The Eagle Angle Issue 6 Volume 34

EA Allen High School Issue 6 Volume 34 May 2017

Rockin’ ISPs

Seniors build guitars for independent study project | page 4

Drumroll please

Dr. Philip Obado to be new Director of Bands | page 8

Summer lineup

A compilation of the hottest season’s best music and movies | page 20

ea The Eagle Angle distributes 1000 copies of each issue on campus to faculty and students.

Contents may be viewed online at theeagleangle. com. Businesses who wish to advertise should contact Kelly Juntunen, newspaper adviser, at 469-319-6216. The Eagle Angle reserves the right to deny publication of advertisements.

Advertisements are not necessarily endorsed by the staff or administration.

All editorials reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the staff, adviser or administration. The Eagle Angle is a member of Quill and Scroll, the Interscholastic League Press Conference and JEA/ NSPA. Allen High School 300 Rivercrest Blvd.

Allen, TX 75002

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Staff

Editors-in-chief | Sara Schleede* Megan Shankle* Sr. Managing Editor | Bryn Chambers* Jr. Managing Editor | Julia Zaksek* News/Feature Editor | Divya Jagadeesh Commentary Editor | Felix Kalvesmaki* Sports Editor | Jackson Stone Assistant Sports Editor | Parker Primrose Online Editor | Makayla Nerpel Multimedia Editor | Josh Magpantay Staff | Nas Baclay, Brandon Barton, Corinne Chandler, Pauline Esguerra, Braylon Fernandez, Ella Geosits, Christian Hinton, Natalie McMahon, Maya Morriswala, Christine Odwesso, Tate Peterson, Coleman Pyeatt, Francis Salazar, Astrid Souto, Caroline Tucker, Audrey Vieira, Alyssa White, Erik Young, Mark Young Adviser | Kelly Juntunen *denotes members of the Editorial Board

NEWS/FEATURE

Contents

Briefly speaking.......................................................... 2 Q&A with Laura Helms.............................................3 Rockin’ ISPs..................................................................4 Allen Eagle Fight Song................................................5 Sister, sister..................................................................6 Blues brothers..............................................................7 Drumroll please............................................................8 Making the grade........................................................ 9

COVER STORY

The hidden struggle...........................................10-13 How Allen residents endure, alleviate poverty

SPORTS

Springing into gear....................................................14 Striking success..........................................................15

PHOTO ESSAY

Signing day celebration........................................16-17

COMMENTARY

Staff editorial..............................................................18 Artists of Allen: Josh Nichols............................ 18-19 Life always gives second chances............................19 Summer lineup.......................................................... 20 Sequel falls flat...........................................................21 Dazzling debut...........................................................21

Letter to the reader L

iving in Allen, we’re pretty lucky. Sure, it’s not the most exciting city in the world, but we have great facilities, safe neighborhoods and a Starbucks on pretty much every corner. It’s the perfect place to raise a family. Since life is so good for so many of us, it’s easy to think that no one in Allen has problems, but that’s simply not true. By reading our cover story about poverty in Allen, we hope that you learn to open your heart to the different struggles people endure right under your nose. No matter where you are or who you are, somebody could be going through something terrible without your knowledge; take the time to be kind to everyone because you don’t know their life story.

We honor Secondary Teacher of the Year Catherine Gregory as well as IB art teacher Laura Helms, both of whom express their love and passion for teaching.

We also talked to students who are musically inclined—two seniors made their own guitars for an independent study project and four students in Jazz Band took home awards for solos performed at a competition at Northlake College.

Our school district has undergone several changes in the past year, whether it be new administrators, policy or construction. To cap off the introduction of new staff, we have included an interview with the new Director of Bands, Dr. Philip Obado. One staff writer shares her opinion about endorsements and the new academic direction that our school is headed toward. And now, our fight song has lyrics that you can pridefully sing at the next football game.

In the sports section, we highlight the football team’s preparation for their fall season, as well as the end of the season for girl’s soccer. Pictured in the photo essay on the following page is signing day, where student athletes committed to colleges to play various sports.

To prepare for the summer season, we compiled a list of the pop culture that you should look out for when you need a new album to play on a road trip or a movie to see when the temperatures blaze.

This is our last issue of the year, and the last time we will write a letter to the reader. It has been a pleasure creating six full-color, 24-page issues in our time as co-editors-in-chief. As we cross the stage on graduation day, as we head off to college in the fall and as we embark on our future career paths, we will never forget The Eagle Angle and how it has changed us. So, for the last time: we hope you enjoy the issue.

Love,

Briefly speaking

Compiled by | Divya Jagadeesh

Medication pickup

FBI director fired

French president inauguration

Allen, Texas | Beginning May 22, noncontrolled and over-the-counter medications kept in the clinics can be picked up by students; controlled medications must be picked up by a parent or guardian. All medications not picked up by May 26 will be destroyed.

Washington, D.C. | President Donald Trump fired FBI director James Comey May 9, citing Comey’s handling of the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s private email server as the reason for his firing.

Comey was the top official in the criminal investigation of whether Trump’s advisers worked with the Russian government to manipulate the results of the 2016 election.

France | President-elect Emmanuel Macron will be inaugurated May 14, making him the youngest French president since Napoleon. Macron won the French election May 7 with a centrist, pro-European Union and pro-business platform against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen.

Dual Credit registration

Confederate statues removed

Nigerian schoolgirls rescued

Allen, Texas | The deadline to register and pay for Dual Credit classes for the Fall 2017 semester is 12:30 p.m. June 1. Instructions are in the Dual Credit folder on Naviance, and students are advised to start their application as soon as possible.

New Orleans, La | Construction workers took down a statue of Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America, early May 11. Critics of the city’s decision protested during the statue’s removal, and because of threats of violence, the city will not release timelines for the removal of the statues of Robert E. Lee and P.G.T. Beauregard—two Confederate generals.

Nigeria | On May 7, 82 of the near 300 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram three years ago were released in exchange for suspects of the militant group. The return of the girls is considered the biggest victory in the eight-year war against Boko Haram. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari thanked the Swiss government and the Red Cross for helping with the exchange.

2 | News and Features

QA & with laura helms

Staff writer Pauline Esguerra sits down with IB art teacher Laura Helms to discuss her classes, how she became a teacher and her own art.

Illustration by | Lexi Norris

Why did you become an art teacher?

