The Dispatch, Vol. 33, Issue #3, 2/15/21

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VACCINE REPORT Overview of campus response to ongoing pandemic and the arrival and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine

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LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE Exploration of Generation Z's tendency to cope using humor

DEFINING "AMERICAN" Investigation into the values, ideals, and actions that establish what it means to be an American

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coming UP

Feb.19 End of fourth grading period March 3 SAT School Day March 15-March 19 Spring Break

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Vol. 33, Issue 3 www.thedispatchonline.net James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX, 78749

THE DISPATCH MONDAY, FEB. 15, 2021

Pride in Publishing

State legislative session commences Senate and House reconvene with three priorities: budget, redistricting, and pandemic Cade Spencer Editor-in-Chief

Just an 18-minute car drive from campus, the Capitol stands as the center of Texas' Democracy and political establishment. Traditionally, inside the building's chambers, 181 representatives and legislators make decisions and pass policies that impact all 29 million citizens of the state. As of Tuesday, Jan. 12, all members of the Texas Congress reconvened remotely or in-person for the 87th Legislative Session. “Texas is the model for bipartisan cooperation for the rest of the country, whether they realize it or not,” Legislative Director for Democratic House Representative Alex Dominguez, Logan Davidson said. “It is an exciting time to be a Texas Democrat because the appetite for bipartisan action and discussion has probably never been greater.” According to the Texas Tribune and Davidson, the emphasis on bipartisanship can be attributed to the prevalence of three main legislative priorities that require immediate attention:

sion is really interesting because in the past, Republicans have used it to draw hard red districts,” Davidson said. “The big issue now in redistricting is if the ReTuesday, Jan. 12 publican majority will draw to partisan lines or more true Monday, May 31 demographic districts.” 47.1% Beyond the session priorOf students described their awareness of the state's proceedings ities, 2,838 individual bills as "limited." 29.9% chose "adequate", Vikki Goodwin have been introduced in ei17.2% chose "severely limited", and House of ther the House of Represen5.7% chose "substantial". Representatives District 47: tatives or the Senate since Email: vikki. the session’s initiation. goodwin@ 52.2% house.texas.gov Within the bills Of Bowie students are not aware of Phone: (512) the name of their current Senator or are legisla463-0652 Representative. 47.8% of students are tion for PHOTO COURTESY OF Vikki Goodwin aware of the name of their current f u n d s Senator or Representative. POLL for state157 Sarah Eckhardt DATA Students Senate w i d e Polled District 14 51.0% Of Bowie students stated that they accessi91 Seniors Email: know how to contact their state 36 Juniors campaign@ ble-for-all play27 Sophomore legislators. 49% of students said saraheckhardt. 3 Freshmen grounds and reform of they do not currently know how to com Room: (512) 463contact their state legislators. 65.0% Female the state holiday Con32.5% Male 5949 2.5% Other/ federate Heroes Day. PHOTO COURTESY OF Sarah Eckhardt Non-binary “There are many significant bills that I James Bowie High School am excited to watch this 4103 W. Slaughter Ln. session,” Davidson said. tact 78749 “We are in the middle of a a reprepandemic, and thus, I think sentative, advocate, testify, we will see major pieces of or participate in any way.” Different Zip Code? legislation that deal with the In a poll issued by the expansion of healthcare acDispatch, students indicess, specifically Medicaid.” cated that 50.3 percent of In a poll taken by the them identified that it is Dispatch, 68.2 percent of “important and necessary” Bowie students stated that for students to be aware COVID-19 should be the of and involved in the proprimary focus of the 87th ceedings of the Texas state Legislative Session followed legislature while 44.6 perby 14.6 percent of students cent of students said it was who placed prominence on “important, not necessary.” House Bill 171: House Joint Resolution civil and human rights. “The state government If passed, Texas would 28: "Authorize/regulate “Beyond COVID-19 and expand its Medicaid possession, cultivation, can attract the involvement under the Obamacare & sale of cannabis for the economy, I think more of young students through federal initiative. medical use." focus of the Texas state govsocial media platforms and ernment should be on ena greater advertisement of vironmental issues,” senior their initiatives,” Lashinger House Bill 134: House Bill 59: Reya Lashinger said. “Espesaid. “They can also address If passed, creates Elimination of school cially the consideration of young people as greater online voter registration district's Maintenance transitioning to renewable stakeholders in the issues process to increase and Operations resources and making initiapresented and consider their voter registration. property tax rate. tives for lower carbon emisviewpoints on these issues.” sions.” As of now, the 87th legisIf any additional individulative session will conclude House Bill 221: All al bills are to be introduced, on Monday, May 31. residents of Texas could they must meet the deadline “Fundamentally, I think request an absentee for unrestricted filing of bills anyone who wants to be inballot and vote by mail and joint resolutions of Friin future elections. volved in state government day, March 12. should and can be involved,” “We have a government Davidson said. “It is importof the people, for the people, ant to get involved because and by the people,” Davidson you are affected by what said. “It is very important happens in the legislature, for people to be involved in and it has a personal impact SOURCE: The Texan the state government: conon all of our lives.”

