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op Po P u rr ee u ll tt u Cu C
Many of the original justifications for adopting the Electoral College have become irrelevant.” P3. Freshmen bond out west
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It’s back: Our questions, your voices.
P9. “Does your vote count?”
P18. Student develops app
P21. Pop Culture Chart
THE KINKAID FALCON
P23. Fall sports update
Sept. 30, 2016 Volume 70, Issue 1
The Kinkaid School | 201 Kinkaid School Drive, Houston, TX 77024 | student.publications@kinkaid.org | http://thefalcon.kinkaid.org |
News .......................................2 Arts & Culture ....................4 Forum ....................................6 Features...............................10 Entertainment .................20 Sports ..................................22
@thekinkaidfalcon
Rivalry renewed: programs battle for city dominance Falcons take on Episcopal in first rematch after SPC Championship BY COLIN CONWAY & WILLIAM SCOTT
At seven o’clock tonight when the annual Kinkaid-Episcopal rivalry game kicks off, a rematch that has been 329 days in the making will commence. One year ago, Kinkaid shocked Episcopal in a 31-27 upset victory in the 2015 SPC Championship, capping off a magical season for the Falcons. The Knights were not only 9-1 in the season last year going into SPC, but they had dominated Kinkaid in each of their three prior matchups. The Falcons parlayed their best performance of the season into a reversal of the trend. Johnathon Thomas (11) rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns while Hayden Rome (11) executed three onside kicks to lead the Falcons to the coveted SPC title.
The three previous Episcopal victories included the devastating 2014 SPC Championship, where the Knights soundly beat the Falcons by 44-20. Since 2013—when the current seniors were freshmen—the two teams have battled it out five times, with Falcons taking home two contests to the Knights’ three. Pride is definitely involved: The programs have met twice in the SPC Championship, each walking away with one win since 2013. (Kinkaid also took home the trophy in 2013, in a game against St. Mark’s.) Both schools have seen great success the past three and a half seasons in terms of wins-versus-games-played ratios. Continued on Page 22
Olivia’s little pink backpack
Senior starts foundation for donating to children in times of crisis BY FARAZ VIRANI “It was a ghost town.” The city usually filled with noise and people was empty—spiritless. Instead of the loud jazz music that engulfs the city on any other night, the brass instruments that bring the city to life were scattered on the ground around every block. The city usually runs on the sound, but on this night, it was the deafening sound of silence that enveloped every corridor. This intense silence is what stunned Olivia Hart (12). This wasn’t her home. What she saw couldn’t possibly have been the same New Orleans, where all the most cherished memories from her childhood took place.
With nearly 150,000 homes left in shambles and 10,000 Louisianians displaced, the Red Cross referred to the August floods in New Orleans as “the worst US natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy,” which took place in 2012. “There was just enormous piles of stuff around the city,” Hart said. Sinking cars, submerged buildings and homes, and the sound of horses gasping for every breath took over the city. But for Hart, this isn’t the first time she has seen her beloved city in shambles. Continued on Page 11
Johnathon Thomas (11) bulldozes his way to the endzone to put the Falcons up 13-7 in the second quarter of the 2015 SPC Championship. Photo by David Shutts.
Debate Update
Top 32 Ranking of the policy team comprised of seniors Sabrina Bajwa and Sam Richey.
15th
Place Bajwa received overall out of 224 individal speakers.
16th
Place Jason Yang (12) received overall out of 106 individual speakers.
2nd
Place Shreya Mehta (9) received in the novice Lincoln-Douglas debate.
Alumni return to talk show biz BY ANNA LEON-AMTMANN On Monday, Sept. 26, students were introduced to two alumni who make their living in the entertainment industry. In a conversation onstage in the Brown, moderated by Christopher Carothers, Jeff Martin (Class of ‘78) and Eric Ladin (Class of ‘97) talked about their careers as a writer and actor, respectively. Martin and Ladin were this year’s AJ Carothers Visiting Artists. Martin has had success as a writer for The Simpsons and the David Letterman show, for which he received four Emmy Awards. Ladin has had roles on Boardwalk Empire, The Killing, even a small role in American Sniper. The assembly began with Martin and Ladin acting out a skit that they had written for their visit to Kinkaid. The skit satirized the relationship
between writers and actors, poking fun at how the relationship changes once the actor is given the role. They reminisced onstage, sharing memorable moments at Kinkaid and how the school helped them discover their future paths. Students were shown brief clips from their body of work. Students could join Ladin and Martin in the Amphitheatre during Period D. In the smaller setting, they talked about the importance of receiving a good education and pursuing a career that you’re really passionate about. They shared their tough times in an industry where so much controversy occurs but also stressed how important it is to value people’s opinions, even when you don’t agree with them. Ladin shared how crucial it is to take classes out of one’s comfort zone and classes outside of the university, while Martin described how valuable creating connections can be, because you never know when those can come in handy.
NEWS
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Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
NEWS IN BRIEF
New Dining and Learning Center proves popular BY ARMAN BADREI While the new Dining and Learning Center was being built, students were forced to eat lunch in the lobby of the Brown Auditorium. However, the new dining center was definitely worth the wait. When school started on Aug. 22, the Dining Center was open for business. New additions include a salad bar, a five-days-a-week pizza station, new types of sodas, a Starbucks-esque barista counter, and a whole new level of both delicious and healthy options. The Dining Center also offers three entrances; one in the front and two facing the Upper School. Combined with three new checkout lines in the Pappas Market, the entrances and lines speed up the flow of traffic and cut down the time students spend waiting in line for food. Another improvement to the design is added tables
and seating, increasing the capacity of the cafeteria. Students and faculty can sit at bar-style counter tables, communal benches, or booths. On the second floor of the new building is the new Learning Center. This modern, open area is filled with classrooms and maker space workshops for Middle School classes and extracurriculars such as robotics. It also features a variety of seating nooks, with bean bag chairs and dry-erase walls. In the opening weeks of school, students scribbled what they loved about the new space on the walls, and after MS Parents’ Night, they came back to school to see their parents had written motivating messages on the walls. The Learning Center is currently off limits for Upper School students, but it’s a preview of what a future US building could be.
Left: Students are able to get their meals much more quickly in the new Pappas Market. Bottom Left: The new addition is a two-story building, with the Dining Center on the first floor, and a Learning Space for Middle School on the second. Center: Sophomores dine in a new booth; the Dining Center now features at least four different types of seating, including tall bar-tables and benches. Right: William Ison (12) grabs one of the new to-go containers made out of compostable material. (Photos by Ashley Pakzaban)
Governing Council forms committees, seeks increased student participation BY MARLEY ORANGE & STERLING ELIAS
Wellness Committee Led by Ashley Deutser
The Governing Council wants to hear more of the students’ voices, so this year, there have been major changes. The Governing Council is trying to hear what the students have to say through the formation of new committees, which also replaces the two-year-old Advisory Representatives program.
Student Affairs Committee Led by Rahul Popat Events Committee Led by Will McLeroy
The Coordinator of Student Life, Ms. Jennifer Kehler, said, “Students were always welcomed to the meetings, but they wouldn’t come, and they didn’t know how to voice their opinions.� This idea was first conceived by Governing Council President Rob Lahourcade (12) and Ms. Kehler last spring, and the details were finalized during the Governing Council retreat.
Convocation launches “I Will� campaign, focus on responsibility
Data
BY KATHERINE BERMAN & MAC FRIDAY Rhyming in Hamiltonian style, Mr. Byron Williams addressed all three divisions of the Kinkaid students and faculty at the second annual Kinkaid convocation on Friday, Aug. 26. Declaring that he will “not give up [his] shot,� the Middle School history teacher stressed the importance of this year’s theme: responsibility. He was the penultimate speaker, followed by Dr. Ed Trusty and preceeded by students Austin
Karkowsky (12), Michelle Sekili (8), and Jack Smith (4). These five speakers all emphasized the importance of being responsible in the classroom, on the stage and the field, and at home. This year, instead of Eagle feathers, students received buttons and wristbands to promote Dr. Trusty’s “I willl be responsible� campaign. These items can be found on students’ backpacks, shirts, wrists, and elsewhere in the school.
The Roundup Stellar students in community service Each month, students on the Community Service Council nominate “Volunteers of the Month�—students whose acts of service inspired others around them. Here are the first four Volunteers of the Month.
25,752
number of plastic bottles saved in the library water fountain
250/week
number of compostable take-out boxes sold (25 cents/box)
Welch’s Fruit Snacks
most popular item sold in the School Store
William Miner (11) “William volunteered at the WIGWAM summer event with Easter Seals. He created an enjoyable environment not only for him and his buddy, but for everyone else at WIGWAM. His buddy had trouble finding words, but William was able to interpret his concerns, bringing the biggest smile to this young man’s face. While William was only assigned one buddy, he made it his mission to make everyone’s day better.�
There are three committees: Wellness, led by Ashley Deutser (12), is focused on improving and solving issues related to the well-being of students, including stress and workload balance, Student Affairs, led by Rahul Popat (12), was created to gather an approachable group of people that all students can go to with issues or problems, and Events, led by Will McLeroy (12), hopes to plan and execute
events like the SPC send-off, Donut Delight, Field Day, Electric Lunch, and others. Committees meet on Wednesdays at lunch. Unlike Governing Council meetings, these are not weekly—making it a lower time commitment for students who want to get involved but already have loaded schedules. Students sent in an application for committees they were interested in.
Overheard in assembly So. This one time. I was on a boat. In the Caribbean. And I came across a sailboat without a sail. Rob Lahourcade, Governing Council President, kicking off assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 8. The moral of his story: “Go with the flow.�
As of 9/29/2016
Caroline Kunetka (10) “Caroline’s efficiency and kindness was impressive during the Easter Seals summer WIGWAM. While most volunteers had one buddy from Easter Seals, she had two, yet never fell behind during the various activities. She remained on task and friendly, always chatting with her partners.�
Mikela McCauley (10) “During the Brookwood event, Mikela did an amazing job of staying positive and encouraging. Even though she got to the event early, she went right in and got started with the activity before everyone else arrived. Her positive energy was simply infectious, making a big and beneficial impact on the Brookwood visit.�
Lily Gunn (10) “Lily was able to keep her buddy interested and engaged throughout the WIGWAM this summer. Her buddy loved to act out celebrities, and Lily played the part with her buddy and put a smile on her face. It was so amazing to see the connection that Lily and her buddy made in such a short time.�
NEWS
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Snapshots around School 1 Dr. Trusty introduces “responsibility” as the core value of the year by talking about the “bystander effect”.” He then asked, “I’m asking you to join me in the ‘I Will’ campaign. I will not assume that someone else do it. Will you join me?” The school-wide Convocation took place on Friday, Aug 26. Photo by David Shutts.
2 Kinkaid students and family gather at St. Thomas on Aug. 26 for the friday night football game. Photo by Anna Reckling.
3 On Sunday, Sept. 11, freshman girls finally met their senior “big sisters” in the Student Center. They planned costumes for Wacky Dress Day, decorated cookies, played Heads Up, Charades, and Apples to Apples. Photo by Marie Parra.
4 Maggie Johnston (9), Olivia Hart (12), Lauren Hankamer (9), Ellee Dukes (12), Daniela Parada Sanchez (12), Megan Frankel (9) renancted the jumping photo from High School Musical on Wacky Dress Day, which took place Friday, Sept. 23.
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5 Seniors Saskia Veldkamp and Whitney Burke broke out the measuring tape at the Bocce Ball Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 17.
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6 Students in English, Film, and Photography had a Q&A with Jeff Martin (Class of ‘78) and Eric Ladin (Class of ‘97) in the amphitheatre on Sept. 26. Photo by Anna Leon-Amtmann.
Freshman Retreat BY MADI BABINE 156 freshmen, 22 teachers, and 34 peer mentors loaded onto the four buses departing for Pine Cove in Tyler, Texas on Saturday morning, Aug. 27. This was the first year the Freshman Retreat was held at Pine Cove. “It was a better location because everything was [closer] together than Forest Glen, where we used to go,” Sarah Fullenweider (12) said. The Freshman Retreat has been an annual event for about 20 years. It is planned and run by the senior Peer Mentors to welcome the new students and bond the entire class. This year, the freshmen had a lot of free time to participate in different activities like swimming, zip lining, playing basketball, and more. During the day, they spent most of their time in their advisories playing icebreakers and logic games run by the Peer Mentor leaders. The third day of the retreat was a favorite for the Peer Mentors. “[My favorite memory was] the girls’ talk. I thought that went really well, and [the Peer Mentors] were super nervous leading up to it. It
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3 was a pleasant surprise to see everyone asking questions, and I think the girls really enjoyed it,” Fullenweider said. In the past, the last day is when the freshmen girls and boys split up with their Peer Mentors. The girl talk is when the freshmen girls and girl Peer Mentors come together and the freshmen can ask whatever questions they want. After, the girls have a huge dance party, and they drum out to old tunes. While the girls were asking their Peer Mentors questions, the boys were spending time with their Peer Mentors, asking questions they were curious about. Nicholas Dillon (9) said, “I think the girls had more fun because we all could hear [them] singing in the small room and laughing.” The Freshman Retreat ended with a bang and the students and faculty loaded the buses and took their 90 minute drive back to Kinkaid. Top: Priscilla Mach, Sapphire Thompson, and Sarah Stephens line up before the relay race. Left: Freshmen spent the bus ride chatting about the activities they would play. Right: Freshmen climb on top of each other while playing Ships and Sailors. Photos by Marie Parra and Mitali Sharma.
