Lone Star Dispatch 2014_2015 Issue #1

James Bowie High School

the

Lone Star Dispatch Vol. 27

Issue 1

4103 W. Slaughter Lane Austin TX 78749

October 6, 2014

www.thelonestaronline.com

Guess who: Mazda race car driver Joel Miller explains to students some of the high tech advancements that are present on the cars use in F1 racing. Students were treated to a small suprise at the beginning of the presentation when assitant principal Larry Britton got out of one of the cars wearing a full racing outfit. Photo by Fuaad Ajaz

F1 ‘STEM’s into school curriculum

Mazda starts up a new program to recruit aspiring engineers for racing programs Kamryn Bryce Co-Editor-In-Chief

On track to Formula One

3 Highest paying engineering fields

•

1)Petroleum Engineering Average starting salary: $96,200

2)Computer engineering

fields Average starting salary: t h a t are associ$70,300 ated with the sport and automotive industry,” Average starting salary: science teacher, Jill Harding said. $66,900 The team showcased its’ clean diesel prototype race Stats from forbes.com car, which costs in the millions as the engine alone can cost more than the average The Sudan, by demonstrating presenters how much force the car has came to camto have pushing down on it pus on Septemso that it doesn’t fly off the ber 16 and then to ground. For example, the Akins High school on race car could drive upside September 17, before down if it matched speeds of racing in the Lone Star up to 150 mph.

Le Mans race, Circuit of The crew also explained Americas on September 19 the vehicle’s use of synthet- and 20. Students who atic diesel made from domes- tended the presentation were tic cooking oils and french given a free ticket to attend fry oils from restaurants. the event, in which the two The team’s idea is that cars sported stickers from by using diesel made from each school. reusable sources, rather than “It was so insightful gasoline, they will be mak- about the racing business, ing less pit stops and hope- and it gave me a new look fully, more wins. of what goes on,” freshman

3)Chemical engineering

went into building a race car,” Rocha said.

The auditorium was packed with full house of about 500 students and received a surprise during the showcase when assistant principal Lawrence Britton, disguised himself behind a helmet and suit, pretending to be one of the race car drivers.

“They are trying to get students excited about what’s out there, it’s a high interest field where students have a lot of passion for cars and the automotive industry,” Harding said. “They may not have thought, wow, there’s more than just engineers and scientists,

there’s nutritionists, medical doctors, and fitness experts.”

The drivers have a seat that is molded specifically for them as well as wearing a helmet and a fire-retardant suit, like the one Miller was wearing during the presentation. Drivers, like Miller, have to be equipped with more than just lighting reflexes and sheer boldness, he also doubles as an engineer major.

“I think it just opens up their eyes to the possibilities out there, we tend to get so focused on what we think a scientist looks like and we don’t realize the need for them,” Harding said.

The team raced that weekend with a full audience inspired students and fans. While they didn’t place first their movement towards a greener substitution for gas and introducing new minds to the field made an obvious effect on campus.

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The big gem: Mazda’s crimson SKYACTIV-D showcases itself at the STEM presentation. This car’s engine alone costs more than a Sudan. Photo by Fuaad Ajaz

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Athletics

#PlayingForLanders

The Lady Dawgs dedicate the season to their former coach Jason Landers who passed away on June 16, 2014 after battling with cancer for the more than two years.

See page 8 for more details

Inside

Joshua Rocha said.

The presenters also touched on the nutrition and fitness regime of the drivers, as well as the computers that are used to simulate the design of the cars and their performance, since Mazda has stepped away from track testing.

“You really got to see how math, engineering, and science

art

Polished, hard steel atop with a satin red coat, the SKYACTIV-D beckoned a curious crowd, along with racing fanatics alike.

With the goal of introducing a few aspiring engineers to the world of race cars, Mazda brought its ‘Racing Accelerates Creative Education’ program to campus.

Through an hour long demonstration a team from Mazda presented the field of motorcar racing along with the physics behind pushing speeds in the triple digits.

“Personally, if we inspire the kids and show them there is more than the mechanic and the driver then we’ve done our job,” race car driver and presenter Joel Miller said. “If we get a few racing fans in the process, well.”

Several students crowded around the presenters to get autographs and pictures taken.

Mazda’s STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) programs acts as an outreach for schools and arranges a demonstration for nearly every event they race at.

“Essentially, they are looking to the future and are realizing that for them to stay in business they’ve got to have engineers and not just engineers, there’s a whole bunch of other career

“They are trying to see the ‘big picture’ in a green way,” Harding said.

News

Female athletic shorts silent protest

Students wore female athletic shorts to school as a silent protest to instill change in dress code. Changes have been made in dress code enforcement.

See page 4 for more details

Commentary

Protests in Ferguson raise concerns at home

After the shooting of Michael Brown, issues concerning racial equality and gun control raise throughout the country.

See page 11 for more details

Student Life 2-3 News 4 In-Depth 5 Entertainment 6-7 Athletics 8-9 Commentary 10-11 Photo Essay 12

Student Life

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Oct. 6, 2014

Page 2

A bright future for Elise O’Leary

She started her own business at 16 Gabby Bourgeacq Co-Student Life Editor

Sewing for the future: O’Leary hard at work on her sewing machine, making her customers some of her monogrammed products. O’Leary practiced every day on her machine when she first got it Photo courtesy of James O’Leary

It can be a kids dream to own and create a business once they’re out of college, but for junior Elise O’Leary, that dream came faster than ever.

