The Lone Star Dispatch Vol. 27 Issue 2

James Bowie High School

the

Lone Star Dispatch Vol. 27

Issue 2

4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX 78749

November 10, 2014

Unforgettable proposal Fuaad Ejaz Staff Writer

The band was playing their jubilant music loud and clear, the Silver Stars all lined up in their sparkling uniforms, and the cheerleaders waved their shimmering pompoms in the air as Trainer Pablo Riera knelt down on one knee in the middle of the crisp green field.

The homecoming football game had more than one victory for Riera, other than the bulldogs winning the game against Akins that night. He got that “yes” from his longtime girlfriend Christine.

Planning the extravagant proposal took a lot of time and hard work, which Riera was ready to face and accomplish.

“I was planning the proposal for about four months and had asked the Silver Stars, cheerleaders, and marching band to help out with the proposal,” Riera said. “I had purchased the ring about a year before the proposal and when I moved down to Austin, that is when I started to plan the proposal.”

Not only did Riera have a lot of hard work to do, but the Silver Stars had to practice what they were going to do at the proposal too so everything would be just right.

“Our directors told us a couple weeks in advance that there would be a proposal at the game and so we practiced what we would do instead of doing our normal victory line routine,” senior Kate Buffler said. “We were in a curved shape to where she would walk down and not see Pablo then we opened up and she saw Pablo and the cheerleaders holding up the signs that said will you marry me.”

Not only did the Silver Stars, cheer team, and band know about it ahead of time, but one girl from the yearbook staff knew about the proposal in advance to make the night picture perfect.

“I knew a couple games before the actual proposal that Pablo was going to propose to his fiancé because I was going to take pictures,” junior Jamie Dorsey said.

“The moment was just really cute because it was just a great moment to be part of something that special for someone.”

www.thelonestaronline.com

Safe Place offers protection for all abused students Maryam Hussain Co-Editor-In-Chief

The big question: Trainer Pablo Rivera proposes to his girlfriend on the field at the homecoming game on October 18. With her daughter Isabella by her side, Christine said yes as cheering Silver Stars surrounded them and the band played celebratory music in the background. Photo by Hazel Rodriguez

Not only did Riera want a yes from his fiancé but he also wanted a yes from her little daughter she brought to the game with her.

“I asked her daughter, Isabella, if I could marry her mom and she was very happy as well and wanted me to give her a hug, getting a yes from her daughter made me feel good,” Riera said.

Rierra made sure to incorporate whats most important to him and his girlfriend in the proposal as well: family.

“Family is a big part of both mine and Christine’s life so I had both of our moms flown down from Miami to come watch me propose and be part of the proposal,” Riera said. “After I proposed the mascots went and got our moms and brought them out to Christine.”

With both mothers in on

the plan, keeping it a surprise got a little tricky at times.

“There were many times where our moms almost let the secret get out of their mouths but they always stopped themselves and Christine never suspected a thing,” Riera said. “Now when we go back and talk about those moments. Christine says she didn’t even notice that they were even talking about it,” Riera said.

Capturing those perfect moments was extremely important for Dorsey since Riera had come up to her personally and asked her to get pictures of their special moment.

“I was really excited but also nervous because I wanted to make sure I got the best pictures I could get for Pablo because this was a special moment for him and

I really wanted to capture that perfectly,” Dorsey said.

“I was asking my dad what equipment I should take and what lenses I should take and which lenses I should use; I had to prepare quite a bit for this proposal too.”

After all that preparation for the big moment, the suspense-filled moment just before getting an answer was the biggest part of the night for Rierra.

“I was ecstatic when she said yes and her daughter was there too which made the moment even more special, this was a big step in my life and it made me very happy,” Riera said. “Now it’s on to planning the weeding.”

That night, Rierra went home as an engaged man looking forward to hearing wedding bells soon.

Annually millions of young teens undergo brutal abuse, whether it be domestic violence, bullying at school, or sexual violence.

“There is so much of that happening on campus and nobody wants to talk about it and I think It needs to be talked about,” counselor Kate Kopke said. “Everybody has relationship problems and it all starts in high school because that’s when you really start relationships.”

Austin ISD is teamed up with an organization called Safe Place, which provides students with the care and counseling needed to help them through their tough times. School counselors encourage students to speak up about their conditions so they can be addressed and resolved.

The program targets students who are in unhealthy peer or dating relationships, involved in bullying, have difficulty managing anger, are socially isolated, worry about making their partner angry or jealous, use alcohol or drugs, are pregnant or parenting, or who may have experienced any form of violence or abuse.

“Students who are dealing with any sort of violence can tell any of their counselors, they can tell a teacher, their friends can tell anybody and then all those people would contact me, because I’m the contact and I will transfer their name to the Safe Place counselors,” Kopke said.

Bowie is a part of Safe Place’s Expect Respect program, which engages school personnel, parents and community organizations in promoting healthy relationships, creating safe school environments and responding to incidents of violence and abuse.

T h e Expect Respect groups serve vulnerable youth who have experienced violence in their homes or dating relationships. Support groups h e l p teens heal from past abuse, learn skills for healthy relationships, and prevent future victimization and perpetration.The Majority of students who are part of the program on campus receive referrals from teachers.

“Somebody usually recommends students and it’s usually very anonymous, so the student rarely knows that their name was brought up,” Kopke said.

“Then the counselor does what is called an intake interview in which the student gets to decide if they want to join, so it’s not mandatory at all.” art by Maryam On campus meetings are held every Hussain week in the viewing room of the library.

There is a boys group led by Safe Place counselor Nathaniel Morgan and an-all girls group led by Safe Place counselor Christina Foxhall.

“Young adolescents should seek help from a responsible adult if they are facing any abuse,” Morgan said. “They shouldn’t be ashamed or embarrassed about it.”

According to the Expect Respect website, a former female support group participant said, “My counselor helped me understand that the abuse was not my fault. She also taught me ways to relax when I was feeling anxious in class.”

Read more: “Safety for abuse victims” pg. 4

Senior creates an app to check grades and sign up for FIT

Annika Holm News Editor

Senior Jack Guy successfully created and published an app called GradeBuzz that allows students to view their grades in what he deems a more user-friendly way than the current Austin Independent School District (AISD) system, TEAMS. The app was released on Monday Nov 4.

“I was disappointed with the quality of the new grade system from AISD and so I just decided to fix the problem,” Guy said.

“The current technology is very inaccessible

and the technology is super outdated.”

The app is currently available in the app store for 99 cents. Guy explained that price was determined because of the cost of getting the app working.

“It cost me $150 to develop the app, so I feel justified in charging just a buck,” Guy said. “That money also helps to keep the servers online.”

GradeBuzz aimed to be more convenient than the current AISD system by adjusting the login policy.

“The app maintains your login, so you don’t have to log in every thirty minutes and you only have to login once insread of

News

Band marches its way to state competitions After winning first place in the area competitions, the band moved on to state-level competitons and earned a fourth place positon.

See page 4 for more details

Inside

twice,” Guy said. “It saves you like five clicks and then it displays your grades in a very accessible format, which you can update pretty easily.”

The app works by acting as a proxy to the AISD server that records and stores student’s grades.

“He’s using a proxy server and the way he navigates is as if he’s a student logging in, but it’s really as if he’s logging into everybody,” senior Sydney Hutton said. “But he can’t see names or anything, he can just access data- just numbers.”

Read more: “Solutions to” pg. 5

In-Depth

College debt leaves graduates flustered

Apllying to and attending college can get very expensive when little or no financial aid and scholarships are provided, leading to years of repaying debt.

See page 5 for more details

Ebola Madness

Commentary

Is the whole ‘Ebola-Hype’ overrated? After the diagnosis of four citizens within the United States, tensions concerning the outbreak rise all around.

See page 11 for more details

Student life 2-3 News 4-5-6 Photo Essay 7 In-Depth 8-9 Athletics 10-11 Entertainment 12-13 Commentary 14-15 Photo Essay 16

Student Life

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Nov. 10, 2014

Page 2

Inspiring leaders take action Shelby Becker Co-Student Life Editor

Leader At Work: Starlight Theatre Company President Lily Howard speaks at the meeting held each Monday. Howard spoke about important news and information about the theatre department. “My favorite part of theatre is to be able to be surrounded by so many talented people and perform as so many different characters,” Howard said. Photo

by Shelby Becker

Students are watching your every move as you walk through the halls, you are expected to come to the rescue for everyone as if you’re super man, and you are: the president.

The band, theatre, and student council organizations present the role as president to a student every year, but what does it take to be the president?

“They have to have a strong character,” history teacher Alejandro Garcia said. “Meaning they have to take care of their academics, they have to genuinely care about others and care about the school.”

Being president requires a lot of responsibility.

“It’s a lot of pressure sometimes because you know you are the representation of the organization as a whole,” senior Starlight Theatre Company president Lily Howard said.

The president is the face of the organization.

“I definitely have to be sure that I’m presenting myself as an appropriate, well meaning, eloquent, amazing Bowie student as my role as the president,” senior Student Council Co-President Eric Moe said.

Though it is a lot of work, they enjoy all the dedication needed.

“Being the President of the Student Council is a lot of hard work,” senior Student Council Co-President Powell Hinson said. “But it is very fulfilling when I see improvements in the school.”

Going to school can be difficult enough, but the presidents can’t just go home at 4:10 p.m.

“It’s a lot of commitment,” senior band president Riley Hamilton said. “I’m

usually one of the last ones to leave rehearsal every day.

I do whatever I can to help out and it’s a lot of work but it’s worth it.”

Their teachers respect these students as well.

“They have a very charismatic personality to where they are friendly to everybody,” Garcia said. “They are funny, they are personable, students respect them, and teachers respect them.”

Their teacher thinks very highly of them.

“Through their four years here at Bowie they have set a tone of excellence in the things that they’ve done,” Garcia said.

The experience of being president has improved these students.

“By being president, I have grown so much as a person and I hope that what I learn will help me later in life,” Hinson said.

People rely on the president to have all of the answers.

“So far this year I’ve learned that it’s okay to tell them that you don’t know,” Howard said. “That’s definitely something I’ve taken away from this experience, definitely open up about your uncertainty.”

Being the president means knowing what others will need of you.

“I’ve learned how to anticipate people’s needs before they actually ask you something,” Moe said.

Even though they are the leaders, they still had to start somewhere.

“I’ve learned a lot from the people who have lead me through my four years,” Hamilton said. “Everything I’ve learned from them, I’ve tried to apply in my own leadership position and those skills are going to stay with me forever.”

In order to run, the candidates must campaign.

“I worked really hard for

this campaign,” Moe said.

“I wanted it to be something that I was proud of whether I won or lost.”

For Moe, the election wasn’t all he was concerned about.

“I was very touched when people elected me to this position,” Moe said. “I definitely feel like I don’t want to let that energy stop there, it’s not just about the election, it’s about fulfilling your duties beyond that.”

While the student council holds elections for their positions, the theatre department has a different system.

“You’re not supposed to campaign for theatre so it’s like our campaign is your entire four years at Bowie,” Howard said.

Howard was unsure about running for president at first.

“My freshman year my sister was one of the presidents of the theatre company,” Howard said. “For a long time I didn’t know if I wanted to follow in her footsteps, but over the years through officer positions like my junior year, I realized that I was a natural leader.”

Along with leading, learning is a big aspect as well.

“The biggest life skill I’ve learned is delegation,” Howard said. “It makes your officers feel involved and it makes them feel like they have a part of your leadership.”

The learning experience involved helped them in their presidencies.

“I think that it has made me a better communicator and leader,” Hinson said.

“Plus it has taught me that hard work goes a long way.”

These students not only impact the school, but teachers too.

“I think I’m a better teacher for having been able to teach them over the course of time I’ve had them,” Garcia said.

Are homecoming proposals worth all the stress?

Casey Shrout Staff Writer Puffy paint and sparkles strung out across bedroom floors.

Signs and banners organized for each unique proposal.

From ice cream shops to the football stadiums, the question is asked all across Austin.

It’s the beginning of fall and to start the season off right students attended the annual homecoming dance.

The chilly night of Oct. 18 was far from uneventful.

Over half of the student body came together, dressed to the nines, and enjoyed a night of food and fun in the courtyard.

