The Dispatch, Vol. 31, Issue #2, 10.30.18

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ABOVE THE END ZONE Sophomore Josh McCormick ranks as the number two sophomore kicker in the nation

DEFINING SEXUAL ASSAULT An in-depth look into the many types of sexual assault and how it continues to stay relevant

STRIVING FOR SENATE Senior Taylor Bhuiyan promotes Beto O'Rourke for U.S. Senate as a part of his campaign team

Oct. 31 Halloween Nov. 4 SAT Testing Nov. 19-23 Thanksgiving Break Nov. 29 Late Start

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coming UP

Pride in Publishing

THE DISPATCH TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018

Vol. 31, Issue 2 www.thedispatchonline.net James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX, 78749

Students and faculty celebrate 30 years

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" STUDENT LEADERSHIP

What originally started as a student leadership carnival supporting the No Place for Hate initiative unexpectedly turned into a birthday party for the school as a fun activity for students during PSAT testing day.

Led by coach Vickie Benson, the student leadership class spent weeks leading up to the October 10 day planning for the school-wide event. Senior Jack Rainey is a part of the organization.

“Since this is Bowie’s 30th year, we thought combining a birthday party in with the carnival would be a good way to celebrate our school and it’s wonderful students and staff of the past and present,” Rainey said. “We were also very grateful that student council provided the birthday cake to celebrate the occasion.”

The student leadership class is in charge of organizing three No Place For Hate activities a year along with many other duties, including mentoring freshmen. According to Benson, her class was adamant about doing a carnival since the first week of school.

“They unanimously wanted to do a carnival,” Benson said. “The idea of doing the carnival was just that they wanted to do something that was fun, that would be a stressfree activity that students could partake in or not partake in and that’s really where it came from.”

There are 38 students in the student leadership class and in order to cover the different aspects of the carnival, they were split into six to seven groups. The organization had about nine class periods of preparation.

“The most difficult part of planning was Senior probably trying to make sure everyone understood what was going on; where to go at what time, what was being offered, and especially the SEL FIT sign-ups,” Rainey said.

For senior Mary Tijerina, the carnival went smoothly due to the number of volunteers and student leaders willing to help.

“The carnival took a lot of time and dedication and coordinating it was very hard,” Tijerina said. “We had multiple groups of students that made up games, made posters, got organizations involved, and spoke with the teachers and faculty, but since every student leader was so involved and dedicated about this carnival, there weren’t any rough spots.”

According to Benson, the student leaders dedicated a lot of time to ensure the carnival would be a success.

“Honestly, I was just really proud of the student leaders,” Benson said. “I didn’t feel nervous at all, because I knew how hard they had been working on it.

It wasn’t gonna fail. They came up with things that I didn’t even think about; that’s how strong of a group that we have. I really was just proud of them.”

During the No Place For Hate carnival, there were various activities and booths. From karaoke to a laser

obstacle course, students had a variety of options to choose from.

“A group of student leaders picked games for the carnival that would be fun, but also had No Place For Hate themed booths such as ring toss being ‘toss away hate’ and other fun puns like that,” Tijerina said.

One of the prizes given out at the various booths included a button with Principal Mark Robinson’s face printed on it.

“We thought it’d be a good way to get students to want to play games and win enough tickets to get a pin since everyone thought having a pin of the principal would be fun,” Rainey said. “The teachers actually ended up loving the pins. After the carnival, we gave the leftover pins to teachers. They thought it was hilarious.”

The No Place For Hate carnival was a success, according to Benson. English teacher Vicki Hebert has taught on campus since it opened. For her, the thirtieth birthday celebration inspires reflection.

“I have a job where I get to fall in love with 180 people every year,” Hebert said. “But mostly it’s just that joy of day to day coming together and when it works, it’s magical. And when it doesn’t work, it’s a different kind of magical all together. Like when the toilets didn’t work.

Over three thousand people in one building and there’s no plumbing. Let’s go back to the nineteenth century.”

According to Hebert, times have changed.

“When Bowie first opened, it was an open campus so kids went off for lunch and they came back and that was all four grades,” Hebert said. “There was a smoking area in the back of the school. Everybody’s bangs stuck straight up, which was quite possibly the world’s worst haircut ever.”

For Hebert, there are certain unique characteristics about this campus.

“I may be Pollyanna about this, but I think one of the things that really marks Bowie as being different from a great many high schools is the appreciation that most of the students have for each other and the bullies are not tolerated by other people, even if you’re not the brunt of it,” Hebert said. “Other people don’t tolerate it.”

In the future, Hebert hopes that Bowie will continue to be a place where students feel welcome.

“That it will continue to be a place where young people come to express who they are or find who they are or find people who are like they are and in a tumultuous part of their life, find joy and peace,” Hebert said.

Cianna Chairez Editor-in-Chief

"

We were a vital role in the carnival. About a month before, we came up with the idea, we asked all the clubs and teachers to help out and came up with each booth and all the prizes too.

Since this is Bowie's 30th year, we thought combining a birthday party in with the carnival would be a good way to celebrate our school and it's wonderful students and staff of the past and present.

MULTI-CULTURAL AWARENESS CLUB

[MCAC's] major goal is to provide a good example of no hate in this club. We welcome all and everyone.

Lisa Wilkerson, 12

How did you celebrate Bowie's 30th birthday?

Caitlyn Sanchez, 11

Jack Rainey

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STUDENT COUNCIL

We provided and cut cake for the entire school. We got about forty cakes from Costco that morning and cut them in the cafeteria.

Emily Leeke, 12

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New mobile food cart and vending machines to come Cade Spencer Assistant Editor

Breakfast Results

By the end of the 2018-2019 school year, the cafeteria is expecting to officially release the school’s new vending machine and mobile cart, the Square Fare Fridge. These meal services will benefit the students as healthy and quality food will be available in easily accessible locations around campus.

“At AISD, we are reinventing the urban school meal experience through various menu and service innovations,” AISD Nutrition and Food Services Marketing Specialist Lindsey Bradley said. “Both the Square Fare Fridge and vending machine will offer multiple options for students to quickly grab a healthy meal.”

Food available through the new services has been determined based off student survey results from last

INDEX

A total of 1058 students were polled.

These are their picks for breakfast options.

GRAPHIC BY Cade Spencer

year, broken down into menus for both breakfast and lunch.

“The foods featured at both dining locations will be aligned with our district wide focus: scratchcooked or assembled chef prepared recipes with locally grown, sustainably raised and clean label ingredients,” Bradley said.

Sophomore Zachary Eilers be-

News 1 , 2 Reviews 13

School anniversary party takes place in the courtyard following testing

Feature 4, 5 In-Depth 6, 8, 9

COURTESY OF AISD Food and Nutrition Dept.

lieves that easily available wraps and sandwiches will be a great addition to the food available on campus.

“If the machines are kept stocked and have good sandwiches in them, then the vending machine seems like a good idea,” Eilers said.

Freshman Addison Todd is excited to use the more easily accessible

Photo Essay 7, 16 Sports 10, 11

food services.

“Wraps and sandwiches have a lot of different options, so many students can get food they like,” Todd said. “I would love having a vending machine with healthy options because then I could get good food when I am hungry without waiting in a line.”

The vending machines and mobile cart will include gluten free and vegetarian options, such as salad.

“I would really love to see gluten free options in the vending machines to allow me and many other kids at Bowie to enjoy the vending machine and food cart,” Todd said.

Students and staff will be able to purchase meals from the Square Fare Fridge and vending machines during both lunch periods.

“Our job is to get the kids healthy food as fast as possible because we know how valuable ev-

Entertainment 3, 12 Commentary 14, 15

find us

eryone’s time is,” Bowie Food Service Manager Amanda Gilroy said.

“When the vending machine and/ or mobile cart gets added we will get another employee to help expedite the meals.”

The poll conducted received 1,039 responses with 44.9% of participants preferring hot meals to be available at the food services during the day.

“Menus for both the Square Fare Fridge and vending machine will feature student favorites, as well as items not typically served in the cafe,” Bradley said.

Since Bowie is expanding very rapidly, the cafeteria must undergo changes to serve the increasing number of student and staff members.

“The amount of students are growing and even though not all eat in the cafeteria, we have to have the access for all,” Gilroy said.

@jbhs_dispatch

2 NEWS

THE DISPATCH TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018

Alumni Association established In light of Bowie’s 30th anniversary, Joyce Brisco and several other faculty members have created an alumni association that allows Bowie graduates to reconnect with classmates, faculty, plan reunions, buy Bowie alumni merchandise, and donate to the school or scholarship funds.

“There is recognition that as most of the original staff is gone, the school's history might be lost if there's no entity to preserve it,” School Improvement Facilitator Ruth Ann Widner said.

The association runs on the website "AlumniClass. com" where alumni can use these features while also being able to create their own profile which shares their personal information.

To create a profile, alumni must enter their name, email address, year, and what activities they were involved in during high school. Many alumni have already created profiles on the website and a database is provided to all who join.

Through the website, a tool is provided by the program where previous students or faculty can sponsor and plan reunions. Along with being able to plan reunions, alumni can also find existing ones in the Austin area.

Other features include a photo library, military alumni, and a class ring lost n’ found. Through this association the school hopes to preserve history as well as promote donations to presently improve Bowie.

The association is still “under construction” and more activities, members, and other improvements are in the works.

STORY BY

Katie Holme

For more information, scan the QR code:

https://alumniclass.com

TV Monitors enhance education

CRISP AND CLEAR: In Patricia Conroy's AP English IV class, senior Dartanian Babcock presents a power-point over the book "The Metamorphosis" on the new TV monitor. The screens allow the class to get a clearer view of the presentation. PHOTO BY Abby Ong

Classrooms transition from use of projector screens to rolling TV stands Shruti Patel Online Reporter

New high definition television monitors are being delivered across the campus in an effort to install advance technology across classrooms In March of 2017, AISD School Board approved the installation of new Presentation Systems at all AISD campuses including Bowie. AISD Campuses had a choice in which Presentation System they preferred, and monitors appealed to the Bowie campus and classrooms the most.

“Since a number of classrooms already had projectors, we saw the monitors as a way to supplement instructional technology until what we have becomes obsolete and is replaced by the monitors.” Principal Mark Robinson said.

Sophomore, Abby Blas is amazed by the new technology in her math class and the ability for the technology to transform her teacher’s

lesson to become more appealing to her and her fellow classmates.

“When the new TVs came into the classroom, I was in complete awe,” Blas said.

“With just one new device in the classroom, I felt that the classroom had changed for the better.”

Another student who is appealed by the introduction of the new TVs around campus is sophomore Ainsley Eis, who believes that advanced technology in the classroom is beneficial to the learning environment.

“I think that new TVs can help students learning by allowing for a variety of teaching approaches whether it’s through text, video, music, and art,” Eis said. “The introduction of new technology in classrooms can spark creative vibes among the students.”

The new TVs gives Bowie staff more ease when helping their students and provides students with more excitement when in the classroom.

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the image being clear and sharp when explaining class projects and video,” Art teacher, Deborah Abbott said.

The 70” HDTVs in the classroom makes it easier for teachers to present information and assist students in the learning process, while staying on the front end of technology like Apple TV. “The new monitors are slick,” Robinson said. “We have yet to receive extensive training on all of the capabilities however the displays are sharp, color is bright, and teachers can connect directly or cast to the screen.”

Using advanced devices in the classroom that appeal to this generation of students who are heavily dependent on technology can allow students to be better focused and pay attention in class.

“Monitors have the potential to be more engaging to the students because the students are better suited to this new technology,” Blas said.

The Bowie campus is us-

ing today’s new technology to allow teachers to customize their lessons and allow lessons to appeal to the students, Bowie hopes to broaden the choices available to students and teachers when it comes to learning and teaching.

“We are getting away from one size fits all classroom instruction with the teacher as the source of knowledge - using a chalkboard, projector, or monitor to transmit information - to the customization and personalization of student learning,” Robinson said.

The new assets to the classroom around the Bowie campus allow teachers to become more efficient with the material they are teaching to the students due to the variety of choices students have in learning.

“Teachers are able to give students more choice about what they want to learn pertaining to the topic, the pace they need to learn within guidelines, and how they want to show that learning

from the choices provided,” Robinson said.

Although there are many advantages to the introduction of the new TV, the size of the TV can cause inconvenience in classrooms.

“It is kind of annoying that they can take up a lot of space,” said Blas. “When the TV got moved into my teachers class, the desks got more squished together” Teachers agree with many students in that they cause difficulty within the classroom because they take a great amount of space.

“I had to rearrange my room today so I could fit the new TV in the classroom,” Abbott said. “It takes quite a bit of room in my classroom.”

This transformation in the classroom influenced by the new technology is very beneficial for both the students and the teachers at Bowie.

“It is a shift from students consuming, to creating learning, and it is exciting,” Robinson said.

3301

ENTERTAINMENT 3 TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018 THE DISPATCH

Online interactive game expands to school

“Bowie3301” is an example of an Alternate Reality Game (ARG), which involves participants playing the game not just Online, but crossing over into the real world to complete in various in-game tasks.

