The Lone Star Dispatch, Issue #4 by The Dispatch

Commentary pages 2 & 3 News page 4 In-Depth page 5 Student Life page 6 Trends/Culinary page 7 Entertainment pages 8 & 9 Sports pages 10-11 Photo Essay page 12

News Briefs

Widner joins hall of fame as 26th teacher of the year

Welcome to the family (From Left to Right) Government teacher Carlen Floyd and geography teacher Karl Lauer congratulate history teacher Ruth Widner. Floyd and Lauer are previous winners from 2012 and 2013. Photo by Photo Editor Ashley

Faculty rewards deserving teacher Jan. 29, history teacher, Ruth Widner was awarded Teacher of the Year over three other nominees. “Having admired many of Bowie’s TOY winners and nominees over the years, I am humbled and honored to be selected for the recognition,” Widner said. “It’s incredibly affirming and rewarding to learn that my collegues -- who truly understand the challenges of the job -- think so highly of me.” Widner has been teaching for 20 years and sticks with the same goal for her students and collegues. “My goal is to recognize each student as a unique individual deserving my very best effort each and every day,” Widner said. “I try to support and encourage my fellow teachers as we work to exceed the high expectations of our community.”

Snow day creates kinks

Due to severe weather conditions on Jan. 24 and Jan. 28, school was canceled. One of the make-up days will be on Feb. 17. Possible bad weather make-up days to replace Jan. 28 could be April 18 or June 6. If the district chooses April 18, absences could be excused for religious reasons with a note because it is Good Friday. If the district chooses June 6, the final schedule could be changed or they could hold seniors’ diplomas if they don’t attend school that day. AISD administrators have not decided on the exact date that school will be made up.

Both soccer teams step up their game to rise against their biggest competitions. For more on team bonding, practices and player information see page 11.

Trends & Culinary

Sports

James Bowie High School, Vol. 2013-14, Issue 4, 4103 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78749, February 10, 2014, www.thelonestaronline.com

Dispatch

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Table of Contents

Soccer preps for 1st games

E-cigs popularity increases

A new trend has emerged for older students as an alternative to smoking regular cigarettes known as ecigs. Rules for campus are the same as having a cigarette at school, for more see page 7.

Miss Saigon takes center stage

Lights, camera, action... The scene shown, Song number 23 (Act 2) takes place in Bangkok. Despite opening night being postponed because of bad weather conditions, over 500 people showed up the following night and sold out the show. “I think we did a lot better than we thought we would. And each night after that we kept improving,” junior Shelby Becker said. Miss Saigon was featured in the Starlight Theater a total of eight times during a two-week period. See more “Saigon” on page 8 Photo by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud

Campus moved by Benson: “you’re one choice away from a different life” All eyes were on Kasey Benson as he shared laughs as well as dark and personal stories involving drug use with the student body. Every student was expected to go to this talk and sophomore Sofia Lozano thought it was good that it was the administration scheduled the event. “I think it was a good thing, the whole school needs to know what the consequences are if they drink and smoke,” Lozano said. Freshman Cole Koenning thought differently on the topic. “It seemed like an administration thing to do. I’m sure if they didn’t make every one go nobody would have gone. It didn’t necessarily convince everyone that drugs were bad,” Koenning said. “However they certainly achieved their goal with some students. I noticed quite a few anti-drug Facebook and Instagram posts that day.” Benson gave his talk hoping that students would take away from it a lesson that they have one choice away from a different life. “Bottom line is that they have one choice away from a different life. I hope that they will hear my stories and that when a situation shows up in their life, whether it is getting in a car with a drunk, driving drunk themselves or even trying drugs or alcohol for the first or tenth time that they will make a better choice,” Benson said. “Statistics show it for itself, I don’t have to say a lot of statistics. That’s why I don’t use statistics in my talks, because statistics are what they are, you can look them up all

day long. Main thing is that I hope they get the point that they have one choice away from a different life, or no life.” Senior Luke Rincon agreed that it was a very serious topic. “I took away from the talk that drugs and alcohol are a serious threat to your well-being and they should be avoided if possible,” Rincon said. “You should take action when a friend is abusing these items and help them to control themselves because it can lead to very serious consequences.” Many students including Benson said that his talk was a mixture of high and lows but that it makes an impact. “It is an emotional roller coaster, I like to have fun and laugh, I want to get you to where you are like “hey were are having fun together.” I cant go in there and just do a solid hour worth of emotion, that would be horrible I would hate to sit through something like that, I would hate to sit there for an hour and hear about all these deaths and horribleness,” Benson said. Junior Angela Traylor felt a various sense of emotions through out the talk and liked Bensons words. “I really liked Mr. Benson, I think he is someone who can truly leave a mark on people. He definitely took us on an emotional roller coaster, from personal, heartbreaking, tear-jerking stories to absolutely hilarious stories that made up for the sadness,” Traylor Said. “He was unique because he didn’t give us the usual “don’t do drugs because they are bad” speech.” After hearing this some students started looking towards their future, especially freshman David Garza. “It made me think of better decisions about my life and future, I don’t smoke or drink, but it made me realize that asking people how they

Words of wisdom Kasey Benson preaches a personal story related to drugs, abuse and triumph. Every student was required to go see the siminar during their English classes. Photo by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud

have been can sometimes make a difference both physically and emotionally,” Garza said. “ It made me want to go out and make people happy, make the people having bad days laugh or smile.” Benson gives talks all around the country because that what he does, it just so happens that his wife works at on campus and that he was contacted. “My wife works here, and this is what I do, like Mr. Kane said it, they scoured the country looking for the best school presenter in the country, and his wife works here and I thought it was kind of cool,” Benson said. “It’s also a little different because I go to school after school and then I leave that school, but what so great about this is that I’m here. Usually I go in do my presentation and then leave hoping that they will make better choices, but since I’m here, I’m here. I hope that one of my stories will ultimately spark inside Human table people because I don’t want to Four students volunteered to come up to the stage with Kasey Benson to perform a seminar activby bury any more teenagers. ity. The students had to sit on a bucket and lay on eachother’s laps to show they needed support, Photo Editor Ashley Stroud balance and unity to complete the activity. Photo by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud

ommentary

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Feb. 10, 2014

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Class ranks a poor way to judge students E

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Have you ever been jealous of one of your friends that had a more “lenient” teacher for the same class? Perhaps your teacher will not allow you to make test corrections but your friend’s teacher allowed test corrections on every test. Maybe your teacher gives you one free late assignment per six weeks, while your friend gets to turn in every assignment late with little or no penalty. Automatically, the possibility of your friend’s grade being much higher than yours, in the same course, is more likely. You see class rank is only an illusion that students are subjected. It is wrapped in to our competitiveness. Class rank is biased and full of subjective decisions. Class rankings are nothing more than a number, just like a scale reads your weight. That same number may cause serious competition between students, but honestly it is not a completely accurate judgment of a student’s intelligence or ability to learn. That number is solely based on which teachers a student has had in their career. Part of our problem with this class rank system is how it degrades students into just a number. It is sad that we have to have a number that represents our status as a student. Wouldn’t it be nice of all students attended school to learn and understand the world? The solution is simple: elimi-

nate these class ranks entirely. Many high schools, especially private schools, across the United States have stopped reporting class ranks to universities and colleges specifically because of the problems listed above. Students at schools where ranks are shared often take classes just to increase the likelihood that they will get a better grade, instead of for the learning experience. Students go after the easy “A” instead of taking a challenging course where they might actually get a B. Truthfully at a school like Bowie the difference between the 20th ranked and 40th ranked student probably factors to the 1/10th or even 1/100th of a percentage point, which basically means that those students have virtually the same exact grades. We would love to see Bowie High School and AISD follow the lead of those other schools and stop factoring and reporting class ranks to post-secondary schools. We know the top-10% rule that allows students to qualify for admittance to state schools has really dropped to top-8%, why use that at all, those schools should just take the best students based on college entrance exams, the SAT, the ACT and student essays. Colleges don’t really need to know exact ranks to evaluate the quality of each high school applicant. They have plenty of ways to complete that task. It might also help those students who used to automatically be rejected because they fell just a little outside the top-

10% or 8% get into state schools because their test scores might be higher, or they might have more extra-curricular activities that recruiters find appealing. And that is the heart of our argument, colleges should be using every factor in their power to determine who should be in their programs based on intelligence, ability to learn, involvement in outside activities, and teacher recommendations about so-called soft skills like

D ispatch Staff Co-Editor-in-Chief | Rachael Crawford

leadership, reliability, and character, instead of an arbitrary number. Other high performing schools have been able to successfully eliminate class ranks by sending colleges and universities letters of explanations and it has not impacted their student body. Bowie falls into this category. Our students have proven themselves year after year and the ability of our students shouldn’t come into question. There is one other piece of this

art by Klara Baker

puzzle that we have to address; the valedictorian and salutatorian. Currently those are based on class rank, but if that ranking system disappeared, who would speak at graduation? We believe the student body at large can be trusted to pick the best two speakers that would represent our school at graduation. A selection process could be created where students have to “apply” to the students on campus for the right to speak at graduation.

Straight A’s tack on extra stress Class rank causes many tense shoulders

E ditorial Policy The Lone Star Dispatch is the official student newspaper of James Bowie High School. It is published six times a year, generally once per six weeks for the school’s students, staff and community. The Lone Star Dispatch is an open forum for student expression. The Lone Star Dispatch is not reviewed by school administration prior to distribution, and the advisor will not act as a censor. Content represents the views of the student staff and not school officials. The Lone Star Dispatch will work to avoid bias and/or favoritism. We will strive to make our coverage and content meaningful, timely and interesting to our readers. Our articles will reflect our genuine objective of reporting news and will be held to a high standard of quality. We will make every effort to avoid printing libel, obscenities, innuendo and material that threatens to disrupt the learning process or is an invasion of privacy. We will avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph.

Scanning the naviance account, awaiting that terrifying, death-defying moment whenever you see your extremely visible class rank number at the bottom of the page. Everyone has had the heart-leaping gasp seconds before viewing their class rank. The overbearing stress of class rank tends to weigh down the shoulders of many. It can be seen in the hallways and classrooms as students look sad when receiving a “bad” test score and their eyes glaze over as they freak out with anxiety. High school should not be a stress parade every day. There should be limits to the amount of homework teacher’s

is immense and that does not ease the load a student at Bowie carries around with them. The typical Bowie student is probably also involved in extracurricular activities of some sort, which add even more to the stack of stress. There is also the factor of backpacks, which seem like they weigh tons. Because Bowie does not believe in issuing lockers from the vast supply all around the school, the students are stuck with carrying around a backpack that more than takes a toll on their shoulders and back. Heavy backpacks only further increase the amount of stress in a student because they are not only juggling multiple things at once mentally, but physically carrying a backpack full of wonderful things like the textbook for last night’s homework and today’s test. All of these factors; back-

“ ur class rank is always looming above our heads as if a cloud waiting to rain on our bright day.” - Ashlee Thomason give students and staying up until the wee hours of the night should not be acceptable. Students in high school need sleep and a stress-free environment, but are probably among the most stressed out and tense humans on the face of the planet. The amount of homework given each night to students

pack weight, homework load, and extracurricular activities put more pressure on gaining an acceptable class rank. Our class rank is always looming above our heads as if a cloud waiting to rain on our bright day. There are days when we feel as if our class rank does not matter

Staff editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board arrived at by discussion and will not be bylined. Bylined articles are the opinion of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lone Star Dispatch staff or administration as a whole. The Lone Star Dispatch welcomes reader input. Please send any letters, articles, comments or corrections to bowie.journalism@gmail.com or mail them to 4103 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78749 or drop them off in room F-203 with advisor Michael Reeves or an editor. Letters must be signed, and emailed letters will require verification before publication. We will not necessarily publish all letters received and reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. The Lone Star Dispatch does not necessarily endorse the products or services of advertising.

