The Dispatch, Vol. 33, Issue #2, 12/18/20

D

2020 ELECTION REFLECTION Overview of President Trump's refusal to concede and President-elect Joe Biden's transition

pg. 3

BRIDGING THE GAP Investigation on how the ideologies and priorities of unique generations can be reconciled

pg. 8-9

SEMESTER ASSESSMENT Commentary on the effectiveness of the Phase 3 campus reopening model

pg.15

coming UP

Dec. 18 Final school day of Fall semester Dec. 21Jan. 4 Student and staff Winter break

Vol. 33, Issue 2 www.thedispatchonline.net James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX, 78749

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020

Pride in Publishing

Athletics facility modernization

Behind the Fence Cade Spencer Editor-in-Chief

On the old site of the tennis courts, a 71,878 square foot structure towers over the practice fields. The building in progress is the new athletics facility scheduled for completion and use by August of 2021.

“The new athletics building will provide for a growing Bowie High School,” Page Project Architect Jason Fischer said. “The larger gyms, locker rooms, and weight room will offer a first class facility to an already first class athletics program.”

In order to accommodate for the school’s growth, the facility will feature a competition gym with a capacity of 1,500 spectators and a practice gym with a capacity of 280 spectators.

“A new gym and weight room would very much help the volleyball program,” senior varsity athlete Laura Starkey said. “A new gym would give each volleyball team in the program a court to practice on, and this would help on game day with a court dedicated to each team.”

The facility is the second campus modernization project funded by the 2017 Bond

Program, and it will include a weight room, staff offices, and locker rooms for the athletics programs and physical education.

“The bigger gym and weight room will actually be a big help because a lot of sports need to use the gym including boys basketball, girls basketball, volleyball, dance, and sometimes even softball, baseball and soccer, and more space will allow more teams to practice at the same time,” sophomore varsity athlete Avery Deitlhoff said. “I think the facility is going to be nicer than what we have now, and I am excited that I will have the chance to play in it.”

According to Fischer, one central facet of the construction process is designing the building to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. In order to qualify for the certification, which awards sustainable construction, the contractor and design team have to document recycled content, use sustainable sourced materials, and paint with products that meet indoor air quality requirements.

“Yes, I do think that is im-

BUILDING FOR A MODERN FUTURE: The JE Dunn Construction team and Page Architects construct the new athletics center to be ready for occupation by August of 2021. In addition to two gyms that will host a total of 1,780 spectators, the facility will include staff offices, a weight room, and locker rooms. PHOTO BY Cade Spencer

portant for the facility to receive a LEED certification,” Starkey said. “It would be really sad if at the end, when it is finished, we found out that it is damaging the envi-

ronment.”

When the athletics facility is completed, the Page Architects and JE Dunn Construction team will activate phase three of the $88 million

modernization project with the construction of the new fine arts center.

“The facility will boost the spirits of Bowie athletes by us now having the ability

and resources to compete with schools like Westlake and Lake Travis,” Starkey said. “I think getting all of this new stuff will push our athletes to the next level.”

'Silver Year' cultivates innovative instruction

Faculty and students reflect on Fall semester and discuss current plans for Spring Cade Spencer Editor-in-Chief

In spite of the frustrations and fatigue of the 2020-2021 school year’s non-traditional instructional style, Dean of Instruction Susan Leos has designated it as the 'Silver Year' in honor of Bowie’s third official color. As Leos expressed, the past semester has been defined by resiliency, innovation, and above all, a constant search for the silver lining.

Since the Fall semester began on Tuesday, Sept. 8, three instructional models, remote learning, on-campus instruction, and the hybrid model have been activated in three

respective phases of campus reopening. “[Since the semester began] we have been very conscious of balancing the needs of students whose parents want them to attend on-campus with the needs of students who are remaining as remote learners,” Leos said.

“Our teachers and our students are working together to find new ways to engage with curriculum, but it is still really hard for teachers and students.”

After an initial four weeks of universal remote learning, Phase 2 of reopening began on Monday, Oct. 5, allowing a limited capacity of students

ZOOMING THROUGH THE LESSON: Math teacher Natasha Weissmiller transforms her iPad into a whiteboard to instruct a remote class over Zoom. In the unique Fall semester, her class motto is 'Screens on, Masks on.' PHOTO COURTESY OF Michael Reeves

INDEX

News 1 , 2 Politics 3

Feature 4, 5 Photo Essay 6

Entertainment 7 In-Depth 8, 9, 16

and staff to return to on-campus instruction in Stationary Homeroom Instructional Pods (SHIPs).

“I wanted to return to school because I would be able to focus much better and work more efficiently,” sophomore Antonio Ramirez said. “It felt very distracting at home sometimes.”

As of Monday, Nov. 2, students and teachers have operated under Reopening Phase 3. The phase expanded student’s instructional choices with the hybrid model, allowing students to report to campus two times a week and rotating Fridays in a designated group.

“There are benefits to both being on campus and staying home,” freshman Anika Ball said. "If you are on campus, you are held more accountable and generally get homework done faster, but if you stay home, you will have more free time and will be a lot more comfortable.”

Since the initiation of Phase 3, approximately 10 percent of the student body, or 350 students, participated in on-campus instruction, divided almost equally into full time on-campus instruction and the hybrid model.

“One of the biggest challenges [of remote learning] is not being able to see all of the student faces because black Zoom screens make it really hard for teachers to check for understanding or to provide the exact type of feedback that students need,” Leos said. “Additionally, students often learn from each other, and black Zoom screens inhibit students from really knowing their peers, which Sports 10, 11 Pop Culture 1 2

decreases the kind of invigorating discussions that promotes learning.”

The vitality of student-teacher visibility was emphasized by math teacher Natasha Weissmiller who has created the class motto ‘Masks on, Screens on.’

“Personally, my greatest success this year in teaching has been the relationships that I have been able to still create through online learning,” Weissmiller said. “Even though I have never seen some of these kids, some of them and I are closer than the students that I had last year who were in my class every day, and that success is huge to me.”

SPRING SEMESTER When classes resume on Wednesday, Jan. 6 after Winter Break, the administration plans to maintain the Phase 3 model.

“As far as I know, I will be returning to campus next semester,” Ball said. “Being on campus helps me get good grades, and I like to see my teachers and peers in person.”

In an effort to ensure student and faculty health in the Spring semester, the PTSA’s 2020-2021 Build Up Bowie campaign will collect funds, with a goal of $28,000, to purchase 186 HEPA air purifiers for campus classrooms.

“I love what I do, and having anxiety when I come to work is very strange, and that is a real big, daily battle for me,” Weissmiller said. “A lot of the time, students believe we are invincible, or we do

Reviews 13 Commentary 14,15

find us

@jbhs_dispatch

not have feelings, but that is a big misconception, and some teachers are having an anxiety that has never been there before.”

Since students and staff returned to campus, eight on-campus participants have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to the AISD COVID-19 Dashboard as of Friday, Dec. 11, which has led to 90 cumulative exposures.

“I wear my mask and wash my hands regularly, and I use healthier hand sanitizer that does not kill all of the bacteria that keeps you healthy and fights off harmful bacteria,” Ball said. “I do my best to keep myself healthy, and I am glad others are doing the same.”

As Phase 3 continues in the Spring semester, students will be expected to continue participating in their current instructional model unless their parent or guardian contacts the front office with at least five days notice of a student instructional preference change.

Although a week of remote learning was implemented post November break, according to AISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, there will not be a period of complete remote learning following winter break.

“I have seen so many marvelous adaptations for learning coming from our teachers, our students, and our parents this school year,” Leos said. “As we continue, let us look for that more subtle "silver" color this year, and perhaps in doing so, we may find some treasure we did not even know existed.”

2 NEWS

Barrett's confirmation causes dispute THE DISPATCH FRIDAY DEC. 18, 2020

Nation faces even more conflict over issues projected to be considered by the SCOTUS

POLL DATA

Arushi Sharma News Editor

After the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, President Donald Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to fill her place on the Supreme Court. On Oct. 12, the Supreme Court began a confirmation hearing to consider the nomination.

Just two weeks later, on Oct. 26, the Senate inducted Barrett as the 115th Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS).

"A President with three Supreme Court picks is pretty unheard of,” United States History teacher Kaylin Brett said. “Since the past two nominees are also very young, the conservative court is going to last decades.”

Junior Lizzie Jensen believes that the Congress should have waited to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s place on the court until after the election, which was Ginsburg’s final wish.

“Whether or not you agree with Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s ideas, you have to recognize that she was highly respected and deserved to be honored,” Jensen said. “The confirmation shows how politicized the system has become.”

While Barrett’s nomination to confirmation process only lasted 30 days, concluding one week before the election, it traditionally takes up to 68 days to nominate and confirm a SCOTUS justice, according to NPR. “I’m very pleased with the confirmation of Justice Barrett and I believe that in the future she will prove an asset to the traditionalist right, but not cause any upheaval over current issues,” sophomore James Dick said.

After the confirmation of Justice Barrett, the SCOTUS has a six to three conservative majority. Brett believes that this majority will impact issues that are going through the SCOTUS such as the Affordable Care Act, the closing of churches because of the pandemic, abortion, and claims of election fraud in the 2020 election.

“The right was ecstatic to have a very conservative court and the left was angered that the confirmation happened in an election year, which has been blocked so many times in the past,” Brett said.

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT On Nov. 10, the SCOTUS heard oral arguments from the previous 2017 SCOTUS California vs. Texas case challenged whether the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was constitutional or unconstitutional.

woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.

“I believe that every woman deserves the right to bodily autonomy," Jensen said. “The government has no say over a woman’s access to reproductive rights. If the right to legal abortion is taken away, women all over the country will be at risk.”

Dick believes that if the SCOTUS were to reconsider the Roe v.

Wade case, and it was overturned, there would be a positive outcome for the country.

“If Roe v. Wade was overturned, millions more equally beautiful and deserving lives will fill our schools and possibly do great things for each other and the country,” Dick said.

In contrast, Brett believes that if the case was overturned, there would be a split between the states in the country.

“However, if it is overturned, I see many state governments securing rights for abortions and planned parenthood,” Brett said.

“This will just show the split and divisions between conservative and liberal states in the country.”

160 STUDENTS POLLED 12/3-11/2020, Polled via Google Forms 104 Females, 52 Males, 4 Non-binary/Other 93 Seniors, 34 Juniors, 26 Sophomores, 7 Freshman

Do you think the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the healthcare system for millions, is constitutional or unconstitutional?

(Supreme Court case-California v.

Texas)

91.3%

86.3%

CONSTITUTIONAL

CONSTITUTIONAL

8.8%

UNCONSTITUTIONAL Do you think that religious institutions should be considered essential or unessential during the COVID-19 pandemic?

(Supreme Court case-Brooklyn v. Cuomo)

29.4%

13.7%

UNCONSTITUTIONAL Do you think the current debate over the 2020 Election fraud should be taken to the Supreme Court?

Answer Choices: yes or no

18.1%

ELECTION FRAUD DEBATE

YES

ESSENTIAL

70.6%

81.9% NO

UNESSENTIAL The Affordable Care Act included an individual mandate, requiring most people to have health insurance, enforced by a tax penalty. Dick had a previous experience with the tax penalty in his family and is not in favor.

“The ACA destroyed my father because he had a better plan being provided, and the cost for not switching overtook the price of ACA itself,” Dick said. “If the act was overturned, many leftists will be upset because ACA was one of their policies, but not much of a change will come of it.”

Brett explains the financial benefits that come with the Affordable Care Act not only to her, but to her students as well.

“ACA protects my students as an individual on their parents health insurance until they’re 26,” Brett said. “The fact that my students are secure after they graduate gives me peace of mind.”

Currently, over two million people are enrolled in ACA. Barrett has continuously stated in interviews that she is not for the ACA, and if a case was to come before the SCOTUS, those individuals are at risk

Do you think the idea that the government should protect a woman’s liberty to have an abortion is constitutional or unconstitutional? (Supreme Court case-Roe v. Wade)

of losing their healthcare.

“Millions of people will not have health insurance and will face financial burdens of covering health costs,” Brett said. “I think most Americans view the discussion of removing healthcare in the middle of a pandemic as pretty inhumane.”

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

Recently, the SCOTUS heard the Brooklyn v. Cuomo case, which was to determine if it is constitutional to bar Catholic churches and Orthodox synagogues from hosting religious services through the pandemic.

“I think that whether it is a church or not is immaterial, large gatherings are a danger to public health,” Jensen said. “It is selfish and immoral to prioritize sitting in a church or place of worship when you can practice at home and not put others lives at risk.”

In contrast, Dick believes differently with justification from the Constitution’s First Amendment.

“The institutions should remain open, despite the global pandemic, because the First Amendment

ART BY Arushi Sharma

guarantees freedom of and from religion, specifically to prevent the state from suppression of such ideas,” Dick said.

On Nov. 25, Justice Barrett cast the decisive vote in a five-four ruling over the case that rejected the restrictions on the religious services held in New York, siding in favor of the religious institutions and allowing the right to worship.

“You would think that a person of faith, like Amy Coney Barrett, would be more empathetic of the lives of others,” Jensen said.

“If churches and other places of worship begin to open up before we have controlled the pandemic, many Americans will get sick.”

ABORTION RIGHTS

Barrett has always been outspoken about her disapproval regarding abortion, leading many to believe that rulings protecting abortion rights, including Roe v.

Wade, may be overturned or gutted.

In the 1973 SCOTUS case Roe v. Wade, the Court ruled that the Constitution protects a pregnant

On Nov. 7, Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden was announced as the president-elect by the Associated Press. Following these results, Trump stated that he wanted to take the election to the SCOTUS with claims of election fraud. Trump’s legal team is seeking to decertify the results and ask that the court order a new election to be conducted in the presidential race in states such as Georgia.

“I feel that Trump is acting very childish and is a threat to democracy,” Jensen said. “If Trump does manage to make it to the Supreme Court, I may become more fearful as the Supreme Court would most likely vote in favor of Donald Trump because it holds a bias to the right.”

Dick believes that Trump has a right to ask the SCOTUS to review.

“As a citizen he has the right to bring the matter before the court if he can produce significant evidence of wrongdoing and he has the right to access the legal system just as everyone else does,” Dick said.

On Dec. 11, the SCOTUS threw out the Texas lawsuit concerning the 2020 election results in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. On Monday, Dec. 14, the Electoral College confirmed Biden as the winner of the race.

“This politicized Supreme Court is caused by both the left and the right, and I would like to see change here," Jensen said.

AISD 'Let's Talk' enables students to express concerns Amorah Schultze Graphics Editor

'Let’s Talk' is an AISD initiative to improve student communication and foster a safe environment through the Report Bullying and School Safety Concerns form. Bowie released this form in November of this year to support students during Covid-19 distanced learning.

The form focuses on student input for bullying, delinquent activity, and violent behavior.

“Oftentimes, the fear of retribution keeps people from reporting bullying or other inappropriate behavior, so keeping it anonymous can help people feel more comfortable,” junior Chris Thompson said.

Senior Isabelle Cisneros believes the reporting system is more likely to be used by concerned friends and students, not a victim or an aggressor.

“You don’t want to be the friend that paints a target on your friend’s back [because] that would be really counterintuitive,” Cisneros said. “If the bullied kid doesn’t want to say something. The AISD form gives their friends a chance to help them out without causing feelings of betrayal or mistrust.”

'Let’s Talk' requires at least a contact email, to follow-up on any dangerous or unsafe situations between students. The form encourages students to report any type of harassment, cyberbullying, discrimination, dating violence, or any other kind of bullying that they see.

“The reality is that principals, counselors, and officers alone cannot ensure the safety of all students,” Vice Principal Aaron Vohl said.

