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FEATURES Sculpture students create handmade bowls for local soup drive, the Austin Empty Bowl Project pg. 4
PHOTO ESSAY Behind the scenes photos from culinary students preparing for their weekly bake sale pg. 6
PHOTO BY Elizabeth Yowell
IN-DEPTH Students and teachers discuss the important difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation pg. 8-9
PHOTO BY Nick Wood
SPORTS Freshman Quinn Loyd trains for her first Muy Thai competition with the help of her father and coach pg. 10
ART BY Mazzy Warren
PHOTO BY Adriana Choueiry
Vol. 36, Issue 2 www.thedispatchonline.net James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX, 78749
THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, NOV. 17, 2023
Pride in Publishing
Special session sparks debate News brief State discusses school vouchers and changes to public school funding Charlotte Koellner Executive Editor: Content
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1,740 300K PRIVATE 8,161 SCHO STUDE OL 11K NTS 5.4M PRIVA SCHOOTE IN TEX LS AS
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“I can see the appeal of vouchers because I don't think that Texas’ current education funding system What if there was a functions well,” senior way to attend a prestiKate Sur said. “Vouchers gious private school, free make private school faciliof all expenses? As alarm- ties more accessible, but I ing as it may sound, this can also see how it would may be a possibility for defund public school Texas students, although resources.” it may still come at a cost. According to the Texas Senate Bill 1 (S.B. 1) Tribune, the proposwould allocate $8,000 al would siphon $500 to Texas families that million away from public are interested in moving school campuses, where their children from a 5.4 million Texas stupublic school to a private dents are taught daily. In institution. This money comparison, only 300,000 would come in the form students are enrolled in of vouchers, issued from private schools in Texas, S.B. 1, officially titled, according to Ballotpedia. 'Empowering Parental “It’s frustrating to Rights -- Education Savhear that people want to ings Accounts (ESA) for divert money from public Texas Students.' schools,” senior Niam Pa“Public schools are tel said. “Lots of extracurfunded based on enricular activities at Bowie rollment,” government rely on those funds, and teacher Dalton Pool said. not having access to that “If vouchers pass, there can eliminate opportunicould be a decline in ties for students.” public school enrollment As stated by the Texas and an increase in private School Coalition, the school enrollment. As the average amount of money student body population given to public school goes down, we receive districts for each student less money to support enrolled teachers is $6,160. that are This value already has not employed, Abbott is essentially increased buildings since the holding school that are 2019-2020 already school funding hostage, built, and year, but which is pretty infrastrucGovernor ture that Abbott sickening to me is already has as a public school offered to put in place.” increase teacher. The this Dalton Pool funding amount, Government teacher for these only if payments S.B. 1 would be sourced from is passed. According to Texas taxpayer money Pool, this plan is disapthat would alternativepointing. ly be utilized in public “I believe Governor schools. Abbott’s current proposal
AVERAG PRIVAT E TEXAS E TUITIO SCHOOL N COST
$6,160
STAYING HYDRATED: Sophomore Abby
PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN TEXAS
Laine hydrates in the shade. New AISD rules require more water breaks for student athletes. PHOTO BY Peyton Dorsey
District releases new weather guidelines
PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS
PER PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILD
SOURCE Ballotpedia and Texas Education Agency PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY Sophia Sepulveda and Will Olenick
is increasing allotment by $5 billion; if we wanted to stay up to speed with inflation, Texas schools would need a total of about $14 billion,” Pool said. “So, his proposal is a drop in the bucket, compared to what we need when it comes to school funding. He will not offer an increase to school funding until vouchers are addressed, and in doing so, he is essentially holding school funding hostage, which is pretty sickening to me as a public school teacher.” Governor Abbott declared a special session necessary to discuss
school vouchers. Special sessions occur between the regular two-year legislative session, are much shorter, and can only be authorized by the governor. The first special session regarding ‘School Choice’ began on October 9, and S.B. 1 was approved by the Texas Senate. However, the Texas House of Representatives failed to vote before the end of the session, resulting in Abbott calling another special session on November 7. “Rural Republicans are the ones that are holding out against vouchers. There aren’t a
lot of private schools in rural areas, and usually, the places that employ the most people in these areas are public school districts,” Pool said. “So, Abbott may attempt to pressure rural Republicans to support his bill, possibly by threatening a lack of support in future Republican primaries.” Websites like ‘Just Fund it TX,’ are resources that students can access to learn more about school funding and the implications of vouchers on their communities. Ethnic studies and English teacher Chrissy Hejny believes students
should do their own research and decide whether or not to support or fight this bill. “Students can go down to the capitol and give testimony for the public education committee,” Hejny said. “I began testifying when I was in college, and I’ve done it ever since. The more people who participate in politics, the better we’re represented. Students can email representatives, make phone calls, and, most importantly, vote.” READ MORE “Abbott attempts to reallocate school funding” pg. 2
Floral design program b l o o m s into action Gabriella Bochey Dispatch Reporter
Bowie's agriculture and floral design program, Bulldawg' Blooms, is blossoming on campus by providing colorful, seasonal arrangements available for purchase throughout the school year.