T E X A S

87th

STATE OF TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Zip Code #####

GUIDE TO THE...

To find your legislators go to: https://wrm. capitol.texas. gov/home

BILLS

PTSA brings HEPA air purification to the classroom

Dimitri Silva Dispatch Reporter

In response to a need to ensure student and staff safety on campus

as a limited number of individuals return to in-person instruction, The James Bowie High School Parent, Teacher, and Student Alliance (PTSA) announced their theme for

CLEAN AIR: Principal Mark Robinson cheers for the 56 new air purifiers delivered to campus. Before Spring Break, the PTSA hopes to purchase 130 additional purifiers. PHOTO COURTESY OF Leslie Dippel

INDEX

WHO Represents BOWIE?

ART BY Cade Spencer and Rae Gray

Behind the Fence

the budget, redistricting, and COVID-19 response. As of Thursday, Feb. 11, Texas has had a total of 2,534,369 individual COVID-19 cases and 40,340 COVID-19 related deaths. “I think the State Congress should prioritize COVID-19 right now,” sophomore Marissa Morales said. “Specifically, [they should] focus on vaccine distribution because it is the most pertinent as COVID-19 is at an all time high.” Extending beyond vaccine distribution, the legislators are tasked with pressing issues related to COVID-19 including: the future and budget of the public education system, and the financial support allotted to the Texas Department of State Health Services. “Legislators and representatives need to work together and act fast,” Morales said. “Even if they do not agree, they still need to be able to be bipartisan and get stuff done.” Closely related to COVID-19, another major priority of the session is the state budget. According to the Texas Tribute, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar estimates that Texas lawmakers will have $112.5 billion to formulate the general spending budget for the next two years. Currently, legislators have proposed a plan that requires $119.7 billion in funds. “From the budget perspective, the current proposal exceeds the amount of funds available, so it is about balancing things,” Davidson said. “We are going to have to really read into who needs the funds, such as public education or standing health care.” The final session priority is redistricting, where lawmakers ensure that state congressional districts are appropriate based on the demographic data collected in the 2020 Census. If there are no delays, the census information should be introduced by April 1. “Redistricting this ses-

News 1 , 2 Politics 3

Feature 4, 5 Photo Essay 6

the annual Build Up Bowie campaign to fund the purchase of individual units of air purifiers. If each communal area is to get a purifier, the PTSA announced their 20202021 campaign goal to be $28,000 or the combined price of 186 total units. “Our PTSA is amazing for organizing something like this,” social studies teacher Alejandro Garcia said. “It helps to benefit the teachers and students that are returning to campus.” The MA-25 brand air purifiers include special HEPA filters that are efficient at particle filtration, such as cleansing the air of Coronavirus pathogens. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), HEPA filters can clear up to 99.9% of unwanted airborne particles. “I think [the purifiers] will benefit Bowie through the classrooms and cafeteria area,” sophomore

Entertainment 7 In-Depth 8, 9, 16

Sports 10, 11 Pop Culture 1 2

Chazon Mingarine said. “I do not think they will help with the main buildings since many students go in and out of the building letting in and out air that has not been cleaned.” As of Friday, Feb. 5, the PTSA has raised over $17,000 to purchase air purifiers. $11,000 more in funds are needed to fulfill their initial goal. “While they are good, the purifiers are not the best option,” Mingarine said. “If you can stay at home then that is the best solution because then there is no way you will get COVID-19 from school. If you have to go back then opening windows or staying more socially distant is best.” As of Friday, Feb. 5, 56 air purifiers have already been purchased and delivered to classrooms. According to cleanlink.com, the individual HEPA filters should be checked every six months, and if Reviews 13 Commentary 14,15

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they are not soiled, they can continue to be used. In addition to the $150 cost of the air purifiers itself, each individual filter costs $25. “The best option for keeping COVID-19 from spreading at Bowie is to not have anyone at school,” Garcia said. “But since the state does not agree with that, the air purifiers are a huge help in keeping everyone safe.” Since the Build Up Campaign is a year-long fundraiser, donations will be accepted until the start of Spring Break. In order to donate, access the site: www.bowieptsa. org/buildupbowie. “Not surprisingly, the Bowie community has responded with great generosity to our campaign,” Build Up Bowie Chair Leslie Dippel said. “We are beyond humbled at the response to this fundraising program, and we know Bowie is thrilled to have additional air purifiers and more on the way.”

@jbhs_dispatch


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The Dispatch, Vol. 33, Issue #3, 2/15/21 by The Dispatch - Issuu