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ARTS & CULTURE
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Arts Calendar SUNDAY
2
OCTOBER
MONDAY
3
9:00 p.m. Flume concert (Revelation Music Center)
TUESDAY
4
5
10
11
17
16
23
12
7:00 p.m. Needtobreathe concert (Revelation Music Center)
24
25
14
20
21
6:00 p.m. Luke Bryan concert (Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion)
26
8:00 p.m. Elle King concert (House of Blues)
13
7:30 p.m. Shakespeare@400 presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Alley Theater)
19
18
2:00 p.m. You Can’t Take It With You (Theatre Company)
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8
5:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Young the Giant Greek Festival (Annuniation concert (Revelation Music Greek Orthodox Catherdal) Center) 5:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. Greek Festival (Annuniation Greek Orthodox Catherdal) Voter registration deadline for 18 and up
27
8:00 p.m. Gavin Degraw and Andy Grammer concert (Revelation Music Center)
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
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7:00 p.m. Saint Motel concert (House of Blues)
12:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. Greek Festival ((Annuniation Greek Orthodox Catherdal)
THURSDAY
WEDNESDAY
12:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Texas Comtemporary Art Fair (George R. Brown Convention Center)
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Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Bayou City Art Festival (Downtown) 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Greek Festival (Annuniation Greek Orthodox Catherdal)
15 Austin City 7:00 p.m. You Can’t Take It Limits: Friday through Sunday With You (Theatre Company) (Zilker Park) 8:00 p.m. Chance the Rapper concert (Revelation Music Center
7:00 p.m.- 11:30 p.m.Fall Food Truck Park (Sun’s Club)
28 6:30 p.m. Critical Mass Friday (Madison Square Park)
22 7:00 p.m. Cherub concert (House of Blues)
29 7:30 p.m. That’s Dancin’ (Dance Company)
BY KATIE ERIKSON Texas Contemporary Art Fair Contemporary artists from across the United States and Mexico all gather their art here at the George R. Brown Convention Center to showcase their art for this annual fair. Entry Fee: $25
Greek Festival The Greek Festival, that lasts from Thursday to Sunday, treats guests to tons of traditional Greek food, along with live Greek music, and carnival type rides and inflatables.
Austin City Limits With Austin being just a short drive from Houston, ACL is the perfect destination for a weekend away for music. The second weekend of the festival will last from Friday until Sunday include artists such as Flume, Major Lazer, and Kendrick Lamar.
Bayou City Art Festival Put on by The Art Colony Association Inc., the festival will present art from over 300 artists. Along with the opportunity to see and buy art, the outdoor event also will include music, food trucks, beverages, and entertainment, and will last two days. Entry Fee: $15-25
Critical Mass Friday On the last Friday of every month, hundred of bikers from all around Houston claim the roads for Critical Mass Friday. It is a casual bike ride for all levels, and all are welcome to participate. The ride starts at Historical Market Square Park at 301 Milam, but the route itself changes every month.
Fall Food Truck Park Kollaboration Houston is hosting multiple food trucks at their Fall Food Truck Park at Sun’s Club at 8388 W Sam Houston Pkwy S Houston, Texas 77042. The event includes music and tons of food, and there’s no entry or parking fee.
The cast of “Into the Woods” talk about their new roles BY KATIE ERIKSON
The Witch
The Baker’s Wife
Jack
The Baker
Little Red Riding Hood
Sara Burpeau (11)
Mia Munn (11)
Brock Looser (12)
Ashton Lambert (11)
Austin Karkowsky (12)
Kerry Sullivan (12)
“I’m really excited to be playing Cinderella because I can relate to her so much. We’re both rather indecisive people.”
“I am really excited to play the Witch. I think it will be a big challenge because it’s unlike any role I’ve played before— it’s definitely a challenge that I’m excited to take on!”
“Being a Stephen Sondheim fanatic, I literally jumped for joy when Into the Woods was announced last year because I have grown up watching the video of the original Broadway cast, so I can’t wait to get started! Sondheim is a genius, so I am especially looking forward to delving into the complexities of his writing in order to examine the overarching and universal themes in this show.”
“Some people watched Blues Clues or Dora [as kids]. I watched Bernadette Peters in the stage version of Into the Woods.”
“I have never been given the chance to play a mature dramatic part. I am really excited to see what I can do with it and am looking forward to the start of rehearsals!”
“Sondheim music is always a huge challenge, but I couldn’t have picked a cast more excited to tackle the project!”
Cinderella
ARTS & CULTURE
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Local food trucks dish out original eats Houston’s food trucks give the city a dose of bright color and a taste of unique food BY KATIE ERIKSON From inventive food fusions to updated classics, these meals on wheels are worthy of their loyal followings. During the week, the food trucks line curbs at office buildings, catering to workers on their lunch breaks. They’re a little harder to find on the weekend, as they cater private events or parties. The best way to stay informed on the whereabouts of each truck is through their social media accounts—usually Twitter, Facebook, or even Instagram. Oh My Gogi! Korean Mexican Fusion Most likely found on 5505 Morningside Dr. Houston, TX 77005 Hours: 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Don’t let the “Korean Mexican fusion” part scare you away because whatever the “fusion” is, it’s good. If the mass of people that always crowd the sidewalk isn’t convincing, then read this: Oh My Gogi! features many different foods, including tacos, sandwiches, and quesadillas. Some of the most popular items include the ramen burger and the OMG! fries. What
makes these different from your traditions burger and fries is the Korean cooked beef, spicy mayo, and sriracha. The ramen burger also swaps out a regular bread bun for a ramen bun, which needs tasted to be believed. Based on the hours, Oh My Gogi! caters more to those wanting an alternative to the “late night Whataburger run” than those who are looking for actual dinner. Whatever the reason, this truck will not disappoint.
OH
GOGI
MAM’s House of Ice Snoballs Most likely found on West 20th St. & Rutland St. Houston, TX 77008 Hours: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
MAM’S HOUSE OF ICE
With inventive flavors like Cajun Red Hot and Nola Bomb Pop, MAM’s serves up the softest snoballs in town, with a little New Orleans flair. Complete with a white picket fence and bright blue walls, this house on wheels supplies Houston Heights with some much needed brain freezes. Smoosh Cookies Custom Ice Cream Sandwiches Most likely found on 5505 Morningside Dr. Houston, TX 77005 Hours: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Armed with a killer secret family cookie recipe and a bright blue and orange truck, Smoosh Cookies has introduced a new kind of sweet treat to the people of Houston. These sandwiches are made with two warm cookies paired with the ice cream of choice (with flavors like peanut butter brownie and country apple
MY
pie), then topped off with anything from Oreos to bacon bits. The cookies range from chocolate chip or sugar cookies to specialty churro or waffle cookies (served only on Fridays and Wednesdays, respectively). Overall, these treats are ideal for the “summer all year long” type weather that Houston is used to, so if it happens to be unusually hot October afternoon, Smoosh is the place to be.
Over the years, the truck has become so popular that it has also opened it’s own brick-and-mortar storefront off of Cavalcade, which is also in the Heights area. While it is not as physically appealing as the colorful mobile shop, it never moves and will be there all year long, even through Houston’s “cold” winters because though this city may lack in snow, MAM’s makes up for it in snoballs.
SMOOSH
Houston by the Burger Forget fast food burgers: Go gourmet BY COLIN MONTEITH
Fast food restaurants dominate our lives, from breakfast burritos to latenight burgers from Whataburger. Burgers are usually associated with being cheap, easy meals and are often called junk food, but some restaurants opt to be more creative and craft burgers into mouth-watering delicacies. Here’s what to try at three very different burger joints around Houston:
SOUTHWELLS
HOPDODDY
The original Southwells restaurant was built on Richmond Ave. with three other locations popping up around Houston after its early success. Each Southwells is decorated like the original retro diner that first opened in 1986. It is usually not too crowded and is known to host parties for kids’ sports teams. The menu consists of nineteen different varieties of burgers, as well as waffle fries, sweet potato fries, and onion rings. The prices are very reasonable and range from $5 to $7. The bacon cheeseburger with mushrooms was large and intensely juicy along with crispy waffle fries. It looks deceptively like a McDonald’s burger, but the meat and bacon were extremely tender and quickly served directly off the grill. The lettuce, tomatos, and mushrooms hid inside the burger were spread around just enough to taste it in every bite. For just about the price of a fast food burger, Southwells offers a much tastier option if you have the time.
Hopdoddy originated in Austin and opened in the new River Oaks District in late May. The restaurant focuses on making in-house and using all natural ingredients. The style of the restaurant is very modern with a large bar in the middle and booths and raised tables surrounding it. Flat screen TV’s hang from the walls with current sports game playing. Hopdoddy’s unique take on burgers goes further than just the usual combinations. The Magic Shroom burger, for example, consists of goat cheese, mushrooms, pesto, lettuce, onion and tomato and is a personal favorite of mine. The bottom bun was very crispy and the top bun was soft yet firm. Another particular thing about Hopdoddy is it’s shake menu. Along with the usual chocolate and vanilla flavors, Oreo cookie, caramel and sea salt, red velvet cake, and nutella and chocolate pretzel flavors are an excellent accompaniment to the gourmet burgers. Prices range from $7 to $12. The atmosphere of the restaurant and the taste of the burgers and shakes makes it worth every penny.
PAPPAS BURGER Pappas Burger is part of Pappas Restaurants, Inc. a private family-owned company based in Houston. Expect crowds on weekends, but service is fast and it’s still easy to get in and out for a quick meal. The theme of the restaurant is a rustic diner mixed with a sports bar. Vintage posters of sports teams and numerous televisions line the walls. The mushroom swiss burger, stacked with condiments more so than the offerings at Hopdoddy and Southwells, starts with a halfpound beef patty. It lies on a bed of thick, crispy fries that accompanies the burger well. The melted swiss cheese covers the meat with condiments spread evenly throughout. Prices here range from $13 to $15. Along with the burgers, Pappas has an impressive specialty menu for drinks and desserts including shakes, floats, and sundaes. Pappas Burger is a go-to destination for a quick, delicious, meaty burger.
FORUM
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Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
Library Library Showdown A clash in the library Sophomores Argue Tradition BY EMMA GILLIAM
“It’s tradition,” Lena Provenzano (10) said, regarding the conflict between the juniors and sophomores involving seating in the library. It’s tradition that a new school year is accompanied by each grade switching to a new “hangout” spot. For the sophomores, that’s the area in the library just outside of the archivist’s office. On the first day of school, sophomores were surprised to find that the juniors had already reclaimed their spot from the previous year, fueling tension between the two grades. Last year, the class of 2019 anticipated the time when they could do schoolwork and talk with friends in the sophomore space. This year the juniors’ lack of compromise with the sophomores was upsetting. “I don’t care that the juniors are here,” Laine Jacobe (10) said. “I just care that they won’t let us be here. It’s the fact that they don’t want us.” It’s not just the booths and space that attract sophomores, it’s also the anticipation leading up to this year. Even if there were other locations with more comfortable seating, most sophomores would not move because they have looked forward to spending time there since freshman year. On the second day of school, sophomores were hopeful when they heard about Mr. Josh Ramey’s email to the junior class, which forced them to temporarily vacate the sophomore area until they proved their ability to reduce the amount of noise and trash they were producing. The following day, sophomores settled into the
Letter from the editor.
new spot, happy to be free of intimidating juniors. In effort to voice her excitement, Olivia Marrus (10) posted a Snapchat story with the caption, “Just two dogs lovin’ their new kennel.” Marrus is Snapchat friends with many of the juniors, so they saw her photo. Her message was misinterpreted by the juniors, who perceived it as sophomores flaunting their “victory” over the juniors, and inflamed the tension between grades. “I would like to publicly apologize for starting beef on my Snapchat story,” Marrus said. “It was a joke and I knew my friends would understand that. I can appreciate how it would upset juniors who don’t get my sense of humor. I didn’t mean to make anyone angry!” Once juniors were able to move back to the library however, competition for seating resumed. On Sept 15., Mr. Ramey sent out another email. This time, it announced that this area will be closed before school and during lunch—the peak times—until students “have demonstrated an ability to show respect for the library and the people who work there.” Juniors have alternative places to choose from, including the pavilion outside of the library and the “Junior Cove” inside the senior hallway. Another option for both juniors and sophomores might be the upstairs of the new Dining and Learning Center, if allowed by administrators. The second floor has bean bags and other comfortable seating options, but is currently exclusive to middle schoolers. While I understand that juniors have seniority over sophomores, if sophomores fail to get their desired spot this year it will continue to confuse the pattern of changing hangout areas every year. For this reason, we ask the juniors to empathize with them and realize that they were sophomores once too.
Dear Reader, Our mission is to be an accurate and reliable source of information for our community by informing readers about topics that are interesting, thoughtprovoking, and impactful from our school, the local Houston area and Texas, as well as other parts of the world. We strive to produce a newspaper of the highest quality while
Juniors Advocate for Seniority BY CALEIGH DORAN
My Snapchat was a joke, and I’m sorry for causing trouble. —Olivia Marrus (10)
This was our response to Olivia’s Snapchat. A lot of people were really upset, but she’s still my girl. —Ebby Randall (11)
upholding Kinkaid’s four core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and kindness. Before school began this year, we sat down as an editorial team and decided on a few goals that we hope to accomplish this year: 1) Continue to improve the quality of writing throughout the paper. 2) Reach a wider audience by reporting on a variety of subjects of interest to our
From the juniors being booted from the library to the sophomores posting Snapchats mocking the juniors’ misfortune, the library showdown has been endless. The situation has recently escalated, creating a rift between the two classes. The argument over who occupies the area of the library outside the archivist’s office has been an issue since the first day of school. While the sophomores believe it is finally their time to claim the library, the juniors, as the upperclassmen, believe they are entitled to this area. Tensions began the second day of school, when Mr. Josh Ramey, Dean of Students, sent an email to the entire junior class. The email stated juniors were no longer allowed in the library due to the “excessive noise, excessive amount of trash being left in the library, and multiple complaints from different faculty and staff.” Many juniors, including Ben Lewis, immediately wrote back to Mr. Ramey. “Even if all these accusations are true,” Lewis wrote, “we should have been warned at least once to leave less trash or be quieter, especially considering it was the second day of school.” While the juniors were angered by not being given a warning, the most common complaint was about seniority. “There are privileges that come with being older,” Margaret Oster (11) explained, “like going off campus for lunch, which is only for seniors.” While I understand sophomores hoped to claim the library as their grade-level spot this year, I believe it is
readers. 3) Use more contemporary designs throughout the paper. We would love to receive your feedback to let us know how we are doing on accomplishing these goals. Please contact us on our website or through social media on Facebook and Instagram @ thekinkaidfalcon. You can also email us at student.
the junior’s choice whether or not they will sit there, and the sophomores should defer to seniority and respect their decision. At this point, the juniors were then forced to relocate to the “Junior Cove”, and while this is a great area during free periods, before school and during lunch, chaos often breaks loose. There are books strewn across the floor, people bumping into one another trying to access their lockers, and a mysterious stench lingering in the much-toosmall hallway. “I cannot think of one benefit of the Cove,” Lewis said. “It’s the same amount of people in a smaller space, making it even louder. It doesn’t solve anything.” As the vast majority of the junior class attempted to cram into such a small, humid, and crowded area, there was no avoiding being rowdy. This understandably aggravated the teachers who have classrooms in junior and senior hall, causing a new influx of complaints to Mr. Ramey. From the library to the Cove, the juniors cannot seem to win. Mr. Ramey offered the juniors the solution of hanging out in the Dining Center: “They can be loud, eat, sit at big booths, and talk to their friends, and that is a good place for them to do that.” The juniors as a whole believe the Dining Center is a place for eating, and only eating. Simply, it is not the library, and if anyone should relocate to the Dining Center, it should be the sophomores. It is not an issue of there not being enough places for them to go, as the Commons is another spot where they could potentially hang out.