“I wanted to create a business because I really loved all things monogrammed, and I knew a lot of other people did too,” O’Leary said.

Once O’Leary’s monograms got more popular around school, she decided to put her products on Etsy.com to sell to people other than her classmates.

“I decided to move my business to Etsy because it really started to take off after a month or so, and I figured that if so many people just at Bowie would want to order my stuff, then there would probably be a lot more online,” O’Leary said. “ I also had noticed that all similar products to mine on Etsy were quite a bit more expensive, so I felt that if I offered a more reasonable price it would encourage people to purchase my items.”

People may think that creating a whole business online is difficult, but O’Leary disagrees.

“Creating my shop on Etsy was actually pretty easy. You just make an account and say you’re a seller, then you enter in all the information and agree to a percentage that they’d tax you per order. After that you’re pretty much all set. Then you’re able to post your listings to the public,” O’Leary said.

Even though O’Leary’s business on Etsy became quite successful, she had to go through her dad first.

“When I first brought up the idea of opening my own business to my dad, he told me to present him with a business plan and then he’d consider it,” O’Leary said. “After he approved, we purchased my embroidery machine and some materials to go along with it just sort of tested things out for a while before actually starting to sell things.”

Eventually, O’Leary’s business started to take off.

“When my profits started going up, I was able to purchase bulk quantities of things like headbands and tote bags and then I could advertise more,” O’Leary said. “When my business started to take off locally, that’s when I created my Etsy account to sell on there, and I’ve been super busy ever since.”

O’Leary’s successful business on Etsy could not of been accomplished without the

help of her father.

“I helped Elise understand how to run a business, things like; Cost of Goods, how much to charge for each item and make a profit while paying off the cost of materials, such as the thread, the t-shirts or headbands,” Elise’s dad James O’Leary said. ”And how to use the embroidery machine and what software was the best fit for generating the Monograms.”

Elise and James can both agree that there were some challenges when making the business.

“The hardest thing was getting a good feel of the machine and how to align the patterns and monograms to embroider, and how to put the fabric in the embroidery hoops. It was a lot of trial and error. We ruined a lot of t-shirts and headbands in the beginning, but once we figured it out it goes pretty smooth now,” James said.

Not only could Elise have done this without her dad, but her business would not have started without the help of her classmates.

“I found out about Elise’s business from her and her social media accounts. Whenever I started buying from her she hadn’t even started her Etsy yet,” junior Nora Melhem said. “I really love it. Monograms are really in fashion now and I think it’s really impressive that she started a business so young.”

Because Elise is still in high school, she has to balance her business with her schoolwork.

“She has been very successful for a home based business, we make sure she balances her school work with her business hours.

Business has been steady since she opened her Etsy store “AustinMonograms”on line,” James said.

Elise’s business has been so successful that she has big plans for her future.

“In the future I think it would be so cool to have an actual shop for my business, and have employees and really big and expensive machines. It would definitely be a really great experience, especially since I’d actually get to interact with my customers,” Elise said.

Elise is excited to see where she can take her business and is looking forward to her new future owning a business.

“I’m really happy with my business and I really enjoy it, and I really love how it sets me apart from everyone else. It’s not every day a sixteen year old has their own business. Aside from being super busy it’s been very positive. However a couple employees would be nice too,” Elise said.

Ice bucket challenges hit close to home for Tuttle Weakness takes control of her every move; she can no longer tame her spastic muscles. She merely wants to speak with her son but her tongue and her mind don’t work together like they used to.

Meda Jean Tuttle is battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Meda’s son, Ty Tuttle, a member of orchestra and student counselor at Kiker Elementary, fights along side his mom through his senior year.

Sophomore year for Ty, and junior year for his sister, Haylie Tuttle, was the opening to a whole new world.

“We all had different ways of coping, for Haylie it was isolation, she spent every minute in her room.

For me, I just stayed away.

I went to friends’ houses and stayed out late, but I think we finally all realized we

www.ibtimes.com

art by Maryam Hussain

Casey Shrout Staff Writer

couldn’t truly escape,” Ty said.

ALS doesn’t come in severities. It is a one-way disease that takes over all the neurons in the body, rendering them useless.

“The types of ALS are just classified by where it starts. It essentially picks a place on your body and progresses from there, for my

mom, it began in her neck so actually the first thing she lost was her ability to speak,” Ty said.

Along with showing no warning and no symptoms, ALS has also been recently discovered to be hereditary.

“They know it’s hereditary yet they don’t know how, so even if I went into the doctor and got tested, they still wouldn’t be able to tell be if I was a carrier. Doctors don’t even know what to look for and wouldn’t recognize the gene even after all the genetic testing,” Ty said.

These genes can run in families for centuries but will remain dormant until something triggers them to attack. For Ty’s mom, it isn’t known for sure what triggered the disease to wake up.