“It is only through the trust and support of our entire community that we can promote

the safest environment possible.”

In addition to immediate protection against bullying, the safety concerns portion of the form allows students to voice their worries over general COVID-19 protocol.

The specific subjects mentioned in the form are victims/aggressors of bullying, individual student safety, weapon-holding, gang activity, or drug dealing, but there’s also an “Other” section for any issues not included.

“I reported about how [Bowie administration] cram us in the library,” Cisneros said.

“If I'm going to [social distance] to prevent the spread of any pathogens. It isn’t good for me to be closer to people just because of the rule.”

In Cisneros 'Let’s Talk' form, she voiced her reservations about how students are socially distanced when not in class.

“I feel less unsafe with the students in a classroom together not [socially] distanced,” Cisneros said. “I'm lucky because I'm usually the only one in a classroom. But I've heard from teachers that normally the classrooms are full.”

Her last question addressed the precautions in place to limit at-school attendance and prevent students who’ve contracted Covid-19 from spreading it throughout Bowie’s campus.

“It’s not very hard to lie on [the screening test],” Cisneros said. “Yes, they do take your temperature, but it’s a very flimsy system.

We’re high school students, and high school students are known to lie quite a lot.”

Cisneros is not the only person to have concerns about on-site safety.

“I reported that I felt unsafe with the current in-person learning plan,” Thompson said. “Many teachers and students have to attend physical learning, because the admin-

istration requires it or they don’t have the technology to do online school. Seeing how many people in America are downplaying the seriousness of Covid has made me hyper-aware of the possibility of transmissions, so I’m worried that one student could spread it to many other students and teachers.”

'Let’s Talk' student contact info is required because the school wants to leave open the opportunity for suggestions from students.

“I think the administration should return to the previous pod system where everyone at school was in one classroom the entire time,” Thompson said. “That would greatly limit the amount of people everyone is exposed to and reduce the possibility of getting Covid-19.”

The constant feedback from both students and parents enables AISD to respond to the

ART BY Amorah Schultze

unique problems that occur during this pandemic.

“Some have truly been able to be successful and even flourish in these circumstances,” Vohl said. “Others have really struggled (motivation, depression, access to technology and positive learning environment).”

AISD promotes this system in order to break through during a time of limited faceto-face communication. Vohl believes that this form can produce positive benefits for the school and the community.

“We try to be proactive with sharing all available resources with our community, as well as reaching out to families and students that we recognize need some support,” Vohl said. “Ultimately, we want to see all of our students be successful.”

POLITICS 3

FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020 THE DISPATCH

Trump's election lawsuits fail in court Dylan Ebs Politics Editor

Following the victory of Democratic nominee Joe Biden, as called by the Associated Press, President Trump has refused to concede the election and is alleging that the election was rigged in favor of Biden. Since the election, Trump and other Republican groups have filed lawsuits in federal and state courts that are aiming to overturn the election results and halt the certification of votes.

According to Democracy Docket, a website tracking post-election litigation, Trump and other Republicans have lost more than 50 post-election lawsuits and appeals. Junior Jackson Bloder says that Republicans need to acknowledge that these lawsuits aren't getting anywhere in the court system.

“I supported the idea that the President, or any candidate, can practice their legal rights of challenging and questioning the election if they see fit and if there is some real reason to suspect wrong-doing,” Bloder said. “However, we are at a point where, regardless of party affiliation, you have to acknowledge that they are one for 50-plus in their court cases and have no feasible means of closing the gap.”

Speculation is arising about what Trump will do after he leaves office in January. The news outlet Axios reported that Trump is strongly considering a 2024 presidential run. Junior Alika Kelly says that Trump’s post-election lawsuits and refusal to concede is for attention.

“I think that Trump is still trying to get attention with whatever he can get his hands on,” Kelly said. “By not accepting to concede, he's trying to be in the spotlight before his election term is up.”

In Nevada, the Trump campaign filed a lawsuit alleging mass voting irregularities

DON'T STOP BELIEVING: A group of Trump supporters protest the election results outside of the Texas State Capitol on Dec. 6. Trump and other Republican groups have filed over 40 lawsuits challenging the results of the presidential election. PHOTO

BY Dylan Ebs

and asked the court to declare Trump the winner of Nevada. State judge James Russell dismissed the lawsuit, saying that the Trump campaign did not have credible evidence of voting irregularities.

“Contestants did not prove that illegal votes were cast and counted that should have been rejected during the signature ver-

ification process," Russell said in the order.

“The contestants failed to meet their burden to provide credible and relevant evidence to substantiate any of the grounds set forth to contest the November 3, 2020 General Election.”

Trump’s lone post-election legal victory was a lawsuit in Pennsylvania, where a state

judge ruled that the state cannot count certain absentee ballots that were missing proof of identification. According to the Associated Press, those ballots were not included in Pennsylvania’s vote totals and did not affect the results of Pennsylvania's election.

Congressional Republicans have had a mixed response to the election results. Some Republicans have acknowledged Biden’s victory, while others have maintained that the election was fraudulent. Congressman Roger Williams, who represents most of Bowie’s attendance zone, stated his support for every legal vote to be counted and did not say if the President should concede.

“Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy, and public confidence in our electoral system is central to its stability,” Williams said in an email. “The American people elect the President of the United States, and we should encourage every eligible voter to perform this most important civic duty. We must also ensure that every legal vote is counted, and that state and local officials allow for full transparency at every step of the electoral process to guarantee the integrity of our elections, from voter registration to the final tally.”

According to a poll conducted by YouGov, 63 percent of registered voters believe that Trump should concede, while 37 percent say that the President should not concede. Bloder says that it’s time for the Trump administration to begin the transfer of power to President-elect Biden.

"I will say that I have a bias against the current administration," Bloder said. "However something that doesn’t need party affiliation is common sense. It is imperative for the health of our democracy, and for the safety of its citizens, that the president concede the election to Joe Biden and we begin a peaceful transfer of power to a new administration."

Social issues and the pandemic motivate young voters

New data finds that 18 to 29-year-old turnout increased by roughly 10 percent since 2016 Carey Wooley Dispatch Reporter

From a global pandemic to the struggle for racial justice, this election year has been one to remember. Even through the current pandemic, the turnout for this election was the highest of all time. This includes the young voter demographic which historically didn’t vote as much as older age groups. Because of the pandemic, mail in voting and early voting became much more

popular for safety reasons.

According to data from Tufts University, roughly 52 to 55 percent of eligible young voters aged 18-29 cast a ballot in the 2020 elections. That marks an estimated ten percent increase in youth voter turnout from the 2016 elections.

“I'm not surprised by the amount of younger people who voted this year as our generation is very politically active,” senior Sidney Tishgart said. “Especially considering the unprecedented events of this

Youth Presidential Vote Choice by Race Source: Tufts University analysis of young voters aged 18-29 Biden

Trump

Other

10%

45%

White Youth

51%

24%

Black Youth

Latino Youth

87%

73%

Youth voting turnout statistics in Texas

1M

young voters in Texas cast an early or absentee vote

62%

of young voters in Texas voted for Joe Biden

ART BY Dylan Ebs

year, our generation is full of activism and the desire for change.”

With the ongoing situation of the pandemic, the presidential campaigns could not push their effort like they normally would by traveling to each battleground state. They had to create new and inventive ways to get voters registered to the polls. The campaigns utilized social media and recorded Zoom calls of the candidates talking about their policies.

“The stress and fear brought about by COVID-19 can often be discouraging, but when it came to the election it only made me want to vote more,” senior Conner Petru said. “These crazy times are when dependable and effective leadership is needed the most. The government and its office holders need to be equipped to handle this pandemic, and thus voting for our representatives is more important than ever.”

A top priority for voters this year was voter protection against the pandemic. For many voters, the safest option was to vote by mail or use an absentee ballot. Another safe option was to utilize early voting before Election Day. “My first time voting felt surprisingly straight forward,” Petru said. “The location I went to did a good job of social distancing everyone throughout the voting process,

BULLDAWGS SPEAK OUT INTERVIEWS BY Dylan Ebs PHOTOS COURTESY OF Interviewees

”

”

”

”

My reaction was joy.

I was happy that the better of the bad won. I was also relieved that Biden won because I really don't support Trump or his policies at all.

Logan Lewis Junior

Charles Stampley Social Studies Teacher

I don't agree with Biden's policies or political stance. If it stands that Biden wins and any tampering is disproved I won't be happy about the results but I will accept them.

With increased mailin ballots due to COVID-19 and high voter participation, I wasn't surprised that the media companies waited a few days to call the election for Biden.

”

considerably more at stake, but if anything, I was surprised by the amount of people who voted for Trump's reelection.”

Since this was the first presidential election cycle in a few years, this was also a lot of people's first time voting. According to Petru, his experience didn’t have any downsides considering the ongoing pandemic.

“Overall, my first-time voting experience was straight forward and fulfilling,” Petru said. “It’s exciting to see that so many people my age voted this election, even with the pandemic raging on.”

Despite the fact that many younger people were unable to vote in the last election, there were many other ways people got involved in the election. From making calls for candidates to having conversations with friends and family, many young people were able to get involved in the electoral process this year.

“Unfortunately, I'm still 17 so I was unable to vote in this election, but in general, I think COVID-19 has made a huge impact on our voter turnout,” Tishgart said. “However, even though I just barely miss the cut off date to vote, COVID-19 has made me more aware of issues our country needs to improve on and how we can overcome this pandemic.”

Austin voters pass Prop A & B Propositions A and B will add new public transportation to Austin

What was your reaction to the election results this year?

Anna Mermis Junior

and the voting machine was easy to understand and use. I was nervous at first, but overall the experience went much smoother than I expected.”

The Black Lives Matter movement sparked protests and conversations across the country after the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man.

This movement also sparked more people to get involved politically.

Within the movement and beyond, people got others registered to vote and to the polls.

“More and more younger people are speaking out politically and getting more involved with this past election,” social studies teacher Carrie Hoffman-Howell said. “Plus with most people working from home due to COVID, they were watching the news that got them more involved.”

The increased turnout in the election this year was evident at the local level. The turnout and registration of Travis County voters was record breaking. In Travis County, 97 percent of eligible voters were registered to vote, and turnout among registered voters was the highest in the county since the 1992 elections.

“I was not surprised nor unsurprised by the voter turnout,” Tishgart said. “I expected the numbers to be higher this year since there's

”

On Election Day, Austin voters approved Propositions A and B, which will add new public transport options to Austin. Proposition A will fund the initial plans for Project Connect, a transit plan that will add two light rail lines, as well as a downtown transit tunnel and expanded bus services. Proposition B approves $460 million for transportation infrastructure, which includes sidewalks, trails, bikeways, and more.

Controversy arose from Proposition A because the measure will raise the property tax rate to help pay for Project Connect.

Opponents to Proposition A, like Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daughtery, argue that a tax increase during the pandemic would hurt Austin businesses.

“With all the constant talk by the city about the lack of affordability in Austin, why would they call for this huge tax increase in the middle of the worst economic time we’ve experienced in our lifetime?”

Daughtery wrote in an Austin American-Statesman opinion piece. “As a business partner in several area restaurants, the only thing Prop A would do for those

businesses is to increase operating costs above our already thin margins.”

The proposition has broad support among the city government. Mayor Steve Adler and all ten Austin City Council members support Proposition A. “I’m proud to live in a city that is looking to its future: one not satisfied with the status quo,” Adler said on Facebook. “Austin is pushing to be more sustainable, equitable, and affordable in new and innovative ways.”

According to the Project Connect website, the total length for the project is estimated to take around 13 years. The two new light rail lines are projected to take nine years to complete, and the new commuter line is projected to take three years to be completed.

“The Project Connect System Plan will bring a number of firsts to Austin, including a light rail system that travels under the densest part of the city, improving the speed, on-time performance, reliability and safety of the entire system,” a post from Capital Metro’s website said.

STORY BY

Dylan Ebs

4 FEATURE

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020

Captain’s story of strength unites the team

Evan Mallett was elected varsity football captain as he continues recovery from a serious car accident Mia Folkers Feature Editor

As each player rushes to the field for warm-ups, he studies the opponent and reviews the general plan for the first quarter. Knowing the game so well, he understands the expectations of his team, and has strong faith they will meet them.

Play by play, he is focused on the sideline, helping and supporting his teammates to the last point. Although senior Evan Malletts’ actions are not physically on the field, his presence creates a positive and motivational atmosphere for each player.

Mallett has been selected as a captain for this 2020 varsity football season.

“Coach Ables called me to let me know my teammates had voted me as a captain,” Mallett said. “Hearing this news I was excited and honored to be chosen.”

Mallett is a four-year member of the team and played in the role of the quarterback up to his junior year season. Evan receiving the captain position elicited very similar feelings in his mother, Stefanie Derickson.

“The moment was bittersweet,” Derickson said. “I was so proud and happy for him to become a captain, yet sad that he would not be able to play this season.”

On April 25, Mallett was involved in a near fatal car accident which damaged his spine, and has caused him to spend a substantial amount of time and effort into his

recovery. The opportunity to reconnect with the football program that the captain position offered brought a positive light to his senior year.

“Being the captain was a position I had worked for during the past three years of football,” Mallett said.

“Becoming the captain really brought the unique role of leading a team to reality for me.”

Mallett’s passion for football started at a young age of five years old, and it has only grown as he continued to stay involved.

“I have always loved the game and miss playing more than anything,” Mallett said.

“The game is special because it easily brings everyone together.”

As captain, Mallett has many responsibilities to help and improve the football team, according to Head Football Coach and Athletic Coordinator Jeff Ables.

“All the players interact and can communicate through the captains,” Ables said. “Evan is a leader on our team and earned the respect of his teammates.”

Besides leading the varsity team through his example, Mallett believes as a captain he also has a role to bring affirmation for his teammates.

“One of my main responsibilities is to provide a positive and encouraging influence to my teammates,” Mallett said. “As captain, you contribute leadership and example for the team to follow, so it is important that you lead with a productive

MASKS ON: Senior Evan Mallett poses for a photo with his family before heading onto the field to receive the nomination for Homecoming King. Along with being named Homecoming King, Mallett was chosen by his team as a Varsity Captain for the 2020 football season. PHOTO COURTESY OF JR Flores

attitude.”

The role as a leader was a perfect fit for Mallett’s char-

FOCUSED IN: Evan Mallett works with a physical therapist to move his lower leg.

Mallett attends therapy five days a week working to gain independence in his lower body so he can eventually walk. PHOTO COURTESY OF Travis Recek

acter according to Derickson.

“He’s been playing football since he was really young so a majority of his leadership skills were learned while participating in the game of football,” Derickson said. “He has some natural leadership ability and his passion for football elevated those abilities.”

Additionally, Derickson believes that Mallett’s natural traits not only are used in the football program, but for his daily recovery.

“It was amazing to see how hard [my son] works for such minor results,” Derickson said. “Seeing the small recoveries and knowing that they will all add up over time made his efforts worthwhile.”

According to Mallett, he has also achieved success in recovery due to the innovative technology incorporated into his physical therapy.

“The technology I got to use in physical therapy was amazing,” Mallett said. “Using it so frequently was extremely encouraging when working toward recovery.”

Along with the technology, Derickson believes the staff that worked with Mallett have had a huge impact on his recovery.

“All of the therapists he has worked with have been great,” Derickson said.

“They are so dedicated to their patients and helping them achieve their recovery goals.”

Mallett’s hard work does not go unnoticed in the football program either, according to Ables.

“Evan has a great attitude and is a true competitor. He is a fighter,” Ables said. “He is fun to coach, fun to be around, and loves his teammates and coaches.”

