Commentary pages 2 & 3 News page 4 In-Depth page 5 Student Life pages 6 & 7 Entertainment page 8 Trends/Culinary page 9 Sports pages 10-11 Photo Essay page 12
News Briefs
Campus fund raiser helps out the Landers’ family Help volleyball coach Jason Landers with his fight against liver cancer. Gather at Bowie High School (4103 Slaughter Lane) on Oct. 26th, at 10:00 a.m. Saturday for a fund raiser to help Landers win his battle against liver cancer. Dress up as your favorite superhero and then come participate in the three mile run, the one mile walk, the kid’s fun run & family fun activities. All proceeds raised will go toward the Landers family’s medical costs, with a portion also going towards cancer research. Win prizes for Best Costume (Adult, Family/ Team & Child), Most Money Raised by a Team and more. Registration will start a 9 a.m. on event day, or you can register at http://www. thelandersfamilyfund.com. Suggested donations are $20 for Adults, and $10 for kids ages 5-12. Visit The Landers Family Fund Website or The Landers Family Fund Facebook Page for more information and photos from the event.
Harding inspires campus with the Groundwater Stewardship Award On Sept. 26th, the Board of Directors of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District met and picked this year’s Groundwater Stewardship Award winners. Every two years, these awards are presented to individuals, organizations, companies, or agencies that have made strides towards the protection and conservation of water resources in the District. One such winner was Jill Harding, a teacher of Biology and Physics in the Bowie Science Department. Harding helped coordinate restoration efforts for the on-campus cave, and physically helped with the excavation of the cave, with plans to make it safer for students, teachers, and the community to be able to visit. Harding has inspired many students in seeking careers in science, and undoubtedly has done so even more with the acquiring of this prestigious award. For more information on the Groundwater Stewardship Award, please visit the Barton
Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District website.
The 2013-2014 football team is receiving a lot of attention after starting the year 5-0, including a win against rival Westlake. The Dawgs could be in the running for the District 15-5A championship. Read more on page 10.
Student Life
Sports
James Bowie High School, Vol. 2013-14, Issue 1, 4103 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX 78749, October 15, 2013, www.thelonestaronline.com
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Table of Contents
Dawgs fight for wins
An old tradition returns After many years of not celebrating Homecoming with a dance, the 20132014 Student Council, 2014 Class Officers and PTSA have worked together to revive their long standing Fall tradition. Special event kicks-off Sat. Nov. 2 Read more on page 6.
Mentoring program creates mixed feelings on campus Say goodbye to the weekly Thursday morning study group mentoring classes formerly known as “advisory”, a new program called FIT (Flexible Instructional Time) is the new flavor of the season as the new 2013 – 2014 school year begins. “We’ve decided to change from advisory to FIT because we are trying to focus more on academic learning by providing opportunities for students to have extra time in areas where students are struggling and increase chances for students to graduate with the preparation skills for college,” Science Instructional Coach Robert Deckard said. FIT will be held twice a week (Tuesday and Wednesday) for students to go to any class they feel they need to get most help in. All students are required to attend a class on a FIT day and to keep track of every FIT session across campus and every student attendance in the school the “Portal” has been created to make things easier. It allows students to sign themselves up for certain sessions they want to attend,” Principal Stephen Kane said. Not attending a session will result in serious consequences as this FIT program is to be taken seriously. “The absence of a FIT session will be treated as if a student were to skip a class,” Deckard said. “Consequences will include a conference with an assistant principal, a phone call home, lunch detention and a possible at home suspension.” FIT has created mixed feelings both positive and negative throughout campus from students having to adapt to this change. “I really like the idea of FIT, for it allows us the opportunity to get ahead in our studies. Some kids have trouble finding tutoring hours, but with FIT it’s during our actual school time,” sophomore Madison Cooper said. “If I had a say in FIT, I would probably change the dates from Tuesday and Wednesday to days further apart to add time for kids to get more studies in that they actually need help on. Kids can’t learn that much in one day.”