Homecoming has always been a high school tradition but the proposals have now taken on a whole new level.

“As a mom of two boys, I think that there is a lot of pressure on guys to ask a girl to a homecoming dance,” history teacher Patricia Maney said.

This expectation has evolved over the years and become quite overbearing.

“Back in my day, a thousand years ago, it was just nice enough for the guy to come up and ask you to homecoming and you said yes,” Maney said. “We were happy just to be asked, we didn’t need the hoopla or the money.”

A table for 20 is reserved for 5 o’clock, high heels and tuxes cross the parking lot, and everyone is off to meet at the school where the cameras and music are waiting.

“The dance itself is really what it’s all about, once ev-

“We stayed home and watched movies, homecoming seemed more stressful than fun,” Tidwell said.

All the hype is about boyfriends and girlfriends, proposals or no proposals. Attending homecoming without a date is perfectly acceptable.

“Some of the best times I’ve had in life were with my girlfriends so a date didn’t really matter, sometimes being with friends is more fun,” Maney said.

These stereotypes are running the lives of too many high school students. “I felt like if I couldn’t ask my girlfriend out better than every other guy then I might as well not do it at all,” junior Jeremy Branham said. “I didn’t end up proposing to her.”

Play of the night: Fulmore asks his date to the Homecoming Instagram fills up with red-lipped selfies and group dance after the game on Oct. 16. Fulmore’s date said yes and shots from the memorable night. they went to the dance the following Saturday, Oct. 18. Photo “After seeing all the pictures I really did regret not goby Jasmine Correa ing, I just assumed that without a date it wouldn’t be as fun,” Tidwell said. eryone’s there together no one cares about who or how they Red, black, or white flowers with hanging banners and were asked,” junior Sierra Crum said. miniature bulldogs are exchanged every year.

Proposals have weaseled themselves into every high “Cheerleaders and silver stars always did the back and school girls mind. These proposals are becoming more and forth with mums, I think it’s sweet so they all had one even more important and dominate to the student body.

“Three of my friends were heartbroken the Friday before if they didn’t have a date,” Maney said.

Homecoming has been around since the early 1900’s. homecoming because they didn’t get proposed to,” junior This tradition shouldn’t be discouraged.

Kristina Tidwell said. “I just don’t understand why it’s such “The experience is the dinner, the dance, the group you’re a huge deal.”

Movies and popcorn are cheaper and some couples prefer with and the fun you have. The five seconds it takes to ask someone to go is just silly,” Maney said. it.

Get hooked on catching Angler’s fishing club Alyssa Martinez Staff Writer

Making a splash, the Anglers are reeling in new members and having the time of their lives.

The Anglers are the schools fishing club sponsored by Brad Pierce, who meet twice a month and focus on the ideas of tournament bass fishing and the sport of bass fishing itself.

It is easy to wonder what they could be doing in fishing club because fishing is an outdoor sport but the members of the group prepare themselves to compete against other high schools to win titles and

awards.

“About 20 kids are in the club and we get together twice a month on Wednesdays after school to discuss tournaments and when and where they are happening,” agriculture teacher and sponsor of the club Brad Pierce said.

In the after school meetings there is a lot of conversation and discussion they have to do.

They talk to talk about how they’re going to get ready for these tournaments and what they’re going to do to succeed.

“We even have special speakers who are going to be coming into our meetings to talk and give the kids some tips about fishing,” Pierce said.

art by Fuaad Ajaz

At the bass fishing tournaments, which are once a month, there are contests to see who can catch the heaviest and sometimes the longest fish.

“They choose the winners by giving every participant a bag, and whoever has the biggest and heaviest bag at the end of the tournament is the big bass winner,” junior Quinn Matson said.

The fishing club has only been an official club for a month and a half ago but the members are working hard to win first place at one of these tournaments.

“None of us have won yet, but we fished a couple a little bit back

and we placed but didn’t win it all,” Matson said.

Fishing is also very competitive and takes hard work to win one of the tournaments.

“A lot of people may not be into fishing but right now bass fishing is becoming very popular and it requires a lot of skill to be able to fish for bass,” Matson said.

With bass fishing on the rise and eagerness of the students, there is a lot of hope for success for the Anglers this year and years to come.

If anyone would like to join the club or simply just wants some facts about bass fishing contact sophomore Grady Stracener or Pierce.

Student Life

A dream come true for Savages

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday Nov. 10, 2014 Page 3

Stitching it together: Senior Albert Huezzo works on his recent design for Savages. Since the first t-shirt release, he has focused on future art products. Photo by Justice Capello

Alberto Huezo takes his art to a new level, makes it into money making event Michelle McDonagh Staff Writer

Senior Alberto Huezo grew up like anyone else on campus, with dreams one day to own his own business. He got that opportunity one day drawing on a piece of paper, thinking that the design, a bear and a cross, could end up on a t-shirt.

He called and texted five of his

friends, who helped him get this design on a t-shirt and promote it.

This simple design would be the beginning of Savages, his line of t-shirts.

Huezo designs the shirts with certain thoughts in mind.

“I have a word and a concept when designing each shirt,” Huezo said. “Each design represents something different.”

One of his favorite designs was

one he created earlier in the beginning of the Savages line.

“The design was about control,” Huezo said. “A hand was holding three eyeballs. The left and right ones were representing our eyes, and the middle golden eyeball represented the intellectual eye that can’t be seen.”

Huezo was nervous when his first shirt was made.

“My grandmother didn’t think I

was going to make any money off the shirt,” Huezo said. “When the first shirt sold out, I gave all the money to her.”

Huezo’s family agrees with his grandmother.

“My family doesn’t think Savages will go far,” Huezo said. “My mom doesn’t think it will go anywhere.”

Despite negativity at home, his friends help Savages stay alive.

“My clientele inspires me to keep going,” Huezo said. “My friends are super supportive of me as well.”

Along with some of his friends, teachers on campus are fans of his work.

“I like the concept of the shirts,” Spanish teacher Ignacio Ruiz said.

“Each shirt has a special twist by Alberto. I also like how it’s made by him.”

Student council presidents experience behind the scenes at ACL

An event put on by the Austin Chamber Commerce, student council presidents, Eric Moe and Powell Hinson, got a backstage tour for Austin City Limits.

All of the student council presidents across the city were invited to promote financial awareness for college. They got to see behind the scenes of what happens at ACL. “Being the student council presidents, Eric Moe and myself were asked to go with the organization that runs ACL and they gave us a backstage tour as well as we rode around in golf carts and saw everything from the food court to talking to the people who run it all,” Hinson said.

“They also got to meet

different people who helped make ACL a reality.

“We first talked to the festival organizer and then we went on the giant Honda stage and we got to talk to the person who books ev-

“

form.

“It was super fun and super cool to see everything set up without thousands of people around and to be on the stage seeing what the artists would see while

“We actually met the Akins student council president and we’re going to schedule some things in the in the future, as well as the round rock student council

and right before everything began, and then seeing it with thousands of people there,” Moe said.

With the tour, Moe also had the opportunity to attend ACL to see many of his

It definitely was a unique experience and I don’t think that I will percieve music festivals the same way because of it.

- Eric Moe

eryone,” Moe said. “That was pretty amazing that we were able to be in contact with someone like that.”

While they were there, they were able to be on the stage where the artists per-

they’re performing,” Hinson said.

Not only they got a tour, but they also got to meet and get to know other student council presidents from other schools.

president,” Hinson said.

Since it was the day before the actual festival, no one was really there.

“I think I definitely got an interesting perspective seeing it empty and alone,

“

Sophia Mora Student Life Editor

favorite artist perform.

“I went Sunday, but I got to see so many artists,” Moe said. “It was interesting because I’ve never been to a music festival before and I definitely am going to

make an effort to go back to ACL.” What people don’t know is that music is one of the biggest things that brings people together, Moe got to experience that attending ACL. “What was cool was people from Bowie did come up to me and say hi,” Moe said.

“I did see a lot of my friends and we were talking about how we went to the same show and that I didn’t know they liked that kind of music. So definitely music does connect people even if it’s in a small subtle way.”

It was a unique experience all together for both Moe and Hinson, and they are glad they were able to be apart of it.

“I don’t think many people get the opportunity to do something like this and I am incredibly grateful,” Moe said.

Traditions that bring families together on Black Friday

Braving the over populated crowds has become a custom for early risers Fuaad Ajaz Staff Writer

People brave the early morning and go into stores that are like a zoo filled with wild animals.

Black Friday is packed with huge crowds running to their favorite stores like, Macy’s, Forever 21, Best Buy, Target, Kohl’s, and grabbing the things on sale before they are all gone.

On the crazy day people can be seen preparing for the shopping ahead of time in order to get all the stuff they want.

“I love going Black Friday shopping,” senior Chelsea Hummer said. “ I wake up really early around 3 a.m. and drink a lot of coffee to stay energized and awake through out the whole day.”

Spanish teacher, Irene Hidalgo spends her day on Black Friday doing things other then shopping in a crowded store.

“I don’t like Black Friday shopping, because the stuff I want is gone so I end up with a basket full of things I don’t want,” Hidalgo said.

Many stores have started offering online Black Friday shopping so people can shop in the comfort of their own home.

“I don’ t like going into the store for Black

Friday because I just don’t like crowds,” English teacher Vicki Hebert said. “I like to go to website that cater things for me, for example my son is a bicyclist, so I go to a bicycle website for my son. I spend about the whole day or several days online and an hour in the store.”

Black Friday shopping is a big family tradition for the Hummer’s family, so they round up the whole family and head to the mall.

“Black Friday shopping is a big tradition for my family, we all go the night after we eat our thanksgiving dinner. We just usually go to the mall, split up, and go to the stores we want to, which for me is usually is Bath and Body Works. I just stock up on lotions and perfumes for my mom, grandma, and myself.” Hummer said.

Hebert is always buying things online all year long but during Black Friday time there is always more coming in the mail for her.

“Every time I buy something its always one for me and one for the kids. So I have many things coming in the mail for me not only near Black Friday, but all year round.”

Hebert said.

The tradition continues year after year of waking up early and going shopping with family and friends on the crowded day.

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The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 Page 4

The band marches to fourth place

All about that brass: Members of the James Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble (JBHSOPE) performed during half time in the Austin vs. Bowie game. The tree-like metal pieces sported by the brass players help encompass the perforance theme, ‘When A Tree Falls...’. Photo by Fuaad Ajaz

Also wins second place at Bands of America super regional event in San Antonio

Cecilia Ramos-Cantu Staff Writer

Eighteen Bands of America Regional Championships are being held this fall across the nation. Bands of America Championships are recognized as the premiere high school marching band events in the United States.

The Regional Championships offer world-class band performances by many of the finest high school marching bands in America with expert evaluators.

Members of the band

start practice every year in the heat of August. While other students are savoring the last days of summer, those in the band spend days learning music and marching steps and the color guard members spend hours daily learning their routines as well.

“Even though our practices were long and tiring, in the end it all pays off to feel the cheers of the fans and supporters,” junior Daniel Cruz said. “Being in band since sixth grade has really helped to become a better musician than then and the

Bowie band has helped me find what I most like about playing and instrument” The James Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble won their second championship in a row at the Bands of America (BOA) Austin Regional Marching Band Competition.

Bowie placed First in Class 4A. They won in: Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance, and Outstanding General Effect.

“This was not just a win for the band, but for the whole community. The

News Brief

Forensics sweeps competitons again,creating a five win streak The Bowie Forensics team competed in a Texas Forensics Associations (TFA) state-qualifying tournament at Judson High School on October 19, 2014. There, the squad took first place sweepstakes for the fourth time this season.

“The team swept almost every event we’re competing in, and for the fourth tournament in a row, one of our students was the highest ranked individual sweepstakes performer,” forensics teacher Marco Bazan said.

The students all competed in a combined total of 11 individual competitions.

Of those competitors, senior Halen Wilson was in the spotlight after winning first place individual awards in duet acting, duo interpretation, dramatic interpretation, and poetry interpretation.

second place.

“It hurts really bad,” junior Michelle Galvan said.

“I just feel like we didn’t repay everyone with gold and I feel like we still owe the seniors something because I feel like we didn’t give back.”

