they w o u l d r a t h e r bear the adversities than not make music at all. “[The hardest part of being a
stream on spotify:
producer] is probably just balancing everything because it can be exhausting sometimes,” Haas said. “Some nights I don’t feel like doing any of it, but not ever [have I thought it wasn’t worth it]; I always try to make it worth it. I think of things that I could have done better, but I don’t forget all the good that’s come out of it. Creating music, it makes me happy, and I just want to be happy in life. ” At a low point in his career, Walters had also felt like rapping was not worth it, but he has overcome those negative thoughts and wants to encourage others in that position. “Someone’s always listening; don’t ever think that you’re just making music for no reason,” Walters said. “A year ago, I thought it was easy to come in and start rapping, then just blow up. But now I’ve started seeing how much you’ve got to work for it.” Ross sees the struggle from a different perspective, commenting on how other people are often the most difficult aspects of the music industry. “[The hardest part of being an artist is] the people who don’t like the progress I’m making with music,” Ross said. “I try to ignore them and do what I do best— making music. Plenty of times I felt like maybe this wouldn’t be a good career for me, but I fought through all of the negative thinking and kept pushing.” Haas also recognizes that negative opinions of outsiders can often discourage anyone trying to make a name for themselves. “[The advice I’d give to someone wanting to follow in my footsteps is] don’t listen to people,” Haas said. “I used to go to College Station, and I would get mocked all the time for my music, and that’s why I moved here. You just need to distance yourself from negative energy because that’s what breaks you down. Also, don’t do things because they’re cool, or because someone else is doing it. Be your own person. I didn’t change myself to do this. Just do what you want in life, that’s all I’ve got to say; don’t settle for the minimum.”
@backboyjay @nolyajay senior Zach Haas or Tanko
friday, dec. 18, 2020
stronger in heart
the roar | feature | 11
Students build relationships, develop communication skills, in Special Ed program emmeline duhon & allison segers feature editor & entertainment editor Among the various classes held here at Consol, students are given opportunity to build fitness and athletic talent, but one stands out because it helps the students build heart. The partner PE program is a class which offers students the opportunity to help and assist within the special needs program. Sophomore Caden Pachla explains how he first found out about the class. “The program was brought up to me by Mrs. Smith,” Pachla said. “I was assisting in the special needs class last year,” Pachla has been helping within the program with CSISD for three years. The chance to participate in Partner PE has proved to be very rewarding. “Since we are helping out with the [students],” Pachla said. “We’ve all made really good lasting friendships with each other.” Along with Pachla, senior Gracie McCorquodale has gained strong friendships through the class. “A lot of students don’t really feel like they can be friends with the special needs [students],” McCorquodale said. “They kinda ostracize them from everyone else and don’t really treat them as another student. I think that it’s really important to be friends with them as a human being,” Being in the partner PE class in addition to building friendships offers the opportunity to learn and grow, sophomore Campbell Gattis says. “This class allows me to develop relationships that I can use in the future,” Gattis said. “I can use them to build communication skills on how to work and interact with people.” Along with the skills they learn,
the class requires a specific set of qualities and characteristics in order to fully help the students. “You need a lot of patience and time to really commit to the class itself,” Gattis said. “You need to be really passionate and willing to help other people.” Among the helpers in the class, many are eager to learn even more ways to fully commit to the class. McCorquodale explains how she is learning to interact with the students. “I’m actually learning sign language to talk to some of the students, so it’s definitely been a learning curve,” McCorquodale said. “All the students have different needs, and you never know what’s going to happen.”
McCorquodale has always been interested and involved in the special needs program, she says, but she initially wanted to join the class because of her bond with the students. “I feel like there is a particular reason I joined, I tend to gravitate more to the students with special needs,” McCorquodale said. “I have a connection with them, and they’re just really fun to work with, they’re great people,” In a typical day of Partner PE, the helpers play an important role in the experience of the special needs students. “We go around and help the [students] with different activities that we are trying to do throughout the day and this also goes with whatever unit we are doing,” Gattis said. The class itself is not only for PE purposes, McCorquodale says. The class also offers other opportunities for its students. “I feel like people think ‘oh you just do pe and stuff’, but it’s more than that,” McCorquodale said. “We teach them life skills and learn life skills yourself as well and it’s definitely not easy.” Although many classes are challenging, McCorquodale explains how Partner PE presents its own difficulties-- many of which came as a surprise to the helpers. “Something I wasn’t expecting was having so many different days,” McCorquodale said. “Some days were bad, and it just kinda depends on what mood everybody is in.” No matter how difficult Partner PE becomes, the helpers all agree that the class has impacted them. “I wish people knew about the class, and how fun and meaningful it is,” Pachla said. “It really is a great feeling to help out with these [students], it has made such a big impact on my life.”