I actually wanted to be an English teacher at one point, and then I graded my first essay and then I said, “Oh no. I could never do this.” I have some serious respect for English teachers, but I’ve always enjoyed painting and doodling and drawing, and when I got to high school, I took more and more art classes, and I just really fell in love with it. One of my friends told me, “Hey you’re really bossy. You would make a good teacher,” so then I thought, “Hey, I could put two things together.”

Did you always know you wanted to do something in the art industry?

I always kind of wanted to be a teacher, just in general, and then I just wanted to figure out what I really wanted to teach. When I was in college at Oklahoma Baptist, I took a graphic design class, and I really liked that class. I love working with my hands. I love making layouts and designs. I really enjoy it.

What is it like to be an IB art teacher?

Being an IB art teacher is like herding cats with blow torches.

We’re all doing different things, and it could all be productive, and it could all be awesome, but we’re all doing things with sharppointed objects, or fire or knives, so it could go really bad really fast. I think cats with blow torches could probably make beautiful art, but you have to keep them in line. I absolutely love my job, but it is kind of like herding cats doing dangerous things.

What is the best thing about teaching art to your students?

We have so much fun. Probably one of the things I enjoy the most is whenever we discover something new, and there’s always that one kid that just loves it. Not everybody loves paper mache, but there’s that one kid that says, “Oh my gosh, I love paper mache more than life itself.” So finding that one art medium for each student makes all the difference. One medium can change their perspective on everything. I love being here for it.

What are your favorite pieces of art you’ve created and why?

I have a very large three foot by four foot oil painting of a heron that I did last summer. We actually critiqued it in class. I love that piece; it’s my favorite. It’s very personal; it’s big, it’s rough, [and] it’s absolutely gorgeous. Right now actually, my current motif involves birds and symbolism, and taking birds out of the context of their literary symbolism. For example, the Albatross has a history of being a good omen, but when it is no longer living, it is perceived as a bad omen. So taking this out of their context and using them for story-telling purposes. It sounds really strange and bizarre, but it does have a purpose and a meaning behind it.

News and Features | 3

Rockin’ ISPs

Seniors build guitars for independent study project Story by | Maya Morriswala

B

Jeff McPherson

uilding a guitar can be hard work. From sanding and staining to assembling different parts, crafting it requires dedication, problem solving skills and a strong interest in music. Seniors Jeffrey McPherson and Isaac Rowley would know because they both decided to build electric guitars for their independent study projects (ISP).

ISP requires Phoenix juniors and seniors to choose a field of study and create something related to that field. The openendedness of the project allows students the flexibility and creativity to create something they are passionate about or something they want to learn more about.

“Some people do fashion shows, make video games with coding and design all sorts of really neat things,” McPherson said. “My thing was, I wanted to know more about how a guitar works because I knew how to play one, so I just took that idea and went forward with it.”

McPherson comes from a family of musicians; his father plays guitar and both of his parents sing. McPherson said that this is one of the primary reasons he became passionate about music.

“I grew up around a lot of music and wanted to be a part of that,” McPherson said.

“I play for the orchestra, the show choir and my church.

Music is just a big part of my life, so I decided to build a guitar to advance my musicality.”

Rowley says he wanted to build a guitar for his project because of his interest in constructing different objects from scratch.

“I’m fascinated with building things, and I’ve always kind of been that way,” Rowley said.

Both students said they began their projects with a lot of research in order to figure out the general idea of what they wanted to make.

“Guitars are very versatile instruments, so there are lots of things I could’ve done with it,” McPherson said. “I wanted something simple just to start, so it involved doing some research before I even did anything, so I have an idea of how it

4 | News and Features

works and what I wanted to make.”

After research, McPherson used a kit to start building his guitar.

Rowley, on the other hand, started with blocks of wood that he shaped into the different parts of the guitar, starting with neck – the part of the guitar that is used to actually play the instrument .

“That ended up going horribly wrong,” Rowley said. “I sunk 12 hours into that, trying to get everything right, and then it ended up being a total fail. I had to end up ordering a whole other piece of wood for the neck.”

After fixing the neck, Rowley continued to shape and add pieces to his guitar before finally finishing up the design, which included an additional seventh string to accommodate for more range and notes.

“The end of my project was just getting the fine sanding and fine-tuning of everything in the wood portion of the guitar. That’s where my project has ended up right now, just the wood portions of it,” Rowley said. “I’ve worked on this on and off with my dad, and we spent a total of around 130 hours on it so far, and we still have a bunch to go.”

Of course, big projects like these have their challenges, which both of these students faced. For instance, McPherson had a problem staining his guitar.

“I discovered that the kit I bought did not actually have a wood top,” McPherson said. “It was some sort of vinyl fake wood material, so the stain I was using didn’t react like normal stain would with wood because it wasn’t wood. It didn’t turn out exactly how I thought about it, but I was still happy with the end result.”

Despite their challenges, both McPherson and Rowley were able to craft their very own guitar that McPherson believed created a lot of interest among their classmates.

“I think they were impressed with it,” McPherson said. “It was kind of interesting to see how we took the project in different ways, like a compare and contrast kind of thing.”

Isaac Rowley

ALLEN EAGLE FIGHT SONG Lyrics by | Sarah Nelson

Allen Eagles fight with spirit Waving blue and white Courage, strength, and perseverance We will win the fight Fight! Fight! Fight!

Watch and see our vict'ry unfold Stories of our strength will be told Cheering with all our might Come on, Eagles, let's fight, fight, fight To know the story behind the new lyrics, head online: theeagleangle.com.

Part-Time Jobs • Full-Time Benefits Benefits include tuition assistance, continuing education, health insurance and on-the-job training.

800-257-1212 • AFReserve.com/Start News and Features | 5

Senior Jewelee Cortez and younger sister Emmalee on losing parents, moving on from grief Story by | Felix Kalvesmaki and Makayla Nerpel

S

enior Jewelee Cortez is cheerful in conversation. She’s amicable and well-spoken, and when seated next to her younger sister, Emmalee, the two have an innocent banter going between them. They laugh loud and love loud. Nothing about the way they carry themselves is reminiscent of the tragedy they’ve very recently seen.

Jewelee and Emmalee lost both of their parents the day Emmalee turned 13.

Their parents passed on March 26, leaving the sisters in grief for two months since. For Jewelee, part of the process has been finding optimism in a sea of negativity.

