The Lone Star Dispatch, Vol. 27, Issue 3 12.15.14

James Bowie High School

the

Lone Star Dispatch Vol. 27

Issue 3

4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX 78749

December 15, 2014

www.thelonestaronline.com

Performing in trade for smiles

Holiday Volunteer Opportunities

Blue Santa helps several students give back Maryam Husssain Editor-In-Chief Giant inflatable balloons, festive holiday floats, marching bands, cool classic cars and of course Santa and his little helpers crowded the streets of downtown Austin on November 29 for the Chuys Blue Santa parade.

Amidst all the carousal of the jolly moment some students took advantage of the opportunity and set aside their time to give back to those in need in order make the holiday season special for everyone.

Whether it be performing with cheery background music in extravagant get-ups or wrapping donated presents in their pjs at a warehouse, the volunteers were up and ready early in the morning to help out.

Passionate theatre students were awarded the opportunity to perform “All I Want For Christmas” in front of a large audience the day of the parade. Junior Leonela Hernandez has been a part of this event for the past two years and she sees herself continuing to participate in the years to come as well.

“I participated in the parade thanks to the ZACH theatre and it was so much fun, and to see how kids enjoy this parade is what makes me want to be a part of it every year,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez, along with a handful of other Bowie theatre students are a part of ZACH’s Pre-Professional Company (PPC), which gave them the opportunity to participate in the parade.

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ZPPC is a program offered for serious students looking for a professional training experience, improving technique, enhancing artistic abilities and growing as performing artists.

“I think it is important for me to participate in these kinds of events because it challenges me as a performer, and also because I love making people smile with my art,” Hernandez said.

There was more to this performance however, than just growing as an artist. At the Blue Santa parade, children distribute presents to other children in need, just in time for the holidays.

“My favorite part of the event was seeing all the cheering kids for sure,” junior Austin Hyde said. “We also got a lot of support from the crowd because its very nerve racking dancing and singing down the street in front of a bunch of people.”

ZACH theatre teacher, Jennifer Young, is the manager of the program and she also choreographed the Blue Santa Parade performance.

“It took us one month to prepare for the whole thing, but in the end it was all worth it because everybody did a great job,” Young said.

The participants were also delighted by the outcome of the parade.

“It was an honor to be a part of such a big parade.” Hyde said. “The dancing was really nice because people would clap for us a bit extra because we were more than just a floating Christmas figure.”

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Wrap it up: Senior Hanna Briggs wraps donated Blue Santa gifts to be distributed at the parade. Volunteers woke up early on November 26 to help wrap gifts and particiapte.

Photo by Jasmine Correa

Animation classes take their work to the next dimension Elyas Levins Commentary Editor

Imagine having a vertebra made of plastic, or a model of yourself before you were even born. That’s all becoming possible with 3D printing technology, and here at school, students are learning to do it.

CTE teacher Andrew Nourse’s animation classes may not be quite there yet, but the MakerBot D printer in his class is being put to good use.

“Every day I see someone making something,” senior Alex Nanez said. “I saw someone in animation 2 printing a car frame for a model, there’s someone printing a character they made, and we’ve printed cars, pen cases, all sorts of models, even a batman boomerang.”

The innovative new technology has been developing rapidly

3D printer in action: Made in the design program, Maya, the figurine was made out of plastic material melted and formed in the printing machine. The class made things from figurines to UFOs. Photo by Jasmine Correa

and is hugely popular. The MakerBot Replicator 2, which is what in Nourse’s class, has infinite possibilities.

News

“You can make lots of small things in one go, or if you want to make something big, you can print it out in pieces and put it together,”

Athletic injuries are on the rise this year

An exponential increase in sports injuries on the field this year has led to concerns among players, parents, and coaches.

See page 6 for more details

Inside

Nanez said. “Others have made things like car parts, transplants, dinnerware, water bottles, and all sorts of other stuff, I think there’s

a huge market for it.”

The printed objects are designed in Maya, a 3D design program that Nourse introduced students to, and students began to master independently.

“Everything is designed in Maya, which Mr. Nourse showed us a little of last year, and everybody went their own separate ways in animation after that,” senior Alan Varela said. “You’re allowed to do whatever kind of project you want as long as it’s something advanced, like Claymation with effects, or a cartoon, and some people make games.”

Varela and Nanez are working with senior Matt Schiller, the director of their project, which will be an alien abduction video with props created from the printer and green screen editing.

Read more: “3D printer” pg. 6

Entertainment

Holiday fun in ATX

From the Trail of Lights to the Mozarts light show, Austin is lit up for the holiday season. Here are just a few of the many things you can do this winter break.

See page 12 for more details

Commentary

Did she really break the internet?

Kim Kardashian’s controversial photo shoot for Paper magazine labeled “Break the internet” leads students to question the celebrity’s morality.

See page 14 for more details

Student life 2-3 News 4-5-6 Photo Essay 7 In-Depth 8-9 Athletics 10-11 Entertainment 12-13 Commentary 14-15 Photo Essay 16

Student Life

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15, 2014

Page 2

Culinary crafts holiday creations

Students build gingerbread houses with various themes and designs

Shelby Becker Co-Student Life Editor

A gingerbread house covered in candy canes and gumdrops? Not for the Culinary Club. They are giving them a twist.

In the last few weeks of Nov. the Culinary Club has been planning and building their own unique gingerbread house creations.

“I tell them that they can do anything they want as long as it’s appropriate for public display, that’s it,” Culinary teacher Richard Winemiller said.

The students have a lot of room for creativity.

“I want to give them the freedom to move outside of it has to look like a Hansel and Gretel house,” Winemiller said. “I think they get more involved in it because they can do a theme that really expresses them.”

Not only for the student’s benefits, Winemiller has personal reasons for doing this project.

“I love building gingerbread, I’ve been doing it since I was four,” Winemiller said. “I had my grandparents on one side were German, and so it was very

traditional with them. Of my siblings, I was the only one that was really super interested in cooking.”

Before the students can begin building, they must go through a lot of planning.

“Two weeks ago we started planning for it,” senior and Culinary Club president Alex Koke said. “That just entails getting our idea for what we’re going to do and working out day by day what we’ll construct and make throughout the week.”

The students are expected to plan out each and every detail.

“Throughout the entire week it’s just figuring out every component,” junior Colin Zibelin said. “But it’s very difficult to think that far ahead especially since gingerbread is not an actual structure.”

They have to not only plan their project, but plan for the unexpected.

“A big part of it is the plans don’t always work exactly how you think they are,” Winemiller said. “You have to figure out a solution to the problem.”

After all of the planning is finished, they begin constructing their houses.

Fresh out of the oven: For an Austin themed gingerbread house, senior Ciara Ruiz creates famous wall art landmarks. This is one of Ruiz’s favorite pieces. Photo by Granger Coats.

“There are multiple groups that have each of their own ideas,” Koke said.

“It doesn’t just have to be your standard Christmas gingerbread, it can have multiple ideas and things going on.”

Texas can be a difficult place to work with gingerbread.

“Working with gingerbread is not the easiest because it becomes brittle and it can break and if it becomes humid,” Koke said. “Unexpected things can happen and you have to try to think of things to prevent the little disasters that happen.”

Through out the process, the students see their creation come to life.

“In the middle it kind of looks like a jumbled mess of little pieces here and there,” Koke said. “But then once you get to the final day of putting everything down, and then something really cool is made out of little pieces.”

The project can be very beneficial to the students.

“I really like being in the kitchen, it’s sort of what I want to do with my life,” Zibelin said. “I want to go into culinary, so it’s just being in the kitchen and cooking is fun.”

It can also just be a time for the students to have fun.

“Gingerbread is super fun and just gives us an opportunity to explore different areas of culinary and that let our creative processes flow,” Koke said.

Winemiller builds them every year along with the students. “ Whenever I built mine I get way into all the little details and the little props and the tiny little touches that a lot of people might not ever even notice but I know its there,” Winemiller said.

The end result can be very rewarding.

Dough Boy: Junior Zack Manely builds a small creation for his gingerbread house. For Manley these small details will benefit his final product. Photo By Granger Coats

“I’m actually really proud of everyone in culinary they look amazing,” Zibelin said.

“I was really surprised they all came out this well.”

In the end, the entire process will help the students

for the rest of their lives.

“Sometimes they get in a little over their heads and that’s OK, to me that is going to help them no matter what they do beyond high school whether it’s culinary

or not,” Winemiller said.

“You can have the best plan in the world, you’re still going to have to solve problems along the way, it’s just not going to go perfect.”

The winter keeps students warm and in style

Pittman puts outfits together with cheap clothing from thrift stores around Austin

Gabby Bourgeacq Co-Student Life Editor Appearance can be a very important quality for some people. People never get a second chance to make their first impression. For winter, it could be difficult to dress cozy and still be stylish; yet, two students seem to have mastered that technique.

Seniors Melissa Pittman and Nathan Olson have the best opinions on winter fashion for girls and boys.

“This may not make sense at first, but the most important necessity for dressing up in the winter is being warm,” said Pittman. “You want what you’re wearing to be comfortable because if it’s not the whole day you’re going to be regretting your choice. Layer up and stay warm.”

A few important necessities for girls during the winter are scarves, hats, and jewelry.

“I love scarfs. I think they’re a great addition to a winter outfit. I wear my scarfs with jackets because if you’re just wearing a shirt it looks more of a random addition without a purpose because you’re also trying to stay warm so I think scarfs and jackets go hand and hand,” Pittman said.

Girls can be notorious for their hairstyles and unique make-up. Due to the colder weather, girls tend to wear their hair down, or up with a scarf to keep them warm.

“I do wear my hair down more in the winter of course because it’s cold; my hair won’t get frizzy or kinky because of the cold air,” Pittman said.

For girls, there are many ways to dress cute and still be comfortable. But what makes up the whole winter look?

“My ideal winter look for a typical day is a nice pair of jeans, short black boots with my warm socks slightly visible, a longs leaved shirt, a warm but not huge jacket, a scarf, a long sleeved shirt, and if it’s pretty cold I like to wear a head warmer,” Pittman said.

Olson, on the other hand, has unique ideas on winter fashion for boys.

“As a pretty skinny guy, it takes me a lot of layers to stay warm. I’ll almost always wear pants and a pair of boots if it’s cold. I’ll also wear a button down shirt, flannel, or sweater as a base layer, and a heavier coat as a top layer,” Olson said.

While Pittman gave her opinion on the most important on winter accessories, Olson thinks socks are by far the most important for boys.

“Wearing thick socks just feels good on the feet and they will definitely keep you warm. Plus, socks come in awesome designs, so they can add a bit of personality to an outfit,”

Fashion Foward: Senior Melissa Pittman shows off her warm winter scarf, she puts it on to match with her outfit, to stay styling, but most importantly to keep warm. Her scarf and sweater combiniation assure her warmth on a cold winter day.

Photos by Gabby Bourgeacq

Olson said.

According to Olson, just because girls can look cute in scarves, doesn’t mean guys can’t.

“It’s not terribly common to see them worn by guys at Bowie, but I really like them because of their versatility and warmth,” Olson said. “They tend to give a thicker and warmer look, so they tend to go better with thick or cable knit sweaters and overcoats than T-shirts.”

Some boys might wonder what accessory tops off the whole “winter look” for them.

“I really like beanies because they’re warm and they have

some really silly designs, especially if they have tassels.

Trapper hats, fezzes, boiler hats, top hats, lacrosse helmets, and jester hats are also cool,” Olson said.

For both genders, there are many unique ways to dress for the winter.

Visit youtube channels such as MakeupByAlli, Clair Marshall, and Beautycrush for helpful tips.

“I recommend youtube honestly, that’s where I pretty much learned how to do my makeup,” Pittman said.

Pittman shops at thrift stores, such as Thrift Town, Buffalo Exchange, Goodwill, and Plato’s closet.

Capture the moment

Student Life

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday Dec. 15, 2014 Page 3

Futures made with college acceptances Hazel Rodriguez Staff Writer

Becky Tomaino lives the dream behind the lenses Sophia Mora Student Life Editor

People always have that one thing they are passionate about. Whether it’s art, music, sports, there is always that one thing they love to do. For senior Rebecca Tomaino, it’s photography.