Last weekend the band finished 4th at the UIL State competition.

“It feels bittersweet because we worked long hours to perfect our marching show with high level of music and marching performance,” sophomore Grace Larner said. “Learning that

News Brief victims Safety for abuse

“I worked long hours to do the art piece,” Yakerson said.

All the teachers and staff that know Jesse think he is an amazing kid and an even better student.

“Jesse is a great person and student, that is why I encouraged him to enter his art piece, not only to speak his mind and fight for what’s right, but also to possibly get him noticed by other people and get a scholarship,” Garrison said.

Due to winning second place he received a check for $740.00 at a dinner in

the UT Alumni Center on November 1st.

“When Jesse won second place I was do proud and happy for him. He is an amazing student and will go far,” Garrison said. Everyone is so proud of him, and he needs to be recognized for all the effort he put into it.

“Winning second place felt amazing after all the time and effort I put into it,” Yakerson said. Take any chance you can to show people your all and impression them.

Samantha Perry

Counseling helps students gain strength A recent survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention results showed that nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year and only 33 percent of those teens ever inform anyone about it.

“I would say that there are more kids even here on campus that would benefit from Safe Place than kids who are utilizing it,” Kopke said. “More kids should join it that may not think they need it because I believe that people think whatever they are dealing with may not be big enough for them to be in a group for, but that’s not the case, they can most likely benefit from this program.”

According to the expect respect website,

www.silkhairsalonatx.com

a former male support group participant said, “I realized that my girlfriend was pressuring me to do bad things. I kept getting into trouble around her when I was with her, so I broke up with her, because it was not a healthy relationship.”

Aside from their in-school weekly expect respect counseling sessions, Safe Place has several other programs and services to offer including a 24-hour hotline (512-267SAFE), supportive housing for families and women leaving shelter, case management which is their short-term emergency financial assistance, and community education which consists of presentations and training on the issues of sexual harassment, sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence and other related topics.

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the Bowie band got fourth place was disappointing because as an organization, we had set our goals high for first place.”

Only the top three winners are given the opportunity to move on to Grand Nationals, therefore the band will not be moving forward.

Despite the let down, the band kids choose to look back at the experience with positivity.

“Overall, the most important thing is that all of the members had a fantastic final performance,” Larner said.

“Please congratulate Halen Wilson if you see her for winning four of the six events she competed in- a feat very rarely accomplished in a state qualifying tournament,” Bazan said. “Her individual sweepstakes points put her above most the entire teams that we are competing against.”

Members of the forensics team are overjoyed by their winning streak and hope to keep the victories coming.

“I usually contribute as a junior captain to help motivate the team and of course, compete,” sophomore Miguel Lozano said.

“Its always a fantastic experience knowing that out of all the schools that competed at the tournament your teams passion and hard work surpassed all the other teams.

Maryam Hussain

Art piece wins civil rights show

October was a busy month for junior Jesse Yakerson. His American Literature teacher Candida Garrison encouraged him to enter the Texas Civil Right Project.

The project dealt with equality, justice, and voter registration. It’s a group of volunteers working against justice in courts.

“I encourage all of my students to enter contests but in particular I chose Jesse to enter this project because he can do it and get a scholarship for it,” Garrison said.

amount of parent, alumni, and community support there is for this program helped the members win that victory,” assistant Band Director Stephen Howard said. “It’s unimaginable how many hours and manpower goes into making this organization run. We are so grateful and appreciative of their work and time every volunteer lends to our students.”

The band also appeared at the BOA San Antonio Super Regional Competition at the Alamodome on November 1st, in which the band got

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The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 Page 5

Solution to AISD cloud complaints

Prior to release GradeBuzz was rigorously tested by a group of students and some of Guy’s teachers.

“I’ve asked some teachers to put in different grades to test the app and I have a group of student beta testers to help work out the bugs,” Guy said.

The app features several services not provided by TEAMS, namely that users are alerted each time that a new grade is entered.

“Every time a teacher adds a new grade the student will get an alert saying that it’s been put in,” teacher Bree Rolfe said.

This year teachers have noticed that students are less on top of their grades than usual, which Rolfe thinks is due to the change from gradespeed to TEAMS. “I don’t think students are fully versed in how to use TEAMS yet,” Rolfe said.

Guy has reached out to

the technology department at AISD to work with them on his app, though they have not been receptive to his ideas.

“I’ve traded a few emails with the tech department at AISD about the app. They said ‘Thanks, but it’s not really necessary’, so we’re not against each other but they’re not endorsing me either.”

Due to the largely positive reviews that he’s already received, Guy hopes to have the app spread outside of Bowie.

“I’ve had a lot of people come up to me to talk about the app and that’s been exciting because it’s always nice to know that stuff you’ve made is enjoyed by people,” Guy said. I’ve been telling my friends at Austin High about the app to try to have it spread beyond Bowie.”

AISD’s reluctance to meet with Guy may be due to his age, Rolfe said.

“I think that they should definitely should meet with Jack, but I think it’s also hard to trust a senior in high school because they don’t know him like we know him at Bowie. I think that AISD could benefit from him and what he’s doing and they should meet with to see what they can do,” she said.

Though the app was just released very recently, students are already using and learning how to work the app.

Users are enjoying the improvements made upon TEAMS. “When you open it, it saves your information. The mobile version of TEAMS was really inconvenient because you have to open two pages to see every grade. On GradeBuzz you just open it to see your grades and you can also customize your settings,” Hutton said.

This Guy knows what he’s doing: Senior Jack Guy checks his grades and schedules a FIT sessions using the app he created himself. He began designing the app after hearing peers complain about the new grading system on the AISD cloud. The app is named Grade Buzz and was first launched on Monday, November 3, 2014. Photo by Alyssa Martinez

Aspiring journalists labeled best in Texas for 2014 Hazel Rodriguez Staff Writer Running around and sweating waiting for the right moment to capture the right picture to submit and hope to win an award for the hard work that has been done.

The Bulldog journalism department won the coveted Sweepstakes Award as the top program at the convention, in addition to winning 19 individual and 1 staff award.

The Wyndham hotel in San Antonio hosted the Texas Association of Journalism

Education (TAJE) convention. Over 900 students and more than 80 schools attended this convention the weekend of Oct 25 -27.

“Wonderful. It proves that our students are the best in what they do,” assistant principal Vicente Trevino said.

Hard work being noticed gives junior Jamie Dorsey a warm feeling inside.

“It’s a really rewarding feeling to know that people enjoy your work and they can see the vision behind the pictures that you saw when you took it,” Dorsey said.

Trevino is the head of the Career and Technology Department and is the principal

over the journalism department. “ I am very proud of the two staffs and their dedication, their ability to put the right people in the right places is beyond reproached they too have sacrificed,” Trevino said.

Dorsey didn’t really think of anything until she had all her awards in her hands.

“I really didn’t think about it I just kind of went up and got the award, it finally sunk in towards the end and I was really excited,” Dorsey said.

The schools motto ‘Pride in Performance’ was well applied by the journalism staff

Superior in San Antonio: Young adolecents sing for money. This picture titled ‘On a Misson’. was taken by yearbook photographer Brenda Saucedo who later won a superior award for it. Photo by Brenda Saucedo

while they practiced their abilities at the competition.

“Our staff like our students practice our motto and realize through experience and any evaluation that one can always improve,” Trevino said The journalism department has brought pride to principal Stephen Kane by being the first time the school has earned the top sweepstakes award at the TAJE conference.

“On behalf of our staff we are extremely proud of the journalism department to be able to accomplish this and I know this won’t be the first time,” Kane said.

Even with the big awards, the staff will still push to learn more and to be even better next time.

“In the next competition I want to have more confidence in myself and not worry about leasing anyone else but myself,” Dorsey said.

Even under pressure junior Michelle McDonagh felt good about her work.

“I felt pressure and nervous but I felt like I did pretty good over all, “McDonagh said.

Thrilled to be the first year to receive a sweepstakes award here, yearbook advisor Deanna Dellana was shocked.

“Well, after getting over the initial shock, I was thrilled that as a journalism department, we were making our case as one of the top journalism programs in the state,” Dellana said.

The types of competitions journalists competed in varied from page layout to photography.

“I did the photo scanenger hunt in dowtown San Antonio. Each picture we took was worth a certain amount of points,” said sophomore Fuaad Ajaz.

Yearbook and newspaper staff enjoy the trip because it gives them a chance to become closer.

“I look foward to the competition in San Antonio every year because it always brings the staff together,” Ajaz said. “On Sunday night when we were sitting at dinner I felt like I was eating with my family.”

Top PSAT scorers awarded with National Merits

Paige Rife Entertainment Editor Seven Bowie National Merit semi finalists were announced in September. The winners have recieved recognition for the extremely high scores they earned on the PSAT. The following students are considered National Merit semi-finalists: Nathan Alvarez Olson, Madelyn Cain, Alexander Gorden, Jack Guy, Sydney Hutton, Sarah Jansen, and Kate McClellan.

The National Merit Competition is a United States academic scholarship program to provide recognition academically and for university scholarships. About 1.5 million students out of 22,000 high schools enter this program and only those who meet the finalist requirements qualify.

“This program really gives students the candy store,” student-counselor

Nona May said. “It opens up opportunities for students that may not have been there before.”

To qualify, students must submit a detailed scholarship application, have outstanding academic records, earn an outstanding SAT score, and have a college advisor recommend the student.

“To be a semi-finalist I had to score within the top 1% of Texas juniors taking the PSAT,” senior Kate Mcclellan said. “After I recieved this score, I was entered as a potential finalist, where grades are examined as well as school activities and recommendations.”

Semi-finalists are the highest-scoring entrants in the program for each state and represent the top percentage of the state’s senior students.

“Winning semi-finalist wasn’t necessarily challenging but it definitely took some practice,” senior Madelyn Cain said. “I had to up my score by 20 points

to qualify, but it only took a few practice tests to get there.”

While being a semi-finalist does not in itself guarantee college benefits and scholarships it opens up the opportunity to later become a finalist. After becoming a finalist, many levels of college and scholarship benefits open up.

“If you make it to the next step you can get anything from a one-time scholarship to a full ride to particular colleges,” Mcclellan said. “One of my top schools offers half-off tuition to the National Merit Finalists.”

If a student is unsure of what college they want to attend it is an option to get a general National Merit scholarship. This scholarship is available for the student to use at any university.

“I’m not sure which college I’ll be going to as of right now, so I’m going to apply for a general scholarship of about 2,500 dollars that can be used at any

school,” Cain said. “It’s worth it.”

According to senior Nathan Olson, this recognition is not necessarily an easy task and there must be outside studying.

“My advice would be to study for the PSAT and SAT. A lot of people think it is natural smarts, but studying will always help improve your score,” Olson said. “It also helps to do the SAT problem of the day, every day.”

In addition, the National Achievement Scholarship Program provides recognition to 1,600 Black American high school students nation-wide who received the highest score on the PSAT. Application materials were sent to students who qualify through their high school principals.

According to May, in order to qualify students must meet high academic standards and are required to advance to finalist standing in the competition.

“The National Achievement Program is much more rigorous,” May said. “There are at least one or two Bowie students who qualify every year so it really means a lot to the African American families.”

The National Achievement Scholarship winners are later selected based on their accomplishments, skills, and abilities that have been consistently portrayed.

“To be a national achievement semi-finalist I had to get one of the top scores of African Americans in the country,” senior Madesyn Johnson said. “It wasn’t necessarily super challenging, but definitely an accomplishment.”

According to Johnson, not only studying goes along way but remaining humble and keeping a strong mindset helps going into the test.

“If anyone is looking to achieve this goal, I suggest preparing for both the PSAT and SAT by taking a preparation class,” Johnson said.

“Feel confident going into the test, it goes along way.”

The National Achievement Scholarship program was initiated to recognize the consistent achievement among Black American high school students and award them with potential university scholarships and later advance the to the Achievement Scholarship competition.

“It’s really cool to be the one African American at Bowie who received this recognition,” Johnson said.

“It’s great to see my hard work does not go unnoticed.”

According to May, these programs have been around for so long and have made such a big impact that students’ parents remember exactly who won at their school.