“I was already an independent thinker, but my mentality has changed ever since everything,” Jewelee said.

“The whole way I was thinking just kind of turned around, but in a positive way. It’s more mature than before.”

In the face of adversity, it is common to lose touch with members of the community.

However, Jewelee found constant reminders of the loving relationships she’d built with those around her.

After Jewelee’s life changed, she and her sister found solace in the home of senior and long-time friend Chandler Barlow.

“She called me, and I figured she’d need a place to sleep,” Barlow said. “She’s been staying here for a month or so. My mom and dad love Jewelee. They were completely

Sister, Sister

Jewelee and Emmalee Cortez in 2004 Photo courtesy of | Jewelee Cortez

6 | News and Features

fine with it, especially considering the circumstances. I feel like even if it weren’t as serious, they’d still be fine with it.”

During her stay at Barlow’s, Jewelee noticed that her close friends weren’t the only ones willing to go the extra mile for her and her sister.

“Different people from the community were bringing homemade dishes for everyone,” Jewelee said. “I remember people getting groceries, toiletries and everything like that for us as well.”

As news of her situation spread, members of the community provided supplies for the Cortez sisters, including several pieces of furniture for their new home.

“In the first few days when we were staying at Chandler’s, we had air mattresses,” Jewelee said.

“People in the community got two twin mattresses, like really good quality ones. They brought them to [Chandler’s] home and I remember Chandler’s mom said, ‘I really know

only one of those girls [bringing the mattresses]” and there were like six people bringing all these things in.

It is amazing.”

In the end, Jewelee says the kindness of the people around her helped her and her sister overcome the loss they suffered.

“I’m very thankful for everybody that has helped us,” Jewelee said. “I didn’t think this many people would hear about my scenario and would be so kind because of how we were living before. My sister and I have always felt like we were living alone because our whole family is in California. Seeing all the support made me happy [because] these people care. It’s very visible, and it’s genuine. I’m really happy that came following up because I was truly afraid of being alone and stuck.”

For the rest of the story, head online: theeagleangle.com.

Blues brothers

Jazz band students named outstanding soloists at Northlake College Story by | Divya Jagadeesh

“

It felt good. I joined because of a teacher, and I’ve just kept going because of the music. I like the jazz music, and it motivated me to keep getting better.”

— senior Evan Scandrett

Best Guitar

“

I love jazz. I felt accomplished.

It encourages me to keep practicing. I like the people, and I like the music, but the awards are cool, too.

It’s even more reason for me to stay.”

— sophomore Michael Wines

Best Drummer

“

[Jazz Band] comes kind of natural to me. You have more creativity to explore.

I love making up those solos at the top of my head; I love the challenge that comes with it. It’s more expressive.”

— sophomore Blake Savoie

Best Reed

“

I was actually really surprised because I didn’t think I did too well, but I did, and I was really happy with that. To me, the awards gives me more motivation to do better in the future.”

— junior Preston Ford

Best Trumpet

News and Features | 7

Drumroll please

Philip Obado to be Allen High School Director of Bands Story by | Bryn Chambers

D

r. Philip Obado started his position as the new Director of Bands May 15.

Obado was selected for the job after the former Director of Bands Blaine Hinton resigned in January.

“I was elated,” Obado said. “Everybody in the country knows about the Allen band.

You’ve got talent, resources and facilities that are better than any place in the planet.

You couldn’t be anything but excited. Plus, everyone’s so nice.”

On April 20, the Escadrille had the opportunity to welcome Obado to the community at a meet-and-greet held at the AHS Performing Arts Center.

“At the meet and greet, I met some great parents already that are really, really ready to help out, and I’ve learned a lot already.” Obado said. “I know that there’s former directors that I can talk to and people to communicate with, so I feel that there’s a lot of resources available to me to help.”

Obado has worked around the country both in collegiate and public school bands.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College, his master’s at Florida State and then taught in Florida for 12 years. Obado also received his doctorate at Michigan State and accepted a position at Baylor, where he heard the news about the job opening in Allen.

“We probably have a larger range of students than any band around, so for him to have that background, he’s gonna be able to help get us a little bit better education from top to bottom around here,” Associate Band Director Joel May said.

The interview process consisted of three different interview committees and a chance to conduct Symphonic Band IV, followed by an interview with principal Jason Johnston, who called him a few days later with the news.

“It was a very difficult decision

8 | News and Features

because I love my job at Baylor, I love the kids at Baylor, but this is a really amazing opportunity,” Obado said. “The Allen area and the community is a really attractive place to live. My wife and I are really excited about that, and just to be a part of a fixture of what Texas band is all about.”

Obado and May have been in contact recently, creating a new process for band placement in the 2017-2018 year. Band members auditioned to be sorted into concert, symphonic or wind groups. Each level is divided into two equal skill-level groups, blue and white.

“Regardless of what ensemble you’re in, you’re going to be proud of that group, and we’re going to be making music together,” Obado said. “I’m just hoping that the enthusiasm I have right now is going to be something that everyone has.”

In the spring semester, band members will be sorted again into Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphonic I, Symphonic II, Concert I or Concert II. “That sort of competition will make people practice more hopefully,” Obado said. “Not everyone’s gonna do it, but some people will like ‘Oh, I want to get into another band.’”

Previously, the band was sorted in the fall into three skill level groups, Red, Blue and White. The new process was drafted to allow more specialization for students and an opportunity for students to improve in the fall for the re-audition for the spring.

“One of the things that we want to set up, and that aligns with Dr. Johnston’s philosophies of how he sees Allen High School, is that every student can learn and can progress,” May said. “So what we need to do in the band program and what we’re really trying to set up well is [a way] to meet every student’s needs.”

The fall 2017 semester will not be a state UIL year for marching season. With

the spare time, Obado hopes to incorporate a new high school band tradition.

“I know that Allen’s never necessarily done Christmas concerts, and I think that’s something that might be doable,” Obado said. “I think this is the perfect time to see if this is something that we could incorporate.”

Other than that, Obado does not plan on making many changes.

“You know, you’re not going to make everyone happy, especially when there’s some change,” Obado said. “Some of the things like getting on busses, getting into stadiums, and those kind of things kind of work [themselves] out because you guys now how to do that. And I think that obviously if there’s anything worth changing, but to me, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Both directors look forward to the upcoming year.