Tomaino has taken portraits for students at various locations. The place she chooses is based off the outfit they’re wearing.

“I love getting to go on little adventures because we do it at actual locations. I do on site or on location sessions,” Tomaino said.

Interacting with her clients is one of Tomaino’s favorite parts about being a photographer.

“I make a bond with them. I don’t treat someone like they’re a client or that they’re paying me, I treat them like they’re my best friend and that we’re doing this for fun,” Tomaino said.

“I don’t want it to be just a pose then done, I want you to laugh, I want you to have fun, I want you to enjoy it.”

Tomaino sees something different when she’s having a session with clients. She wants to show a meaning through her photos.

“I like talking to them about things during a session

because when they tell me ing her own business, she happy. It’s not so much comabout themselves, I like to has a set goal for herself. plimenting the photo I took, capture that in the picture to “My biggest goal as a it’s when they’re complishow the real them and tell a photographer is to make menting themselves. That’s story with the picture at the people feel good about what I love.” same time,” Tomaino said. themselves.

Whenever Tomaino continues to She takes portraits for someone comes into a ses- take photos everyday and students and they always sion, for the first thirty min- is working toward pursuing seem to have fun during her utes, everyone’s always un- her dream. sessions. comfortable. So you have “If you aren’t comfort“She gets personal and to break that ice. They’re able with her, she’ll try to she’ll take your individuality always like ‘oh no, I’m not joke around with you a lot,” and put it into photos,” se- a model,’ but yes they are!” senior Alexia Casanova nior Juliana LeCompte said. Tomaino said. “And then said. “She never gives up.

Tomaino has lot of dedi- at the end when they look If she wants her name to be cation for what she does and at their photos and tell me known, she’s going to make that’s what makes her busi- thank you, it makes me so it happen.” ness successful.

“She takes a lot of time out of her day to make sure the pictures look good,” senior Alyssa Alvarado said.

“She spends a lot of hours editing them, she is just so dedicated to it.”

Tomaino loves what she does and wouldn’t change anything about it.

“I love having fun with it and literally every step of it I enjoy. There’s not a single part of capturing, making the person’s natural expressions come out, and editing that I don’t like,” Tomaino said. “I love editing because I love finally getting to see the shots. I love looking at the picture, realizing that there’s so much potential in the picture and making it Say Cheese! Rebecca Tomaino focuses in on the subject as into something great.”

As a photographer hav- she takes a close up. Photo by Sophia Mora

art by Ashlee Thomason

Photoshoot fun: Rebecca Tomaino smiles as she talks about her passion for photography. She is always booking clients and her sessions start at $40. Photo by Sophia Mora

Anixously awaiting that life changing letter from a dream college, seniors patiently wait for the letter of acceptance to arrive at the front step of their door or mailbox.

Not too long ago sitting in the college and career center seniors filled out college applications.

Senior Seren Regalado got accepted into Abilene Christian University and heard back from them in a very short period of time of about a week from when he entered his college application.

“I was very happy that I got accepted to college and that I could be a member of their community,” Regalado said. “They got back to me in about a week or so.”

According to Regalado, his parents are proud of him and see it as a step of growing up.

“They were very excited that their little boy is growing up,” Regalado said.

College and career center advisor, Veronica Castillo, helps give advice and guides the seniors in what direction to take and how applications should be filled out.

“I help with everything from college admission to helping students deciding to

which college to go to and signing up for the ACT and SAT,” Castillo said Getting accepted to college relieves senior Alexandra Clayboss from worries and stress.

“I felt relieved because I didn’t have to worry about my grades anymore or be so stressed out if a college was going to like me or not,” Clayboss said.

A well-kept campus attracts Clayboss to study at her college of choice.

“My top college is University of North Texas because it has a really nice campus,” Clayboss said.

Feeling good and not having to worry about getting accepted for senior Shrinath Rao is a weight that has been lifted of his shoulders.

“It feels like I have a basis for my future education.

It feels good that I have a place to go; the pressure is off of me,” Rao said.

Proud of the things their son has accomplished, Raos’ parents are excited for their son.

“My parents were very happy with my achievements. They were quite proud of me,” Rao said.

Two out of four colleges Rao had applied to accepted him.

“I’ve gotten into University of Texas Dallas and the University of Texas San Antonio,” Rao said.

Young philanthropists offer their helping hands

Sophia Mora Student Life Editor

Instead of receiving, students are giving back this winter break.

Senior Rebecca Richard is going to be caroling at a nursing home this year.

“I did it last year as well and it’s just so awesome seeing how into they got or even if they weren’t very into it, it was still exciting to be able to make a difference,” Richard said.

Richard loves volunteer-

ing because she loves seeing about what she’s going to be a change and it’s one of the doing with her church this COUTURE things that help her feel bet- winter break. ter.

“We make meals for “Sometimes I maybe had the homeless, and we put a a bad day but when I think Christmas pageant togethabout the people I’m helping er,” Lee said. “We’ll be havor the kind of change I’m ing a little Christmas party affecting, it just makes me for the middle school youth feel better,” Richard said. “I group and I’m really excited heard one way to improve to put that together and hang yourself is to improve other out with my girls, they’re repeople, and I feel like that’s ally special to me.” totally true. I feel like I’m in Lee has volunteered since a better mood, and just a bet- she was a sophomore, and ter person after I volunteer.” on Wednesday nights she Suite 3 Senior Madison Lee talks shows up to work with a

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middle school youth group.

“I’ve been following a group of girls that are in eighth grade now. I’ve been counseling them, talking to them about everything from school work to family drama to boys and just being with them,” Lee said.

Working with children is what Lee mostly does with her volunteering.

“I love working with kids. I have an autoimmune disease known as juvenile arthritis,” Lee said. “And the most important thing to

me is to show other young children, particularly children with physical challenges, that just because something is wrong with your body, doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.”

Senior Wesley Christensen is going to be volunteering at the Mills Elementary science fair this January.

“We’re going to judge the contestants for the science fair and that’s always really fun,” Christensen said. “It’s

always a blast to be able to be there and be apart of that and just give back to the community in a way that you specifically remember people giving back to you.”

Christensen believes that volunteering is the best way to make a bond with people and make friends.

“I would never make friends with 50 year old homeless people without volunteering. You learn so much from these people and they value you as you value them,” Christensen said.

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Band to perform in Bonds lead to track London for parade

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 Page 4

renovation Annika Holm News Editor

Seeing red: Marching band plays in the stands at the Bowie vs. San Antonio game. The band is leaving for London on December 27. The band will play several songs different from their marching show

Marching band to finish their successful season by celebrating the new year in annual English parade Kamryn Bryce Editor-In-Chief

From the Alamodome to London’s New Year’s parade, band sweeps the competition and embarks on a trip of a lifetime.

Band received the title of Austin Regional champions at the Bands of America competition, where they won every caption, as well as winning the Area marching contest, second in BOA San Antonio, and then finagling earning fourth at State.

“They have about 20 regionals across the nation that started in September, and then there’s grand nationals, which they call the Super Bowl essentially,” band director Kimberly Shuttlesworth said.

Bands of America (BOA) is a two-day event in which over 60 bands from various schools around the region perform and compete.

“94 bands went to grand nationals this year, lets put it that way,” Shuttlesworth said. “At the super regional we went to there were 64 bands, so just as big.”

Preparation for the band’s season and BOA didn’t begin with students returning to school. Members of the band began practice in the midst of August, playing hours in the scorching heat.

“Even though our practices were long and tiring, in the end it all pays off to feel the cheers of the fans and supporters,” junior Daniel Cruz said.

Between competing at BOA and taking to the field for weekly football games, band begins preparation for the Spring UIL season, early in the year.

“Bands of America is different than UIL in the sense that it has a couple of extra captions including: music for individual and for ensemble, visual for individual

and for ensemble, and general effect for individual and for ensemble,” Shuttlesworth said. “So there are seven judges total, but the main difference between the two is that for BOA there are people on the field but for UIL there are not.”

While different, UIL and BOA still pose many similar challenges that band had to face in both the preparation and performance of the contest.

“They are both intense just in different ways, like UIL is intense because there are only five judges and the way they rank you is with a system,” Shuttlesworth said. “They look for cleanness of lines, making sure that you’re in tune, and that no one is sticking out of the ensemble sounds. All these technical things you could use a tick to say well that’s wrong or that guy is out of tune.”

Shuttlesworth prepares students for the competitions in various ways, as UIL is a technical evaluation of the band and BOA is a performance value contest.

“If I go to BOA I’m worried about whether the effect is right, are the kids acting enough, are the transitions seamless, or is the color guard doing their part. For UIL it’s more of an assessment, while BOA is the overall picture,” Shuttlesworth said. “It’s a production, you have to have theatre, you have to have creativity, art, and some people even sing at shows now.”

Shuttlesworth has been working with the program for nine years and has watched it grow into the production that it is today, with over 250 students involved making it the largest organization on campus.

“There was always a vision for how it was supposed to develop and you

Oboe action: Sophomore section leader Josh Owens plays a of solo Claire de Luene during the show. Photo

by Fuaad Ajaz

go through different cycles, whether it’s drill writers, music writers, or just different staffing that brings different ideas across the board,” Shuttlesworth said.

With all the success from BOA and UIL, band celebrates the season by answering an invitation to Europe to play on the London New Year’s parade.

“200 of them are going to London, as well as over 120 adults are going with them.

So it’s the largest trip we’ve ever taken,” Shuttlesworth said. “We were invited over two years ago from the Lord Mayor of Westminster, who flew down and invited us to participate. It is like the Macy’s day parade but in London.”

According to Shuttlesworth, the James Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble (JBHSOPE) was the only band invited from Texas. The trip is six nights and seven days,

with cost totaling around $3000.

“We had a few fund raisers, but for me personally it was me, my parents, and my grandma helping out. I think most of us had a lot of trouble with the cost but we knew it’d be worth it,” senior band member Angela Traylor said.

It’ll be the trip of a lifetime, according to Shuttlesworth.

“After all of our hard work we can to something really exciting, not many people can say they’ve performed in London,” Traylor said. “I think it’s well deserved, I mean we had a really good season and I’m really glad to go for my senior year.”

For seniors like Traylor, this season marked the last performances of their high school career.

“It was bittersweet especially at the Alamodome, we go there at least once every year and I just realized this is the last time I’ll get to perform here,” Traylor said.

“It’s just the most amazing experience walking out onto the field and seeing thousands of people.

While the band stays busy with various performances throughout the year, the directors hope to leave the students with a bit more than technique and an understanding of music as they graduate.

“You get life lessons, you get a constant interview that prepares you for what you’re going to face outside the walls of Bowie High School,” Shuttlesworth said. “When you have to determine whether or not you are a hard worker, you’ll remember that time when it was a 110 degrees on hot asphalt, but you didn’t stop.

What we are trying to do goes far beyond notes on a page.”

Construction on the track has recently begun, which is part of a campus beautification project paid for by a state bond passed last year.

The bonds were approved by voters last year and are part of several bond packages created to provide central Texas schools with construction as necessary.

As management assistant to the principle, Nicholas Weismantel is overseeing the project.

“The track is actually in a bond program. Through a bond that was voted upon in 2013 the track fixing and repaving is a part of that project,” Weismantel said.

The construction was planned to begin the week of Nov. 10, but didn’t because of the conflicting football schedule.

“Construction on the track started about two or three weeks ago. They’re doing small bits and portions, but because we made the playoffs, we pushed it back a little bit because we wanted the football players to be able to practice,” Weismantel said. “We started completely patching it up on the twenty-fourth.”

Runners have noticed the problems with the track which included many runners with shin splints.

“I think the track needed work because it had lots of holes and the rubber surface was peeling away from the concrete making it difficult to run on,” junior Marissa Flournoy said. “The surface is also old and feels like running on concrete which gives a lot of runners shin splints.”

The repaved track will be softer than the older surface, which runners say will be more comfortable.

“It will cut down on the amount of runners with shin splints because of the softer surface,” senior Keegan Callahan said.