The issue is their insistent encroachment on the junior’s territory. As much as the juniors respect the sophomores, they want the library to themselves, and will settle for nothing less.
publications@kinkaid.org, where we welcome your comments, questions, and corrections. We are looking forward to an exciting new school year. Thank you for reading and supporting The Kinkaid Falcon! Sincerely,
Kirk Hachigian Kirk Hachigian, Editor-in-Chief
FORUM
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
The Kinkaid Falcon / 7
Camp is home away from home
Camp rocks? More like camp sucks.
BY KATHERINE BERMAN
BY ALI AMMONS
72.5%
of 178 students in a voluntary survey attend camp “I love staying up late and hiking with my cabin mates, as well as going sailing on a windy day.” —May Moorefield (10)
4 in every 7 students that completed the survey have attended camp for over 5 years
DESOTO
Forest Acres
La Junta
Honey Creek
WALDEMAR
LONEHOLLOW
NEWMAN
Debate
Cho Yeh
MYSTIC cheley OZARK Kanakuk
C H A M P I O N S
STEWART
“[My favorite partof camp is] watching the moon rise and seeing the constellations that cannot be seen in Houston.” —Sasha Busa (9)
Academic
sun cheering on your tribe reeking of sunscreen while sweat trickles down the back of your legs, or sharing one large, non-air-conditioned room and a bathroom with two sinks and two toilets and two connecting showers (all very communal with no locks!) for an entire month with over 20 people. If I were to overanalyze the situation, I would think it was gross too. But to me, these are some of the things that make camp the most special; truly, nothing bonds people more than living with each other for a month. We laugh and we cry and we sing and we dance. Together. Because these people aren’t just people, they are my sisters and my best friends. We tell each other things we’ve never told anyone else, we play pranks on each other, and we sometimes have arguments. But at the end of the day, we love each other more than Kanye loves Kanye. More than peanut butter and vanilla ice cream (actually try this: Bluebell Ice Cream and Peter Pan Creamy Peanut Butter). More than the twinkling stars we gaze up at on the golf course after Taps, our nightly bedtime lullaby, plays. To all the camp haters out there, I’m sorry that our Facebook posts annoy you, that our “Mystic Mondays” and “Waldy Wednesdays” and “TBTs” fill up your feed too much, that we constantly talk about our camp friends and our cabin mates and our camp traditions. These girls are not just my cabin mates; they are my family, and Mystic is my home.
Athletic OLYMPIA
The oldest campers’ cheers almost deafen me as my dad’s obnoxiously painted car with cringe-worthy camp slogans (“Mystic or Bust!” and “Honk if you’re a Tonk!”) sails through the iconic green gates that have awaited my presence for the past eleven months. The willowing cypress trees separate the plush, emerald golf course from the single cement road that twists and turns its way into the heart of Camp Mystic. At the end, the Guadalupe river flows gently and peacefully, not yet disturbed by rowdy water fights from the younger girls, splashes from snorkelers diving to find treasures ranging from plastic rings to snappy turtles, or the infamous seniors aggressively rowing in the war canoe boats. As our car climbs the hill country slope to be greeted by ecstatic, screaming 20-year-old counselors, I know I am home again. Camp has been a part of my life since the day I was born; my mother went to Camp Mystic, and used to bombard me endlessly with wild stories of her summers in the 80s. Now, we have traded places; I talk constantly about camp and beg to see my camp friends all the time. I truly believe that people are either “camp people” or they are not. Camp is definitely not for everyone, and if it’s not for you, you know it right away. I respect people who are not into the whole Texas summer camp phenomenon. Some people can’t stand the thought of sitting in the sweltering July
LONGHORN
balcones springs
Each year more than 14 million children and adults attend summer camps in the U.S., according to the American Camp Association. I attended camp for the first time when I was nine years old. My best childhood friend Caitlyn had told me about all the amazing times she had there: dancing in the talent show, almost winning the basketball tournament, and getting the courage to do a backflip on the blob. After she raved about all those great times, I made up my mind up: I absolutely had to go to camp, too. When I arrived, I jumped out of my mom’s Suburban with my bright pink trunk, excited yet nervous at the prospect of having something new and fun to do everyday. Little did I know that my camp dream would turn into my worst nightmare. After four days I was homesick, bored of the constant camp chants ringing in my ear, and tired of ants crawling into my cabin and biting me at night. And then I got sick. This sickness carried on for ten days, and because I was unable to digest solid foods, sleep, and drink fluids, I ended up having to take a trip to the town doctor. During those ten days in the Infirmary, no one asked if I wanted to call my mom or gather belongings from my cabin; no one would even change the movie in the Infirmary from “Alvin and the Chipmunks.” Repeatedly watching a movie that features three chipmunks with squeaky high-pitched voices singing top 100 songs did nothing to make me better. This experience has led me to establish a firm belief that summer camps are simply not worth attending. First, let’s look at the price.
Many summer camps make campers pay a hefty attendance fee. For example, at my camp, a two week session cost $3,500. This fee was supposed to pay for a camper’s food, lodging, laundry, activities, and dances. These “amenities” that the fee paid for were subpar; at my camp showers were limited to three minutes in order to conserve water. Furthermore, we couldn’t take an individual shower, and we were required to wear a bathing suit and shower with the other campers. And then there was the food. The food that was supposed to be nutritious and healthy ended up being one of the causes of my sickness. Biscuits that were more like rocks, meat that was never identified, and grape juice that was a little too purple all made my stomach turn queasy. As campers become older, camp begins to be a serious waste of time. Though their summer “non-camp” responsibilities begin to increase, campers spend weeks swimming, hand building ceramics, and attending dances. Although waiting in a 20-minute lunch line might have taught me about ‘patience’, it had very little ‘real world’ application. Instead of getting college applications ready, preparing for the upcoming school year, or working a summer job, campers spend their days making friendship bracelets and riding banana boats. All in all, summer camp is a waste of time and money and should not be attended.
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FORUM
8 / The Kinkaid Falcon
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
Blame on alcohol and partying culture is misplaced Instead of sweeping it under the rug, colleges should confront rape culture head on BY NIA CALDWELL “At this point in my life I never want to have another drop of alcohol again...I’ve been shattered by the party culture and risk-taking behavior that I briefly experienced in my four months at school,” former college student Brock Turner said, in a letter defending his extensive jail time of six months (of which he only had to serve three) for sexual assault. A friend of mine, Chinaza Ndee (12), voiced our mutual disappointment with that verdict: “The worst part is that I wasn’t even surprised. It feels like justice has become the exception rather than the expectation,” she said. Brock Turner, the swimmer formerly from Stanford University, never took responsibility for his actions; he claimed he did it because he had too much to drink. In his letter to the judge, Turner wrote, “I’ve been shattered by the party culture.” Two months later, Stanford announced that they would ban “hard alcohol” from on-campus parties to limit
“high-risk behavior.” What this effectively does is miscast blame on sexual assault on the overindulgence of alcohol, which is an unacceptable and frankly pathetic excuse, while also sidestepping the existence of rape culture. As Turner’s victim said in a letter she read aloud in court, “You were not wrong for drinking. Everyone around you was not sexually assaulting me.” The National Sexual Violence Research Center reports that one in five girls will be sexually assaulted in college and less than five percent of these rapes will be reported. As a teenage girl, these statistics horrify me. As I look at college options, I can’t just worry about whether or not they have my major, the class size, or (you got me) how cute the guys are; I have to worry about how many girls were raped there last year and how the school the school responded to the situation. While at college parties, I want to be focused on if they play my favorite music, not whether or not I’m going to be taken advantage of. According to Dr. Lo-
max-Bream, many attackers go to these parties looking for intoxicated girls to prey on. She said that alcohol-impaired students are more likely to be sexually victimized not because “they are ‘asking for it, but because they are easier to overpower and victimize, and they
“Universities need to take responsibility for educating students about consent and the intake of alcohol.” are less likely to be believed.” Kinkaid takes steps to prevent alcohol-related assault by talking about the importance of alcohol abuse. In the spring, psychologist Matt Bellace, Ph.D. will discuss the consumption of alcohol with students. Seniors will hear also from Dr. Lomax-Bream about how to prepare for different scenarios in the Transitions program. Kinkaid takes preventive steps to teach students about alcohol consumption and sexual assault, but universities also
One in five girls will be sexually assaulted in college.
must educate students as well. It’s not just Stanford turning their back on sexual assault. A friend of mine who graduated St. John’s this May, has already had a frightening experience in her very first week at Emory University. She told me, “I was at a party and this guy kept trying to make me go into a closet with him to do stuff. I kept saying ‘no’ and he was being persistent and pushed me the third time I said ‘no.’” This awkward situation happened to a girl that I know, which makes the situation even more frightening. Although my friend wasn’t raped, she felt uncomfortable, which is apparently a reality that is not uncommon for many college girls. The response from many universities blaming alcohol for sexual assault only discourages victims from speaking up. For a school that is so proud of its 4.7% acceptance rate, Stanford’s decision to not confront the rape culture that students will encounter is embarrassing and not something anyone should take pride in.
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Masthead
The Kinkaid Falcon’s mission is to be an accurate and reliable source of information for the Kinkaid community by informing readers about topics that are interesting, thought-provoking, and impactful from the school, local Houston area and Texas, as well as other parts of the world. Questions or comments? We welcome your voice. Please email student.publications@kinkaid.org or use the Contact form at http:// thefalcon.kinkaid.org. Corrections will be addressed on our website and published in the subsequent issue. Please direct advertising inquiries to colin.monteith@kinkaid.org. The opinions expressed in The Kinkaid Falcon belong solely to the writer and are not a reflection or representation of the opinions of the school or its administrators. The Kinkaid Falcon is published six times a school year. 700 print copies are distributed for free to 597 Upper School students and 93 faculty members, and 220 copies are mailed to subscribers. The Kinkaid Falcon is a member of the CSPA and NSPA.
Editor-in-Chief Kirk Hachigian
Business Manager Colin Monteith
Associate Editors Sarah Bass Ella Morgan Faraz Virani
Staff Ali Ammons Madi Babine Brady Brazda Emma Carr Colin Conway Caleigh Doran Sterling Elias Mac Friday Emma Gilliam Jordan Jafarnia Hana Keleta Laszlo Kranitz Anna Leon-Amtmann Megha Neelapu Marley Orange Sarah Kate Padon Ashley Pazkaban William Scott Emma Stout
Assistant Editor Arman Badrei Features Editor Allison Favaloro Forum Editor Nia Caldwell Arts & Culture Editor Katie Erikson Entertainment Editor Katherine Berman Web Editor Julia Davis
Adviser LiAnn Yim
FORUM
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
The Kinkaid Falcon / 9
Does your vote really count? The electoral college system is outdated and irrelevant
BY KIRK HACHIGIAN Turn on any TV news program and you are likely to hear the latest news on how Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are polling among Latinos, college graduates, blue-collar workers, voters over the age of 65, or some other voter demographic group. As you most likely know, the President of the United States is not chosen through a national popular vote, but rather is selected by the 538 members of the Electoral College. I believe that this Electoral College system has two major flaws. The first is that it violates the one person, one vote rule that should be a standard for a modern democracy. In the current system, where you live determines how much, if at all, your vote counts. It seems patently undemocratic that in one of the nations most proud of its democratic state, not all votes are weighted the same. The second problem is the issue with battleground states. The current state-
by-state “winner take all” method of awarding electoral votes was not mentioned in the Constitution, but has been adopted by 48 states (Maine and Nebraska are the exceptions). This method ensures that after candidates win their party’s nomination, about 80% of states and their voters will be completely ignored. Candidates have no reason to visit, advertise, or listen to the concerns of people in states where the particular candidate is either securely in the lead or hopelessly behind. In 2012, President Obama visited eight of these battleground states, and Governor Romney visited 10. These 10 accounted for 98% of the $940 million spent on all campaign advertising for both candidates, and decided the election. There is nothing special about these states, except that their populations happen to be fairly evenly divided from a sociological standpoint. So, why is this flawed Electoral College system still in use today? To answer that question we must look at why the Electoral College is a part of the Constitution in the first place. The system was created in 1787 as a compromise in the debate over whether the voters or Congress should
have the power to elect the President. Alexander Hamilton and other framers of the Constitution feared giving too much power to the people. “A
It seems patently undemocratic that in one of the nations most proud of its democratic state, not all votes are weighted the same. small number of persons, selected by their fellow-citizens from the general mass, will be most likely to possess the information and discernment requisite to such complicated investigations,” he wrote in “Federalist #68.” However, many of the original justifications for adopting the Electoral College have become irrelevant. For example, the 17th Amend-
ment shifted the power to elect senators from state legislatures to the people, which shows that the notion of electors having better judgement than the general populace is outdated. One argument in defense of the Electoral College is that it protects the interests of smaller states that may be ignored in a national popular election. However, none of the 10 most rural states received any attention during the past election cycle. Big states like Texas, New York, Georgia, and California were generally ignored as well. Because of the state-bystate voting method, the candidate who wins the national popular vote is not guaranteed to win the Presidency. In fact, this has happened in four out of the 57 presidential elections (7%). In the 2000 election between Bush and Gore, 537 popular votes in Florida won the election for Bush, despite Gore’s surplus of over 537,000 popular votes nationwide. In 2012, a mere shift of about 200,000 votes in four states would have given Romney a victory despite
Obama’s nationwide lead of almost five million votes. Gallup polls from 19442011 indicate that only about 20% of the public supports the current system of winner take all each state’s electoral college votes with about 70% against it. Whether people support a national popular election or proportional delegation of electoral votes within states, the Electoral College system is very unlikely to be changed as battleground states would block any efforts, fearing they would lose influence in the election. For those of you who have forgotten or not yet taken high school government class, the most common way for an amendment to be passed is by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate before acceptance by majority vote in the legislatures of three fourths of the states (38). Unless Article V (the amendment process) of the Constitution is changed, the same few battleground states will continue to determine the presidential victor in the United States.