As the football season and

senior year continues, Mallett has some personal goals he would like to accomplish as well.

“With senior year there is so much going on, so I am just doing my best to get everything all done,” Mallett said. “Going to physical therapy five days a week, I am working hard to gain more independence so I can attend college in the fall, but the end goal will always be to eventually walk.”

As expressed by Ables, as Mallett works towards his goals in recovery, his story has had a major impact on all athletes at Bowie.

“Everyone has seen how Evan has worked hard to rehab from his injury, and what a great attitude he has had,” Ables said. “I think Evan’s experience has inspired all athletes to approach life with a great attitude and live every day to the fullest.”

CyberPatriots pursue interests through virtual competitions Max Muzny Dispatch Reporter

The cybersecurity industry is constantly in high demand, and the significant increase of technology reliance due COVID-19 is causing even some lower qualified applicants to be hired. With how foundational it is, spreading awareness to a younger audience becomes a major priority.

The CyberPatriot program teaches students about teamwork and problem solving, the STEM values of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and the required mental attitude of a professional.

“It’s fun from a competitive standpoint because it is a global competition that includes middle and high schools and also ROTC teams,” JROTC Instructor Chief Master Sergeant Lauren Owens said.

The JROTC CyberPatriot club consists of two teams each with four students, the Saber Dawgs and the Raptor Dawgs, that participate in Cyber Patriots nationwide cybersecurity competition. During a round of competition, each team is given a set of virtual scenarios with security flaws and vulnerabilities that must be identified and fixed to gain points.

“For the individual analyst, it’s about having a security mindset for computers,” Cybersecurity specialist and mentor Johnathan Espinosa said. “An analyst needs to have a security mindset when dealing with issues in [various] administrations.”

Since the club explores computer security and navigation, CyberPatriot rookie sophomore Luke Ferrara found it attractive since he enjoys programming.

“I really wanted to find out what the whole cybersecurity deal is due to my interest in

SOURCE: uscyberpatriot.org

CYBERPATRIOT XIII COMPETITION SCHEDULE

1

Round 1: Hosted from Nov. 12 to Nov. 15 and tested basic cybersecurity skills

2 3 4 coding,” Ferrara said. “I want to be able to navigate around in my own computer should a few things go haywire.”

CyberPatriot veteran junior Lianna Tidwell was influenced by her familiarity with cybersecurity through family.

“My dad is involved in cyber[security], and it just sounded interesting to do something like my dad for a job,” Tidwell said.

Last year was the first time in a few years that the JROTC Cyber club actually competed in CyberPatriot. The team members used that year to accustom themselves to the competition dynamics. “[Last year] we were really good at keeping at it and persevering, even though we had no clue what we were doing,” Tidwell said. “I think we could have gotten farther if

Round 2: Hosted from Dec. 10 to Dec. 13 and includes all team competing in intermediate cybersecurity Round 3: Will be hosted from Jan. 22 to Jan. 23, 2021. The final round of general competition with all teams National Finals: Will be hosted from March 18 to March 22, 2021. Teams compete to be crowned champion of their district

ART BY Shruti Patel and Cade Spencer

we had actually practiced more.”

CyberPatriot is already a virtual program, so COVID-19 hasn’t impacted the club that harshly. The team members simply have to download the virtual scenarios on personal computers rather than the cyber-dedicated ones at school.

“Honestly, I’m not really worried about anything in terms of CyberPatriot being conducted on my home computer,” Ferrara said.

“It runs Warframe fairly smoothly, so I’m not worried about it crashing.”

However, virtual learning eliminated the club’s regular after school meetings. Tidwell and Espinosa both expressed concerns about how this will affect the teams’ preparation for the competition.

“I’m worried about how everything is go-

ing to work out with everybody’s schedules online,” Tidwell said. “It makes it a little bit difficult to get the training in.”

More cadets joined the JROTC cyber club this year, so Owens mixed veterans and rookies into each of the two smaller teams to help bridge the experience gap between them.

“It’s a good idea to have two teams to see how each team thinks in a different way,” Tidwell said. “It makes it easier to get close to teammates and do a competition with smaller groups rather than a larger group.”

Tidwell hopes that in the future, the skilled cadets can compete together on their own specialized team.

“We would have that elite team compete, but instead of practicing, they would be teaching their skills to the people who don’t have as much experience,” Tidwell said. “It’ll be like a kind of mentorship.”

CyberPatriot exists to give students like the JROTC cyber club cadets the introduction and information they need to pursue an interest in cybersecurity.

“Growing up, I loved computers, and something like [CyberPatriot] would have definitely guided me earlier to this field, “Espinosa said. “That’s why I think it’s important. It guides and helps mentor the future leaders of cybersecurity.”

Ultimately, the program’s goal is to use these competitions to inspire future generations to pursue the cybersecurity industry that is especially prevalent in today’s society dominated by COVID-19.

“Someone may not know what [CyberPatriot] is, and they get in and decide they really love it,” Owens said. “That becomes a passion that leads to a degree that leads to a job in cybersecurity.”

FEATURE 5

FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020 THE DISPATCH

Holiday season brings in unique work Seasonal jobs such as selling Christmas trees and part time retail help students financially With the holiday season in full swing, Santa’s not the only one making a list and checking it twice.

With the holiday season comes making lists of items to purchase for family and friends for holiday celebrations..

Some students have taken on seasonal jobs this holiday season to help consumers get what they need. One of these students is senior Ellie Geeslin.

“I applied for a seasonal position as one of ‘Santa’s crew’ at Bath and Body Works,” Geeslin said. “I originally applied because I figured it would be a really fun place to work, and I’m liking it a lot.”

Geeslin enjoys the busy retail environment this job brings.

“We have been super busy during this holiday season, so luckily there’s always something for me

APART OF SANTA’S CREW: Senior Ellie Geeslin gets ready for a shift at Bath and Body Works. Geeslin has been working at Bath and Body Works during the holiday season as one of Santa’s helpers. PHOTO

COURTESY OF Ellie Geeslin

to do and I never get bored,” Geeslin said. “It’s been a lot more fastpaced, especially this time of year, than smaller company stores, so it’s a great job if that’s what you’re looking for.”

Having only been at this job now for a couple of weeks, Geeslin is still gaining experience and training.

“I started mid-November, so I’m fairly new to working on the floor but every shift I continue to learn and have fun with it,” Geeslin said.

“Everyone is super helpful and answers all of my questions so it’s a very welcoming environment.”

Even though this is a seasonal position, Geeslin is considering continuing on after the season is over.

“I originally wanted to work at Bath and Body Works just as a seasonal job but I think it’s so fun I may continue working there after the holiday season is over,” Geeslin said.

Junior Wilson Benesh has also acquired a seasonal job at a Christmas tree farm helping sell the trees.

“I work at Papa Noel’s Christmas tree farm,” Benesh said. “I help sell and set up a bunch of Christmas trees and my favorite part is selling them and meeting everyone who wants to buy one.”

Benesh originally took this job hoping to make extra money for the holidays but ended up wanting to continue to pursue it.

“I chose it because I needed to make some money and I thought working with Christmas trees would be fun, but I ended up liking the work,” Benesh said. “I do plan on doing this again because I not only really enjoy this seasonal job and it is important we keep this business going because people love Christmas trees during Christmas obviously, and it’s an essential part of the holiday.”

One benefit of working Christmas trees for Benesh is how much it helps spread the Christmas spirit.

“Some benefits of my job are that there are new experiences every day, and it puts me in the Christmas spirit working there seeing people enjoy all the trees and getting ready for Christmas,” Benesh said.

Getting into the Christmas spirit is also a part of Geeslin’s job that makes the work environment en-

PICKING THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE: Seniors Iliana Rivera and Sidney Tishgart look at Christmas trees from Papa Noel’s Christmas tree farm, and try to pick out the perfect one to take home. Papa Noel’s Christmas tree farm has several different Austin area locations, each with a variety of different trees to choose from. PHOTO BY Miranda Cardenas

joyable.

“I assist people in the front re“I love the environment [at Bath ception area selling gift cards, and Body Works] during the holi- products we keep in store, or ondays because we’re always playing line orders that come in for any Christmas music and it helps get of our Austin locations,” Tishgart everyone in the spirit, both cus- said. tomers and Since Tishgart employees, is graduating earand it [also] ly, this is helping makes us hapfor early colMy job puts me in the pay py so we can lege expenses.” all do our jobs “I will be gradChristmas spirit seeing better,” Geesuating in Decempeople enjoy all the lin said. ber and starting trees and getting Senior Sidat the University ney Tishgart is of Texas at Ausready for Christmas. also a seasonal tin in January, so employee at a this short seasonWilson Benesh spa this year. al job is going to “I’m workbe good savings Junior ing at milk for me to start at and honey Sacollege with, and lon and Spa I really enjoy the to make some extra money for atmosphere at Milk and Honey,” the holidays and obviously setting Tishgart said. aside money for future concerts,” Balancing virtual school with Tishgart said. her job has been an adjustment for While working at a spa is differ- Tishgart. ent than working with Christmas “I’m fortunate to have a lot of trees or retail for a major corpora- hours this month working, but tion, customer service is still need- sometimes there’s a mix-up with ed. my schedule and I have to get off of

”

Miranda Cardenas Feature Editor

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school early or tell my teachers that I won’t be able to attend class because I’m also taking ACC classes.

But I always get caught up,” Tishgart said.

Even though the majority of the school’s population is doing virtual learning, balancing a job can be a challenge for students who still have rigorous courses.

“Balancing school with this job is pretty hard sometimes, and I’ve had to miss a few classes some days but otherwise it’s not too bad,” Benesh said. “I work almost every day from after school and on weekends.”

Despite some of the challenges she has faced, having a job this holiday season is allowing Tishgart to gain life experience before heading to college.

“I’m learning so much about the business that you obviously can’t when you’re just a customer and I can take these lessons with me following this season,” Tishgart said.

“Helping people this season at my job also allows me to enjoy my job more because I know that every customer gets what they came for and leaves happy.”

Virtual learning prompts different school day routines Grace Harris Dispatch Reporter

topics, new learning methods, and environment,” Kleinerman said. “Teachers are still teaching the same topics and only have to With the sudden changes brought about adapt to a new teaching method.” by the global pandemic, students struggle However, sophomore, Sami Sagebiel, diswith learning online. However, when faced agrees and empathizes with teachers during with completely readjusting their way of ed- the pandemic. ucating their students, teachers experience “Teachers have to work twice as hard to the new challenge as well. communicate with their students on what to Although often forgotten, teachers deal get done as well as how to do assignments,” with similar challenges as students in the Sagebiel said. “Along with the fact that they face of online learning. Geometry teacher, have to teach the material to a bunch of black Katherine Rodriguez explains the major dif- screens all day.” ferences in her class this year.

It is obvious, that the drastic changes “One of the major differences this year is brought by COVID-19 influence students rethat I don’t have as many student presenta- lationships with their teachers, sophomore tions happening,” Rodriguez said.

Carter White explains the differences in his Hosting classes on the Zoom platform communication with teachers in comparison zoom, limits the options teachers have when to the previous school year. attempting to collaboratively engage stu“I like to develop an even ground with my dents. teachers as if they’re a friend who’s helping “I love when students are teaching other me and my peers learn new things,” White students, but it has been a little more diffi- said. “Due to remote learning though, I don’t cult to foster that collaboration over Zoom. really have the opportunity to talk and learn I think we more about are getting my teachers better at because of it though, our confineI definitely love my job, but I didn’t ” Rodriguez ment into a realize how much I would miss teaching said. chatroom.”

The panin person so much and forming Sagebiel demic’s unhad a similar connections. fortunate experience circumstancKatherine Rodriguez when buildes have howGeometry teacher ing relationever given ships with some a new, her advisors. positive perspective.

“I feel I’m not as close with my teachers “I have learned to appreciate teaching on a this year. I think by this time last year I was whole new level,” Rodriguez said. “I love my joking around with the teachers constantjob, but I didn’t realize how much I would ly... but now I feel like that’d just be weird,” miss teaching in person so much and form- Sagebiel said. ing connections with my students.”

Virtually learning and teaching over Zoom Teachers experience virtual learning minimizes the important interaction teachalongside their students, sophomore Shelly ers have with their students as well. RodriKleinerman advocates for students during guez shares what she’s learned and faced in this tough time having to be at home. building relationships this year with every“I think students have it harder during the thing being virtual. pandemic because we have to adjust to new “I miss all the small conversations that

”

”

WORKING FROM HOME: Geometry teacher Katherine Rodriguez shows how she teaches from home with her work space setup complete with everything she needs for her students. Rodriguez has been using the same material and methods to teach this year, but has had to adjust to working from home. PHOTO COURTESY OF Katherine Rodriguez

happen in the classroom,” Rodriguez said. “I feel like it has taken longer to get to know my students this year than it has in the past.”

In addition to a lesser personal connection to teachers, students and teachers can only communicate virtually, yet another unideal aspect of virtual learning.

“I have to write an email and wait to hear back instead of having live and in person answers to my questions, which isn’t ideal and less beneficial,” White said.

Despite the lack of a close bond with his teachers, White appreciates the teachers quick adjustment to online instructing.

“I think teachers have adapted extremely well to these circumstances,” White said. “I would expect it would take them a while to adjust to online attendance and assignments,

but they have handled it very well.”

Students agree that teachers are adapting well to the circumstances and appreciate their dedication to try and keep teaching as normal as possible.

“Teachers are working to accommodate students, but they are also give a lot of work that is hard to keep up with,” Kleinerman said.

COVID-19 has caused difficulties to arise in everyone’s lives, however, being back in the classroom, regardless teaching virtually or not, has benefited teachers and helped keep positive mentalities.

“I am so happy to be back with students, and, honestly, teaching is definitely one of the things keeping me positive during COVID-19,” Rodriguez said.

6 PHOTO ESSAY

THE DISPATCH TUESDAY, DEC. 18, 2020

Coaches create Christmas cheer

ONE OF FIVE CHRISTMAS TREES: The tree surrounded by lights move to resemble icicles. Miller looks forward to decorating his house at the end of the year.

“It just gets me in the best mood,” Miller said. “Helps me relieve the stress that’s been building up and start the next year fresh.” PHOTO BY Reagan Zuniga IN FRONT OF HIS DISPLAY: Baseball coach Sam Degelia poses with his light display in front of his house.

Degelia spent six days getting out, setting up all the decorations, and syncing them up with music. “My favorite part of the decorations are when we put music to the lights and watch them move to whatever song is playing,” Degelia said. “The LED lights are really colorful and bright. So these stand out from some of the other lights.” PHOTO BY Reagan Zuniga

Coaches contribute to holiday festivities by creating light and decoration displays in front of their houses Health and baseball coach Sam Degelia and football coach Sam Miller bring holiday festivities to another level with their outdoor house ornaments.

Over Thanksgiving break the coaches decorated their houses with holiday decorations and lights synced up to holiday music.

“Overall, it’s about 20-25 hours of work each year because I do most by myself,” Miller said. “I spend about four hours or more a day during the week of Thanksgiving break to get it all up.

This year was difficult because we were still playing football and so I was having to coach part of the day too.”

Degelia was quarantined drive by and stop in hopes over Thanksgiving break due that it puts them in a festive to COVID-19 precautions mood.” and he thought it was the Degelia has been decoperfect rating his time to house for set up the past My favorite thing to do his dec27 years orations and he has during the holidays is to offer yet to put to take my daughter on someout all of t h i n g the holidrives to look at other positive day declight displays and drink in the orations hot chocolate. midst of he owns the panbecause of demic. the limitSam Miller “ M y ed space Football coach favorin his yard. ite part He even about lets some decorating is when I am of his neighbors borrow done,” Degelia said. “Then some of the decorations he I can see all of the cars that isn’t using this year.