“I think [Obado’s] passion for public education really made him stand out,” May said. “The views that he has on how we’re going to do teach everybody and what the goals should be I think is really something that is valued already in Allen, and he just kind of fits into that mold.”

Making the grade Allen ISD Superintendent Scott Niven and Head Principal Jason Johnston award Catherine Gregory.

Story by | Alyssa White

O

n April 6, Catherine Gregory was named Allen’s 2017 “Secondary Teacher of the Year,” and listening to her speak of her students makes it obvious as to why.

Going on her 14th year of teaching, and her fourth year teaching in Allen, Gregory is passionate not only about teaching but also conversing with her students on a daily basis. While Gregory found the title unexpected, she says she plans to use it to further connect with her students in the classroom.

“I feel validated; I know I work really hard and I care about my kids, [so] I’m really glad those traits are coming out and people can see that,” Gregory said. “Teaching is a passion of mine, and I’m really glad that’s able to be seen with this award.”

Gregory’s students describe the classroom environment as comfortable for all. Gregory says she celebrated with them after receiving the award.

“They were all surprisingly excited

for me, and came up to me in class saying, ‘Congratulations,’” Gregory said. “It was really sweet.”

While Gregory cracks jokes during her lessons, Gregory says she tries to do the best she can to ensure all her students are on board with the subject.

“

Teaching is a passion of mine, and I’m really glad that’s able to be seen with this award.

-Catherine Gregory

”

“She’s actually really interactive with people, and good at explaining things,” sophomore Harley Tee said. “When [a student] doesn’t know something, she doesn’t leave them stranded.”

Though she has taught different subjects before, Gregory said she is happy

to settle on teaching just one: Geometry.

“When I first started teaching I taught Algebra I. I’ve taught it all really,” Gregory said. “[But] for a while now I’ve been teaching just Geometry, and it’s been nice.

It’s really good to focus on one subject: it allows better preparation for good lessons.”

Gregory offers tutoring before or after school school every day of the week except Fridays. However, Tee says she hardly ever needs to go. “[I’ve only gone to her tutoring] a few times because she does a good job explaining in class,” Tee said. “You’re confident in understanding the work.”

Through all the praise, however, Gregory says she tries to stay humble. She remains amazed when speaking about the award, and says how much it means to be recognized out of the many passionate teachers working in the district. ”I was shocked, I didn’t expect to win,” Gregory said. “It’s a big honor, and I’m really proud, and just surprised.”

News and Features | 9

the

hidden struggle Story by | Sara Schleede and Megan Shankle

H

ardship manifests in different ways.

In Allen, Texas, it doesn’t manifest as a high crime rate or streets filled with decrepit houses.

It’s a student in running club winning his first pair of new shoes in months.

It’s a car, stuffed to the brim with belongings, sitting in the back of the Walmart parking lot for six weeks.

It’s a family trading their five-bedroom house for a one-bed hotel room.

It’s a newly unemployed father swallowing his pride as he walks through the front doors of a food pantry.

While Allen is widely known as a safe and affluent town—it was ranked seventh in the country for “socioeconomic environment” by WalletHub in 2016— families still experience adversity, just as in any other town.

This is the hidden struggle: living below the poverty line in a city where only 6 percent of the population shares the same fate. Growing up in an area that is largely

unaware of the financial peril that permeates throughout the community.

Life below the line

Junior Will* is no stranger to this struggle—he grew up in various low income housing developments in Detroit and Atlanta before moving to Allen halfway through his eighth grade year. While his economic situation has improved, it’s a far cry from Allen’s median income of $102,120.

Despite his former hardships, Will says he had a happy childhood.

“I never really thought of myself as poor,” Will said. “I had lived [like] that my whole life and I figured that was how the whole world was. I never really thought that most houses don’t have boarded-up garages. Most people don’t live in buginfested houses. Most people don’t get their electricity shut off.”

In Allen, the cost of living, while lower than the national average, still ranks above larger cities like Dallas. According to The

* The name of the student interviewed for this story has been changed to protect their identity

10 | News and Features

Samaritan Inn’s Director of Programs Eliska Counce, the going rate for a two-bedroom apartment in the area typically requires a full-time job paying $17.50/hour, nearly two and a half times the current federal minimum wage of $7.25. This can make it impossible for unskilled workers to stay afloat.

“You don’t realize what it takes to live in Collin County,” Counce said.

One apartment complex in Allen— Chaparral Townhomes—participates in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, which gives those earning less than 60 percent of the area’s median income a reduced rent. Though Will hasn’t lived there, he claims the difference between Allen’s affordable housing and developments in poorer cities is astounding, in the quality of housing and in the safety of the area.

“In Allen [low income housing is] a lot nicer and better funded because Allen has a lot of money,” Will said. “There are people in Allen that are struggling. But at the

Photos by | Josh Magpantay

same time, it’s not as bad to be struggling in Allen as it is in other places. Because no matter where you go in Allen, it’s still going to be relatively safe.”

Finding sanctuary

For those who can’t afford any kind of housing or find themselves in a tight spot, there are homeless shelters in the area. In Collin County, the annual homeless census counted 501 people in shelters and living on the streets.

McKinney’s 160-bed homeless shelter, The Samaritan Inn, is currently home to 142 individuals, around 40 of which are children. The Samaritan Inn is a transitional shelter, meaning that all residents must be working, pass drug tests and have a valid ID as well as complete an interview in order to gain entrance.

“A lot of people don’t realize that a lot of the homelessness is single mothers and children,” Counce said. “People are not aware, and people are ashamed. They’re

going to school and going to work, but people don’t know they’re living in their cars or living in a shelter because they’re embarrassed.”

The Samaritan Inn also offers a 20-unit, prorated transitional apartment program for graduates of the shelter. The apartments are completely furnished by volunteers.

As the only homeless shelter in Collin County that is not a domestic violence shelter, The Samaritan Inn is almost always at full capacity. Collin County does not have an emergency homeless shelter, leaving people struggling to pay for hotel rooms or living out of their cars.

“We’re not meeting the needs [of the community] at all because there is no one to handle those emergencies,” Counce said.

Because the Samaritan Inn is turning away nearly 150 people a week due to overcrowding, they are building a new, 220-bed facility that is expected to open in the fall of 2017. In the meantime, homeless individuals are finding refuge in the woods

or parking lots, and organizations such as Allen Community Outreach (ACO) offer resources, but not homes, for those in need.