Since the track is not too far gone, according to the construction company, only minor repairs are being made.

“It’s not a complete repaving, it’s more or less a

Potholes-a-plenty: Before construction, the track was plagued with problems. The track has not been repaired in at least four years. “There were big chunks of track missing from various lanes,” senior Keegan Callahan said.

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getting the worse spots taken care of. The quality of the track was pretty good, in the eyes of the professionals that are repaving it, therefore they picked certain parts of the track,” Weismantel said.

Faculty are excited along with students about the improvements being made to the track.

“The track will be up to standards now, and I’m pretty excited,” Weismantel said.

The downside, noted by a seasoned track runner, is that newer tracks often produce slower times. He, however, thinks the new track will make schools want to compete more at Bowie.

“It will make the times a little slower because it is new, but I think they will be more likely to come because it is a new track,” Callahan said.

The work that’s being done to schools across the state and being paid for by the bond is occurring in phases. The reconstruction of the track is part of the first phase, of two phases.

“I’m working closely with engineers and architectural firms and we’re working together to make sure we knock out different phases.”

The track is not the only area receiving attention; new bleachers are to be put in and the culinary pastry lab will be touched up.

Perhaps the biggest change around campus will be the ‘Field of Dreams’.

The plan is to level an area of land set aside by the city and make it into more fields for the school to use.

The idea is that more fields will mean more sports teams can practice at the same time.

“Across the street between the CVS and the apartment buildings they’re going and leveling some of the trees, though not all of the trees as some are protected,” Weismantel said.

The ‘Field of Dreams’ construction could begin at any time because the field area is off campus.

Construction for the field is not expected to start until at least this summer, or possibly next fall when school starts.

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The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 Page 5

Guard prepares for winter season

Caitlin Devlin Athletics Editor

Detailed, decorated flags sweep the floor as they are spun while rifles and sabres glide through the air toss after toss.

Members of the James Bowie Indoor Performing Ensemble ‘Open’ class or ‘A’ class winter guard teams glide across the hand painted floor acting as disco dancers or furry forest animals.

The winter guard participates in several competitions every year during the second semester and works hard to win awards and flawlessly perform a demanding and challenging show.

Color guard is an important component of marching band shows. The guard is there to catch the audience’s eyes with their flag and rifle tosses and portray the theme of the show with colorful flags, costumes and dances.

But when marching band is over, the guard goes solo and creates their own shows.

“I knew I wasn’t really part of anything else so guard was just kind of somewhere for me to belong at first, but then I really became part of a great big family I didn’t know I was getting into,” sophomore Jessica Stachew said.

Winter guard season starts in November and ends around April. Winter guard is different from color guard in that the guard’s show is inside and is performed on a hand painted floor unique to the guard show and uses prerecorded music in their show instead of music played live from a marching band.

“Winter guard is more fo-

cused on guard itself and the succession of the group, and is more detailed because the show is so up close and not far away like marching band is, you have to be so much more dramatic and precise.” junior Kelly Stephenson said.

A week after marching band season ends, winter guard season starts up with tryouts.

Every current member of color guard has to join, but winter guard is open to anyone outside of color guard.

Those who tryout learn a routine and perform the routine in a group in front of a judges. Some judges were Joey Powell, David Duffy, Mykail Costner, and Megan Wleczyk.

“You go with all the other guard members and learn some choreography, and then you get in a group and try out,” freshman Kenna Ashen said.

After tryouts, everyone who tried out is put into a specific class. The classes are either ‘Open’ class or ‘A’ class. Each class has a different show.

The ‘Open’ class guard usually performs a more challenging show for experienced guard members. Many guard ‘rookies’ are put into ‘A’ class.

“When I found out I had made it into ‘Open’ class, I was standing in the kitchen with my mom, and we started jumping up and down. I was really excited, I didn’t know how to contain myself,” freshman Shannon Ross said.

Every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. the ‘Open’ class

Working through winter: Sophomore Mariana Medina warm-ups during Winter Guard practice. This is Medina’s second year in color guard, a sport which she enjoys because it is so unique. “I’m interested in color guard because it’s so unique and unlike any other activities I’ve tried,” Medina said. Photo by Granger Coats.

guard practices, and every Tuesday and Thursday the ‘A’ class guard practices at the same times.

“Practice usually starts with stretching, a light workout, and then we go into dance block with Mr. Costner and then we do across the floors and start flag block and then towards the end of the practice we go over the show or do weapon,” Stephenson said.

The guard creates their show and practices in order to perform in various competitions held around the

state and country.

This year, the ‘A’ class guard will perform a spin-off of the marching band’s show “If a Tree Falls”.

The ‘Open’ class guard’s theme takes the audience through prolific disco dances and how the disco age ended.

“It’s a lot different, there’s a lot more focus on movement and facials,” freshman Jojo Wei said.

Each class has many competitions in year. In April, the ‘Open’ class will be travelling to Dayton,

Ohio to perform their show in a Winter Guard International (WGI) competition.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all of our hard work pay off at competitions and performing with some of my best friends while doing something that I love,” sophomore Emma Lopez said.

Last year, the ‘A’ class guard won first in state with their “Spelling Bee” show and ‘Open’ guard won first in state with their “Noche de Lluvia” show.

“It was amazing because for most of the ‘A’ guard

we had never won a competition like this before so it was really rewarding to receive such an outstanding award with all my friends,” Stachew said.

Although the season has barely started, members of the guard are looking forward to their upcoming wins and experiences that come with a new show.

“This upcoming season I’m really looking forward to getting to know my teammates better and becoming a bigger family with them,” Stachew said.

Casey Shrout Staff Writer

not only donated but heartfelt poems were written on the individual donations.

“When I heard about the canned poetry idea my heart melted, it’s amazing to make others feel wanted but it makes it more worth it when you know they really need it,” junior Mary Moore said.

On the wrapping of each can from peas to peaches there are rhymed words to make each donated meal a little bit brighter.

“I think donating is a beautiful act of kindness,” history teacher Patricia Maney said. “StuCo does really good things for this campus but they couldn’t do a lot of it without the rest of the student body.”

Inspiration ran across campus this holiday season and it all began with simple donations.

“After I donated, I felt good but like it wasn’t enough,” Moore said.

Bowie teachers and students were not the only people who participated in the drive.

“My mom, she’s a teacher at Patton and a friend gave me a bunch of cans to donate to the drive,” junior Madi Little said. “I love that Bowie always tries to make a difference.”

Three dimensional printer brings StuCo collects new life to animators’ designs canned food

“We printed out UFOs, a barn, and we’re going to do an alien abduction type deal on a farm,” Schiller said. “We designed a big set that can be reused on green paper so that we can edit it out and put in our own background.”

The project is all on green screen and will be edited in a program called Adobe After-Effects, a software widely used in the professional film making world.

“You have to get really good lighting on the green background so that it has no shadows and keeps a consistent color, otherwise when you get rid of the green, there will be gray areas,” Schiller said. “I mostly do the set and video, sitting behind a computer and working isn’t really as interesting to me.”

The printer was paid for with CTE funding, but the general public can purchase it for about $2000, if a source is available.

The printer has been sold out online for weeks.

“I think it’s a really innovative new technology and that it has infinite possibilities,” Schiller said. “You can make whatever you want and look at it in a movie or cartoon, and then print it out and hold it in your hands.”

Each print takes anywhere from three hours to 11, and Nourse is working on teaching the earlier animation classes to master designing them.

“We haven’t even touched the full potential of 3D printing here or in the outside word,” Nourse said. “I’m setting up a website for my younger stu-

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dents to help them in 3D design and Maya, and I’m thinking about my animation 3 class doing a big collaboration where everyone builds separate parts of a big character or skeleton.”

Being exposed to the technology at a young age could help students in the future to push the printer’s potential even further.

“I think it’s awesome for students to be introduced to the printer while they’re young so they have time to master it,” Nourse said. “I want to help

them understand that they’re taking something from binary code and simulation to something they can physically hold and how exciting that is to me.”

“There’s no limit to what we can do with this technology,” Nourse said.

“Here we’re just trying to help kids understand how it works, and hopefully in the future everyone will have one and be able to download and print something as simple as a toothbrush to something as complex as an artificial human organ.”

3D bust: Senior Mia Taylor created this bust with the three dimensional printer in her animation class. The bust is featured in the room and stays by the printer.

Aluminum shines throughout the dim lighted classroom. Each individual can is wrapped in a unique, thin paper. Canned corn, Bushes’ baked beans. An extra burst of Christmas spirit inspired the cans to be stacked in the form of a Christmas tree.

Student Council asked all students on campus to go in their cabinets and search for a seemingly useless can of food to donate this seasonal food drive. StuCo dropped off the pod on November 25, providing The Capital Area Food Bank with holiday meals.

Those not in need this season are reminded to be grateful.

“Those who don’t suffer, those who are stable, those who aren’t in need don’t understand their privileges,” Keri Tharpe said.

Student council members are thankful for the opportunities to give back that the canned food drive provided.

“I feel like I did my part to help the people and the community around me,” junior Shelby Johnson said.

Spirit and cheer rose across campus as cans were

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The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 Page 6

Twisted ankles and broken bones on rise Alyssa Martinez Staff Writer

No matter how many practices the athletic teams have, there’s only so much they can do to prevent injuries on the field. Sometimes it isn’t enough and this year there’s been an exponential increase in hurt athletes this year.

“There has definitely been way more injuries this year than the years past, I’ve even talked to other athletic trainers around the district and they all agree with this as well, ”Athletic trainer Brittani Thibodeaux (Doc. T) said.

When a person gets injured, they go through physical therapy and several other mandatory precautions to help them recover, according to Thibodeaux.

“We do lots of rehab exercises, cardio workouts on the bike, lots of ice and more prevention than anything,” Thibodeaux said.

An injury can cost the athlete the opportunity to play the game.

“It was pretty hard not being able to play most of the season, especially not being out there with my team,” Varsity Alec Mendoza said.

During the game against Austin High, Mendoza took a helmet to the knee and he tore his meniscus and ACL, which caused him to be out for the semester.

“I have about six more weeks to go and overall I’m hoping for a smooth recovery, ” Mendoza said.

Even though Mendoza was hurt, there was much support from him in the sidelines.

“Encouraging from the sidelines was the best thing that I could do, but I just wanted to support the team as much as I could, ”Mendoza said.

For the fall sports, football had lots of injuries but there was also volleyball. Volleyball requires a lot of foot movement and endurance, one small mistake can cost big time.

“I was excited about starting club season but due to my injury I’m not able to play the entire season, ”JV Ana Gonzalez said.

During a game, Gonzalez went up to hit a ball and when she went back down she landed on one leg and twisted and hyper extended her knee.

“It was really hard to watch everyone play, you cant change the fact that you got injured and the fact that I’m not physically able to play is the hardest thing to accept,” Gonzalez said.

Being injured isn’t something to prevent, one can try to be extra cautious but in the end it could turn out really bad.

“I don’t have any regrets, because in the end everything happens for a reason, ” Gonzalez said.

Trotting around town

Lauren Blevins Entertainment Editor

Starting from Congress Bridge and ending at the Long Center, Turkey Trot participants show their support by running for the Caritas of Austin Foundation.

On Nov. 27, Austin hosted the 24th annual Turkey Trot at The Long Center organized by ThunderCloud Subs. The event began at 8:45 a.m. and ended at 10:45 a.m.; registration began at 7:30 a.m. Participants were able to join the untimed 5-mile, timed 5-mile, 1-mile walk, and Stepping Stone Kid’s K. According to www. thundercloud.com, about 21,000 people participated in this year’s event.

The Elinor Mire Scholarship has raised millions for Caritas and has promoted the value of physical fitness for the past 24 years.

Every year runners dress up in funny, Thanksgivingthemed costumes.

“I definitely saw a lot of pilgrims and Native Americans, but my favorite was this little baby dressed as a turkey; it was pretty adorable,” junior Sophie Slobodnik said.

A live band was present to keep the runners going and energize the crowd cheering them on.

“My favorite part of the Turkey Trot was being able to help out in such a unique setting; everyone was dressed up in crazy costumes and they had a band playing,

and over the past 23 years the run has raised more than $2 million for Caritas.