“My mom was an elementary school teacher and librarian. She had a special needs kid tugging her arm one day shortly before her diagnosis, this kid dislocated her shoulder, that’s what we believe triggered it,” Ty

said.

The diagnosis was sudden and it was a traumatic time for the Tuttle family.

Now every day spent with Ty’s mother is cherished.

“They gave us the final news with what my parents called the 2x4 method; it’s like getting slammed in the head with a 2x4, its pure shock,” Ty said.

At every moment Ty’s life is changing, he no longer remembers his mother’s face before her body was taken over by ALS, the memories he has of her pre-disease are merely captured in family photos.

“It’s the weirdest thing, the way it takes over. At first she couldn’t talk anymore, then I came home from school and she had trouble eating and swallowing on her own,” Ty said. “I’d go to a friend’s house then come home and realize she couldn’t stand on her own, then the progression seemed really fast but it’s actually an extremely gradual transition.”

Three years have passed now. Hope has settled into Ty’s family replacing the overwhelming fear. Sacrifices have been made all around to adapt to his mother’s condition, Ty finishes the majority of his schoolwork at school, arriving early and working diligently through lunch. Ty also works at Kiker every day after school and then returns home to his mom.

“My dad, I have to say, has given up the most. He no longer works, he gave up his job to care for my mom full time,” Ty said. “Luckily with their combined retirements, they’re still making around the same amount they were before my mom got sick.”

Over these past few years, Ty’s mother has continued her fight. Recently, a new trend has swept the nation. Pete Frates, baseball player and soon to be father, began this challenge after his diagnosis. The ALS Ice Bucket challenge has raised the same amount of money

in these few months as any research foundation has risen for ALS in the past 10 years.

There are those out there that are unaware of the cause they’re supporting or the foundation that is being funded, but the awareness as a whole has caused the foundation to skyrocket.

“My mom’s on her iPad a lot, because that’s how she talks to us, and for weeks every time when she saw one of those videos her face lit up. Even if the kids don’t appreciate the cause or what it’s for, it’s not really for the kids is it? It’s for the people with the disease,” Ty said.

Living with Meda’s condition will never get easier, but it’s manageable with a supportive family and a church to fall into, restoring their faith and dedication through every moment of suffering.

“It’s like starting a new job; you don’t know what to do and you don’t want to work there but you have to,” Ty said.

Student Life

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Oct. 6, 2014

Page 3

Fetterman competes in National Braille contest Michelle McDonagh Staff Writer

Learning lifestyle: Harley Fetterman smiles his way through taking notes in class. He used his Braille Sense U2 to jot down important facts in Austin Community College U.S. History class. Photo by Hazel Rodriguez

Sitting at his desk, junior Harley Fetterman takes notes like any other student. But, Fetterman is very unique. Not only is he blind, but he has qualified five of the past seven year, including this summer, to compete in the National Braille Contest.

Held every year in Los Angeles, California, the contest test grades one through twelve. The participants are challenged in competitions ranging from graphs, reading and editing.

Fetterman qualified and left early this summer to head out to Los Angeles, staying at Universal Studios Hilton, where this year’s competition was held.

“The hotel was very nice.

I stayed there this year because the competition was held nearby the Universal Hotel,” Fetterman said.

Thursday he checked in and rested for all the activities that would fill his day Friday.

“We went skydiving at Idly at Universal. I had so much fun with my family while we were doing that.

That night was the welcome reception for everyone, where we ate and played

games with the theme of a circus,” Fetterman said.

Early Saturday morning, Fetterman completed a tradition that he participates in every year since he began the competition.

“I go to McDonald’s and order a sausage and egg McMuffin with no egg, and a hash brown,” Fetterman said. “I call it the breakfast of champions.”

After the good meal, Fetterman and his family went to the welcome ceremony. A local band performed, and then they began to call everyone’s name.

“I’ve done this so many times, I’m not really nervous anymore. Now, I’m almost bored,” Fetterman said.

That day, he competed in four of the five events offered; speed and accuracy, proofreading and paragraphs, charts and graphs, and reading comprehension.

“I think the hardest competition was the speeding and accuracy because one of the bibliography formats was in no real format,” Fetterman said.

In the end, Fetterman did not win any of the competitions he competed in. The awards ceremony included guest speakers like Atticus Shaffer, the actor who plays Brick on “The Middle”.

“I didn’t win anything,

but I believe in my heart that I won fourth because I don’t want to believe otherwise,” Fetterman said.

Although Fetterman didn’t win, he has a lot of supporters and friends here to cheer him on, because people are attracted to his humor and kindness that radiates from him.

“He’s amazing. Even if you don’t know him and he doesn’t know you, if you say hello, he says it right back, like you’ve known him forever. He’s so nice and really smart,” junior Emily Ritchie said.

Every class Fetterman is in, students are in for a fun year.

“His class really liked his sense of humor. They supported him, and he was above and beyond willing to learn,” former chemistry teacher Meri Bowie said.

Although Fetterman is blind, it doesn’t stop him from having fun with his friends.

“We are so funny to each other. We tease each other, like I’ll sneak up behind him, and he will just know its me without trying, and sometimes he will poke me with his cane,” Ritchie said.

“He’s just like any other guy friend that I would know. It’s just so much fun to hang out with him,” Ritchie said.