Offering relief

Perhaps most popularly known for their food pantry and resale shops, ACO provides a myriad services to help indigent families and individuals. Clients can make appointments or walk in to meet with Director of Client Assistance Janet Smith, who can offer guidance regarding rent and mortgages, prescriptions, utilities or ESL classes, among other things, depending on the given situation.

“We try to assess them as a whole and not just deal with what they’re coming in for,” Smith said.

Although the resources to get back on track are plentiful, poverty tends to take a psychological toll on those who experience it. The National Coalition for the Homeless cites mental illness as the third largest cause of homelessness, with up to 25 percent of

News and Features | 11

Graphic by | Josh Magpantay 0 percent The map above depicts regions of Allen according to the percent of residents living below the poverty line. A family of four earning an annual income of under $24,250 falls under the poverty line, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

13.5 percent homeless people suffering from some type of mental illness.

“We find quite a few of our clients are beat down physically or emotionally, and you have to help them regain their confidence and let them know that this can just be a temporary situation and that with more work and dedication, [they] can be on the giving side again,” Smith said.

Clients in Allen aren’t necessarily those who grew up impoverished. Frequently, they are divorcées or professionals who used to make six figure salaries but have been forced to quit due to illness. They are community members who used to give to ACO but now need to receive.

While Smith considers Allen to be a “very giving community,” she stresses the importance of offering time and presence when giving back, rather than just material goods, as well as not making assumptions about how to best serve someone else.

“Listening is very important because that works, and it allows us to address not only what they’re asking for, but [also] we can get to learn what they truly need and how to best help them,” Smith said.

Aid in schools

The community offers support starting in the early stages of childhood; care coordinators gather resources for students

12 | News and Features

at Boyd and Rountree, two elementary schools sitting in neighborhoods with Allen’s highest concentrations of families below the poverty line. (See graphic for more information).

Beth Bentley, Rountree’s care coordinator, has centered her career around a passion for community work. Throughout her several jobs—she once tutored inner city kids and was the director of a nearby housing authority before taking her current position—she says she has recognized a common thread.

“I’ve found that when people have the resources that they need, they tend to be able to move on and do the things that they need to do without too many hiccups along the way,” Bentley said.

In the case of elementary school-aged children, the smallest things can allow them to move on and flourish: a new backpack, sneakers or even just a smile from a trusted adult. According to Bentley, positive relationships can ease any hardship.

“I believe in forming relationships with people, and once you have the relationship established and there’s a trust factor, all of the other stuff is kind of easy, even if it is traumatic,” Bentley said.

Rountree and Boyd Elementary are the only schools in the district that receive Title 1 funds, which are set in place by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide financial assistance for schools with high percentages of students from lowincome families to meet their educational needs. Bentley coordinates grants that give resources such as coats, shoes or school supplies.

Oftentimes, incentives are built in so that kids can earn what they need. These incentives are put in place to alleviate the stigma that those in need are simply receiving hand-outs, Bentley says. Even if someone has less than another, she says that Rountree and Allen ensure “that everyone can live together harmoniously.”

“If you go in our cafeteria on any given day, you cannot walk in there and see who has what,” Bentley said. “You just don’t

by the numbers Compiled by | Sara Schleede

know. It’s very much a good blend.”

To preserve that anonymity and sense of sameness, cash is not used in Allen cafeterias. PIN numbers (at elementary schools) and ID cards (at middle schools and the high school) prevent students from knowing how much a student is or isn’t paying for their meal.

The Allen ISD Free and Reduced Price Meal program allows students whose family income falls below a certain eligibility guideline to eat a balanced meal at school.

Other recipients include children of families who collect benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), as well as homeless students.

“We are a very privileged group of folks with very small pockets of people who are having a tough time.”

- Dorothy Thompson Reduced price breakfast costs $0.30, while lunch is $0.40. “[The program provides] a meal and choices of food that kids may not be exposed to at home, because all of our meals have to have certain nutritional components as well as fulfill a certain criteria for variety,” Director of Student Nutrition Dorothy Thompson said.

Promoting unity

Administrators are constantly looking for ways to offer more variety to students, as well as to reduce the shame associated with needing assistance. At Boyd, a graband-go breakfast cart has been implemented outside the cafeteria so students cannot be identified as participants in Free and Reduced Price Meals by the fact that they eat breakfast.

Thompson says she believes that

implementations such as these help fight stigma and limit divisions between the prosperous majority and struggling minority.

“We are a very privileged group of folks with very small pockets of people who are having a tough time,” Thompson said. “So it’s pretty easy to know where the folks are that don’t have much. It’s just a matter of targeting those areas where those folks are.”

Michele Fesenbek, counselor at Rountree Elementary, regularly communicates with parents to ensure a positive educational environment for the students. The issues she addresses can range from arguments among peers to divorce to homelessness, but she says that financial problems at home only come up in situations where it will affect the child directly.

“I don’t think kids really know,” Fesenbek said. “There are some that probably do, but I don’t think that’s the norm. I think parents do what they can to provide their kids with what they need or want, and the kids don’t realize that it’s a struggle for their parent.”

No matter the level of affluence at a school, Fesenbek emphasizes the widespread importance of coping skills, conflict resolution and stress management for all children. Counce echoes a similar sentiment: poverty is not malicious, and anyone can fall victim to it.

“Poverty to a lot of people in Collin County is a moral issue,” Counce said. “That if you are poor or sick or have problems, you’re a bad person. You did something to cause that.”

In truth, 60 percent of Americans will experience poverty at some point in their life, according to Time Magazine.

The struggles may be hidden, but they are widespread, and often due to no fault of the person.

“People are people, and everybody needs to be developed from their heart,” Bentley said. “If you a strip a person down to nothing materially, there is still something intrinsically of great worth and value in that person.”

113,063 homeless children in Texas 1.26 M homeless children in the U.S. According to the Star Telegram for the 2014-2015 school year

21.1 percent of Texas residents below poverty level 13.5 percent of U.S. residents below poverty level According to city-data.com and the U.S. Census Bureau for 2015

$5.8 M for homeless children’s education in Texas $65 M for homeless children’s education in the U.S. According to the Legislative Budget Board Staff and Department of Education Budget Summary for 2015

3.1 M daily participants in National School Lunch Programs in Texas 30.3 M daily participants in National School Lunch Programs in the U.S. According to the Texas and United States Department of Agriculture for the 2014-2015 school year

Springing into gear

Football team prepares for 2017 season Story by | Parker Primrose

Photo by | Jackson Stone

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oming off a perfect 10-0 regular season and a trip to the semi-final round of the playoffs, all while under the direction of a new head coach, most teams would feel like their season was a smashing success.