How to stop trolling BY MEGHA NEELAPU
Troll (according to Urban Dictionary): One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument There seems to be a spike in trolling. A 2014 study by the Pew Research Center found that 70% of 18-24-year-olds who use the Internet have been harassed at some point; we have all encountered trolls on the Internet at some point. Recently, trolls were on the cover of TIME magazine’s Aug. 29 issue; it seems like trolls are everywhere. We can personally combat trolling in four primary ways: 1. Don’t respond Trolls are real people. Jessica Morena, former Reddit head of community pushed to end “fatpeoplehate” when she was employed by Reddit. When she was working at Reddit, she found that trolls “would be a doctor, a lawyer, an inspirational speaker, a kindergarten teacher.” In
other words, they would be normal people. Just like normal people, trolls crave attention (although perhaps more than others). So, the Internet community created an unofficial rule: Don’t respond to trolls. 2. Ten positive comments for every negative one Many kind comments can drown the negative
Either it was about my hair on my hand not over my heart [on the medal podium]. ... It was hurtful. It was hurtful.
comments. Gabby Douglas, American Olympic gymnast, received many offensive comments on Twitter during the Rio Olympics. She said with tears in her eyes to ESPN, “Either it was about my hair or my hand not over my heart [on the medal podium], or I look depressed. ... It was hurtful. It was hurtful.” However, her fans made the hateful
comments pale in comparison to the sheer amount of positive ones. 3. Train local police on how to handle online trolling Police are currently very ill-equipped with the necessary skills to tackle online threats and harassment. Take Amanda Hess,
The police officer that came to my door didn’t even understand what Twitter was...
an American journalist and contributor for the New York Times for example. An anonymous user on Twitter threatened “to cut off [her] head, to rape [her].” “In my home state of California, it’s a crime to threaten bodily harm against another person,” she said. “The police officer that came to my door didn’t even understand what Twitter was, had no idea how to investigate such a crime, and I’m not even sure knew that it was
70% of 18-24-year-olds who use the Internet have been harassed at some point. (Photo by Ashley Pakzaban)
criminal.” 4. Draw the line between free speech and trolling We can improve the situation by raising awareness about this issue and voting for officials who promise to improve the police department’s social media branch. Social media companies are reluctant to tackle trolling because it is hard to decide what is free speech
and what is trolling as it is subjective. Serious and organized discussion needs to take place to draw a clear line. This is perhaps the most important step in stopping trolling; we must all debate and discuss the differences between free speech and hate speech. If we want the internet to become a better place, then we must make it so.
FEATURES
10 / The Kinkaid Falcon
Special Series: “Responsibility”
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
The Kinkaid Falcon’s special series will investigate different aspects of the theme “responsibility” over the course of the year. Do you have something to contribute? We seek personal essays, op-eds, and feature stories ranging from 300-1200 words. Please query us at student.publications@kinkaid.org.
Teenage drivers are at an especially high risk of getting into a distracteddriving incident. Many accidents involve cell phone usage. Photo by Sarah Kate Padon.
Berry children urge students to drive responsibly Distracted driving has too big of an impact for us not to pay attention BY SARAH KATE PADON
Speeding down a near-deserted West Texas highway, a local Houston family headed home from their summer vacation in Colorado Springs, CO. As the Berrys drew closer to Fort Stockton, Texas, a car emerged in their line of sight. Another family, a man, his wife and his one-year-old daughter, was approaching in the oncoming lane. The man peered over his shoulder into the backseat of his car, searching for a DVD for his daughter and drawing his focus away from the road. He veered into the other lane where the Berrys were driving, crashing head-on into their minivan. This happened in July 2011. After the long road of physical recovery, the three Berry children founded the One Life Is Enough (OLIE) program, the only student developed and driven distracted driving safety program in the U.S. They were inspired to make a difference because of the car accident that resulted in the tragic death of both of their parents. OLIE focuses on teaching students in schools across the country about safe, non-distracted driving, educating them on the responsibility of handling the independence and power that comes with driving. 400%: that’s how much more likely teen drivers are than adults to get in a car crash while they are texting, according to distracteddriv-
eraccidents.com. Teenage drivers are at a disproportionately high risk of being affected. Although the lives of high school students are busy and overwhelming and sometimes it feels like there’s just not enough time in the day, distracted driving has too big of an impact on so many people’s lives that the text, phone call, or Snap-
“Instantly a quick text can result in a catastrophic crash.” chat can wait. Sarah Grace Carr (10) grew up across the street from the Berry family and knows how devastating distracted driving can be in someone’s life. She is a new driver, having turned 16 in September, and she said that while she is driving she puts her phone away because she doesn’t want to be “the person that ruins a family’s life.” “I try to be more aware of my driving and not take my eyes off the road even for a second to look at my phone,” Carr said. “Anything could happen in that one second.” Ben Padon (12) understands how crucial that one
second can be. As he was driving to his girlfriend’s house, he looked down to send her a text saying that he was on his way. That short moment when his gaze shifted from the road to his phone was plenty of time for him to close in on the car in front of him. “When I looked up, I saw that I was about to crash into the car right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, and luckily my car stopped before it rammed into the car in front of me,” Padon said. Even that short four word text, “I’m on my way,” was enough for him to come dangerously near to the car in front of him. It was a close call, and he said that if he had been going any faster, he would have collided with the car ahead of him. The unnerving speed underscored for Padon how instantly a quick text could result in a catastrophic crash. The children of Joshua and Robin Berry are all too familiar with the effect that distracted driving can have on people’s lives. Not only did they lose their parents, but the crash also paralyzed brothers Peter and Aaron from the waist down. The driver of the other vehicle also sustained serious injuries, and his wife died in the collision. People throughout the Houston community were shocked and disheartened by the senseless—and
careless—loss of life. Carr recalls vividly when she found out what had happened to her neighbors. She returned home from camp and saw that her mom’s arm was broken and in a cast. “I asked [her] what happened and she told me the police had come to our house to tell her about the accident,” Carr said. “She passed out and fell on her arm from the shock of it.” The Berry children remain in Houston and live with their aunt and
400%
That’s how much more likely teen drivers are than adults to get in a crash while texting. uncle, Simone and Matt Berry, and their two cousins, Noah and Misha. They hope to lower the number of victims claimed by distracted driving by educating students about the danger and stressing its negative consequences. The CDC’s injury prevention and control research
found that over 8 people are killed in distracted driving accidents each day. The number one source of driver distractions is talking or texting on cell phones. Armed with firsthand awareness of the huge role that distracted driving plays in car crashes, the Berrys have encouraged students to sign their OLIE pledge which states that drivers will not drive distracted in any way including, being on your phone, eating, playing games, reading; as well as working to provide them with the skills necessary to be safer drivers. Along with their hope to grow and establish their OLIE program, they are also currently working to help pass House Bill 80, which will make it illegal to use a cell phone while driving in the state of Texas. The Berry children have been there throughout the process supporting the bill being passed by the House of Representatives by testifying before members of the Senate Transportation Committee, and they continue to encourage senators to vote for it to be approved and soon become a law. They are adamant that they will do their part to help others and thus, save lives by getting HB 80 passed. Texas is one of six states that has yet to put a legal ban on texting while driving, and the Berry family is determined to change this situation.
FEATURES
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
11
Olivia’s Little Pink Backpack Hartpacks helps families throughout Louisiana after devastating floods BY FARAZ VIRANI Continued from Page 1 In 2005, the Hart family grabbed whatever they could hold with two hands or sling over their shoulders as they fled New Orleans. They left behind a nearly-completed, brand new house to be destroyed as Hurricane Katrina swept through Louisiana. The historic storm turned the city upside down, and what Hart expected to be a two-day stay nearby in Baton Rouge, Louisiana ended up being six months long. “We were supposed to be there for a few days, but then the levees broke, and we had no choice but to stay in my grandmother’s small, two bedroom house with eleven people for six months,” Hart said. At the time, Hart was in first grade. While in Baton Rouge, after losing almost everything, from her clothes to favorite toys, she received a special donation from one of the hundreds of booths that sprang up around the city, funded by national companies that wanted to help the community. The day before she started school in Baton Rouge, Hart held in her hands something she would never forget. “The first thing donated to me was a little pink backpack filled with clothes and school supplies. I had barely anything at the time,” Hart recalled. The backpack and the gesture behind made a lasting impression on her. Fast forward eleven years.
After torrential floods devastated New Orleans and Baton Rouge this summer, Hart returned to Louisiana in August for two days She came back to pay it forward, and to give back to the communities that supported her family years before. After all these years, Hart never forgot the little pink backpack. “Baton Rouge took care of my family and [me] when we needed it most,” Hart said.
EACH HARTPACK CONTAINS: A SACK LUNCH, A RESUSABLE WATER BOTTLE AND FLASHLIGHT, A SET OF CRAYOLA COLOR PENCILS AND MARKERS, A DIFERENT BEANIE BABY, AND ONE BOTTLE OF BUBBLES. Hart, along with her two older cousins Miranda and Morgan Lee, currently in college, started Hartpacks. As of now, the organization is solely run and funded by the Hart family, but Hart plans to reach out to the community for support in the future. “As it grows, we hope to start accepting donations for certain causes and for certain backpacks for a fixed price,” said Hart. Olivia, Miranda, and Morgan stuff whatever they can in a Hartpack. Distributing fifty Hartpacks to flood victims, each one came with a sack lunch, a reusable water bottle and flashlight, a set of Crayola color pencils and markers,
Top: Olivia Hart walks downtown in New Orleans with a Hartpack. Left: In 2005, Olivia received a little pink backpack filled with new school supplies and some basic necessities. Having just lost her worldly possessions in Hurricane Katrina, the donation meant a lot to her. Right: Hart and her cousins, Miranda and Morgan Hart, passed out 50 Hartpacks. (Photos by Olivia Hart)
“BATON ROUGE TOOK CARE OF MY FAMILY [AND ME] WHEN WE NEEDED IT MOST,” HART SAID.
a different Beanie Baby in every Hartpack, and Hart’s personal favorite item: one bottle of bubbles. Hart and her cousins walked through neighborhoods throughout the city and hand-delivered the backpacks to shelters and to any young children they saw passing by, the same way she had received the little pink backpack eleven years ago. There is one unique image on a Hartpack. The black, neoprene Hartpacks full of snacks, books, and toys has a heart with three curves in-
stead of two, representing the three girls behind the project. The success of Hartpacks thus far is a testament to her dedication and love not only for service, but also for the people she is serving and the smiles that her Hartpacks put on the kids’ faces. --To learn more about Hartpacks, visit hartpacks.com.
Students move from the classroom to the workplace in Summer ‘16 BY JULIA DAVIS
Who: Darius Goodman (10) Where: Dowling Summer School What: “I helped out in the office making copies and stapling papers and doing other administrative work. I got there around 9 a.m. everyday and went into the classrooms and did paper work. Then I went to lunch with the kids and then played games with them after in gym class.”
Who: Brittney Williams (12) Where: McAlister’s Deli What: Cashier. “I wanted to make some money to buy Spotify Premium. Just teen things. I worked for two weeks and spent the money on candy online. Also, one time this customer gave me a $20 tip, which was lit. I saw “Finding Dory” with it. However, I was fired slowly by [them] cutting my hours from 8-hrs a week to none. I took away from this experience that you shouldn’t apply to a job that has
hired 50 other cashiers, look for a place that needs you.”
Who: Kcenia Kloesel (12) Where: The Menil Collection What: “I interned with the curator of the Menil, Clare Elliott. I was always interested in art history and modern art. I learned a lot about what happens behind the scenes in museums. I learned about how much research goes into an exhibit and how they display it. Like for one exhibit [Clare] was setting up, it was for three or four paintings, but I spent the entire month going down to the library to get books for them to research.”
Who: Robert Shively Where: The Ireland National Lacrosse team in Hungary What: “I went to Hungary with Parker Browne (11) and we interned for the Irish Lacrosse National Team for the European Lacrosse Championship. We ran the Instagram page, carried balls and waters, and helped set up practices. We interned alongside two kids from Kingwood and a kid from New Jersey. I did it more for fun, I don’t plan on becoming a professional laccrosse player.”
FEATURES
12 / The Kinkaid Falcon
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
the homework debate |ˈhōmˌwərk| MUCH?
O O T S I H C U M HOW
noun
• schoolwork that a student is required to do at home. • work or study done in preparation for a certain event or situation: he had evidently done his homework and was wellprepared for the final exam. While the Internet praises a Fort Worth second grade teacher for canceling homework for the rest of the year— even The New York Times put a writer on the story—some Kinkaid teachers have gone unnoticed as they have been following a similar homework policy for years. The now-viral second grade teacher, Ms. Brandy Young, sent a letter home with her students introducing the new homework policy. She explained that she was trying something new, and that “homework will only consist of work that your student did not finish during
Data from a voluntary response survey of 179 students
38% of students said they spend 4 hours or more each night on homework
“Research has proved homework has no effect on students’ learning.”
the school day. There will be no formally assigned homework this year.” Without worksheets and reading logs, Young hopes that her students will be able to spend more time with their family and friends and explore the world around them. Jeanne Hargett, a parent of one of Young’s students said, “I want him to go outside and exercise, look at bunnies and bugs and crawl around in the grass.” Furthermore, Young claimed that research has proved homework has no effect on students’ learning. According to a study published in the American Journal of Family Therapy, a heavy load of homework not only is detrimental to a student’s GPA, but it is also not beneficial to the student’s social skills,
Q&A
37% of students surveyed take at least one AP or honors level course
with Head Dean Ms. Quenby Mott Q: Can you give a definition of what being a well-rounded student? At Kinkaid, a well-rounded student embraces the core princples of Kinakid and also the three As: Academics, athletics, and arts. That doesn’t mean being in all three at equal levels. It could be someone doing inter-scholastic sports
self-confidence, and overall attitude towards school. For years, Ms. Sheri Offenhauser, Math Department Chair, has not assigned homework to her Multivariable Calculus students. She found that her students were only completing homework for the grade and not actually learning or engaging themselves in the work. Moreover, some students would teach themselves the wrong way to solve a problem while completing their homework incorrectly. Students like Christina Choi (12) appreciate the lack of homework and the ability to finish all her work in class. For many students it is helpful to work in class and have the ability to ask questions and clarify information rather than trying to make sense of the material alone. After changing her policy to no-homework, Ms. Offenhauser has not noticed an adverse difference in her students’ performance in the class. Her students are able to work multivariable calculus problems together in class and with the teacher to complete every assignment correctly. Ms. Offenhauser feels “very lucky to be able to teach a class that does not require a strict homework policy.” She acknowledges that her class is different from many other classes in that it is not AP, so there is no strict curriculum, and there is no essential nightly reading like in an English class. Conversely, Honors Physics teacher Ms. Linda Miller follows a very different homework policy. According to Ms. Miller, homework is essential for learning. She assigns her students packets every few weeks that may be completed as the class progresses. Ms. Miller believes that without homework, her students would not have the necessary ability to complete the physics problems
and taking a fine arts class. It could be a student who is doing yoga after school while participating in Theatre Company, but really touching on, rounding out and focusing on interests and skills outside of being a student. But is it necessary to be a well-rounded student? Colleges are putting together a well-rounded class, which is made of well-rounded students as well as well-angled students— “pointy.” You dive deep in a particular area.