and then there are days when it does. The stress of class rank can be so overbearing to some students that they stay boarded up all weekend in their homes attempting to study until they make that perfect grade. Why study so hard? What is the incentive? A great college and job in the future, yes, but why? Why is success measured by the college you attend or job you go to every day? There should be an incentive to learn and take the knowledge and use it to your ability in the world full of depths beyond imagination. It is not about the grades you get in high school, it is about the amount of knowledge you have grasped a hold of. If you have achieved a clear understanding of the world, high school has prepared you. Class rank should not hinder a student from

art by Ashlee Thomason

achieving what they believe is their calling or from enjoying themselves from time to time. Honestly, we should all just relax a little and try to live our life while we are young. Yes, college is right around the corner but if our shoulders are so tense we will never enjoy our lives for what they truly are. In the movie, “Dead Poet’s Society”, strong advice is given of braving the world to his students, “Their world is your oyster, their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they are capable? Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day, make your lives extraordinary.” by Commentary Editor Ashlee Thomason

C The Lone Star Dispatch

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Monday, Feb. 10, 2014

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Counselors commended for hard work

Student’s should distinguish between wants and needs 500 to one. Imagine that someone was outnumbered in a fight, 500 to one. Imagine that there’s paper flying all over that fight, imagine that empty pens and eraser shavings covered the floor, and pictures of longlost families sit in the background. Now walk across campus and watch that fight, then open your eyes, because it’s no longer your imagination, it’s a reality. Of course there’s no blood being spilled, nobody’s died, the worst injuries are just paper cuts and large amounts of stress. But, and there’s always a but, it’s still 500 to one, there’s still minds lost in papers and documents, overencumbered by the hundred upon hundreds of meaning-

less requests so that you can go to Double Dave’s with your friends for lunch. By now if you haven’t figured out that I’m talking about the counselors then here you go, it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to figure out our dear counselors and their counterparts are severely “judged by the cover”. By “the cover” of course I mean when you get angered because they deny your request no matter how cute those puppy-dog eyes are. Many students go to the counselors with actual issues, and good on them for that, but this article is not addressed to them. This article is directed towards the people that think our counselors aren’t doing their jobs just because they won’t switch the class you “accidentally” signed up for, or because they don’t have time to talk to you about how badly you “need” to be in that other period that’s full of your friends.

art by Ashlee Thomason

Their official terms are “Guidance Counselors” not “Schedule Changers” and if you really need to change your schedule because of an

actual problem, then don’t just barge in like you’re the king of the playground. There’s something called an appointment that the

people who wear big boy and girl pants use in the real world too, and it actually matters. All you have to do is send an e-mail or talk to the secretary, and voila it’s as simple as that. Now some of you may be saying, “What on earth is a counselor?” because you’ve never visited one in your life, I am among the group that scarcely visits them myself, but I know what they’re there for, and I respect them for it. Now ponder this for a while, school counselors aren’t even required by the state of Texas, imagine not having them, whatever classes you got, you kept, and the rivers of tears would flow heavily. You may say these people are just some random guys and gals with small educations and that to become a counselor would be like taking candy from a baby. Well that’s where your again, sadly mistaken.

A master’s degree is no small feat, in fact it’s rather grand, so grand that after eight years a counselor gives up the job as a therapist that could make them hundreds of thousands a year to come here to this school for all of us.1 These people not only have your back, they have every kid in the schools back, just like all the teachers, and all the staff. These people go to college for you, these people wake up in the morning for you, these people sit all day listening to real problems and fake ones and finding solutions for you. And when you’re an adult too, guess whom you’re going to wake up in the morning for if you keep thinking that you can change everything at the gleam of a puppy-dog eye. Not for your children, not for your wife, no, for you. by Staff Writer Elyas Levens (1) schoolcounselor.org

PDA needs to halt in halls Lunch rules should be changed Throughout the hallways, the sight of couples making out and getting intimate makes me want to hurl. People, have you ever heard of the words, Public Display of Affection? Well if you have not heard of it its kind of trying to say, stop loving each other like that at school, save it for somewhere else. People need to learn that there should be a limit to showing your love for one another when you are at school. A sweet kiss on the cheek or a quick one on the lips is fine but trying to swallow each other and eating each other’s faces is nasty. Save the face smashing for home. Hugging, now hugging is fine, like a hug before going to class, going home, or going to lunch and hugging each other is fine. But when the hugging is happening some people start caressing each other and that is creeping its way up to being as nasty as kissing. Hug, don’t caress. Teachers see student couples doing all this “business” but don’t do anything about it. They walk by them like they didn’t even see anything, and some teachers see them outside their doors and I hear them com-

plain about it and that irritates me. They should do something about it. Don’t complain about it, and it probably will benefit us all to stop couples making out and caressing each other. Many students and teachers have different viewpoints about kissing and touching each other in public. Many people don’t like seeing people kissing and being very touchy in public. For some people kissing is fine in public, but for others it is not. No one really likes seeing kissing in public, they probably think it’s disgusting. With touching each other that is the same as kissing each other many people don’t like that either. A hall and F hall are not the make out halls so stop doing your “business” in the hallways. I don’t particularly like walking out of English in A hall and seeing couples starting to make out and caress each other in the halls. It makes me feel uncomfortable and I don’t want to be there. Stop sucking face and caressing each other and teachers please try to stop this if you see this stop the people. Bowie has rules and consequences for anyone they catch getting too intimate or being inappropriate. Many couples need to know that being a “Public Display of Affection” is not something people need to see and it can get really disgusting. So stop it, it’s nasty. by Staff Writer Fuuad Ajaz

Should schools restrict student independence? Currently only seniors are granted the opportunity to leave campus freely during school hours as long as they can flash their ID to security. Although a percentage of juniors have cars and off periods, we do not have that

privilege and are expected to stick around school and run the risk of getting in trouble if we do otherwise. The first two years of high school serve as a wakeup call and is when students start to adapt to what is soon to be their future and slowly get a taste of reality. Once students reach their third year of high school it is time to start thinking about the future, and about what to do for college and where to go. Our line of thinking transitions from fooling around

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Lance Blue 11th

Meagan Hudson 12th

g speak out

Bryn Williams 10th

Michael Stewart 9th

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to being serious and growing up. Not only do students begin getting cars junior year, but responsibility levels rise immensely. Throughout this year responsibility plays a huge role and if a student is able to keep up with the amount of work that is given to us we should be rewarded. Once students have cars they have to learn how to manage their time efficiently because there is no longer someone else to rely on to get them places on time. Having these responsibilities are a practice for those who have higher standards set. I propose more leniency and freedom for juniors that show responsibility, have good attendance, turn in work on time, and maintain a high class rank. School faculty members’ expectations grow higher as students grow older. We are expected to act as adults but are being limited and have the same requirements as if we are still just entering high school around age 14. by Staff Writer Paige Rife

what was your favorite 2013 memory? “My favorite memory of 2013 was getting cleared from the doctors to be able to do physical activities after my accident again. My friends were going to the lake that day and I got to go wakeboard and tube finally. We hung out around the lake and didn’t do much for a few days. It was nice to relax and just hangout by the water. There was jet skiing and other boats so there was a lot of activity.”

“I think my favorite part of 2013 was my 16th birthday party. Me and 14 friends all drove to PF Changs for dinner. I got to wear a tiara and we all dressed up, it was really fun. Then we went back to my house to make s’mores and play pool. It was great to have all my favorite people with me on my birthday making me laugh.”

“My favorite memory of 2013 would have to be during spring break, me and a couple of friends went camping about an hour west of Austin. It was awesome just sitting by the fire and talk about life. At night, we would gaze at the millions of stars above us, and it was just nice to get away from the city, block out the hectic high school mentality, and to hang out with some of my best friends.”

“My favorite 2013 memory was definitely the Bowie V. Westlake football game. What made it so awesome was that so many people showed up and everyone participated in “black out Westlake”. It was the most fun and wild football game I had been to and it’s definitely a memory I will take with me from high school.”

by Editor-in-Chief Meagan Prehn Photos by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud

EWS

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

New club encourages future teachers Future Teachers of America (FTA) is trying to push itself off the ground with the help of English teacher Judd Pheiffer and other students interested in the teaching profession. “At this point we meet to talk about teaching, to answer questions, and just to have another community at Bowie where people that have similar interests can meet up to discuss things,” Pheiffer said. “They bring in food and it’s pretty informal and I try to answer questions whenever I can.” The club has been on campus for a while, but Pheiffer is trying to make students aware of it to get more people involved. “Originally Ms. McQuiston, who was the head of the English Department that has now retired, thought it was a club that would be good for me to lead,” Pheiffer said. “Most of all it’s a profession that I love and am passionate about and a profession I think would be great for

Bowie students. I thought it was a great opportunity for me to give back to Bowie and hopefully help some students out who are interested in this profession.” The National Education Association founded the organization in 1937 to inform people about careers in education. Over the years, it has been called by several names and has been owned by numerous people, like the National Education Association and the Association of Teacher Educators. Senior co-President of the club, Jackie Gonzales, joined the club because of her interest in teaching. She is influenced by her mom, who is a teacher, and other teachers at the school. Her goal is to show students all the tasks teachers must complete on a daily basis. “I think the club can influence students to appreciate the hard work that goes into teaching and the benefits of impacting a student’s education,” Gonzales said.

During meetings, the club discusses various topics. “We discuss the subjects that we want to teach, teachers we’d like to sit in on and observe their teaching styles, and we discuss world peace,” Gonzales said. Although, sometimes the meetings are spent hanging out with friends. “My favorite part about being in the club is getting to hang out with awesome people that have the same interests that I do, as well as getting rad advice from Mr. Pheiffer, the teaching legend himself,” senior co-President Lindsey Sageser As well as meeting new people, Pheiffer’s goal is to get students ready for their future. “I am hoping one day Bowie students could get scholarships through Future Teachers of America, that could help them out in college as far as things like scholarships and looking good on their transcripts as well,” Pheiffer said.