“I always decorate because it puts me in a great mood for the holiday,” Degelia said. “I always add one new decoration each year for the past 17 years and replace old or broken ones.”

A few years ago, Degelia decided to upgrade his light display by adding holiday music that syncs up to the lights.

“We purchased a Bluetooth music box with receivers to hook up whatever lights you want to,” Degelia said. “So we pick and choose what lights we want to blink with the music. We play Sirius/Radio from our tablet for the sound and use an app to connect to the music box.”

While both coaches Degelia and Miller both go all out

”

Reagan Zuniga Photo Essay Editor

SYNCED UP WITH MUSIC: An eight-foot tall snowman, a mini sleigh, and reindeer flash on and off in sync with Christmas music. Degelia synced his lights with music from various radio stations.”I think the music helps add to the overall experience of the display,” Degelia said.” PHOTO BY Reagan Zuniga

”

INCOMING ON THE ROOF: On his roof, Miller displays his hand made sleigh attached to a lit up reindeer. This is coach Miller’s favorite decoration of his and is usually displayed in his yard but this year he decided to move it to the roof. “It used to be a full-size sleigh you could sit in but the weather and having no place to store it made me reduce it to just one side,” Miller said. “[the sleigh] reminds me of my late grandfather, Leo Ferron.” PHOTO BY Reagan Zuniga

for the holidays they don’t consider it a competition and both do it out of tradition for the holidays. Miller has been decorating for Christmas since he was a very young and would help his grandfather.

“I would visit my grandfather, who decorated both the inside and outside of his house and help him set up the decorations,” Miller said.

“He lived in Florida and I would have to decorate palm trees and help him move a life size sleigh that Santa would sit in and take pictures for people in his neighborhood.”

Miller decorates his house with hopes that the kids in his neighborhood will see them and that it will put a smile on their face. He hopes his neighbors enjoy his displays and join in by lighting up their houses as well.

“A lot of people in our neighborhood know my dad for going all out on decorations,” his son Brody Miller said. “He won the neighborhood Halloween contest this year and used the gift card he won to buy even more Christmas lights.”

Although he enjoys decorating greatly, it’s not coach Miller’s favorite activity to do during the holidays.

“My favorite thing to do during the holidays is to take my daughter on drives to look at other light displays and drink hot chocolate,” Miller said. “She’s a big Christmas fan like me.”

CONTINUING TRADITIONS: Football coach Sam Miller poses with his annual display. Miller thinks it is important to still show holiday spirit even in the midst of the pandemic. “Everyone needs something to bring a smile to their face during these difficult times,” Miller said. “Hopefully my lights will give them that.” PHOTO BY Reagan Zuniga

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS: Degelia displays the nativity scene in the center of his display. Several houses in Degelia’s neighborhood participate in holiday decorating as well.“I love to see other people’s decorations for Christmas and being in the holiday spirit,” Degelia said. PHOTO BY Reagan Zuniga

ENTERTAINMENT 7 FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020

THE DISPATCH

Behind the Scenes: virtual tech theatre Remote learning causes theatre productions to make technical changes Abbey Repka Entertainment Editor

The Starlight Theatre Company puts on a variety of shows throughout the year. Recently students have been working on Children’s Shows and this has caused technicians to figure out resourceful ways to edit and put together the shows.

Since students are not allowed to get together to put on shows in person, directors and technicians have created new ways to put on shows remotely.

“The technicians have figured out how to create virtual backgrounds or portable sets that can be moved from house to house for social distanced recording,” tech theatre teacher Cortney Hall said.

“Technicians have also jumped into editing and have begun learning how to edit the recordings together.”

According to Hall, the hardest part of virtual editing is communication.

“Now that we are virtual, it’s really hard to foster an open line of communication,” Hall said. “Zoom calls crash during rehearsals, wifi can go out during meetings, [and] AISD wifi blocks are running rampant.”

Despite the challenges of remote editing, students have had the chance to learn new techniques which could help them in the future.

“I learned more problem solving skills,” senior Audrey Smith said.

“Like we have to take in account if people pass the same prop [in the scene] we would have to have two props so it’ll flow.”

Technicians use programs such as iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Premier to help them edit and put together the shows.

“Children’s shows were based on how each director thought it was best, but most filmed on Zoom and stitched each recording together,” Smith said.

WORKING HARD: Senior Kaitlyn Muras edits and compiles footage for “Chester, who painted the world purple”. Muras spent over 24 hours editing for the children’s show. PHOTO BY Faith Lawrence

In the past, children’s shows were performed at elementary schools but this year students had to think of other ways to perform their shows.

“I believe we will be sending out videos to elementary schools and we’ll have a day when parents can view them too,” Smith said.

Each director and technician got to choose how their shows would be filmed and edited.

“With [being a] technical director I basically overlooked their show and helped design some backgrounds, and gave the tech two students instructions,” Smith said.

“The tech two class is in charge of

producing children and senior one acts.”

Although there are advantages to doing remote editing, there can be many challenges that can make the process difficult according to junior Colette Waid.

“The biggest challenge for me personally is definitely time man-

agement so usually I have a checklist with tasks to do and daily deadlines so I make sure I’m on track,” Waid said.

Producing shows remotely causes students to think outside-thebox and be creative.

“I had to find new programs that worked best and figure out how to communicate with my peers over Zoom calls,” junior Ava York said.

With all of the changes made to theatre this year, students have been able to learn new skills.

“My least favorite part is how confusing and tedious it can be,” Waid said. “But my favorite part is definitely getting to learn new things that I would otherwise never get the chance to learn.”

Figuring out an easy way to film, edit, and perform shows has been challenging according to Hall.

“Fall Shows were hard because we had to go into it blind,” Hall said. “We had no idea if what we were doing would actually work, so when something went wrong we had to scramble to find a viable solution.”

With trial and error, the directors have been able to figure out what does and doesn’t work when it comes to editing.

“Now going into children’s shows, we at least know what doesn’t work so that we can get closer to nailing down what does,” Hall said.

Some students have spent over 24 hours total editing the shows.

“I guess in a perfect world my wish would be that editing doesn’t take as long as it does,” Waid said.

According to Smith, the children’s shows experience will not be the same this year and that some students are missing out.

“One thing I’m bummed out about is that freshmen don’t really have the chance to know what children’s shows are truly like, because before we tour, we’d have a cast bonding sleepover together,” Smith said.

Orchestra finds new ways to practice and perform Nicole Rooney Dispatch Reporter

Classical music plays throughout the room as students a part of orchestra get together to practice after school. The orchestra has found new ways to learn and practice since remote learning has started.

Students involve themselves in orchestra so that they can create new friendships and express themselves with music.

“I joined orchestra as a sixth grader because I wanted to play an instrument. Both of my brothers were in the band and I wanted to be different,” senior Abby Blas said. ”Along with playing and learning, I love the people I’ve met in orchestra. The community is always super kind.”

Orchestra has provided new opportunities and experiences for many students according to junior Camryn Cox. On orchestra students are able to create new friendships and learn new things as well.

“The main thing that I enjoy most about being in orchestra is that I have the opportunity to communicate through music with my close orchestra friends with me on stage, as well as the audience,” Cox said. “Music is a universal language where anyone can understand or interpret what you’re trying to express, and that’s why I find it so special.”

On a normal school day, all of the orchestra students would practice together but right now it is not an option to do that everyday anymore, so they have had to make compromises if they still wanna practice together.

“Due to online learning, we do a lot of our practicing online,” Blas said. “We have also been meeting once a week for rehearsals in order to prepare for our first concert.”

When the orchestra finds a time to practice in person, there are a lot of new things that they have to do when they practice in order to make sure that they stay safe, yet still accomplish what they all came together to do.

“Currently, our top orchestra has been meeting once a week on Tuesdays after school and we wear masks, bring our own individual music stands, and we sit within our sections four to six feet apart from one another, everything is very distanced,” Cox said.

As changes have been made to how they usually practice and get graded, that has made doing assignments and turning them in different.

“We also use different recording apps during the week to record ourselves playing individually as well as in groups,” Cox said.

“In addition, we are given music theory assignments to submit online as well. Most of our assignments are usually due by the end of the week when given.”

Due to remote learning, orchestra has had to find new ways to practice and perform shows.

“It’s almost completely different. One of the only things that’s the same is that we still have after school rehearsals,” Blas said.

“Mostly everything about orchestra has changed this year. Instead of playing together in an orchestra, we play alone in our rooms.”

Just like anything, there are challenges to practicing for orchestra. Because of the fact that the entire way that the orchestra practices has been changed, there are many challenges that they have to work around right now.

“One of the biggest challenges when practicing and performing right now is that everything is virtual, and we usually submit recordings very frequently of our playing, and sometimes it sounds bad because of the mic quality or internet issues,” Cox said.

As well as having to play music for orchestra, there is also a special connection between the students that is made. With virtual learning and not being able to interact as easily, this connection has been hard to obtain.

“It is very different, especially when things are online and virtual, and there’s always new incoming people each year entering our top orchestra,” Cox said. “It’s hard to really perform and rehearse well when none of us really know each other and our playing well.”

As the students get a special experience with orchestra, their parents get to watch them grow along with their talent.

“What I like most about [Camryn] being in orchestra is that it gives [her] a space to explore her talent on the violin with other kids who are doing the same. [They] learn about the beauty of classical music and not just with their instrument alone- but when they all come together for one piece,

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Students in the top orchestra get together to practice at school. Students practice Tuesdays after school in-person, however on other days they practice virtually. PHOTO COURTESY OF Camryn Cox

it’s incredible,” Camryn’s mom Sarah Cox said. “When you start out, those above you challenged you to improve and perfect your skills. And now you get to do the same for others.”

Although this year has been hard so far, the students are optimistic of a brighter future in the next semester for orchestra.

“I personally do not think there can really be any changes made from how orchestra was conducted this semester because I was content with the way the orchestra was operated before quarantine,” Camryn said. “It will get better after virtual learning eventually ends. I know that the changes made for virtual learning are only temporary.”

coming UP in ENTERTAINMENT Nov. 11-Jan. 6 Mozart’s Christmas Lights Show Nov. 27-Jan. 3 COTA Peppermint Parkway

Nov. 27-Jan. 3 Wildflower Center Luminations Nov. 28-Jan. 3 Austin Trail of Lights

Dec. 14 Band Holiday Show Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve

8 IN-DEPTH

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020

The generational g a p

Differences between what generations value vary due to environment, technology & experience

ART BY Rae Gray and Faith Lawrence

entitled “always on your phone” out-of-touch “you’ll understand when you’re older” difficult to manage “when I was your age”

THE GENERATIONS AT A GLANCE SOURCES www.fundera.com, www.kasasa.com, www.purdueglobal.edu ART BY Faith Lawrence, inspired by art from www.fundera.com

THE MEDIA

VALUES

”

EMPLOYMENT

Baby Boomers

Generation X

Born: 1946 to 1964 Age: 56 to 74 Traits: optimistic, team-oriented Stereotypes: materialistic, time stressed

Born: 1965 to 1980 Age: 40 to 55 Traits: flexible, informal, independent Stereotypes: skeptical, self-reliant

Mellennials

Generation Z

Born: 1981 to 1996 Age: 24 to 39 Traits: competitive, achievement-oriented Stereotypes: cynical and narcissistic

Born: 1997 to 2015 Age: 8 to 23 Traits: global, entrepreneurial, less focused Stereotypes: progressive, impulsive

STUDENT POLLING DATA

COVID-19

”

“OK Boomer”

Sitting at the dinner table having a heated discussion about politics with her parents, both sides intensely arguing in support of their perspectives on abortion, climate change, the Black Lives Matter movement, or which Presidential candidate deserved to win the 2020 election, is a consistent occurrence for freshman Eve Whisnant.

Paul Taylor, a reporter and researcher who specializes in demographic change and generational trends, claimed that the United States is seeing the largest partisan age gap ever, and that, in the 2018 midterm election, the younger and older voters were extremely far apart in their partisan preferences.

Taylor said that this age gap is even larger than the gender gap.

“I have very different opinions than my parents,” Whisnant said. “They are both Republicans who support Trump, and I am the complete opposite of that.”

Politics is not the only place that there is a substantial difference between generations. The Center for The Pew Research Generational Kinetics (CGK) reported that the three main Center found 79% trends that shape generations of Americans see are parenting, technology, and economics. differences “I think there is always gobetween the ing to be a difference between perspectives of people of different ages and experiences because things do younger and older shift over time,” senior Isaac people.

Dame said. “It is not necessarily about their character but more about the environment they grew up in.”

Investopedia, a website that provides financial information, defines the generation gap as a “chasm that

which is the highest share of any generation, and nections with their friends, too.” the rising Gen Z generation closely mirrors the political opinions of Millennials.

“I think that many of the cultural and social issues that have divided us so deeply over the Gen Z is the first generation that has nevpast couple of decades - particularly those that er known a world without the internet. Visual are motivated by religious beliefs - are largely re- Capitalist found that Gen Z spends longer using solved in the minds of emerging generations,” social media sites per day on average than any Bloder said. “Based on my own kids, I feel emerg- other generation. ing generations are more concerned with climate “A lot of the differences between me and my change, racial injustice, economic equality, and parents are because of social media,” Whisnant health care issaid. “Social mesues, whereas dia definitely previous generinfluenced me, I believe people change with education. ations, especialmostly by shaply in religious ing some of my There is a huge world consisting of settings, were political beliefs.” differences in cultures... and learning In a student poll issued by The Dispatch on p r e o c c u p i e d Sustainabilabout these things helps us to grow as Dec. 2, the values of personal finance, family, with ‘single-votity company gender identity, race, and religion were ques- er’ issues like Iberdrola claims individuals. and tioned. The poll found that, out of the five values abortion that Gen Z is a Patricia Maney mentioned, the majority of students valued ra- LGBTQ+ equalgroup of people ity.”

Social Studies Teacher cial issues the most. “marked by the Sam Peltz“I would say that racial issues are incredibly internet,” whose important to me, mostly because of the current man, researcher for the Chicago Booth Review, use of technology has led to the generation neevents that have been happening like the Black found that the average American was likely to glecting their interpersonal relationships, being Lives Matter movement,” Whisnant said. “I also identify as politically liberal at 25, but was even good multi-taskers, having a short attention highly value gender identity because I believe more likely to be conservative 20 years later. span, and being more interested in social issues “Our political beliefs steadily become more than other generations. people should be able to be whoever they want conservative as we age, no matter what generto be.”

“While Generation Z’s lifetime immersion Professors Daniel Kaplan and Barbara Berk- ation we belong to or what era we grew up in,” in technology that most of us simply did not man found that, in the United States, more than writer for the Chicago Booth’s Sarah Kuta wrote. grow up with might seem to be a boon in terms 90 percent of older people consider themselves “Young liberals should get comfortable with the of their navigating current cultural and social to be religious or spiritual and that older adults’ fact that they will likely become more conserva- changes, the reality is almost counterintuitive: level of religious participation is greater than any tive as they age.

Generation Z addresses new technology as an Bloder believes that older generations are not “extension of themselves” rather than an addicother age group.

“I think older generations are far less skepti- as engaged in the issue of climate change, or do tion or compulsion,” writer Julian Vigo wrote for cal of religion than emerging generations,” Shep- not believe that the changing climate is an ur- Forbes. herd of the Hills Presbyterian Church Pastor gent problem.