12 | sports | the roar
friday, dec. 18, 2020
making a racket Tennis players discuss rise to state, reputation, connections with teammates ian curtis | section editor Consol has a dynasty, and it’s been built out of a shed across the street. The tennis team has put up an impressive record over the past several years: six state tournament appearances in eight years and so many district titles you’ll have to count them on two hands. And that’s just the team accolades. But this season, there was doubt as to whether or not they would be able to continue their winning ways. “We were underdogs this year,” senior J.D. Watson said. “We lost our best girl and our best guy last year, [as well as] two or three other guys in the lineup as well. So we were coming into the season having just lost a bunch of players that started for us.” Those doubts were unfounded. 2020 proved to be a season to remember, as the program added another state tournament appearance and region title along with a fourth place finish in the end of year 5A poll to their long list of accolades. Their secret? Nothing more than hard work and a bit of bonding. “When they were bored at home, a lot of them went out [and practiced],” coach Daniel Marshall said. “On our team, it’s hard [to make varsity] so you have to go above and beyond. We have kids that do that.” The work paid off this year. The team took care of business before the season, and it allowed them to
take care of business on the court. “Everyone did what they needed to do,” said junior Luis Hurtado. “We made it all the way to state. We did what we wanted to do and we made a little noise at state too.” Hard work isn’t the only thing that has made the program what it is today. Chemistry also plays a major role in their many achievements. “It’s a nice thing to be a part of,”
Hurtado said. “[We travel a lot] and we’re a really close team because of it. It’s like a family.” Freshman Alyssa Tran can attest to the team’s familial atmosphere. “The team immediately welcomed me in,” Tran said. “After just a few days I became close with everyone.” A run of success like the one the team has experienced comes with a reputation. And such a
reputation has its benefits. “I’ve heard coaches and even players say ‘Oh, it’s Consol, so it’s okay [if we lose],’” Marshall said. “Sometimes we’re not as good as they think we are, and they’ll give us some free wins here and there. It’s a little pat on the back.” Looking at the program’s history, it seems as if it would be nigh impossible to earn a spot on the varsity squad. But Watson assures that as long as a player is willing to put in the effort, that is not the case. “As a freshman or sophomore, JV [may seem like] a waste of time,” Watson said. “[But] if you really are motivated to get better and [coach] Marshall sees that, you can make it to the lineup for sure.” Hurtado has a particular method he uses to get in the right mindsight to put in the work needed to maintain the team’s caliber of play. “I think about where I was as [recently] as a month ago, or like a year, or two years ago, and see how much [I’ve] progressed,” Hurtado said. “That’s a big motivating factor.” While the members of the tennis team are clearly excellent athletes, there’s something even more important that they are just as good at. “They’re good humans,” Marshall said “When people ask me about tennis, I always say, ‘well, if you put [your kids] in tennis, they’re gonna be around great kids that have goals and [are] going to go to good colleges.’”