“I know how this program has impacted my life, I know how it has impacted my husbands,” May said. “It opens up doors and colleges are willing to invest.”

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The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 Page 6

Unique clubs spark campus interest Gaby Bourgeacq Student Life Editor

the clubs fun, creative and unique. The most interesting about Brony club are the people in it.

“Everyone has something interesting to contribute.

Someone randomly suggested a giant pizza party one day and so we started the Pinkie Pie Party Fund to have little mini-parties at the end of the week,” Gyves said. “At the opening of every meeting, we let people contribute their ideas for any special events we might have coming up like holidays, spirit days, and latestarts.”

Like Brony club, Dumbledore’s army is also unique and interesting.

“Dumbledore’s Army is a club for people who love Harry Potter. We watch movies, play games, and talk about Harry Potter,” Battle said.

There is a special quality that this club has that differs from all the others.

“I’m also pretty sure we’re the only young adult literature club,” Battle said.

Many clubs have sponsors or in other words teachers that allow clubs to be held in their classrooms and also participate in the club activities.

“Our sponsor Mrs. Shumate used to teach YoungAdult Literature, but the class was canceled so we decided to start a Harry Potter Club,” Battle said.

English teacher Whitney

When people think of clubs, their minds usually go to debate club, mathematics club, English club and many more. But would their minds go to Brony club and Dumbledore’s Army club?

One thing that makes high school fun and unique is the clubs they hold before and after school.

For club presidents junior Grace Battle and senior Paxton Gyves, unique and interesting clubs is their specialty.

“Brony club is just a place for fans of the show to get together and watch it in peace and talk to other people like them in a safe and fun environment,” Gyves said.

Students are usually inspired to join certain clubs and school activities. Gyves was inspired to join Brony club with the help of her brother.

“I joined because my older brother introduced me to the show. He took me to the club once when I was a freshman,” Gyves said. “We would play games and chitchat while the show was playing on the projector. I decided it was a nice place to go to once a week, like a little party. And now I’ve been promoted to president.”

Even though activities and games make the club interesting, the students make

Shumate also loves Harry Potter and Dumbledore’s Army.

“I decided to sponsor Dumbledore’s Army because I love Harry Potter more than most well-adjusted adults,” Shumate said.

“I taught an elective called Young Adult Literature at Bowie for two years, and since that class is no longer available, I thought that it would be fun to carry on my love and my students’ love for the series through a club.”

Not only does Shumate love spending time with the students and talk about Harry Potter, but she also enjoys all the fun activities they do.

“On the first official meeting of the club, we had a party with Butter beer ice cream from Austin Scoops and over 30 people came! It was such a fun time and everyone was really welcoming,” Shumate said.

Shumate thinks the one thing that makes Dumbledore’s Army unique is that students are able to be themselves.

“Dumbledore’s Army is unique because it provides a place for Harry Potter lovers to be free and wonderfully nerdy,” Shumate said. Both Gyves and Battle have big plans for their clubs in the future.

“I hope for this club to grow bigger and continue on for years,” Battle said.

Sorting ceremony: Juniors Grace Battle and Emily Kuster take part in a recreation of the housing ceremony from Harry Potter. They’re the co presidents of Dumbledore’s Army, a club which meets every Wednesday in Mrs. Shumate’s room. Photo by Fuaad Ajaz

News Briefs The Silver Stars hold anual tryouts Evita musical auditions are held The Silver Stars are holding open tryouts the week of November 17th through the 20, with results posted late that afternoon.

The tryouts are made up of two team dances that the Silver Star officers choreograph, which includes a kick and jazz dance.

The two dances are then performed on the final day of tryouts in front of a panel of judges on the final day.

“Silver Star tryouts is a four-day process which consists of learning two dances and performing them to a cast of a few judges who decide the final team for next year,” junior Erin Ellis.

Because there are usually at least a hundred or more girls trying out they

are divided into groupswhich are headed by current Silver Stars.

“About 100 girls try out each year so in order for the judges to efficiently decide, we are each given numbers and small groups (based upon height) of about five or six,” Ellis said.

The four days consist of learning the dances and then reviewing them before the performance in front of the judges.

“One day one we learn our first dance, and on the second day we learn the second, day three we review both dances and day four we have the actual tryout,” senior Lauren Gagner said. “We learn a kick and a jazz dance that are each about two minutes.”

Veteran Silver Stars understand that the week of tryouts can be intimidating and intense, but can assure the girls that the process is worth the pressure.

“For many girls it is a nerve racking experience especially as a freshman amongst current stars, but in the end the directors always explain that whether you make it or not it is a good experience.”

Experienced stars advise dancers to be aware that they’re always being evaluated, so to take everything seriously and stay sharp.

“The girls trying out should expect to be pushed to new limits, and every day is a tryout, not just the actual day of the tryout,” GagAnnika Holm ner said.

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The Starlight Theatre Company welcomed a crowd of students into the auditorium for the big reveal of the theme of the musical Friday morning Oct. 17.

As thespians rushed in and took their seats the anticipation in the room rose.

Several people took out their phones to record the announcement and the question on everyone’s lips was, what do you think it’s going to be?

After a few moments, the projection screen turned on and began playing a video of the musical, Evita. While half the room was still wondering what it was, the diehard musical lovers side of the room was screaming in excitement.

“There are always rumors going around leading up to the announcement, but this year no one had a clue what it was going to be,” one of the production’s leads Lily Howard said. “It’s a classic to avid theatre lovers and I think everyone is excited to take on the challenge.”

Auditions for the musical were held Oct. 21 and 22, more than 80 people tried

their luck and participated in both the dancing and singing auditions. Last year’s musical, Miss Saigon, brought nearly 500 people a night for eight days and went on to win three awards at Austin’s first ever Greater Austin High School Musical Theatre Awards (GAHSMTA).

“The possibilities for the set design is what excites me the most,” STC technician Courtney Smith said.

The cast list went up late Saturday night Oct. 25 and as students poured into the theatre hall early that Monday morning a cluster of people huddled around the call board.

Some practice and preparation for the show has begun, despite the official rehearsals not beginning until late November. Although, before the company begins working solely on Evita they will be working towards and performing their senior directed, Children Shows, which go up Nov. 13 through 15. The musical will be open to the public in early January. Kamryn Bryce

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P hoto Essay

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday November 10, 2014

Page 7

Halloween game brings on ‘spooky’ cheers Granger Coats Co-Photo Essay Editor Ghoulish ghosts and wicked witches scatter the neighborhood streets. Orange lights and flickering jack-o’-lanterns’ decorate houses and yards, marking the Halloween holiday.

This Halloween was an even bigger night than the usual holiday trick or treating as the ‘Dawgs played Lake Travis for the district championship.

The Bulldogs lost 64-7, but that didn’t stop the excitement of such a special night.

“I thought it was really fun playing the district championship on Halloween. I wish we could’ve won that game but overall it was a good Halloween,” senior football player Leland Huffman said.

“You actually get to experience life outside of Halloween, it was nice spending time with my teammates and coaches,” said Huffman.

Huffman said that he enjoyed the overall experience of playing the game on Halloween.

“Bowie is the best fan base in all of Texas high school football,” Huffman said, “It was a really great turn out.”

According to players like Huffman, school spirit creates a more exciting and enjoyable game for the crowd and players.

“I had a great time, I went to the Bowie game,

and a couple of Halloween costume parties,” junior Ian Good said. “It was the best Halloween in a long time, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the parties, the spirit at the game, and the costumes that everybody wore.”

Although Bowie lost their game, it didn’t stop students from having an enjoyable and special Halloween.

“I enjoyed the game even though we lost,” junior Cody Pedneau said. “It was fun seeing my friends at the game.”

Having the game on Halloween was a good idea and created a fun activity for Bowie students to attend.

“I liked that it wasn’t a Thursday game because no one ends up going,” Pedneau said.

Although Bowie lost their game there was still other fun and special activities that happened on Halloween. Students got to spend time with their friends and family, decorate for the spooky holiday, and kick back and dress up at school and parties.

“Having it on Halloween made it more exciting and fun,” Huffman said.

Making the game on Halloween added an exciting element to the Friday night game.

As the final lights blew out and the cool breeze set in, Halloween came to an end but left students with countless memories and exciting times.

Spooky scares (Top right) Scaring the neighborhood children the spooky cat with orange glowing eyes waited for trick-or-treaters. The inflatable cat would turn on a motion sensor and stood guard in the yard of a Lewis Mountain resident. “ I loved the Halloween decorations, Halloween was amazing,” junior Sierra Crum said.

Trick or treat (Top left) Houses gleaming and waiting for children on Halloween. Trick-or-Treating kids wandered from house to house while many Bowie students attended the football game.”I had one of the best Halloweens in a long time,” junior Ian Good said.

‘Dawgs takes the field (Middle) The Bowie Bulldogs taking the field on Halloween against Lake Travis. Bowie lost the game Friday night 64-7. “Its fun to play a good team like Lake Travis because they let you know where you are at and get you ready for the playoffs,” senior football player Seth Vera said.

Photo Essay story and photos by Photo Editor Granger Coats How the west was won (Bottom left) Officers Katherine Jones, Megan Hauck, Micaela Jimenez, and Kate Channel striking their final pose for How The West Was Won. The silver stars preformed the routine for the first time of the year.

“I was pleased with our routine it was the first time we preformed it this year,” junior lieutenant Megan Hauck said.

Halloween fun at the game (Bottom right) Junior Jared Wayne supports the Bulldogs dressed up as the joker. Wayne attends every Bowie game as the joker and rallies up the student section. “I think the student section is important because it sets a vibe and gets people pumped up and motivates the players,” Wayne said.

I n-Depth

I n-Depth

The Lone Star Dispatch

Monday, Nov. 10 2014

Page 8

The Lone Star Dispatch

The debate on student loans Ashlee Thomason Managing/ In-Depth Editor

S

eniors are beginning to finalize and submit their applications or are awaiting a response from a specific college. Juniors stand next in line for the admissions process.

An ever-present problem in our society is the high cost of college.

College tuition can leave students with a mountain of debt that may affect their future. Additionally, the admissions process deals student debt and College applications can be a strain on those applying.

Juggling college applications and high school is tough for senior Alex Koke.

“My parents signed up to pay for my college education in advance for five years as long as I got to a public school in Texas,” Koke said.

“A solution to student debt would be avoiding taking out a lot of loans and getting as many scholarships as possible.

I am hoping to attend an amazing nursing program with good experience stimulators like the University of Texas Ar-

lington.”

Last year high school graduates entering college using student loans had a 71 percent chance of student loan debt (http://projectonstudentdebt.org/state_by_statedata.php).

Senior Spencer Cobb faces the weight of battling college applications and student debt.

“The most stressful part has been figuring out all of the online details,” Cobb said. “Some of the questions are super vague and its nerve wracking trying to figure them out. I plan on going to the University of Texas at Austin and the in-state tuition is awesome. I will be working and hopefully some of the debt will be knocked off. UT is my top choice because it’s in the city I love, it’s close to home, and it’s the best college for what I want to major in.”

National Public Radio covered the topic of college. NPR proposed the following: that parents should start saving from birth, there should be more Pell Grants available for students, and the creation of a system in which people can achieve equity in types

of incomes.

Through NPR’s solution there would be several beneficial characteristics, such as the savings will earn more interest and increase in value overtime. This will help those whom are disadvantaged to have a chance at equal income.

Negative consequences include that not everyone qualifies for Pell Grant accounts, and it is unknown whether or not an individual be awarded a Pell Grant until he or she applies during high school.

Other problems include: saving from birth takes away from short-term expendable income. Also, people may not have the money to start saving at such an early age.

Some seniors feel that college applications put a huge strain on the student.

“Trying to stay on top of everything that need to be sent to college,” senior Tyler Young said. “It’s hard to track which documents have been submitted and which have not. I’m going to avoid student debt by applying for scholarships and considering

Page 9

5

5 my budget. My vision of the perfect school has the features of: a great location, optimal courses for my major, and a great sense of community.”

Finding free time is difficult among senior Lindsay Worthington’s schedule.