Evans teams up with Forensic team sweeps UT’s McCombs to start Saturday after Saturday all-female engineering Caitlin Devlin Co-Student Life Editor

Maryam Hussain Co-Editor-in-Chief

From designing pinhole cameras to testing earthquake worthiness on buildings with simulators to redesigning the average hair dryer, these girls do it in the all-female engineering class while figuring out which career path is the best fit for them.

The Cockrell School of engineering at the University of Texas started this course five years ago with Bowie being one of the first four schools to pilot this program. It is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation to develop an engineering class that can be a pattern for classes throughout the United States. The intent is to get more students interested in engineering, females especially.

“This is because girls give a unique view of the world and their problem solving bares that out, they see things differently and they come up with different solutions than the male group does,” engineering teacher Mike Evans said.

“When a college recruiter is looking at students they want females, so females are already fast track to getting into engineering school because there’s a shortage of them and they’re interested in having more.”

The aspiring engineers in this course will learn what engineering is all about while being exposed to different career opportunities to get a better idea of what they are interested in.

“I signed up for this class because I wanted to find out more about engineering classes and types of engineering to see if its fun and if I want to do it in the future.

setting and he had started an all girls’ sections and he said it had significantly improved his numbers,” Evans said.

“So I asked Mr. Kane, and counselors, and the careers and technology supervisor, and everybody seemed to be excited about it so we advertised for an all girls’ section, and now we have 24 girls for that section which is a full class.”

Providing an opportunity to students to pursue their dream career is a cause dear to Evans’ heart. As a child, he himself wanted to become an engineer, however, due to his -Mike Evans dyslexia Evans was unable work a slide rule and they didn’t Right now engineering is my have calculators for him to second choice as a major, I use back then. think I’m going to do me“They told me ‘no, you chanical, if I do engineering can’t be an engineer, you its just because this class is need to be a salesman,’ so afreally fun for me right now,” ter all these years finally I’m senior student Sharlene Kuo a salesman selling engineersaid. ing. So that’s an interestThe course has been ing full circle that life often evolving as a result of the gives you,” Evans said. research that has been conEvans past experiences ducted on students through- and enthusiasm help him out the years via surveys, create an inventive and benfilmed observations of class- eficial learning environment es, and evaluated archives for his students. of student work. This year “Mr. Evans is very pasis now the fourth iteration of sionate about engineering the course that started after and you can tell he really much push and effort from loves his job. He really cares Evans. about students and their fu“I had been at a summer ture. Plus he makes the class institute for engineering and super entertaining through was talking to a gentleman his goofy personality,” sewho is from Massachusetts nior student Abby Black who is from a private school said.

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The Bowie Forensics Team scored multiple wins in their last three tournaments at Akins, Hendrickson, and Pflugerville.

Forensics is a combination of oral interpretation of skits or poems and debate, and a number of students take part in tournaments or competitions between other schools’ forensic teams.

“This year’s really been the year when I’ve become kind of a ‘powerhouse’, you could say, and the first tournament was really exciting when I finaled in everything I competed in,” junior Miguel Lozano said.

Lozano and a number of other students won sweepstakes, first, second, and third place prizes, or state qualifications to progress to future state tournaments.

“Usually I have to contain the excitement inside, because when I‘m on stage accepting the awards I have to be as professional as possible and not start jumping up and down when I win first place,” Lozano said.

The forensics team had practices at school for three weeks in August for four hours everyday to prepare for upcoming events. During camp, students would practice interpretation or debate and choose a piece from a book, play, or movie that they would perform for future tournaments.

“At first, it’s really understanding how to persuade people, then when you start getting into the really ad-

Winner’s pose: Forensics team shows off their awards from one of their tournaments. They placed in many different events. Photo courtesy of Natalia Rafiq

vanced debate you start to learn about philosophies and really deep arguments. It’s really just working on what persuades and what’s good to say,” junior Will George said.

Tournaments are usually every weekend. The debate competitors go to where the tournament is being held after school on Friday to compete and the oral interpretation competitors join them on Saturday morning.

“They have really, really, long days,” theatre teacher and oral interpretation coach Marco Bazan said.

Students perform in front of other competitors in their event and one judge or a panel of judges.

After everyone in their event performs, the students find out their awards in their individual events.

“It was stressful, but Grace [Widner], my partner, and I were fairly successful in our events and so it was good to know that in our first

tournament as novices we were already finaled with all the varsity members It was a really fun experience,” Anderson said.

Many students went on from semi finals to finals, and after that some students placed from first to sixth place.

“When I found out I placed I was kind of in shock, because we were the only novices that placed. I just felt really good,” Anderson said.

After competing, the forensics team gets to go home after winning the prizes they worked towards.

“It’s stressful, it’s very stressful. Usually the week before the tournaments we’re working very hard, staying up very late, and when the tournament time comes around I have to wake up really early and stay up really late, but in the end it all comes out worth it when we get the results,” Lozano said.

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The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Oct. 6, 2014 Page 4

Rule changes lead to new game experience Hazel Rodriguez Staff Writer

Recently there were some changes made to the types of items students can bring with them when they head out to the varsity football games. In addition to the restrictions on physical items, there are renewed expectations on the actions of students in the stands.