Apple of a teacher’s eye Brooke Shadwick, Lindsey Sageser, Jackie Gonzalez, Rachel Totah, Amy King, and Zoe Savellos all enjoy their time with Judd Pfeiffer in FTA. The club promotes the teaching profession to current students. Photo courtesy of Judd Pfeiffer

Currently, there are seven members in the club, but there is room for more. They

meet every Tuesday to talk about teaching strategies. Students interested in join-

ing the organization should by stop by room A112. Staff Writer Lauren Blevins

Students explore various FFA places high at TCYS fields at the Science Fair

Scientific discoveries Senior Brian Jordan presented his science fair project before a judge. Many students underwent this process in order to be awarded for their projects. Photo by staff writer Selma Sanchez

Many participants qualify for the regional Science Fair hoping to place The James Bowie High annual Science Fair competition where student contestants present their science project results before judges occurred on the chilly evening of January 16. Over 250 future scientists unfolded their display boards, unpacked models, and recreated technical experiments in the hopes of winning the grand prize. Nikhil Nair was eventually named the winner for his experiment on the effects of bacteria on turmeric compared to antibiotics. His project was titled “A yellow alternative” and was entered into the microbiology subset before being named the fairs top winner. “If it were not have been for my teacher assigning it I would have still participated in the Science Fair,” sophomore Nikhil Nair said. “I had been looking forward to it since the summer.” Nair wasn’t the only award-winner selected by a committee composed of professionals working in the science world and Bowie science teachers. Awards were given in 16 different areas including Environment Management, Behavioral and Social, Biochemistry, Electrical and Mechanical and Environmental Sciences. “Its a great opportunity for students to explore a passion,” teacher Jill Harding said. “Sometimes it may not be a passion at first, but as they get into really studying something in depth they learn to develop one with time.” Many science teachers across the campus offered extra credit to their students who entered the competition, but many students compete to showcase skills, to share a passion, or to learn new information. “I love science, it’s just so interesting, genetics in particular; I’ve always had a thing for them,” sophomore Andrea Nebhut said. Students often came up with their own concepts, but others sought help from outside groups. “In my dad’s firm Life Technologies, they have this exosome software which is an LM10 instrument,” sophomore Ksenia Vlassova said. “...From that, my dad and I just came up with an experiment.” Vlassova’s effort earned her the top spot

in the Cellular and Molecular category for an experiment called “Analysis of concentration and size distribution of exosomes in saliva of male, female and pregnant female donors. “I spoke to a Molecular biology professor, Dr. Greg Clark at The University of Texas at Austin and he gave me tips on what to do and what not to,” Nair said. More than 75% of the participants in the show have aspirations of working in science fields in the future, either as doctors, or in fields like genetic research, microbiology, and engineering. “It gives you hope, in the sense that you have all these creative minds that are going to take over the future and that’s what we need, that’s what we’re wishing to foster with this experience as well,” Harding said. The Bowie Science fair is just a stopping point for most of the winners as they qualified for the regional science fair, which is sponsored by Austin Energy. Held February 19-22 at the Palmer Events Center, the Regional Science fair will host over 3,000 participants from 3rd through 12th grade. According to Austin Energy literature, the regional fair “encourages and rewards innovative student research and provides scientists, engineers, and other professionals a chance to volunteer in the community.” “Going to regionals, based on last year when I went I feel that it increased my knowledge,” Vlassova said. “I don’t know if I’ll place, but if I do it’ll be way worth it.” In additional to the multitude of homegrown efforts, many students were able to utilize outside groups, including many who aligned themselves with a local university program to conduct their experiments, many students have parents who work in the science world are they credited their parents for their help. “...My mom said ‘why don’t you just do a natural medicine related experiment?’,” Nair said. Other winners included Sarah Maaz, Shyam Sharma, Andrea Nebhut, Alex Baker, Trevor Wolf, Brian Kang, James Wyllie, Mariana Medina and Marielle Lopez. by Staff Writer Selma Sanchez

Future Farmers of America (FFA) is a hands-on organization that gives students the opportunity to become better leaders and to learn about agriculture. They raise livestock and participate in different competitions ranging from horse judging to tractor tech. Bowie’s FFA students recently competed in the Travis County Youth Show (TCYS) this past January. Over 113 people are in the Bowie chapter and the show featured over 200 animals, and over 100 exhibitors. “We had students showing a variety of animals including rabbits, steers, chickens, turkeys, pigs, goats, and sheep. Some of the students also entered youth fair projects that didn’t include livestock such as the baking division or the photography division,” Chapter historian Amber Patricio said. “Many of our students won high placings in the show and it was a very successful year.” Competitors devoted a whole weekend to the competition with high hopes of winning scholarships. “Our animals spent the weekend there and we went back and forth to feed them and care for them,” junior Melissa Duarte said. “It was worth it because the winners got scholarships.” Students put in a lot of effort to prepare their animals for the competition. “We train them, we run them, we walk them, we walk them on a walker, and really, you know, just train them well,” Duarte said. Patricio revealed that students had been working with their animals for months to get them ready for TCYS. “Some students have been preparing for the county show since last June. People work with their animals on a daily basis. People walk with their animals to work their muscles and have to practice showing them in the practice rings around the chapter farm,” Patricio said. This whole experience helped students understand what FFA is all about. “FFA is about learning how to be a

It’s a pig stye Junior Shelby Sims shows off her pig at the Travis County Youth Show for FFA. Over 200 animals were featured. Photo by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud

leader and learning how to take responsibility through caring for our animals,” senior Shay Elliot said. In the end, the students were glad to see all their hard work pay off as they reminisced over their success at the competition. “The whole experience was amazing and very successful this year. Many people made auction, and everyone had a good time. We got to see our hard work and the hours invested in our animals pay off. Multiple people in our chapter won breed champion with their animals and Bowie was well represented in the show ring,” Patricio said. TCYS first place winners include Rachel Card for goats, Clay Gamblin for sheep and breed champion of fine wool, and Megan Steffek for barrows and gilts, and Graham Williford for gilts. by Staff Writer Maryam Hussain

News Briefs Bowie art students prepare their work for VASE With the Visual Art Scholastic Event (VASE) on February 8th, many of the students from the Bowie art department are working hard to create a piece that will impress the judges. “I feel like they really want both technique and a good and inspiring back story,” senior Daniela Diaz said. “I’ve entered before and I’ve had awesome technique but the judge wanted some meaning behind it.” Having taken many students to VASE before, sculpture teacher Ryan Logan knows what the judges are looking for. “Being polished and show-worthy as in it’s nice, clean, and the craftsmanship is really nice and then something unique,” Logan said. “So if you have something unique and then with nice craftsmanship, it usually does pretty well at VASE.” VASE contains an extensive process of judging in order to determine the pieces that will go to the state VASE competition. “Students produce a piece of work, matte it, bring it, they get interviewed on the work by two of the judges and they score it through the interview,” Logan said. “You get

scored 1 through 4. Four is the highest you can score and then they’ll take the top ten percent of all the fours and they’ll move on to state.” Many of the students currently entering VASE are not first timers. “I’ve gone to VASE for three years,” Diaz said. Several of the Bowie art students recently received awards in the Scholastic art competition including Klara Baker, Sarah Boles, Ellie Prager, Brooke Lewis, and Eric Moe. Both Klara Baker and Sarah Boles received a Gold Key, which is the highest possible regional award. “I did not expect to win anything, but last year I won silver on a piece. So I’m glad it shows that I’ve improved,” senior Sarah Boles said. Julia Lund recently won a billboard art contest and will have her own artwork put on a billboard. “This is my second time winning and it’s really exciting,” Lund said. The Bowie art department is happy to have yet another winner of the contest.

I The Lone Star Dispatch

N-DEPTH

Monday, Feb. 10, 2014 Page 5

Exams stump students with decisions Students choose a college readiness exam to showcase their intelligence After three months of the refreshing summer break from school, juniors carry loads of stress on their shoulders, one being the practice Scholastic Aptitude Test. The PSAT has allowed junior Aditi Sharma to get repeated exposure to content similar to the Scholastic Aptitude Test. “I’ve taken the PSAT twice and the Readistep so I feel that it’s better to take the SAT,” Sharma said. The PSAT allows students to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship during their junior year. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses the Selection Index score to award recognition in the programs it conducts including offered scholarships in the next year, according to college advisor Veronica Castillo. If students qualify, they are notified in the in month of September of their senior year. In 1901 a group of leading American universities were concerned about not having a universal way to determine if students were prepared for college-level course work - creating the College Entrance Examination Board. Together they worked to administer the first standardized exam, according to the College Board. It was not until University of Iowa education professor E.F. Lindquist created the forerunner to today’s American College Test in 1959, that the exam was standardized for determining college-readiness, according to ACT Inc. All U.S. universities and colleges accept both the ACT and SAT. The SAT is offered seven times 2013-2014, while the ACT is of-

fered six times, according to Castillo. “Since they are two different types of exams, students can use their own judgment when deciding which one they like better,” Castillo said. “They can then invest more student and prep time, either on their own or through test-prep services, in the exam of their choice before taking it a second time.” The ACT includes an additional Science portion compared to the SAT, which only covers Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. The science portion is meant to test a student’s reading and reasoning skills based on a given set of facts according to the Princeton Review. With 40 questions in this portion of the exam, students must analyze graphs, tables, charts, and research summaries. The ACT is broken up into four sections: a 45-minute English section, 35-minute reading section, 60-minute math section and 35-minute science section with an optional 30-minute writing test. The Scholastic Aptitude Test is broken up into “mini” sections: a 70-minute critical reading section, two 25-minute math sections, one 20-minute math section, one 25minute writing section, 10-minute writing section, and a mandatory 25-minute essay portion, according to the Princeton Review. Senior Sarah Boles believes taking the practice exams helped her feel better prepared for the real SAT compared to the lack of practice available for the ACT. “I took the PSAT freshman, sophomore, and junior year as well as a SAT prep class so I knew pretty much exactly what to ex-

SAT and ACT Test Prep Tips - Practice Know the directions for each section before taking the exam to avoid wasting time. - Be Equipped Have your admission ticket, a form of photo identification, #2 pencils, a calculator, extra batteries, a watch, and a high-energy snack. - Arrive Early Scope out your testing location. Know where you’re going. - Dress in Layers The climate in test centers vary. Be prepared for the cold or hot. - Pace Yourself Don’t spend too much time on one question. Each question is worth the same amount of points. If a question is time-consuming or confusing, skip it and come back to it if you have extra time. - Guess Aggressively ACT: Don’t leave any question blank, but don’t guess randomly. Points will not be deducted from points earned if you choose an incorrect answer. SAT: Make educated guesses. For every incorrect answer a quarter of a point is subtracted from the your accumulated points. - Don’t Cram the Night Before Relax. Get a good night’s sleep. Source: American School Counselor Association

art by Mansa Prasad

pect,” Boles said. “When I took the ACT I knew nothing about it. The science section was very difficult for me. I just didn’t feel as prepared for it as I did for the SAT.” Students should take both exams to ensure they are choosing the exam that shows the students’ academic abilities, according to Boles. “Most people think the ACT is easier than the SAT, I thought the opposite,” Boles said.

ACT Test Dates

- April 12, 2014 Registration deadline: March 7 - June 14, 2014 Registration deadline: May 9

SAT Test Dates

- March 8, 2014 Late Registration deadline: Mail: Feb. 21 Phone/Online: Feb. 24 - May 3, 2014 Registration deadline: April 4 - June 7, 2014 Registration deadline: May 9

“Go and take both tests, I think students will end up regretting it if they don’t.” The ACT exam does not penalize students for guessing on questions they are unsure of, unlike the SAT. For every correct answer, the student gets one point on the SAT, but for every incorrect answer a quarter of a point is subtracted from the student’s accumulated correct answers. For senior Nadia Bayoumi, the ACT was the better test for her because of the scoring system and layout of the exam. “The ACT doesn’t make you switch back and forth from writing to math, then back to writing, then to reading and then back to math again,” Bayoumi said. “All the math is in one section, all the science questions are together and so on. I’m more of a math and science person so I think that is why I liked the ACT better. You are also not penalized for getting a question wrong on the ACT.” Although the ACT is more science and math oriented than the SAT, students who do not excel in math should take the exam anyway to see if they do better on it than the SAT. Most college admission officers are concerned with the composite score of the ACT than they are with each section, apposed to the SAT, which looks at each section of the exam. “Students can then determine which test they like better and can have an opportunity to take the test again, perhaps the last test date of the year, or early in the fall semester of their senior year,” Castillo said. by InDepth Editor Nancy Tran

ommentary

ACT

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expects students to read the dictionary in their free time. Words like garrulous, legerdemain, and maelstrom do not appear in the books we’ve read in school but they are on the vocab list for the SAT. Granted we should be learning new vocabulary through the books we read in school and in our personal books, but these words just don’t appear enough to be remembered. The ACT has an additional 35-minute science section that the SAT does not have. Although this may seem problematic, it is not. No knowledge is needed from previous science courses you have taken to do well on this section of the test. You just need good reasoning and reading skills to answer the questions in this section. The ACT covers more advanced math concepts we have learned in algebra I and II, and geometry. Since we were all required to take these courses, the exam only tests us on our ability to apply ourselves to the problems they give us. Colleges tend to look at the composite score of the exam. Since the ACT tests you on majority of the subjects we have learned in school, aside from history - this could be a good or bad thing. If you tend to do worse on one subject you can make it up with higher scores in the other subjects. Unlike the SAT which college admission officers tend to look at each section of the exam according to the Princeton Review. With two exams that determine college readiness, the ACT will always be the better choice for me. by In-Depth Editor Nancy Tran art b