But for the Allen Eagle football team, their recent success has only pushed them to work harder this spring as they prepare for next season.

“Last season went well, but obviously we came up short,” junior linebacker Jace Waters said. “Being an Allen Eagle, just making it to the semis isn’t good enough.

You’re expected to make it to state every year.”

Head coach Terry Gambill was hired last February to replace former Allen head coach of 12 years and four time state champion Tom Westerberg, and along with him he brought a new coaching style and offensive system. “[Coach Gambill’s] trying to make us better men before football players, so I really like him,” sophomore wide receiver Theo Wease said. “We transitioned very well as a team. Even though we came up short in the end, we still bonded.”

“Being an Allen Eagle, just making it to the semis isn’t good enough. You’re expected to make it to state every year.”

-junior Jace Waters In the first year of Gambill’s system, the Eagle offense put up an average of 42 points and 402.2 total yards per game while led by senior quarterback Mitchell Jonke.

As Jonke moves on to Brown University, the expected starting quarterback for the Eagles next season is sophomore Grant Tisdale. In limited action last season, Tisdale threw for 522 yards and six touchdowns.

“I got to sit behind and learn from somebody that’s played the position for two years, has been through the hardships, been through the easy stuff,” Tisdale said. “It was good to see what it was like to just play and just witness what’s going on during games.”

14 | Sports

Junior quarterback Grant Tisdale evades an oncoming pass rusher in a 45-10 win over Evangel Christian High School on Sept. 2.

Although Allen has a history of highcaliber quarterback play, from four-star quarterback Alec Morris to Gatorade Player of the Year Kyler Murray, Gambill stressed the importance of remembering that football is a team sport and success is dependent on more than one player.

“Whether it’s quarterback or any position, you can’t look at it like ‘okay, I’m out here by myself.’ There’s 11 football players on the field,” Gambill said. “For all of us, whether it’s offense or defense, whether it’s the quarterback or whether it’s the mike linebacker, the most important thing is for you to do your job. So if we all do our jobs, then we’re going to be very successful as a team. You can’t look at it like ‘okay, I’ve got to go win the game, I’ve got to go do this.’ No, you’ve got to do your job and you’ve got to do it well.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles are coming off of a season in which they allowed just 16.3 points and 303 total yards per game. Despite the upcoming graduation of key contributors like senior linebacker James Tupou and senior defensive lineman Cole Maxwell, the core of the defense still remains in the presence of juniors like linebacker Jace Waters and defensive back Jevon Jones.

“It’s going to be tough without [Tupou and Maxwell], but I have confidence in the players that are next up,” Jones said.

“That’s the good thing about Allen, there’s always the next man up.”

With the season’s opening game against Cedar Hill still about four months away, the identity of this year’s football team is still yet to be determined. However, the goal of the team is crystal clear. As Wease put it: “I see a state championship this year.”

Allen’s top returning offensive cast QB Grant Tisdale:

522 passing yards 185 rushing yard 9 total touchdowns

RB Brock Sturges

1,138 rushing yards 172 receiving yards 16 total touchdowns

WR Carson Schleker

51 receptions 855 receiving yards 8 receiving touchdowns WR Theo Wease

35 receptions 421 receiving yards 8 receiving touchdowns

Striking success

Lady Eagles wrap up 2017 season Story by | Brandon Barton

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he Allen Eagle girls soccer team finished second in District 6-6A, finishing the regular season 12-2-8. Their season ended in a 3-2 loss to Flower Mound Marcus in the UIL Regional Quarterfinal on April 2 at Standridge Stadium in Carrollton.

The Eagles lost seven senior starters this season due to graduation, along with a few other players who switched to club soccer.

This left the Eagles with a very young team, lacking leadership and experience.

“The majority of the team are underclassmen, and with this being their first year on varsity, sometimes the nerves got the best of us,” senior goalkeeper Haley Jackson said. “But once the nerves got out of their system, the only struggle we had was making sure we put all of our opportunities in the back of the net.”

The girls also had a fair amount of injuries before and during the season.

During the season, sophomore Laurel Landry was out for the season due to an ACL injury, junior Kameryn Chambers was sidelined for three weeks with a concussion and several girls missed games with minor injuries and illnesses.

One of the most crucial injuries the team encountered was Haley. Within 20 minutes of the team’s first scrimmage, Haley broke her forearm.

“When I first got my injury, it was

difficult to do anything due to being in a cast,” Haley said. “My friends and my family had to help me with day-to-day activities such as driving, showering and writing my homework down for me. Now after several months of rehab, I am just now starting to get back into the swing of things.”

Haley was out all season except for five minutes on senior night. While Haley was in, she scored the only goal in the game, which secured the team a spot in the playoffs.

“Based off of this year, I am very confident that the team will do great next year.”

-senior Haley Jackson “When I scored on senior night, a rush of emotions just overwhelmed me,” Haley said. “I was happy that I finally got to contribute to the team.”

Although the Eagles were unlucky with injuries, it gave an opportunity to younger players to demonstrate their talents along with gaining experience for the future.

One athlete who stepped up this season

Senior Astrid Souto kicks the ball down field in a 2-1 loss to Plano on Jan. 1.

was junior Ally Jackson. Ally started the year on defense, but was later transitioned to offense in hopes of finding a dominant scorer. She led the team in goals throughout the regular season and playoffs with 13.

“Last season I was just another voice,” Ally said. “This season I was the voice that everyone looked up to.”

The Eagles’ offense averaged 1.4 goals per game, tying for 4th in 6-6A. Most of the team’s success this season came from the defense. On average, the Eagles allowed 0.6 goals per game, which led District 6-6A. “We only played three at the back, whereas most teams went with four,” Head Coach Kevin Albury said. “I switched my main defender, Ally Jackson, to midfield to generate goals, while [senior] Astrid Souto was the anchor of a defense that consisted of mostly sophomores. The defense kept us in the games and the goalies came up with big saves.”

With the absence of Haley at goalie, Albury decided to run with a two goalie system consisting of junior Megan Russell and sophomore Jennifer Peters.