FIT referral line-up Students gather around Assistant Principal Jorge Rodriguez to receive a referral as one consequence for not arriving to FIT on time. Students who are found outside of FIT rooms past the assigned time are rounded up by security, assistant principals, and other hall monitors and taken to room D109. Photo by Editor-in-Chief Rachael Crawford
Students are learning that maybe this change won’t be all that bad. “At first I didn’t like the idea behind FIT. I thought it was going to be a waste of time and that students weren’t going to take it seriously,” junior Scott Mayo said. “However, after looking at the rigorous schedule that has consumed my life for the past four weeks, I’ve realized that FIT is going to very helpful. In fact, having FIT everyday may be an even better option. It eliminates the factor behind a confusing schedule and I think it would also allow students to get more of a feel for the whole idea behind FIT Some students think otherwise and feel it’s a waste of time for students who don’t need the help. “If I had a say in FIT, I would make it longer, but not required unless a teacher requested you. Not all kids need that extra time, so it’s going to be a hassle for them to go,” senior Meagan Hudson said. “I also
would change the harsh punishments for being late because I think it’s sort of ridiculous to take someone’s lunch away for being late one time when we have shortened passing periods.” Others think there’s simply no time to fit the new program into the academic schedule due to our passing period time limits and because time is already provided for us to get our work done. “I don’t like the idea of FIT mainly because it takes away our already limited lunch and passing period times,” senior Joseph Lewright said. “Granted it does give more time to those who need it but they have the same amount of time now. What’s key is how you use it. Also, seven minutes to get all the way across campus is not a long time. I’m constantly seeing kids jogging to and from their classes to avoid getting referrals.” by Editor-in-Chief Meagan Prehn
Outdoor performing ensemble comes out on top with a first place win at “Bands of America” contest The Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble (JBHSOPE) placed first in the Bands of America Austin Regional. On September 28, the ensemble went headto-head against 25 of the finest bands in Central Texas and around the state. Despite some unfortunate (but expected) rain and weather delays, JBHSOPE came out on top with a total score of 84.50 points along with achieving Outstanding Visual Performance and Outstanding General Effect. “Leading up to the announcement, all of us were really nervous because there were a lot of other amazing bands there,” junior Madeline McBride said. “But once we heard them announce us as first we were all so excited and relieved that all of our hard work had paid off.” An enormous amount of training and practice went into the JBHSOPE’s critical schedule as they prepared for this big event. “We worked for all of August with nine hours of rehearsal a day. Now, we practice at Burger after school at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays,” McBride said. Intense weekly practices have proven to have paid off and become a favorite as well as a learning experience. “I was anxious waiting to hear the results. It was rewarding to hear that our hard work paid off that day. Practices are my favorite part of band. You have to take care of business while nobody is watching before you get to dance underneath the stadium lights,” senior Jordan Sanchez said. But some members felt a little differently about the performance and had constructive criticism as well as positive feedback. “It was a great experience, until we got our score recaps. Many people were disappointed that finals were canceled due to rain delays because they expected another shot at the show, but didn’t get a second chance. Our scores definitely showed it.
Bowie vs Westlake halftime show The band performed their ensemble “To B or not to bee” during the halftime of the Bowie vs Westlake game. Photo by Photo Editor Ashley Stroud
We got ninth overall in music, first place in visual (marching) and first place in general effect. Ninth place is unacceptable and completely uncharacteristic for our band,” senior Moody Schoolar said. “I am look-
ing forward to great things at the next two competitions for our band. The future looks bright if everybody decides to get on the same level. I’m ready for everyone to live up to our uncompromising standards.” Band instructor Stephen Howard, had positive things to say about JBHSOPE’s performance. “I felt confident after their performance that they had done their jobs. Being rewarded for their efforts was just the icing on the cake. We rehearsed details and worked on consistency so they could be prepared to produce a great performance when it counts,” Howard said. “I always look forward to the moment in the season where the students start to “get it”. What I mean is when they finally realize what they are capable of and start to work twice as hard and twice as smart, as a team, to make their potential a reality.” Members see the band as not only a sport but also a family and learning experience. “My favorite part of band would definitely be the friendships. The people in band are like family to me. You get to meet so many new people who go through the same things you do. I think that the experience brings us closer together,” senior Franco Palomo said. “When I was a freshman I started the first day of school with about 250 new friends that I wouldn’t have had if it wasn’t for marching band. Now those people have become some of my best friends.” JBHSOPE competed at the Westlake Marching Festival on Oct. 12, UIL Region Marching Contest on Oct. 22, and the BOA San Antonio Super Regional on Nov. 1st and 2nd located at the Alamodome. “The BOA San Antonio Regional is at the Alamodome and is arguably the most difficult contest in Texas, simply because there are 50+ of the greatest bands in the state competing for only 14 finalist spots. It’s an exciting weekend,” Howard said. by Editor-in-Chief Meagan Prehn