Homework, projects, tests, and extracurricular are enough to put a student to bed rest. Yet, students have an additional test to study for if they plant to ever step foot onto a college campus. After taking both exams, I would choose to take the American College Test over the Scholastic Aptitude Test, any day. For one, the ACT does not penalize students for guessing on questions they are unsure of. The SAT awards one point for every correct answer, but subtracts a quarter of a point from the awarded points. After taking SAT prep classes, teachers always told me that it is better not to guess on the questions you have no absolute clue what the answer is, but for the ACT it is only to your advantage to guess on every single question. The ACT scoring system allows you to get additional points you most likely wouldn’t have gotten on the SAT. Both tests do not penalize students for omitting questions. The ACT takes the pressure off of switching mental gears from subject to subject. Compared to the 10-section SAT exam, the ACT only has four sections with an optional writing portion. The frequent subject changes on the SAT alone are enough to tire a student out. After finishing a portion on the ACT exam, there is no anxiety for upcoming portions of the same subject. In my opinion the ACT questions are more straightforward than the SAT. The SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary than the ACT. The SAT is a giant vocabulary test, with many questions containing words you’ve never even heard of. It’s as if College Board

SAT V E R S U S

Many sophomores and juniors are busy in the bustle of school life and trying to determine what in all things holy they’re going to do after high school. Many of those students are also gearing to take either the SAT or ACT standardized tests, both very challenging, one more beneficial than the other. I’m here to help clear some things up with the SAT and how it’s better than the ACT, starting with the fact that these two tests are some of the first things colleges look at. On the SAT, the content areas (Critical Reading, Math and Writing) are broken up into 10 sections, with the required essay at the beginning. You do a art by Nancy Tran little math, a little writing, a little critical reading, a little more math, etc. This mixes things up, giving you the upper edge on your counterparts taking the ACT by keeping you on top of things and ready to access the data in your head at a moment’s notice, just like the real world. The SAT questions tend to be more challenging and in depth as opposed to the mainly straightforward ACT questions. Now do you want to be a deep thinker or a hey, do you think you should wear lab goggles around acidic chemicals. The SAT also focuses a lot more on vocabulary, now you may not want to remember all of those useless and boring words, but employers and colleges will be very impressed if you are able to use your plethora of knowledge in a real world application. People often say you have to memorize countless vocabulary words to get

ready for the SAT and in a way you do, while in another way you don’t. If you actually study and know how to use the English language, using the context clues really isn’t that hard, it just takes a bit of practice and you can differ a paradox from an anomaly. Most of your peers will be taking the SAT and quite a handful will also take the ACT, but the SAT compares more students than the ACT giving you the upper hand if you actually studied and scored high on your test. This way colleges will be able to easily compare you to your peers and pick out the “winner” based on that score and a few other important things like grades, AP classes, and extra-curricular activities. Let’s just say you have a brilliant Nicolai Tesla and an average Joe. Joe might want to take the ACT because the fact is, it’s easier, while Nicolai would take the SAT and really challenge his skills. To put in perspective, the ACT is the love child of the SAT and the TAKS, and we all remember what a joke that was. “Write about a time you were sad” is not something colleges are going to be looking at very distinctly. Now it’s not that colleges prefer one test over the other, but they’d be much more impressed if you got a high score on the SAT as opposed to the competency test. So if it comes down to it, the SAT is better than the ACT and you if you go for the best grade you can get on it, you’re lining yourself up on the path to college. by Staff Writer Elyas Levens

TUDENT LIFE

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Feb. 10, 2014

Page 6

A day in the life of a Silver Star captain

Everyday is a new day for students. We wake up, brush our teeth, wash our face and dwell on the seven hours of school that lay ahead of us. Some of us may have even forgot to set our alarms so we slept in and missed half of first period. On the other hand, waking up late is not an option for senior Madi Hacking. The alarm clock goes off everyday at 5 a.m. for Hacking as she jump-starts the day with a seminary church class. Immediately after church, Hacking dashes to school and is expected to be dressed out, awake and ready to conduct Silver Star practice by 7:30 a.m. Hacking is this year’s Bowie Silver Star captain. Hacking has a lot of responsibilities and decision-making power. The Silver Star Captain’s responsibilities include leading practice, choreographing floor combinations and dance routines, polishing dances to get them performance ready, keeping up a high level of dance technique and ability herself, not to mention loving the girls she leads and helping them be the best they can be, on and off the dance floor. Hacking’s prestigious position has a lot of high standard to live up to.

During football season, Hacking puts in 40-plus hours including morning practice. It’s a very laborious job but Hackings claims it is one she wouldn’t trade anything for. “I love being captain. It is the best adventure I’ve had yet, and the most rewarding. There are so many amazing things that make you better and that give you the opportunity to make others better, more than you can even imagine,” Hacking said. Hacking’s dancing career first started when she decided to join the Small Middle School’s dance team, “Cougar Dancers”. Ever since then she has been committed to dancing and drill team. Hacking has never taken in-studio classes nor has she had ongoing lessons outside of school. All of her dancing skills were acquired through school organizations, a few summer classes and summer camps. Junior Atlee Goodwin was paired

with Hacking this year as her “baby sister.” Goodwin claims that Hacking is such an inspiration to the team. Hacking puts a lot of effort into everything she does for the team and girls. With 83 Silver Star sisters, Hacking maintains a bond with all of them. “Madi is one of the biggest inspirations in my life,” Goodwin said. “She puts so much time and effort into everything she does, giving her all 24/7.” When she’s not on the dance floor, Hacking is committing her time to other organizations and classes on campus. Every A-day Hacking is visits her younger PALees from different schools in the area and on B-days she is back to the studio for an officer practice. Hacking also Star pride remains in Madi Hacking the top 10% holds up the Silver of her class Star handsign. regardless of Photo courtesy of all the extra Madi Hacking

activities that fill her plate. Despise reputation Hacking’s as captain, don’t be intimidated. According to her teammates, Hacking is one of the sweetest girls on campus on and off the dance team. “She is the sweetest and most driven person I have ever met. She is so organized and handles everything with such poise and has inspired me to see the bright side of things, “sophomore Emily Garcia said. As Silver Stars leap into competition season, Hacking hopes to set a good example for the Stars and lead them to victory. While the end of the year gets closer and closer, so does Hacking’s last year as Silver Star. As far as dancing after graduation, Hacking plans to audition for Brigham Young University’s drill team. “I’m nothing extraordinary, I’m just a girl who was blessed with the opportunity to make the lives of those I love a little better, and to make myself better in the process,” Hacking said. “I can only hope to be the kind of Captain these amazing girls and this amazing organization deserve.” by Student Life Editor Sandra Cuadros

Victory Line The Silver Stars line up just before the first half of the Bowie vs. Westlake football game this past season. Hacking stands tall with dance team in the victory line to pump up the crowd, football team and bring out the school spirit. As captain, Hacking states that she was put in 40+ hours a week during football season for Silver Stars. Photo by Photo Edior Ashley Stroud

Students eyes leave the roads and look to screens As more and more sophomores are gaining their licenses there are more inexperienced teenage drivers on the road. According to itcanwait.com, a website encouraging teens to take a pledge to stop texting while driving, 75 percent of teens say texting and driving is common among their friends. Senior Phoebe Presley agrees that she is part of the 75 percent that say it’s a normal thing. “I feel like this generation is so addicted to their cell phones and can’t put them away while they are behind the wheel,” Presley said. Although Presley has not been in a wreck caused by texting and driving, there is always a possibility it can happen if a person isn’t paying 100 percent attention to the road. “Makayla (Phillips) and I were driving down 290 and we were going like 70 mph and I was texting,” Presley said. “There was a car that was slowing down to turn right in front of me and I didn’t see it. I was really close to the car and Makayla yelled ‘Phoebe’ and I had to slam on my brakes and swerve into the left lane to go around the car because I couldn’t stop in time. If Makayla wasn’t in the car I would of ended up destroying the car in front of me.” Presley is aware of the dangers of texting and driving, which can range anywhere from a minor injury to death. “If I almost get in a wreck while I’m texting, I’ll put it down for the rest of that ride but when I get in the car again I always seem

to pick it back up,” Presley said. “I do that because I realize how dangerous it is.” On the other end of the spectrum, junior Nicole Byrom is against texting and driving. “I don’t want to swerve off the road and not be aware of what’s going on around me,” Byrom said. She believes that people text and drive

because they think they need to respond right away and think that nothing is going to happen to them. She encourages others to do the same as her and put the phone down while behind the wheel by telling them that they could hurt themselves and other people as well. According to dosomething.org texting

Hands off the wheel Senior Phoebe Presley sends a quick text just to senior Clayton Law before she leaves the Bowie parking lot. The two seniors enjoy texting friends but when it comes to driving, they say it can wait. Presley claims she likes to send all her texts before she takes off and not check her phone unless she is at a complete stop. Photo by Photo Edior Ashley Stroud

while driving increases the chances of crashing up to 23 times more likely. There are some people, like senior Alex Bouren, that think that it’s okay to text while the car is stopped at a stoplight or in stopand-go traffic. This could lead to rear-end collisions if others notice the green light first. “I usually look up pretty often to check on the light, but if I don’t notice, someone honks at me and then I put my phone down and drive,” Bouren said. Many will argue that texting and driving at a stoplight isn’t dangerous because they aren’t actually going anywhere. “I’m not moving,” Bouren said. “My foot is on the brake, and I don’t have to worry about rear ending someone.” Officer Steve McClarty shared that the law in Austin, Texas says that a person can text as long as the person is not moving. “Generally the only problem you’re going to have there is if the light turns green and you’re sitting there with your nose in that texting, and some guy comes up behind you at 50 mph and he’s expecting you to start rolling and you don’t,” McClarty said. According to McClarty, texting and driving, although not safe, is very common. “With modern technology, the modern miracle that it is, I’ve seen people texting going down the freeway going 80 mph looking down,” McClarty said. “I’ve seen them in the parking lot doing it. None of it is safe and by Editor-instudents need to take care.” Chief Rachael Crawford

Duran launches daily student blog called “Serendipity”

In her shoes Duran has been blogging since January 2, 2014 publicly although before her blog went public she claims she had her own personal blog. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Duran.