“Cicada3301” is an Online scavenger hunt and the original inspiration for “Bowie3301” that took players all across the world to decipher codes hidden across every corner of the Internet. While most of the students actively working have never experienced an ARG before, some like sophomore Jaden Davis, are familiar with the concept.

“Not only do you really have to understand code and computers well, you have to have a lot of background knowledge in codes and ciphers to even understand what you’re supposed to do sometimes,” Davis said. “It gets progressively harder as you move through and actually watching it work is an amazing, satisfying feeling like nothing else.”

The five students behind the mask of “Bowie3301,” who have all asked to remain anonymous, acquired inspiration from not only “Cicada3301,” but “Gnasher3301.”

This experiment was a parody of the Cicada hunt started by Gorzycki Middle School technology teacher Jon Howard during the 2016 school year.

“I originally thought [“Cicada3301”] was a really interesting mystery, and I wanted to create the same experience for the students at Gorzycki,” Howard said. “It was really fun building a series of puzzles that the experience of going through them was the fun part not necessarily just completing it.

It’s all about the journey, not the destination.”

min01 said.

“We go through a revision process by having them play-tested by one of our close associates. We do want to keep certain elements a secret, but all we hope is that students at Bowie will continue to be interested because we want to continue this challenge for as long as is chronologically feasible.”

The project has brought students together, and creating an active community of individuals united under one goal of reaching the end.

Every night, the Discord is bustling with users cooperating as the puzzles are released.

“The best part of working on these puzzles has been experiencing the solvers’ reactions to the newest chapters,” Admin01 said.

“We are frequently checking on the Discord server, and it is quite entertaining to experience the reactions of joy or frustration as puzzles are attempted.”

THE CONTROVERSY Oct. 15, 10:27 a.m. the call was made by Admin01, “Congratulations to @ombra for winning the 2018 Fall Bowie HS 3301 puzzle!”

The competitors immediately had questions. The Admins, however, were quick to reassure everyone that the game far was from beaten.

“The challenge is not over yet,” Admin01 said. “This phase is complete, but more is coming. We will be releasing a new set of puzzles after the new year, and you have until then to complete the first phase, in preparation for January 1st, 2019.”

Unbeknown to the game’s community, the contest happened to attract more attention than even The Admins had planned for. As the details began to unfurl, it was discovered that the winner, known only by his Discord username “ombra,” wasn’t a Bowie student. Austin High senior Ben Fremin was the first to complete “Bowie3301” through the creation of a program that helped filter out the answers to most of the puzzles.

“I have really mixed feelings about winning,” Fremin said. “It almost doesn’t feel like I won, a computer did a lot of the work. I wrote a program and it found several of the answers, but not all of them. I was really lucky.”

Fremin’s accomplishment in completing the first batch of the puzzles has been seen as controversial by The Admins and the community, and led to the contest rules being adjusted.

“We intended for puzzles to remain within Bowie, so we are not encouraging completion from other schools,” Admin01 said “We know how [Fremin] won, and we are not happy about it. We are including a clause in the rules stating that the winner must be from Bowie, and will create more physical puzzles to support this.”

THE FUTURE

One question on several player’s minds is what is next for “Bowie3301.”

The Admins have revealed very little, but what can be confirmed is that this event has grown from

Tengri 137

Want to play?

http://bowiehs3301.com

Mo rale s

The Gorzycki hunt planted the seed for what would eventually move to the five mysterious students known as “The Admins” and become “Bowie3301.”

One of the anonymous creators of the Bowie puzzle goes by “Admin01.”

“Challengers of our puzzle will expect to face both quite fun and quite difficult experiences throughout the process,” Admin01 said. “Solvers will definitely need to have a strong will to complete some of the latter chapters in the experience though, as they will be quite frustrating at times.”

Students who decide to take on the challenge will be tested on solving secret codes, scouring the Internet, and climbing under cafeteria tables for clues.

“I am involved in a very strange way,” Computer Science instructor Bow Brannon said. “Students had to earn [the clue] by coming to my room and performing some display that was embarrassing. I’ve had students sing karaoke to some “cringey” songs, perform a memorable tap and dance routine, the Russian national anthem played on a trombone, and even a medley on the tuba. I never know what the students will do, but it’s fun being an observer.”

Adding to the mayhem, the “Bowie3301” Discord server has created a whole new element to puzzle solving as a place for students to go to discuss puzzles with others that are working on them.

Freshman Jacob Stone is one of the active members of the Discord server, as well as an active puzzle solver.

“It has been super funny seeing the peoples’ reaction[s] in the chat when they complete a chapter, or every little side quest and frustration they go through,” Stone said.

“It’s also helped with the multiple bugs that The Admins were able to quickly fix. The lengths people will go to, for the answer to a puzzle that they are stuck on, is really fun to watch.”

One of the biggest contributing factors of intrigue with students is the mystery element. Nobody knows who the students behind it are, despite some puzzle solvers’ best efforts. Nobody knows what the eventual promised prize, if there even is one, for completing the game will be, besides the “join our ranks” caption given in the posters advertising for the hunt. “[The] Admins have many methods of communication, which we use to draft and revise chapters,” A d -

Joe

THE INSPIRATIONS

THE FIRST PUZZLES

BY

Secret codes. Spies. Puzzles. Adventure. All a thing of fiction and action movies for most. However, throughout the last two weeks mysterious signs have been popping up all over the school, prompting people to join the hunt, and leaving everyone who sees them with one question: What is “Bowie3301”?

ART

Austin Civatte Video Editor

a small middle school experiment to something much larger than the creators believed. ¨The first ‘Gnasher3301’ was designed by me and an advanced student,” Howard said. ¨But this is 98 [percent] the work of Bowie High School students. And they are doing a great job.¨ “Bowie3301” is an on-going event unlike any other spreading across schools. It provides a challenge that hasn’t been seen often in traditional video games, movies or TV, and has engaged a growing community. The code breakers, amateur secret agents, or those looking for a challenge to keep them on their toes, can play the first 20 puzzles until the new part comes out at the beginning of next year.

“We want this puzzle to be enjoyable for those who attempt to complete it,¨ Admin01 said. ¨We want each chapter to be an experience in and of itself. We don’t want solvers to view the whole challenge as a way to reach an end goal, but as a rewarding and difficult achievement.¨

Best Alternative Reality Games, 2018 ThatPoppy Cicada3301 Walking Titan Eckva Forgotten Languages Away Glitch Swan Tengri 137 Hell SeventyBroad Church of Higher Truth

ART BY Kaitlyn Zellner

COURTESY OF Kyle Perkins

4 FEATURE

THE DISPATCH TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018

Student takes part in state campaign

Senior Taylor Bhuiyan donates her time to the push of Beto O’ Rourke for Texas senate Maddy Rice Managing Editor

getting my responses out and people that want to be informed are informed.”

Drawn to O’Rourke’s natural charisma and similar ideals to her own, Bhuiyan quickly fell in love with the candidate. She described his immigration policies as “courageous” considering Texas’s political background. As listed on the Issues section of his website, the Congressman advocates for the demilitarization of the U.S.-Mexico border, modernization of the visa system, the passing of the 2017 DREAM Act, and other more liberal immigration reforms.

“Well, my dad’s an immigrant and my mom’s family is from Mexico, so the whole concept of building a wall I just find really, really disgusting,” Bhuiyan said. “Just, whenever people go ahead and slander immigrants as if they’re all the same person… you don’t know their story. Negative connotations about immigrants really bother me because that’s literally my family.

Like, my dad has spent 2 0

each other’s lives. By spending most week- this conversation and I’m gonna win it’ And ends together, the Bhuiyan household has that’s just always how it’s been and I’m just like, that’s me. That’s what I want to be. So plenty of time to bond.

“Taylor has always been unapologetically that’s what I am.”

As a member of several minority groups, Taylor,” Shelby said. “And that’s probably my Taylor takes favorite thing discriminaabout her. Even though she’s Taylor has always been unapologetically tion to heart and is dethe youngest of Taylor. And that’s probably my favorite termined to us four sisters, thing about her. use her voice she’s always in order to had the biggest speak up for personality and Shelby Bhuiyan those who fearlessness to Taylor’s Older Sister can’t. Whethhave her own er it’s using interests.”

One of the most integral pieces of Taylor’s her various social media platforms, political upbringing she explains was her parents’ en- connections, or pursuing a career in politics, couragement of her independence. By hav- Taylor is certain that she will make an iming to pay for everything from clothes to pact.

“The fact that I’m able to volunteer my concert tickets, Taylor feels that she can put her time and work with cool, courageous ladies hard work towards like the state representative I worked under, anything she Nichole Collier, she basically stands for evdesires to erything I stand for,” Taylor said. “She hera c h i e v e self is also a minority; she’s a black lady in in life. politics. In Dallas.”

Growing up in a predominantly

It’s six p.m. on a Friday night: the football team is getting hyped up for a game, parents are unwinding with a glass of wine on the couch, and downtown Austin is bustling with life. Senior Taylor Bhuiyan, however, is curled up in bed sorting through responses to her mass texts promoting Representative Beto O’Rourke’s campaign for U.S. Senate in Texas.

Over the summer, Bhuiyan got involved in O’Rourke’s campaign as a member of the “texting team,” a group of people in charge of sending pre-made texts to around 800 people on a program called Relay. The program was designed in 2016 when it was used in Senator Bernie Sanders’s campaign for President.

“You’d be like ‘Hey this is Taylor from Beto O’Rourke’s campaign team!’” Bhuiyan said. “‘Voting day’s coming up, are you registered to vote? Are you planning on voting?

Do you know who you’re gonna vote for?’

And then they’d send in their responses, and sometimes they were whack, but I would have to respond… with robot responses, so it was really weird. Because there are, like, pre-made messages for them.”

Her involvement in the campaign sparked from her frustration about not being able to vote in the upcoming Texas general election.

“Because [I’m 16] and couldn’t do the act of voting, I wanted to do my part,” Bhuiyan said. “And I feel like I very much so have influenced people to go ahead and register to Candidates must be at least vote whether they’re strangers or people I see every day. Genuine30, a US citizen for at ly I think directly, and indirectleast 9 years, and a ly, I’ve impacted people to do what the campaign is talking resident of the state about, which is register to they are running for vote; use your voice because it matters.” office in.

Contrary to the belief that young people Primary elections are held shouldn’t be involved in politics because they’re where citizens vote to “too young,” people like decide who will represent AP Government and U.S. History teacher Carlen their party in the November Floyd advocate for stugeneral election. dents to participate in government.

“It’s about getting you involved and understanding, not just getting The 17th Amendment involved in a campaign, [it’s] showing up at meetrequires candidates to be ings where ten adults elected by those who they show up and you show up and you have a point of will be directly representing view,” Floyd said. “You have in the senate. interests you have concerns.

When we make decisions about public education, we make decisions about public Plurality rule requires facilities, we make decisions about transportation— those the winner to be decided things all affect you. And if based on who received the you’re not there and involved, those decisions are being made for most number of votes in you instead of in consultation with the general election. you.”

However, Bhuiyan’s political activity didn’t stop at her volunteer work for O’Rourke. On top of being a part of the campaign, Bhuiyan worked as an intern at the state capitol, as well as at a part-time job where she was getting paid.

“I [was working] 30 hours a week, I was [interning] 10-3 twice a week,” Bhuiyan M said. “15 hours at the capital, 30 hours at years BY a job, and about eight hours doing the camO of his OT paign stuff Online. So I lacked friend time, PH life trying to but I feel like in the summer I really found bring his family my passion. It was a really beautiful time for to America and he’s me to figure out what was going on with mydone it successfully, but self and who I want to be. And [that’s] defiit’s been hard.” nitely someone in policy and someone who’s “My parents never handed me anything Her father, Faruque Bhuiyan, who immipolitically aware and involved and making an grated to the U.S. from Bangladesh, shares just for the h--l of handing me something, impact.” a love for politics that Bhuiyan describes is they made me go work for it,” Taylor said. “I Bhuiyan explained that she discovered a huge part of her family life. With a liber- want to be the change because that’s how I the texting team by sifting through O’Roal mother, a conservative father, and three grew up that’s how anything I wanted hapurke’s campaign website, emphasizing how older sisters, Bhuiyan’s family dinner con- pened. I had to go do it. I see [the impact of easy it is to get versations are my upbringing], like, with my friends. They involved. Signnever about have a much different background from me, ing up is accessomething as and yeah, they care about the things that I’m I feel like people view policy very black sible through trivial as the doing and saying, but they don’t actually go and white, and that’s anything but the a form under out and do it.” weather. a tab labeled case. There’s a lot of color in it and I think Shelby describes their upbringing as one “My fami“ Vo l u n t e e r ” ly has a very fraught with contradictions due to their parwith my personality and just being a loud with a specific diverse back- ents’ different backgrounds and opinions. option to “send minority lady, I could bring a lot to that “They both wanted us to be strong and inground,” texts” for the field.