Students can no longer crowd surf, and items like baby powder, silly string, whistles, and streamers are no longer allowed. Another banned item is backpacks, which will no longer be allowed through the gates.

“We have safety concerns on behavior,” principal Stephen Kane said.

The other big behavior issue that is being addressed by the administration is language restrictions. Officials who are working at the game will actively be listening for verbal taunts, inappropriate slang, and curses, especially those directed at the field.

“If your behavior is inappropriate you will be removed and depending on the seriousness of your action we will determine how serious the consequence will be,” Kane said.

It is clear that the administration is cracking down on these inappropriate actions

Fans in the stands: Seniors Claudia Hernandez, Cierra Ruiz, Tara Licon, and Maddison Bennett cheer for the football team at the game against San Antonio Madison High School at Burger stadium. Bowie won by a score of 40-14. Photo by Jasmine Correa.

and watching for the banned items to protect both players and other game participants.

The expectations on both items and behaviors will continue through to both winter and spring sports like basketball and soccer.

“I understand in some ways why the administrators are restricting our actions during the game because at times it can get a bit out of hand, for an example the whistles mess with the actual game, but I do believe

they are over doing it to an extent,” senior Melissa Pittman said. “Football games are about being with friends, getting enthusiastic, supporting, and overall having a good time. What doesn’t make sense is they say they

want us to be more involved and have school spirit but when we try getting hyped at the game they shut us down.”

Football players like the energy the student section has because it motivates

them during the game. They find the strict rules absurd.

“They’re ridiculous.

Our students are having fun showing support and bring an extra intimidation factor that helps a lot. Someone having an allergic reaction to baby powder is the silliest thing I’ve heard in a while.

The only somewhat understandable one is no backpacks because you can hide all kinds of things in them,” senior varsity receiver Cole Kuykendall said.

Football players say they can’t even hear any of the comments coming from the stands during the game, or even notice the routines from the cheerleaders and the fans.

“All I hear are audibles by the opponents defense and the band,” Kuykendall said.

Students wish they could continue to support their friends on the athletic teams as they have in the past.

“It’s not fair to the football players because they don’t get support from the student section anymore since the rules are so strict.

And they need to know their friends are out there supporting them, which gives them motivation to play. The restrictions make for a less enjoyable experience on Friday nights,” Pittman said.

News Briefs Rebels protest policy at school in athletic shorts Go green to honor coach Landers Annika Holm News Editor

On Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 students across campus wore Nike shorts in protest of the dress code.

Students were upset because they felt that the dress code unfairly targeted female students wearing athletic shorts.

“I know guys wear athletic shorts, and they aren’t as short as our athletic shorts, but we should be able to wear them anyway,” junior Annie Lin said.

Male students agreed that the way dress code is being enforced is discriminatory.

“I just think it’s unfair,” junior James Otello said.

“And I think it’s sexist.”

Though most of the participants of the protest were female students, there were male students wearing Nike shorts in solidarity.

“If we participate in it, then they shouldn’t be dress coding anyone,” junior Justice Lozano said.

An e-mail was sent out on Friday, Sept. 26 by Bowie principal Stephen Kane. It said that from now on the length of shorts will determine if they’re considered appropriate for the setting.

The e-mail also said that shorts deemed “distracting” would be considered out of dress code.

“What’s distracting will be decided on a personal basis,” assistant principal Vincente Trevino said. “It will be an adult making that decision.”

One student went as far as to question the need for dress code at all.

“In colleges they don’t have dress codes, so why should we? When I come to school I want to be comfortable,” said senior Allie Clayboss.

The administration says the purpose of the dress code is to keep students and teachers focused on what’s important: school.

“Being out of dress code is distracting and it can take people away from learning,” Trevino said.

In response to the spike in volume of dress coding students, Trevino says they warned students with the announcement that was made on the morning of Monday, Sept. 22.

“There was not a change in the dress code policy, there was a change in the enforcement,” Trevino said.

Senior Kate Buffler was largely credited with getting the word out.

“Inequality still exists here because boys can run around in tank tops, but with something as simple as wearing Nike shorts for girls it’s a big deal,” Buffler said.

Volleyball students are raising awareness for liver cancer on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014 during the volleyball games, at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., in the gym.

By wearing green to the varsity and junior varsity games, the student section will be supporting and honoring Jason Landers, who passed away in June.

Landers’ passing has touched the hearts of students across campus. As his memory lives on, his players have taken the responsibility to raise aware-

ness for their “Big Dawg.”

If any students would like to order a specially designed, green shirt for the game, the volleyball coaches are handing out order forms. Forms can be picked up and filled out in the volleyball offices up until game time.

After the volleyball players finish their games they will be putting further efforts towards awareness for liver cancer.

The varsity players are going to be auctioning their game ball and all

proceeds will be donated to the American Liver Foundation.

To honor and show support, volleyball players are asking all students to participate in this event and wear their green shirts.

“Everyone should get involved because Landers impacted not just volleyball players, but a bunch of people in general because he was also a teacher,” McCain said. “We should come together as a Bowie family and support a teacher that passed away.”