Older and younger people spend their time “My dad and I have different beliefs when it on the internet on different social media sites, Leon Bloder said. “Emerging generations do not trust the institutions that compose the Christian comes to most scientific-related things like cli- according to Dame; older generations frequently Church, for example, because of scandals within mate change,” Dame said. “He is much more un- use Facebook while younger generations spend them that tarnish their reputation. I feel like this willing and hesitant to take scientific consensus more time on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. contributes to distrust in younger generations, as facts and take it seriously, whereas climate Dame believes that the differences between sowho are becoming more and more likely to iden- change is something that scares me a lot.” cial media usage could lead to a greater divide. tify as ‘Spiritual but not Religious,’ as a result.”

“There’s going to be differences between young and old people, there always are, but I think the internet is a pretty big part of it” Dame Jason Dorsey, President of CGK, wrote that said. “A lot of the differences between the generGeneration gap challenges in the workplace one of the most shocking findings from a nation- ations exist because of the internet.”

Despite the negative impact that technology can include varying communication styles, dif- al study, which was conducted to provide data ferent work ethics, different feedback expecta- about COVID-19 across generations, was that has had on society, especially Gen Z, Maney betions, a different understanding of work and life Gen Z reported the greatest change in respon- lieves that technology and social media can lead balance, and different ways to resolve conflict, sibilities, more so than Millennials, Gen X, and to better and more in-depth education.

“Modern technology has helped students according to business blog Deputy. However, re- Baby Boomers.

“In my family, there are differences between learn about other cultures in real-time,” Maney search scientist Jennifer Deal noticed that all the generations now of working age value essential- how my grandfather and I have responded to said. “I believe people change with education. ly the same things such as family, respect, trust, COVID-19,” Dame said. “I would say that I am It helps them realize there is a huge world conmore worried about the pandemic, in a sense of sisting of differences in cultures, religions, lanconsistency and loyalty in the workplace.

“I think the stereotype of the lazy, self-cen- how it impacts everybody, than he is. I person- guage, [and] customs, and learning about these tered Millennial is absolutely false,” Bloder ally would not go out without a mask while he things helps us to grow as individuals.” might have to be said. “I think reminded. There my younger emare also other ployees work I think it is important for the generations reasons besides differently, but William Frey, author and member of the generational be- Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Prothey work just to come together. Without attempting liefs as to why gram, suspects that if the division between ages as hard or hard[that], there will always be a divide people might continues into the next decade, issues like social er, in some casrespond differ- conflicts are sure to intensify. Frey claims that between generations. es, than any of ently.” my other staff officials from all levels of government need to Eve Whisnant Mental health help their constituents understand the value of members. I do Freshman resource Very- co-generational dependency between older and think that my well Mind found younger people. younger emthat older people ployees are able “My parents were much more conservative are more susceptible to the health complications than I am,” Bloder said. “They were definitely to multi-task much more easily than their older counterparts, but they often need a little bit from COVID-19, but younger generations are people of their times. But my values I share with more direction and affirmation than my older the most worried about the pandemic. Verywell my parents are foundational, a good work ethic, Mind also reported that older generations seem the importance of faith, the joy of family, those staffers.” to be more worried about health, family, and fi- are all important to me.” nances while younger people are more worried While Dame believes that there will always be about stress and housing. differences between the generations, he believes “I’m a Gen-X’er so my generation can kind of that connections between older and younger According to an article published in Inside live with one foot in the virtual world and one generations is necessary if there is going to be Higher ED, voters under the age of 30 heavily outside of it, pretty easily,” Bloder said. “But progress towards bridging the gap. voted Democratic in the past election, favoring the older folks in my church have been mixed “I think it is important for the generations to Joe Biden by 61 percent. Additionally, in both 2015 and 2016, about three out of ten Baby in the way they’ve dealt with things. We have come together and hold similar values,” WhisBoomers identified as conservative Republicans, had an increase in folks who are depressed, anx- nant said. “Without attempting to come togethwhich was the highest percentage dating back ious, lonely, isolated, and more. Younger people er, there will always be a divide between generato 2000, according to the Pew Research Center. to some extent were already living online pre- tions. I think the reconciliation could happen by Pew Research found that 27 percent of Millenni- COVID so it was not the same kind of shift. But younger and older people communicating with als described themselves as liberal Democrats, I do see my own kinds longing for in-person con- one another.” separates the thoughts expressed by members of two different generations.” The website states that the generation gap can describe the differences in actions, tastes, and beliefs of younger generations versus older ones.

“I believe the youth of today [are] more accepting of people who are different than they are,” social studies teacher Patricia Maney said.

“Today’s youth are compassionate, kind, accepting, and inclusive, where some folks my age did not show those traits when they were younger.

I see [and] hear people, not teachers, say, ‘these kids today’, and I often respond with, ‘yes, they are so much better people than we ever were.’”

FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020 THE DISPATCH

”

Faith Lawrence Editor-in-Chief

IN-DEPTH 9

Do you think your VALUES differ from the values of your...

NO 25%

BRIDGING THE GAP

”

SOMEWHAT 42.5%

PARENTS?

NO 6.9% YES 32.5%

GRANDPARENTS?

SOMEWHAT 35%

POLITICS

idealistic “respect your elders” closedminded “you had it way easier” irresponsible

YES 58.1%

160 STUDENTS POLLED 12/ 2-11 /2020; Polled via Google Forms 104 Females, 52 Males, 4 Non-binary/Other 93 Seniors, 34 Juniors, 26 Sophomores, 7 Freshmen

GENERATIONAL EXPERIENCES

A timeline of several major nationwide and worldwide events that were influential to each generation. Senior Isaac Dame thinks that historical events, along with social factors, can have an impact on how each generation behaves and what they believe. SOURCES wmfc.org, managementisajourney.com, www.history.com

1962 1954 Cuban Missile Vietnam War begins Crisis

1972 Watergate scandal and Munich Massacre

BABY BOOMERS 1955 Beginning of the space race

1980 Emergence of AIDS

GEN X 1964 Civil Rights Movement

1990 Gulf War and Desert Storm MILLENNIALS

1979 Iran hostage crisis

1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall

2018 Parkland school shooting

2000 Y2K GEN Z 2001 September 11 attacks

ALL 2013 Emergence of BLM Movement

2020 COVID-19

10 SPORTS

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020

ATHLETES ASSERT What teams could steal the 4th seed in the College Football Playoffs?

Riley Payne Dispatch Reporter

On Dec. 20, the college football playoff committee will announce which four teams will be competing on New Year’s Day to decide the national championship.

I have written about several teams who are currently on the outside but still have a shot at success if things go their way.

The Florida Gators won the SEC west, so they are now moving on to playing the top-ranked and undefeated Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game.

The Gators are currently ranked sixth, so a win would guarantee them a spot in the playoffs. Florida has the clearest path of teams who are currently on the outside looking in.

The Gators have also passed the “eye test,” for they have continued to improve over the course of the year. Heisman candidate Kyle Trask gives the Gators a shot at victory every week.

In the latest college football playoff rankings, the Cincinnati Bearcats are ranked just behind the Gators at number eight. They have looked dominant all year on all sides of the ball.

When playing against weaker opponents, they have not let up or shown any weakness, which will look good in the committee’s eyes.

The Bearcats will be facing a ranked Tulsa team in their conference championship game. However, a win would not guarantee much.

They would have to count on a series of events falling in their favor. The Bearcats need Notre Dame to beat Clemson again in the ACC championship game, Florida to lose to Alabama, and an Aggie upset to secure their spot as the fourth seed in the College Football Playoffs.

Last but not least, Texas A&M is ranked above both teams, but they don’t have any control over their placement even if they finish the season strong. The Aggies lost to top-ranked Alabama by double digits earlier in the season. Alabama being their only loss and their upset win against Florida has kept them ranked high.

The Aggies have played stellar defense, but their offense has struggled under the lead of quarterback Kella Mond. Their offense may prevent them from passing the “eye test” if they are being compared to the Cincinnati Bearcats. Also, the Aggies can not look too far ahead yet because they still have to play a good Ole Miss squad with one of the most talented young quarterbacks this year, Matt Corral.

If the Clemson Tigers fall to the Notre Dame Irish or Ohio State has another game canceled due to COVID-19 cases, the Aggies are in a great spot to steal the fourth seed.

Champions on and off the field Football teams host parade and hold fundraiser to celebrate Kyle Walter Naya Tillisch Sports Editor

Kyle Walter, an 11-yearold born with activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) syndrome, was adopted by the Bowie football team last year through an organization called Cheyanna’s Champions for Children (CC4C).

Varsity football players organized a parade and fundraiser to raise money for Walter and his family to show their support for him in such a difficult time.

“Kyle was diagnosed with an ultra rare condition called ADNP syndrome in 2017,” Walter’s mother Tara Walter said. “He and his twin sister are the only two people in the world at this time with their particular mutation on the gene.”

Tara explains the diagnosis took years, but CC4C allowed for them to become “champion children” and join a community in which they could be supported by others with rare conditions.

“We learned about CC4C from a friend of mine the year before they were diagnosed,” Tara said. “Kyle picked the Bowie Football team because he really loved going to the games and cheering for the guys when his sister was with the Silver Stars. Friday nights were something he really looked forward to.”

Varsity senior linebacker Mark Chahda met Kyle last football season through CC4C. “Kyle was introduced to our team my junior year in the cafeteria during our football period,” Chahda said.

“Basically CC4C connects families like Kyle’s with services and a support system.”

Last year, Kyle was very involved with the team and developed good relationships with several students.

“Last year they really worked to make Kyle feel like part of the team,” Tara said.

“He got to do the coin toss in the first home game, lead the boys out of the dawg at the start of a game, cheered for him at the run to uplift,

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Kyle Walter (middle left) leads the team as they got ready for kickoff in a game from the 2019 season. Walter was diagnosed with the rare condition ADNP, and he has been a champion child with Bowie football since last year. PHOTO COURTESY OF Rick Mao

surprised him with his own letterman jacket, honored him at the football banquet, and so much more.”

Kyle couldn’t spend time with the football team as much as he did last year due to COVID-19, so the team decided to do something extra special for him.

“We’ve had a run for Kyle as well as a parade,” Chahda said. “I personally kept track of all the money and purchased the gifts we got for Kyle and his little sister.”

Varsity junior right tackle and defensive end Rick Mao also was a leader in organizing the parade and fundraiser for Kyle.

“Mark and I organized everything, collected money to buy him a gift, and made the social media message for him [that spread with the help of] the football team

and a lot of students,” Mao said.

The parade had a big turnout, and the community rallied around Kyle.

“The team decorated our yard and met the parade participants at Bethany Lutheran, where they decorated their cars and then they set off to drive by our house,” Tara said. “There were 40 [or more] cars that drove by that afternoon” The team was able to raise $10,000 for CC4C and a large sum of money for the Walter family.

“We were able to raise enough money to purchase gift cards for Kyle’s sister, a brand new Xbox, a couple games, and a new headset as well,” Chahda said.

Tara is thankful for the donations and Xbox, for it will allow Kyle to interact

with his friends during the pandemic.

“I have loved seeing the team getting so pumped up and cheering for Kyle like he is the MVP of the team,” Tara said. “With his Xbox, Kyle will be able to play some games online with his friends. It gives him a small amount of connection from home, and that is a huge blessing.”

Mao has gained perspective through his experience with Kyle.

“I learned that I am truly blessed to be able to play football and do what I love because a lot of people do not have the same opportunities as I do,” Mao said.

Chadha feels his relationship with Kyle helped him grow significantly as well.

“Understanding and learning about Kyle’s situa-

tion really allows you to see the importance of not taking things for granted,” Chahda said. “I am extremely blessed and fortunate compared to some people like Kyle who can’t even leave the house due to COVID-19. For that reason I felt the need to do something nice for Kyle and his family.”

Both Chahda and Mao are so proud of how the Bowie community has come together to bring Kyle’s family happiness.

“On the behalf of my team and myself, we would all like to thank Kyle’s family for giving us the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than ourselves,” Mao said.

“Kyle has truly touched all of our hearts [and he has brought] us all closer together and helped make us better young men.”

AISD mountain biking team in search of sponsor Riley Payne Dispatch Reporter

As senior Liam Spencer rides his bike with speed over rough terrain, he takes a deep breath of fresh air and impatiently imagines how the upcoming racing season will look.

The mountain biking team is approaching their competition season in the new year, and each competition involves timed trials of individual team members or group races in

which bikers race their competition.

“COVID-19 hasn’t affected the team a ton so far because it isn’t racing season yet,” Spencer said. “We aren’t exactly sure what our season will look like, but we know we will have to make some adjustments. If I had to guess, I would say that we will be racing time trials instead of group races like we were doing before.”

The team practices every day of the week excluding Mondays and Fridays. Practices are typically an

Questions?

Concerns?

Want to share your opinion?

Contact: Email: bowie. journalism@ gmail.com Room: F203

ROCKY ROAD: Liam Spencer practices mountain biking along the Violet Crown Trail in Austin. Spencer began mountain biking with the Bowie team in his freshman year. PHOTO BY Cade Spencer

hour and a half long and consist of the team riding together.

“A huge advantage of being a part of [the mountain biking club] is getting to do this sport with the community,” Spencer said. “It is not a super popular sport yet, so finding friends to do it with can be hard.

However, being on the team [helps you] find tons of people who love to ride and will be willing to do it with you.”

In a normal year, races bring in teams from all across the state, so there is always good competition.

“You’re given the chance to race against people from all over Texas, which is a rare opportunity that has been amazing,” Spencer said. “The parents and coaches are incredibly knowledgeable and everything always runs so smoothly.”

Though mountain biking has been a great experience for Spencer, there are some unexpected disadvantages to the sport.

“I think one of the biggest disadvantages of being on the team may be the cost,” senior member Ethan Doucette said. “Gear and mountain bikes just aren’t cheap, but if you’re dedicated and it shows, your parents will definitely see that and hopefully pitch in [to help with costs]. In my opinion, it is definitely worth it because the team has taught me so many things in life.”

According to the Outdoor Foundation, biking is the second most

popular outdoor activity in the youth currently.

“My dad has always loved mountain biking, and he was definitely the reason that I first got involved with the sport,” Spencer said. “The first mountain biking rides, wherever you go, can be hard. It can be a very scary sport, so it takes some dedication to get over the learning curve and [overcome] your fears at first.”

The mountain biking team has been slowly growing in numbers and expects to keep expanding. As of last year, it attracted over 60 members across AISD came together to race as a community and enjoy the sport together.

“I would love to see the team grow and reach our goal of having an under-23 junior team that can make it to nationals one year,” Doucette said. “If that happened, I would be just beyond thrilled.”

The mountain biking team is currently look for a faculty sponsor. Students interested in joining the team are encourage to reach out to principal Mark Robinson.

“Mr. Robinson removed our mountain bike team from the club list to reflect that there is not currently any affiliation between our program and Bowie,” volunteer coach Darren Poore said. “The reason we have no faculty sponsor and can’t get one is [due to] the extra burden on teachers because of COVID-19.”

coming UP in SPORTS J a n . 1 V a r s i t y g i r l s b a s k e t b a l l v s . L a k e Tr a v i s @ L a k e Tr a v i s Jan. 4 Varsity boys soccer vs. McNeil @McNeil

Jan. 15 Varsity boys basketball vs. Austin High @Bowie

Jan. 20 Varsity girls soccer vs. Austin High @Burger Stadium Jan. 22 UIL Swim Districts @Highland Lakes YMCA

Jan. 26 Varsity girls soccer vs. Del Valle @Del Valle

SPORTS 11

FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020 THE DISPATCH

Student athletes recruited to colleges Seniors in various sports have received offers and committed to several schools across the country Corinne Piorkowski Sports Editor

It’s that time of year again. Student athletes nation-wide post highlights, write emails, and conference with schools in hopes of getting offers for college.