Bhuiyan said. dependent, but my mom is more liberal and campaign. Bhu“[Politics are] my dad is more conservative so that kind iyan described s o m e t h i n g of made us choose sides,” Shelby said. “In training as little Taylor Bhuiyan that we talk summation, they succeeded in raising four as talking to a Beto Campaign Team Member about every smart, strong, independent, opinionated woman on the day. It’s like women.” phone for about Taylor attributes her radiant personality a dinner conan hour. versation for us. It’s not something we shy to that of her mother’s, using her as a role “I can do this literally from the comfort away from because it shouldn’t be. It’s prob- model for she hopes to become. of my own house, [so] I have no excuse not “Her character has shaped me a lot,” Tayably the most important thing to talk about to,” Bhuiyan said. “I get on my laptop, log because it’s what influences our daily lives lor said. “Like, growing up, her and my dad in to Relay, I send 800 messages, and then would just bicker about everything, but she whether we notice it or not.”

I respond. Which is like, 45 minutes of my Taylor’s third oldest sister, Shelby Bhui- always won because she just has an aura own time. And then I check in on it like once yan, describes how involved their family is in about her that she’s like ‘I’m gonna end a day for a couple days just to make sure I’m

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”

white suburb of Austin in a country founded on Christian beliefs, Taylor feels her community can show little consideration for religions different to their own. Taylor herself is an atheist, but her father is Muslim while her mother is Catholic.

“Whenever I was in the seventh grade, I was forced to say grace with my volleyball team because a mom brought us Bush’s,” Taylor said. “And they were like ‘Okay everyone say grace,’ and I was like ‘That’s not my move.’ And I just got the nastiest stares as if I had just murdered someone. And so I appeased them and I said grace and I said amen and I was like, what the h--l?

This is wrong.”

Right now, Taylor’s plans for her future involve becoming a social justice attorney, which is a type of lawyer who represents those who are marginalized in society. She hopes to assure that underrepresented individuals get the liberties the Constitution grants all citizens of the U.S. If she’s financially stable enough, Taylor also explained how she one day hopes to start a nonprofit organization centered on political awareness.

“I feel like people view policy very black and white and that’s anything but the case,” Taylor said. “There’s a lot of color in it and I think with my personality and just being a loud minority lady, I could bring a lot to that field of work. I feel like its lacking in that and I would love to impact that field.”

Taylor argues that every voice matters in spite of the common idea that young people do not possess enough world experience to make fully informed decisions about policy.

For Taylor, this means advocating for everyone no matter how old they are.

“I think it’s great that young people are politically active because people form their own opinions at as young as 12, and who’s to say that just because I’m 16 my opinion isn’t as valid as someone’s who’s 72,” Taylor said. “I don’t understand why someone would shun someone for having their own mind.”

Impassioned by her ethnic background, personal experience with discrimination, love for politics, and courageous personality, Taylor hopes to influence others to get involved and use their voice.

“Yes, absolutely [student voices matter],” Taylor said. “We’re the future are you kidding? We’re literally the future. Our generation is gonna rock. I’m so excited. I just don’t see how someone can be like ‘your voice doesn’t matter.’ Even if it doesn’t directly show, we’ll have our time. And it’s coming.”

FEATURE 5

TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018 THE DISPATCH

Galloping towards a dream career

Senior Megan Smith practices her passion for being a future horse massage therapist Shelby Papst News Editor

Rain or shine, she wants to be there. She wants to get them back on their best performance behavior. Horses may be animals, but it doesn’t mean they can go without the care humans need. And she is someone who wants to give horses that treatment.

Senior Megan Smith has decided to pursue a career in Equine Chiropractic after high school. Smith wants to become a horse physician who deals with the relationship between the nervous system’s physical condition of the animal in relation to their health.

“When I started riding at the barn that I’m riding at now, I watched the chiropractor massage my horse and I thought it was the most fascinating thing ever,” Smith said. “And I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to work with horses when I was older.”

Megan’s mother, Alyssa Smith, didn’t think Megan would dedicate so much of her life to horses when she first started out at 10 years old.

However, now she is sure Megan will continue on caring for horses through her life.

“In the beginning, I didn’t think it would turn into such a big part of her life,” Alyssa said. “But once she began to ride on a more consistent basis and her skills improved, I could see she had fallen in love. It doesn’t matter how old, big, tiny, talented or untalented the horse is, she is going to love that horse.”

While the specific career Megan has chosen might be unknown to the general population of students, according to Megan, being a horse chiropractor is very common in the “horse world.”

“Every horse has a farrier and should have a chiropractor,” Megan said. “They can stretch or tear their muscles and get knots, and then it makes them sore and they don’t work right.”

Much of Megan’s life is centered around animals, she spends a lot of time with them and rides at a barn most days after school on her horse Arizona.

“It’s all she thinks about,” Alyssa said. “If her horse or another horse in the barn isn’t feeling well, she worries about them. Megan is either at the barn or wishing she was at the barn.”

Megan chose to pick a career based on her own interests over anything else, including money. No one pushed her towards a specific job, she mentioned that she decided her route on her own.

“I think that Megan is very brave for choosing the equine industry for her career path,” Megan’s train-

A FRIENDLY NEIGH-BOR: Practicing her technique, senior Megan Smith tends to her horse Arizona. Arizona has all of his organs on his left side of his body which, according to Smith, for the most part doesn’t affect how he is able to work. PHOTO BY Shelby Papst

er Laurel Heiden-Herrera said. “It takes a lot of guts to pursue your passion as a career, but I definitely think that she will be successful.”

After high school, Megan already has a plan to further her studies.

“I want to go to North Central Texas College (NCTC) to study Equine Sciences and [Chiropractic],” Megan said. “I want to get my Associates degree at NCTC and then transfer to either Texas Tech or A&M and then hopefully working with both of those programs have a lot of opportunities for internships and mentorships. So I hope to get one of those and then just kind of reach out into the field.”

Heiden-Herrera works with Megan in her lessons, where she has seen Megan’s fascination for caring for the horses grow and her pas-

sion for her dream career increase.

“Megan has always been passionate about horses as long as I have known her,” Heiden-Herrera said. “When she first began riding with our barn she wasn’t completely sold on the idea of jumping, but once she got a taste of it, she couldn’t get enough. She’s the one in the group lessons that is always the most bummed out when the lesson is over.”

Alyssa is supportive of her daughters’ career choice, but still has doubts about how she will feel when she gets into the career.

However, Alyssa knows her daughter can handle the job.

“I worry that her big heart, which is usually an asset, will be broken a few times by horses that you can’t fix or save,” Alyssa said.

“Horses take a lot of time and care, and it doesn’t always work out. It’s my hope that she will come out of those situations stronger and smarter, so the next horse will get even better care.”

The people in Megan’s life claim that they don’t believe her decision is far-fetched or shocking after spending so much time with her and getting to see Megan show off her strong character.

“After so many years and watching her love for each individual horse in the barn grow, it made sense that she would gravitate towards this field,” Heiden-Herrera said. “She is amazing with the horses and is incredibly determined.”

Despite several rough occasions with horses, Alyssa recognizes that Megan won’t be swayed so easily

away from what she cares for.

“Megan was thrown from her horse several times in one lesson, and got back up on every single time,” Alyssa said. “She even broke her tail bone. But as soon as the doctor said she could ride again, she was right back out there.”

Megan has chosen to become an equine chiropractor because of her long-lived love for the animal and because of her desire to help others who care about horses in the same way she does.

“Watching the difference between my horse before and after he got readjusted, when you go in and you massage their muscles back, they feel good,” Megan said. “I want to do that for other people and help their horse be as performance ready as possible.”

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6 IN-DEPTH

THE DISPATCH TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018

The work of Scholars

Students in Scholars do not know the 9-4:30 schedule of Bowie, nor do they follow the standard homework curriculum of other Bowie classes. Instead, their "classroom" occurs entirely outside of school at places and events around Austin, allowing students to enroll in it as a ninth period course.

“Back in the 90s, there was an English teacher [named Kent Fasaler] and we came together and said, ‘Why don’t we start kind of a crazy class here where we take students to theatre, to concerts, to museums—things that the typical high school kid is not going to go to?’" Scholars advisor James Ellerbrock said. “Teenagers are gonna go to ACL, which is fine, but what about the museums in this town? What about some of the concerts at the Long Center?

It’s a part of your life, wanting to learn things culturally.”

Besides Akins, Bowie is the only high school in Austin with a class whose curriculum is purely event-based. Many of these event venues offer select discounted prices for students.

“These venues really admire what we do here because nobody else does this in high school,” Ellerbrock said. “So over the years, I just have a great relationship with Zach Scott, Bass Concert Hall, museums, and they really like what we do and know the students are going to behave themselves."

However, the curriculum also benefits the host venues.

"It helps them too, because when they try to get some money from the government, they have to prove that they are bringing in elderly people and young children," Ellerbrock said. "So it helps these venues because they can prove to the government that “x amount” of high school kids have gone to shows and then they get some money—it’s a partnership.”

Like Contemporary Issues, grading in Scholars is based on a point system for attendance at outside-of-school events. Students are given choices every six weeks to earn points through attending movies, exhibits, concerts, performances, shows, and other events. Depending on the event, participants either earn their grade through follow-up assignments or from attendance alone.

“I’ve simply learned that the world is much more different than I expected,” senior Phil Brual said. “Every event we’ve gone to has been something I’ve never seen or experienced. We do have typical plays and concerts, but sometimes we have the weirdest things and sometimes you leave more confused than when you went in. But from that, you know that life ain’t so simple.”

STORY BY

Jocelyn Brooks

CASTING COSTS

Scholars students reveal how much they spend per six weeks to earn an A

$35

$70 $50 $60

$40$80

$30

A

$25

COUNCILING CULTURE

S

T U D E N T

C O U N C

I

L

ART BY Joe Morales

Ellerbrock's organizations work for greater cultural and self-awareness Jocelyn Brooks Managing Editor

As if overnight, the productions of Bowie events come together. The gardens seem to attend to themselves daily. Numerous posters appear throughout the halls every week. The hidden hands at work? Student council.

Made up of 30 junior and senior Presidents and Vice Presidents, student council teaches responsibility and leadership skills that prepare students for the future.

“Being in student council has definitely impacted my character for the better,” junior Kendall Oh said. “Having a great group of people to work with every week always brings me happiness, and it’s great to see our work come to a final product. Since I’ve been in student council, I’ve become more hardworking, responsible, and outgoing.”

Student council candidates had to demonstrate these qualities before even being elected.

The campaign process, which took place in May, lasted about a month in total from brainstorming to Election Day, and each candidate was allowed to make four posters and 50 flyers in total for their campaign.

“We all helped each other and would hang out while we were making our posters, and we would make sure they looked really nice and asked each other our opinions,” senior Cade Blagden said. “Then it was just getting the word out to my friends. The thing I did that I think was the most successful is I had my stamping crusades, so I went to Office Depot and I got a stamp that said ‘Cade Blagden for President’ and I would go around during lunches and before school with candy and hand out candy and stamp their hands.”

While student council is largely responsible for the production of homecoming, Bowie Idol, Mr. Bulldog, and other charitable events, one ongoing responsibility includes managing the appearance of the campus.

“We maintain the beauty of this campus, which no other student council does at other schools,” student council advisor and social studies teacher James Ellerbrock said. “This campus is beautiful, and my theory is that when you walk out of my room and go in this hall-

W E E K

way, is that hallway pretty? No. It’s concrete and anywhere from 10-40 points for each event. steel—it’s not pretty. It almost looks like a pris“My favorite part of the class is how we earn on or communistic apartments. So we clean the points for our grade by going out and doing campus and we landscape the campus.” things around Austin,” senior Sophie Wolfe Student council members meet after school said. “I love this city and I like how Mr. E enevery Thursday, where they plan upcoming courages his students to explore Austin and do functions, care for the grounds and clean the things around the city that they wouldn’t usualcampus, and create posters to raise awareness ly know about or do.” for school events.

Although much of the class is based on out“Student council has taught me responsibil- side-of-school activities, students also learn ity and teamwork,” Oh said. “In student coun- about social issues and other various topics in cil, you are responsible for showing up to every the classroom curriculum. meeting and event, and you have to work dili“We learn so much in this class, from classic gently to get your job done in a quality manner. 20th century music to history, present day situBeing in an organization with lots of different ations, to interesting facts about things a lot of people within Bowie has taught me how to work people don’t know about,” senior Justin Robarts well with a team through communication, coop- said. “My favorite part about the class is going eration, and friendship.” outside on the last B-day of the week and playHowever, students not involved with student ing ultimate Frisbee with all my friends and just council can still learn about being active mem- having a good time.” bers of the community through a separate class

While CI makes time for laid-back actaught by Ellertivities, it mainbrock: Contempotains the characBeing in an organization with lots of rary Issues. teristics Ellerbrock “It’s a salad. And different people within Bowie has taught continues to incora hot fudge sunporate in all of his me how to work well with a team. dae,” Ellerbrock organizations: the said. “When I say drive to learn more it’s a salad, they about culture and Kendall Oh learn history, films, individuals to ultiJunior Student Council Vice President art, music, sports, mately work for a current events, better society. health, religion—that’s a salad. It’s a hot fudge “Essentially I’m a history teacher, and I make sundae because it’s an elective, it’s for fun, it’s connections to issues today, but actually those for learning a lot of things that you probably are issues were 30-40-50-100 years ago,” Ellerbrock not learning in your regular classes. But more said. “We see the changes in what’s going on in importantly, it is an initiative—a motivation to this country right now—like women empowerhave my students for the rest of their lives want ment." to learn things. I also send them to places here Ellerbrock relates these issues back to curin the city. There are museums and an extraordi- rent discussion in his classroom. nary new library downtown and so many Bow"Sometimes I will reach back to something ie kids think culture basically stops at Barton maybe in the 60s, when I was your age, and Creek Mall, which is unfortunate.” it was very different for women back in those Unlike other classes, grades in CI are deter- days," Ellerbrock said. "Obviously it was very mined by the amount of “points” received from different for black people. Obviously it was very certain assigned activities, and the number of different for gay people. So I make the connecpoints becomes the numerical grade up to a tions between where we are now, which may potential 100. Completion of an event usually be still controversial, but it was also very conentails visiting a cultural exhibition, showing troversial 30-40-50-60 years ago and hopefully proof of fulfilling the assignment, and earning we’re making some progress.”