the roar | sports | 13
friday, dec. 18, 2020
just keep swimming Student joins swim team to recover from injury, enjoys comaraderie
piper hitchcock & saanya patel sports editor & online editor Junior Kendall Matthews has made a splash on the swim team this year, helping her team reach the top while also recovering from a traumatic injury that almost took her out of the sport. Although some say it is a stroke of luck, many attribute Matthew’s impressive recovery to the dedication and determination she has shown for swimming. She continues to persevere with the support she receives from her team and inspire others with her journey. “In eighth grade I was in a car accident; that’s when we think I fractured my back,” Matthews said. “But then I overworked it in other sports, then I fractured my L5, which is the lower part of your spine. I wanted to be in a sport, and with swimming being one of my only options, I said okay.” Although aquatic exercise was the only strain her back could initially handle, Matthews’ journey did not begin in the water. She admits that a major portion of her recovery was healing her mentality. “When the accident first happened and I found out my [back] was broken, it hurt so bad and I questioned why this happened [to me],” Matthews said. “Getting up hurt, sitting down hurt, moving hurt, and pretty much all I could do was lay down. It just felt like a forever moment, like when will this end? I thought to myself ‘it doesn’t matter right now; I don’t really care because this feeling feels like it’s going to last forever.’” However, even after fighting the struggle to find motivation, another unforeseen mental aspect of recovery emerged. “My [other] problem is that after [my back] starts [feeling] better, and after I’ve done physical therapy, I’ll think ‘oh, this feels great, I don’t have to do anything now,’” Matthews
said. “There’s this constant struggle with myself about having to actually keep working on it and working and working, while others don’t have to do anything to make sure that their backs are strong enough.” Matthews’ friends and teammates recognize the physical endeavor of overcoming injuries, and they often offer sympathy and encouragement to help her endure. “She occasionally [struggles], she’ll have to get out sometimes and stretch-- just take a break for a little bit,” junior Calvin Lindberg said. “There’s been [instances] where she’s had a really rough time, and it’s hard to watch her like that. But she’s strong.” Junior Avery Johnson also notices Matthews’ strain when performing certain strokes, but accounts for her strength to push through the pain. “She struggled for a bit, then she got in the swing of things,” Johnson said. “She really has to try when her back is irritated. [But that’s one of the hardest parts of] having an injury, being able to overcome that; not being pity and crying, [but] getting back up on your feet and finding motivation, not using the injury as a reason not to work out.” The team agrees with how motivation is often difficult to summon, but Matthews has maintained an optimistic perspective that keeps her waking up in the morning. “Putting in the work and motivation [is the hardest part of recovery],” Matthews said. “On the weekends, my first thought isn’t ‘I wanna get up and work out, do these exercises.’ When I don’t have the motivation, I think [of how] if I don’t do it, I know that there’s nothing helping me. So I know that if I do push myself, it will get better.” Lindberg has a similar perspective on motivation as Matthews, preaching how sleeping through practice is not progressive for the team.
“It can be really hard to [get up early], but a lot of times I know it’s going to pay off,” Lindberg said. “We have our big meets in a couple months, and we want to get better for that. Other teams are doing the same thing, so if you’re not getting up and going to practice, you’re not getting any better.” Johnson agrees that motivation is a difficult aspect to build up early in the morning, but she finds the team’s bonding in a common suffering makes the experience worth it. “It’s kind of hard to find at 5 o’clock in the morning when you’re tired and have stayed up all night studying for tests,” Johnson said. “But I think [the main motivation is] the team, the energy in each swimmer. It’s the support and being able to lean on each other and come out with your [problems].” Although swimming is an individual sport, many of the players find a family-type bond with each other through support and encouragement. “Usually when we’re at meets, if we’re not racing or getting ready to swim, we’re standing and cheering everybody else on,” Lindberg said. “ It’s a really positive environment; it’s hard to swim when everyone is in their own head or doing their own thing, and no one is cheering everyone else on. But it’s rarely been like that because it’s always easy to try your best when others are cheering.” While the team supports and celebrates Matthews’ impressive recovery, she reveals that uncertainties remain for her future in swimming. “I’m not the most competitive in [swimming] because I know that I’m not the fastest swimmer,” Matthews said. “I want to be faster, and that would be awesome… I just don’t want to always have back pain because I feel like if I grew up having back pain, and then I have mor back pain in the future-- it’s just not something I always want to live with.”
14 | reviews | the roar
friday, dec 18, 2020
songs of the season the roar reviews: christmas music ian curtis l section editor Stuck in an endless loop of Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey this holiday season? Looking to spice up your playlist with something a little bit different? Check out the Irish Rovers’ album Merry Merry Time of Year. Traditional hymns and carols? Check. Lighthearted tales of Santa and reindeer? Bingo. Songs that can only be described as incredibly Irish? Much like Tom Hanks in Polar Express, they’ve got it. And it all is wrapped up in a delightful, folksy, and Irish accent-filled package. If you can’t stand the accent and would rather listen to something a little more traditional, look somewhere else for your latest holiday hit. Personally, I would be content to have my life narrated by a contingent of Irish-accented fellows, so I loved this album. In the end, it all comes down to whether or not you enjoy hearing the season’s songs performed in a way you’re not used to.
myla cathey l section editor Once again, Pentatonix has created a masterpiece of a Christmas album with their new 2020 album, We Need a Little Christmas. The five person acapella group has always been known to put together an iconic collection of holiday tunes, but this album is even better than any they have made in the past. The group covers a variety of Christmas songs, giving something for everyone to enjoy. From their covers of “12 Days of Christmas” and “Santa Tell Me” to their original song, “Thank You”, the album displays all the emotions of the holiday season. As someone who has been a fan of Pentatonix for years, I was still shocked at the group’s ability to blend their voices so beautifully and capture the feelings of all aspects of the holidays. I can honestly say my jaw actually dropped while listening to the album for the first time. Every note of this album has a certain intensity that only Pentatonix could achieve with their amazing acapella vocals. If you’re not feeling the spirit of the holidays, listening to this album will allow you to experience all the excitement of the holiday season in only 13 songs.