The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) along with Bowie Student Council will be hosting the Homecoming dance at Bowie. The dance will be held on Saturday, October 18th, in the courtyard and five dollar wristbands will be sold and mandatory for

admittance.

Jack Hate’s Coffee will be there to serve hot chocolate and coffees. Last year was the first Homecoming dance in over five years, therefore the PTSA is trying to keep up the tradition.

The PTSA is looking for help with costs to

include, a dynamic DJ, lighted Bowie Spirit trees, paper lanterns for the Oak tree, mobile gas heaters, black and red tulle, a rocking photo backdrop.. To contribute please contact the PTSA by visiting their website http://www.bowieptsa.org.

Annual homecoming dance returns

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I n-Depth The Lone Star Dispatch

Monday, Oct. 6, 2014

Page 5

Filled with adventure and travel

This summer, students went to diverse countries Rebecca Richard Senior “I remember going to the Eiffel Tower in anticipation of pre-Bastille Day fireworks. My friends and I tried to take the metro but we got lost and witnessed a robbery on the way. Once we finally arrived, we found a perfect spot on some steps where we could see the whole ordeal. After about an hour of waiting, we tried asking people what time the fireworks began but no one spoke English. Eventually we found some bilingual police officers who told us we had the wrong date”

Mackenzie Salter Senior “I went to this spiritual, hippie camp in rural Germany. At night we would sit on the dock by the lake and people would bring all these instruments like guitars, ukuleles, and flutes and just improvise and play all these cool songs. It was really cool because a lot of the songs were in different languages and the sky was really clear because there was less pollution, so you could see all the stars”

France Germany

Mariel Arnold Senior “My favorite memory was when my service group was working at the school and doing our tire playground project.

School was in session and there were thirty first graders running around trying to communicate to us. I loved using my Spanish skills and communicating with them and talking about their school day. I definitely improved on my Spanish speaking”

Italy

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Jasmine Guy Senior “We drove out to my Uncle’s for New Years.

He has several acres, and there’s a creek that runs through his property. At one point there is a waterfall that drops into a ravine. My Uncle offered us twenty dollars to jump in, although he had never done it and thought there might be eels. We jumped any ways, in our clothes, in almost pitch black darkness. It was terrifying and amazing at the same time”

Meredith Warren Senior “I enjoyed seeing the beautiful European men and some pretty old buildings. I made way too many memories to re-tell all of them, but one of them would probably be meeting up with my best friend who was in Italy the same time I was. It was hilarious when Andie got attacked by the Mediterranean. I am obsessed with Europe, so my parents felt it was time I made my way over to Europe” Natalia Rafiq Senior “The coolest thing was seeing all these mosques and landmarks.

In Turkey every street corner has a gigantic mosque built by an emperor or empress. I tried Turkish tea which to me was fascinating because they served it in a tiny hour glass shaped glass. For the month of Ramadan in which Muslims fast I would wake up at dawn to eat and break our fast in the evening. I went to see Faisal mosque and I could see the outskirts of the Himalayas”

New Zealand

art by Ashlee Thomason

Hacks while packing Place a binder clip over razor blade to prevent knicks and to preserve the blade

Double line or bag toiletries to prevent spills

Use a wrinkle releaser fabric solution to help re-wear clothes often

Put a dryer sheet in your suitcase to keep clean clothes smelling clean

Put clothing in air compressed bags to squeeze air out of clothes

r gs fo a b e t pty to ty laundry m e Pack irs or dir n souve

art by Ashlee Thomason

Roll up shirts to keep them wrinkle free

Pakistan and Turkey

Travelling to foreign countries gave students an opportunity to sight-see, snap photos, and use their taste buds Ashlee Thomason Managing Editor

It’s one thing to read about adventures and explore rich, glossy pages of travel books, but it’s quite another thing to get hands-on experience with diverse cultures around the world.

Senior Natalia Rafiq has travelled to a foreign country e v e r y summer with her family.

Rafiq has dived into cultures on many different levels during her travels.

“I love experiencing new cultures,” Rafiq said. “I get so fascinated by exploring major landmarks that were built hundreds of years ago.

I was really put in awe by the beautiful architecture.

Visiting Topkapi palace, where the Ottoman Sultans lived, everything was very grand and cultured.”

Traveling to New

Zealand to visit family has become a unique tradition for senior Jasmine Guy. “It’s really different there, very laid back,” Guy said. “They have the most amazing mountains and beaches. I had an experience this summer there that was both terrifying and

we found some bilingual police officers who told us we had the wrong date and that there would be no fireworks at all. Still, it’s the kind of experience you can’t plan.”

In addition to sight seeing, the rich food from cultures played a big role in exploring new things.

“There was so much food to try,” senior, Meredith Warren said. “An n o mas o obscene amount of gelato, h T lee h s pate, duck, and veal.” yA art b amazing.”

Putting taste buds up The French Club to the challenge was a also took students to dominant part of Rafiq’s France and Italy this past journey. summer as a way to delve “I tried several new into the European way of dishes in Turkey,” Rafiq life. said. “My favorite dish was Visiting the Bastille called iskender which is day fireworks was a must- basically pieces of break see on senior, Rebecca soaked in sauce with lamb Richard’s travel checklist on top.” while in Europe.