These arrangements are individually selected by students in the program and include a pamphlet with directions to ensure the arrangements stay vibrant. “We order flowers, and since the flowers are delicate, they take a few months to arrive,” Bulldawg' Blooms member
Hannah Fellers said. “We then have to write out what we want to do for the arrangement and begin planning.” Creating a floral arrangement is a very lengthy and time-consuming process, which changes depending on what flowers and materials are being used.
DESIGNING A DISPLAY: Sophomore Mya Mendoza gracefully arranges flowers and leaves into a bouquet. The personalized bouquet will be sold to a Bulldawg' Blooms customer. PHOTO BY Gabriella Bochey
INDEX:
NEWS 1, 2 STUDENT VOICE 3 FEATURES 4 , 5
IN-DEPTH 7, 8-9 SPORTS 10, 11 ENTERTAINMENT 12
“First, we start with soaked floral foam, a green foam block that acts as a sponge, which then goes in the vase we’re using,” Fellers said. “Next, we use tape to keep the flowers secure. Whenever we’re using flowers in an arrangement, it’s helpful to cut the stem off at an angle, so as much water gets into the stem as possible. Then we add the statement flower, and from there start adding smaller flowers, incorporating the general theme that the class has decided to work with.” The arrangement themes are mainly decided by season as well as holidays surrounding the months. “Students in Bulldawg' Blooms have a meeting each month,” Bulldawg' Blooms adviser Paige Gomes-Green said. “During this meeting, they decide what the arrangement themes will be. The theme is usually based on holidays or the season during that month.” The arrangements are purchased by semester or full year. The fall semester costs $90, and the customer receives arrangements for October, November, and December. The spring package costs $150, and the customer receives arrangements for January, February, March, April, and May. A fullyear subscription is $200. “As the teacher, I don’t individually decide the prices,” Gomes-Green said. “My
REVIEWS 13 COMMENTARY 14, 15 PHOTO ESSAY 6, 16
SCAN TO SEE MORE!
VIDEO BY Arlo Haug
wholesaler does. I base prices on what the wholesaler is selling their flowers for. From there I price out each individual piece that we use for the arrangement, and then we add up the total cost to determine the price range.” The arrangement's prices are dependent on the quality of the flowers used. Bulldawg' Blooms is known to use high-quality supplies. “I think the arrangements are worth the price because the flowers are high-quality and expensive to get imported,” junior Olivia Nanda said. “So, it’s a really good deal. I remember when I ordered floral arrangements last year, the arrangement was extremely well done and lasted much longer than any of my store-bought arrangements." READ MORE “Class raises money by selling handmade floral displays” pg. 5
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Sweat drips down varsity tennis captain Abby Laine's face as she swings her racket, fighting against the unforgiving Texas heat. Following nearly 80 days of temperatures 100 degrees or higher, and an increase in heat-related illnesses, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) has implemented stricter heat guidelines. These guidelines require more frequent water breaks, time limits on outdoor practices, and a new weather monitoring system. “I wasn't aware of the new guidelines. I am usually the one who alerts our team about high heat,” Laine said. “My coach said once before a particularly warm match, ‘Keep going, we don’t want to forfeit a match,’ and I told my teammates, ‘Actually, if you feel bad, stop playing. It's better to take a forfeit than get sick'.” Laine has suffered the effects of heat sickness firsthand, similar to many of her teammates. “I have thrown up multiple times while playing in the heat,” Laine said. “My old doubles partner has thrown up during every single game she has played.” Heat sickness is a serious illness, and the Bowie training staff is well-equipped to handle heat sickness and treat its symptoms. “I've been trained to take care of players when they're experiencing heat exhaustion,” senior athletic trainer Clayton Laney said. “I've also learned from two really great adult trainers who will take care of players when necessary.” Preventative care is important in the treatment of heat sickness. Being well-hydrated and preparing your body to handle the heat can help lessen symptoms of heat exhaustion. “I caution everyone to drink lots of water,” Laney said. “If you start feeling bad, go under the shade, and tell an adult how you're feeling.” Coaches have also been taking preventative actions for their players and paying attention to how their players are feeling. “When it was really hot at the beginning of the year, the coaches would move practices to the morning, when the temperature was cooler,” Laney said. “They added more water breaks to practice, and the trainers were told to watch more attentively for signs of heat stroke or heat sickness." The new guidelines have been established to protect AISD’s athletes and provide them with a better chance of battling against heat during games and practices. “I think these guidelines will help players a lot,” Laney said. “They will allow students to stay safe in the Texas heat." STORY BY Peyton Dorsey