”

I N

T H E

L I F E

Student Council President Cade Blagden reports what homecoming week in student council entails

1

3

5

Check in with student council advisor James Ellerbrock every morning before school

Meet after school on Thursday for weekly gardening duties

Set up for the dance from 11am-4 pm on Saturday

PHOTO BY Preston Rolls

PHOTO BY Carter Scruggs

PHOTO BY Jocelyn Brooks

2

4

Visit freshmen classrooms to inform students about the dance

Lead student council exchange during the homecoming game

PHOTO BY Jocelyn Brooks

PHOTO BY Jocelyn Brooks

PHOTO ESSAY 7

TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018 THE DISPATCH

Day in the Life: Spikeball fanatic Austyn Keelty & Cece Lawrence Photo Essay Editor & Reporter

Starting as an alternative to beach volleyball, Spikeball gained a lot of ground when CEO Chris Ruder appeared on the television show Shark Tank and presented his new beach sport.

All summer long junior James Hayek and his friends enjoyed this new game of Spikeball, and not even the sweltering Texas sun stopped the students from diving, hitting, and spiking the ball round after round.

“We would still try and practice once a week during the summer,” Hayek said.

“It would sometimes suck because of the heat but you forget about it once you start playing.”

After falling in love with the game, Hayek and his friends decided to start a new club at Bowie where students can meet at Circle C Park after school to play Spikeball.

“We started playing Spikeball last February, and then we realized there’s a lot of people at Bowie that like to play as well,” Hayek said.

“Now we have an excuse to go play after school and just like hangout and have a good time.”

Spikeball is played with two teams of two people.

A hula hoop sized net, that acts as a trampoline, is placed between the teams, and a player starts a point by serving the ball down on the net so it bounces up at his/ her opponents. The objective of the game is to not allow the other team to hit the net with the ball.

“I think a lot of people don’t know about Spikeball because it is an up and coming sport that isn’t in the Olympics and doesn’t really have any professional play,” freshman Blake Buckley said.

Spikeball club started as just a rough idea, but was made possible when math teacher, swim coach, and new teacher Peyton Bobo agreed to be a sponsor. Now with a sponsor and around 20 new members, Hayek and his friends successfully cre-

AIRBORNE: Mid-dive, junior Trey Campsmith, jumps and saves the point despite the muddy and wet field. Campsmith originally got involved with Spikeball because of his sister. “My sister got a Spikeball net for her birthday last November, but nobody really knew what it was so it just kinda sat in my garage,” Campsmith said. ”In January I saw a video on Instagram of people playing and it looked really cool, so I started to get my friends into it.” PHOTO BY Austyn Keelty

ated a new Bowie club.

“My goals is to allow the students a safe place to meet up and talk about expanding the knowledge of Spikeball,” Bobo said. “The students get really competitive and it is fun to watch.”

Open to new members, the club has a fit session once a week and a Remind to keep all members of the club on the same page about practices after school and other information.

“My favorite part about Spikeball is probably the community surrounding the game. Everyone who plays

it is just there to have a fun time and enjoy themselves,” junior Lawson Crow said.

Members have to pay a small fee to join so that the leaders of the club could purchase more nets for those who don’t have one.

The organizers also try to keep everyone on the same page about rules and basics of the game.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro, beginner, or have never even heard of Spikeball,” Crow said. ”We are looking to spread the game to anyone and everyone.”

TAKE THIS W: After a long match, junior James Hayek and junior Trey Campsmith chest bump to celebrate their win, despite the rain and cold temperatures. Hayek started the club as a way to share a hobby him and his friends love, while getting extra-curricular hours. “My favorite part about starting Spikeball club is that we have an excuse to go play after-school and just like hangout, have a good time. It’s really laid back and I get to say I’m apart of a club,” Hayek said.

PHOTO BY Austyn Keelty

ALL THE WAY UP: Everyone holds their breath as junior Sean Cavanagh reaches to save the ball. Although physical ability holds importance in Spikeball because players must be able to react and move quickly, things like teamwork and technique are critical when playing as well. “I really like the fact that in order to win you have to have good communication and chemistry with your partner,” Cavanagh said.

PHOTO BY Austyn Keelty

SERVING LOOKS: After a close match, junior Trey Campsmith shouts in victory.

Although it was raining and below 65 degrees, the club still practiced.“My favorite part about Spikeball is definitely the competition. I love taking games down to the very last point because those are the most fun to win,” Campsmith said. PHOTO BY Austyn Keelty

LOVE FOR THE GAME: Junior Lawson Crow serves the ball to start the next round and debates about who rightfully won the last point.

Crow was also part of the original Spikeball group and helped it grow. “I got involved with Spikeball club because I love the game and thought making it a club would be a great way to spread it to a new people,” Crow said.

SOURCE www.esquire.com

ART BY Shruti Patel

PHOTO BY Austyn Keelty

8 IN-DEPTH

SEXUAL

IN-DEPTH 9

THE DISPATCH TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018

AFRAID LONELY VULNERABLE

ASSAULT

EXPOSED NUMB SCARED ANGRY SAD PAINFUL

SORROW TRAGIC COLD

words given when asked what comes to mind upon seeing this image PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

BY Abby Ong

Sexual assault of student brings home relevance of Kavanaugh case Abby Ong Editor-in-Chief

KAVANAUGH CASE

Almost a year since the #MeToo movement first began to capture national attention, the confirmation of Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in early October sparked anger across the nation.

Kavanaugh’s nomination faced major controversy upon allegations of sexual assault by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of attempted rape at a high school party. In the weeks that followed, the topic of his appointment devolved into a divisive issue on whether or not sexual assault victims should be believed.

“It’s very polarizing, I’d say people take sides that are aggressive extremes,” senior Rasheek Huq said. “It’s also gotten a lot more emotional too because part of the argument is the basic belief of whether or not we should believe Brett [or] Christine.”

Social media sites flooded with people taking sides while protests across the country led to arrests. For junior Isabel Algoe, Kavanaugh’s appointment sent a message to sexual assault survivors that people of power do not care about their experiences.

“I just think it’s really ridiculous when people say that sexual assault allegations ruin a man’s life,” Algoe said. “Obviously that isn’t true because we have a Supreme Court justice and president that have those allegations against them. When people say that you’re ruining a man’s life, you’re not even thinking about the victim whose life has been ruined and [has been] dealing with all of that trauma for years since it happened.”

Two other women came forward to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, but in regards to the specific party Ford claimed she was assaulted at, many named witnesses did not remember it. Ford’s accusations resulted in Senate hearings and an FBI investigation.

“I was happy with the fact [that] Dr. Ford and Brett Kavanaugh both had a chance to be heard in front of the Senate,” senior Adam Werchan said. “Quite frankly, I didn’t have a problem with the decision; I think if you looked at what some of the witnesses said from both sides, there just wasn’t enough evidence to prove that he did it.

I actually do think that she was abused, I just don’t think that it was Kavanaugh was the one who did it.”

The investigation was centered on determining if there were corroborating witnesses at the party and yielded nothing new. Regardless, the controversy brought into question whether accusations should be enough to sway public opinion of potential leaders and judges.

“I’ve had a favorable view of the #MeToo movement, I think it’s good because survivors are really coming forward for the first time, at least confidently,” Werchan said. “Still, I hope that we don’t stray away from the traditions that we’ve had since the United States was formed, like the idea of due process and the assumption of innocent until proven guilty, especially beyond a reasonable doubt.”

According to the New York Times, the FBI investigation took place over the course of a week and nine people were interviewed.

Patterson feels a deeper investigation could’ve helped determine the facts.

“Having a longer [investigation] could more easily rule out who’s right and who’s wrong,” Patterson said. “[The investigation] happened over the course of a few days, something like that should be taken seriously.”

SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A STUDENT

LOST

REALITY

TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018 THE DISPATCH

~1 in 5 female high school students report being physically and/ or sexually abused by a dating partner 28% of male rape victims were first raped when they were 10 years old or younger SOURCE BY www.nsopw.gov

A day after Kavanaugh was sworn in, on Oct. 7, a 23-year-old Bowie teacher was accused of sexual assault of a freshman, bringing the national conversation home for students and staff.

“I’m still disgusted by it, that something like that could happen,” Patterson said. “The teacher who was there abused their power, which makes me as a student feel a little wonky about my relationship with teachers.”

Students are encouraged to reach out to teachers about such incidences, as Austin Independent School District (AISD) staff are legally required to report any allegation of physical or mental harm.

“Each allegation is investigated to determine whether a criminal act occurred,” AISD Associate Superintendent of High Schools Dr. Craig Shapiro said. “School administrators, AISD police and other law enforcement agencies work in concert to gather facts and determine whether there is probable cause to pursue criminal and/or administrative charges.”

Sexual assault is defined as unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature, ranging from groping and grabbing body parts to attempted or completed rape, according to AISD Counseling, Crisis, and Mental Health Administrative Supervisor Dianna Groves.

“Adults who perpetrate against children typically ‘groom’ them by earning their trust and affection before committing an assault,” Groves said. “Victims may be reluctant to report out of fear of retaliation and shame. Victims who know and care for their perpetrators may also want to protect them from the consequences of reporting.”

Texas’ age of consent is 17, with less harsh penalties for age differences of no more than three years. Any sexual activity outside of those regulations constitutes as sexual assault.

“I think since [the student] was a minor, from the legal definition he couldn’t give consent,” Werchan said. “I think people in power have to be more careful in things that they do, even if it’s not related to sexual assault.”

AISD policy and Texas state law prohibits improper relationships between students and educators, regardless of age. For Algoe, even if the student were to give verbal consent, the blame lies with the teacher.

“If that kid wanted to be in the relationship, I don’t think he should be punished or looked down on for that at all,” Algoe said.

“It’s the adult’s responsibility to not take advantage of a child.”

GENDER DIFFERENCES

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 82% of juvenile rape victims are female. In the case of the teacher and student at Bowie, the abuser was female and the victim was male.

“I’ve seen students reacting in favor of the teacher or in support of the guy, who I don’t know, hooked up with a teacher,” Patterson said. “I’ve seen people promoting that behavior, but I feel like if it were a man and a girl, there would be much more backlash.”

For San Esteban, it’s important to listen to someone about their experience and honestly consider their story.

“As a society, we tend to have a more submissive view on girls and femininity, which I don’t like,” San Esteban said. “I think everybody should be treated equal, but because we have this view of women being more submissive, anytime there is a guy that comes out and says [he] was raped by a girl, it’s kind of like ‘oh that couldn’t happen, a girl couldn’t do that.’”

Huq believes male victims are often discounted.

“It’s a much bigger deal to most people if a woman is sexually assaulted,” Huq said. “There’s the implication that a male typically has that control over themselves, and if they’re being sexually assaulted, it’s easier for them to push the woman away. I don’t think that’s an assumption that should be made necessarily, but I feel like it’s one that’s commonly made.”

UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Within relationships, sometimes it can be difficult to read the lines of consent. For San Esteban, it is important to keep open communication.

“I feel like within a romantic relationship it can be really hard to say no,” San Esteban said. “I feel like if you’re putting the signs out there that say no, it is also up to your partner to read into those signs and try and accommodate. Obviously, it’s a two-way relationship, and you have to work with each other.”

High school relationships are often the first romantic and sexual relationships that people have. Algoe believes that teenagers should be aware that they never have to let something happen if they don’t want it.

“We have this culture [that] you owe your partners something, like you’re in a relationship so you’re supposed to have sex,” Algoe said. “I don’t think we have enough people talking about how you don’t have to do that all the time, and it’s not an obligation.”

According to Algoe, some people don’t believe that rape by a significant other can occur.

“Even if you’ve given consent at the beginning, if you change your mind and that person still tries to instigate it, I think that could constitute as sexual assault,” Algoe said. “Most sexual assault is committed by people that you know, and even if starts out as something consensual it can turn into something else really quickly.”

San Esteban believes that following sexual assault, all relationships, romantic and platonic, become more difficult.