“It was hard at the beginning because I didn’t practice with them previously and I had to get used to the way they played,” Peters said.

As the season progressed, the players new to varsity began adapting to the game.

“At the beginning of the season we had a lot of new sophomores join the team, so we didn’t really know how to play together,” Russell said. “Throughout the season and after a few practices, we all learned each other’s strengths and actually looked like a team on the field.”

The three losses throughout the regular season and playoffs were all against teams that were in the top two teams in their division.

The Eagles finished the playoffs with a record of 2-1-0.

“Based off of this year, I am very confident that the team will do great next year,” Haley said. “Only five [players] are leaving, so I think they should be okay.”

The Eagles likely look to improve their offense next season. According to Coach Albury, the team will accomplish this by “taking more shots and playing faster both with and without the ball.”

Photo by | Sarah Stevens

Sports | 15

Signing day celebration

Photos by | Francis Salazar, Christine Odwesso, Alyssa White and Gabby Perez

Stephanie Godsave and Maggie Osbourne pose with a fellow adviser after choosing their future colleges.

College and career staff members Cherie Shafer, Chanteau White, and Mary Beth Sunderhaus celebrate their own college pride.

Amber Park poses with Joseph Kim, Hannah Kim, Nathan Kim, and Samuel Choi after signing to play golf for Texas A&M University.

16 | Photo Essay

Ashton Esparza with her family after committing to play softball for Wichita State.

Jennifer Martin (LeTourneau) and Cameron Nguyen (LA Tech) sign with their respective schools to play soccer.

Hannah Shockey signs to Alderson Broaddus University to play softball.

Astrid Souto signs to Texas Christian University to play soccer.

Avery Gauthier signs to play football at Hendrix College.

Natalie Fry signs to Drake University to play volleyball.

Ronnie Taylor commits to Wichita State to play baseball.

Photo Essay | 17

Staff Editorial: Editorial Board Calls for Allen emergency homeless shelter

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any are lucky enough to not know what it’s like to face a setting sun with nowhere to go. To be alone, with next to nothing and no one to turn to. Sadly, this is reality for people in every state and every city, even in a city as superficially perfect as Allen. In order to provide security for those struggling in the Allen community, the editorial board believes the city of Allen should establish an emergency shelter for the homeless.

People of all ages can need a temporary place to stay for a variety of reasons: economic difficulties, spousal conflict, family conflict, safety concerns–the list is long and often deeply personal.

Often, when an emergency situation arises, people in need are able to rent a hotel room or stay with relatives or friends.

However, financial difficulties can make renting a room challenging, and nearly every hotel in the U.S. has an age restriction for room rentals. Guests usually must be 18

and older to rent a room. Also, isolation is a common effect of abusive relationships, romantic or familial; staying at a hotel or in someone’s spare room is often not a possibility.

The nearest homeless shelter that provides emergency service is the City House in Plano. It is located about seven miles from Allen and only provides emergency shelter for those under 18 years of age. Other homeless shelters such as the Samaritan Inn, located in McKinney offer housing only after certain qualifications are met and an interview is conducted. While programs such as the Samaritan Inn can be helpful for homeless individuals and families long term, they do not provide immediate aid. Other emergency shelters, such as the Austin Street Shelter and Shared Housing are miles away in Dallas.

If someone is in need of aid, there are limited places to receive it, and it is quite possible those who are in need of aid will

artists of allen josh nichols Compiled by | Tate Peterson

“

Music and art is in my blood, in my family, and has always and will be apart of me.

Josh Nichols

18 | Commentary

”

not have access to transportation to go to the available shelters. There is currently no bus or other public form of transportation in Allen, and taxi-related services are not feasible due to economic restraints.

Without an emergency homeless shelter in Allen, citizens can and will be left without a safe place to sleep. They will be forced to spend one night or several in conditions that are dangerous for them and their families, or they will be forced to return to an equally dangerous home.

Although this issue is not as common in Collin County as it is in other areas of Texas, there are still those who have the potential to suffer due to a lack of preparation and awareness of this issue. Allen, and all cities in Collin County, should provide an emergency shelter service to those in need.

With this resource and others, many people will be able to return the life they’ve lost, or begin a new one entirely.

r

Life always gives second chances Column by | Caroline Tucker

W

hen we are transitioning from middle school to the beginning of high school, students go from “be whatever you want to be!” to “you have an option of five choices.” I don’t know about the rest of the world, but as an eighth grader, I had no life experience, but I was being asked to decide my life path.

Throughout high school, students change their minds, find their own opinions and discover the subjects that inspire them the most, so why are we being forced down a path that keeps us in one section our entire high school career? Yes, our school system says that we can change our minds and we will be alright, but if we do that, we may have to obtain new credits, like more maths for the STEM endorsement, in order to graduate. That’s a lot of pressure for an eighth-grader.

Endorsements don’t only limit us into a single branch in school, but we are taking tests, like the career decider in Naviance, to tell us what we will excel in most. Instead of looking for the experience myself, I am told by a machine what I need to do with my life. Even more so, the government regulates public schools, which then leads

to schools giving a small handful of options for careers, like doctors or lawyers, instead of promoting professions like custodial services. Our government system imposes on public schools what it thinks will benefit the country the most out of the wide range of options.

From the beginning, we are influenced toward what other people want from us, but there is still hope. Instead of requiring specific essentials from endorsements in order to graduate, credits can be given based off of fundamental skills that are needed for our futures. For example, all students need to learn math and how to write, but instead of keeping a student in the arts and humanities endorsement from taking a class in the STEM department, loosen up on what they have to complete in their department so that their schedule can open up to new opportunities.

Yes, endorsements do provide a way for us to get involved in the areas that we think we’re going to spend the rest of our lives in, but according to National Center for Education Statistics, 80 percent of people will change their study of choice in college, so what is the point of containing

students in one specific path? I may not know what to do with the rest of my life, but students should be given the chance to discover their passion. Slowly but surely, the choice of what we want to grow up to be is disappearing for younger generations.

It seems like the government is the one teaching the students, not the teachers. The people in charge of our education boards do not have the experience of being an artist, anchoring for a news show or saving a baby’s life, and there is nothing wrong with that, but I do not want the United States government controlling what I learn based on what they think is needed for a certain profession.