2 1 the average college graduate has more than $24,000 in debt upon graduation http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tara-reynolds/ mass-mutual-student-debt_b_2806510.html

“Because I don’t have lots of free time to work on the essays, the deadlines tend to creep up and I frantically write,” Worthington said. “Ideally, I will accumulate enough scholarship money that I won’t be overwhelmed by col-

lege debt. I want to go to a school that has a huge community and a place where I can have a fun time.”

Rising high school graduates have many obstacles to defeat when it comes to entering college.

4

American borrowers have racked up

seven in 10 college seniors (71%) who graduated last year had student loan debt

about $1.2 trillion in outstanding federal student debt

http://projectonstudentdebt.org/state_by_state-data.php

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2014/07/23/avoid-turninginto-a-scary-student-loan-stat

art by Ashlee Thomason

g n t i b s i e R D t n e d u t S 1

art by Ashlee Thomason

Monday, Nov. 10, 2014

4

Cap and frown:

The stress of a high school graduate

3

One out of four teenagers submitted seven or more college applications

3 students are in the most debt in Washington D.C. with $30,033 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/22/ states-where-students-are_n_772504.html

Forty eight% of schools used a wait list

2 nearly one in four young people have delayed marriage because of debt http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tara-reynolds/ mass-mutual-student-debt_b_2806510.html 2012 report from Pew Research center

Fifty-six% of enrolled college freshmen are female The acceptance rate for students who applied earlydecision was 57% vs.

50% for regular-decision applicants

art by Ashlee Thomason http://www.cbsnews.com/news/latest-trends-incollege-admissions-15-things-you-should-know/

A thletics

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 Page 10

Homecoming game resulted in another victory for the Bulldogs Winning streak ends in loss to Lake Travis

Isabel Rosales Athletics Editor

The student section was going crazy screaming, the band playing, cheerleaders cheering, rallying the crowd, football players pumped and ready to fight to keep their undefeated record against Lake Travis.

The ‘Dawgs lost the big match-up of district undefeated, against Lake Travis at Burger stadium at 7:30 who are currently undefeated in district.

“Lake Travis was defi-

Play-offs ready: Senior Joseph Ebbinghaus runs down the field tackling Akins players. Bowie beat Akins during their homecoming game.

Photo by Fuaad Ajaz

nitely a wake up call for us.

We don’t like to worry about the past though, the game is behind us now, we have better things to focus on, like playoffs,” Parker said.

The ‘Dawgs keep their heads up after the Lake Travis loss focusing on doing better in playoffs.

“I think we definitely have the potential to go very far in playoffs. We are all very confident in ourselves and we know we can get far if we work as hard as we’ve worked all season,” Parker said Previous to the Lake Travis loss the ‘Dawgs beat Westlake their biggest rivals for the second year in a row.

“It was great beating Westlake for the second time, but at the same time I think it gave us too much confidence making us lose focus for Lake Travis, but now we just have to keep ourselves focused for the rest of our season,” junior Cameron Camacho said.

Throughout the season the team has been faced with multiple injuries. At least five injuries occurred in the first four games setting obstacle the team had to overcome to get to this point.

“Knowing injuries are going to happen is a big part of being prepared as a team,

so for the most past we have been facing injuries and we have phenomenal players just step up and to their part to fill in, but on an emotional level the injuries have been hard,” junior Quirin Laracuen said.

The ‘Dawgs defeated the Akins Eagles on October 16 at the Homecoming game.

“After the homecoming game it felt great to win, and I love watching my teammates I call family succeed when we need each other the most,” junior Brandon Anderson said.

The whole team has set very high standards they are working to accomplish in playoffs.

“We are just taking one game at a time and practicing to play our best and hopefully come out with a state championship as a final goal but the biggest goal for us is playing to the best of our abilities and coming together as a team,” Laracuente said.

According to varsity coach Jeff Ables the team has worked hard than ever and making it to playoffs will unite the team so they can go into playoffs and fight together.

“The boys work really well together and they will make it far,” Ables said.

Game day: Senior Preston Wheeler gets ready to pass the ball down the field to make a touchdown playing against Lake Travis. Bowie lost to Lake Travis at Burger stadium, ruining their six game win streak by a score of 64-7. The ‘Dawgs will now move on to the playoffs after last Friday’s game with Del Valle. Photo by Granger Coats

coach Jason Landers lost his battle with cancer and for the girls this was a big heartbreaker,” Benson said. “The varsity girls dedicated their season to him and it was a motivator for them to make it deeper into playoffs than the year before. The girls

Ellis is a junior on varsity and she is working hard to show her skills and to prove to people that she is trying her best to be a great middle blocker.

“I’ve gotten better at hitting three’s and slides but I want to do a better job of

lis said.

Majority of the varsity girls are seniors, so it is their last year to play in high school and saying their goodbyes is going to be very rough.

“I love playing volleyball, I’m going to miss the

Lady Dawgs dig into play-offs against McNeil This volleyball season ‘Landers Angels’ put up a big fight and their record for wins and losses finished at an excellent 33-12 mark.

The Lady Dawgs played McNeil for their playoff opener, bi-district game and they lost 25-20, 13-25, 2624, 25-22.

Losing to McNeil meant they were done and it was the end of the season for them.

“They’ve done amazing, they have been mentally and emotionally prepared to win and they were putting there all into improving their skills,” varsity coach Vickie Benson said.

The girls overcame many obstacles, starting with the loss of their much-loved head coach, Jason Landers, who passed away before the season began but they continued to fight through for a great season.

“In the summer, head

“

The girls are running the system how Landers would have wanted it to be and they have been doing all the things they were taught by him.

are running the system how Landers would have wanted it to be and they have been doing all the things they were taught by him.”

All the girls are they to compete for the most playing time.

“I feel like I took advantage of the time that I did get to play, and I played well,” varsity player Avery Ellis said.

“

Alyssa Martinez Staff writer

blocking in the middle and improve on hitting corners,” Ellis said.

Volleyball is a rough sport, its very time consuming and it takes a lot of motivation and dedication.

“Playing takes up a lot of my time because we train on and off season but I’m going to continue to work hard in off season and continue playing in the summer,” El-

coaches a lot but overall I’m going to miss the amazing girls I played with throughout high school the most,” senior Sydney James said.

The senior girls have been playing the game for a while now and saying their goodbyes is going to be hard.

“I’m definitely a lot smarter with the way I play now compared to how I

played freshman year but I’ve been playing for quite a bit so I don’t think there is much of a drastic change,” James said.

On Tuesday October 21st, the volleyball girls dedicated their game against Anderson to Coach Landers and this match was called the ‘Dig Green’ game.

The stands were filled up with students and parents.

Everyone was cheering on the volleyball girls and most wore green to support the team.

“I think it was great how many people showed up to support us and it meant a lot that we won because we dedicated this season to Landers,” Ellis said.

Overall, this 2014 season had some rough patches but this isn’t going to interfere with the fact that they’re going to dominate next year.

“I’m really going to help the girls take it one skill at a time and focus on unity and team building because in the end we are one big family,” Benson said.

Digging Green: Sydney James spikes the ball over the net against the Trojans.

Playing all the way to the fifth game Bowie won 3-2 against Anderson. Photo by Jasmine Correa

Special Olympics take a quick dip in the water Kamryn Bryce Co-Editor-In Chief

Special Olympics fun: Senior Edward Granados shows off the gold medal he earned at the Special Olypmics simming event last weeke. Granados favorite event is the butterfly.

Photo courtesy of Wayne Johnson

When every day seems like an endless struggle, it’s the small accomplishments that make it bearable. However, winning a state-level award in the Special Olympics is no small accomplishment.

Three athletes competed for the Special Olympics swimming division in October and brought home seven total in various events.

“I was there because my daughter was participating,” special education teacher Wayne Johnson said. “I got to see Edward win in butterfly, he did awesome. It’s just great to be there and see two of my students compete in the state Special Olympics meet.”

Edward Granados received a gold medal in 200m freestyle relay, silver in 50m butterfly, and bronze in 50m freestyle relay.

“I just love Mr. Johnson,” Granado said.

Granado also enjoys participating in sports like soccer. He remembers starting swimming when he was ten, and now calls the butterfly his favorite event.

Granado, along with the two other athletes, Jackson Gray and Antonio (Toni) Cantu, prepared for the meet every week.

Cantu practiced and continues to practice every Friday at the YMCA. Cantu was introduced to swimming through his grandparents and found that he had a knack for it.

“I just really enjoyed it,”

Cantu said.

Winning a silver medal in 200m freestyle, Cantu took away not only a victory, but a boost in confidence from the meet.

“I felt good,” Antonio Cantu said. “I just got ready and started swimming. I knew I was going to get tired, but I would just push through.”

Cantu also enjoys other sports including golf, which he holds great pride in having made a hole-in-one, and bowling, his best game totaling 221 points at Westgate Lanes. But when it comes to the Special Olympics program, he sticks to swimming.

“I hope to just swim really hard and do the best I can,” Cantu said.

Additionally, Gray won

a silver medal in 200m freestyle relay, as well as a bronze in both 25m backstroke and 50m freestyle.

Although Gray had some trouble finding the words to describe his accomplishments, the overall message hit home.

“I was happy,” Gray said.

The Special Olympics program started 46 years ago through the efforts of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, whose sister, Rosemary Kennedy, had struggled with a mental disability.

According to http:// www.specialolympics.org, the program has continued to grow every year since, providing opportunities for accomplishment and possibly even changing lives for the more than four million that participate.

A thletics

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 Page 10

Swim team paddles to reach goals Caitlin Devlin Staff Writer

Getting up at 6 a.m. every day, getting in the water and exercising doesn’t sound like fun to most people, but for members of the Bowie Swim and Dive Team this practice is a daily regimen.

The team puts in hard work and time for their upcoming 2014 swim meets against other schools, to stay in shape, and to enjoy a sport that they are passionate about.

Tryouts for the 2014 to 2015 swim team began in late April and the first practice of the season was in September.

“The most challenging part of swim team is probably getting up really early in the morning and trying to push yourself and practice,” junior Zachary Mikkelson said.

The swim team has practices every morning starting at 6:15 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. at the Circle C Pool. After their practice the team members get on a bus to go to school at 8a.m.

“We usually have a lot of sets to do in the water for an hour and a half, every day, every week. Recently we’ve been doing weight training twice a week in the gym at school,” freshman Douglas Smith said.

To prepare and train themselves for up-

Just keep swimming: Across the lap lanes, sophomore Hayley Stevens strides towards the finish line. The swim team placed in the meet. Photo courtesy of www.bowieswimming.org

coming meets, the team members exercise to build their strength and muscular endurance. Their workouts include ‘dry land’, which consists of leg and core workouts, and

weight training.

“The most challenging part of our workouts would be the ‘dry land’. We’re always working on our core and our legs, because

kicking is the most important part,” freshman Sheldon Wall said.

The team participates at meets almost every week, and sometimes there can be multiple swim meets in one week. During a meet, the team members competes with other swim teams from different schools.

“The most challenging part of swim team is swimming for events you’re not designated to swim for,” freshman Brooke Wheelis said.

The team has won many different awards in a number of different events at their meets so far, including many top three scores.

“I work as hard as I can, and try to be as as possible,” Wall said.

Because the team practices together so much, most of the teammates end up becoming very good friends with each other.

“We’re like a big family. We all get along, we’re all friends, it’s really enjoyable,” freshman Ashlyn Raley said.

The swimmers share their time together, and rely on each other. Despite the hard work, the swimmers say they love their sport and enjoy the camaraderie that the practices and meets create.

“Even though swimming isn’t necessarily a team sport, because it’s individual races, I like the community and team it builds,” senior Kayce Stevens said.

Asian fitness programs begin trending on campus Casey Shrout Staff Writer

The sun viciously beats down from the Texas sky.

Six lanes of rubber track laid out in a perfect oval. Coaches’ yells echo across the field as soccer balls fly over dozens of students’ heads.

3,000 students have been forced into this dreadful situation. The standard of a minimum of one physical education credit haunts students year after year. Students are merely unaware of the variety of options there are. Alternatives to P.E. are scattered all across Austin.

From karate to yoga, swimming teams and archery, students can participate in multiple activities and sports that simply can’t be offered on campus.