medha sarin l section editor As someone who groans inwardly whenever people say, “It’s never TOO early to listen to Christmas music!”, I wasn’t sure how much I’d appreciate Johnny Mathis’s 1953 Merry Christmas album. But luckily, it was a refreshing change from the usual K-pop I listen to, and it put me in the Christmas spirit. Being one of the classics, Mathis has nostalgia going for him: the last time I listened to his carols was in elementary school, and as I listened now, I was taken back to that time of in-class holiday parties and those oddly wonderful Christmas claymations. His voice is pleasant and addicting to listen to, with a wide range of expression to cover both the cheerful and solemn songs of Christmas. Not to mention the powerful strength with which he sings out alongside an orchestra and a choir. It’s always good to go back to the classics, and Mathis is no exception.
friday, dec. 18, 2020
keep on giving
the roar | reviews | 15
the roar reviews: white elephant gifts
When the weather outside is frightful and
ian curtis | section editor staying inside seems so delightful, you’ll
need a mug to keep your chosen beverage warm. You can get a plain mug, a movie quote mug, or even a mug with a pug’s mug on it. But my gift-giver clearly had excellent taste, and I received a mug emblazoned with the finest meme of 2020: “Ight imma head out.” There isn’t too much to say about it. It holds my hot chocolate well and made my brother cackle, and my parents wonder what in the world it meant. That’s more than enough for me. The minute I laid eyes on the alex roeder | editor-in-chief “That’s what she said” blanket, I knew it had to be mine. Besides the obvious reference to the cult-classic show, the saying has special meaning to the newspaper students. “That’s what she said” is an inside joke we use to remind each other of a specific writing skill, and is a phrase you will often hear shouted across our classroom out of context. The blanket is now proudly displayed on our lab sofa, where every staffer can enjoy its comfort. If you’re a fan of The Office, or like us, use this phrase totally out of context, I would highly recommend this blanket.
I received a Bob Ross Chia Pet for my White Elephant gift. I love Bob Ross and plants, so it was perfect for me. It walks the line between being a gag gift and a genuine gift depending on the person it is given to.The instructions are clear and great for a multitude of ages. I would recommend giving any type of Chia Pet, because they are fun and interactive.
claire grace franklin| senior editor
For my white elephant gift, I received ellie hague | section editor all of the ingredients to make “Buddy the Elf Spaghetti” from the christmas movie Elf. Complete with its own set of instructions, the package included a mix of spaghetti noodles, delightfully sweet treats and candy canes. Each item in the bag also had a quote from the movie written on the packaging. It was a hilarious and fun gift idea, full of deliciously sweet treats.
16 | etc. | the roar
friday, dec 18, 2020
around the house:
-Wash clothes in cold water About 90% of the energy for washing clothes goes to heating the water, so eliminating this step saves all that energy -Run sprinklers in the morning Means cooler temperatures and often less wind, leading to less waste from evaporation and runoff -Compost Organic waste in landfills produces methane, so composting significantly reduces emissions and eliminates the need for chemical pesticides -Hang dry clothes instead of tumble dry Reduces a household’s carbon footprint by 2400 pounds a year.
sourcing food:
-Buy local Reducing food miles helps alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels, reduce air pollution and cut back on greenhouse gas emissions. Try the farmers’ market at 500 N Main St. in Bryan on Saturday mornings!
-Free range is always better Industrial farming techniques create a large volume of highly concentrated pollutants, so buying from smaller free-range farms supports a lower-impact (not to mention more humane) way of raising animals.
-In-season produce Reduces your carbon footprint because the produce isn’t shipped long distances
green habits:
long term choices:
-Reusable mask
you actually need to -Buy fuel-efficient cars or better yet, used cars -Spread the word!
-Plan meals to avoid wasting food Lowers your family’s waste production -Reusable grocery bags Both eliminate a common single use item that would end up in a landfill -Carpool Helps reduce your carbon footprint -Vegetarianism Reduces carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions
-Don’t replace things like cars, phones, etc. until
going the green mile Choices, habits to implement that will save energy, reduce carbon footalex roeder & ruby perry-mize | editor-in-chief & managing editor