Serendipity noun: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. According to senior Rebecca Duran, the best things in life are when they are unexpected. Duran shares all of her serendipitous moments on her online blog “Serendipity.” Youtuber Nikki Philippi posts videos daily about anything from healthy habits to relationship advice. Philippi has become an inspiration to many individuals including senior Rebecca Duran. Duran, also known as “Becca” has been watching Nikki Philippi for years now. Coping with the hardships high school brings to every student, Duran claims it is Nikki Philippi who has helped her grow, cope and change her views and aspects on life and completely transformed her into who she is today. “She definitely inspired me, I just wanted to be able to create something that could effect people the way that she affected me not to mention I love to write which is why I decided to go with a blog,” Duran said. Duran has taken the tips and advice that

she has accumulated over the years and turned it into a daily blog known as “Serendipity”. The blog launched on January 2nd, 2014 and has been up and running daily since. In two weeks, Duran’s blog peaked at 7000 views and counting. The blog can be found at www.rebeccanoel.blogspot.com. Duran claims that her blog is a way for her to document and share her life on-line, virtually, not only for her personal enrichment but to share her views and beliefs with the world around her. “I just have a lot of thoughts, there’s things in everyday life that inspires me or just little things that make me really happy and I just want to write about them and share them with other people and see if they share my love for something or maybe even open up a new perspective for something,” Duran said. Duran posts real life situations. Everything she posts has personally occurred to her and she has experienced them at a personal level. One of her most popular posts “Feminists rant 1” posted on January 7th,

2014, has reached many girls on campus. “The feminist rant post mainly helped me to realize that us teenage girls are always in this together,” junior Caroline Turnage said. “There isn’t one thing that one of us has gone through that another girl hasn’t experienced in some form or another.” As a high school student, almost every girl can relate to the hardships of relationships and dating. Having suffered from a traumatic breakup herself, Duran’s posts stands as a way to empower girls of all ages. “I’ll be honest, the posts definitely stems from personal relationships. This past year I grew up lot and kind of began to see the world through more mature eyes and having experienced what I have experienced, at no point do we [girls] have to let anybody besides ourselves decide how we are going to live our lives,” Duran said. Duran has spread the word about her blog through social media such as Pinterest as well as mentioning the word to her fellow dance teammates here on campus. The blog continues to inspire students from all grades. by Student Life Editor Sandra Cuadros

rends & Culinary

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Feb. 10, 2014 Page 7

E-cigs a new replacement for cigarettes Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigs, were first introduced into the U.S. in 2007, are an alternative to smoking, and act as a simulator for cigarettes and cigars. Using an e-cig is called “vaping” rather than smoking. In the state of Texas, a person purchasing an e-cig must be above the age of 18 in order to buy one. The price range can be anywhere from $20 to $100. “I don’t see why it’s eighteen because the law for being eighteen is for purchasing tobacco products,” senior Chris Regalado said. The way an e-cig works is different compared to regular cigarettes. “You get the juice and once you put it in, you hold the power button and you suck in and what it does is it takes that juice and it turns it into water vapor and that’s what you breathe in,” senior Christopher Muyshondt said. Although there are some liquid solutions that contain nicotine, there are others that can be purchased that release a flavored vapor with-

out nicotine. The two terms e-cigarettes and a personal vaporizer are often used interchangeably, however, there are a slight difference between the two. An e-cigarette normally uses a liquid containing propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, known as e-juice. A vaporizer can use the same, but is designed to be able to also work with other substances such as oils. A major concern is that they aren’t being used for their original purpose, to help users kick the cigarette habit, and are instead being used recreationally, sometimes with nicotine and some people even use them for illegal drugs like marijuana. “I’m mostly annoyed because they aren’t being used for the right reason, which is to kick a smoking habit,” senior Lindsay Winters said. It hasn’t been determined yet whether e-cigs actually are an effective way to help tobacco users quit smoking. The nicotine in the cartridges is addictive and when people stop using it, they can feel restless and anxious,

like they would without a real cigarette. It can also be dangerous for people with heart problems and may harm users’ arteries over time. However, scientific evidence suggests that e-cigarettes may be safer than regular cigarettes. A recent study done by the National Youth Tobacco Survey found that the use of electronic cigarettes has doubled among middle and high school students from 2011 to 2012. Due to increasing popularity, the AISD board banned e-cigarettes from being used by students and teachers at school-related or school-sanctioned activities on and off campus. The campus extends from Slaughter to Wolftrap, and since Bethany Lutheran Church allows students to park in the parking lot, it is considered an extension of school property. “E-cigs are to be treated the same way as regular cigarettes,” assistant principal Larry Britton said. A student caught violating these rules will be given a suspension. “It’s kind of stupid be-

Smoking safer A student smokes his e-cig off campus while on his off period. E-cigs are gaining popularity and are conveniently being smoked over cigarettes more and more. Photo by News Editor Marisa Marquez

cause the law says no tobacco and there’s no tobacco in these,” Regalado said. The popularity of e-cigs has increased due to the differences between electronic cigarettes, also known as “smokeless cigarettes”, and regular ones. “They’re easily concealed, you can smoke them inside, and you can’t really smell them, you just smell the flavors,” Muyshondt said.

In contrast, for some people it’s often times an annoyance to smell e-cigs being used in public places. “E-cigs come in an abundance of flavors, which entices kids to buy them and smoke them wherever they please,” Winters said. “I’m sick of smelling ‘roasted marshmallow’ or ‘swirly pop’ flavored smoke while I’m in a movie theater or a restaurant.” Many e-cig users en-

joy the visual appeal of the smoke as well as the flavor. “You can do a lot of tricks with the smoke and it looks cool,” Regalado said. In contrast, there are people who don’t care much for the visual aspect. “I mostly see kids smoking them and trying to look ‘cool’ and ‘dangerous’ but there’s nothing visually dangerous about e-cigs,” Winters said. by News EditorMarisa Marquez

Five Below, where items Getting the look for le are always a big bargian Several affordable beauty duplicates

Shelves lined with an assortment of clothing, phone accessories, food, decorations, and other random finds fill the shop, Five Below; a wonderland where nothing is over $5. “It is practically anything you could ever want all in one place… For kids on a budget, this is the place to go,” senior Brooke Oliver. In November, Five Below became the newest addition to Sunset Valley, quickly gaining popularity from its good products and even better deals. “You can find almost anything that you would see at Walmart or Target in one place and in one price range,” Oliver said. The store beats out a lot competition by selling the same items at up to half the price of other stores. “I spent like $50 at Target the other day on these nice hangers and then days later, I found the exact same ones at Five Below for only $5. I guess you could say that Target ripped me off,” senior Jason Galarza said. When students are in need of a quick, cheap buy, Five Below is a great go-to place. “I needed a phone charger and I got one for only $5. On top of that, its ac-

Poppin’ tags Senior Jason Galarza racks up on t-shirts and phone accessories at Five Below in Sunset Valley. Even with five items, his total was still under $19. Photo by Trends & Culinary Editor Ali Davidson.

tually works really well. Maybe surprisingly, the items in the store aren’t crappy,” junior Jackson Bayer. Among the array, there are prodcuts found useful especially to those about to leave home. “Five Below has desk lamps, shelf organizers,

trash cans, hampers; all things that I need for college,” Oliver said. “It is really nice because many seniors don’t have a lot of money to spend on dorm stuff. It’ll be a good place to get things I’ve forgotten - simple but necessary.” by Trends & Culinary Editor Ali Davidson

Society is captivated with owning the next new thing. Big brands and even bigger prices dominate current trends. Thankfully, getting “the look” may not have to empty your wallet. For those who are sad that they didn’t find a Naked or Naked 2 palette under the tree on Christmas, keep your head up. The Studio Endless Eyes Pro Palette by e.l.f. has all of the colors from both of the Naked palettes for the extremely low price of $6 and can be found at any local Target. “The Naked palette may have a more professional packaging style, but they are very similar in color scheme,” junior Kate Buffler said. Nude lips currently rule the fashion world. MAC

Cosmetics has become a lead seller with their shade “Honey Love.” Though this lipstick is a fairly reasonable $15, there is an even cheaper duplicate found at most general drugstores. Wet-NWild’s “Bare It All” is almost identical in look but is $2 cheaper in price. “It’s interesting that you can sometimes get the same effect with a product cheaper than the name-brand version,” junior Alex Koke said. On an honest note, it is near impossible not to envy the long lashes of a girl with good mascara. Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Mascara works wonders and sells for $30 at makeup counters. To save some extra cash for Starbucks, you can get the same results with Loreal Volumous Mascara at the Wal-

greens on Slaughter for only $8. “It’s very helpful when I can find makeup that’s cheaper but has the same affect as the name brand product even though sometimes, it can be a gamble in getting the same quality,” Koke said. Though trying new products may be gamble, with cheap deals, there is not much of a loss if things don’t turn out like you had hoped so seek out new deals until you find new things that you love. “People don’t take the time to find cheaper and better deals,” Buffler said. “Instead, they just want to buy what everyone else is. If you did take the time, it would by save a lot of money.” Trends & Culinary Editor Ali Davidson

Beauty battle Juniors Kate Buffler and Alex Koke compare the Naked palette with an eye shadow palette by e.l.f . Though both have the same color scheme, the Naked palette costs $50 and the palette by e.l.f. costs only $6. Photo by Trends & Culinary Editor Ali Davidson.

Culinary’s bake sale, spreading the l ve on campus Students places orders for Valentines’ Day sweets

Order up Sophomore Ja’Ques Dixon fills out an order form outside of the cafeteria at a table set up by culinary students. Photo by Staff Writer Fuaad Ajaz

Since 1999, students, staff, teachers, and parents have been lining up to buy sweet treats for their loved ones, friends, and themselves on Valentines’ Day. On the holiday, Bowie culinary offers a wide variety of sweets including chocolate-covered strawberries, heart-shaped shortbread cookies, chocolate truffles, and double fudge brownies. “When I started working here, we only sold chocolate covered strawberries but, over the years we have added more items and have made our desserts more high-end,” Chef Richard Winemiller said. “We usually make about $4,000

from the sale which gives us a profit of about $1,200.” Winemiller said. Many students work very hard on making the desserts while learning and developing the recipes. They start prepare from November to February when they start the actual creation process. “I have been part of the Valentines’ Day bake sale for two years,” senior Laura Phillips said. “I really love doing the bake sale because chef not only teaches us how to make the recipes but he also teaches us like the science behind chocolate, and I think that is fun.” Most bake sales usually have a few things leftover

but in Bowies’ case that may not happen. “Ever since I have been in culinary, we have never had leftovers and I don’t think we will. I say that because our desserts are very high quality and so delicious that they are worth the money,” senior Jasmine Murray said. “I have been working at Bowie since 1999 and we have never, I mean never, have had anything leftover from our bake sales and I don’t think we ever will. If we do, it make us lose money and that would not be good,” Winemiller said. There are many different holidays during the school year but culinary chooses to

do this bake sale on Valentines Day. “The big reason why we do this on Valentines Day is because many people give things to each other on Valentines’. I have never seen someone give their friend a brownie on Halloween unless they are like trick or treating,” Phillips said. “Also this year we started planning our gingerbread cookies on Halloween.” The planning may be tedious but fter their hard work and dedication in the preparation process, the culinary classes will make their deliveries on Valentines’ Day, February 14th. by Staff Writer Fuaad Ajaz