“All of a sudden you’re scared of who to trust, and that must be the hardest because we’re social creatures,” San Esteban said. “We like being with people and we like talking to people, but if you suddenly feel alone, that must be so hard.”

REPORTING & TIMELINESS

A question frequently brought up over the Kavanaugh case was over the time it took for Ford to come forward. People took to Twitter with #WhyIDidntReport, discussing the reasons why they never reported their sexual assault cases or delayed doing so.

“I feel like going outright and telling everyone that you were sexually assaulted is probably pretty scary,” Huq said. “Some people would always say you should just say it outright as soon as it happens, I feel like that can be pretty difficult and I understand why people don’t at first.”

While San Esteban sympathizes with the reasons for not reporting right away, she acknowledges that it makes getting evidence harder.

“I think it’s a lot easier now because of social media,” San Esteban said. “[It has] a big influence on the way we investigate things because almost everything is just caught on camera, or somebody tweeted about it, or something that you can gather. I think you owe it to them listen to [their experiences], but the chance that you can do something about it is smaller because we don’t have that base of records.”

Another aspect present in the Kavanaugh case was the issue regarding whether or not people should be held accountable for their past actions. “[Incidents from a while ago] should still be taken into consideration, especially if they’re able to prove that it happened legally and there’s legal punishments,” Huq said. “There is that argument that it’s unfair to blame the actions of a teenager on an adult since it’s like 40 years later, but the majority of teenagers don’t do that anyways. I think it still shows part of the person’s character, even if they did it when they are younger.”

For sophomore Jax Caddell, what struck him was Kavanaugh’s complete denial of the alleged assault, as well as the extent of the drinking and misconduct others accused him of.

“I think if you’ve taken accountability for it and it seems like you’ve changed over the years, that’s a different story [than] when you’re completely rejecting it and you just say all this other stuff to look like you’re not that guy,” Caddell said.

Throughout the #MeToo movement, numerous people in power have been accused of sexual assault. For San Esteban, the lack of consequences for important public figures accused of these kinds of crimes is troubling.

“That’s what is wrong with this situation is that if he did do that, he was put into an official political position where he has power over other people,” San Esteban said.

EFFECTS & SEEKING HELP

In addition to physical trauma from sexual assault, it can also lead to psychological effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Depending on how violent that interaction was between the two people, it can be anything from a bad memory to something that haunts them for the entirety of their life,” Patterson said. “It can also have romantic effects, like in the future [if] that person were to go on to pursue a romantic relationship with somebody else, they might feel discouraged to engage in an intimate relationship because of the experience that happened to them prior.”

It can be extremely beneficial for victims to find support in friends, family, or other trusted adults. Depending on their comfort level, they might feel better going to people they know or reaching out to a counselor with no personal involvement in the situation.

“I feel like starting with a supportive group of friends is the way to go,” Patterson said. “Then from there you can direct to an official or a counselor or a therapist, somebody that is trained to deal with these experiences specifically.”

For Algoe, the suggestion by adults to report such things to a parent or teacher is a good idea but unrealistic for some. Under #WhyIDidntReport, many of the stories discussed a fear of being blamed.

“If the parents don’t even know that the kid is sexually active, they’re not going to go to them if they were raped,” Algoe said.

Those who prefer to discuss the situation with someone removed from the situation can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. According to CNN, the line saw a 201% increase in calls during the Kavanaugh hearing.

“Because young people are generally at greatest risk from dates, acquaintances, relatives and other trusted adults in their lives, it’s important for them to have easy access to support services,” Groves said. “Someone who is assaulted by a friend or loved one is unlikely to call the police—they may however reach out to a counselor or advocate who can guide them through the process of reporting to authorities and ultimately help them sort out the difficult and confusing feelings of guilt, anger and betrayal.”

10 SPORTS

THE DISPATCH TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018

Kicker: a leg above the competition

Josh McCormick ranks second in kicking among sophomores across the nation Sam Blas Sports Editor

The ref hands him the ball. The band is playing their music, the crowd is chanting their chants, and the coaches are yelling their orders. He gets in his steps. He looks over to his coach.

Breathe.

Then he repeats to himself, “Walk. Jog. Run. Walk.

Jog. Run. Kick.”

This is the kicking process of Josh McCormick, the number two sophomore kicker in the nation, according to Kohl’s Kicking, a camp for kickers across the nation. Through talent, support, and most of all, sheer determination he has risen to the top ranks in high school football.

“The first camp I went to I was rated three and a half stars. After that I thought to myself that I should totally work hard to get to that next level,” McCormick said. “Seeing those kids that I am competing against in real life showed me that I believe that I am better or have the potential to be better than them. So I worked hard to surpass them.”

Even though McCormick is one of the best kickers in the nation, he tries to stay humble. But since he is ranked second, he senses a lot of pressure on him.

“I try not to think about it as being the best, although there is a lot of pressure to perform well. But I put in so much work and time into kicking that I know that I can go out there and make kicks no matter what is going on in the crowd or what the opposing team is saying. I’ve put so much work, enough to be completely confident in my ability to kick,” McCormick said.

According to McCromick, the kicker is one of the most under appreciated positions in football. But he isn’t phased about what people think about the position.

“Most people don’t respect the position, and that’s whatever. Think what you want. But just know a lot more goes into kicking than you may think,” McCor- HERE’S THE KICKER: Sophomore Josh McCormick kicks a field goal as senior Aiden Ellisor holds the mick said. “If I’m known as ‘just a kicker’ but I get ball in place. McCormick, Ellisor, and the Bowie Bulldogs won the game against the Akins Eagles 49-29 into college because of it, I’m totally fine with that with McCormick drilling seven extra points to stay perfect this season. PHOTO BY Sam Blas status.”

McCormick didn’t get here on his own. He attriwith one arm,” Josh said. “He reminds me that I need Division 1 college ball. He’s a very good teammate.” butes plenty of his success to his coaches, mother, and to keep working. He’s a very good man, too. He focusJosh’s main goal is to be able to kick in college. He his brother. es on his family. He sometimes contacts me telling me wants to be able to get into a good school because of “Obviously I wasn’t able to do this on my own. My not to contact him because he’s with his daughters at his abilities. brother and coaches pushing me to be one of the best,” Disneyland or it’s his wife’s birthday.”

“I definitely want to kick in college. I think I have McCormick said. “My mother being able to take me to Gatto is very excited about Josh’s potential. He be- the potential to do so. But in terms of kicking beyond these camps and being financially blessed to be able to lieves that Josh will go as far as he is willing to take college, I don’t know yet. My main goal is to kick and do any of it. Like, you can’t just fly all over the country himself. get into college because of it,” Josh said. “But, as of to go to each of these camps. All of this didn’t come “ Josh is only a sophomore. He’s going to get bigger, right now, I’m only a sophomore. I need to focus on from only me. I have to thank everyone else involved.” he’s going to get stronger, and he’s going to get better. my technique to ensure that future.”

The most influential figure to McCormick is his old- You can’t put a limit or a projection on his potential.

Josh may have college planned out, but he is unsure er brother, John McCormick. Josh has basically mod- His technique, form, and his overall performance is go- past that. The pros are still on the table for him, howeled everything after him. ing to improve,” Gatto said. “Josh truly has no bound- ever he may want to defer from attempting to join the “Everything he did, I wanted to do. Whether it aries on his potential. He is going to get better by leaps NFL. be running in track, running hurdles, or doing triple and bounds.”

“If I kick well enough that I could get into the NFL, jumps. Playing soccer. Reffing. Even wearing the same Someone that plays a big role in Josh’s success is his then sure, I’ll take it. But still, I have to be realistic. It’s clothes as him,” Josh said. “So when he started kick- teammate Aiden Ellisor, the placeholder for the varsity so hard to get into the NFL,” Josh said. “I’d rather kick ing in eighth grade, I thought that I kind of wanted to team. The placeholder’s job is to hold the football as in college and get a degree so I can have a solid job. start kicking, and I was three years younger than him. the kicker proceeds to kick.

Then I’ll think of the NFL.” I kind of had a head start, starting in fifth grade.”

Josh might have most of his goals figured out. Right “The funny thing is, Aiden’s mom was my fourth John thinks very highly of his brother. He believes grade teacher. So I’ve known him for so long and we now it’s improving his kicking game so it can take his Josh could become a professional football player. have a good relationship,” Josh said. “But we did have team to higher levels.

“I think he will play Division 1 football and if he re- some problems at the beginning of the season, because “I just want to be able to tell myself that I was good. ally puts his mind to it, he has the potential to go pro,” everything hadn’t clicked yet. But despite all that, I I hold myself to a very high standard. Like in a game, John said. “He’s extremely determined at everything think he’s a great guy and he is pushing me to be the if I don’t kick all touchbacks or I don’t kick the way he puts his mind to, so once he made it his goal to be best I can and vice versa.”

I want to, I’m that person who thinks about what I a good kicker I knew he wouldn’t fail.”

Ellisor thinks very highly of Josh. He believes that could do to get better,” Josh said.

Another big mentor for Josh is his coach he sees Josh, through hard work, can play at a high level Josh is always looking for ways to improve. He looks outside of school. Coach Nick Gatto has been working throughout high school and college. forward to the rest of his high school career. with Josh for years and he credits a lot of his success “Right now, I want to focus on making my team bet“Josh is performing very, very well. He’s really good to him. at what he does, and he really limits his mistakes to a ter than it is already. I want to push my teammate to be “I respect Nick. He only has one arm. He shows me bare minimum,” Ellisor said. “He’s got so much poten- the best they can, especially those who are in my class, that I can get over any difficulty I have to deal with. He tial and all he needs to do is practice more so he gets to 2021 class,” Josh said “I am really excited about what kicked in college with one arm. He kicked in the AFL the next level. I believe wholeheartedly that he’ll play we will be able to do in the future.”

PR:

52 yards

STATS:

100% in extra points 50% in field goals 15 touchbacks

Josh McCormick

Field goal

Eyes

Arms

Keeps focus on the ball

Swing arms to create momentum throughout body

Hips

Hip rotation adds onto the momentum from the arms, making the kick even more powerful

RATINGS:

in punting: in kicking:

FUN FACT:

Josh McCormick’s Brother, John, kicks for the University of Chicago.

Plant foot

Sets up the body to either make or miss the kick

Kicking foot

Uses momentum to create an explosive kick

PHOTO BY Preston Rolls

ART BY Sam Blas

SPORTS 11

TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018 THE DISPATCH

Freshmen ace their way to the top SAM SAYS

Katherine Crosley and Zeta Jenkins play with the big ‘Dawgs

Should elementary school students play row rotations and hit in the tackle football?

Naya Tillisch Reporter

Jumping higher, blocking better, diving further, and hitting harder has allowed two freshmen to play varsity volleyball this season.

Freshman Katherine Crosley made varsity volleyball. Freshman Zeta Jenkins played varsity volleyball for part of the season when she was moved up. Both girls have proven they can handle the challenge of playing on the highest level.

“In my 19 years of coaching high school volleyball, putting Katherine varsity was the fourth time it’s ever happened,” volleyball coach Miguel Saenz said. “Usually freshmen may be able to physically contribute, but they’re either not experienced enough or they’re not mature enough. In Katherine’s case, she was both.”

After tryouts, Crosley was confident in her ability to be considered for the varsity team.

“I felt like I may have had a chance to make the varsity team because I knew the coach would want to begin developing the program for the future,” Crosley said. “I knew that the coach wanted to have an underclassmen that had experience playing at the varsity level so there would still be depth on the team once the older girls graduated.”

Jenkins initially made the freshman A team, but for a few games this year was moved up to varsity.

“My experience is different from other freshman because I started on the freshman A team and got moved up to play varsity,” Jenkins said. “I feel like being on varsity affects my development by introducing me to different skills that I would not have learned on other teams.”

At tryouts and throughout the season, the girls’ physicality set them apart from the other freshmen players.

“Their physicality impressed me the most,” Saenz said. “How explosive, how well they jump, and how quick they are is what impressed me the most.”

This season, both freshmen have both realized the differences between high school, club and middle school volleyball.

“It has been very different than middle school team it is way more intense and

KILLING IT: Freshman Katherine Crosley spikes the volleyball over the net. Crosley plays setter and hitter. PHOTO BY Rey Gray

competitive,” Crosley said.

“Bowie volleyball is different from my club team because on my club team, there are only people my age, but in school the age gap is pretty significant from freshmen to seniors.”

Both girls have been playing volleyball for their school and club teams for several

years.

“I’ve been playing volleyball for three years now,” Jenkins said. “I’ve always been a middle blocker, and I played at Gorzycki Middle School for two years.”

Unlike Jenkins, Crosley has shown her versatility by playing multiple positions throughout her time playing

the game.

“When I first started playing, I was a right side hitter because I was left handed and being a lefty setter is a huge advantage in the front row,” Crosley said. “I changed from right side hitter to setter, and least year was my first season being a full-time setter. Now I set in the back

front row rotations.”

Both girls have added their physicality and knowledge of the game to the varsity team.

They have been helpful for the team through the season according to teammates.

“Katherine is a really good all around player, and Zeta stepped up in a time of need,” sophomore volleyball player Evelyn Batista said.