Recruiting and getting offers from the college level is drastically different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has changed the way that student athletes practice, play, and keep up with their grades.

Senior football captain Thanio Bright recently committed to Claremont McKenna College to further his football and academic career in California.

“Getting an offer from Claremont McKenna was really exciting for me,” Bright said. “I was on a Zoom call with the head coach and he said that they were ready to offer me a scholarship and a roster spot to their program.”

Recruiting and getting offers from colleges is different from a coach’s perspective as opposed to a student’s.

“I love coaching the kids and working with the [college] coaches,” head football coach Jeff Ables said. “I try to help make a difference in their lives each day.”

Senior soccer player Tristyn Cabello recently committed and signed to St. Edwards University to continue her soccer career at the college level.

“I felt really excited when I got the offer because St. Edwards was about 15 minutes from my house,” Cabello said. “Something that was really important to me was that my family was able to see me play throughout college.”

Since St. Edwards University is located in Austin, it will be easier for Cabello to stay in touch with her loved ones during college.

“My plan for college is for my parents and grandparents to con-

OFF TO THE BIG LEAGUES: Coleton Benson officially signs to Army West Point for basketball as his family gathers around to watch. Benson has been playing basketball for the majority of his life and is excited to be able to continue his career at the college level. PHOTO COURTESY OF Coleton Benson

tinue to watch me play,” Cabello said. “St. Edwards feels so much like home I wouldn’t say that I’m starting fresh but continuing on the same path.”

Senior basketball player Coleton Benson also recently committed to Army West Point University in West Point, New York to continue

playing basketball.

“It was an honor to get an offer from West Point because of how prestigious it is to get in,” Benson said.

Although Benson is attending this university to play basketball, he is also planning to pursue a career in sociology.

“I’m going to be a psychiatrist or sociologist and help people with PTSD, loss of limbs, people that got blown up, etc.,” Benson said.

Student athletes have many different motives for wanting to play their sport at the college level and all have different stories to tell regarding their athletic journey.

“I want to play soccer in college because I’ve been playing my whole life and it’s what makes me happy,” Cabello said. “It reminds me of all the hard work I’ve put in and how many years I’ve been playing, but most of all because it’s such an amazing sport.”

Contrastingly, for Bright, continuing at the college level for his sport wasn’t something he always pictured himself doing.

“I wasn’t really interested in playing football at the college level, mostly because I didn’t believe that goal wasn’t in the ballpark of what I was capable of,” Bright said.

“After a very successful junior season, I began thinking about school without football, and believed that I would miss the experience too much.”

Although these student athletes have committed to colleges already, they still have at least some of their senior seasons left to play in high school.

“For my senior year, I have very high expectations not only because this is my last year but because I will be continuing to play soccer and I want to keep improving into the college level,” Cabello said.

“I think that if everyone is giving 110% on and off the field we will have a successful senior season.”

The final step to committing to a school for a sport is signing day.

“Signing was a very exciting day for everyone because the recruiting process was very long and it was nice to find a home to continue to play at,” Cabello said.” “It was like a breath of fresh air.”

Overall, after a long recruitment process and signing, these student athletes have a new school to continue the sport they love and tirelessly work at.

“I’m really excited to form new brotherhoods that’ll last a lifetime and learn lessons that I could take with me throughout the next stages of my life,” Bright said.

Boys’ basketball team prepares for a year of new tip-offs Luke Smith Dispatch Reporter

mally starts during 4th peri- dents at the games,” Ybarod every day and continues bo said. “We practice with till after school,” Butler said. masks on and the schedule Players and coaches on “With COVID-19 and online is about the same.” the Bowie basketball team school, we start at 3:45 p.m.; Varsity head coach Ceprepare as the season com- we have to lester Collier mences. However, as seen in fill out the speaks on all other sports, COVID-19 screen on the Bowie The players and has affected the way basket- the AISD basketball students in general ball operates. app and get team and The team’s players and our are resilient and can community temcoaches have had to adjust p e r a t u r e during these adjust to anything. to changes during practice, taken bechanges. as well as the environment fore we can We social distance to “ T h e of playing in games with lim- enter be safe. the players and ited to no fans. The team has gym.” students in also made big changes in the Senior general are Celester Collier roster due to the departure power forresilient and Head Varsity Basketball of senior players from last ward Adam can adjust to year.

Coach Ybarbo paranything,” The team is taking new t i c i p a t e s Collier said. measures to ensure they can in practice “It takes practice safely. Senior for- where COVID-19 precau- time to get used to practicing ward LD Butler describes tions are taken for the safety with masks on, but we social these changes. of the players and coaches. distance and wear masks to “A typical practice nor“There won’t be any stu- be safe. The players want to have a season and will adjust.”

Since Collier has been coaching at Bowie for over 30 years for basketball, he has instilled a lasting, positive effect on his players on and off the court. “[Collier] has taught me a countless number of things,” Benson said. “He has taught me a lot of mental toughness and I have a better feel for the game; my basketball IQ has gotten better.”

Another side effect of COVID-19 is limited capacity, which means as of now, there will be no fans allowed at the basketball games.

“With no students, our biggest fans, it’s definitely different because it’s parents only, so it won’t be nearly as loud as the student body,” Collier said. “We’re happy to have the chance to play.

Games can still get postponed and we may have to adapt.”

Aside from COVID-19, the team has also had to SHOOTING HIGH: Senior LD Butler shoots a lay-up make adjustments to the in the home game last week against Temple. This is roster, meaning the team has Butler’s first season on the varsity roster’s starting line up. new starters and new players PHOTO COURTESY OF Michael Reeves are working to build team

”

”

chemistry.

“We lost eight seniors last year and only have four returning players with one of them still in football,” Collier said. “We’re getting used to the new players and they’re working hard and playing everyday and it will be an adjustment throughout the year and an adjustment for new varsity players.”

Due to the loss of many seniors in the last graduating class, Butler is now a starter on this year’s varsity roster.

“It feels really good, I got the opportunity to start a couple games last season, but this year should be fun,” Butler said.

One of the varsity starters, senior shooting guard and point guard Coleton Benson, has signed to play basketball with Army-West Point next fall.

“It’s crazy,” Bensen said.

“All the hard work I’ve put in has finally paid off and I’m excited to get started.”

Benson officially committed to Army West Point, but he also had offers from other schools that he turned down.

“It was a tough decision,” Benson said. “I had a few other schools but towards the end of my decision it became more clear to decide that Army was the way to go.”

This season, Bowie will have a few notable games against some of the best teams from last season, including Westlake High School.

“Every game we play is a tough game and we look at each game as a challenge and don’t take anybody lightly,” Collier said. “We can’t afford to look past anybody or take any team lightly.”

The top four out of eight teams in the district at the end of the season qualify for the playoffs. However, COVID-19 has caused some changes to the schedule.

“We can’t have any tour-

FLYING UP: Senior Cade Holzman shoots the ball with resistance from a competitor from Temple High School.

Precautions have prohibited tournaments for this year’s team. PHOTO COURTESY OF Michael Reeves

naments this year so we added like seven or so more games to our schedule,” Benson said.

In addition to not being able to compete in any tournaments this year, the amount of people at the games has changed and shifted the dynamic in the locker room.

“We can have 25% capacity at our games with no student body,” Benson said.

Playing for the basketball team has brought many lasting memories along for the boys on the team.

“My favorite memory is going four rounds and to the regional tournament my sophomore year,” Benson

said. “We played in a packed house against Anderson.”

As the team has added new players to the roster and inevitably has uncertainties of the year, the preparedness of the team will be vital to how the season plays out.

“We are prepared if we play together,” Ybarbo said.

Overall, the team is enthusiastic and excited to start the season, despite the inevitable changes that the pandemic has brought upon the players. They are hopeful for a successful season.

“We have a really good group coming back,” Bensen said. “We look to win the district title and the ultimate goal is to win state.”

12 POP CULTURE THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020

SEASONAL ACTIVITIES to do in AUSTIN Four festive things to do that align with COVID-19 policies.

Maya Hayne Dispatch Reporter

With the upcoming holidays, the pandemic has caused many activities to change. Some are online, while others have certain requirements to remain in person, but rest assured, the holiday festivals will still go on.

The Trail of Lights have been going on for fifty-six years. For many families this is a yearly tradition. Due to the pandemic it can’t be experienced the way it used to be but, this year there will be a drive through Trail of Lights. There is exclusive access on November 28 and it officially starts on November 29, the event will go until January 3. The cost for admission is $60 without tax for premium admission and 25-35$ for regular admission depending on what time it’s scheduled. There is a map on the Trail of Lights website with a layout of the event. The website has many other important information and can be found ataustintrailoflights.org Another enjoyable holiday experience is the Ballet Austin’s Nutcracker. Like many other events this will be held covid-19 safe and will be online. This year to be able to enjoy the performance you must purchase the viewing from their website. For on demand viewing for $30 you can watch the performance from December 12-20. There also is a package for $100 which has many add ons which include interviews, holiday guides, and bonus material. There is more information on balletaustin.org A fun event that any age can enjoy is the Mozart’s Coffee light show. It is a fun show and will be entertaining for multiple age groups. There is a huge display of several different festive lights. Since there is a pandemic in order to enjoy this event you must reserve a table online. It is $10 per table for parties up to six people. To be able to attend you must pick one time slot from 6-11 p.m. on the day you would like. Food will be available either 72 hours before your arrival or there will be food available for purchase at the event.

For more information- mozartscoffee.org If you like live performances, the Zach Theatre holiday concerts could be something you would enjoy.

The event is called A Rockin Holiday Concert, it will be socially distanced and you can buy your tickets on their website ranging from $92433. These tickets go up in price as you add more people, they start off at three being the lowest number up to six. There is numerous times available and can be fun for families. There will be a mix of holiday classics and other rock and roll songs that will bring Christmas spirit. There will be a couple of different singers and you will need to bring you own seats. For more information zachtheatre.org During Covid-19 many traditions have changed but the holidays can still be enjoyable. With these safer options, traditions can still go on while being safe.

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Contact: Email: Bowie. journalism@ gmail.com Room: F203

Students end football season with FOCO

A new tradition is created due to homecoming being canceled Callie Payne Pop Culture Editor

Typically during the homecoming season, students become excited for football games in the cold, designing mums, and dressing up for the traditional homecoming dance.

However, things looked very different this year. Since the homecoming dance was canceled due to COVID-19, students took things into their own hands and created FOCO (fake homecoming) dances and get-togethers.

Senior Rachel Todd decided to participate/host in FOCO activities since she did not want to miss out on her last homecoming just because of the pandemic.

“I have pictures from freshman through junior year at Bowie and I didn’t want to leave senior year out,” Todd said. “Even though I was disappointed when [students] found out we were not going to have HOCO, I was pretty much already prepared for that answer. It was obviously saddening because senior homecoming has been something I have looked forward to for a while now but I understand that the school was trying to keep everyone safe.”

In order to follow COVID-19 guidelines, such as social distancing, students participated in FOCO in small groups with their friends.

“My friends and I really wanted to have a senior year experience like homecoming but we also wanted to be safe at the same time,” senior Kassidy Whitmire said.

“My friends and I decided to go to dinner and take pictures downtown to celebrate homecoming. Afterward, we hung out at a friend’s house so we could continue the fun night safely.”

Even though homecoming was not held this year, the traditional homecoming football game occurred on Friday, October 30.

“I was happy that there was a football game for

homecoming because that makes things feel a lot more normal,” Todd said. “The crowds weren’t that full like normal obviously but I was able to hang out with some of my friends while watching and supporting the football team which was cool. Honestly, I am just glad we were still able to go to football games safely because experiencing them is like nothing else.”

Although some students were eager to participate, some decided not to at all for a multitude of different reasons.

“I can see why some people didn’t want to do FOCO because you don’t get to see everyone dress up and you don’t have a dance to go to,” Todd said. “I think some people would rather wait until things can be normal again to participate in things like homecoming and I honestly don’t blame them. It can be a lot of work to plan and to make it safe so it is definitely easier to not do it at all.”

A trend on the social media app called TikTok that emerged because of FOCO was where people would video themselves before and after their FOCO transformation. This trend was amongst many others that showed the different things teenagers did for FOCO. “I always enjoy making funny Tik Toks with my friends so I was excited to do one for homecoming,” Whitmire said. “I don’t think I actually ended up posting one because I totally forgot but my friends did end up getting some fun ones for their accounts.”

Since FOCO is mainly for the students, teachers were not able to participate in this year’s homecoming.

“As long as students made sure to take proper safety precautions by socially distancing and wearing masks then I see nothing wrong with the idea,” coach Solomon Perdue said. “My heart goes out to the senior class of 2021 and what they are going through this year in

SMILE AND POSE: Seniors Kassidy Whitmire and Ryan Kinney are posing downtown for a FOCO photo shoot. While they were trying to take FOCO pictures there was also a group taking a maternity shoot that they had to share the space with.

PHOTO COURTESY OF Kassidy Whitmire

terms of finishing out their last year of high school. Seniors should be celebrated for what they have accomplished in their four years at Bowie, therefore, attempting to achieve a sense of normality by having a fake homecoming is very understandable.”

According to Active, the tradition of a high school homecoming dance has been around for over 100 years.

“I have always enjoyed

homecoming because it is not every day that you see everyone at school dress up,” Todd said. “I think my favorite part would have to be after homecoming, my friend group always does something super fun after. I am definitely bummed out that we couldn’t have one this year but I realize it is for the best.”

This new way to celebrate homecoming became popular across the nation

and many students use the hashtag FOCO when posting their pictures.

“It was so fun to dress up with my friends, it had been so long I couldn’t even remember the last time I had worn a dress,” Todd said.

“Overall, I am glad we ended up doing [FOCO] because even though this wasn’t how I expected my senior homecoming to look like, we made the best out of it and had a blast.”

Blockbuster movies delayed due to COVID-19 Carter Scruggs Dispatch Reporter

The airplane style seats remain relatively empty, the floors no longer covered in popcorn, not a single crying baby insight. A group of people sit quietly all enjoying their private showing, this is the reality that some movie theaters are now facing.

A vast number of movies have been pushed back, and delayed into the future because of the pandemic, multiple blockbusters such as the new James Bond movie, and “Black Widow” have been pushed back along with many others.

“I was looking forward to checking out the new Bond film “No Time to Die” and the A24 thriller “Saint Maud” this year before they got delayed,” senior Sam Forrest said. “I was also excited to see Wes Anderson’s new film “The French Dispatch” as he is one of my favorite directors. I was also a little disappointed when I saw “The King’s Man” got delayed.”

With theaters being closed for a long time this year companies have tried many different things such as putting movies solely online, or on streaming services.

“Streaming is such a convenient way to watch movies and TV shows that I wasn’t surprised when they took advantage of it once this pandemic started,” Forrest said.

“Though I really like streaming and its convenience, theaters will always be my home for movies. Movies are a huge part of my life, so obviously it’s very disappointing but I’m optimistic it’ll get better pretty soon.”

Even though movie theaters have lost business due to COVID-19, some are still up and running but with stricter policies.

“It was kind of weird, we had to rent out the entire theatre, even

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though there were only six of us, there were a bunch of empty seats,” senior George Magaña said. “I guess people didn’t want to get the virus so we were the only ones there. Overall, even though it was very different from what I am used to, I think it is a good idea because the movie theatre is still able to make money plus they are keeping a lot of people safe.”

According to a Leichtem Research Group study 74 percent of households have access to at least one or

ART BY Rae Gray

more streaming services in 2020, and that percent has gradually increased in recent years.

“Around October I saw Tenet in an empty theater as I intended it to be. The experience was very different without an audience,” Forrest said.