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The Heat is on in Saigon Quite literally blood, sweat, and tears go into the creation of a musical, for it’s what takes place behind the scenes that really brings a production to life. The Starlight Theatre Company (STC) tackled the Broadway musical, Miss Saigon, which captures the lowly life of a young woman struggling to survive heartbreak and poverty in the midst of the Vietnam War. “We are always ‘upping the ante’ when it comes to putting on the musical,” STC director Marco Bazan said. “Mrs. Cornwell and I have been talking about doing this show for years and while the music is challenging, it really matches this company.” Miss Saigon showcased Jan. 23 through Feb. 3, Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.. In mid December Y.N.N. (Youth News Network) covered an article on the company’s production of Miss Saigon and interviewed the leads of the play; sophomore Paige Bradbury and junior Emma Hull. STC was also congratulated by Onstage Across America, for being on a nationally syndicated television program. The annual musical is STC’s featured production of the year, bringing in nearly 500 people a night for two weeks. “It’s a great time to showcase the talents of our company,” Bazan said. “I’ve been teaching here ten years and we’ve never replicated a set design, not even remotely.” In order to put on a production as extensive as the musical, hours upon hours go into the preparation and rehearsing of the show months before the posters are even released. “The hardest part is the amount of time we are given,” Bazan said. “A dance number that typically should take eight to ten hours to teach and perfect, we get but four. Never-

theless our students always seem to step up to the challenge.” Besides the hard work and dedication that is brought to the table, the company also received a budget in order for the directors and tech directors to buy costume, set, and production materials needed to bring the show together. “Our budget is usually somewhere around $25,000. We’ve spent a lot more on set and costumes this year, but that comes with the territory when you have 60 to 80 people in a cast, some playing multiple parts,” Bazan said. Miss Saigon was written by the same writers of popular Broadway show and major motion picture, Les Misérables. The play features some controversial scenes as many Broadway and professional productions do. “We’ve done Chicago, Evita; musicals that have their challenges and their controversy,” Bazan said. “I can understand the side of the story to those who may focus on the controversial parts, but in reality those scenes are so small when it comes to entirety of the plot.” Student actors and technicians who worked on the production put in over 30 hours a week, according to Bradbury. “Theatre can be demanding, but if it’s something you really love to then you will put in as many hours as it takes,” Bradbury said. In order to prepare for her role, she not only practiced hours after school with the company but also at home where she ran through songs and tried to put herself into her character’s mind set, according to Bradbury. “When you’re carrying a show it’s really up to you to make sure it goes well and it can be a lot of pressure, but also a lot of fun,” Bradbury said. Besides Bradbury and Hull, who portrayed protagonist Kim, sophomore Austin Hyde took on the lead role of Chris, Kim’s American G.I. and lover. “I’m very much a type cast in the way my character is somewhat naive and love drawn, so it wasn’t hard for me to hoan that,” Hyde said. Being a lead in the musical can put stress not only on you personally, but also on your voice, according to Hyde. “There was a good week that my voice was just gone, but now it’s better and I’m drinking tea everyday, so I felt fairly confident,” Hyde said. Hold me one last time. Compared to the past muAustin Hyde, portraying lead in Miss Saigon holds Emma sicals that STC has showHull, playing Kim, as she dies in his arms. Just moments cased including; Les Miserbefore Kim shot herself in order to ensure her son a better ables, Phantom of the Opera, life in America. Photo by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud

And I will crown, Miss Chinatown! Belana Torres, portraying the Engineer in Miss Saigon, welcomes Dana Havlin, playing the Statue of Liberty, on stage during The American Dream. Nearly the entire acting cast is on stage in full costume and makeup performing the second to last number in the musical. The orchestra practiced after school for nearly every rehearsal along with the actors, directors, and technicians. Photo by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud.

and Hairspray, Miss Saigon is a less wellknown production. “This musical is far more dramatic, more plot-driven, and definitely more challenging when it comes to the music,” Hyde said. “Many of the songs repeat instrumentally but the words change, so I keep thinking I’m going to sing the wrong line.” Most of the characters in Miss Saigon are Vietnamese, so in order for the actors to get into their roles dying and cutting their hair was expected if they didn’t have wigs. “If you don’t want to cut your hair, if you don’t want to dye it, if you don’t want to be willing to do this show and go all out then you shouldn’t be doing musicals. Musicals are a high demand and if you really want to capture that image then you have to be committed,” Hyde said. Auditions for STC productions are open to any student and with over 70 actors in this musical, quite a few of the people who auditioned we’re given a role. “The chorus members are just as impor-

tant, if not more important than leads, they set the tone for the whole show,” Hyde said. With every year, new actors and technicians are introduced into the company and welcomed into new roles and opportunities that keep the 26-year tradition alive. “The talent in this company is so diverse; even before I joined I had gone to the performances and I knew my class had big shoes to fill, but it seems that talent just keeps coming in,” Hyde said. “I can’t wait to see all the freshman get their chance and see what they can do in years to come.” While Miss Saigon had more than its share of controversy, the play really expresses the sacrifice that one woman took for her son, according to Bazan. “I hope at the end of the day everyone left with the message that we left with when we first saw it, which was a story about a hero, and a survivor, and people who are willing to do what they have to in order to better the people around them,” Bazan said. by CoEntertainment Editor Kamryn Bryce

Silver Sound brings circus to the competition Silver Sound is a select ensemble of the top 22 singers and dancers in Show Choir. The group rehearses two days a week in the morning and once a week after school with the rest of the Show Choir. “I started the group this year in order to give students who wanted the opportunity a chance to do harder, more intense choreography at the highest level,” choir director Caitlin Obert-Thorn said. Silver Sound kids have been preparing themselves for a competition called the Lone Star Show Choir Invitational, which will be held in Kellar, Texas. “This performance isn’t as complicated movement-wise but it’s coming out really nice. We have a

cool line up and it’s circus themed so I’m super excited.” sophomore Juliana Davis said. Central High School, another high school in Kellar, hosts the event. The invitational is on Saturday, Feb. 22, in which Silver Sound

“

only high school from Austin attending. It is open to the public and tickets are $10. “We will drive to Kellar the day of the competition and warmup for about 15 minutes,” ObertThorn said. “Then we will perform

finals and one group will win the competition.” Before Christmas break, the group sat down and brainstormed theme ideas and song choices. They decided to go with the theme “Behind the Curtain,” which

ilver Sound has been a great experience and I feel like I have earned a family, ”-Jennifer Harms said.

will perform at 2 p.m. Silver Sound will also be bringing a live band comprised of Bowie students to accompany them. There are about 10-15 other high schools competing in the showcase, but Silver Sound is the

for an audience and a judge, who will give us feedback after we perform to identify the areas where we performed well and where we need to improve. After the rest of the performances, the top-six ranking choirs will perform again in the

tells the story of circus performers and how it feels to be different from the outside world. They made a playlist online of the songs we would be doing and the students began learning them at home. “During rehearsals, we have

learned the arrangement of the songs and are beginning to add choreography and staging,” Obert_ Thorn said. “Many students can do acrobatics and tricks like juggling, so they are brushing up on their skills. One of our members, Eric Moe, is a fantastic artist and is helping to design the set.” As of now, Silver Sound is planned to continue with this program next year, according to Obert-Thorn. “Silver Sound has been a great experience in general and I feel like I have earned a new family. Besides I can’t wait to see what they have planned for us in the future,” sophomore Jennifer Harms said. by Staff Writer Stephanie Hernandez

Music Review Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is a world-renowned album, which has prevailed through generations as a masterpiece. Dark Side of the Moon holds the record for the longest-running album to appear in the history of the Billboard 200 chart, at over 800 weeks of being on it. Originally released on March 1, 1973, this near 41-year-old concept album is a 43-minute long journey of music. The album begins and ends with the same rhythmical heartbeat, these heart-

beats are connect by a string of songs which fade into the next track. The concept tackles ideas that can make a person go mad in the world. This concept is matched by the philosophical lyrics and the laughter/quotes heard throughout the album. Songs such as “Money”

deal with the ideas of things that are harmful to society, as does the second half of the album. The music on this album is full of soul, not only from David Gilmour’s guitar playing but also from the guest vocals provided by Clare Torry on “The Great Gig In the Sky.” Generations of music lovers have listened to and enjoyed this album and generations will continue to show appreciation for the ground breaking record for years to come. by Assistant Entertainment Editor Blaine MacMorran

Arcade Fire’s been known to produce ballads that many remember. Since their Grammy win of best album for The Suburbs, they have produced their most recent album, “Reflektor”. With this album, the band takes a chance that resulted in riskier and brighter sounds that could be compared to that of Electric Light Orchestra. The album also features reggae undertones, influenced by singer, Régine Chassagne’s, home island, Haiti. This addition to

the band’s sound makes for harder percussions spread throughout the album, adding diverse instruments such as bongos and gongs. Regardless, they haven’t taken away from their usual melancholy lyrics, explosive chorus, and grunge inspired

bass lines. Though they may be branching out and exploring their artistic capabilities, the fans seem to be enjoying their evolution as a band. In their new short film, renowned fans such as James Franco and Michael Cera show their dedication to the band by starring in the video. Arcade Fire will be performing at Austin 360 Amphitheater on April 10 and has asked all attendees to be in costumes for the event. by Staff Writer Shannon Wiedemeyer

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Foam Wonderland suds up Austinites

Crizzly and Triad Dragons excite many students who were ready to rage

A soaked crowd Over 2000 people, all covered in foam, dance at the “Foam Wonderland” show at the Austin Music Hall. This was the first time the show has been to Austin. Photo by Staff Writer Paige Rife

Hype filled the Austin Area and got thousands pumped as they prepared to get loud and have the time of their lives in a crowd full of foam on January 18 at the “Foam Wonderland” show. Crizzly and Triad Dragons got together at Austin Music Hall with what is reported to be the word’s largest foam cannon to put on a concert promised by the organizers to be “so epic that you’ll never want it to end.” “Foam Wonderland was a really fun concert that crowd surf events put on. I was really excited because the artist headlining the show was Crizzly who happens to be born and raised in Austin,” sophomore Luke Shippy said. “This show was almost a homecoming for him.” Due to the amount of excitement spread about this event, the anticipation for the show was just as large as the crowd that stretched around the building and on to the streets waiting to en-

ter. “After about a 15 minute wait we went into the venue and it was packed. They had to start directing people to the second tier because of how many people were on the main floor,” Shippy said. The event completely sold out, which filled the 2,000 person building completely. With so many tickets sold, the building was so packed that at times the audience hardly had any personal body space to move around in. “You could hear the bass from outside and once you got in, the music kept you so hyped even being there for more than five hours,” junior Rachel Johnson said. Though many claimed the building was too packed the event was a success according to Oh Bleep Events and didn’t let down those with high expectations. “It was a blast. It was pretty much exactly what I

was expecting and I would definitely go back if I had the chance. The music was awesome and I loved the location,” junior Paige Meyer said. The crowd was left anxiously waiting for the foam cannon to blow. Once it did the audience was ecstatic and ready to rage. “Once the foam was turned on the concert was a blast,” Shippy said. “Crizzly played a fantastic set and it was a really great time overall.” This year was the first that the show was put on in Austin and it turned out to be a major hit according to the people who attended. The storm may have ended but the memories will stay with the people forever. “I definitely had the best time of my life. It was an event I’ll never forget and I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend my Saturday night,” sophomore Sloan by Staff Mckay said. Writer Paige Rife

Comedy Club brings comedians to crack up crowds

In general, clubs in high schools exist to help teenagers embrace or develop talents, discover who they are, or to simply be in a unique social environment. Bowie has a plethora of organizations, from the GayStraight Alliance, to Hula Hoop Club, to Comedy Club. Comedy Club is a type of organization that helps its members improve in many aspects. Encouraging quick-thinking, confidence, and many other useful traits. “Confidence is probably the most important,” senior Martin Pandola said. “You need to decide something and stick with it. Half of what makes improv hard is actually getting up there and participating.” Specific aspects of comedy, improvisation in particular, largely rely on teamwork and cooperation. “Having each other’s back is the most important thing in improv,” New Movement theatre (TNM) Conservatory Director Amy Pacheco Jordan said. “This has taught me a lot about living. In an improve comedy scene, being positive is more funny than being negative; same with life. In improv, you have to work together in a caring way or the scenes fall flat; same with real life. Improv has taught me to be a kinder, more open person and I am glad for that.”