“They are both team players, which is definitely helpful to the team dynamic.”

On and off the court, Jenkins and Crosley get along with their older teammates very well.

“Katherine and I have become good friends this season, she’s so funny and I love her,” Batista said. “For the time that Zeta played with us, she has been super sweet, and she did great.”

Crosley may be one of the few freshmen to ever be a starter on varsity, but she has stayed humble and earned her place on the team.

“A lot of people her age who get the status of being on varsity and being a starter would let it get to their head, but she’s not like that at all,” Saenz said. “She’s been a humble, coachable player, and I think that the other girls can see that in her and respect her. ” Crosley feels being on varsity will improve her skills and confidence as a player.

She believes that being on varsity will not only improve her but the entire team for years to come.

“I think being on varsity will affect my development by being able to better understand the game and play volleyball at a higher level,” Crosley said. “It will benefit me because as I get older and begin to understand the game better, I can become a leader on the team.”

Both players said they were grateful that the coaches gave them the opportunity to play for varsity, for it was a goal and aspiration of both of theirs.

“The Bowie volleyball program is absolutely so much fun because the coaches are so fun and the older players have welcomed me and the other young players so open heartedly,” Jenkins said. “It has already made a big impact on my life, and I can’t wait to continue as I become an upperclassmen and see what it has to offer in the future.”

Trainers help athletes get back on their feet Caitlin Worthington Dispatch Reporter

Blue and red sirens fill the parking lot as the medical trainers rush onto the field. A wave of players get on one knee and raise their hands, crossing two fingers, and bowing their heads. Silence sets upon the stadium, and everyone locks their eyes on fifty yard line where an athlete lays, clutching his knee.

Friday night lights; they’re fun, they’re crazy, and they’re the perfect way to end a seemingly endless school week. From the perspective of the stands, losing seems like the worst possible thing that could happen on a Friday night, but on the field, it’s an injury.

“Injuries in football happen all the time but most of them are just little things,” junior football player Trinidad Sanders said. “When someone gets injured badly though, the game can take a turn.”

Despite the risks, most players continue to play, because they simply love the game and their team.

“The risk for athletes is worth it,” senior football trainer Skyla Gilmore said. “They have fun playing and they like the team bond.”

Having a close team connection makes injuries bearable for those who are forced to take a break

from the game they love. Supportive teammates can make all the difference when athletes are injured.

“The team includes the injured players in everything,” Gilmore said. “They stay supportive of the guys who get hurt.”

The team has to be prepared for when a player gets injured, they have back up players ready to play. When players are injured, others are step up quickly.

“I think the team has handled the injuries very well so far,” Sanders said. “The players who were behind the injured player on the depth chart stepped up and were ready to play.”

This season there have been multiple injuries that have affected the team.

“This year we have had five or six people tear their knees, sadly,” Sanders said. “It definitely has an effect on the team.”

When players are injured they are treated by Bowie’s skilled trainers.

“We assess the injury and treat the player accordingly,” sports trainer Pablo Riera said. “But for some athletes it’s a moment for them to reevaluate what they want out of the sport.”

Physical damage doesn’t tell the whole story, many athletes face mental challenges as well.

“My injury hasn’t really affected me as badly

ZAP: Sports trainer Pablo Riera applies an electrical stimulation pad on senior Aylen Vivar. Trainers help prevent, diagnose and rehabilitate injuries. PHOTO BY Chase Westfall

Sam Blas Sports Editor

There’s no denying football is a dangerous sport. The premise is to literally knock someone to the ground to keep them from advancing.

Don’t get me wrong, football is my favorite sport and I know that there’s a lot more that goes into it. However, I am going to have to argue against the sport I love this time around.

Signing your child up to play Pee Wee tackle football is a terrible idea. Football, being the quintessential contact sport, is very dangerous. Take how naturally dangerous football is and add in how delicate elementary students in Pee Wee football are. This is not a good mix.

These children are not high school and college aged students who have developed physically. Football is significantly more dangerous for those younger elementary school aged children and I have to advocate against playing tackle football at such a young age.

CTE is becoming more common among football players and part of the reason is more research on the dangers of football has been performed in the last decade. A study that came out this year has shown that children who play football before 12 years old are more likely to show symptoms related to CTE. CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) is a condition caused by an extensive history of brain trauma. It can lead to mental disorders and in extreme cases, death. Head trauma goes hand in hand with football.

On top of the possibility of brain injuries, there are also a vast amount of injuries that can be caused by playing football. Broken bones, torn ligaments, muscle tears and other injuries can cause permanent damage to your child. This will obviously affect your child greatly and it can risk their future as well. If you want your child to have the best life possible, don’t let them play tackle football.

There are ways you can help your child avoid having these issues. Have them play flag football instead. Have them start playing football in middle school instead of elementary school. Just don’t have them play such a dangerous sport at such a young age. Doing this, you may endanger your child’s mental and physical health.

You may endanger their future.

I love football with all my heart. It’s my favorite sport and that will never change.

There are many lessons to be learned by playing football, but the risks must be balanced with the rewards. The young ages children are starting to play tackle football is simply appalling, These parents are endangering their children’s lives and futures. This needs to change.

this year because last year I had the same injury,” Sanders said. “I know what I’m going to go through and what to expect.”

Injured or not, football is a game that is held in high regards and will continue to play a major role in the day to day lives of many. Injuries are apart of the game.

“We love the game so much and we love playing under the lights on Fridays,” Sanders said.

“That’s what makes the risk worth it.”

Questions?

Concerns?

Want to share your opinion?

Contact: Email: Samblas @thedispatch online.net Room: F203

coming UP in SPORTS

Oct. 30 Varsity volleyball Bi-District @ Burger Stadium

N o v. 3 S w i m t e a m A g g i e l a n d I n v i t a t i o n a l @ Te x a s A & M

N o v. 2 G i r l s b a s k e t b a l l v s . V i s t a R i d g e @ B o w i e

N o v. 1 3 B a s k e t b a l l v s . P f l u g e r v i l l e @ B o w i e

N o v. 1 V a r s i t y f o o t b a l l v s . L e h m a n @ B u r g e r S t a d i u m

N o v. 9 V a r s i t y f o o t b a l l v s . W e s t l a k e @ C h a p p a r a l S t a d i u m

12 ENTERTAINMENT THE DISPATCH TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018

Choir co-president directs for nostalgia Mikayla Zellner Entertainment Editor

The sound of music from all genres resonates throughout the theatre, choreographed dancing dazzles the audience, and nostalgia fills the minds of people in the auditorium. These are just a few aspects of the experience of watching the choir program’s upcoming Cabaret.

This year’s student-directed Cabaret showcase is dedicated to Bowie’s 30th birthday, so the directors decided to organize the show by dividing it into different time periods covering the past 30 years.

According to senior Co-President and director Angel Estrada, this year’s show is intended to stand out from all the rest.

“One act showcases the 80’s and the other showcases the 90’s and 2000’s,” Estrada said. “So it’s a little of everything, and there are some fun group numbers that come from all those different eras.”

When choosing his solo song for Cabaret, Estrada intentionally decided on a throwback from the 1990’s to compliment the theme of the performance.

“I chose X-Factor by Lauryn Hill because her album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” is one of the best albums I’ve ever listened to,” Estrada said. “I really wanted to pay homage to the school, being it’s thirtieth class, with music showcasing a bunch of different eras.”

Even though Cabaret is a primarily student directed show, choir teacher Randy Cantu said he supports the cast in any way he can.

“Personally I think I have gained an appreciation of how our student leaders have kind of grown over the last couple of years,” Cantu said. “A lot of my role in this particular production is supporting the band that is going to be performing and helping them get ready along the way.”

Part of Estrada’s responsibilities as a president of the choir include him contributing to the majority of the production ideas of the cabaret show.

“My goal this year, as one of the directors, is to be as organized as possible,” Estrada said. “I’m very grateful to my co-directors; they’ve been very helpful, as well as a lot of fine arts teachers and student volunteers. It’s been really important that it’s a positive environment and that everyone is treated with kindness and respect and is having a good time.”

The student directors are making the big decisions and running the show how they envision it. One

ANGEL OF MUSIC 2

,1

L GE

AN

A AD

TR

ES

CABARET 2018 SETLIST KIDS IN AMERICA (KIM WILDE) SILVER SOUND ENSEMBLE 9 TO 5 (DOLLY PARTON) RACHEL McBURNNET JACK AND DIANE (JOHN MELLENCAMP) BRANDEN WENZLOFF I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHITNEY HOUSTON) CAT HILL ALONE (HEART) KATELYN McCAIN GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN (CINDY LAUPER) GIRLS ENSEMBLE BLACK VELVET (ALANNAH MYLES) HANNAH BOHANAN I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW (TIFFANY) ANDREA FINDLEY TIME OF MY LIFE (DIRTY DANCING) ANIKA SCOMA & KYLIE GOMEZ EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE TO WORLD (TEARS FOR FEARS) BOYS ENSEMBLE WANNA BE (SPICE GIRLS) GIRLS ENSEMBLE LOVE FOOL (THE CARDIGANS) OLIVIA DONOVAN ALL I WANNA DO (CHERYL CROW) EMILY MERRITT EX FACTOR (LAURYN HILL) ANGEL ESTRADA CREEP (RADIOHEAD) BRIANA SANCHEZ SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE (KELLY CLARKSON) GIRLS ENSEMBLE HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME (BRITNEY SPEARS) ALISON HOWARD NO ONE (ALICIA KEYS) CONNOR REILLY LOVE ON TOP (BEYONCE) HANNAH CHERUKURI

PHOTO BY Mikayla Zellner ART BY Joe Morales

of the assistant directors, senior Katelyn McCain, looks forward to the outcome of the new improvements of the choir.

“In the past years, it hasn’t been too organized, but we’re all really trying to do our best with communication and planning,” McCain said. “We’ve added a boys and a girls ensemble, which has never happened before, it’s just been only soloists, so we wanted to incorporate as many people as possible and get as many people involved with it as we could.”

The students, according to Can-

tu, put a lot of their time and effort into ensuring the show exceeds expectations.

“What I really appreciate about this particular show is how much the student leaders have done in putting it together. In the past, there’s been a little bit more involvement from the teachers,” Cantu said. “This year, I would say that the student leaders had such a great plan and overall understanding of what their job was that they’ve really just kind of hit the ground running and they’re doing most of the work on their own, so

that’s kinda cool.”

The cast expects this show to be different from others, not only because of the hands-on leadership from students, but also because of the songs that were selected.

“People should really come see Cabaret because it’s a show that embraces nostalgia culture, with performances that include a lot of different genres and decades,” junior Kat Hill said. “It’s also really obvious to see all the hard work we’ve put into it and I think a lot of people would really enjoy it.”

In addition to the solo perfor-

mances, there are also a few group numbers that the choral members are participating in.

“I love the teamwork that comes with Cabaret,” McCain said. “I’m leading groups of people to try new, silly things, like do a cute group number or learn a cheesy dance, and it’s just fun to see everyone having fun with it and laughing about it.”

Estrada’s passion for working with music sparked at a very young age for him.

“I’ve been singing since I was really little,” Estrada said. “I’ve always wanted to learn more about being a musician, and I started taking it seriously a couple years ago when I joined this program, and I’ve always loved singing.”

Estrada’s experience in the choir program has led him to discover his true passion, he said, which he wants to pursue for the rest of his life.

“I’m planning to study vocal performance, because this program has definitely rooted me in that direction,” Estrada said. “I want to continue creating a platform for myself whether that’s producing, writing, or directing, or just doing more things that involve the arts. I know I’ll be happy.”

Cantu stated that Estrada’s leadership, knowledge, and understanding of his peers makes him admirable and fun to work with on the production of the performances.

“He’s a wonderful person, like genuinely just a wonderful person, which makes him so much fun to work on a project with,” Cantu said.

“Aside from the fact that he’s really smart, aside from the fact that he’s got a lot of talent as a vocalist, him just being a great individual makes this a lot of fun because it is extra.

It’s not like a class, it’s an extracurricular activity, so him just being who he is in that way just makes things wonderful.”

Estrada believes that participating and leading in choir gave him life altering connections with others that made him the person he is today.

“The people that I met shaped me the most, and being about to compete and advocate for myself as a soloist and choir member, there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with this program; you definitely have to commit to it,” Estrada said.

“Having to manage various aspects of choir has helped me manage my time and priorities outside of choir as well. It has shaped me into being more independent and trusting myself.”

coming UP in ENTERTAINMENT Nov. 2-3 BOA San Antonio Super Regional Competition Nov. 3 All-Region Choir Clinic & Concert

Nov. 2-4 TFA State Qualifying Tournament

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Nov. 5-6 UIL State Marching Contest Nov. 8-11 Childrens shows

REVIEWS 13

TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018 THE DISPATCH

Starlight theatre shakes up Shakespeare Gracie Angeli Reviews Editor

Deafening sounds, artfully crafted costumes, and startling passion all come together to create a theatrical masterpiece that encompasses dozens of people.

The Bowie Starlight Theatre Company took on Shakespeare’s Richard III in their fall shows this year.