Traveling to foreign “My friends and I went countries over the down to the Eiffel tower summer gave students to watch pre-Bastille an opportunity to open fireworks, but we got lost,” their eyes to real world Richard said. “Eventually situations.

E ntertainment

Three seniors construct cabaret

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Oct. 6, 2014

Page 6

100 years of love, loss, and heartbreak plastered on stage

Kamryn Bryce Co-Editor-in-Chief

A black suit and bright blue tie meant two things to Curtis Faulkner, months of work paying off and show time.

Faulkner, along with two other senior directors, Travis Deprado and Colby Rumph, put together what one person called, the best cabaret show they’d ever seen.

“I heard raving reviews and lots of people congratulated us, even people who had graduated and came back to see cabaret,” Faulkner said.

Faulkner acted as the artistic director for the production and was responsible for the show’s theme and blocking of the songs.

“The hardest challenge we had to face and overcome was the morale and investment in the show, not by us, but by the performers,” Faulkner said. “We had to somehow instill that spark in them of wanting to do all of this on their own free time.”

The performance took not only the triplet of directors, but dozens of performers who dedicated their time day and night for three weeks leading up to the show.

“I worked more than ten hours on the show, including rehearsals and performances, and I feel like I improved after every show,” Starlight Theatre Company technician Eddie Garnert said. “Afterwards I thought, oh, I didn’t screw up this time.”

Additionally, musicians, the two choir teachers, Ben May and Caitlin Obert-Thorn, and a crew of technicians helped set the show in motion.

“The three student directors

wrote the story and came up with the entire show on their own,” Obert-Thorn said. “And cabaret made more money this year than it ever has before.”

Construction for cabaret started long before school was even in session. Faulkner had been individually preparing for the show since his sophomore year.

“We did a lot of preparation before hand, all the choreographers and directors got together during summer, we had the directors selected long before last year, and had the song list selected as well,” Faulkner said. “There was a lot of prerequisite work to make those three weeks go as smooth as possible.”

Performer and assistant director, Dj Fortner, took on the role as the male character, Blue. Cabaret had a plotline that involved three characters, which were all executed by a series of performers, dressed similarly for that character. Fortner also had a solo, “Singing in the Rain.”

“I don’t get nervous for performances where I’m playing a character, I only get nervous for say presentations where I’m being myself,” Fortner said. “I was just so excited that it was happening since I had a big part in the show, and it was something I had been working on for awhile.”

Whether Faulkner is performing on stage for theatre or backstage directing for choir, he has put his mark on more than one school program. He got his start in middle school when he was casted as Gaston in Bailey middle school’s rendition of Beauty and the Beast, and it’s been going since then. Just last year at Austin’s first Greater Austin High School Musical Theatre

What a glorious feeling: Juniors DJ Fortner and Jenny Harms show off their hard work while Fortner performs “Singing in the Rain” to preach love to the world. This scene was crucial to the play as a whole because it leads to the key conflict. Photo courtesy of Robin Hyde-Maksimchuk

Awards, or GAHSMTA, Faulkner received a scholarship for his performance in the Starlight Theatre Company’s production of Miss Saigon.

“I got a scholarship to attend the Texas Musical Theatre Workshop over the summer at UT for three weeks, I stayed in a student dorm, went to workshops with people from Broadway or from other colleges, took master classes with people who flew in from Canada, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and Panama,” Faulkner said. “It was so prestigious even though it’s only

in its’ younger years, Idina Menzel came last year and Laura Osnes came this year, she said she liked my singing.”

As Faulkner settles into his final year of high school, he reflects on one of the many performances he was and will be a part of in the upcoming months.

“It feels like I’m vacuuming a dirty rug and I look back, and it’s clean. Even if you miss a few spots, you see the big picture and forget the tiny flaws, there’s always going to be mistakes,” Faulkner said.

“Yet we challenged soloists, we

gave people redemption for past mistakes, we gave them a chance to grow as artists, and we pushed them at every rehearsal to limits they didn’t think they could go.”

As the year progresses, only time will tell what the future holds for Faulkner and how far he will go to make his dreams come true.

“It’s always a work in progress, you can never reach perfection, but you can always try your best,” Faulkner said. “I’m very happy with how Cabaret turned out and how my life is turning out. Onwards and upwards.”

Musical theatre brings the 80s to the stage

Shelby Becker Co-Student Life Editor

Big hair, bright colors, and funky pop songs consumed the 80s, and it’s making its way back.

The Musical Theatre class taught by Marco Bazan has been preparing since the spring, for their musical performance of Back to The 80s, scheduled for October 19th.

Junior Juliana Davis plays the leading girl, Tiffany in the show.

“I think it’s really fun, energetic, and cliché in a cute way,” Davis said.

The show was picked specifically for the musical theatre class.

“It’s a fun show and it has some really good roles for student,” Marco Bazan said.

They performed the musical last year but they did not get to reach their full potential because of time conflicts.

“We did it as a concert version with all of the songs,” Bazan said, “then I promised the kids that we would do it again in the fall.”

To finish the musical in it’s entirety, they decided to put on another performance

in the fall. The show is new and improved this year.