“I volunteered to get community service hours for Key Club, but It was such a great experience and I’m so glad I did it because I felt happy knowing I did something to help out the community,” junior Lindsay Pereyra said.

This was Slobodnik’s first time volunteering at the Turkey Trot and it will now be a family tradition.

“This is the first year I’ve volunteered for the turkey trot, but I’ve been volunteering for events like it since I was a little kid,” Slobodnik said.

The run is a good way to exercise before eating all of the Thanksgiving dishes.

“The Turkey Trot is fun because you wake up early to go for a run and once you finish the race you are starving, which makes the Thanksgiving meal even better,” junior Ale Woodford said.

Until Oct. 31. the untimed 5-mile is $20, the timed 5-mile is $25, the 1-mile walk is $18, and the Stepping Stone Kid’s K is $8. The prices increase when November begins.

The event also has an art contest for people of all ages. The winner’s art is Why did the turkey cross the road: Runners and volunteers used for the logo and also wins 365 subs. follow the iconic turkey at the annual Turkey Trot. The run Students that are takes place every year on Thanksgiving morning. Photo by interested in volunteering Hazel Rodriguez for next year’s run can apply not to mention the beautiful all go to Caritas of Austin. on www.caritasofaustin.org view of downtown Austin,” According to www. when their are jobs available Slobodnik said. thundercloud.com, last closer to Thanksgiving The registration fees year’s event raised $325,000 week.

Penalties for off campus lunches

Samantha Perry Staff Writer

Carried away: Junior Alec Mendoza gets helped off the field after an injury. That injury cost Mendoza the opportunity to play for the whole season. Photo by Fuaad Ajaz

Once lunch comes around students start to get hungry then they start smelling good food and when they see seniors having fast food, underclassmen start to really want some fast food too but don’t know how they can when they aren’t seniors.

Only seniors are allowed off campus during lunch, lowerclassmen will be penalized for leaving during lunch.

The assistant principals and security guards have been trying to keep lower classmen going off campus for lunch and keep them safe. “ I was driving off campus in my car when the security guard Andy stopped my car to check it for lower classmen,” senior Hallie Arnold said.

There was an incident of an underclassmen hiding in the trunk of a seniors car. Ever since that incident the

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staff realized that the underclassmen will try whatever they can to get off campus. “ You never know what could happen while on your way to a fast food restauraunt,” assistant principal Vicente Trevino said. “You could easily get hit crossing the road or mugged walking through the velaway,” Students don’t realize how dangerous it really is to leave campus without anyone knowing your gone or where you are. “ Not only can you get detention and lose off campus privileges if you’re a senior you can also get a curfew ticket if your 16 or younger,” Trevino said.

Leaving campus and being caught by a cop could very easily get the offender a curfew ticket if they are not old enough to leave. “ Ever since I got my senior ID it has been super easy to get off campus,” senior Arnold said.

Seniors its super easy to just go to

Andy Padgett and get a parent to sign the off campus permission slip then get a green ID card so you don’t go through a bunch of trouble to get off and get a bit to eat. “ We aren’t trying to overwhelm the students or make them dislike us we are just trying to keep them safe and out of trouble,” Trevino said.

“We aren’t having this extra security because we don’t trust our students it is for their own safety,” Trevino said.

The main priority of the staff is to make sure all the students stay safe.

“We try to let the students make their own decisions on whether or not a bite to eat off campus is worth all the other alternatives,” Trevino said.

Not checking every day and not giving punishments the first time is the way the staff at Bowie try and give the students some say in what they do and hope that they chose the right thing.

Getting fast food during lunch isn’t worth getting penalized at school.

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P hoto Essay

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15, 2014

Page 7

Students create a wonderful science day Granger Coats Co-Photo Essay Editor Children make scattered and hurried lines as yellow buses pour more and more elementary students on to the high school grounds.

The excitement and awe is evident on their faces as they run through the doors.

It was science day at Bowie High School on Nov. 25.

Science day is day in which elementary students come, partake in, and watch countless science experiments with the coordination of science teachers and high school student volunteers.

“Adding more perspective to what science really is,” sophomore Ricardo Lefranc said, “Adding a little more fun to science and to show hey you can actually do this through science.”

Science day is important because it shows students that science can be both fun and knowledgeable at the same time.

“Science day is won-

derful for the little kids, its something that the students remember,” science teacher Alonna Beatty said.

The day is something that the students really enjoy and something that leaves a good impression on them. Beatty explains the goal of science day.

“Letting the younger kids see that science can be fun and reminding the older kids that science can be pretty amazing,” Beatty said. “The high school students get to see the awe and excitement of the little kids.”

Andre Chepetan says why science day is important and why the planning involved is so important.

“High school students get to see the planning and what goes into Science day and how to deal with things that don’t always go according to plan,” Chepetan said.

Chepetan said that students can take the day as a learning experience.

Beatty was impressed with how well the elemen-

tary kids behaved.

“Its pretty amazing to see how mature and responsible our students can be as they have to change roles and keep the little kids interest, makes me proud of our students,” Beatty said.

The event allows students to show their maturity and to help teach the next generation of learners.

“It was really fun to help out and seeing the sparkle in the kids eyes,” Lefranc said.

Helping out the little kids with science day was really rewarding for the high school students, it let them see the awe and excitement in the younger kids and the overall power and importance of science.

Science day proved to be an exciting and memorable time for both high school and elementary students.

Through fun experiments and knowledgeable activities science day accomplished its goal of igniting the spark of learning in younger students.

Science time (above): Sophomore London Urbanus helps the elementary students add water to artificial snow making a gel like substance. The experiment was highly regarded by the kids as they almost all took home the gel in small baggages. “It was very fun, the kids were easy to teach and really sweet,” Urbanus said.

Helping the kids (above): Junior Mariya Shkolnaya helps elementary students with science day activities. Mariya helped the students make shapes out of marshmallow and spaghetti.”It was really fun to see how excited the kids were,” Shkolnaya said.

Elephant toothpaste (left): Sophomore Ricardo Lefranc dramatically introduces an elephant toothpaste experiment to the elementary students. The experiment was a favorite of many elementary students. “I mixed sodium iodine, salt and food coloring which made this cool volcano explosion thing, the kids loved it,” Lefranc said.

Dry ice (above): Junior Josh Rudolph shows the kids a dry ice explosion.

Rudolph put dry ice and CO2 in the bag and waited until it exploded to show the elementary kids a scientific experiment. “The kids liked the explosion,” Rudolph said.

Photo Essay story and photos by Photo Editor Granger Coats

Reduce, reuse, recycle (above): Senior Sunnie Lee and freshman Landry Loera reads to a group of elementary students. The high school students taught the elementary kids how to reduce, reuse, and recycle and the important reasons of doing so. “Its important to learn about the environment even at a young age,” Lee said.

I n-Depth

The Lone Star Dispatch

I n-Depth Monday, Dec. 15, 2014

Page 8

The Lone Star Dispatch

Monday, Dec. 15, 2014

Page 9

A dimension of sight, a dimension of sound, and a dimension of mind

Unlock the door with the key of imagination and journey into today’s technology and social media as we tour the infinite possibilities in time and the foreshadowing future Ashlee Thomason Managing Editor

Almost everyone has one and it’s the sleekest device on the market. The rise of the popularity of the cell phone has become an ever-present part of our modern society.

This shift in society has initiated the idea of carrying a device in one’s pocket throughout the entire day. Some might say we are literally in a real-life “1984” society with the increasing technology that grows in knowledge and power each day.

A newfound idea that comes equipped with the cell phone devices are the applications found on phones, such as social media portals. This ‘social habit’ of using social media multiple times within the same day has become a part of several cell phone user’s lives.

Social media opens a portal for users to communicate with one another without the face-toface reality interaction.

Reflecting on the idea of social media affecting its users social interaction and communication in reality, junior Madison Jackson expresses her opinion.

“Social media is a way of personal communication and self expression to other people,” Jackson said. “Today technology already provides us with many of our needs, but in the future I see it to provide better, safer, and more efficient ideas.

1.73 Billion Social Media Users

In-Depth page creation by: Ashlee Thomason

Enter another realm with Oculus Rift technology Ashlee Thomason Managing Editor

The 1980s household dream of a virtual reality goggle equipped with a headset is coming true more than ever with the Oculus Rift technology.

Oculus Rift technology’s goggles and headphones look like they came straight out of the 1983 film, “War Games” and the Disneyworld ‘Carousel of Progress’ ride.

The innovative 21-year old creator, Palmer Luckey, is the mastermind behind the Oculus Virtual Reality (VR).

Working as a sailing instructor, boat repairer, and refurbishing iPhones, Luckey earned enough profit to fund his projects on VR related technology. In 2011, Luckey developed a prototype in his parents’ garage.

The Oculus Rift VR is a developer product and is currently not yet on the consumer market. There are a few with the Oculus Rift technology due to software developers being

700 mil

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released the product for about $300.

Placing the headset and goggles over your eyes and turning on the virtual reality game is as if oneself stepped into a completely different realm. Your hands are not your hands, but the hands of the character, who is you, on the screen. With panoramic vision one can look around the room and see only virtual reality.

In one simulation video game, the character is sitting in a chair, but the character is essentially oneself. While sitting in the chair, multiple attacks such as bees, a giant spider, and a T-Rex test an individual’s fears. The point of the game is to hold down to keys as the game continues and to not let go of the keys despite the fear when experiencing the ‘realistic feel’ of the virtual reality.

Facebook recently purchased the Oculus Rift VR Company for $2 billion. With this recent purchase, Oculus Rift VR technology has a promising future once the consumer products are released on the market sometime in 2015.

http://www.pcgamer.com/oculus-rift-consumer-release-expected-to-stay-under-400/ http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/oculus-rift-star-wars-trench-run-demo-released-video-24-09-2013/

Progression of the telephone

500 mil tweets/day

http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Social-Networking-Reaches-Nearly-One-Four-Around-World/1009976 http://www.businessinsider.com/snapchat-growth-2014-5 http://thenextweb.com/facebook/2014/01/29/facebook-passes-1-23-billion-monthly-active-users-945-million-mobile-users-757-million-daily-users/ http://www.internetlivestats.com/twitter-statistics/

In most ways we are moving forward with technology; such as better transportation, communication, and even medical innovations. But, I do believe that the social media aspect of technology is causing a digression in our interactions with one another as well as how we view ourselves and other people.”

Junior Minh-Thi Nguyen discusses her take on the idea of evolution of the combination of technology and social media.

“We can use social media as an idea to connect with everything in the world through phones and the web,” Nguyen said. “I think technology is going to grow more with new, innovative ideas that could make our every day lives easier. Since the evolution of technology has become such a big movement, it is so hard not to use it.”

Some students do not feel they need the entire social media aspect in their lives every second of the day.

“I would rather call up a friend and hang out with them in real life than stare at a screen to communicate with them over Twitter or Instagram,” senior Emily Gonzales said. “I see technology keeping America as a country together because it helps unite people based on opinions. But as far as technology for the next generation I feel like it would shape their world to be forever consumed with having to maintain a social status.”

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http://bgr.com/2013/12/13/telephone-timeline-a-brief-history-of-the-phone/ http://robert227.bizland.com/phonemuseum/telephones/telephones-residential. htm

A thletics

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15 , 2014 Page 10

Seniors sign to play in college

Jasmine Correa Photo Essay Editor Senior Athletes anxiously waiting for a letter that could possibly be telling them if they will continue their athletic carrer playing for a university.

The feeling for senior Taylor Lenggenhager when she was signing with UT Tyler was unreal and nothing she would have imagined she would have been doing.

“I was shaking but it was the greatest feeling ever. I felt like everything I worked for finally paid off,” Lenggenhager said.

Lenggenhager didn’t have to wait long for her acceptance and signing.

“I committed to the school in June after my junior year. I applied to the school October 3rd and got accepted October 20th,” Lenggenhager said.

Despite the many difficulties Lenggenhager went through, they didn’t stop her.