They are also incorporating Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth into their fall shows.

With Theatre teacher Matthew Humphrey directing and junior Gillian Griffis as assistant director, while also playing the role of Queen Elizabeth, the Bowie theatre held a performance to be remembered. Their spin on the classic Shakespeare play left the whole audience silent.

Richard III is thought to have been written around 1592, depicting the Machiavellian rise to power and short reign of English Richard III. The play would normally be long, so long that it is deemed the second longest play after Hamlet, but the Starlight theatre company removed certain characters from the script to shorten their show.

Senior Ben Harmon and junior Eric Larson alternated performances playing Gloucester, otherwise known as Richard III. The performance that I went to, Eric Larson had the role of Gloucester. He took on the role fully, interpreting the character into his body language and movements, as well as voice and powerful attitude.

I personally was a little frightened by Larson’s movements and dialogue and I think that he did a great job becoming such an important character in this story.

‘Round

Town

Movies

1

Outlaw King, released Nov. 9th

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald, released Nov. 16th

2 3

Ralph Breaks the Internet, released Nov. 21st

GLOUCESTER GLARES AT HIS SUBJECTS: Senior Ben Harmon, acting as Gloucester, sits in his throne after he has become king. Harmon sets the scene of his rise to power and newfound authority with an angry glance at his fellow cast-mates who are approaching him. Harmon continually radiates an aggressive attitude to get into character. PHOTO BY Preston Rolls

Gloucester is determined to gain the throne from his brother, Edward IV, and the play follows his quest to power.

Another character who I feel obligated to mention is Queen Elizabeth. Played by Gillian Griffis, she played a vital role in the story, as her

husband Edward IV is killed and his throne overthrown.

Griffis put a lot of emotion into her performance and had a very memorable stage presence.

The 2018 Fall Shows have only improved in the past few years. Even in the technical aspects such as lighting and

props, the Starlight Theatre Company did a phenomenal job. The actors made sure to project their voices and enunciate their words well.

This was vital to the whole performance, as the play was written in Shakespearean English and this helped the audience follow the plot.

I was very confused the entire time because I had no idea what they were saying or who the different characters were, but the actors made up for the confusing dialogue with their acting.

Their actions and passion they put into their performance guided the audience

Who has the greatest ‘Dawg food?

Carter Scruggs Reporter

Every day many students like to go off campus for lunch, so I wanted to find out which place is the best and fastest place to go for good food, and still have time to eat. Every day I see students came back from places with a different assortment of fast food bags.

The place that is physically closest to the Bowie campus is Sonic. This place is a drive-in style fast food restaurant.

It features a wide variety of food from breakfast to an extensive drink and dessert selection. Food is at a pretty reasonable price, give or take. I would say the main flaw of going to Sonic is probably the long wait time.

The next closest place to Bowie would be Taco Bell. Taco Bell, as the name insists, features a variety of tacos and Mexican-inspired food. It certainly does have a reputation for being a really cheap place to get semi-par food.

On a high school student’s budget, this place is definitely affordable.

While yes Taco Bell is extremely cheap, the majority of its menu seems to blend together, and basically tastes almost exactly the same, which I guess could diminish the overall experience.

One of the local favorites, at which so many people go there after football games they even had to hire a private security guard, is Whataburger.

Whataburger is a staple in Texas and features a very extensive menu and a wide variety of sandwiches and burgers. Whataburger is most definitely the most expensive place nearby campus, but overall is a pretty high quality establishment.

Another place that is near campus would be Wendy’s. They are a fast food chain that prides themselves on the fact that their ingredients are always fresh, pushing away from the fact that most places just usually just freeze their product and grill it when it arrives at the restaurant.

Wendy’s has a wide variety of burgers, salads, sandwiches and wraps. The price is pretty middle of the road, and overall I think for what you get, it is pretty worth while.

Overall, I think we are pretty lucky to attend a school that’s campus is in the close vicinity of a wide variety of

Fastest places to go off for lunch

into understanding the plot, and helped bring the whole story together.

Overall, I would rate it four out of five stars. I think that the cast, production crew and directors all did an amazing job. They put a cool twist on a classic story, and executed it flawlessly.

‘Round

Town

Texas Monthly BBQ Festival at City Terrace at The Long Center

Nov. 3rd/4th

Elevation

by Stephen King, released

Oct. 30th

Austin area jazz festival at the Emma S. Barrientos MexicanAmerican ART BY Sumin Kim

places that serve a wide variety of food.

While some may be better than others, with food on the cheaper or expensive side, or make the most of your

time, there is no question that there is certainly something for everyone.

Whatever you are in the mood for, I am sure you could easily find it.

Cultural Center Nov. 24th

14 COMMENTARY THE DISPATCH TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018

America's equal government is now divided

Evaluating how voting can help relieve increased polarization and bias in the U.S. government EDITORIAL There is a divide in politics, and it’s not doing any favors for democracy or the people in America it represents. This divide comes down to the small number of citizens whose beliefs are being implemented by the government versus the country as a whole. Now that America is more split than ever before, voting has become crucial in battling marginalized representation.

Republican and Democrat politicians continuously place their individual values above basic American ones when making decisions and disregard what’s good for the country as a whole. As small demographics provide the most votes, the values of the few are turned into a representation of the many.

This strays from the original idea of democracy on which our nation was founded.

In wake of the recent Kavanaugh investigation, even the Supreme Court has proven victim to political polarization. Brett Kavanaugh’s position was heavily determined based on his political

ART BY Dalton Spruce

beliefs rather than his morals and ability to interpret the Constitution without bias. There is now an exceptional need for leaders who

make judgements based on rule of law rather than personal views.

The actions of President Trump have also contributed

to a fostering split in United States politics. By promoting his own beliefs on Twitter, he often misrepresents the values of American people

by only conveying that of a minority. Also, Trump’s pro-business and pro-rich inclinations mean that his support primarily lies with

a small fraction of the population instead of the whole country.

There is a simple solution to fix polarization in politics: vote. Ask yourself if the person you plan on voting for contributes to the problem, and if so, consider changing your vote.

Even if you believe that a divided government poses no threat, voting is still the best option.

Teenagers and young adults statistically have the lowest voter turnout, while the older generation has the highest amount of active voters. If a minority of people are turning out to vote the most, we are more likely to see their values heavily represented in American politics.

However, if more young people visit the polls, we can elect representatives who oppose polarization and better represent the wants of our demographic. Young people not voting enough or at all isn’t helping us see the change we look for in America, and ends in complaining without any real action.

We can only see democracy in America work if people of all demographics vote.

The FDA's crusade against youth vaping is warranted Ian Miller Commentary Editor

A student glances at his watch: two minutes until the bell rings. He reaches into his pocket for his sleek, USB-shaped vaping pen and, just like the rest of his friends, fogs up the bathroom mirrors with pure nicotine.

The group hears a new person walking into the bathroom and quickly put away their e-cigarettes, huddling together and staying silent until the person leaves, at which point they go right back to vaping. This scene is played out every day in just about every bathroom around the Bowie campus.

On September 12, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, began an aggressive anti-vaping campaign aimed towards deterring teen usage of popular vaping devices. Popular vaping companies, such as JUUL, MarkTen XL, Blu, and Logic, were given 60 days to submit “robust” plans to prevent youth vaping. If the FDA is not convinced by these companies, more stringent regulations will follow, including the banning of certain flavored vaping juices, prohibiting all Online sales, regular inspections for retailers, and even possibly remove all e-cigarette products off the market, according to USA Today.

Personally, I think the FDA has taken the right approach in reducing vaping usage in teen groups. Vaping is very addictive to teenagers, it can be medically dangerous, and its use has grown exponentially over the past two years, making it a nationwide, or, in this case, a school-wide epidemic.

The e-cigarettes, commonly known as “Juuls,” the most popular teen vaping company, work by heating liquid-based nicotine into an inhalable vapor through their small, battery-powered bodies. What’s being inhaled isn’t harmless water vapor; it’s almost pure nicotine mixed with various other

ART BY Dalton Spruce

harmful chemicals, with as much as 50 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid, a level that rivals the addictiveness of heroin and cocaine.

For comparison, a traditional cigarette only has 12 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid. If cigarettes are considered to be highly addictive, then what would that make e-cigarettes?

According to USA Today, it took decades for the devastating effects of cigarettes to come to light in the public eye, whereas the vaping company JUUL has only been making products since 2015.

I think the FDA’s method is warranted because vaping is turning teenagers into nicotine addicts at a young age, potentially setting them up for drug addiction later on in life.

EDITORIAL POLICY • The Dispatch is the official student newspaper of James Bowie High School. 3500 copies are published and distributed for free six times a year, generally once per six weeks for the school’s students, staff and community.

• The Dispatch is an open forum for student expression. The Dispatch is not reviewed by school administration prior to distribution, and the advisor will not act as a censor.

Content represents the views of the student staff and not school officials.

• The Dispatch works to avoid bias and/or favoritism. We strive to make our coverage and content meaningful, timely, and interesting to our readers. Our articles reflect our genuine objective of reporting news and will be held to a high standard of quality.

• We make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process or is an invasion of privacy. We avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph without indicating that the photograph is an illustration.

• Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board arrived at by discussion and will not be bylined. Bylined articles are the opinion of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Dispatch staff or administration as a whole.

• The Dispatch welcomes reader input. Please send any letters, articles, comments or corrections to bowie.journalism@gmail.com, call (512) 841-7825, mail them to 4103 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78749 or drop them off in room F-203 with adviser Michael Reeves or any editor. Letters must be signed, and emailed letters will require verification before publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.

CURRENT STAFF AWARDS • CSPA Silver Crown, Gold Medal, 3/3 All-Columbian, 2017-18 • JEA 2nd Place Best in Show, San Francisco Spring Convention, 2017-18 Dispatch Issue #5

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It is commonly thought that smoking an e-cigarette is not nearly as bad as smoking a real one, but this is not entirely true when it comes to developing adolescents. As I’ve already discussed, vaping releases levels of nicotine that matches the addictiveness of powerful drugs such as heroin and cocaine.

In addition, e-cigarettes have been known to release toxic chemicals, many of which have been linked to cancer, as well as respiratory and heart diseases, according to Healthline. Some of these fine particulates from the vape include traces of lead, tin, and nickel, all of which are damaging to the human brain if ingested.

Speaking of damage to the human brain, breathing in large amounts of nicotine has been observed to alter brain growth in developing teenagers the same way alcohol would.

PRIDE IN PUBLISHING Tuesday, October 30, 2018 Vol. 30, Issue 2 www.thedispatchonline.net James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX, 78749

In addition to all of this, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry says that vaping e-cigarettes has the same effect on one’s teeth and gums as smoking real cigarettes and is linked with numerous oral diseases.

Looking at the consequences of youth vaping makes it obvious why the FDA has chosen to take a stance against e-cigarettes in adolescent groups.

One argument against the FDA’s crusade on vaping is that vaping can serve as a substitute to smoking for former cigarette smokers. This is a very valid argument that the FDA has taken into consideration when starting its anti-vaping-for-youth campaign.

One way in which the FDA is addressing this issue is by applying its anti-vaping advertisements in strategically placed locations that only teenagers are exposed to, such as school bathrooms and social media pages, purposefully avoiding public television to stay under the radar of adult vapers.

Although vaping can be just as harmful as smoking, vaping can be considered the “lesser of two evils” when it comes to long-term adult addiction.

Youth vaping has swept across the US like an epidemic, affecting every school in the nation, including Bowie. The FDA is doing the right thing by attempting to put a stop to this issue, and it needs to happen because vaping is addictive, medically dangerous, and could set the pathway to drug addiction later on in its users’ lives.

Questions? Concerns?

Want to share your opinion?

Contact: Email: ianmiller@ thedispatchonline.net Room Number: F203

THE DISPATCH STAFF

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Cianna Chairez Abby Ong

PHOTO ESSAY EDITORS Austyn Keelty Preston Rolls

Dalton Spruce Naya Tillisch Caitlin Worthington

MANAGING EDITORS Jocelyn Brooks Maddy Rice

COMMENTARY EDITORS Jake Brien Ian Miller

NEWS EDITORS Jadon Alvarez Shelby Papst

COPY EDITOR Rachel Baschnagel

PHOTOGRAPHERS Rey Gray Abbey Repka Chase Westfall

FEATURE EDITORS Madisen Johnson Marisa Salazar SPORTS EDITORS Sam Blas Peter Dang REVIEW EDITOR Gracie Angeli ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Mikayla Zellner ARTS/GRAPHICS EDITOR Joe Morales

ASSISTANT EDITORS Miranda Cardenas Katie Holme Cade Spencer REPORTERS Natalie Aman Abbie Brien Gigi Francis William Grossenbacher Amelie Hayne Kateri Jaquette Sumin Kim Faith Lawrence Carter Scruggs Avery Shelton Elizabeth Shymkiw

THE DISPATCH ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mo Orr MANAGING EDITORS Ellie Coulston Kaitlyn Zellner STAFF Maya Amador Austin Civatte Shruti Patel Shikha Patel Amara Robertson Amanda Zinni ADVISER: Michael Reeves

COMMENTARY 15 TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018 THE DISPATCH

School funding is an enigma for Texas Madisen Johnson Features Editor

“The Robin Hood plan” - a fitting nickname given to a piece of legislation passed decades ago in Texas concerning the funding of public schools through a recapture system. The basis of the legislation relies on the taking from the rich to give to the poor, meaning larger and more well funded (by taxpayers) districts, will give up a sum of tax dollars to districts in need of funds.