79% of students surveyed play a sport
62% of students surveyed participate in a performing art
by themselves. Choi appreciates these practice problems because, “just by learning the subject you can’t solidify it, you have to practice it so it can become second nature.” So, both Ms. Miller and Choi agree that without working problems at home, it is hard for students to completely understand the absorb the material. “Kids need to make better choices about time management,” Ms. Miller said. “Their time should be balanced.” She expressed her concern for her actor and athlete students who are so overwhelmed by their extracurriculars that academics are sometimes pushed aside. While Ms.. Miller believes that participation in extracurricular activities is essential to a student in a college-prep school, she wants her students to find a good balance between their many commitments. There will never be a “correct” homework policy at Kinkaid. Both Ms. Offenhauser and Ms. Miller have found what works for their subjects and what
It depends upon the area and the student. So, if your talent is in athletics, it is important that you be very “pointy” and develop talent in that area so you can reach that goal of playing intercollegiate athletics. For a small percentage of students, being very
makes their students learn the most information. Some students have felt so strongly about the negative effects their homework has had on their lives that they created a petition for less homework. The Change.org petition, started by freshmen, went out to the student body
pointy and diving deep in a particular area makes sense for them based upon their interest, talents, and long term goals. But, I also feel for most students, being well-rounded and not really sure what you want to do is a good place to be.
Q: Is it better to take honors or AP classes and get a B or regular classes and get all As? With my former admissions hat, I would say take the AP class and get an A. I think that it is import-
The Kinkaid Falcon / 13
THE
STUDENT
SECTION Students weighed in on the homework debate in a voluntary response survey.
BY SARAH BASS & ASHLEY PAKZABAN
“Kids need to make better choices about time management…Their time should be balanced.”
Q: Do the majority of colleges look for a wellrounded student, or someone who specializes in an area?
FEATURES
http://thefalcon.kinkaid.org
“I think it’s a lot to expect kids to go to school for 7-8 hours a day and then assign work that takes them 3-4 hours to do at home. Kids need time to enjoy after school extracurriculars and time to relax and unwind,” said Charlie Marix (12).
on Sept. 27. The petition suggested limiting homework to only one to two hours, or only one subject’s homework per night. While this petition reveals clearly the dissatisfaction with the amount of regular homework, other students disagreed with how realistic the petition’s goals are. Seniors Christina Choi and Brock Looser are involved in the arts and take a rigorous selection of classes. Balancing hours of homework with rehearsals and other extracurriculars is stressful for the seniors, but they find the time to get it all done. They both agree the purpose of homework is to reinforce and deepen a student’s understanding of knowledge. Looser is in four AP classes, and Choi is in three AP classes and one advanced art class. The rigor of these classes requires a considerable amount of reading and homework. Choi thinks the Physics practice problems are especially helpful. Looser also agrees that practice problems, like the ones she gets from Mr. Vischak’s math class, can really help clarify all of the subject matter from class. There is a difference, though, between homework that benefits learning and busy-work. “I really can’t stand busy work because I don’t really see the point of spending a lot of time on something that isn’t particularly necessary,” Looser said. Doing work that is repetitive of material already covered or that has already been mastered can be frustrating for students. Choi defines busy-work as, “when you do something for homework, and the next day it is checked, and you never do anything with it again.” Another frustrating aspect of having a lot of homework is the lack of time students have to pursue extracurricular
ant for students to find the appropriate amount of rigor where they can be successful. It’s important that students stretch themselves and their academic envelope from year to year, but not at the detriment of their health and well-being and academic success.
“[My ideal day would include]working hard and learning a lot during the school hours, but having the afternoon (after sports) more free to relax. I think after school studying is okay if you have a test or quiz, but on average you should be able to have more time for yourself,” said Crafton Deal (11).
“[The purpose of homework is] to review what you learned in class and preview the next day’s class work,” said Joseph Wagnon (10).
“[My ideal day would include] an hour and a half on homework, an hour of sports, and an hour of free time (AKA Netflix),” said Sofia Bajwa (9).
activities. If there was no homework, Looser would focus on theatre. “It is what I am most passionate about, but I normally have to push aside reading plays, Playbill, or The New York Times so that I can actually sleep. Also, actually eating meals with my family
“There is a difference, though, between homework that benefits the student’s learning and busy-work.” would rock,” Looser commented. Loser has dance from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and theatre rehearsal from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and won’t get to sleep until around 1:00 a.m. Choi is involved in robotics builds after school that can last about two hours. Both she and Choi go to bed past midnight on normal nights. “I go to sleep at two. It’s not healthy, it’s just how I function,” Choi said. “I get really creative thoughts towards midnight so that’s when I start doing my homework.” For Kinkaid students, there’s no question that homework can be hard to balance with other aspects of their lives. Sometimes having homework in certain subjects helps reinforce material and other times it is repetitive and feels unnecessary. Students balance athletics, arts, and academics every day and finding time for the heavy homework load is a defining factor in the success of each.
Q: Do you think Kinkaid students do a good job of balancing athletics, arts and academics? I think that for a percentage of our students, they take on a lot. I think that for a larger percentage, they have found the right balance that they need to be successful in those particular areas. Kinkaid has also done a really terrific job giving students the opportunity to explore those areas with the depth of our arts programs, the
number of JV and varsity teams and a robust physical education offering. Hopefully from year to year students learn what they can and can’t handle. They learn good time management skills. We work with freshmen a lot on time management skills; it’s not that they can’t do it, they just don’t know how to manage the time. So, we’ll tell them not to engage in the newest Netflix show, leave that for spring break, leave that for the summer.
28% of students surveyed said they have 2-3 tests or quizzes per week, on average
FEATURES
14 / The Kinkaid Falcon
The First 30 Days
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
Taking a look at new Upper School principal Mr. Behr’s adjustment to Kinkaid and Houston
BY ARMAN BADREI After U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created impactful reforms that dramatically changed the structure of the United States government–taking them out of the Depression in the following eight years and making huge waves in the first part of his presidency–the term “the first hundred days” became known as any leader’s first important milestone: a time in which progress is measured and changes are scrutinized. And as Head of Upper School Mr. Peter Behr took office only six weeks ago, it seemed appropriate to examine his first milestone–his “first thirty days”–in the same “presidential” spirit.
What was the first thing that excited you upon your move?
“
I get so excited so easily. think the newness excites me: it’s not the thing, it’s the what. It’s not a one thing, it’s a lot of things. I had been at the previous school for 15 years total, so going somewhere different and learning something new—I’ve always appreciated that in my career.
What were your thoughts the first day you walked into the Upper School as principal?
“
Where is everyone? Because the first day really was in July. On the first day of school, I was really excited to get started. Because I had been here in July and having that actually begin, it was an exciting thing to have happen. It
was looking forward to the first assembly and of course wondering ‘Hm, I wonder if they’re gonna be freaked out by what I’m gonna say or what I’m gonna do, or if I’m going to be so different they won’t know how to take me. But that’s okay; they’ll figure it out eventually.’
What have you learned about the Kinkaid community since the first day of school?
kids, but how the school runs. At the same time, knowing there’s always more things to find. That’s the part of being new anywhere. You guys are going to experience if you came here new, you’re gonna experience it when you go to college new, there’s new stuff the first year you do it. And once you’ve done it, you’re like oh yeah, I know what to expect.
How are you going to make sure all three As are equal or accessible to all students?
“
I like your term accessible. Or we could say same level of prominence maybe. I think that’s part of the big question of balance. And I don’t know if I
“
[Parents] are invested in their kids. Independent school parents care about you guys and the education you’re receiving. It seems like a very well-knit group that’s very involved and wants to be involved because they care a lot about the school. I think the students are willing to really have a good time. I think you guys are very busy and like to make yourselves busy, and sometimes you don’t like to say no, even though you know it’s not in your best interests to say yes all the time in terms of doing this and that. But that’s normal. We offer it and you wanna do it because you’re excited about it. And that’s a good thing. I’m not saying it’s a good thing to be overstrung by too many things, but to want to be a part of the community, that’s awesome. I think your pride in being at Kinkaid is something you can feel and sense.
What is your favorite part of the job?
“
[My] favorite part is investigating what’s going on. And I don’t mean individual situations with
Mr. Behr (left) has a Freshman Advisory and attended the Freshman Retreat in August this year. (Photo by Marie Parra)
What are your long-term goals for the school?
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Digging into the balance question. What we are doing in terms of how we are scheduling things with athletics and arts and academics and how they’re causing conflicts and how we’re working on those conflicts. Looking at our student programming and use of time in the school day. What are some new strategies for teachers to use for teaching? How to work on a cohesive strategy for professional development? I’m not saying what we’re doing is at all, at all, flawed, but how can we make it better?
have that answer for you yet. I think every school struggles with this. But Kinkaid has so many wonderful opportunities that people want to be involved with that I think that struggle is greater. Figuring that out is part of looking at scheduling. Just a small tweak of maybe being able to sleep in everyday (except for maybe your zero period science class). But that small tweak of consistency actually reduces the panic of ‘what day is it tomorrow?’ So you know what to expect—knowing what to expect lowers the stress. Those small things can make a bigger difference than you think.”
What do you wish the students knew about you?
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I am approachable, I do listen, and I am interested in what you’re saying. I’m not always going to agree, but I will hear you. And I’m available to talk about it. If there’s something that you are interested in talking about, I’ll try to give you the reasons and logic behind it. If there’s not logic behind it, I’m going to have trouble with it, too. And that’s where your Friday theme dress days have changed. If I can’t explain it to you in a logical way, then I have trouble with it as well. I’m not here to overhaul— this is a great school. I’m not here to blow up traditions or anything like that. I’m here to tweak here and there to help with balance, to help with the logic behind things and to make it consistent and clear for everyone.
Do you feel like Kinkaid students have a lot of homework?
“
That’s a hard conclusion to make in four weeks. Some students have a lot of work. Majority have a lot of homework, I’m willing to go there, look at what I hear, and compare it to what teachers say they do. Is it a lot of homework because students are doing a lot of other things? It’s a really complex issue and one that’s going to take longer to figure out.
Favorite food item in the new Dining Center?
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I like the house-made chips. They’re probably one of my highlights of things I’ve had there. Not to say that the fajitas are not divine, right? Everytime I see the chips, I say, ‘Gotta get the sandwich again today.’
Get to know the new faculty of the Upper School BY EMMA CARR
Mr. Buitrago
Mrs. Anderson
Dr. Howell
Ms. Beltran
Mrs. Honig
Ms. Reza
Mr. Jose Buitrago began as an educator in Caracas, Venezuela. He comes to Kinkaid from Strake Jesuit as a 9th and 10th grade math teacher this year. Outside of school, Mr. Buitrago loves computer programming, sports, and reading about World War II. One of Mr. Buitrago’s favorite parts of being a teacher is watching how his students grow and suceed.
After moving to Houston from California, Mrs. Lauri Anderson began her teaching career by substituting at numerous HISD schools. She later worked at other HISD schools with the Apollo Tutors program as a tutor. Mrs. Anderson joins her husband, Dr. Anderson, a physics teacher, and daughter, Bryn (12), at Kinkaid this year as a learning specialist.
Dr. Jenny Howell began teaching at the University of Texas as a graduate student, and later continued to teach at UT after graduating. When she’s not binge watching “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” Dr. Howell enjoys going the theatre; she even saw “Hamilton” the week it came out. She joins us as a 10th and 11th grade English teacher this year.
Ms. Martha Beltran comes to Kinkaid from Angola, West Africa to teach Spanish I and eventually Geology. On the weekends, Ms. Beltran enjoys spending time with her children and taking and teaching zumba classes. Her favorite part of Kinkaid is the strong sense of community and the “values instilled in the students, the amazing teachers, and the parents.”
Mrs. Maggie Honig worked at Kinkaid two years ago and is joining Kinkaid once again as a Biology and AP Environmental Science teacher. One of her favorite things to do is to sit and watch her chickens roam in her backyard. She also enjoys going on and leading birdwatching trips alongside her husband.
After four years teaching various math courses at the University of Houston, Ms. Letty Reza begins her job here at Kinkaid as a Precalculus and Algebra II teacher. When she isn’t working on “making math fun and palpable to students.” Ms. Reza enjoys playing basketball and watching Mr. Robot.