“I had an injury at the end of my sophomore year that almost kept me from playing ever again,” Lenggenhager said. “After that I’ve had a completely different love for the game.”

She still hasn’t fully recovered but that didn’t keep her from being noticed, for Lenggenhager signing with UT Tyler is an advantage.

“They have a great engineering program which is what I’m going to study. Plus it’s not bad that they are a dominant D3 softball program,” Lenggenhager said.

For her, UT Tyler has always been her first choice.

“I’ve wanted to play there since I was a sophomore,” Lenggenhager said.

She chose to go to UT Tyler as well because of the community.

“It’s in a safe town and it’s really well kept,” Lenggenhager said.

Her living life style will be different without her parents.

“I’m super depended on my parents so it’ll be a huge change,” Lenggenhager said.

Being captain of the softball team has taught her how to be a better person.

“I’ve learned how to be a leader from the seniors before me and my coaches. Being a captain has been an honor and taught me a lot,” Lenggenhager said.

The team is another family for Lenggenhager.

“We are extremely close. Especially the seniors we’ve been through every year together,” Lenggenhager said. “Our bond is really special.”

Although her living style may change, her coaching and training style will stay the same.

“The UT Tyler coach coaches the same way I’ve always been coached. He’s super tough, but that’s what I’m used to,” Lenggenhager said. “So I’m happy that won’t be a big change in that way.”

Senior baseball player Joseph Davis signed with the University of Houston.

“University of Houston wasn’t my first choice but they offered me what I needed,” Davis said.

For Davisbaseball has been apart of his life since he was four years old.

“I’ve been playing since I was four, so about 14 years now,” Davis said.

Davis was contacted to play baseball from several universities without having to apply for art by Fuaad Ajaz and Lauren Blevins them.

“I only applied to one but I was offered by 25 schools,” Davis said.

Baseball isn’t the only sport Davis has played.

“I’ve also played football and a little bit of basketball,” Davis said.

Just like Lenggenhager said, Davis agreed with the same feeling of how it felt when signing to the college of their choice.

“It felt like all my work finally paid off,” Davis said.

Volleyball captain Kellen Dunn felt overwhelmed when signing with the University of Central Arkansas.

“Playing for a division 1 team has been a dream of mine since I started playing so I was very excited and overjoyed to finally be able to say I achieved one of my goals,” Dunn said.

Luckily for her it was her first choice and the only school she applied to.

“I was recruited by several D1 schools but once I verbally committed to Central Arkansas last year it was the only school I sent out an application to,” Dunn said.

Dunn doesn’t only play volleyball, she also runs track.

“I’ve played volleyball for six years and I’ve ran track for two years,” Dunn said.

College and career center adviser Veronica Castillo explains the difference between signings and acceptances.

“Student athletes do go through a different process, primarily in compliance with NCAA,” Castillo said.

All the blood, sweat, and tears for these athletes paid off in the long run. They will be playing the sport they have been playing for many years and many more to come at the university they chose.

Lady ‘Dawgs have unfinished business

Bulldogs are hungry and ready to fight this season Isabel Rosales Athletics Editor

Sweat dripping down their face and shoes squeaking from sprinting up and down the court, the Lady ‘Dawgs plan on going deeper into playoffs and eventually to the state tournament.

Lady ‘Dawgs are undefeated in district 4-0 but 14-2 overall after their losses to Cedar Ridge and Segiun.

“So far this year, the losses we’ve had were to good teams. But typically after a loss, I look back and analyze the film from that game and break it down to see what I could have done to play better in order to help my team,” junior Kianna Ray said.

Facing challenges everyday as they step out onto the court and at school these student athletes are held to higher standards that others set for them and those they set for themselves.

“In sports, challenges are endless. Everyday you’re faced with something new.

The challenges I’m faced with as a player are being the best I can possibly be, and push though when things don’t go as planned. As a teammate, I’m challenged to be the best leader I can possibly be,” Ray said.

The team well one-point shy of making the second round of the play-offs last year so they have been doubling up on workouts and revising each play carefully to make corrections so they can go further this year.

“It’s early in the season and although I’ve been getting limited play time, I hope that I can prove to my team and coaches that I can compete on the same level as them. The team has been very successful and I hope I can play a bigger role in that success,” sophomore Elise Foradory said.

Focusing on one game at a time they all want to advance to state with the improvements made to their plays.

“We hope to go to the state tournament, that’s always the goal. Before that, however, our main goal is to

Fighting back: Sophomore Savannah Ralph goes for a lay up in a game against Akins high school. The Lady ‘Dawgs won the conference game by a score of 68-32. Photo by Granger Coats.

win district and we will do that by winning one game at a time,” senior Alyssa Kukyendall Winning Tuesday’s home game against Austin High brought their fourth win of conference games continuing their undefeated streak.

“I hope that we can win district and go on to states.

We should continue to support each other in practices and games and just continue the way we are playing right now,” Foradory said The theme for this years girl’s basketball team is “unfinished business” to remind them to work hard and make a comeback this year were

they left their second playoff game by a small loss.

“The theme is completely straight forward. We lost our second playoff game last season by one point, leaving the season feeling ‘unfinished’. It’s reminder of how we left, and motivated to finish every game knowing that we gave everything we could,” Kukyendall said.

Looking at the small mistakes in each game the Lady ‘Dawgs hope to correct those and make small fixed to advance in the game.

“We have faced many difficulties throughout our season that we have managed to overcome. Mostly small

fixes in defense like cutting off baseline and moving our feet to cut off the person driving instead of fouling little fixes like his make a huge improvement in the game,” sophomore Reilly Campbell said.

The feeling where you did your best and you know you couldn’t have done anything else is the feeling these girls are searching for this year.

“I hate how last year ended, losing by one second round of playoffs. In order to take care of our ‘ unfinished business’ countless hours of work have to be put in,” Ray said.

The wrestlers have high expectations for themselves for not only competing and trying to win, but they have to watch their weight and drop some serious pounds when needed as well.

“I have been trying to get myself in good shape and trying my best to stay as healthy as possible ”, varsity Blake Rarus said.

Wrestling requires lots of skill and hand-eye coordination, according to Rarus.

“I actually started my seventh grade year participating in clubs out of school

and have improved a whole lot since then. I’m working to improve on my cardio and my technique”, Rarus said.

Working out and dieting is a huge factor to performing well in a big match.

“Just watching my diet and working out like crazy are big factors to preparing myself for the season ”, varsity Stefan Moreno said.

By watching your weight and staying healthy, it is very possible at a match to win it all and possibly make it to state if you compete correctly.

“I think I’ve accomplished a lot since my freshman year, I’ve been able to place at state and place or win tournaments that I wasn’t able to win before”, Moreno said.

Many athletes give themselves goals they try to accomplish throughout their season, the wrestlers compete and usually complete these goals, according to Moreno.

“One goal I have for this season is to win state”, Moreno said.

Just like Moreno, many of the wrestlers are currently in their seniors and their high school wrestling careers are going to be coming to an end soon.

“I’m excited, I basically just want to go out with a bang and give it my all and see where I end up ”, Moreno said.

Wrestling is a great hobby for some and it will be missed greatly by some of these seniors, according to Moreno.

“I’m probably going to miss the team bonding the most out of all of it. It was a lot of team chemistry and we all just come together as a family in the end ”, Moreno said.

Wrestling their way to district Alyssa Martinez Staff writer

This season the wrestlers are preparing for their best matches of the seasons and are working towards winning many tournaments, and hopefully making it all the way to state.

“We really intensified the practices this year, we do more upbeat activities with the music playing to motivate them and lots of running and weight lifting”, new head coach Glen Lewis said.

Westlake dual: Junior William Hockaday wrestles against Westlake opponent in the Westlake duel hosted by Bowie. Hockaday competes in the 180 weight division and has been wrestling since freshman year. Photo by Granger Coats

A thletics

Aspiring dancers tryout for team

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 Page 11

Silver

A beaming white smile hiding behind bright red lipstick is on every Silver Star’s face as they leap through the air and dance during their performance.

Becoming a Silver Star is the dream of many young local dancers, but in order to achieve this ambition they must first tryout.

“Silver Stars is something that I’ve always wanted to do,” sophomore Sierra Webb said. “When I was little I always looked up to them; they were like celebrities.”

Tryouts to be on the dance team started Nov. 17 -

Stars

art by Fuaad Ajaz

Nov. 21 and were held after school from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Everyone that was on Silver Stars the past year had to try out again for their spot, and those who were not previously on the team could try out. Anyone could

tryout regardless of grade or past dance experience.

“I thought tryouts were easy, but a little bit challenging at the same time,” sophomore Connie Le said.

During tryouts, the dancers learned a routine that involved kicks, turns, and floor work.

“It was very fast paced, there were no breaks in between,” Webb said.

After tryouts, results for who made it onto the team were posted.

“I was really excited when I learned I made it because all my hard work had paid off,” freshman Sydney Pattison said.

Being on Silver Stars means going through a regimented practice schedule

and getting used to performing regularly in front of big crowds. Members of the dance team practice for their upcoming performances at

school we had practices during our classes, but in Silver Stars we have to get to school every morning to practice. It’s a lot more tir-

“

I always looked up to the Silver Stars, they were like celebrities. -Sierra Webb

school every morning at 7:30 a.m, along with their dance class school.

“Middle school is definitely not the same as Silver Stars,” senior Nicole Byrom said. “There is a lot more work put into it. In middle

“

Caitlin Devlin Athletics Editor

ing, emotionally and physically,” During football season, the Silver Stars performed a routine with the band every game during half time and have had many other performances since, such as

the Christmas dance concert and the Silver Star Fashion Show.

“I have a little bit of an adrenaline rush when I’m performing,” Byrom said.

“I don’t really get nervous, I feel pretty confident. It’s super cool to have everybody watching you during a football game, when you walk out and the lights are shining on you like ‘this is my moment!’”

The life of a Silver Star can be both challenging and exciting, but in the end the Stars enjoy their performances and how it feels afterward to be an awardwinning team.

“Lots of girls were trying their hardest,” Byrom said.

Rowing team shares their boating experiences Ethan Archbold Staff Writer Rowing isn’t a school-based sport, but a number of Bowie students are out on the water regularly for both fun and on off campus teams.

“It is an exhilarating sport full of competition and chances to become a part of a larger community,” junior Mary Geisinger said. “It’s a very adrenaline rushing sport. It can get intense and fun, and the people and the community are fun too.”

Rowing is a sport with a large community backing it and can be done solo or in a team.

“The team is very close and we try to have as many gettogethers as possible,” Austin Rowing Club member junior Ben Bell said.

Senior Ben Patterson, a member of the Austin Rowing Club, says the sport is full of healthy benefits.

“It’s a great way to stay in shape,” Patterson said. “It keeps me active and fit.”

Rowing is a very competitive sport too.

“I love competition and I didn’t realize it until I started paddling,” Geisinger said.

Bell agreed with Geisingers’s thoughts on competing.

“You have to give it everything you got,” Bell said.

“One-hundred and ten percent is expected of you from your coaches and you have to give it your all.”

Along with being competitive, rowing can be equally as casual.

“Rowing in general is very fun and exciting,” Geisinger said. “You get to meet new people and experience different rivers.”

Though the sport can be casual and non-competitive, it still takes a lot of dedication and energy.

“It’s very rigorous keeping up with raining and it demands everything you have,” Bell said.

Both Geisinger and Patterson started learning the basics while rowing with their family.

Geisinger still paddles with her dad and won a competition with him just recently.

A good diet helps with the training and is actually less strict then one would think.

“Every night before a race I eat meals that are heavy in carbs and I get to eat ice cream or other desserts too,” Ben Patterson says.

Rowing is full of competitions and opportunities to meet new friends.

art by Lauren Blevins

Top Dawgs

Standout athletic performances

Garrett Ray photo by Fuaad Ajaz

Junior Garrett Ray enjoys the rhythm of wrestling and the competition it brings.

“I love the feeling every time I step out onto the mat,” Ray said.

Wrestlers work very hard to keep a constant weight.

“Sometimes I forget I’m supposed to be dieting and it’s really a lot of work to get back into shape,” Ray said. “Dieting consists of having a lot of self control and over the years I’ve gotten better at it.”