“My sister graduated from Bowie when I was in 6th grade and she was part of a rowing club,” junior, Kristin Tidwell said. “She never had to take P.E while she was in high school.”

Physical activity is the

only requirement. Where, when, and it is done is quite flexible.

“I play lacrosse and when I became a freshman I just wasn’t interested in the school team but I don’t want to take gym either,” freshman Zachary Branham said.

“If I can play outside of school and still not have to take P.E. my life would be great.”

For over seven years this alternative has been an option, but less than half of the student body is aware of it.

“I’ve never been athletic and I’ve been in team sports for a year and a half just so I can graduate,” sophomore, Corey Davis said.

This old but newly found alternative is what students have been waiting for. “It’s a great thing and options are good,” said freshman counselor, Karina Reyna. “There are catches though.”

This alternative isn’t just an easy grade. To receive P.E. credit students must find a program that is AISD approved and then pay for the

activity that they choose.

“Students often don’t realize they have to pay for it because it is outside of school,” Reyna said. “But the list of approved programs and links to waivers is on the AISD site.”

According to the AISD link students can take Horseback riding lessons at Sterling Hunter/Jumpers, Fencing at the Texas Fencing Academy, Yoga at Your Yoga, Gymnastics at Champions Westlake, Crenshaw Athletic Club, and A Flip zone.

“The waivers for Off Campus Physical Education must be turned in before the semester you’re taking the classes for starts,” Reyna said. “This is crucial to obtain credit.”

There are 52 AISD approved agencies with over a dozen types of off campus physical education programs.

“Every year at Bowie I find out something new,” Kristin Tidwell said. “Adios P.E.”

art by Fuaad Ajaz

Top Dawgs

Standout athletic performances

Isaiah Reyna photo by Fuaad Ajaz

Expires: 12/21/14

Fired up for playoffs senior Isaiah Reyna works hard everyday at afterschool practice in hopes of getting far in the playoffs.

“My expectations for playoffs are pretty high. We have a young team but they have grown so much over the season. I feel that our coaches will prepare us to the best of the capabilities. So hopefully we make a good run,” Reyna said.

Working out every day during the summer in off-season Reyna was over joyed to beat Westlake, one of Bowie biggest rivals and finally making it play-offs were he expects to get far.

“Personally, it was amazing to beat Westlake for the second year in a row.

They were a huge rival of ours growing up and over the summer during seven-onseven,” Reyna said.

Alicia Morales has been on Varsity volleyball since freshman year and continues to feel the love of the sport every time she steps on the court up to this point.

“My favorite thing about volleyball is all the excitement that comes with close gams and all the friendships that come out of being on a team,” Morales said.

In hopes of helping her team make it to play offs, Morales works hard at every practice and encourages her team mates to do the same.

“A big goal of mine for this season is for our team to win a few rounds in playoffs,” Morales said. “Last year we lost to Round Rock in the first round of playoffs, but this year I think we have grown as a team and have improved. We have the potential to do well in playoffs. We just have to make it happen.”

Alicia Morales photo by Jamine Correa

E ntertainment The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Nov. 10, 2014

Page 12

Silver stars shine in the spotlight Lauren Blevins Entertainment Editor

The crowd waited in anticipation to watch their classmates, friends, and teachers strut their stuff in outfits from sparkly prom dresses to ripped jeans.

The Silver Stars modeled clothing from local stores and boutiques on Friday, Oct. 24. The dancers, escorts, teachers, and the Men of 2015 modeled clothing from Cavenders, Dillards, Fab’rik, C’est Chic, and Bella Nova.

“My favorite part of the fashion show was getting up there in front of everybody,” escort Gunnar Hooks said.

“It was a really good experience and I plan to do it next year, too.”

Silver Star director, Jennifer Dawson, has been doing this show for four years and appreciates all the hard work that goes into it.

“The theater tech kids help with sound and the staging,” Dawson said. “Our Silver Star volunteer parents really have a heavy hand in coordinating our girls and how they model. It is a big Bowie family with the directors, the parents, the Silver Stars, and the technical group.”

In order to get the clothes, the directors contact the stores and ask them if they

want to participate.

“If they want to be a part of the show, the girls go to the stores and try on the clothes and select outfits,” Dawson said. “They work with the store owners or the employees there to help put together a look that represents the store.”

Once the show is over, the models can either return the clothes or some stores offer the outfits at a discounted rate.

“I love seeing the girls, the guys, and the teachers get all dressed up and put their sass on for a little bit of modeling,” Dawson said.

The show is a great way to bring the school family together.

“I love being a part of the Bowie community and I love being able to help anywhere I can here on this campus,” host Casey Benson. “I work here, my wife works here and we just love doing what we can to help out.”

Not only were the performers anxious, Benson was as well.

“I read over the names of these boutiques and fashions more than once because they are not easy names to pronounce,” Benson said. “I speak in front of thousands of people and I was more nervous reading this stuff off the paper than speaking in front of that many people.”

Senior officer Rachel Stone wore a short, tan dress that was covered in rhinestones. “My favorite part of the show was being able to model the gorgeous prom dress,” Stone said.

The purpose of the show was to raise money and get the local boutiques’ names out.

“The idea behind the show is a fund-raiser for us and advertisement for the different stores and boutiques,” Dawson said. “This particular fund-raiser is a booster club fund-raiser and our booster club supports the Silver Stars in many different ways. They purchase clothing, they provide food for us for different events, and they help us with uniform costs.”

The Silver Stars is not just a team; they are a family.

“I love being a part of Silver Stars because not only do you get to be a part of your school, a part of a family that always has your back no matter what,” Stone said.

The night turned out to be a great accomplishment and the continuation of a prospering tradition.

“Every time that the Silver Stars perform there is an element of nervousness, but we prepared and practiced and we had a good rehearsal,” Dawson said.

Fashionistas rock the stage: Seniors Micaela Jimenez and Powell Hinson walk forward to show off their outfits to the crowd. This is the third year Jimenez has been apart of the Silver Star Fashion Show. Photo by Fuuad Ajaz

Music by Candelight fund Austin Film Fest floods raiser a success for group the downtown streets Sophia Mora Co-Student Life Editor

Music by Candlelight is a major fund-raisers for the orchestra’s booster club.

They raise money by holding silent auctions for the audience attending the event.

“The silent auction is when outside businesses donate baskets filled with certain things to promote their businesses as well as giving things to people who like to bid on them. Each basket has it’s own theme and it’s filled with things that have to do with that theme and it helps the orchestra raise money,” junior officer Kasey Triggs said.

Students also get to perform in their own chamber groups for the audience.

“We spend a few weeks preparing in our groups, then go play our music in the cafeteria,” senior officer Sarah Jansen said. “They cover the cafeteria in Christmas lights and then all the ensembles play their songs throughout the night while our parents come and listen while they eat food that we catered.”

The directors choose the music that the groups perform that night. Most students enjoyed making new friends and being able to bond with other people in their groups.

“You get in a small group and get to hang out with them while rehearsing for several weeks,” Jansen said.

With the new directors this year, the event happened differently than the past years. In fact, students think

Treble makers: Junior Tariq Khogly performs “M to the third power.” The orchestra performed in the cafeteria.

Photo by Sophia Mora

this year’s performance was better than previous years because of the way the new directors handled it.

“This year was more organized a prepared. They’re a lot more strict, but with them being more strict, we’ve been getting a lot more done,” junior Tariq Khogly said. “We got to play more challenging music than last year and the previous years. This year we got more challenging music and along with that, we got more help from the teachers rather than doing everything by ourselves.”

This year, students had more time to practice and prepare. They had extra coaches come in and help them practice instead of them having to do everything on their own.

“This year we had more people come in and help us practice compared to last year. We also had about a week of extra time to practice compared to last year as well,” senior Alex Pegg said.

Even though it was their first year doing this event, the new directors thought it went well.

“When we came in, we started out fresh when school started, so everything was a little bit of a surprise.

Judging from their performances, they seemed to be very happy,” co-orchestra director George Peace said.

“We were amazed that it took as much work as it did, we were really glad that we did it.”

Granger Coats Co-Photo Editor

Swarms of people flood the downtown streets of Congress rushing to the Paramount and other venues. Badges gleam in the sun as lines form waiting for the screenings to start.

The Austin Film Fest kicked off Oct. 23rd and like the years before Andrew Nourse took his animation classes to the festival exposing them to the great films and experiences it offers.

“Exposure, getting that feeling that there is a lot of people out there doing this stuff,” Nourse said. “Being in that environment can be very inspirational.”

Nourse said that he can use the festival and relate it back to the classroom to greater teach his students about crucial aspects of filmmaking.

“We are so used to seeing things on a computer or on TV but were not engaged were not there communicating with the people that are on the TV or video,” Nourse said.

“To actually be there and having the opportunity to voice an opinion or ask a question changes you, it lets you realize its real and that its not just a video or a TV show that it exists and that has an impact.”

Seeing animation in a new light is an important reason why Nourse sends his students to the festival.

“New knowledge of the industry and a new outlook and inspiration for future projects. The potential of collaborating and how students can grasp the idea of working together on an idea,” Nourse said.

By sending his students to the festival Nourse hopes to expand and expose his students to the bigger picture of the animation world.

“The panels are really cool and what I think taught us the most was actually seeing the films and doing the interviews with the people that made the films it really taught us a lot,” senior animation student Shrinath Rao said.

art by Kamryn Bryce

Seeing the films and talking with the filmmakers Rao said exposed him to a different level of filmmaking and animation.

“There was a movie called the ‘Dam Keeper’ the art style and technique really complimented each other,” Rao said.

Rao said that the film inspired him and was good for him to see. “[The film festival] exposed us to different types of animation,” said senior Samantha Greybill. “I also learned that there is a lot more people in the animation business than I thought.”

The film festival taught the students new ideas and showed them a bigger picture of the industry.

“Having that feeling that I can be a creative person and actually base a career off of it and that Austin is a really cool town with a lot of opportunity and creative people,” Nourse said. “It’s always been a positive experience for my students.”

E ntertainment The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Nov. 10, 2014

Page 13

Children’s plays on track to tour

Shelby Becker Co-Student Life Editor

Dragons, princesses, and quirky characters are brought to life during the Starlight Theatre Company’s (STC) production of Children Shows.

Every year a select group of seniors get the opportunity to direct their own play to perform for children and students on campus.

“They are an opportunity for the STC to reach out to our elementary school theatres and students around the city who don’t get much exposure to theatre,” director Betsy Cornwell said.

The senior directors get to make all of the choices for their show.

“We get to have a say in all the decisions instead of normally being directed,” senior director Halen Wilson said. “You get to call your own shots.”

There are 11 senior directors, which is the most they have ever had according to Cornwell.

“It’s kind of nerve wrecking when you have this many, but the more directors you have, the more kids get the opportunity,” Cornwell said.

All of the senior directors participated in Children Shows in the past.

“I remember my freshman year whenever I was in my first children show,” Wilson said, “My first senior director was one of my favorite people and one of my biggest role models.”

The senior directors can be inspiring to others.

“Some of the best people I knew were

senior directors, they were all so talented,” senior director Ariel Abudu said.

These seniors do more than just direct the productions.

“As a senior director we help direct a class, and we teach them the basics of theatre.” Abudu said. “We also direct two shows; Children show’s which we do in the fall, and senior one acts which we do in the spring.”

They have been working on their duties since before the school year started.

“I teach a theatre two class,” Wilson said, “Throughout summer we had to get monologues, pick out a play to direct for our children show, and for later in the year for senior one acts.”

There were certain tasks they had to accomplish before they could be considered for senior director.

“They have to write an essay, they have to direct a scene in the advanced class, and they have to get recommendations from their academic teachers.” Cornwell said, “Of course they get recommendations, or evaluations from all of the theatre teachers.”

Becoming a stronger person can come from being a senior director according to Abudu.

“I’ve learned the skill of being a better leader and getting a better backbone,” Abudu said. “I can’t let people push me around and that’s helped me a lot.”

The theatre arts are a passion for these students.