FEATURES
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
The Kinkaid School / 15
Students, faculty remember September 11, 15 years later BY ALLISON FAVALORO It was a typical September day in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. No clouds were present in the bright blue sky; the cool autumn air blew away the tail-end of the miserable summer heat; the hustle and bustle in the city that never sleeps kept on as it did every day. Then at 8:45 a.m., a loud thunder-like crash reverberated through the city, and a dark grey cloud obliderated the sky. Ashes and remenants of papers drifted down to carpet the streets. American Airlines flight 11 had crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan. People thought it was just a mistake; they believed that the plane must have had a malfunction. Eighteen minutes later however, they realized that the crash was no accident when United Airlines flight 175 slammed into the South Tower. At 9:45 a.m., American Airlines flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon. The country was under attack. Americans were shocked, terrified, and devastated, but the country felt a sense of unity and strength. When former President George W. Bush spoke about the tragedy that night, he said, “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.” Students don’t remember this day since most of the seniors were only two or three years old. On Sept. 11, Philosophy teacher Dr. Ed Harris was working in his office in New Jersey. He was getting frustrated because the fax he was trying to send wouldn’t go through. He was trying to send some documents to some attorneys at the Marsh & McLennan office in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. He figured out why that fax wasn’t sending when a coworker told him to watch the television—that’s when he saw the Twin Towers on fire. Unlike most people, he immediately knew that the crash was no accident because he remembered the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, a previous terrorist attack on the buildings. The most frightening part
to him was that he didn’t know where his wife, Mrs. Anne Taylor Harris, was at the time. She worked for Deloitte Accounting in the World Financial Center building next to the Twin Towers. She had a meeting scheduled for that morning, and he couldn’t get ahold of her because the cell phone lines were down. Fortunately, she realized on the way to work that she had left some papers at home and had turned around to retrieve them. The first tower was hit while she was heading home. Once he discovered that she was safe, he turned his attention towards his church. He was the bishop of his community church in East Brunswick, NJ. 26 members of his congre-
the time, Mr. Ramey was on active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was stationed in Yorktown, VA during the attack, but he was transported New York City to help. Like most Americans, Mr. Ramey was angry after the attacks. “A lot of people didn’t get to do anything about it. We got to do something about it, so that helped channel some of the anger that we had because we got to be involved and help with it,” Mr. Ramey said.
on a daily basis in a big way because we still hadn’t located many people.” Mr. Ramey stayed in New York City until December, and when he left, there was still “smoke billowing from lower Manhattan.” Mr. and Mrs. Sean and Mindy Rice, parents of Lauren Rice (11) and Mary Katherine Rice (9), lived in New York City during the attack. On Sept. 11, 2001, the family prepared to move to Houston the following
“PEOPLE WERE YELLING AT ME TO GET THE BABY INSIDE BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS CHEMICAL WARFARE.”
—Mrs. Rice, recalling the events of September 11, 2001
Dr. Ed Harris traveled to this location to take a picture of downtown Manhattan on Sept. 13, 2001. Although there were still many unanswered questions at the time, he knew there was a need to “capture the memory.”
gation worked around the towers, and all of them survived. Dr. Harris felt the aftermath of the attacks long after that tragic day. “The hardest thing about it [all] was that every day, the New York Times did a profile of someone who had died, and I made a point of reading each one of the profiles out of the sense of loss. [I wanted to] get to know them a little bit, just feeling the need to spend some time thinking about all of the ones who were lost that day,” he said. Another member of our community who directly experienced the aftermath of 9/11 is Mr. Josh Ramey, the Upper School Dean of Students. At
He headed to the city on Sept. 12 with the Coast Guard to help protect the New York Harbor. They couldn’t let any recreational boats in or out, and they had to inspect every commercial boat entering the harbor. They also set up security zones around the targets of interest like the Statue of Liberty, the United Nations, the Indian River Nuclear Plant, and even Ground Zero, and he made sure that all boats stayed back a certain distance. He remembered that the general mood was different in the city from before the tragedy. “It wasn’t like [9/11] was over on the 12th; it was still affecting people’s lives
day, but their plans changed. They were in their apartment when they heard a loud boom. They didn’t realize that a plane had hit the North Tower until Mr. Rice’s sister called from New Orleans to see if they knew what had happened. “We hoped it was a small private plane crash,” Mr. Rice recalled, “but as soon as [we] saw the second one hit, [we] knew that was not the case.” They remembered the day as being very chaotic. People were crying and screaming everywhere, and the wind carried tons of ashes to their Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. “People were yelling at me to get the baby inside because
they thought it was chemical warfare. And then people were walking over the bridge into Brooklyn, and they were covered in grey soot,” Mrs. Rice said. The movers still moved them out of the apartment on Sept. 12, and they had to stay in a hotel for four days because the airports were closed. They took one of the first plane flights out of Newark, N.J. It took them “over four hours” to get through security because officers checked “every single piece of clothing” in their suitcases. “You could sense that everyone was uncomfortable and checking everyone else out on the plane,” Mr. Rice said. “It was an awkward time when people were worried and mistrusting of one another.” 9/11 also touches the students as we have experienced the aftermath of the tragedy for our whole lives. Less than a month after the attack, Oct. 7, 2001, President Bush declared war against terrorism, and troops were sent to invade Afghanistan, where Al-Qaeda established its base. President Barack Obama announced a timetable for removing U.S. forces in Afghanistan, but some troops still remain there today. Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, successfully executed additional terrorist attacks in Madrid and London. Their power has since dissipated, and Bin Laden was found and executed in 2011. Since then, the terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has risen to power and created the new terrorist threat around the world. Members of the group are responsible for the attacks in Paris, Belgium, and many more. The United States as well as Russia, France, Iran, the United Kingdom, the Kurds, and other Arab nations are currently working together to defeat the terrorist group in Syria and Iraq. The fight against terrorism is still going strong, though the players have changed. Most students don’t remember 9/11–some weren’t even born yet–but we will never forget what happened. The effects of the tragedy changed the world as we know it and altered the landscape of our futures.
FEATURES
16 / The Kinkaid Falcon
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
Gorilla’s death kept alive in controversial memes
Harambe, a western lowland gorilla, died at the Cincinnati Zoo on May 28, 2016. He was 17 years old.
BY STERLING ELIAS On May 28, 2016, a threeyear-old boy at the Cincinnati Zoo climbed into the gorilla enclosure when his mother was distracted. The child was picked up and dragged by Harambe, the western lowland gorilla who lived there. Zookeepers converged on the area, concerned about the boy’s safety, and shot and killed the gorilla. Videos
captured by witnesses and posted to social media quickly turned the incident into a national news story. In the immediate aftermath, the gorilla’s termination appalled the entire world. Some thought the Cincinnati Zoo made the right decision to kill the gorilla, whiles others thought the Cincinnati Zoo was
wrong to kill a gorilla of an endangered species. Whether they’re putting blame on the little boy’s parents, the Cincinnati Zoo architects, the zookeepers’ decision to use a bullet rather than a tranquilizer, or even Harambe, many people throughout the world have something to say on the matter. Four months later, the gorilla’s death is still showing up in news articles, social media, and our everyday lives. The incident has “meme-ified” the gorilla’s name. Memes, broadly defined by Webster’s dictionary as “an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from one person to another in a culture”, have become a popular form of communication, especially about pop culture topics. Harambe memes have become ubiquitous, spreading across social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. People outraged by Harambe’s death have harassed the Cincinnati Zoo on Twitter. For example, the Cincinnati Zoo tweeted, “Receive half-price admission
Fast Facts
today & Sunday for Visitor Appreciation Days!” and an internet troll responded with, “@CincinnatiZoo harambe loved half price admissions.” Under a barrage of such tweets, the zoo ultimately decided to delete their account. Internet memes and Twitter harassment are not the only ways Harambe is still very much in the spotlight. Change.org, a website where users can start petitions and others can sign online, has spawned petitions relating to Harambe, including a petition for renaming the Cincinnati Bengals to the Cincinnati Harambes; it has already garnered 24,287 signatures, just 713 short of its 25,000 goal. Meanwhile, the Justice for Harambe petition has accrued 515,395 online signatures. The Harambe controversy has made its way to Kinkaid as well. An example of this occurred When Gleith Cozby (10), a member of the Community Service Council, posted a Harambe meme on the council’s Instagram account promoting the bocce ball tournament at Kinkaid.
The meme said, “Take a shot at bocce for Harambe, like he took one for you.” School administrators requested the post be removed. Dean of Students, Mr. Josh Ramey, first noticed Harambe references appearing on campus when seniors referenced Harambe on their cars at the senior One Last Blast event in which seniors came together and wrote on each other’s car windows. After further investigation, Mr. Ramey learned that the Harambe meme is increasingly linked to derogatory and racist stereotypes, and the seniors were notified to remove any references from their cars; all Harambe references and memes have since been banned rather than just removed in specific situations, so as to avoid any controversies down the line. “The problem is when someone makes a racist meme out of [Harambe],” Mr. Ramey said. “They ruin it for everybody because even if your intention is not to be racist, it could be perceived that way by others.”
❉ Western lowland gorillas originate in West Africa. ❉ Western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species. ❉ Gorillas are very smart. Some have even learned sign language. ❉ Western lowland gorillas can live 50 years or more.
Monday through Wednesday Shellac.........................$30 Pedicure......................$30 Dipping powder..........$35
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
Class of ‘16 graduates talk about college life post-Kinkaid
FEATURES
The Kinkaid School / 17
BY EMMA STOUT Everyone knows the tension around college applications and decisions this time of year. Do I want to attend a big or a small college? Is this right for my application? According to Niche’s academic high school rankings, Kinkaid is the second highest ranked private school in Houston and number 48 nationwide, so there can be a lot of pressure about where students go and what they make of it when they get there. Students hear it all the time--throughout the hallways, in our classes, talking to our parents and dean—but what really happens after the applications have been sent in, the mortarboards have been thrown, and the dorms have been decorated? College freshmen Sarah Lasater at Rice University and Kaveh Badrei at Princeton University, helped us understand what college is really like after the notorious application and decision process. Kaveh Badrei applied to many other schools in the Northeast. Lasater applied to over 10 schools, but chose Rice for its diverse culture, emphasized academics, and balance. She said “Independence is valued and voices are heard” in the college community. Orienting your way around, befriending your roommates, and not getting lost on the way to classes can be difficult during the first couple of days in college. Rice, Princeton, and multiple other colleges have organized an “O-Week” or “Orientation Week” as a way to help students adapt and familiarize themselves with the college routine. “[Students learn] about all
the different organizations and resources on campus. [They] learn crazy college and Rice traditions, have giant shaving cream fights, and pull pranks,” said Lasater. “It’s a lot like summer camp in that sense.” At Princeton, Badrei said how freshman have opportunities to meet other freshman at events like the Ice Cream Social and an outdoor music festival. Princeton students may also choose between a community service event or an outdoor adventure experience during orientation week. During this time, students also meet student and college advisors, RA’s (resident assistants who help students with housing and dorms), and other students in their college. However, O-Week isn’t all fun and games. Students also pick their classes, sort out academic plans, and get prepared for the academic year ahead of them. One of the most rigorous aspects of Kinkaid is its academics, so students may
“Independence is valued and voices are heard.” wonder how their hard work and dedication pay off in college, and if the grueling workload adequately prepares them for it. Badrei said, “you get to curate your schedule based on your own preference,” and students usually take 4-5 classes per semester. After two or three classes a day, Lasater usually is done by around 12 or one. You can
Sarah Lasater (‘16) attends one of many bonding events during Orientation Week, otherwise known as “O-Week,” at Edgar Odell Lovett College, one of the residential colleges at Rice. (Photo by Sarah Lasater)
usually find her studying, napping, hanging out with friends in the common room, or going to sports and club meetings after her classes. Unlike high school, homework rarely consists of “next-day” turn in assignments, and is usually just studying or finishing long term readings and problem sets. Although there is less class time, school work is almost always up to the students and independence is emphasized. On the other hand, professors, student teacher assistants (TA), and RA’s are always open resources regarding academics. Student’s may have an advantage with going to college in a location they’re familiar with: you are more aware of things around campus and have less to adjust to. Already living in Houston, Lasater was pre-exposed to the city; however, Lasater said, “...I still feel like I’m a new place. I don’t feel too close or too far.” She also remarked how the new people and discovering
new places around Houston with friends can make it feel like an entirely new city. Living with her sister in Houston during high school, Lasater was experienced with sharing a room; however, living with a roommate in college can be a whole different experience. Lasater and Badrei said they had to be more conscious about things like tidiness, turning off and on the lights, doing the laundry, etc. Although Badrei has never shared a room before, he said, “...the change has been very smooth…my roommate and I have become good friends already.” Lasater and Badrei also remarked how keeping in contact with their parents through FaceTime make it easy to deal with the distance. Lasater explained how life on campus can be active and rather spontaneous. “Baker college is hosting a Christmas party...and has been blasting “Feliz Navidad” on loop from the windows all day,” Lasater said. Similarly, Badrei said
he can always find on campus events like performing arts events or walk around Princeton town visiting shops and restaurants. Although academic work keeps them busy, there are always social events or hang out spots to discover on and off campus. Regarding college applications, Badrei said to just be yourself (however cliché it may seem), and to stay true to your values and character. He also said freshman should take advantage of everything the opportunities and tools Kinkaid gives them to discover your own interests and passions. “it’s up to you to get involved and make the most of all that Kinkaid has in store for you,” he said. Overall, leaving high school and situating yourself somewhere far from home with new people can be very intimidating. But with so many experiences and possibilities, both on and off campus, college is a thriving place filled with life and opportunity.
University of Texas deals with contriversial “Campus Carry” law BY BRADY BRAZDA
Since the “open carry” law went into effect in early 2016, college campuses like the University of Texas in Austin have seen guns carried more prominently.
Imagine sitting in a college seminar class, taking notes beside a fellow classmate who happens to have a gun. This might feel unsettling for some students, but it might make others feel safe. Much debate over the “Campus Carry” law has arisen over the past few weeks as the new Texas law was implemented in 2015. It states that “any licenced carrier” is able to “openly carry a holstered handgun” on campus. On June 1, 2015, Governor Greg Abbott, signed Senate Bill 11, also known as the “Campus Carry” law. This law “provides that license holders may carry a concealed handgun throughout university campuses.” The law went into effect starting Aug. 1, 2016, when many of our Class of 2016 graduates were stepping onto Texas college campuses. Under the law, students who are 21 years and older who have licenses can take handguns in classrooms, dorms, and in other campus buildings.
However, each school can make their own guidelines. According to CNN, the University of Texas at Austin President, Gregory Fenves, admitted, “I do not believe handguns belong on a university campus, so this decision has been the greatest challenge of my presidency. However, I have an obligation to uphold the law.”
“We should be able to feel safe in our school enviroment.” New UT freshmen and Kinkaid Class of 2016 alums, Lauren Rubenstein and Halle Brazda weigh in on the issue. Rubenstein said, “I am definitely against the campus carry law. There have already been disturbances on campus [and surrounding the campus] since the law was put in place. Personally, I think the law puts the students and the community in more danger. If someone feels it necessary to defend themselves, there are
other ways to do so than with guns.” Brazda noted, “We have had classroom discussions with teachers about their views and most of my teachers don’t carry a gun on them because they don’t feel it necessary. We should be able to feel safe in our school environment.” Many UT parents have strong feelings about the campus carry law. Brazda’s mother, Ms. Amy Brazda, said, “I have discussed the new law with other UT parents. Whether for or against, we are all in agreement that we are all highly concerned about our kids’ safety. Hopefully, students who do carry guns have the proper knowhow, knowledge, and common sense needed to use a handgun if necessary.” Since the law has been passed, students who have strong feelings on this subject and have begun protesting around the campus. Whether people agree or disagree with the bill, students can hold arms on the campuses of Texas public universities.