Although wrestling is not a team sport, Ray really enjoys the company that his team brings him and all the support they give.

“My team is awesome; we are pratically a family and they help me with so much,” Ray said. “Win or lose they are their for me.”

On varsity since freshman year, now captain of varsity, junior Kianna Ray is a leader to her basketball team.

“It’s an honor to be captain of the team, but a huge responsibility and the last thing I would want to do is let them down,” Ray said.

Working towards playoffs, Ray believes having a tight bonded team will allow them to work better together.

“Our bond is really tight,” Ray said.

“We are not just friends or teammates, we are family. And having a good bond really helps our chemistry on the courts.”

Ray’s average points per game is 17.5 and her average assists per game is 3.2, making her one of the highest scoring players on the team.

“We have definitely come a long way and all our hard work from off season is now showing,” Ray said.

Kianna Ray photo by Isabel Rosales

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AGE 5

E ntertainment The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15, 2014

Theatre one classes bring children stories to life on stage Fuaad Ajaz Staff Writer

Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Polar Bear, and Snow White are just a few of the many children’s stories that are going to make the elementary school kids giggle with enjoyment.

To be in Theatre, students need to get used to an audience and that is what theatre teacher Kayln Holloway, helps them do.

“We take the Theatre one classes to perform in front of elementary schools because we want them to perform in front of an easier audience for their first performance,” Holloway said.

For freshman Yelenna James this will be her first live performance in front of an actual audience.

“The story my group chose to do was Goldilocks and the Three Bears and I am Mama Bear,” James said. “ This will be my first performance in front of an audience and I’m not really scared because they’re elementary school kids, so even if I mess up they’ll think it was funny or part of the performance.”

Although there are the traditional stories like Goldilocks, one group decided to choose a book that kids may not know about.

“The book my group chose to do is The Little Polar Bear and we chose that book because know one has really heard of that book and it was one of my favorites from when I was little and I thinks its just a

really fun book to read to the kids,” sophomore Lucy Awlachew said.

Sophomore Janette Fattouh chose to go the traditional route, but chose her favorite childhood movie and did her performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

“My group and I chose to do the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and that was a performance I really wanted to do because that was a movie I would never stop watching from when I was younger,” Fattouh said.

Making a kid laugh simply allows the performers to feel good on the inside and that’s how Holloway wants her students to feel when they perform in front of many students.

“I just love going into the class room and seeing those kids watching the performance, laughing, and smiling because it makes not only me happy but also makes my student happy because all their practicing and hard work pays off,” Holloway said.

Messing up your part in front off little kids is not as bad as it is made out to be, but for Fattouh if she messed up she wouldn’t have been happy.

“I was just really afraid of not reading the story right when I was narrator or even forgetting a line or two while performing as Snow White or Sleepy,” Fattouh said.

“But fortunately all the time I reread the monologue and book I had no troubles while performing.”

The classes know look forward to their performances ahead of them.

art by Bryce

Page 12

Dance department puts on their biannual concert Maryam Hussain Editor-In Chief

An up-beat medley of a variety of different forms of dance, from jazz to modern to contemporary, and even ballet carried the tempo of the successful winter concert held on December 4.

“The dance concert went great,” director Jennifer Dawson said. “It was really one of our best shows we’ve ever had.”

Months of effort and hard work went into pulling off such a cohesive show.

Half of the semester in dance class was dedicated to preparing the girls for the winter concert.

“To prepare for the dance concert we began learning the dance in class at the end of October and finished it a week before, and then we practiced and cleaned the dance up all the way up to the performance,” Junior Rebecca Churchill said. “We began practice on stage and then had a dress rehearsal the day before the performance with the technicians to make sure the lights and sound would run smoothly the day of the performance.”

And smoothly they ran.

The show left both the performers and their instructors in awe of all the performances.

“I think the concert was just amazing,” junior Isabel Ariana said. “It went really well and ran smoothly.”

Out of all the performances however, there was one that really stood out.

“All of our students did great, Taylor Olson had her final performance as a senior Bowie dance company member, and she performed a solo that was out of this world amazing,” Dawson said.

While Olson is an extremely experienced senior dancer, even the newbies got to be a part of it all.

“A lot of the other dancers have a lot of experience comparatively and then I have really minimal experience,” Ariana said. “But I feel like dance helps me become more athletic and has helped me find a new way to be fit and undergo new and great experiences.”

Like Ariana, all the dancers have

Leave your heart on stage: Senior Taylor Olson performs her last solo dance of her high school career. Olson has been dancing since she was eight years old and plans to take this talent to college with her. Photo by Alyssa Martinez

something that sets them apart from the rest.

“I think what sets me apart from the other dancers is that I always want everyone on stage with me to do their performance and hope they put as much effort into it as I do,” Churchill said.

Over all, the whole event was an enjoyable experience for the dancers.

“I just loved being a part of it because it was really fun to just get dressed up in a costume and perform and dance to these really fun songs,” Ariana said. “I was a little nervous that I was going to mess up at this one part but it all worked out at the end.”

Specific moments in the show really resonated with the performers.

“My favorite parts of the performance was the part with the triangle formations because we did some really cool group work, as well as my part

with three other girls in which we did a Russian across the stage,” Churchill said.

But to the directors, the most cherished part is simply having the opportunity to see the end result off all their hard work.

“The best part of the concert was getting to see our students shine on the stage after putting so much hard work into it over the semester,” Dawson said.

With the winter concert finished, preparations for the next semester are in full swing.

“Our next dance concert is in the spring and we will do tap jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop, contemporary, and maybe even some more styles because our dance concerts are more of a showcase whereas the spring show is more of a themed performance,” Dawson said.

The holiday season brings out family traditions around ATX

Paige Rife Entertainment Editor

Homes are illluminated with flashing lights, and family members from all over come together to celebrate the wellknown holiday, Christmas, a religious and cultural celebration to recognize the birth of Jesus Christ.

According to junior Bryn Willams, this holiday is a chance for family members who do not normally see one another to spend quality time together.

“Christmas is very special to me,” Williams said. “My family members from all over the country get to spend a few days together and it’s just a really happy time of the year for me.”

Some students use Christmas time to bond with family members and friends and keep yearly traditions alive. For senior, Sydney Cowell, this is a time to celebrate her families annual “Tamale Day.” “Every year the Sunday before Christmas, my grandmother and female relatives make dozens of tamales for the rest of our family members and friends.” Cowell said.

Along with this tradition, Cowell uses holiday break time to bake and play games with her relatives.

“Christmas Eve we bake all day and once night time comes around my whole family joins together at my grandmothers house,” Cowell said. “We exchange presents, play white elephant, and eat all of the goodies.

For senior, Megan Schwab, this time of the year takes an interesting turn. Not only does Schwab celebrate Christmas with her family, but Hannukah as well.

Hannukah is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight days to retell the story of how the Maccabees reclaimed their temple after the Romans destroyed it.

According to Schwab, the Jewish went to the synagogue and only found enough oil

art by Kamryn Bryce

for one day, but it lasted the Jewish culture eight days instead.

“Miracle of miracles the oil lasted them eight days,” Schwab said. “We light the menorah and each night add another candle until all eight are lit.”

Schwab believes this holiday is an opportunity to come together with loved ones and share the mixed culture between family members.

“This year the celebration starts on the 16th and ends on Christmas Eve,” Schwab said. “It’s really fun because before we put on our annual Christmas Eve movie we will light the menorah for the last night. Our Jewish beliefs mixed with the traditions of our families is something I’ll always value.”

Sophomore Savannah Davis enjoys the feelings this holiday radiates. For Davis, this holiday is a time to strengthen bonds with family members who she does not see often.

“Christmas is very special for me,” Davis said. “It is the only time that I get to see all of my relatives at once and it always brings us closer together as a family.”

Choir winter show brings holiday cheer

E ntertainment

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15, 2014

Hazel Rodriguez Staff Writer

Running around trying to get people in to their correct order and trying to get everything organized, choir directors Ben May and Caitlin Obert-Thorn are ready to start the choir winter concert.

The annual choir winter concert was held at Bethany Lutheran church on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

Helping to prepare and aid the choir directors get everything in place, copresidents are great support during the concert.

“We go early and we get the room in the back clean and then we pretty much follow what Mr. May tells us to do; we get people in order my co-president and I,” senior Grace Gnasigamany said.

The choir presidents have a handful of things they have to take care of in order for everything to be in good shape.

“Y’all don’t understand the pressure that is put on us for everything to run right,” Gnasigamany said.

“Last year during the winter concert I fainted back stage because of all the stress. Not everybody knows only the choir presidents from last year and I.” Between one break to the next, little time is left for May and Obert-Thorn to get everything done for the concert.

“I personally have the jazz choir, show choirs, freshmen women’s choir, men’s choir, and hallelujah chorus,”Obert-Thorne said. “The hard thing is the timing coming back from Thanksgiving break and only having a few weeks until another break keeping everyone awake and alive enough to do it but the planning has been easy and the choir has been working

Do you hear what I hear: Varsity Choir singer Hannah Briggs performs “I’ll Be home For Christmas” in the Bethany Lutheran Church. The choir also went to perform at Gorzycki Middle School that night. Photo by Fuaad Ajaz

hard.”

May has a different mindset of how stressful the concert is when it’s being put together.

“Winter concert is fairly stressful because each choir only has eleven rehearsals to put together their music for the concert,” May said.

“However, it is usually not as many costume changes, set pieces, or choir transitions to organize.”

Between the two choir

directors they split up the work on who conducted each song.

“The winter concert included fifteen songs for various ensembles. I was responsible for conducting for of them, and Ms. ObertThorn conducted on nine of them,” May said. “We conducted the concert opener and processional together.”

A new special tradition started during this winter

concert letting alumni sing the closing song of the concert with the rest of the choir.

“It was great to see some of our alumni singing the hallelujah chorus with the choir this year. We hope that this is a tradition that can continue and become a special part of the winter concert in the future,” May said “The current students were excited to sing beside their old friends again.”

Page 13

iPhone 6 out and trending

Michelle McDonagh Staff Writer

IPhones have been a part of the school since the first one was released in June of 2007. Now, Apple’s most recent models, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, are held in the hands of eager iPhone users.

Released in September of this year, the iPhone 6 Plus is larger than any other model so far, and the 6 is only a little bit smaller than the Plus.

“Before this phone, I had a iPhone 4S,” junior Tiffany Maxie said. “I went to the AT&T store shortly after the phone came out. I ordered a phone from the store because it wasn’t there. It came in the mail two weeks later.”

Lots of people experienced this same issue. According to apple’s website, iPhone 6 pre-sales topped over four million nation-wide, the largest of any iPhone pre-sale.

“I plan to get the new iPhone in April,” senior Kylie Wood said. “I really like my current 5S, it just annoys me at times with its glitches.”

Some people are not interested in the new phone.

“I rarely use my phone to text,” senior Ken Tsang said.

“I usually just play games on my phone. If I got the new phone, which I’m not really interested in, I would do the same.”

The greatest feature on this new phone, it seems, is it’s eight-mega pixel camera. The 6 Plus, along with the camera, has an optical image stabilizer.

“I love the camera and the fingerprint scanner,” Maxie said. “Its photos are really clear and really good. The fingerprint thing is on the earlier models, though.”

Some, though, find the

camera annoying.

“It just pops out every time you use it,” sophomore Nina Tinsley said. “It’s a clear camera, but the camera popping out just annoys me.”

People are enjoying the new phone, with some getting it very close to its release date.

“My old phone had it,” Theatre teacher Kayln Holloway said. “I got my iPhone the day it came out.

I left right after school to go get it, and the store still had some phones.”

But, like with the iPhone 5S and the iOS 8 update, there are complaints with this phone.

“The only downside to this phone is the fact that it’s so thin,” Maxie said.

“I’m always worried about it falling out of my hand when I hold it with one hand.”

Even people without the iPhone 6 seem to have problems with the phone.

“I like how my iPhone 5S fits in my hand and isn’t a gigantic phone like the iPhone 6,” Wood said.

With a 4.7” retina display, the screen is larger than any other iPhone, and even larger than some android screens.