“Anyone who is scared of joining theatre, I encourage them to,” Abudu said. “Theatre is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

The show must go on: Juniors Simon Thomas, Hannah Rutt , Andy Moe, and Olivia Lambardo rehearse for “The Princess, The Poet, and the Little Grey Man.” Reheasals are every day after school from 5-6:30 p.m. Photo by Jasmine Correa

18below organization Choir hosts TMEA welcomes young and regionals on campus aspiring musicians Jasmine Correa Staff Writer

Hazel Rodriguez Staff Writer Sweat pours down the side of Junior Mason Walkers face as he plays base at one of his 18below concerts.

Students becoming musicians at a young age writing and performing their own music.

Irie Bean and Sanctuary are two of the places that host the 18below events.

“Most of the time I use real life experiences to write my music, it comes easier that way. I’ve played at Irie Bean and Sanctuary,” junior Olivia Lombardo said. “I used to play a good amount over the summer but school takes up a lot of my time now.”

18below brings kids together to form bands with their friends and contribute with each other.

“My band actually got together because owner’s son 18below wanted to start a band and a bunch of our friends did also, so we just figured it out and now we are GLAASSSS and we rock,” Walker said.

Being a part 18below has helped improved the musicians throughout the time and hard work they put in.

“I have seen a huge improvement in how I run my band, and how I go about getting shows, and just networking in general,” Walker said.

Inspired teenagers that are talented and

respectful are brought together to become one community over the years.

“It is mind-blowing to see how incredibly talented these kids are. I am in a constant state of inspiration.” Owner Melissa LaMure said. “I am so impressed by how respectful and kind the kids are to each other. There is definitely a feeling of community that has developed over the years.”

18below has helped young teens grow not only as musicians, but also in being comfortable within themselves.

“18below accepted me the very first day I met Melissa and it has helped me grow as a musician, and made me more comfortable in my own skin,” Lombardo said.

Throughout the years the organization will keep growing to give teenagers the opportunity to do what they enjoy and to give the audience of the future generation of music to come.

“18below is currently building relationships with other cities and countries in search of more opportunities for under 18 musicians. 18below is currently developing its one of a kind internship program.”

LaMure said. “18below launched a kickstarter for the first 18below Album. 18below is an important organization that truly sees the value of these youth musicians and knows that they are the future of our live music capital of the world. I see a very bright future for 18below.”

www.18below.org

art by Lauren Blevins

Early morning on Oct. 18 choir director Ben May and a group of his students had to wake up at 6 a.m.

Saturday to get set up for a challenging day. Choir was going to be hosting TMEA regionals this year.

28 out of 36 students that tried out made it from the JBHS choir. Those 28 competed with 400 others.

“We had a lot of success here at Bowie High School, our students preformed very well in the auditions,” May said. “It’s amazing to know that many of our students will be participating in the region choir this year.”

For seniors, this was their last chance to make it into region choir in high school.

Senior Travis DePrato received second chair Bass this year.

“I worked so hard on all the music. I stayed after school almost everyday to work with Mr. May and Ms. O (Ms.Obert-Thorn) I’d been preparing it since the summer,” DePrato said.

Preparing ahead of time helped them for TMEA. “This is the second time I’ve tried out. Last year I made 18th chair so it has been a big improvement,” DePrato said.

For junior Hailey Horton this is her second year in choir.

“I think there were close to 100 soprano two’s alone and to know I was second out of 100 is mind blowing,”

Practice makes perfect: Senior Travis DePrato and the choir prepare for regionals. The choir sang “Justorum Animae”.

Photo by Jasmine Correa

Horton said.

Choir students take time out of their daily schedule to learn and perfect their music.

“I went to two camps to learn and work on all my music, have had private voice lessons, and have work a lot with Mr. May and Ms. O,” Horton said.

With over 500 people attending Region this year, TMEA was going to be very stressful.

“It was a very big job to host TMEA this year, it was a lot of work from the parents and the students to set up for the audition and to run the contest smoothly,” May said.

In Review: American Horror Story Ashlee Tomason In-Depth Editor The newest “American Horror Story: Freak Show” season aired with lots of buzz ‘under the big top’ The cast of colorful characters ranges from the world’s smallest woman to a clown serial killer. The opening of the fourth season was a highly anticipated event for the show.

I noticed most of the season is drawing certain film aspects from well-known

horror films. A lot of the scenes are shot wide and don’t let the viewer see the entire subject in the frame or what the character is seeing until the character sees it. The idea of drawing the suspension until the last possible second is in the style of Stanley Kubrick.

AHS has always come off to me as a show that is not afraid to step over boundaries that most would not dare to go. I think the presence of an eerie fear of something lurking around

every corner is used to fuel the audience for devouring AHS. Every time I think I have the show figured out and all the angles measured and dissected, there is a new twist.

My first sighting of ‘Twisty’ the clown gave me a feeling of sheer terror.

The sewn-on smile was something I had never seen before. I knew that AHS would take a simple idea of a clown and turn it into something even more sinister than one can

imagine. Clowns are already preying on a pretty scary fear, so amping up the big guns in the costume and make-up department was quite the trick.

The context of this season’s story is one of my favorites out of the anthology series. I adore the time period 1952 in Jupiter, Florida. AHS is taking an interesting view on the extinction of the freak shows that were in the country.

Every time I watch an episode of AHS my eyes

don’t really know what they are seeing. “American Horror Story: Freak Show”

wows its audiences with another quirky hit.

art by Lauren Blevins

C ommentary The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 Page 14

Ignorance to politics is not bliss Editorial

Less than half of the registered voters actually voted this past Election Day. 600,000 people eligible to vote couldn’t vote because they did’t have a proper I.D. to vote. What’s your excuse?

We’re too young, so what does it matter to us? Well it matters a lot, in fact this past Election Day, five seats on the AISD board of trustees were up for grabs. Which means for four more years, if you’re a freshman, someone you don’t know the name of will have a huge impact on your life.

Many people think their votes won’t make a difference, that elections are rigged, there are just too many people for one vote to count, or that we, the students, can’t vote in the first place and can’t affect the outcome.

That’s where we’re mistaken, because we, the students, are the most influential forces in our parent’s lives, not the advertisements on TV, or the phone calls from politicians, not even lame little bumper stickers. If no one voted because of some lame reason, then what we would have is an extremely tiny minority of the population voicing the opinion of the entire population.

So if those eligible choose not to vote, and we, the students choose not to tell our parents what’s going on in our school lives, what benefits could possibly come? We shouldn’t choose to be ignorant to what’s going on in the world around us; we should know names like Kendall Pace, Robert Schneider, and

Yasmin Wagner, Julie Cowan, Edmund Gordon, and Paul Saldana.

Pace, for example, won the election to the District 9 at-large position on the AISD board of trustees. That means for the next four years, she will be the representative for the entire city, which includes us, and we should know her. Schneider won the election for District 7, which includes Bowie in its boundaries. So he one of the people who will be trying to balance the AISD’s budget, and hopefully trying to get more money allocated to Bowie High School, and we don’t even know his name.

So as the money flies in and out every which way, what should we do?

Instead of complaining to your friends about what you don’t like at Bowie, let the people who will be dishing out the cash know what’s up. We can make a difference in not only our own lives, but also the lives of people around us, just by getting involved in the world around us.

Get to know the issues here at home, and then form your own opinions; don’t derive them from a political party, friend, or relative. Then get to know who is running and what they plan to do, so that you or your parent can make an educated selection instead of one based off of party affiliation or what name you like better.

We, the students, should care about what’s going on in the district, the city, the county, the state, the nation, and the world.

Know the issues, know the candidates, and know that every person, no matter the age, makes a difference.

art by Elyas Levens

We ‘throw like girls’, and think like human beings

Feminism: the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.

That is the dictionary definition of the word. I believe that feminism is a legitimate cause to advocate equal rights.

Feminism began as an effort for women’s suffrage in the United States during the 1910’s. The goal of this was to gain equal rights of women to men in the voting booth.

Nowadays, we are demeaning those who just want equal rights.

Is it wrong for women to have equal rights to men?

At Bowie, we saw a movement like this with the shorts revolt. All that everyone who participated

According to https://www.catalyst.org, though, women in the same position as men earn on average 14.47% less. Women fight for the right to earn equal pay, but are shot down, their bosses say they should be happy about how

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Is it wrong for women to have equal rights to men? much they earn. If women are not earning nearly as much as men, how are they happy? They need to earn equally so they can live just as equally as men. This modern pay difference is bad for girls now, showing they already will not do well.

There is a video called “Throw Like a Girl” by Lauren Greenfield and sponsored by Always, a company that sells women’s products.

Dispatch Staff Co-Editor-in-Chiefs | Kamryn Bryce/ Maryam Hussain

Student Life Editors | Shelby Becker/ Gabby Bourgeacq/Sophia Mora

Managing/In-Depth Editor | Ashlee Thomason

Photo Editor | Granger Coats/Jasmine Correa

News Editor | Annika Holm

Entertainment Editors | Paige Rife/Lauren Blevins

Commentary Editor | Elyas Levens Online Editor | Justice Capello

The video has been viewed over 50 million times on YouTube and shows men, women and boys completing actions like a girl, cowardly running and throwing a ball.

Then, it shows girls completing the same actions with courage and confidence. This video is super powerful, expressing how “Like a Girl” should not mean anything negative.

Mo’ne Davis is an example of how throwing like a girl was a motivation for equal rights, and ended up being positive.

Davis was the first girl to pitch a shutout in the Little League World Series this past summer.

Her 70+ mph pitches captivated the nation, and was a catalyst for girls to follow their passions, no matter where and when. Davis and the video show just how much people underestimate girls, and how much girls prove society wrong in what they can do.

On the other hand, feminism is a cause people see as lost. People believe that the term is used way too much, and that women and

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Michelle McDonagh Staff Writer

wanted was to be equal to guys and to show how sexist the dress code was. Although in my eyes the rising was a success, people who wore shorts were told to be happy with the dress code already in place. This matter, though, was really about a length of shorts, and not the shorts themselves. Those who wore the shorts were fighting to wear their length of shorts that they usually wear, a legitimate cause to fight here on campus.

On a national level, people are electing women into the house and senate over their male counterparts. The last election on November 4, there were a number of women elected into office. A record 100 women are now in congress thanks to voters. The nation is experiencing a change in motion by electing women. It shows that they can get the job done, and is showing those elected that they trust that particular woman that they are better than a man.

Homecoming elections have seniors questioning the value of their vote

Athletics Editor | Isabel Rosales/Caitlin Devlin

Advisor | Michael Reeves Staff Writers Fuaad Ajaz | Ethan Archbold | Jasmin Correa | Zuha Lateef | Alyssa Martinez | Michelle McDonagh | Samantha Perry | Cecilia Ramos Cantu | Hazel Rodriguez | Casey Shrout

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men are as equal as they can be.

Are they really?

Women are elected into Congress, yet don’t earn as much and are viewed as weaker than men, although in the same exact position.

Feminism is a very realistic cause that we still need to fight for, until women earn 100% to men, no matter what occupation or position.

The solution to all this feminism out-lash would be to see things from their perspective. Research conditions for women in other countries, other states, other cities, and other neighborhoods.

Look at how much they are paid, how they are treated in their schools and businesses. Look at how much they do for such little respect in our society. The facts don’t lie, and neither do feminists in their cause for equality.

A battle since 1910, equality has not quite been reached for women, although some believe it has been. Women and girls alike deserve equal treatment as boys and men, whether that is at school or at work.

Gabby Bourgeacq Co-Student Life Editor The first thing that comes to my mind when thinking about our high schools homecoming dance is the homecoming king and queen.

It is a tradition that the student body gets to pick their own homecoming court for each class, at least every class except this year’s seniors.

The student council is in charge of picking the homecoming court. This year, student council decided to pick whom they wanted on the homecoming ballot, rather than letting the senior class pick.

This created frustration throughout the senior class.

There were tweets and posts from seniors about the ballot and how they think it is unfair and biased, and I agree.

The student body running and voting for the homecoming court has al-

ways been a tradition, even in the movies. How could it be a school event if only the people in student council and presidents of clubs get to pick? It’s not.

But what is unfair is that the senior class is the only class who wasn’t able to pick. If there should be any class who gets to pick, it should be the seniors.

Homecoming queen and king are usually couples. So you can only imagine how some couples reacted to the news.

I can understand only a little why student council decided to pick for the seniors.