FEATURES
18 / The Kinkaid Falcon
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
Intellego brings Classical Latin to the modern world BY KIRK HACHIGIAN One of the oldest languages still in existence is coming to the 21st century! Latin, the official language of the Roman Empire, has lagged behind other languages in online tools and technology to help students learn, but that is quickly changing due to students like Seb Seager (10). “Classics has a stereotype of being very antiquated and stuffy, but technology is making languages like Latin much more interactive and not confined to textbooks,” said Latin teacher Dr. Allison Das. Segear spent this past summer developing a Latin app, Intellego. He has had a passion for technology for as long as he can remember, and viewed this as a challenge because he had never worked with Swift for XCode (the programming language for Apple) before. He did not let this lack of experience deter him, and taught himself the basics in under a week. “The idea for the app came up in a discussion with
Fast Facts: Trinity Curry BY MARLEY ORANGE
Of the 40 new students entering the 9th grade this year, there is one student who stands out at 6 feet 5 inches. Meet Trinity Curry:
Dr. Das,” Seager explained. “Verbs are one of the most challenging parts of learning Latin, and there were very few apps that offered a comprehensive verb practice.” Intellego, which translates to “I understand,” consists of two main sections: Learn and Practice. The Learn part provides an overview for students on a database of over 600 Latin verbs, while the Practice allows users to see how much they have actually learned by playing games. An Achievements section, which is currently in the works, will provide rewards to students based on their progress. “This app can really help reinforce what we are learning in class for students at home. It is useful for students of all levels,” Dr. Das said. Intellego was released on the iTunes App Store on Sept. 4, and is priced at $1.99. Seager decided to charge for Intellego to cover the cost of Apple’s $99 fee for posting apps and has
Intellego $1.99 in the Apple App Store Developed by Seb Seager
SPORT: Basketball COLOR: Red DREAM PET: Panda SPIRIT ANIMAL: Cheetah COMFORT FOOD: Pizza MOTTO: “You can’t move forward in life if you keep looking back to your past.” —Anurag Paskab Ray LAST PERSON TEXTED: Mom BINGES: Weights APP: Instagram
currently received around 20-22 downloads. Because he does not own an iPhone, the testing and development of Intellego was even more difficult and required a com- puter simulator. Although Latin is a “dead” language in that nobody is a native speaker, millions of people around the world are still learning Latin. In 2014, almost 141,000 students took the National Latin Exam. This number reflects an increase in almost 5,000 students from the previous year, and continues to grow. While students are drawn to Latin for a variety of reasons, Seager, who began to study Latin in eighth grade at Kinkaid, believes that the language is very useful as “it is the core of many modern languages.” Seager hopes to keep developing apps in the future, and he is considering another Latin app for practicing nouns. Intellego is not yet available for Android, but will continue to be updated for Apple.
BOOK: “Smile” by Raina Telgemeler SONG: “Acapella” by Karmin SINGER: Queen Bey BAND: Fall Out Boy SHOW: GreenLeaf MOVIE: Paul Blart: Mall Cop ACTRESS: Gabrielle Union Know someone we should feature? Let us know at student.publications@kinkaid.org!
Photo by Marley Orange.
2016-2017 AFS student hails from Hungary BY ELLA MORGAN Every year, Kinkaid hosts a student from another country through the AFS program. This year, Laci Kranitz flew from Hungary to spend his junior year in Texas. He is hosted by the Kalmans family. What is the biggest difference between Kinkaid and your school in Hungary? “We didn’t have any homework. We just had to study. So I could go and hang out with my friends after school every day.” Do you have a favorite thing about Kinkaid? If so, what is it and why? “Everybody is so friendly. I feel famous because everyone says ‘hi’ even when I don’t know them. The teachers give me less work than everyone else, too, so that’s nice.” Fun fact about you that no one knows? “I’m a big sports fan. Me and my dad always travel to watch soccer games.” Do you have any special talents? “Not really. Definitely not singing or dancing, I’m so
bad at those.” Favorite American food? “The hamburgers here are way better than they are at home.” What did you think Texas was going to be like? “I thought everyone would wear cowboy hats. It’s definitely a lot hotter than I was expecting.” Why did you choose to be part of an exchange program? “Two years ago I went to visit New York and fell in love with the U.S. This is the dream country for us in Europe because of all the opportunities. I wanted to be here for a longer period of time.” What is your favorite pastime activity? “I love to play soccer and football and I’m always hanging out with friends.” Photo by Charlie Marix.
Laci Kranitz fills in the blanks Real Madrid If someone wanted Your favorite SPORTS team is __________. to follow you on SOCIAL MEDIA, they would search
@lacikranitz ___________. ___________ If you could have any SUPER POWER, FLYING Your favorite American SONG is it would be ______. “Switch Lanes” by TYga Your ANIMAL of choice is _________________. _________________ __________ __________. a tiger Your favorite Hungarian WORD is
lehetetlen incredible ____________ ____________, which means __________. The best American MOVIE that you’ve seen is
“The Hangover” (2009) ________________ ________________.
In honor of the
Class of
2017
by Faris D. Virani
ENTERTAINMENT
20 / The Kinkaid Falcon
Summer by Hana Keleta
Whether it’s jamming out with the windows down when you finally get a hold of the AUX, or solo-bumping with headphones on at home, students take advantage of every opportunity to rock out to various types of music. Artists such as The 1975, The Chainsmokers, and Rihanna released new hits that enjoyed airwaves throughout the steaming summer sun. Genres ranging from electric jams like “This Is What You Came For” by Calvin Harris featuring Rihanna, to heavy bass rap songs like “Freestyle 4” by Kanye West featuring Desiigner were popular songs played constantly by students in the hot summer days. Chance the Rapper, Drake, and Frank Ocean are a few of the many artists that released new music that was popular throughout student’s playlists.
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
What is a song title to describe your mood? “Legend” by Drake - Parker Browne (11)
Best album that dropped this summer? “Dangerous Woman” by Ariana Grande - Inara Khan (9)
“Finish Line/Drown” by Chance the Rapper - Olivia Hart (12)
“Anti” by Rihanna - Isabel Stallings (11)
“Actin Crazy” by Action Brinskn - Cade Moulton (10)
“Coloring Book” by Chance the Rapper -Katelyn Gamble (9) “Skin” by Flume - Lee Saunders (9)
Best Spotify playlist? “Caleigh Doran’s (11) ‘work out’ playlist has all the perfect songs to get you in a hype mood. Every single song on the playlist is good.” —Isabel Stallings (11)
“Coloring Book” by Chance the Rapper - Olivia Hart (12) “Views” by Drake - Parker Browne (11) Discover any new music you liked? “Yes! I discovered a song called “I am the Antichrist to you” by Kishi Bashi, and I recommend it to everyone because it has a really cool vibe to it if you’re just wanting to hang out and chill.” —Halle Baerenstecher (11)
COMIC: The New Dining Center
When the coffee shop opens at 7, but there’s still no honey mustard
Approval Index
by Kcenia Kloesel (Guest Contributor)
Dining Center
+ What the staff approves of, and what they don’t
EHS Pep Rally Tater Tots
Mini Crossword by Kirk Hachigian 1
2
3
4
5
ACROSS:
No honey mustard
1 Five greats 6 Sharp; type of angle 7 A cape or a fish 8 It can be dramatic or tragic
6
Student Section
9 The best listeners DOWN:
7
1 A Hungarian
JJ leaving us
2 Squirrel’s treasure
8 A.M. Start
3 Brownie points
8
10
4 ___ phone home 5 Alluring 10 Continent, abbreviated
9
Want to contribute a mini crossword or comic for the newspaper? Please contact student.publications@kinkaid.org for details. Answers available at http:// thefalcon.kinkaid.org 10/7/2016.
Harambe Memes
-
ENTERTAINMENT
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
t e r r a u h t l C t u e C r r a u p t h l o C u P C p o P
The Kinkaid Falcon / 21
The Pop Culture Chart: Where we get to know the Kinkaidian tastes and takes on what’s the talk around campus. By Anna Leon, Katherine Berman, & Emma Stout
What is your favorite place to hang out on campus? What is one thing Kinkaid students cannot live without? In what thing are your parents outdated in?
“That square thing in between all the classrooms.”
“The Lib” —Merritt Cozby (10)
—Arman Badrei (11)
—Annabel Skubiz (9)
“Our president, Rob Lahourcade.” —Hudson Mcleroy (9)
“Loafers! Oh my gosh, they can’t go without those!” —Josh Williams (10)
“Email is the extent of their technological capabilities” —Pierre LochTemzelites (9)
“Anywhere Mr. Ramey will let us.”
“My mom always tries to use my MacBook as a touchscreen.”
“The shoes that the girls tie the laces around their ankles.”
“Freshmen Hall because of the fresh ladies.” —William Alcorn (12)
“Guns or Starbucks.” —Rahul Popat (12)
—Myles Black (11)
—Elizabeth Roff (11)
“My mom doubletaps Instagram to zoom in.”
“My dad has asked me multiple times to explain what Snapchat is.”
—Kcenia Kloesel (12)
—Simi Bontha (10)
What song best describes your high school experience thus far? What is your secret to making it to first period on time?
“‘untitled 07’ by Kendrick Lamar”
“‘Love Story’ by Taylor Swift.”
“‘Highway to Hell’ by ACDC.”
“‘Bad Decisions’ by Ariana Grande.”
—Dalton Nevins (9)
—Beckett Toussaint (10)
—Katherine Montgomery (11)
—Brittney Williams (12)
“I don’t make it; I have two tardies.”
“No cop, no stop.”
“Having Lao Shi.”
—Katherine Jacobe (10)
—Barrett Taylor (11)
“Parking in a visitor’s spot.”
—Sofia Escalona (9)
—Drake Greenwood (12)
The Illustrated Interview with Rob Lahourcade (12) and Kat Smith (12) Rob Lahourcade:
Please draw what you look like.
What are you never without?
What are you afraid of?
Draw your favorite cartoon character.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
What are you never without?
What are you afraid of?
Draw your favorite cartoon character.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
Kat Smith:
Please draw what you look like.
SPORTS
22 / The Kinkaid School
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
Rivalry renewed: programs battle for city dominance BY COLIN CONWAY & WILLIAM SCOTT Continued from Page 1 Episcopal has played to an overall 30-7 win/loss record (17-4 in SPC conference play), while Kinkaid has had a 29-9 overall record (19-5 in SPC conference play) in the same time period. These records have been driven by strong players; since 2013, 11 former Falcons and seven former Knights went on to play football at the college level. Episcopal also boasts two current blue chip recruits in seniors Walker Little and Marvin Wilson, both of whom are ranked in the top 25 overall high school football players in the country. This tremendous amount of talent that the Knights possess may be a road block, but the Falcons are ready to dodge any obstacle. “We just have to play our game and not let who we are playing affect our game plan, and we can absolutely not take any plays off,” said Kirby Cravens (12), a receiver on the team. The senior pass catcher emphasized that the game is “different because they are our rivals, but the week of practice is not. We try to keep the same intensity for every single practice but the game is obviously
Fast Facts
11
In the last three years, Kinkaid has had 11 players go on to play football in college
Tommy Beeler (12) celebrates after the Falcons secured victory in the 2015 SPC Championship with a defensive stop. Photo by David Shutts.
different.” Cravens, who is playing his fifth game against the Knights tonight, said, “The atmosphere of the game is not the same as an average game. We’re more excited, the fans are more excited, and the win means more to each team.” Cravens also said the team is on a mission to prove that last year “wasn’t a fluke” and that the Falcons can
“compete with [the Knights].” While these schools have enjoyed recent successes, both have dominated the SPC for decades. Between the two schools, they have taken home eight of the last 13 SPC championships, and 20 of the 33. SPC Championships since Episcopal was founded in 1983. This rivalry between the two programs dates back
decades. These two heavyweights will do battle once again tonight at Simmons Field, with this bout being as big as ever. The game tonight not only has a lot on the line with postseason seeding, but both teams have much to prove, and also much to lose, after last season’s SPC championship game.
29
This year’s team returns 29 players from 2015 SPC title-winning team
76
In the last four seasons Kinkaid has won 76 percent of its football games
Freshman standouts on the field, court, and trails BY JORDAN JAFARNIA
Alex Caldwell The newest wide receiver on the junior varsity team, Alex Caldwell, has been playing football for five years now and plans on playing throughout his high school career. His favorite NFL players are Stefon Diggs and Tyrann Mathieu. Caldwell’s talent will surely help lead the Falcons to victory!
This year, the Kinkaid Falcons have an exceptional group of freshmen who shown excellence in fall sports. These athletes have stood out to their teammates and coaches due to their positive attitudes, excellent performances, and their athleticism.
Kate Riley The newest Kinkaid cheerleading flyer, Kate Riley, has been competing in cheer for six years now at a gym called Apex. This multitalented cheerleader is not only is a flyer, but she also does base stunts as well. Off of the cheering fields, Riley keeps up her athletic spirit by competing in diving meets and plans on diving for the Kinkaid School in the winter.
Mary Katherine Rice
Brian Xu
Anna Van Os
Michael Camp
Alexandra Blake
Mary Katherine Rice has spent her summer practicing hard for field hockey at camps and practices. Not only does she play field hockey, but she also plays soccer and lacrosse. “I think her sick field hockey skills are the reason all the boys chase her, and those beautiful curls of course,” Lauren Rice (11), her older sister joked. “MK is such a good addition to our team! She brings such a positive attitude and a great desire to get better and play harder each practice,” says her teammate, Olivia Marrus (10).
Brian Xu proved to be a varsity volleyball player from the beginning of practice by showing his skills as a hitter. “He really knows how to smack a ball!” exclaims teammate, Jason Gordon (10). Xu has been playing volleyball since the seventh grade, but he also enjoys to take part in ultimate frisbee and basketball games. One of Brian’s pre-game routines is eating a delicious ham sandwich. His favorite memory from his volleyball career at Kinkaid is beating the JV team.