“I love the screen,” Holloway said. “Now, I can actually read what is on my screen easily.”

People seem to like their new phones when they look back at their old phones.

“So far, I have had no problems with the phone,” Holloway said. “My old iPhone 4S was cracked and old. Compared with my old one, this is an awesome phone.”

Overall, people seem to be a fan of the iPhone 6 and 6 plus. Compared with its counterparts, this phone’s big screen, thin frame and clear camera seem to be a hit on campus.

Long lives country fans’ dreams

Michelle McDonagh Staff Writer

Students dream about going to award shows, wearing the fancy outfits, and walking the red carpet.

Although she did not walk the red carpet, junior Lyndsey Long did go to the Country Music Awards on November 5.

Long got the opportunity to go because her father is the tour manager for country singer Brad Paisley, one of the hosts that evening.

“It’s a very unique job that my dad does,” Long said. “Not every dad does this in the world and I feel extremely blessed and grateful that he has the job that he has. It’s very humbling to me.”

At the event, along with watching live performances, Long got to meet many celebrities.

“I felt honored to meet one of my country favorites, Blake Shelton,” Long said. “He was the funniest guy you’ll ever meet.

Every celebrity I met was extremely nice, and I met others like Cole Swindell and Meghan Trainor.”

Long has been going to the awards for the past two years, but Nashville means much more to her than the CMA’s. Long grew up in Nashville and her parents still own a home in the city.

“My memories there are everything revolving country music,” Long said.

“It’s a great town and very similar to Austin, although Nashville is home to country

Backstage pass: Junior Lyndsey Long poses with country singer Cole Swindell. He has recently released his new, self-titled album. Photo courtesy of Lyndsey Long

music. Both cities are very musical-centered.”

During her free time, Long got to experience

Nashville’s culture.

“I walked around downtown, shopped, and even went to a Songwriter’s Night while I was there,” Long said.

A songwriter’s night is when artists are scheduled in advance, and perform that night.

Her friends on campus really like her attitude towards everything and everyone.

“She’s really nice and very funny,” junior Nehal Vaidya said. “She helps me with AP history homework a lot.”

Overall, Long has one thing to take out of this entire experience.

“My experience was amazing,” Long said. “Every single second was fun while I was there.”

Behold the iPhone 6: Sophomore Fuaad Ajaz models his new iPhone. The new phone is slimmer and easier to carry.

Photo by Granger Coats

In Review: Mockingjay Part 1 Fuaad Ajaz Staff Writer The newest Hunger Games trilogy movie “Mockingjay Part 1” hit the big screens with the opening night raising $123 million.

With the cast having a change in behavior, from an even more evil President Snow to a now psycho Peeta Mellark, the movie was amazing.

One thing that I really enjoyed was how the movie had some comedic elements

in it, like when Katniss stuffed Buttercup, her family cat, into her bag and gave it to her sister in District 13.

Another comical scene was just seeing Effie complain about how her bunker was not good enough for the fancy people from the “capitol.”

Although the movie was great there were a couple flaws here and there. I feel like there should have been more of the war incorporated in the movie. The movie was not as intense and action-

packed as I thought it would be.

I feel like if they added just a tiny bit of the war with the Capitol against the Districts it would have made the movie better.

A scene that gave me goose bumps was the scene when Katniss sees what is left of District 12 and when she sees the skulls and bones everywhere, knowing that District 12 no longer exists.

When Katniss and the people from the capitol who were filming her sing the

song “The Hanging Tree” it was another big moment in the movie because that was what inspired District 5 to blow up the hydroelectric dam.

President Snow just seems to get more and more evil each movie from killing Seneca Cane to bombing a hospital filled with injured kids and adults. He’s a demented, old, heartless man which really makes the movie have a dark side to it.

The greatest scene to me was when Katniss was

watching the hospital burn to the ground and you saw the emotion and pain she experienced because innocent people were dying because she went and visited them. She showed more emotion about District 8 than her own District.

With the first movie being so suspenseful, I’m on the edge of my seat to know when Part 2 comes out.

Part 2 has not had a release date announced yet.

There will be more action and drama in Part 2.

Box Office: $257.7M

Rating: PG-13

Director: Francis Lawrence

Genres: Adventure, Sci-Fi

Staff Rating:

C ommentary The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 Page 14

Rules change when on campus Editorial

What if your belongings could be searched without a warrant, your car, your backpack, your locker, even your phone? All of those things can be searched on school grounds, because the moment you step on the property, you lose rights guaranteed to you by the U.S. Constitution.

You may not have taken the time to read the entire 120-page code of conduct given to you at the beginning of the year by AISD, or the 26-page student handbook the school gave out. They both go into detail on what you can, and cannot do on school grounds.

So even though some of the rules may be silly, you should still know them, and even if you didn’t sign the thing, you’re still obligated to follow the rules inside.

As a student, you are required to recite the Texas Pledge and Pledge of Allegiance unless your parents make a written request for you not to, and even then you must still participate in the moment of silence. It may sound silly now, but there are atheists and agnostics attending this school who don’t feel comfortable pledging themselves under God, and should we really force them to do that?

You are also being recorded, and the school is required to put up signs saying so, even though there aren’t any in plain sight anywhere in this school. And even 300ft away from the school, you are under the school’s authority, meaning if you are seen doing something considered obscene by an

AP in the church parking lot, you can still get a referral.

All weapons are prohibited on school campuses, including mace/pepper spray, knives, toy guns, paper guns, finger guns, even the words “I have a gun.” You can’t have knives, even if they’re smaller than your palms. Anything else the principal determines as dangerous under the circumstances is also not allowed, so don’t hold a pencil and yell at someone at the same time either.

You can’t use craigslist to set up meetings, post your phone number or email online while on school resources, including when you are using the Wi-Fi on your phone. Your emails can be monitored at any time by designated staff to ensure appropriate school use, so keep all of your private information on an email that you don’t access with school resources.

The school cannot take away your credits if you only miss four days, but if those absences are unexcused they can. You can miss a total of nine days per semester, and there it makes no difference whether those absences are excused or not.

If you ever hear the statement “please advise ‘your name’ to come to the office,” the chances are pretty good that you’re going to be greeted by a law enforcement officer. And sadly, if you don’t talk, you’re going to be in even bigger trouble, even if being questioned by staff members.

Know that the moment you step on school property, you lose rights, some of which become privileges, and others that are vapor-

art by Elyas Levens

Prison

School

Gun Free Zone

Where do you think you’re going?

We The People

ized completely. So take the time to read at least some of those two handbooks because you could be doing something wrong and not even know it. The information that you

don’t know could affect your everyday life, and choosing to ignore it isn’t going to help you, and it could very well come back to haunt you.

The real world isn’t just a TV show, so what is it?

Shelby Becker Entertainment Editor

There comes a day when we will embark into our adult lives. On that day, will it really matter if we know the Pythagorean theorem? Or could it be useful to know things like credit and money saving skills, how to interview for a job or even how to apply to college?

In our four years of high school, there are many things that students don’t learn that they should, that would be helpful for our adult lives.

I have never learned in school about credit scores. Credit scores can make or break you in the future, when trying to purchase things like cars and apartments. This is something that everyone should be aware of and I didn’t even know what it was. If one person doesn’t know something, odds are there are many

out there that don’t know either. I also have been taught many times about debt, but we didn’t learn how it can personally affect us, or how we should avoid it.

There are many money saving skills out there that could save students from making careless mistakes when they leave high school, but we haven’t been taught them.

Since elementary school, we are asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” In high school we are told to choose what we want to pursue in college and as a career, but they seem to have left out a very important factor: The interview.

I believe that an interview can make or break you. We learn how to make a speech in communications class, but do we learn how to directly communicate with others? I didn’t learn that. I would love to learn what people want to hear in interviews, and what questions are usually asks and how I can prepare efficiently. Once we decide our career path, that doesn’t mean that we will be handed the job, there is more to it.

Backing up even further, applying to college is something that is expected of us. We are expected to know everything about ap-

Dispatch Staff Editor-in-Chiefs | Kamryn Bryce/Maryam Hussain

Student Life Editors | Shelby Becker/ Gabby Bourgeacq/Sophia Mora

Managing/In-Depth Editor | Ashlee Thomason

Photo Editors | Granger Coats/Jasmine Correa

News Editor | Annika Holm

Entertainment Editors | Paige Rife/Lauren Blevins

Commentary Editor | Elyas Levens Online Editor | Justice Capello

plying for college, in one PowerPoint presen- to save it efficiently. There should also be tation with all of the information crammed in a class to prepare for interviews, and comone hour. It is overwhelming trying to take munication skills, not just making a speech. in all of that information at once. When I There could even be a class once a week, started my application process, I discovered during fit, where students get the help that things I never knew I had to do to apply be- they need on applying for college. cause I was told once and was expected to We learn a lot in school, but I believe remember. For example, after you send in there are so many important skills that your application, you have to go pay to send should be taught to us in high school, to help your transcripts out. You also have to pay to us in the future. get your SAT scores sent out. I had to find these things out through word of mouth. art by Elyas Levens Should I really On the other hand, I be teaching you understand that there are curriculums that schools money managehave to meet, and imporment? tant studies that students Ne need to learn to be suc$$ ed $ cessful.

I think that there should be required classes to fix these problems. There should be a class for monForeign ey management, where debt students learn about the factors of money and how

Phone addiction reaches epidemic proportions Granger Coats Photo Editor

Athletics Editor | Isabel Rosales/Caitlin Devlin

Advisor | Michael Reeves Staff Writers Fuaad Ajaz | Ethan Archbold | Zuha Lateef | Alyssa Martinez Michelle McDonagh | Samantha Perry | Hazel Rodriguez | Casey Shrout

Editorial 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 without indicating that the photographer is an illustrator.

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.

With 56 percent of American adults owning smartphones and with 73 percent of cell phone owners admitting to feeling panicked without their phones according to Psychology Today, we have become addicted.

We take our phones everywhere we go, and often feel stressed out or even hopeless without our devices. A recent poll on Huffington Post showed that 60 percent of people would rather leave their wallet at home than there smartphone.

The article brought up the dependence we have on our cellphones as we cant even get through our day without using a cellphone for some reason or another.

According to Cheecky founder, Alex Tew, an app that allows you to see how many times you check your phone the average person checks their phone roughly 60 times a day.

Another reason for our addiction is the dopamine released when we check our

phones. The dopamine is the brain’s pleasure chemical and since people get so used to these small pleasures that without our phone we become bored.

Other researchers even say that our digital devices impact the prefrontal cortex of our brain, an area that is responsible for our decision making process. This could be an underlying reason as to why we text and drive, regardless of the fact we know its dangerous.

We constantly check messages and social media accounts continually being flooded by information. We become so used to the constant stream of info that we can’t live without it.

Our brains have become trained to check our phones, constantly being rewarded with the pleasures of a text or a “like,” or a news story.

We hold our phones tightly in our hands never wishing to let them go, it has become our drug of choice, our religion, our tool for life.

Children whose brains are developing also have negative effects from today’s technology. The constant sensory overload of stimulation from technology has a great impact on the developing brain causing lack of attention skills and creativity.

Children’s brains have

not evolved enough to take in so much information and stimulation causing a wide range of effects including, ADHD, Autism, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, sleeping disorders, learning difficulties, and even depression according to Huffington post.

Although addictions are never good and even the word brings a sour taste to, ones mouth, there are some benefits. With our devices nothing is unknown and nothing is impossible.

Having trouble with your algebra homework? Simply ask Siri. Don’t know how to tie a tie? No problem, watch a YouTube video and soon you will be an expert on the matter.

Technology is a great and powerful tool, it allows us to understand and explore the world, it’s just sometimes hard to appreciate the world when your eyes are glued to the screen of a smartphone.

So what can we do to help our addiction? Try leaving your phone at home every once in awhile or just simply take some breaks from it. It might be hard at first, but what isn’t.

Look at the world and open your eyes to the beauty of it, there doesn’t constantly need to be something going on for you to enjoy life.

C ommentary

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 Page 15

ISIS crippling nations Justice Capello Online Editor

ISIS’ stand on the rest of the world...