I can guess they picked to be

art by Elyas Levens

fair. Student council knows a lot of the students.

I also think that student council decided to pick because they didn’t want the homecoming king and queen to be a “popularity vote” which could cause a lot of negative commentary as well.

What’s very contradicting is that student council tried to be fair, but it ended up making many people angry, calling it biased on social media.

I also feel ad though this is also gong to start problems for Prom. Prom is supposed to be the night of seniors’ lives, but if student council picks again, I cant even imagine what they’re going to say.

I really hope that the senior class gets to pick the Prom ballot, and I also hope the senior class next year will be able to pick as well.

When it comes to voting for the homecoming court, I don’t think everyone is going to be pleased. But I do know that it’s better for it to be a class vote rather than just a group of people.

I hope the senior class now and the senior classes in the future will be able to vote on our own.

C ommentary

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Nov. 10, 2014 Page 15

Ebola plagues people art by Maryam Hussain

Maryam Hussain Editor-in-Chief

What is your philosophy about your life at school in general?

“Mine is to inspire students to read, write, and think. Reading, writing and thinking are important life skills and I want my students to have the freedom and creativity to think for themselves. This is the reason I wake up and come to school every morning.”

English teacher Shari Blevins

here is unlikely.

The citizens of Liberia don’t trust their government and it has been reported on CNN that when medical help is sent to them they reject it, claiming that the “higherups” are creating this whole Ebola-hype simply to get money out of the lower class while worsening their conditions with medication. That, along with certain burial rituals in which attendees

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diagnosed, and one of them traveled on a commercial plane with other passengers, people were furious.

My social media feeds were overwhelmed with rants accusing the nurse of being irresponsible and careless.

Well to all those people, I advise you watch or read the news because it was reported that the nurse did call the CDC and asked permission before getting on that plane.

It seems as though everyone just heard about a foreign disease and took extreme precautions without even looking into it.

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Hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your husband because Ebola is catching everybody out here.

The glorious United States of America has always been such a safe and healthy place, despite all the AIDS, flus, common colds, alcoholism, and drug addictions. But what a shame that now someone had to bring this deadly disease from across the ocean and ruin all that for us.

A shame indeed.

What’s more disappointing is that there was a humanitarian aid worker suffering and dying from a brutal disease which according to CNN he unknowingly acquired while aiding a pregnant teen, who by the way had not been diagnosed with Ebola at the time either.

Instead of sympathizing with the poor man, people began threatening to charge him with criminal acts for endangering the lives of other Americans.

Do people just go into hospitals and look for all the patients with contagious symptoms and press charges on them? No, they don’t. So why did they attempt to do that with Thomas Eric Duncan, the first American to be diagnosed with Ebola in the states?

It seems as though everyone heard about a foreign disease and took extreme precautions without looking into it. Lets not forget that CNN reporter Dr. Sanjay Gupta, along with several other professionals in the field, has assured that as grim and cruel as this disease may be, it only spreads via contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is not only infected but also displaying symptoms. Therefore the possibility of Ebola evolving into an epidemic

Humans of Bowie

come in close contact with the deceased patient, is why the disease spread so rapidly in Africa.

We may have many political issues in America, but nothing quite like those in West Africa. I think its safe to say that when it comes to life-threatening medical conditions the majority of citizens would happily take any aid provided from the government.

When two nurses were

She took all precautions necessary on her part, regardless of the CDC’s absent-minded attitude toward the issue. So complaining about her actions is just wrong, again. I think its time everyone stop directing all their hate towards suffering patients and begin actually looking into issues before going off on tangents complaining about them.

And now what about this new Ebola czar Obama ap-

Sandy Hooks School shooting, that have plagued the country and occupied the news every night. But then again, there will always be bad people and restricting the rights of the average citizen will not stop criminals from getting their hands on firearms, it’ll only leave us

One of those advancements would be a silencer.

Silencers are to guns, as mufflers are to cars. In short, they make guns not only quieter, but lessen the ‘kick’ when firing. So when my dad takes me out to the gun range I don’t have to worry about hurting my ears or

pointed? Was that really necessary? Seems to me like that was an initiative taken simply to calm the paranoid and hysterical citizens. But seriously, there is a man working at the white house simply to deal with a problem only three Americans have faced. I mean, c’mon.

We have bigger issues to be dealing with.

More Americans have suffered and died from the common cold than have from Ebola. More Americans have suffered and died from the AIDS than have from Ebola. In fact, more Americans have been married to Kim Kardashian than have died from Ebola in the states.

So its time for everyone to just calm down, stop flinching each time someone sneezes, stop looking at sick people with suspicious eyes, and quit hiding behind face masks and layers of hand sanitizer.

Ebola is a horrible thing, no one wants to bleed from their eyes, I get that. But really, it’s not a big enough issue in America for people to be overreacting the way they are and alienating anyone who could have possibly come in any sort of contact with the disease. Lets look at our President for example; he actually hugged Nina Pham, an Ebola survivor.

“The reason I come to school every day is because I just want to get things done and keep up my grades. I really like playing football and I really care a lot about my grades.

I also am passionate about playing viola, it’s challenging and fun. It’s nice to talk to friends and get to know people.”

Freshman Lee Stone

“School prepares you for life and causes you to think about different things. It also helps you to understand other people and concepts that you normally wouldn’t get to know. I think that it enhances your relationships with people and the world. It helps us get to know the people and world around us so that in the future we can more easily deal with situations.”

Sophomore Aleka Neptune

Firearms, a right of society or a weapon against the people?

Kamryn Bryce Co-Editor-in-Chief With all the controversy surrounding guns one fact stands, guns don’t shoot people, people shoot people.

So as the government begins passing laws to stop the production of lead bullets or creating restrictions on handheld licenses, the only thing they are preventing is the education of guns. By putting a bad face on firearms, society begins to view guns as a tool for criminals rather than a way in which to protect themselves.

Say a burglar breaks into a person’s home and that person was left defenseless as the intruder threatened their life, the lives of their family, and stole whatever they pleased. All that could’ve been avoided if that person was able to protect himself or herself. Growing up, my parent’s made sure if that ever happened to me the burglar would know they had picked the wrong house.

Of course I’m not ignoring the recent tragedies, like the Colorado shooting or

art by Elyas Levens defenseless against it. The best thing someone can do is to prepare themselves and their families in the off chance that they may ever be involved in something like that.

There have been several advancements dealing with the quality improvement and user safety when operating a gun.

info from www.nra.com jumping in surprise every time I shoot a handgun.

The future of silencers is hopefully to be able to fire your gun at the range without the necessity of ear protection, additionally being able to easily talk to your neighbor may help prevent any accidents and allow for the practice of shooting guns to become more sociable.

Although it sounds like I’m comparing the usage of guns to watching Sunday football with the family, I’m not. I don’t mean that guns should be taken lightly. They are incredibly dangerous and immensely powerful.

With that said, firearms in definition are a technological advancement that started back in the 10th century and the tradition of using guns can just as easily be compared to the practice of fencing, in the sense that they are both weapons that are also used as a skill based hobby.

Granted guns can be more dangerous, but they are a weapon all the same that has been known and accepted for centuries. So why does it seem like all of a sudden guns are the center of all this controversy?

While guns are no doubt weapons of severe consequence when placed in the wrong hands or misused, the necessity of being able to protect yourself and your family should always come first.

The future for guns and the role they play in our society is uncertain, but the fact is, as much as they try to change it, guns are a part of our constitution right there in the Bill of Rights, Amendment two.

“I wake up in the morning because I have to go to school to get an education.

I enjoy learning so that’s a good thing. I enjoy seeing my friends and talking with them as well. Outside of school I have a job and enjoy making money or hanging out with friends, just having a good time and taking it easy.”

Junior Courtney Hodnett

“I enjoy going to school and seeing my friends and learning so that I can get a good job while I’m still young. Also so I can excel and go to college, make good grades, and also school is a good time to make good friends and bond with people, as well as get good grades.”

Senior Maylee Yaeger

Photos by Fuaad Ajaz Content by Elyas Levens

P hoto Essay

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday Nov. 10, 2014

Page 16

Suprising events at homecoming

One to remember: It last time for senior student council members to sing the school song at a homecoming game. For senior Lance Blue student council has helped him work with other people. “It’s sad to know it’s my last homecoming but it was fun,” Blue said. Photo

by Jasmine Correa

A little highlight of homecoming Jasmine Correa Photo Essay Editor

It was another great win for the ‘Dawgs against the Akins Eagles on Oct. 16 for the homecoming game.

Through out the night there were multiple exciting moments. A proposal by athletic trainer Pablo Riera to his new fiancé, a homecoming dance proposal, and also a 41-7 win against the Eagles.

Athletic trainer Pablo Riera had been planning a special moment out for a while.

“I bought the ring almost a year ago, and I started planning when I got to Austin and took three months to plan the proposal,” Riera said.

For senior homecoming king and queen Scott and Kathryn Mayo it was a very memorable high school experience for them.

“Being nominated was quite an honor,” Scott Mayo

said. “Being apart of a 675 person class in which any and all deserved a nomination, it’s truly humbling.”

Kathryn as well as Scott felt privileged.

“Being nominated was a genuine honor,” Kathryn said.

Being considered highly of her student body was shocking to Kathryn.

“I did not expect to be nominated for there are so many truly amazing and talented ladies in the class of 2015,” Kathryn said. “I was pleasantly surprised to be thought of so highly by my peers.”

Finishing up the homecoming week with the dance on Saturday night Oct. 18.

For senior Donavan Calvert he danced and attended the homecoming dance for the first time without band having a competition that day.

“It’s the first time I went, but it was a good first one,” Calvert said.

According to senior

Lance Blue, student council member the DJ was a success.

“The best part was the DJ Brandon Gorrie, who is a senior in student council,” Blue said.

For Riera, he gave his fiancé a huge surprise that she would have never expected.

“She had no idea. She thought she was coming to spend the weekend to relax and watch the homecoming game,” Riera said.

Riera wanted to go sky high and wanted to make the moment unforgettable.

“I wanted it to blow her away and make her feel as special as she makes me feel,” Riera said.

Varsity football players Caleb Teague and Travis Folmar proposed to Vicki Skiff and Maddie Mason for the homecoming dance.

“Every girl wants to be asked in a special way,” Teague said.

Homecoming will be a night that these individuals will never forget.

Homecoming proposal at homecoming game: Varsity football players Caleb Teague and Travis Folmar ask Vicki Skiff and Maddie Mason to homecoming after a great win. It took them four days to get thier stuff together. “We wanted to do something different,” Teague said. Photo by Jasmine Correa Mayos take the crown: Brother and sister, Scott and Kathryn Mayo won homecoming king and queen for the class of 2015. All the nominees were very close friends according to Scott. “I was standing on the field with six of my really good friends,” Scott said. “Winning was definitely a surpise for us both.” Photo by Hazel Rodriguez

Homecoming nomanies: Seinors Emma Orlando and Powell Hinson waiting to hear who the homecoming king and queen are. They were very nervous. “Even though I didn’t win it will be a story to tell my kids,” Orlando said. Photo by Fuaad Ajaz Student counci and principle giving awards Kathryn Mayo receiving her “Homecoming Queen” sash.

Kathryn didn’t expect to be nominated. “I’m blessed to have won such an incredable title with my best friend,” Kathryn said. Photo

by Hazel Rodriguez What will she say?

Varsity Cheerleaders help one of the athletic trainers, Pablo Riera propose to is girlfriend at the homecoming game.

Riera said he had been planning the propsal with the cheerleaders, band, and Silver Stars three months in advanced.

“She had no idea,” Riera said. Photo by Jasmine Correa

Actual proposal at homecoming game: Pablo Riera and his new fiance after she said yes to his wedding proposal at the homecoming games. Riera bought the ring almost a year ago. “I wanted it to be not only romantic but overwhelming, and different,” Riera said. Photo by Hazel Rodriguez

First and last homecoming: Senior Donovan Calvert dances the night away with his girl friend Jessica McMinn at their last high school homecoming dance. Donovan and Jessica have been together for a year and nine months and this was his first homecoming dance that he has been to.

“It was a good first one,” Calvert said. Photo by Alyssa Martinez