In wealthy districts, property taxes have been raised in order to fund other districts, and the people who are upset about this have justifiable reasons. I believe that we should do all we can to make everyone's education equal, and I believe that lower funded districts should be able to have the same privileges as wealthier districts, but not in this way.

Those who live in a given district’s area do not always have the same income, meaning that when tax rates rise, there is still an unfair aspect that targets those who make significantly less than others within the same districts. How does

ART BY Dalton Spruce

raising taxes on those who already struggle making ends meet to give to schools their children don’t even go to make sense?

Another downside of this recapture plan comes from the new facilities and appliances that these less wealthy districts are receiving. When a new football stadium or training facility is built, or new computers are gifted, where is the district getting the money for the upkeep of those things? Will this

plan be never ending?

As I have already stated, I am all for the improvement of these resources; I just believe that there will be a deficit eventually, proving that this plan is better in theory but should be kept short term.

From Austin ISD taxpayers who paid the most to other property poor districts, around $544 million in 2018 (and around 3 billion since 1994) have been removed from funds that would go to AISD and

Trans kids deserve respect

ales or

CHAT with NAT Natalie Aman Columnist

What are you most proud of? What words describe you best? What occupations are you considering?

These questions, along with endless others like them, have been the focus of my mind since summer it seems like. And you can probably guess where they come from….

The infamous senior brag sheet.

For those of you who haven’t been introduced to the mad world of senior year or applying for college, the brag sheet is a form you have to fill out in order to request letters of recommendation from your counselor or some teachers. Found in the depths of Naviance, this form is 23 questions long, and can take hours to complete.

Not only is it too long due to it’s seemingly repetitive questions, it’s also unreasonably detailed. It asks questions ranging from my favorite high school classes, to explaining hardships I’ve faced in life, to achievements that I’m most proud of. It also asks the same question multiple times, just phrased in new ways. Basically I had to tell them what I have accomplished four or five different ways. Because it is so long and insanely thorough, our answers suffer because we simply lose steam trying to complete it in time. It’s as if we are filling out an entire other college application, only this one takes longer and the outcome is getting a letter that may or may not have any influence over whether you are accepted into a certain school or not.

However, the senior brag sheet isn’t the whole problem. The root of this issue is the fact that many colleges require a letter of recommendation from your school counselor in the first place. There are five counY

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All around the school, in teachers’ windows and on bulletin boards, there are stickers and posters that say “AISD Proud” on them with a rainbow in the background. This, along with requiring that each school in the district the school have a SAGA (sexuality and gender acceptance) organization, was apart of AISD’s movement to make schools a safer place for queer individuals.

If AISD really wants to be inclusive, it has to do more than just make posters around the school and start a club. It needs to educate teachers on how to respect and include kids on the trans spectrum.

A great way for teachers to do this is to ask for everyone's pronouns and preferred names at the beginning of the year. During the “get-to-know me” activities that they all make us do, the teachers could put a place where kids can fill in their pronouns too so that it’s easier to keep track of.

By asking everyone in the class for their pronouns, it introduces it as a common courtesy and shows that the teachers respect trans identities and acknowledge that not every kid is going to fit the cookie cutter mold of “cisgender.”

Even with AISD’s new initiative, there are still some bumps in the road to reach respect and acceptance; especially when it comes to using the proper pronouns

for individuals on the trans- is ever confused on which gender spectrum (yes, it’s a pronouns trans people want spectrum). Most occurrenc- them to use, they should es regarding not using their just ask. proper pronouns aren’t out People in the trans comof malicious intent; most of munity would much rather the time, they are just pure someone ask than be misabsentmindedness, confu- gendered over and over. If sion, or even a lack of knowl- anyone is ever confused on edge. what it means to be transBut no matter what the gender, non-binary, genderintent is, the effect is still queer, or any other identity, the same - trans kids feel Google is a powerful tool alienated and separated from that we can use to educate their peers. ourselves and get more inTransitioning is hard sight. Not every transgenenough for transgender in- der/gender non-conforming dividuals moving into adult- individual wants to explain hood, but it’s even harder their whole life story an endwhen they’re less amount of transitioning times to whoduring high ever asks. school. The proOn the topJoe M Y cess of transitionic of what not to ing takes months do, no one should or even years to get make an “I identithrough, and it is not fy as an attack helicheap either. Hormone copter/toaster/trash replacement therapy is can,” or “Did you just $1,500 a year, gender reassume my gender?!” assignment surgery can joke. They are completecost upwards of $30,000, ly de-humanizing and inand double mastectomy validating. (breast removal) or breast Transgender and non-biimplants can cost as much nary people don’t want a lot. as $10,000 to $15,000.

They just want to be treated In the meantime, all of and respected like any huus can do something com- man being would. Don't pletely free: respecting their waste a few minutes making pronouns and gender identi- their lives harder when it ty, no matter what stage in only takes a few minutes to their transition they are on. care.

Slipping up on someone's name/pronouns is okay Questions? just correct the mistake and Concerns? Want to share your opinion? move on. There’s no need to Contact: make a big deal out of it and Email: reygray@ start apologizing over and thedispatchonline. over, just say “sorry, he/she/ net Room: F203 they” and continue on with your sentence. If anyone A RT B

Rey Gray Reporter

be given to others. Out of pocket, the money given has helped other schools afford new infrastructure and technology, but what about the issues that AISD has within their other schools, such as Bowie?

We are losing an ample amount of funding that could be used to improve facilities we already have or to create new ones. For example, to fix the overpopulation of schools like Bowie, which has around 3,000 students in multiple buildings, the

Questions?

Concerns? Want to share your opinion?

Contact: Email: madisenjohnson@ thedispatchonline Room: F203

Is the senior brag sheet really all that helpful? selors for sophomores, juniors, and seniors combined. In a class of 737 seniors, that’s well over 100 seniors per counselor. If only half of those seniors need a letter of recommendation from a counselor, that is still a lot to write for kids they have hardly gotten the chance to know.

Counselors are a great resource to have here at Bowie, but they should only be writing letters of recommendation for the students they have had the chance to get to know and help grow. Only one of the schools I am applying to requires a letter of recommendation letter from my counselor, but that still means I had to spend hours writing responses to what felt like the same question.

The messy brag sheet system is only one of the reasons that I think letters of recommendation are redundant. There are other ways to showcase our qualities as young adults when applying for colleges or jobs. Recommendations should only be requested in cases where it would actually make a difference.

Colleges that require multiple recommendations, however, they are onto something. That way, if the first letter doesn’t exactly highlight the applicant, I am sure the second and third one will do much better.

All jokes aside though, the process of filling out the senior brag sheet and submitting letters of recommendation through Naviance or in the mail is unnecessary stress added in to the craze of applying for college for students and staff alike.

Questions? Concerns?

Want to share your opinion?

Contact: Email: natalieaman@ thedispatchonline.net Room Number: F203

BULLDAWG SPEAK OUT What is your opinion on our school's current levels of funding?

9th

10th

11th

12th

Ethyn Jester

Jaden Davis

Madison Everly

Zoe Besett

"I think we should definitely give more funding to the teachers."

funds could be used to build a new school.

Interestingly enough, in 2013, after around 19 years of this plan to , a state district court in Texas ruled that this plan was unconstitutional, stating that the money is not distributed equally and that the money is insufficient. I completely agree with the way this ruling went, but this is still a way that schools get funded in Texas; this makes any sense whatsoever.

There is no way to completely solve the way that public schools are funded; it is an ongoing problem in need of several solutions. As long as public schooling exists, this will be an issue. There are ways to temporarily fix it, as the Robin Hood plan does, but it is merely a band-aid for the real problem of public school funding.

"Frankly,it'sjustnotenough for everybody. I feel like they're putting the money in the wrong places."

"I know that a lot of funding goes to sports, and I wish more funding went to fine arts. It's not evenly spread out."

"Parking garage? More like parking garbage!"

TEACHER

Samuel Degelia

"Per student funding does need to increase.

AISD gives the most money out to the Robin Hood plan. For our funding, that hurts."

PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS BY Chase Westfall and Jake Brien

16 PHOTO ESSAY

THE DISPATCH TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2018

Bulldog Nation celebrates 30th birthday

CHEERING ON: Seniors Alexa Robinson and Taylor Bhuiyan cheer on Junior Hector Garcia as he bends back while playing limbo. The Bowie carnival consisted of many different games and activities which the students could participate in. “I thought the carnival was really fun time and a good way to relieve some stress,” Bhuiyan said. “It brought Bowie students together despite our differences.” PHOTO BY Preston Rolls

Student Leadership hosts carnival for Bowie’s birthday on the day of the PSAT Preston Rolls Photo Essay Editor

While the official 30-year anniversary was last year, the celebration of that momentous mark has carried through into this school year. Since all birthdays deserve a celebration, the Student Leadership group decided to plan and host a carnival for the afternoon of PSAT testing.

“We thought really hard about what the campus needs for a needs for a No Place For Hate (NPFH) activity, and having a carnival was chosen as our final decision,” senior Mary Tijerina said. “We are glad a lot of the students who participated in some of the activities a fun time.”’

Bowie’s Student Leadership members do their best to convey the message of No Place for Hate, by spreading kindness throughout Bowie and making sure all students feel welcomed.

“The No Place for Hate aspect of the carnival was really about coming together as a community,

and trying to promote the message that nobody should be alone,” senior Jack Rainey said. “I’m so happy most of our great staff and student body were able to make it to the carnival.”

The celebration itself took place after sophomores and juniors took the annual PSAT, when students went to their designated SEL sessions.

“The most difficult part of planning the whole event, was making sure everyone understood what was going on after the PSAT,” Rainey said. “Where to go at what time, what was being offered and especially what the SEL FIT sessions were.

At the party, the student leadership students set up numerous booths and games around the courtyard ranging from spikeball, baseball throwing and ring tossing.

“We all got together when planning the carnival to decide on what activities and games we wanted,” senior Taylor Bhuiyan said. “We wanted to make sure that we had

games for everyone, so no one was left out.”

One of the activities featured at the carnival was a dance performance by Bowie’s Diamonds and Pearls dance team, which is directly linked to the Multicultural Awareness Club (MCAC).

“Since we’ve danced at one of Bowie’s NPFH event’s already, we thought this would be a great opportunity to show off our new team,” MCAC Co-President Nyah Burnucho said. “Our club cares about all cultures, so we focus on respect and awareness.”

In the end, the carnival was geared towards giving students a fun break after a long day, and also showing students how important the implication of No Place for Hate is at Bowie.

“After the carnival we talked about how the staff and students both had a really fun time, which was our main goal,” Tijerina said.

“We hope in the future we can keep this carnival as a tradition, since it’s a good break from the stress of the PSAT day.”

DANCING DIAMONDS: Junior Camron Sneed and senior Jayla Gaines clap along to the beat of the song during MCAC’s performance at the end of the carnival. The MCAC club is all about accepting everyone of all origins, which correlates with the carnival’s focus on No Place for Hate. “Bowie’s 30th birthday was important because it shows how our staff and student boy has evolved so much over the years,” Sneed said. “It brings us together by celebrating the accomplishments we’ve made as a school over the years.” PHOTO BY Preston Rolls

SINGING LOUD: Seniors Mary Tijerina, Katherine Hilton and junior Erin Rannefeld sing along to Mamma Mia at the karaoke station during the Bowie birthday party. The leadership students were responsible for certain booths placed around the courtyard. “We thought about what the Bowie campus needs for a NPFH,” Tijerina said. “The carnival was a great way to get every student involved and to have fun.” PHOTO BY Preston Rolls

BRIGHT SMILES: A group of freshman girls gather around the camera for a photo. The Yearbook setup a photo booth with a backdrop to match the theme for their upcoming book.

“We decided to create the ‘Revere Room’ because we wanted our students to be familiar with the dream like experience that we are trying to convey in our book,” Yearbook Editor-in-Chief Sophie Bega said.

“We also wanted to expand our presence on campus.”

PHOTO BY Preston Rolls

30

ART BY Preston Rolls

POINTING TO THE CROWD: Senior Lisa Wilkerson dances in the courtyard with the other members of the Diamonds and Peals Dance Team. This was the teams first performance of the year at Bowie. “My favorite part of the whole carnival was being able to dance with my fellow Diamonds,” Wilkerson said. “I especially loved when everyone got in the pit and danced along with us.” PHOTO BY Preston Rolls

MID-THROW Junior Payton Lord throws a ball towards a net at the baseball booth while junior Chloe Martin watches. Student’s were expected to show up to the carnival during their FIT SEL session. “I thought the whole carnival was very successful because everyone seemed to enjoy themselves,” Lord said. “Getting a break from school was much needed.” PHOTO BY Preston Rolls