James Foley, beheaded. Steven Sotloff, decapitated. David Haines, executed.

Two American journalists, and one British aid worker were brutally murdered by the terrorist group “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ” (ISIS) while doing work in Syria.

Over a million Iraqis have been forced from their homes to wander the slum-ridden wasteland that parts of Iraq have to offer.

Acts of terror. Acts of evil. Regardless of whatever one wishes to title these slaughters, that does not diminish the fact that these were inhumane actions that should not be tolerated.

As the super-power of the world, America has the biggest responsibility in extinguishing this devilish fire.

After the acts of terror on Sept. 11, 2001 and the start of the “War on Terrorism,” the United States has taken drastic measures to improve our homeland security as a means for preventing future occurrences of this severity.

This includes, but is not limited to, increased airport security, the contained growth of the NRA, CIA phone taps, and other acts, that one may or may not deem an invasion of our constitutional right of privacy.

Fighting an abstract, non-physical opponent called “terror” has been challenging over the last couple of years, but with the formation of the terrorist group ISIS, we finally have an actual

Humans of Bowie What is your proudest moment in or out of school?

“When I made varsity rowing, I was really excited because I’m a freshman and I’m in a varsity sport and that’s really exciting. I’ve only been rowing for a year so I’m proud of myself for that.” freshman Linnea O’Donnell

art by Elyas Levens

opponent in this so called “war.”

ISIS, a terrorist group originating from our old opponent Al-Qaeda, is going to be America’s main focus for years to come.

Many are left wondering if the U.S. involvement with this group is a waste of time, energy, and money, but as a nation founded on the basis of freedom is our intervention not a reflection of this very same constitutional idea?

If a power, which has the authority to prevent injustice, allows for the oppression of the innocent to occur, is said power really fulfilling their duty as a role model to the rest of the world?

America constantly pushes for democracy throughout the world as we see our success with our very own government, but if we are not leading by example, how are the underlying third world countries, who look up to the U.S., going to believe that what we preach is going to work in their country as well?

It is the duty of a leader to lead by example, and America’s involvement

in the hysteria spawned by the monster ISIS is a prime example of how the world’s super-power is fulfilling their duty as keeper of the peace.

If we continue on the path that we our currently on, America will hopefully stomp out this terrorist group, and save the lives of millions of innocent souls of the world.

As this crisis continues to unfold, it is our job as American citizens to stay informed with the decisions our nation’s leaders make revolving around this topic in order to prevent any overdramatic or unnecessary actions in the future.

We can continue to have our voices heard through the ballot box, and by ensuring that the government knows exactly how the American people feel on this topic.

We can secure that this will not lead to a full scale war, but instead will remain isolated to the prevention of further inhumane terrorist acts in order to secure a world of peace for the future leaders of the world.

“Two years ago I was swimming in a creek with a really big current and a little boy was caught in the current so I dove in after him and brought him back to his mom, and I feel like I saved him cause he couldn’t swim.” sophomore Payton McIntyre

‘Bootylicious’ Kardashian drama Ashlee Thomason Managing Editor

Looking like a glazed krispy kreme donut, Kim Kardashian’s derriere gleams on the cover of “Paper” magazine with the phrase, “Break the Internet”.

This Internet sensation occurred on the same day humanity landed a space probe on a comet, and people were more interested in Kim’s butt.

The photo shoot starring Kim Kardashian’s famous rear end is not original, it is a recreation of photographer, Jean-Paul Goude’s iconic ‘champagne incident’ shot. “Breaking the Internet” of course worked since everyone fell into the trap of allowing the photo-

graphs to skyrocket in popularity.

Kim Kardashian is not known for any talent except her ability to attract millions of viewers with an ‘edgy’ photo shoot, an over the top wedding, or a reality television show. Her rise to stardom started with a sex tape.

Most people, including Kim probably do not realize that the “Paper” magazine photo shoot of Kim Kardashian is offensive. Ironically, these photographs are doing the opposite of what Kim thinks they are doing. It’s not the fact that she is posing nude, but rather that she is being ridiculed within these photographs. The revealing photos show a curvy woman, but this is poking fun at curvy women and focuses on the image of the body rather than the inner woman.

Viewers of these images are being tricked into thinking these are cool, but it cripples the self-image of women.

Sexualized images make individual’s look as if they have no importance, intelligence, or other quality except for

their body.

Goude’s famous ‘champagne incident’ photograph is based upon a book titled, “Jungle Fever”. These photographs are racist and seem to be glorifying black people who pose for them as a sexual object instead of whole individuals.

The television show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashian’s”, has reached millions, right along with Kim’s butt.

I certainly don’t want to keep up with the Kardashian’s because I don’t care and the ‘problems’ on this television show are so low on the totem pole it is offensive. An entire episode will be about a sister stealing another sister’s dress or someone is acting moody, and trying to solve the mystery of what is wrong with her or him.

What is the bootylicious Kim Kardashian up to currently? The answer is a beautiful novel called, “Selfish” a 352-page long monstrosity containing multiple selfies starring, guess who, yep, herself.

Hola, I still don’t know spanish

It takes quite a bit to graduate high school. Whether it’s the seemingly endless pile of homework, dealing with the drama of just being a teenager, or passing all of your classes, graduation just doesn’t come soon enough.

But when you finally do cross that stage done up in a sleek, black gown and cap, is your life really going to be affected whether or not you took that third year of a foreign language?

Sure, by taking that extra year you’d make it on the distinguished plan, but there’s been a difference in opinion on whether or not that will really affect your college acceptances.

While counselors recommend the plan to students, implying that colleges could favor students on the distinguished plan over those on recommended, I’m not en-

tirely convinced.

I have heard from a few graduates that the only difference between the two is simply getting your named called with the title of distinguished to go along with it. Whether colleges really take that into account or not isn’t certain, but what is, is that I left my second year of Spanish not knowing anymore than leaving my first.

Personally having all the requirements to make it on the distinguished plan, it was that pesky third year that made me decide to not take another two semesters of a foreign language.

The foreign language teachers, of course, do a great job in getting students involved and I did look forward to my time in their classes. The passion is there, it’s the way the language is taught that didn’t push me to continue.

The program is very project heavy, which really didn’t teach me a thing.

If I could take it again I would’ve liked to have vocabulary tests and speaking projects that didn’t come from just memorizing a

“

You can’t learn a language from a book...

script. Learning a language fascinates me, but unfortunately I chose not to take another year of Spanish because I didn’t feel like I was learning the language.

There were good aspects to the program of course.

Homework assignments like Duo lingo helped me learn and memorize terms art by Elyas Levens

“

Kamryn Bryce Editor-In-Chief

quickly. If we had done more hands-on assignments like that, rather than bookwork and projects, I would’ve stayed with it.

You can’t learn a language from a book; you have to immerse yourself in the culture. Well, the culture part they got but it was the language I missed out on.

Hola! ¿Cómo estás?

I’m too busy to go over the same thing again...

“My proudest moment was performing in front of 10,000 people at the Alamo Dome this year in the marching band’s “If a Tree Falls” show. It was really exciting to see everything come together and work great.” Junior Antonio Tello

“This year I was senior director for cabaret, and during the show I was standing backstage and I was just looking out at the finale and I kind of realized wow, I did this, like this is amazing and I’m really proud of it all coming together and it was kind of a dream come true for me” senior Colby Rumph

“I have two boys, both of them know good and well that my favorite child is my little dog Shasta.

My proudest moment is when he got certified as a therapy dog and so he can go to nursing homes or come up here and visit life skills kids or go to the dell hospital. It makes me so happy that he can make people feel better and I feel like I helped him get there.” history teacher Patricia Maney photos by Jasmine Correa interviews by Elyas Levens

P hoto Essay

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday Dec. 15, 2014

Page 16

Book fair results in huge success

Great Christmas gifts: Books were placed on the Christmas tree for display. Throughout the room there were decorations preparing for the holiday season and to attract customers. “We had so many people buying books within those few days,” Panell said.

Photo by Jasmine Correa It’s opening day: Life skills teacher Valerie Panell sets up the attention grabber table at the front of the room for opening day. Panell and life skills teacher Wayne Johnson prepared for this event months in advanced. “It has been stressful, but the outcome from this will be worth it,” Panell said. Photo by Jasmine Correa

Wrapping up a surprise: Life skills teacher Valerie Panell wrapped books for special deliveries to faculty. Several staff members recieved books from the fair. “The books not sold return to Scholastics,” Panell said. Photo

by Fuaad Ajaz

Welcome: Life skills student Jack Gray and life skills teacher Wayne Johnson welcome junior Sierra Crum into the fair.

Crum was one of Panell’s helpers. “My job was making sure people did what they were supposed to do and that all the books stayed organized,” Crum said.

Photo by Hazel Rodriguez

Searching for customers: Life skills students and teachers walk the halls to get people aware of the event going on Tuesday through Friday in the English hall.

They went to classrooms during classes to tell students about the book fair with signs they had made. “I would tell them I’m going to the book fair and they would ask to come along,” life skills teacher Wayne Johnson said. Photo by Jasmine Correa

Special delivery: Life skills student Samaan Karadsheh and life skills teacher assistant James Wagner make a special delivery to registrar Genette Sageser. Life skills students and teachers prepare the gifts before going out to deliver and they made 15 deliveries the week of the book fair. “It was a great experience and hopefully it will be an annual thing from now on,” life skills teacher Wayne Johnson said. Photo by Jasmine Correa

Book fair raises money for life skills department

Jasmine Correa Photo Essay Editor Hazel Rodriguez Staff Writer

Best sellers: The best sellers were set up in the middle of the room. These books caught students attention when they entered because some were books they would need this year. “We placed them there for our clientele,“ life skills teacher Wayne Johnson said. Photo by Jasmine Correa

Happy helper: Life skills student Samaan Karadsheh welcomed customers with a smile as they walked into the book fair. All the students that helped with this event were more than happy to help in anyway that they could. “They took signs during both lunches, helped sweep the floor, bagged the books, and helped people pick books,” life skills teacher Wayne Johnson said. Photo by Jasmine Correa It’s set up time: Life skills teachers Valerie Panell and Wayne Johnson organized the best seller books after an English class came in the room to buy. The busiest days for the book fair were the opening and closing days. “Students, teachers, and even parents were coming in on the last day to make their last minute purchases,” Panell said. Photo by Jasmine Correa

For the first time in over eight years a book fair was held in room A127 the week of Dec. 2 through 5 to help raise money for the Life skills class. The book fair was held by life skills teachers Valerie Panell and Wayne Johnson.

It took months to plan and lots of dedication to get the book fair up and runnning.

“We’ve been planning since August for the book fair,” Panell said. “There is a lot of work that gets put into it, getting the books here, sending lists of the books we want, the advertising, and trying to get the word out there.”

Students were able to buy books they would need in the future for their classes.

“On the middle table the kids were able to see the books by grade level so they were able to see what they will be reading next semester in their English classes,” Panell said.

Panell’s classes and the Life skills department helped out during the book fair.

“The reading department which all my classes,” Panell said.

The two things Panell took from the book fair are seeing her students happy and, of course, reading books.

“I have so many favorite

parts but I truly have to say from the bottom of my heart is just seeing a book in my students’ hands and just trying to instill the same passion I have for reading in my kids,” Panell said.

A different kind of success brightens up Johnson and Panell’s day by seeing kids enjoy the books.

“The most successful part of the book fair is not just because we’re trying to raise money for the life skills students, but seeing kids come in here and sitting down on the floor and reading. I mean I have kids coming in here during lunch and reading,” Panell said.

Panell’s students happily helped set up and take down the book fair.

“I enjoyed setting up everything, all the hard work and then having people come in saying how nice it looked,” junior Leonela Hernandez said.

Junior Sierra Crum walked around checking if everything was okay and if people were doing anything wrong.

“I helped by walking around seeing if people weren’t up to mischievous things,” Crum said.

Reaching the goal in sales gave the school money to buy books and furniture for the life skills class.

“We’re going to get to purchase a little over fifteen hundred dollars in merchandise from scholastics books,” Johnson said.