Volleyball has been Anna Van Os’ passion since the third grade. Van Os jumped right to the varsity level after a history of playing club volleyball. Van Os’ teammate, Madi Malouf (10) said, “Anna is always excited to practice and improve her volleyball skills. Every day she brings a great attitude, which makes it fun to play with her.” Van Os loves playing for the school and hanging out with her teammates.
Michael Camp attended cross country camp this summer in Asheville, North Carolina. At camp he enjoyed “hanging out and splitting pizzas with [his] teammates while [they] played dirty against other teams in ping pong.” Camp has been running cross country since the seventh grade and plans on continuing his career in track during the spring.
As a freshman, Alexandra Blake is already a four-year veteran at running cross country. The newest member of the varsity team, she is the fourth best runner. “I like that all you need is a good pair of running shoes to stay healthy,” Blake said. Before races, she gets energized with peanut butter and banana sandwiches. When Blake is not running, she is studying, playing piano, reading, or hanging out with friends.
SPORTS
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
The Kinkaid Falcon / 23
Field Hockey
Football
BY LACI KRANITZ The field hockey team’s biggest goal this year is to win SPC. It will be very difficult and the girls have to win some important games but they are positive and hope for the best! Belle Martire (11) has played field hockey since sixth grade. The field hockey team is doing pretty well so far this season. “Every day we just hope to get better and grow as a team,” Martire. They have practice every day and these are so hard. The team has two new coaches in this year “they are strict but so nice and the players like them very much.” The connection between the players is pretty good. “This is definitely the closest team where I have ever been in Kinkaid,” Martire said. They are teammates on the field and they are friends in the real
life. The senior captains are the main persons in the locker room. Sarah Fullenweider (12) Kaylie Mings (12) and Jennifer Jacobe (12) always give good speeches before the games and the coaches motivate them as well. As I mentioned the season has already started. The girls doing pretty well they won almost every game. They were in a tournament in Dallas and they won 5 games and almost on game was tie. They have to stay in this level if they want to win the SPC. I hope that the end of the season we can celebrate the SPC cup with the girls. In the end Belle want to send a message to the Falcon fans, “Come support us! Go Falcons!”
BY LACI KRANITZ Aryan Minooe (11) is a varsity football player and plays wide receiver and cornerback. He chose number 22 because it’s his lucky number. He has been playing football since seventh grade, where he initially played as a quarterback. He chose football because “every girl loves the football players”—and there is a more earnest reason too: football is good for fitness. Minooe played last year in JV but now he is in Varsity. “JV is just like a normal sport, but varsity is like your whole life,” said Minooe. Most of the juniors were new to the varsity team this year and they very easily fit in. The seniors were very friendly as he said “They made me really tough.” To join the varsity squad, there was no special requirement other than putting in work, but before the St John’s
Merritt Cozby (10)
Girls Volleyball
game, they have to cut their hair. Aryan thinks that the players on Varsity have a really good relationship with each other. Kinkaid won the championship last year and expectations are even bigger this year. In order to achieve the Championship title, they have to work day by day training to get better. Aryan talked about how encouraging the coaches are. They teach the players everything they know about football and always give them inspirational speeches before the games. Aryan has already achieved his personal goal this season because he played against Westbury Christian School. Aryan loves that the Kinkaid fans, especially the student section, is loud cheering them on. In the end, Aryan wants to send a message to the fans “Stay committed and Go Falcons!”
BY MAC FRIDAY The Girls Volleyball team stumbled coming out of the gate this year, starting the 2016 season with subpar performances in the Pearland and Spring Branch tournaments. Despite the early tribulations, the team has improved and bounced back, performing well in recent non-tournament play. The team also finished first in the gold consolation bracket of the Santa Fe Tournament on Sept 1-3. The squad is led by a pair of experienced co-captains: Three time All-SPC outside hitter Chinaza Ndee (12) and setter Ella Morgan (12). “They have been doing a good job with stepping up into the leadership role, both on and off the court,” DS/libero, Lauren Ho (11) said. Along with the captains, Ndee’s sister, All-SPC middle hitter Onuchi Ndee (10), is a very experienced and smart player. The girls volleyball team is coached this year by Kelly Stumph, who started as an
Assistant Coach and stepped into the role of head coach a few weeks into the season. Along with the head coaching change, John Wilson took the job as assistant to replace Ms. Stumph. Ho stated, “Although it has been a major change since last year, we are very excited to see what the season entails.” The girls look to win an SPC title this year, but a ring will not come easy, John Cooper and Houston Christian are two of the strongest teams in SPC and look to fight for the title as well. With several SPC games looming, the Falcons will need to achieve success against their competition to reach their objective, along with hard work in practice and staying as focused as possible as the season rolls on towards November.
Jonathan Thomas (11)
Girls Cross Country BY MAC FRIDAY The Girls Cross Country team trained hard this summer with grueling workouts in the hot sun and camp in California’s San Jacinto Mountains, and with the early success the team has achieved, it looks like their hard work has paid off. At the St Andrew’s invitational on Sept. 9, number 1 runner Camila Vicens (9) won the middle mile and crushed the school 5k record by a full minute and five seconds. Mikela McCauley (10), who entered Kinkaid this year, also broke the school record by a margin of five seconds, finishing in second place behind Vicens. Ali Ammons (11) has also performed well for the Falcons, with a first place finish in the big school division at the John Cooper Meet on Sept. 3. Coach Cheryl Mitchell said, “The team’s goal is to finish top three at SPC
Boys Cross Country
Margaret Durning (12)
BY MAC FRIDAY After a long summer of tedious workouts, grueling runs through the extreme conditions of the Texas heat, and a team trip to North Carolina for camp, the Boys Cross Country team has hit the ground running. Led by veteran captains Oscar Melendez (12), DZ Zavitsanos (11), and Socs Zavitsanos (11), the Falcons have already achieved early success in their meets with a fourth place finish in Friday Night Lights on Aug. 26, and a second place finish in the John Cooper Invitational on Sept. 3. The team looks to outrun the competition all the way to an SPC title this fall. DZ said, “SPC is the only thing that matters to us.” However, the road to Austin will not come without trials and tribulations. Defending SPC champions, St. John’s, will most likely be the Falcon’s
most formidable opponents: “We are trying to focus on ourselves, but we understand that [St. John’s] has a good team and we want to try and compete with them,” DZ said. DZ Zavitsanos, an AllSPC athlete in both 2014 and 2015, looks to be the Falcons’ star runner this season after finishing seventh in individual competition last year. Zavitsanos is also a leader to the young runners on the squad, making sure they contribute in every way possible and “keeping them in line with matters in and out of practice.” With the Zavitsanos twins and Melendez running the show, and the young runners working hard to push them in practice, this team has the potential to deliver a strong run for the SPC crown this November.
The girls are committed to working hard through intervals, tempo runs, up-tempo long runs, long runs at Memorial Park, and training on the hills in the backyards and Spotts Park.” A SPC title will not come easy for the girls as there is some tough competition this year in schools like Greenhill, St. Andrews, and cross-town rival St. John’s, but the true obstacles lie in small things, such as sleep deprivation, stress and injuries. Despite the team’s youth, Coach Mitchell has faith in the girls. “They are committed to getting better and working hard to race well individually and as a team,” Coach Mitchell said. If the team can continue to keep up their success and stay focused by working hard in practice, the Falcons will be a tough challenge for anyone who stands in their way this fall in Austin.
Boys Volleyball BY MAC FRIDAY
Andres Melendez (11)
After the loss of nearly the entire roster from last year’s team, the Boys Volleyball team has encountered some struggles thus far in the season. They lost all six of their opening matches against St. John’s and Episcopal in the first three weeks of the season. Despite these growing pains, the team remains positive. “I think we are on our way to great things. The underclassmen are really stepping up,” Rodrigo Guerra (11) said.
Jack Scofield (10)
The team looks to finish better than 6th in SPC, which was set by last year’s team. “ We plan to achieve this goal through intense practice and mental preparation, in and out of the gym,” said Guerra. If the Falcons are to achieve their goal, they will have to dust off the losses from the early part of the season and compete to the best of their ability against teams like Casady, St. Mark’s, and Greenhill.
SPORTS
24 / The Kinkaid School
Sept. 30, 2016 / Vol. 70, Issue 1
Fantasy football Week Four: Waiver wire pickups Our advice to help you take control of your fantasy football league 1 Terrelle Pryor, WR Photo courtesy of Joshua Gunter
It may have taken longer than expected, but Terrelle Pryor finally had a breakout game in Week Three. Pryor was a one-man show in the Browns’ loss against Miami, throwing for 35 yards, rushing for 21 yards and a touchdown, and catching eight passes for 144 yards. A former quarterback at Ohio State, Pryor is a remarkable athlete and his versatility means that he should be owned in all size leagues.
2 Kyle Rudolph, TE After a seven catch, 70 yard, and one touchdown performance against the Panthers, Kyle Rudolph deserves to be owned in every league. The Vikings starting tight end has received 26 targets this season and is a consistent threat in the red zone. His catching ability and target consistency make Rudolph a serious candidate for any teams in need of a starting or backup tight end. Rudolph needs to be owned in every league and has quietly become one of the top ten tight ends in the NFL.
Photo courtesy of USA Today
3
Victor Cruz, WR
4 Carson Wentz, QB Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Eagles Facebook
Photo courtesy of Patrick McDermott
Victor Cruz has been one of the most surprising players so far this season. The 29 year old wide receiver for the Giants has recovered well from an injury riddled season last year by putting up strong numbers for the first three weeks of this year. He has managed to find success in the Giants’ three wide receiver system and serves as flex pick or insurance to Odell Beckham Jr.
Although a bye week slows his momentum, the Eagles’ rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has been a revelation this season. The 23-year-old has completed 64.7% of his passes, with five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Rookie quarterbacks tend to be unreliable, but Wentz has been extremely convincing by scoring over 19 points in two of the first three weeks. He is a capable fill-in for your starting quarterback in unfavorable matchups and should be added immediately.
5 Jordan Howard, RB Jordan Howard will take over as the featured running back for the Chicago Bears this week after Jeremy Langford went down with an injury last week. The rookie out of Indiana is a rugged runner and should be in for a big week against Detroit. Chicago has started the season 0-3 and is likely to start playing more young players with the season already lost. Look for Howard to become a muststart player at one of the most important positions.
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Daniel
BY KIRK HACHIGIAN Over the last few weeks, millions of intense football fans have been observed heading en masse to secluded nighttime meetings. With them, they bring pizza, refreshments, and backpacks filled with statistical analysis and research. They set up conference calls, and prepare for the next few hours of high stakes competition. There is only one thing that this could mean–the fantasy football season is starting once again. The American phenomenon that is fantasy football began in 1999 when websites like Yahoo! and CBS began
to provide statistics and scoring for free. Since then, the industry has experienced explosive growth with millions of new players joining leagues every year. This season, roughly a quarter of the U.S. population, including millions of women, will be participating in a fantasy football league (74.7 million Americans). That is twice the number of players from 2009 and a large jump from the about 40 million participants last season. “I have been playing fantasy football for over twenty years, and I think that its
growth is great. Some fans struggle with allegiances, but I don’t really see it as a major conflict of interest. My lineup has no outcome on the NFL game, so I really enjoy the football and the fantasy,� Mr. Ken Conner said. He has taught a Fantasy Sports Analysis Interim Term class. Last year, there was an estimated $4.6 billion spent on fantasy football leagues and materials. Because of these vast sums of money, fantasy sports have come under a lot of legal scrutiny in recent year. In 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforce-
ment Act (UIEGA) banned online poker but not fantasy sports as they were deemed a game of skill–knowledge of players’ skill can be used to predict their performances. This NFL season is off to an action-packed start and has already seen many breakout stars emerge. The key to winning your fantasy football league is not always having the best draft, but navigating the difficult territory of the waiver wire. In many cases, a key addition to your team after an injury or suspension to a star player can save your season.
With the help of Mr. Connor and many Upper School students, we have compiled a list of players that can strengthen your roster. To make these selections, we looked at a variety of factors, including the player’s skill, opportunities available to them, and difficuly oft their upcoming opponents. Each of these players are also owned in less than 50 percent of leagues on ESPN and Yahoo!. All in all, this looks to be a very exciting fantasy football season, and we wish everyone good luck in their leagues!
Out of Wattage: The Texans strong start comes to a screaching halt BY FARAZ VIRANI The Houston Texans have a 2-1 record. But after the New England Patriots annihilated the team last week on Thursday Night Football, they might as well be 0-3. In new quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller’s debut, the Texans looked poised and aggressive as they soundly defeated the Chicago Bears. Following the first victory of the season, the team faced the Kansas City Chiefs, the team that ended the Texans’ season last year in a 30-0 shutout in the AFC Playoffs. This time around, the defense spearheaded the charge, forcing three fumbles and kept Chiefs’ quarterback Alex Smith on his toes the entire game. An impressive showing from the secondary led the Texans to a 19-12 win, negating Osweiler’s two
careless interceptions and a non-existent rushing attack. Up to this point, the Texans appeared to be the favorites to come out on top in an incredibly weak AFC South division this season. Rookie wideout Will Fuller showed plenty of promise despite a couple of wide open drops in his first two games, and Deandre Hopkins continued to perform like a top five receiver in the league, Yeezy cleats and all. Then, the team travelled north to Foxborough, and all hell broke loose. In the first of five nationally televised games for the team, the Houston Texans were outmatched, outplayed, and outcoached by the one and only Bill Belichick and his third string quarterback, Jacoby Brissett. No Tom Brady, no Jimmy Garoppolo, an injured Rob Gronkowski,
yet the Texans as a whole looked to be a shell of themselves, even with the same number of drives (13) and more yards than the Patriots. The most alarming aspect of the team’s play was the special teams, as rookie returner Tyler Ervin’s butterfingers were on full display. As soon as it appears that the Texans are ready to turn the page and move on from the Week 3 disaster, it was announced on Wednesday that J.J. Watt would be placed on the Injury Reserve. Re-injuring his back, the face of the franchise is potentially out for the rest of the season, and could face his second back surgery in consecutive seasons. Only time will tell on #99’s future. Even though the team signed defensive end Antonio Smith, the defense lost their leader, and the younger players have to
Photo courtesy of Brett Coomer
Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler hangs his head after throwing an interception agains the Patriots on Thursday Night Football.
step up immediately. The team hopes to rebound this week, face-offing against sophomore stud Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans. Their first matchup versus a division
opponent, the Texans need all three parts of the team, offense, defense, and special teams, to get back on track and control the rhythm of the game throughout.