“Whenever there is a joke, you’re the only one laughing. If something is exciting, you’re the only one experiencing it. It’s very strange but also sort of fun to have a theater by your-

self.”

Movies that did release in theaters were not received the best. “Tenet” one of the only real blockbusters to come out severely underperformed for its $400 million dollar budget.

“It wouldn’t be fair to all the producers, directors, actors, artists, creators, animators, etc who worked on it all and invested for them to release it now and not earn what they deserve, fame and money,” Animation teacher Andrew Nourse said.

Many people are under the impression that the new way to watch movies will continue to be via streaming and that one day movie theaters will no longer exist, however some completely disagree.

“I think it’s a good idea for now, but I really want to see movie theaters reopen,” senior Will Garcia said. “An actual movie theatre is just a different experience to have, so when everything is safe and when everything is back to normal I really want theaters to reopen, but putting stuff on streaming services is obviously the safe and better move for right now .”

Movies like Disney’s live action remake of “Mulan” and “The King of Staten Island” were not exactly commercial successes by normal box office terms, but they did show great promise for movies going to streaming in the future as “Mulan” made a total of $35 million off of rentals alone for Disney without them having to pay for any distribution cost.

“I have not been to a movie theatre since last December,” Garcia said. “At the end of the day I think it’s a good thing that most movies are being delayed this year because it keeps people out of the theaters. It also gives companies more flexibility on when to release their movies which is a cool benefit.”

REVIEWS 13

FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020 THE DISPATCH

A review of the 2020 Netflix holiday movie lineup Sammie Thompson Reviews Editor

A perfect way to get in the holiday spirit is by binge-watching holiday movies. Who doesn’t love a good festive movie marathon?

With the release of many 2020 Netflix Original holiday movies, my time spent in front of the TV has certainly increased. Here’s my take on five of the most popular Netflix Holiday Originals this year.

HOLIDATE Holidate is exactly what it sounds like. Two people, Sloane and Jackson, bond over their shared hatred of the holiday season and decide to be each other’s plus-ones for every holiday event in the upcoming year. The movie zips through each major festivity of the year without showing anything that goes on in between, which is unique but left me confused at times. Throughout the year the pair’s “holidates” lead them to be something more than “just friends”.

Honestly, I expected more from this movie. The plot was almost non-existent, relying solely on bad jokes to keep it moving along. It felt like a Hallmark Christmas movie that was too inappropriate for kids.

However, one thing that I did enjoy about this movie was the fast pace at which it moved, which kept me entertained.

Overall, I would rate this movie one out of five stars because the plot was predictable and because it relied too heavily on humor that just wasn’t as funny as it was clearly intended to be. I believe it deserves one star out of pure sympathy.

DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square tells the story of Regina, a wealthy town scrooge who tries to evict everyone so she can sell the land to a mall developer. While on her mission to destroy the town, Regina receives a visit from an angel who shows her what she believes is the true meaning of the holiday season.

This plot is paired with 14 original Dolly Parton songs and dance numbers. It’s a good example of a classic feel-good holiday movie with a musical twist. In my opinion,

DOLLY PARTON’S CHRISTMAS

HOLIDATE - 1/5

THE PRINCESS SWITCH: SWITCHED AGAIN

- 3/5

JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY

the musical scenes were well-choreographed and entertaining, but a little over the top. I started to lose interest in the plot after a while because it was overwhelmed with characters breaking out into song.

However, it was also full of positive messages, such as the importance of sticking together and spreading joy, especially during the holiday season. There’s even one moment where the angel, played

by Dolly Parton, turns to the camera and urges the audience to “light your light.” For these reasons, I believe this movie is perfect for kids and people that enjoy musicals.

I would rate this movie three out of five stars because it’s full of holiday cheer and good messages that the world needs right now, but it had a few too many cheesy musical scenes for me.

THE PRINCESS SWITCH: SWITCHED AGAIN

The Princess Switch: Switched Again is the sequel to Netflix’s The

ON THE SQUARE

THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES TWO

heart-warming scenes that prevents the audience from losing interest.

My least favorite part about the sequel was the addition of Belsnickel, a former elf who ran away and was now plotting to ruin Christmas for everyone. In my opinion, this addition was too cliché and I couldn’t take it seriously.

Other than that, I really enjoyed this movie.

I would rate it four out of five stars because it was action-packed and had many good messages that made it feel like a classic holiday movie. I don’t think it deserves all five stars because it was missing some of the magic that the first movie, which is also available on Netflix, had.

- 3/5

- 4/5

JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY

- 5/5 ART BY Sammie Thompson and Rae Gray

Princess Switch, which came out in 2018. Look-a-likes Stacy and Margaret face complications in their love lives and decide to trade places before Margaret becomes Queen of her home country Montenaro. This plan is thwarted when a third looka-like, Margaret’s cousin Fiona, and her minions are thrown into the mix with intentions of stealing the crown.

The addition of Fiona takes the typical twin swap movie motif and throws it into a blender. Many of the scenes were awkward, especially the ones that included the three characters who were all played by Vanessa Hudgens. There were several times in which I would lose track of who was who on screen.

That being said, this movie still had its enjoyable moments. It was very heartwarming, especially the ending, and the relationships, while not perfect, were the most believable of all the movies. This movie was definitely geared towards kids, but who doesn’t need a few kids movies in their lives?

I would rate this movie three out

of five stars because it was heartfelt and well-made, but the addition of the third look-a-like was confusing and unnecessary in my opinion. The plot felt more forced than it did in its prequel, which is also available on Netflix. I would recommend watching it first to fully understand the plot.

THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES TWO The Christmas Chronicles Two is the second installment in Netflix’s The Christmas Chronicles series.

This time, siblings Kate and Teddy are in Mexico for the holidays with their mom, her new boyfriend, and his son Jack. Kate doesn’t like this, as her and Teddy have recently lost their father, so she plans on running away. This plan somehow leads Kate and Jack to the North Pole, where they have to work with Santa to save Christmas from evil forces once again.

At just under two hours, this movie is fairly long. However, it’s full of action, suspense, and

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is about a toymaker named Jeronicus Jangle whose most prized invention is stolen by his former apprentice. After this happens, he loses his imagination and his toy shop is closed for business. It isn’t until his granddaughter comes to visit him that his life is flipped upside down. These events are told in the form of a children’s story, and scenes of a grandmother reading it to her grandchildren are incorporated throughout.

I really enjoyed the plot of this movie; it was somewhat predictable, but just thrilling enough to keep the audience engaged. The set, costumes, and acting all stood out to me as high-quality and there was just the right amount of singing and dancing. It reminded me a lot of The Greatest Showman. The cast and crew were also almost all people of color, which I was really excited to see.

There were good messages of perseverance and the importance of imagination that left me feeling joyful and inspired.

This was by far my favorite movie that I watched. I would rate it five out of five stars because it was very well-made, enjoyable for both kids and adults, and it has the best movie title I think I’ve ever seen.

We all need some holiday cheer to end off 2020 on a high note, and Netflix’s holiday movie lineup this year does not disappoint.

Online stores grow in popularity during pandemic Here’s a guide to which ones you should shop at during the upcoming holiday season Ava Wong Dispatch Reporter

As COVID-19 cases rise, more and more people have turned to online stores for a safe and easier way of shopping. However, shoppers have to pay attention to many different issues that online stores can present. Online products can range from cheap to expensive, sustainable to wasteful, and more.

Paying attention to the company and small details of the website are very important as the seller could be a scam.

One store that stands out to me is the sustainable and high quality store, Reformation. Their clothes are sustainable as well as eco-friendly, but more importantly super fashionable and cute.

The high quality beautiful clothes do come at a price though, a very expensive one.

When I ordered clothes from Reformation, I found myself very happy with the outcome. My clothes were delivered to my house on time and undamaged. The clothes themselves were very nice

quality and exactly what I ordered. But they did cost a lot of money.

That being said, I rate this store four out of five stars as it exceeded my expectations with both ethical fashion and transparent sustainability practices.

Another popular online store is Etsy. Etsy is a great website where small businesses from all over the world can sell their products, such as clothes, home decor, jewelry, and everyday household objects. I really like the layout of the website and how it looks. It is really simple and easy to navigate.

I have bought many items on Etsy, such as earrings, necklaces, graphic tees, and coasters, and they always come in such great quality and amazing packaging.

Something I like about Etsy is that small businesses really take great care in packaging and giving out extras, and it really makes me happy when I receive extra small items with my purchase. More than half the time, my purchases

RATINGS Reformation 4/5 Shein 0/5

Etsy 5/5 Amazon 4/5

ART BY Sammie Thompson and Rae Gray

Ref

thereformation.com

E etsy.com S us.shein.com a amazon.com

also come in sustainable and eco-friendly packaging.

Overall I would rate Etsy five out of five stars. The prices are great and, in my experience, items come fast and are of great quality.

One online store that is highly popular right now is the online store Shein. The social media app Tik Tok has exposed many people to this store as it is a very inexpensive alternative to the mainstream clothing prices.

Cute clothes starting at three dollars certainly appeals to many young people as it sounds like a great deal, but I believe that shoppers should always pay close attention to where they put their money.

You definitely get what you pay for.

When I ordered from Shein I came to find how unorganized and fake the online

store is. My clothes took two months to come and when they did come I was very disappointed. The clothes looked completely different than they did on the website and the material felt like plastic.

It’s a good thing I didn’t pay very much for them though. I have yet to wear the clothes and don’t plan on it.

Something that I found interesting about this store is that it is exactly the same as Zaful and Romwe, two other highly popular online stores.

The websites have the same exact clothes as if it’s the same store but with a different title.

This shows how much of a scam this store is. You also have to be careful of the information you give this site as it has been known to hack your email.

Overall, I rate the store zero out of five stars due to the poor quality of clothing and the long shipping time.

The last online store I recommend checking out is Amazon. I’m sure everyone knows about Amazon and a lot of people use it. But not many people know the range of items you are able to get on the website. The items include furniture, food, clothes and more.

Amazon has started as a small website and grown into a house-hold brand name that sells millions of items from millions of companies and small businesses. With Amazon Prime, purchases can arrive in two days or less.

I order from Amazon very often and am always pleased with my purchases but you have to pay attention to where the item is coming from.

ART BY Sammie Thompson

Some items can be sketchy and can come differently than what you expected. Most times this is not the case as long as you pay attention to what you’re buying and read the reviews.

I rate Amazon four stars out of five because of the fast shipping and the good quality of their items. I definitely recommend using Amazon to shop for whatever you need.

I highly recommend online shopping as it is an easy alternative to going shopping in-person and a way to help prevent spreading COVID-19.

You can also get a lot more deals and save money when browsing online. However, shoppers have to pay close attention to exactly where they are shopping, because being online there is a chance that what you get is not what you ordered.

14 COMMENTARY THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020

Democrats need progressive policies Progressives proved their place in the Democratic party after several local election wins EDITORIAL In multiple elections across the country progressive policy was approved in large numbers at the local level.

While it wasn’t a shock that multiple red states decided to support Donald Trump for the second time, voters at the local level chose policy that was in opposition of the right.

It’s becoming more clear that Democratic party should embrace the progressive movement within their party once Joe Biden takes office.

Even though Democrats won the presidency, they lost seats in the house, and are entering a contentious senate runoff, which we would call a non-starter.

It was not surprising when Florida decided to stick with Trump in the 2020 election, contributing a total of 29 electoral votes to his campaign.

However, the state did make a shocking decision that night; Florida voted to raise their minimum wage to $15 an hour. Thus, Florida became the first southern state and the eighth state overall to adopt this progressive policy.

Democrats have already started blaming progressive policy such as Medicare-for-All as something that cost them the election. However, every Democratic candidate in support of Medicare-for-All was reelected along with seven candidates

replacing Democratic incumbents who did not support the policy.

Prop A is an example of progressive policy that passed here in Austin. It’s a very ambitious transit plan which calls for a permanent raise to the city's property tax rate

ART BY Rae Gray

to fund a $7.1 billion mass transit system. It will provide $300 million for affordable housing and to address housing displacement. It will create exciting new rapid bus routes along with a downtown tunnel system.

This proposal has been criticized

by Republicans mainly on it’s cost while Democrats argue that the cost is justifiable based on what Prop A provides such as jobs, housing, and of course transit.

The passing of Prop A proves that it’s easy to convince people how well progressive policy will serve them and the rest of the Democrat party should catch on.

Fifteen states in total have voted to pass legislation to legalize the adult use of marijuana along with thirty six states legalizing the medical use of marijuana.

The legalization of weed has only recently become a feasible option for the future with some Democrats still not coming out in full support of the policy.

Most Democrats will support the decriminalization of weed but tend to be more silent on legalizing the manufacturing and selling of marijuana even though every year Americans become more open to the idea.

The 2020 election exposed fundamental issues within the Democratic party. Democrats need to learn how to market and embrace progressive policy in order to maintain a chance in competition against Republicans going forward.

Trump is making false claims about the 2020 election Amilia Velez Journalism 1 Reporter

After Joe Biden was announced as the winner of the 2020 election, many Donald Trump supporters and people in the Republican Party claimed that Biden’s victory was not valid and he won by supposed voter fraud.

This statement is simply not true as there is no evidence of voter fraud that took place in this election. Many Trump supporters are not ready to accept the fact that he was legally voted out of office by the American people.

According to NPR, Trump is attempting to sue key states to Biden's victory, such as Pennsylvania Nevada, Georgia, Michigan and Arizona. This is his last vain attempt at staying in office.

Because of the current pandemic there was a large number of mail-in ballots. These ballots allowed citizens to stay safe while exercising their right to vote. Many Republicans were skeptical about how safe it was to mail in vote. According to The New York Times, there have been a large number of independent studies finding voter fraud extremely rare in all forms, including mail-in voting.

Trump continues to offer misleading information to his supporters on Twitter about how mail-in voting was dangerous and unconstitutional. As a result, the majority of mail-in ballots favored the Democratic candidate Biden.

Different states had different rules for mail-in voting. The majority of the states had their deadlines set to Election Day. For this reason, it took awhile for the results to be confirmed. This sparked anxiety for many Americans and skepticism in others.

Although people believe that this election was rigged because of the large amount of mail-in ballots, mail-in voting has been around for a very long time and there has never been a problem. According to TIME

Which party requested the most mail-in ballots?

No party affiliation 29%

Other

44.1%

56,817,773 Americans requested mail-in ballots in the 2020 election

0.7%

Republicans

28.2%

SOURCE: https://electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html Magazine, mail-in voting has been around since the Civil War and it has played a massive role in shaping our country. No one has ever had a problem with mail-in voting until their candidate wasn't winning.

I think that a fair compromise to the issue voter fraud is having recounts. I think that recounts would be beneficial in proving that the results are valid and there was no voter

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fraud in the 2020 election. There are already recounts being held in states that were very close such as Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Wisconsin.

There is no evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. The people who think that there is are simply ignoring facts and only choosing to listen to experts when the information benefits them.

PRIDE IN PUBLISHING Friday, December 18, 2020 Vol. 33, Issue 2 www.thedispatchonline.net James Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX, 78749

ART BY Maya Amador Questions? Concerns?

Want to share your opinion?

Contact: Email: student email here Room Number : F203

THE DISPATCH STAFF THE DISPATCH PRINT EDITION EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Faith Lawrence Cade Spencer

COMMENTARY EDITORS Maya Amador Anna Holme

MANAGING EDITOR Rae Gray

PHOTO ESSAY EDITOR Reagan Zuniga

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REPORTERS/STAFF Colin Barnes Lucciana Choueiry Isabella del Nido Grace Harris Maya Hayne Donna Kim Emily Loewe Rachel Maddox Max Muzny

Riley Payne Cassidy Pesek Nicole Rooney Carter Scruggs Dimitri Silva Luke Smith Ella Waltuck Ava Wong Carey Beth Wooley Lauren Wright Dylan Zellner

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ADVISER Michael Reeves

COMMENTARY 15 FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020 THE DISPATCH

Voting equality leads to social justice

Voter suppression limits voting accessibility and harms historically marginalized groups Anna Holme Commentary Editor

In wake of the 2020 presidential election, many new concerns have come to light about the disenfranchisement of American voters, especially in marginalized communities.