Instead of having high school students who feel like they work best in art, business or any other certain category choose a career path, let’s encourage the fundamental skills for all areas. Suggest classes for a career that students are interested in, don’t force life decisions on an eighth grader. At one point or another, we find our passion and we want to embrace it, and instead of an inanimate object telling middle schoolers what to do with their lives, let students enjoy the experience of living.

Josh Nichols’ rendition of Marilyn Monroe

Josh Nichols’ rendition of the characters of Robin Williams in his roles in Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin, Flubber and Jumanji Josh Nichols’ drawing of bare trees

Commentary | 19

SUMMER LINEUP

A compilation of the hottest season’s best music and movies List by | Julia Zaksek Graphics by | Sara Schleede List by | Francis Salazar

THE DARK TOWER Fans have demanded an onscreen adaptation of Stephen King’s most popular and arguably most important series for years. Finally, Idris Elba stars as the Gunslinger, a lonely man on a quest in an apocalyptic version of our world. The first of what promises to be eight movies, “The Gunslinger” will hopefully begin an engrossing cinematic universe this summer.

Despicable Me 3 Everyone has now grown weary of the babbling and bright yellow minions in every “Despicable Me” film. However, the next installment in the series promises an 80s style soundtrack and supervillain, solid voice acting and a lack of goggle-wearing creatures.

Spider-man: homecoming Continuing the awkward escapades of the freshly rebooted SpiderMan (Tom Holland), “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is one of the most anticipated movies of this summer. The only Marvel movie coming out this summer, the film will feature a first-time mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a cameo by Stan Lee and a treasure trove of Marvel Cinematic Universe easter eggs.

Melodrama Lorde recently stepped back into the limelight with the release of “Green Light,” which will be featured on the album, “Melodrama.” The musician went on a four year hiatus, but came back strong. Eleven tracks are included on the album such as “Green Light” and “Liability.”

Relaxer English indie rock band, Alt-J will be releasing their third album, “Relaxer,” this June. The album will have eight songs, two of which they’ve already released: “In Cold Blood” and “3WW.” While these two songs are different in sound and presentation from their most well known song, “Breezeblocks,” the songs promise something new but still keep the same sound that fans love.

Heart Break The band Lady Antebellum is back after a three year hiatus with their sixth album, “Heart Break.” They’ve already released the song “You Look Good” from that album. The tracklist has been released for “Heart Break” and the album shares its name with one of the songs set to be on the album, “Heart Break.”

Sequel falls flat

‘Guardians of the Galaxy 2’ review Review by | Megan Shankle

I,

like the rest of the American public, was enamored with the first “Guardians of the Galaxy” movie, released in the summer of 2014 to wide critical acclaim. I keep “Awesome Mix Vol. 1” in the glovebox of my car and have a Star Lord bobblehead on my bookshelf. So naturally, I slid into my seat on May 4 apprehensive yet excited, my souvenir baby Groot cup in hand.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” opens with a taste of Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt’s) origins: his parents, driving down a winding country road in a convertible with “Lake Shore Drive” blaring in the background.

It’s a fitting entrance for a sequel that ends up focusing on Peter’s backstory more than anything else. A few months after the events of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the team—comprised of Quill, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and baby Groot (played by Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, respectively)—is still fighting together, this time to protect valuable batteries for an alien race called the Sovereign in exchange for the release of

B-

Gamora’s imprisoned sister, Nebula (Karen Gillan). When Rocket steals some of the batteries, the Sovereign make chase and the Guardians are fugitives once again.

The good: “Awesome Mix Vol. 2” is just as nostalgic and comprehensive as “Vol. 1,” and the timing of music during crucial scenes is breathtaking.

While the comedy can be heavyhanded, it’s certainly effective. A particular scene involving Groot and Yondu’s fin had me in tears from laughing so hard, and, judging from the guffaws around me, the rest of the audience as well.

The bad: in the wake of the hilarity and familial bonding, the plot gets lost. There’s a continuity missing that takes away from the depth, and pacing issues that leave a bad taste in my mouth—every scene lasts a minute or two too long, and it shows in the awkward transitions and clichéd dialogue.

The script, while hilarious, just isn’t as genuine as its predecessor and has no connection to the overarching plot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe besides

Dazzling debut

‘Harry Styles’ review Review by | Felix Kalvesmaki

I

’ll be honest. I wasn’t incredibly impressed with a lot of One Direction’s solo efforts.

I’ve never been particularly amazed with Niall Horan’s or Louis Tomlinson’s music.

I even wrote about how underwhelming Zayn Malik’s debut was last year. But “Harry Styles”? It’s fantastic. Styles’ first album is brimming with soul, honesty and

creativity, and I couldn’t be more satisfied.

The self-titled debut has a classic rock edge that I’ve been feeling ever since “Sign of the Times” hit streaming services. Enchanting guitar chords and thunderstorm drums drew me into a trance.

After hearing the first single, I anxiously awaited more. And I wasn’t disappointed with the different sounds this album explores. Yes, the electric guitar bangers are plentiful, but some of my favorites are the slower cuts. Then, of course, there’s the sparsely-instrumented, wistful “Ever Since New York.” Overflowing with Beatles inspiration, the fast tempo is complemented with uplifting guitar strums and punctuated with an eerie undertone.

“Carolina” is easily my favorite on the record. This song has an Aerosmith vibe. It sounds like it’d play as a gruff, surly main character walked into a dimly-lit bar and asked for whiskey, before getting into a bar

Gamora’s past with Thanos.

In comparison to the first movie, “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2” just doesn’t live up to its own standards. But after the five (yes, five) post-credit scenes, the words “The Guardians of the Galaxy will return” flashed across the screen in traditional Marvel fashion—so better luck next time, James Gunn.

Afight. The harmonies, however, change the vibe a little. There’s a Woodstock-y feel that only escalates as the song starts to “Lalala” before the final chorus. Styles lets his voice shine on this track too, with soaring riffs brimming with energy.

Admittedly, this record does have its flaws. The lyricism is a little difficult to understand sometimes. “Sign of the Times” is still absolutely indiscernible to me, and I’m not sure if it’s just cryptic like an inside joke, or some sort of Illuminati subliminal messaging. However, tracks like “Two Ghosts” and “Carolina” give the album a little hope.

Overall, “Harry Styles” has a gripping charisma that lasts throughout the album’s slow tracks and fast, the high points and the lows. Although sometimes lyrical signals gets crossed, Styles does assert one thing very clearly on this record: his solo career is here to stay.

Commentary | 21

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