The club also generally has a positive affect on its members, though it requires attention and effort, regardless of how long the member has been involved. “To join comedy club you must go through an intense comedy evaluation test,” sophomore Nick Genin said. “We practice improv once or twice a week and write material whenever we can to make a good show, to be a successful comedian you have to be funny. Pretty simple. The club has helped me with improv and helping me think on my toes.” It is very possible to get a job concerning comedy in the real world as well, which Jordan exemplifies. Having 10 years of intheatre experience has given her time to try multiple different perspectives in the theatre, and with comedy. “I didn’t know anything about improve until I started [at TNM], but now I could not live without it,” Jordan said, “It’s an amazing rush to create new scenes on stage as they appear in my head. I love the creativity. As a whole, this club involves effort. The effort required is further increased when one is a member of multiple organizations. For example: theatre is a popular additional activity. “If you count cross country and track or

The hospitality internship program at Bowie High School is a program designed to prepare students for a future career involving catering, event planning, and tourism. The program is connected to a well-known catering company, Sterling Affairs, which is one of the largest full-service catering and event-planning companies in Central Texas. “First year interns train 20 hours per month with the choice to train from approxi-

mately 25 departments and rotate to a new area every six weeks,” hospitality teacher Jill Wolfington said. “The second year program is Meeting and Event Planning. Students not only earn college credit for these classes, but also get paid. We work events from charity to planning beautiful weddings.” As jobs become more competitive and the need for experience is becoming required in most fields, this program gives students opportunities to try out a field that they are interested in for their future career. “I want to be an events planner, so I’ll be getting my hospitality management degree in college. This program looks great on my application, and I’m getting a lot of hands on experience,” senior Trisha Knox said. Students work together to accomplish tasks and are put in situations that would be daily occurrences in their field. “I joined hospitality to get a jump start for my career,” junior Chelsea Hummer said. “I have the opportunity to travel to Barton Creek Resort and Spa during the school day and it has really shown me what it takes to be in a position of authority in a large work

Whatever you do, don’t say no Seniors Braxton Manley,Christian Haddad, and Bo Briggs perfom a show called “The Weekender” at the Comedy Club. They perform at The Hideout to improve their comedy performances. Photo by Co-Entertainment Editor Kamryn Bryce

theatre as clubs, then I take part in those besides Comedy Club,” Genin said. “I spend about 15 to 20 hours a week on clubs, not counting theatre. With theatre I spend about

50 hours a week during shows on club activities. They give me less free time but not anything I can’t handle.” by Staff Writer Michaela Norton

Hands-on program trains students for future careers

art by Blaine MacMorran

place.” In Wolfington, Bowie has the first teacher in the state of Texas to develop this hands-on program and it has brought great success in the past 24 years. “I have students who got college degrees, were actually hired and have been working there for 13 years,” Wolfington said. “I also have a student at the Four Seasons in Hawaii working as an event planner.” Aside from all of the hard work the program does, both students and the teacher are able to take many trips abroad in places such as Dublin Ireland, the Greek Islands, and this year are traveling to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This program has provided students with a lot of learning experiences that help them grow. “Hospitality is awesome. It has helped me grow not only as an individual but as a teammate,” junior Scott Mayo said. “This class has taught me how to work with other people and become a more social employee.” Aside from these fun experiences the pro-

gram requires members to take work ethics such as communication, attendance, and appearance seriously. “Being in this program takes commitment, reliability, quick learning skills, and being a team player,” Knox said. Students must be willing to adjust in situations when needed to, and cooperate for their own future benefit. “When we go to events team work plays a huge role, you must get along with the actual Sterling members and take any input they tell you, which will make you better,” senior Tess Reuter said. This program has been a huge interest to adults looking to hire and admit students in this program. “I have had students tell me that employers and college interviewers main interest and questions were about this unique handson program,” Wolfington said. “They felt like it was what put them at the front of the line for acceptance into college, for scholarships, or for good jobs. I am very proud of by the Hospitality Internship Program.” Staff Writer Paige Rife

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PORTS

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

Track runners face challenging hurdles Runners struggle physically and mentally to balance track and academics

The struggle to finish Freshman Sebastian Badart pushes himself to make it to the finish line. Runners are out on the track daily to build endurance. Photo by photo editor Ashley Stroud

Like most high school athletes, the physical and mental strain of being both an athlete and student puts kids under an extreme amount of stress. For members of the tack and field team, this is especially true for the runners. “Sometimes it can be tough being a student-athlete and making sure you have time for both practice and homework, but it’s definitely worth it,” sophomore Courtney Simonetti said. Many of the student athletes said one thing they could change about being a student-athlete would be the amount of stress involved. “I would definitely change the amount of pressure that builds up trying to focus on school and running. It would be nice to once in a while come back home feeling relaxed after workouts instead of being handed a stack full of homework to do,” Simonetti said. One of the biggest complaints for these athletes is missing school for meets, but find a balance that works. “Its usually not too hard making up school work on days I miss for track if I talk to the teachers beforehand, but I definitely feel behind for a day or two,” Simonetti said. Like many other sports track used to have a class period for practice but it was taken away a few years back. But this year, the in-

school period was reinstated and both coaches and athletes expect a big turn out. “I like having period as a track class because it gives me the time to work on my muscles and increase my strength in order to improve my running,” sophomore Nidhi Kuchimanchi said. Track overlaps a number of sports and coaches often have a difficult time splitting players between the sports. “Being in soccer and track its really difficult to got to both practices when both of them are in the afternoon. Track has a set schedule but my soccer schedules changes every week,” sophomore Taylor Stone said. Sophomore Stephen Demerson thinks its worth all the trouble. His favorite thing about track is hitting his goals and knowing that all his hard work paid off. The return of the in-school period is allowing more time for those who are not able to make it to the after school practice because they are in a second sport. “The bond I have with the track team is so strong because everyone is so supportive and encouraging,” Simonetti said. The first meet is February 12. The meet is a practice meet with McCallum and Anderson at Bowie High Schools and will include all levels of action, including varsity and sub varsity as well as boys and girls. After the practice meet, the team will

Full Form Freshman Madison Gamino concentrates fully on maintaning her good running form. She breathes from her mouth to make it easier. Photo by photo editor Ashley Stroud

head off to Bastrop for the Bastrop Relays, which will be held on Saturday, February 22. by Staff Writer Isabel Rosales

“Check” the lacrosse team as they “shoot” for wins

The first girl’s lacrosse game was on Wednesday, January 29 against Westlake, and the team lost by a final score of 13-7. “The game was good,” freshman Alexi Curtis said. “Although we lost, we still put forth our best effort and we worked really well together as a team.” The boys season begins with their first game on Wednesday, February 12 at McNeil. The players are confident that they’ll do well this year because of the practices they’ve had this spring, and their months of practice during their fall season. I think the first game will go great,” sophomore Connor Parker said. “I think the team has already formed a great bond with each other, and we definitely played well together during the fall.” “Every game is a big deal, we only have fifteen games this year and every time we go out there we want to get better,” boys head coach Justin Becker said. The boys varsity team made the 2013 Central District Championships and hope to make it that far this season, putting a lot of pressure on the many new players joining the team this season. “This year we’re a very young team, a very shallow team,” Becker said. “That means we’re going to have to have a lot of young players that need to step up and fill some important roles. Although the season just began, the girl’s teams have been practicing since the beginning of the fall semester. “The girls have been practicing pre-season last year about twice a week from September to the beginning of December,” girls lacrosse coach LV Johns said. “We started our sea-

Head to head Sophomore Sam Portillo gets ready to start the game going head to head with another player. Photo by Yearbook Photographer Taylor Lockhoof

son January and have been practicing three times a week.” This season there is only one girl’s lacrosse team due to a small number of players. “There is currently only one team with about 25 girls,” Johns said. “We have had JV teams in the past, however, this year did not call for one.” The players are working hard, and coach Johns believes

Spotlight player

the team can make it very far this season if they players know what they bring to the team, and at what they need to improve. “The only thing this team needs to do to be successful is for everyone to work hard with what they got,” Johns said. “The players should understand their strengths and weakness, that will lead to success.” Coach Johns thinks that will change as more and more athletes are joining lacrosse teams across the country because there are more scholarship opportunities in men and women’s collegiate lacrosse than most sports. “Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in America,” Johns said. “The beauty of playing a sport where there is growth, is increasing opportunity to play lacrosse in college.” The Westlake boys team won the district championships last year, beating Bowie in one of the final games. The boys team coaching staff thinks that the team can beat Westlake this season if they’re determined and work hard enough, especially the players new to the varsity team. “For many of our players this will be their first experience with the varsity team,” Becker said. “How they respond to this challenge determines how far the team will go this season.” Some returning players think that the new players give the team an advantage. “I think this year, we will perform better than we did last year,” Parker said. “With the talent we have coming back, and the younger talent that we have coming up, I think we have a chance to go further than we did last year.” by Staff Writer Annika Holmes

Cheer to championships

Zac Cerra Why do you love soccer so much? “Soccer has made a huge difference in my life so far. It’s the way I like to expressmyself. Even after high school I hope to continue playing.”

What do you do to get ready and pumped up for the game? “For away games where we take buses all the guys sing along to the radio. For home games I have a playlist that I listen to and make sure to stay in the zone during warm-ups.” Describe a memorable moment you’ve had while playing soccer. “Right as the first half of our game against Waco-Midway ended, I was fouled from behind and Santi Salazar sprang to my defense. He got up into the kid’s face and pushed him, recieving a red card in the process.” Photos by Editor-In-Chief Rachael Crawford and Photo Editor Ashley Stroud

All lined up The cheerleaders link pinkys during a football game while the school song plays. The cheerleaders spend many hours every day during practice making sure their routines are perfect for competitions. Photo by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud

Cheerleaders place 12th at nationals Flip after flip the cheerleaders end up at National cheerleaders association in Dallas. This was a Senior and Junior High School championship that took place on January 2526. At nationals out of 26 other cheer teams Bowie placed 12th. These cheerleaders spend hours in the gym perfecting their routines in preparation for big championships like these. They practice everyday except Sundays, for two-three hours. “Before competition we were working hard just running our routine and just practicing all the time,” sophomore Harrison Rocha said. Their practices are till 5:30 after school every day and they also have a class period allowing them to spend more time in the gym. On A-days when cheerleaders have their cheer class they practice from 2:30 to 5:30. “Cheer means the world to me, I would do anything for my team,” Wells said. Before attending the last completion of

the year the cheerleaders attended three to four different competitions to get a little taste of nationals. “Nationals was really fun but it wasn’t easy because it was really big and consisted of very good teams making it challenging,” sophomore Harrison Rocha said. These girls have spent a huge amount of time with each other consisting of hanging out with each other on the daily. “We all love each other so much, we are seriously like family. We fight and we laugh but when it comes down to it I always have their back and I know they have mine,” sophomore Allie Wells said. Now that all the competitions are out of the way the cheerleaders still continue to practice most of them hoping to make it back onto the team next year. The cheerleaders do not attend all the winter sports games, but the ones they do attend are generally planned in advance for by when the ‘Dawgs play an arch-rival. Staff Writer Isabel Rosales

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The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Feb. 10, 2014 Page 11

Play-off goals brings teams together Soccer players work on strengthening team bond to overcome obstacles Soccer is no walk in the park. This year, the stakes are even higher. “It’s pretty dang competitive,” Coach Carrie Hoffman-Howell said. “We used to be in an easier district but a lot of the teams in our district have gotten better so now it’s not a given that were going to make playoffs like it used to be, we actually got to play really hard.” “It takes up a lot of time, it’s a lot of work but it’s also really enjoyable,” senior Zac Cerra said. Despite all the hard work, everyone still holds some concerns for the team. Senior Mason Tomseck fears unfair losses. “I fear us having to lose games that we really should win,” said Tomseck. Coach Hoffman-Howell worries about the height of opposing players. “We’re not the tallest of teams and so we could have issues with taller teams but with our individual foot skills and our speed and endurance hopefully we’ll overcome their height,” Hoffman-Howell said. But what makes Coach Ryan Logan the most insecure is the lack of goalkeepers on his team. He fears that if one of them were to get injured, there wouldn’t be any replacements. “Not very many people are a keeper on our program. It’s probably the weakest part of us is we have no depth in keeper. Like, we don’t have a backup for any team,” Logan said. That being said, Cerra reveals that along with many others, he’s currently hurt, “Right now, there are a lot of injuries,” Cerra said. “I have a sprained ankle.” Tomseck admits that many players are trying to overcome injuries that could jeopardize chances of winning. “My knees been bothering me and there’s been a bunch of other seniors and key players that have been hurting,” Tomseck said. In spite of all the hurt knees and ankles, the team continues trying to tackle their biggest obstacle: formations.