While this election marked record-breaking voter turnouts, it seems that voter suppression was also a large barrier for many Americans.

Voter suppression, which has deep roots in U.S. history, harms predominantly marginalized groups and will lead to the death of democracy.

Voter ID laws are one main form of voter suppression that tends to disproportionately harm communities of color and lower-income communities. In the 2020 election, 35 states required some form of voter ID, most often a state-issued photo ID or some other form of identification. While these required identifications are presented as “protections” against “voter fraud,” it instead created obstacles for many individuals.

Obtaining a photo ID usually costs money, either to purchase the ID itself or to obtain copies of identification documents (like a birth certificate). Obtaining an ID requires time to schedule an appointment to apply, which can be difficult for low-wage workers who can’t take time off during the day. These financial and time barriers can keep many lower-income communities from voting.

In addition to lower-income communities, voter ID laws also create problems for other groups. For LGBTQIA+ individuals, there are a lot of difficulties one can face if their photo ID does not match their gender identity or name. It has been estimated that for people who want to update their gender or name on government documents, it could cost them anywhere from $8 to $358. This is a costly price to pay to protect one’s right to vote, and further highlights the discrimination of these voter ID laws.

Another form of voter suppression is the restriction of voting methods. One voting method that has been limited is the ability for voters of color to vote in-person. Stud-

ies have shown that people in predominantly black neighborhoods on average wait longer to vote than in white neighborhoods. And even at these polling sites, a lack of linguistic support can cause voting to be a much more difficult task. Many restrictions can keep a ballot from being printed in a person’s native language, and often there are few translators to help mend these situations.

Another problem area, especially in 2020, is with mail-in voting. A study published in the Washington Post showed that on average, black voters were more likely to have their mail-in ballots rejected in each county.

Mail-in ballots are also more likely to be rejected for new or first-time voters as well.

Though the cause of this is debated, it is obvious that there are some inherent biases in who gets their vote counted, and these biases always skew in favor of non-marginalized groups. These barriers are all the more problematic, especially in the pandemic, when COVID-19 has caused a surge in the amount of mail-in votes.

Voter roll purges are one of the largest causes of the disenfranchisement of voters.

Various state legislatures have been removing Americans off polling lists for various reasons, whether it be because they died, moved, didn’t vote within the last few elections, and many more reasons.

However, these voter roll purges often have large margins of error, and those margins often affect voters of color the most.

For example, Kansas’s crosscheck program, which aims to identify any cases of double voting and purge those voters, ended up being wrong over 99% of the time. Further, the program had been shown to have large amounts of racial bias, and flag voters of color most often.

There are many more cases like this all across the country where voters of color are targeted and disenfranchised.

These voter suppression tactics are not new. Voter suppression that aims to disenfranchise people of color and other marginalized communities has existed since the beginning of the United States.

After African-American men received the right to vote under the 15th amendment,

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laws like Mississippi’s “grandfather clause” in 1895 only allowed descendants of people who could vote before the Civil War to vote, effectively gutting voting rights for black Americans.

To protest these racist voter suppression tactics, civil rights leaders like John Lewis, Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a law that would enact government-regulated anti-discrimination oversight during elections.

Sadly, however, in the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court case Shelby County v. Holder, key provisions of the Voting Rights Act were overturned, with the pathetic justification that these discriminations were, in the words of the Chief Justice John Roberts, “no longer necessary.”

Every election since the Voting Rights Act

ART BY Anna Holme

was struck down has proven that discrimination protections are still highly crucial, and we must reinstate them. One step forward would be to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would reauthorize the Voting Rights Act with added protections for marginalized communities.

As a nation, we have to make it easier for people to vote, not harder. Voter suppression is a serious issue that affects every aspect of America’s political success, and without every voice being accounted for we are undermining the very purpose of what a democracy stands for.

Questions? Concerns? Want to share your opinion? Contact: Email: bowie.journalism@ gmail.com Room Number : F203

AISD’s ‘Phase-In Process’ creates a dangerous situation Amanda Zinni Copy Editor

Starting Oct. 5, Bowie students were allowed to go back to school, in phases and with precautions in place. As long as students and staff wore masks, they were allowed to come back to Bowie and continue learning. For the third part of the phase-in process, students who

ART BY Anna Holme

opted to learn on-campus were allowed to switch between classes on Nov. 2. While this phase attempted to reinstate normalcy in the lives of students, it was an irresponsible decision on the part of AISD Administration.

Even though the amount of cases in Texas has been steadily increasing since the beginning of October, Bowie has progressed through AISD’s “Phase-in Process.” By opt-

ing to ignore the rising amount of cases, AISD is not only endangering students, but teachers as well.

A key aspect of the phase three plan is students switching between classes like they would normally. This increases the risk of both students and teachers contracting COVID-19 because students come into contact with all their teachers as opposed to just the monitor of their pod in phase one.

While the number of students choosing to attend in-person classes is far less than the number of students opting to learn at home, it’s still concerning that such a high amount of interpersonal contact was allowed as cases increased.

According to AISD, a reported total of 90 people at Bowie have been exposed to COVID-19 since Sept. 8. By continuing to open Bowie with less regulations, AISD shows that it doesn’t care about the increase in cases that reopening has caused. Exposing 90 people to COVID-19 is a heavy price to pay to provide the illusion of normalcy to students.

Additionally, it isn’t fair to ask teachers to come into school and risk their lives while there is a

functional alternative to in-person learning.

By continuing virtual learning, the district would effectively lower its impact on the total number of COVID-19 cases and would allow teachers to focus on teaching their class and remove the stress of potentially contracting the virus.

While some students may need to go to their campuses to focus or to obtain necessary resources they don’t have access to at home, there is no reason to require all able members of school staff to be on campus and risk exposing themselves and their families to the virus.

From Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, classes were moved online due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the Austin area after Thanksgiving break. AISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde has made it clear that this will be a one-time instance, stating that she is counting on AISD students and employees to “avoid non-essential travel and maintain social distancing precautions” during the winter break.

Elizalde could completely eliminate exposure to COVID-19 in AISD if she allowed classes to

move online and allowed teachers to work from home if they wished to do so.

Within this it is worth noting, however, that the state of Texas is largely to blame for the extended pressure to get students back into schools. If AISD fails to meet a certain amount of in-person instructional time, the district could face budget cuts next year.

However, there is no need to place such responsibility on students when the district could go back to an earlier phase from the reopening plan and confine in-person learning to one classroom.

Pretending that things are getting better and going back to normal won’t fix the problem. Bowie following AISD’s “Phase-In plan” has only resulted in more exposure to COVID-19 within the community. This will continue if schools stay open and continue to imitate a pandemic-free life.

Questions? Concerns?

Want to share your opinion? Contact: Email: bowie. journalism@gmail.com Room: F203

BULLDAWGS SPEAK OUT In what ways do you see voter suppression being used?

INTERVIEWS BY Anna Holme PHOTOS COURTESY OF Interviewees

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A lot of Texas counties only had one mail-in ballot drop[...] everyone should be able to vote without another party discouraging them or making it more difficult than needed.

Malaika Beg Junior

I see people threaten to commit hate crimes [...] politics, especially when it comes to voting, should be fair game and not a blood sport.

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There are extremely obvious and frustrating examples of voter suppression, such as people intimidating others at the polls and governors limiting ballot drop boxes.

Lexi Lima Sophomore

Katie Golson Senior

Historically there are less polling places in communities of color, they also have had less access to the U.S. census which means they have less representation on a congressional level.

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Clayton Laney Freshman

Jacob Morgan English Teacher

A glaring reminder of voter suppression is when we have to hand over our ID at the polls. This is one of many forms of suppression based on unwarranted fears of election fraud.

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16 IN-DEPTH

THE DISPATCH FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2020

504 plans during off-campus learning Students with learning accommodations adjust to online school during a global pandemic In the midst of a global pandemic, schools across the country have changed to remote learning structures and adjusted their educational systems to fit within the Center for Disease control’s (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines. With the change to online school students are learning to adjust to their new environment and routine, and for some students, such as those with learning disabilities there is a new set of challenges that they have to work through.

504 PLANS

order to achieve academic success.”

Junior Nathan Zimmerman believes that there is a stigma surrounding receiving and using a 504 plan, but the benefits of receiving it outweigh the negative opinions of others.

“It is well worth it [to receive a 504 plan],” Zimmerman said. “It really, really helps because it takes just a little bit of weight off your back. Honestly it's for your benefit, not for anyone else. At the end of the day, we all go home and we all rest and we all do the same assignments, it's a way for [students with learning disabilities] to get help for [themselves].”

REMOTE LEARNING

According to the Dean of Students, Susan Leos, the switch to remote learning has There are positive aspects and negative asposed a unique set of challenges to both stupects that have come with the switch to the dents and staff they learn to cope with the remote learning structure. Changing from changes that come with it. in-person to online school has had mixed re“Teachers and 504 students are having to sults for students with learning disabilities, find new ways to communicate with each as displayed by Lilu Newsom, other and new ways a student with anxiety of providing support,” and ADD. Leos said. “I think that “My anxiety is dois true for all students, ing great [with remote Teachers and 504 not just 504 students.”

Newsom 504 plans are accomstudents are having to find learning],” said. “I’m less stressed, modations that stunew ways to communicate I don’t get headaches as dents with diagnosed much, and it’s wonderwith each other and learning disabilities ful. The ADD side of me can receive under the new ways of providing is completely relaxed American Rehabilitabecause I’m at home, support.

I think that is true tion Act. The purpose that’s my calm place. So for all students, not just of a 504 plan is to help I have very little motivastudents with learning students with learning tion to work on things.” disabilities gain the The change from accommodations. help that they need to in-person to online be successful. school has not only “In schools the 504 Susan Leos posed difficulties for plan is sort of like a students with learning Dean of Instruction blueprint for success disabilities, but teachers that specifies what acas well. Teacher Peyton tions or tools will help Bobo who has ADHD feels that the hybrid a student achieve success,” Leos said. “The online and in school structure can be overpurpose of a 504 plan is to level the playing whelming at times. field, so to speak, so that a student with a dis"It's really hard for me to adjust back ability has what and forth [between online and in-person he/she school]," Bobo said. "I felt like I was in a needs good groove when we were only oni n line, and then it took me a minute to adjust to the [hybrid structure], and then now that we're back online, I have another adjustment period. Structure and rhythm help make sure my brain works in an efficient way. Otherwise, I just feel like I'm doing too many things at once."

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Adjusting to doing school from home af- by students has been keeping track of class ter years of having a similar routine has pro- assignments, 34% of students voiced that posed problems for junior Kieran Duke and they find it somewhat difficult, and 12% remany other students. In a poll conducted sponded saying that they find it difficult.

"It is kind of hard for me to keep track of by the Dispatch, 46% of students said they found it some degree of difficult to learn in assignments just because each teacher uses Blend differently so it's their at-home environnot all in one place," Nixment. on said. "My mom actual“Adjusting to online Dysgraphia isn't a thing ly hired me a private tutor school has been pretty that's helping me to keep difficult for me,” Duke that just exists within all of my school work orsaid. “I miss actually school. It is [in] literally ganized, and figure out moving to get to classes, I always struggle every other aspect [of my what needs to be done when." with sitting in one spot, life]. So, having the ability andWith the switch from and doing it for eight to have the thing that eats in-person to online learnhours a day without many breaks has worn up most of my day be a ing, Newsom believes her accommodations on me, personally.” little bit easier is very, very that should be adjusted to fit But regardless of nice. the new system that they how much of a strugare adapting to. gle it has been for some “Personally, I'd prefer students to switch to Nathan Zimmerman to read a transcript of the online school, accordJunior lecture if that's something ing to Zimmerman the that they have,” Newability to get accommodations based on learning disabilities has som said. “Because I've noticed that they don't have [a transcript] on the 'Play-Pausehelped students like him a lot.

“Dysgraphia isn't a thing that just exists Its', and that made me sad because having within school,” Zimmerman said. “It is [in] it would have made my life much easier. I literally every other aspect [of my life]. So, absorb things better by reading them. Also having the ability to have the thing that eats providing alternate assignments instead of up most of my day be a little bit easier is a lecture would help me a lot with focusing and retaining information.” very, very nice.”

But even with the struggles that online school has, Duke believes that there are posTEACHERS AND itive aspects that students can look towards.

ACCOMMODATIONS “I do appreciate the creative ways that teachers have come up with to engage us in Through the continuing experience of re- our classes and make it interesting for stumote learning, junior Linday Nixon has had dents," Duke said. good experiences with teachers in regards to her 504 accommodations.

THE FUTURE “A lot of my teachers this year really understand what it’s like to be someone with Although not everyone with learning disADD trying to navigate online school,” Nix- abilities are keeping their accommodations on said. in mind when searching for the right college However, Newsom expressed that there is or job for them, others have made it a factor still room for improvement when it comes in planning their future. to enforcing 504 plans. While she believes “How they treat 504s will be a huge part that teachers are respecting accommodations of deciding whether or not I’d go [to a specifwhen approached by students, she feels that ic university],” Newsom said. “If I could find it can be difficult with her anxiety to be held [a college] that’s mainly non-neurotypical solely responsible for asking for her accom- people, I’d go for that experience.” modations rather than teachers taking note The learning environment of a college is of them and being knowledgeable of them. an important deciding aspect for Newsom.

“Extra time [is an accommodation] that "The experience that I would like to have isn’t very well enforced,” Newsom said. “I is knowing what it feels like to be in a comneed it for my ADD, but I’m so anxious that munity of other people with similar disabiliI’m unable to go and say, ‘Hey, I have extra ties to myself, and learning in that environtime accommodations with my 504, can I ment versus in an environment where people turn this in next period?’” are assumed to be neurotypical until told With remote learning, a challenge voiced otherwise," Newsom said.

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Rae Gray and Azul Lin Managing Editor and Assistant Editor

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18%

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9%

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27%

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15%

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10%

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12%

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Poll: How has the switch to remote learning affected students?

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160 STUDENTS POLLED 12/2-11/2020 Polled via Google Forms 104 females, 52 males, 4 non-binary/other 93 seniors, 34 juniors,26 sophomores, 7 freshmen

3%

A

17%

A

84%

B

24%

B

33%

B

31%

B

14%

9%

C

9%

C

4%

C

34%

C

45%

D

44%

D

53%

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35%

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64%

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23%

E

23%

E

11%

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11%

E

44%

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13%

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5%

How difficult do you find it to turn in assignments/ keep track of them?

How difficult do you find it to have the motivation to attend class/zoom calls?

How connected do you feel to your teachers/peers during on-line learning?

How difficult is it for you to learn in your at-home environment?

What distraction do you struggle with the most when learning from home?

How well do you believe you are retaining information in online school?

A) Easy B) Somewhat easy C) No change D) Somewhat difficult E) Difficult

A) Easy B) Somewhat easy C) No change D) Somewhat difficult E) difficult

A)Good connection B) Okay connection C) No change D) Little connection E) Bad connection

A) Easy B) Somewhat easy C) No change D) Somewhat difficult E) Difficult

A) Phone B) Video games C) Crafts/hobbies D) Family E) TV/Netflix/Youtube

A) Great B) Good C) Okay D) Not Good E) Badly