“We’re trying to figure out what formation works best with this team,” Hoffmanhowell said. “They’re in a unique situation where we can put them in all kinds of formations so we’re trying to get them comfortable with what we think might be best for them.” Hoffman-Howell said.

pointed and complainey they were.” Logan isn’t the only one with high hopes for this season. Due to extra practice, Hoffman-Howell feels her girls will also do big things. “I think we’re going to be more successful this year you know, the girls, for one,

now have an athletic period so we were already able to start practicing every other day since we started the school year,” HoffmanHowell said. “So we’re that much further along than we were at this time last year, we were still trying to bring the team together and get them used to playing with each other as a team so I think we are definitely advancing more than we were last year.” The teams are only a few weeks into the season and have already witnessed highlight moments by beating tough competition and scoring early in games. A few players have really stood out to the coaches through these

moments. Hoffman-Howell saluted Audry Baker and Catherine Mayo for their good footwork. “They have a way of, for one, keeping the team going in a positive way, but their ball skills, they’re comfortable with the ball at their feet even when there’s a lot of pressure on them from the other teams and they can still distribute and start an attack,” HoffmanHowell said. “They control the pace of the game is basically a short and sweet way to put it. “ Logan acknowledges Cerra and Tomseck’s leadership skills. “They’re seniors and they’re the leaders of the team,” Logan said. Cerra puts his all into every game and plays his heart out. “I’d say that the hard part about my role is that I’m on both the defensive and offensive side so I can’t breathe anymore,”Cerra said. Mason works on keeping the team together and focused. “I tend to look at the game as a whole and see what is the problem and how to fix it,” Tomseck said. “I actually try to keep the team focused because a lot of the players get really mad at the course of the game and I just try to keep them relaxed.” At times the intensity of the sport lets stress get the best of everyone. “We’ve had some verbal disagreements on the field with other teams and even amongst players on our own team,” Cerra said. But the team has learned to over come their disagreements and enjoy every moment. “On bus rides we sing with the radio have a lot of fun on the busses that’s like our ritual,” Cerra said. The players encourage everyone to come out and watch them play, with a promise to keep everyone entertained. “Come out and support us. We keep the fans entertained,” Tomseck by Sports Editor Maryam Hussain

Vype recently names varisty football coach Jeff Ables their Co-Football Coach of the Year. “It’s an honor being named one of the coaches of the year,” Ables said. “I think it’s really a reflection of our staff as well as our assistants here at football.” Each coach in the district votes for whom they think is the “other” best coach. “It’s great knowing our rival coaches and everybody else voted for not just me, but the entire Bowie football team and everyone behind it,” Ables said. Ables gave lots of credit to his staff and players and is excited for the next football season and ready to coach another year. “Everyone deserves credit and of course we’re going to be working hard in the offseason,” Ables said. “There’s new freshman coming in and of course we’re going to lose our seniors but I’m ready.” With what Ables says is the best staff in the state, he’s optimistic for next season. “I think Bowie’s got one of the best over-

all staffs in the state,” Ables said. “We did a great job this year and hopefully we can win again next year.” Ables was honored to be named cocoach of the year, and thinks his award is merely a reflection of his players’ performance this year. “I’m sticking with football for a while, and I’m honored to be coach of the year,” Ables said. “I think it just a reflection of the players this year and they really deserve more credit, we’re ready forward to next season and showing everyone how great of a team we have.” Vype, a leader in Texas high school sports news, also elected Hank Carter of Lake Travis high school for Co-Coach of The Year. Also aknowledged by the program were Cole Myers, Connor Flanigan, Tyler Walker, Andrew Alvarado, Mac McGarah, Keith McAlonan, Austin Eschenburg, Jake Walton, Albert Betts, and Alex Curtis. by Staff Writer Elyas Levins

Watch and learn Junior Joseph practices his soccer skills as fellow teammates stand by and observe. The coaches encourage the players to learn from eachother. Photo by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud

All challenges aside, the teams are starting to notice some major improvements through practices. “We’ve been getting the hang of playing as a team, as opposed to just a few players trying to do everything,” Cerra said. Coach Logan feels that those improvements are the team’s ticket to success. “I think as a team our team chemistry has went up a lot from last year we have become more supportive of each other,” Logan said. “I think they can be more successful from last year just from being more closer. That was our biggest flaw last year is how disap-

Girls basketball slam Ables wins coaching award dunks into the playoffs

The Bowie girl’s basketball team is bouncing up the rankings with an 11-1 district record, which qualified them for the play-offs. After beating Del Valley 62-47, the girls are ranked 23rd in the state, and 123rd in the nation. They will take a 23-7 overall record into the play-offs. Junior Desiree Lampkin scored 20 points that game, almost a third of the total, with Kennedy Godsey close behind with 13 points. At press time their first round, bi-district opponent had not been announced. The boy’s basketball team,

with a 5-5 district record this year, played Westlake on Friday and will finish the year against Anderson on Tuesday night. Against Del Valley on Tuesday, February 4, Liam O’Reilly scored 19 points followed closely by William Walton with 17 points. The ‘Dawgs are 20-9 overall. The boys are currently in the fourth and final playoff spot in District 15 play. Their final two opponents occupy the basement in the district with just three wins each. by Staff writer Elyas Levins

Rising to the top Junior Desiree Lampkin drives the ball down the court before she shoots. Photo by Isabel Rosales

Inspired by the Olympic athletes

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For the twenty-second time, the Winter Olympics are taking place, including events ranging from competitive figure skating to ice hockey, beginning on Feb. 6, and ending on Feb. 23. Though not as celebrated as the Summer Olympics, the games are inspiring, and of high importance to just as many aspiring athletes. Among the football, basketball, and soccer players, there are also students that participate in winter sports. One of these students is senior Cassidy Serio, who says that she has been skating for eight years. “It’s competitive figure skating. I take classes, and have competed before,” Serio said. Despite the warm climate of Texas, multiple students around school participate in sports that would be associated with colder climates. Among these sports are various forms of ice skating. “I have been a skater for 12 years,” freshman Maude Clautier said. “I became a skater because my big sister was a skater, and I would watch her do all those skating moves, which inspired me.” All skaters had a start somewhere, whether they began at the age of two, or if their time on the ice has passed. This interest may have been from anywhere, a friend, family member, or from someone else. The latter is the case with freshman Ellie Prager, who is no longer a skater. “One of my elementary school friends took me skating once, and I automatically fell in love with it,” Prager said. “I started at one of the most basic levels. I enjoyed it

because it’s a solo sport, so there is always room for self-improvement. I also like the cold.” With the Winter Olympics in the near future, many high school athletes may find themselves inspired. “Back when I was skating, I was incredibly inspired by the Winter Olympics,” Prager said. “I really loved watching their technique and wondering how long they spent to get that good.” This inspiration can go as far as to make an athlete want to participate in the Olympics themselves, though it may seem unrealistic age-wise. “I love watching all of that stuff, all of the pros who skate,” Serio said. “It definitely helps you know that, oh, I can be good. I love watching Jeremy Abbott, and Ashley Wagner, who are both going to the Olympics this year, so hopefully they’ll place. I’m probably too old, so that won’t happen, which is sad, since I’m in high school. But yeah, probably not.” Competitive skating, much like other sports, seems to have a positive impact on the athlete’s confidence. This, at least, is the case with Serio and Claudier. “Some athletes that inspire me are Patrick Chan, Joannie Rochette, [and] Sasha Cohen,” Clautier said. “They affect me by making me feel confident about myself, especially Polina [Shelepen] because the first time I saw her skate was at a world championship, and she won second place after Gracie Gold, although she was only 15 years old.” by Staff Writer Michaela Norton

hoto Essay

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Feb. 10, 2014

Page 12

Behind the scenes: Technician edition

The show must go on, but it can’t go on with out the help of technicians. During Miss Saigon technicians are both in the booth, which is in the back of the theater, and behind the stage directing people when to go on. They are called the stage managers and there are two of them. Senior Josh Flowers is the head technician of the Starlight Theater Company (STC). “My job as the head technician is to oversee the entire crew of the show and to make sure all operations and tasks conducted by the tech crew are being conducted as efficiently as possible,” Flowers said. Senior Dominic Cortinas is the light board operator and designer, this means that he works on lighting. “Yes, I do turn on and off the lights, but it’s a little more complicated than just that. It requires making sure the actors are lit properly which means making sure the lights are focused properly,” Cortinas said. “It also means making the mood of the lighting match the mood of the scene. It’s a lot of fine tuning which also requires a lot of timing of when a cue goes or how long it takes for a cue to come up.” The stage managers communicate up to the booth with headsets. Junior Halen Wilson is

one of the two stage managers. “My job as the stage manager is to make sure that everything goes smoothly backstage and to make sure all of the set and props get on stage at the right time,” Wilson said. Lights and sounds aren’t the only things needed for the play. Senior Jared Guerrero is the head of specialty building and stage hand. Guerrero built the helicopter for the scene of Kim’s Nightmare Part III. “One of the most difficult parts of building the helicopter is a tie between the building of a reliable rigging system and the body work that went into building the nose,“ Guerrero said. Senior Cole Wheeler works fly, he is in charge of making sure that all walls and props that hang make it down to the stage on time. “I am the fly, and I lift the drapes and set pieces up and down. Some parts of being the fly can be difficult like following cues, it’s pretty difficult because I can’t always hear when the stage manager gives me cues. If I miss those then I’m in trouble,” Wheeler said. The technicians ended the two weeks by taking down all the props and cleaned up the stage with the help of the STC cast. by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud

Sound check (Top picture) Senior Josh Flowers checks sound for the cast before the show. Leads and others are hooked up to a microphone for sound. “My job as sound board operator is to ensure that all audio in the theater is sent out at the precise time and volume,” Flowers said. The big number Senior Josh Flowers works sound during the big number, American Dream. Flowers Worked sound for every night of Miss Saigon. “I liked knowing that almost everything the audience hears passes through my fingers. I also get to woo them with the rumbling sound of the helicopter and other sound effects,” Flowers said Puff is ready to fly Junior Jesse Gonzales unhooks the helicopter prop from the railing, to lower on to the stage. The technicians named the helicopter Puff, because of it having a fog machine. “We had a rigging system, in the highest part of the theater. We only had to lift it half a foot, but it weighed around 500 pounds, and with only Jared Guerro and I lifting it was pretty hard, but with the rigging system it made it a lot easier than if we did it ourselves,” Gonzales said Get out there and be a star Junior Halen Wilson tells Senior Ian MacEntee his cues for when to go out on to the stage. Wilson is in charge of getting people and props out on stage at the right time. “I get all the actors to check their set pieces and props before the show and then during the show I remind all the stage hands of their cues to make sure they run smoothly,“ Wilson said. Lights all night Senior Dominic Cortinas works lights in the booth while looking at the Miss Saigon scripts and cues. Cortinas makes sure that the all cast and lead are lit up on stage. “My favorite part about working in the booth is the atmosphere, It’s so much fun to be to be in the booth during the show, talking on headsets and having a great time working,” Cortinas said.