“We took the choreography from last year and modified it to make it more challenging because we have more time,” Davis said.

Although they came back to the show in the fall, they went the entire summer without rehearsing.

“It was surprising in a good way, how much we picked it up right away,” Davis said.

There were also difficulties with the casting when coming “There are so many students who were not in the class last semester that are in the class this year,” Bazan said, “Some left or graduated, so we had to fill in those gaps.”

Being able to perform a show two different school years is a rare event.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot personally as a performer,” Davis said. “I’m really glad I get the opportunity to do it again which is something you don’t get a lot.”

D.J. Fortner who plays Corey, the male lead, had a big say in doing the musical.

“I saw the show just a few years ago, and I brought

Let the preparation begin: Juniors DJ Fortner and Juliana Davis rehearse for the big show. As the two stand front and center, the rest of the cast stands behind them awaiting the final number. Photo by Hazel Rodriguez

it up to the class and they all liked the idea,” Fortner said.

Not every class takes that much influence from a student.

“It’s always been a big dream role of mine considering it’s my first experience with theatre,” Fortner said.

Performing songs from the 80s is a unique experience for those involved in

can to make it efficient.”

The small rehearsal time is also beneficial to the students involved.

“I can focus my after school time on homework or other shows that I’m in,” Fortner said.

Although the in-class system has its’ benefits, there are some downsides as well.

“I can focus on everything else but it feels like there’s always less time to do it because we can’t have any extended rehearsals if we wanted to,” Fortner said.

It can be difficult to work on when it’s only in class.

“If someone is absent, we end up having to try and figure out a way to catch them up, it’s very very challenging,” Bazan said.

Choosing to do the performance in the fall was the best decision for the class.

“It’s going to be really fun, I think it’s going to be a really strong show,” Bazan said.

The musical is sure to highlight the iconic neon era of scrunchies and leg warmers.

“The 80s was a really fun and bright decade so I think that is what the show encompasses,” Davis said.

In Review

Fuaad Ajaz Staff Writer Upbeat music and lyrics that sometimes make sense is the best way to describe the new Katy Perry’s new album.

The “Teenage Dream” album made nearly $91 million and sold 6.5 million copies. Perry’s album “Prism” was released October 18, 2013. With entertaining, bubble gum music and crazy beats, Perry’s new album was terrific.

Personally two favorite songs were “Dark Horse” and “This is

theatre.

“I’ve known the songs as long as I can remember,” Fortner said. “My dad and I used to listen to these songs all the time.”

The new musical theatre style allows creativity for the students as well.

“I love the style,” Davis said. “It’s definitely different from most musical theatre

performances. With the 80s, it doesn’t need to be perfect, it can be really fun.”

Doing an in-class musical is different from other musicals performed.

“We always try to pick a musical that compliments the main stage musical,” Bazan said. “If we do a really dramatic musical like Miss Saigon, we want to do something a little more laid back, maybe a little more fun to contrast and compliment it.”

Different obligations come along with doing it in class.

“There’s not as much time commitment considering we’re doing all of the rehearsals in class,” Fortner said.

The class is unique which means finding the right show is crucial.

“You have to try to find something that fits that group, you can’t pick something that’s not going to fit them at all,” Bazan said.

The limited time provided means a lot of work.

“In class it’s good because we know we have a time constraint, so we working with it instead of against it,” Davis said. “We try to stay on task as much as we

Photo courtesy of eonline.com

how we Do”. I like these songs two because “Dark Horse” has a good beat that I just nod my head to and “This is how we Do” is just a fun

song.

Perry is known for her uplifting tunes and amazing themes.

The whole album in general had a great genre of music ranging from “Unconditional,” which is a slow heart touching song about love, to “Roar,” a fun, fast-paced song about letting your voice be heard. There are some songs in the album that just don’t really tie in to the rest of the songs in the album like, “Birthday” and “This is how we Do”.

“Dark Horse,” has a good beat that makes me nod my head to the song. The song overall talks about

how if you are in a relationship with Perry she has to be your one and only as she says, “Make me your Aphrodite, make me your one and only.”

The part where Juicy J. comes in and starts to rap was an unusual twist for any song by Perry because whenever I listen to Perry I don’t associate her with rap, but this pairing was great and worked well.

“This is how we Do” was one of the other hit songs from the album and one of my two favorite songs.

The song is just what you would except to hear from Perry, it is that fun, ice-cream-shop music mixed

with a dash of pop music.

But this song had a couple flaws for me especially at the part where Perry started talking about people in the song and she literally talked and I think that it is just not necessary in the song. It kind of ruined the song for me in some ways.

I think that making the world wait five years for a new album was worth it because the album made me happy and was worth all the money I spent on it. The mixture of everything in the album worked well. I would give the album a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

E ntertainment The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Oct. 6, 2014

Page 7

Band camp and new director are a hit Caitlin Devlin Co-Student Life Editor

Hanging on the doors leading into the band hall there is a red piece of paper that shows how much the Bowie Outdoor Performing Ensemble worked for the upcoming marching season.

126 hours of marching band camp, 171 hours of guard and percussion camp, approximately 28 gallons of sweat, and hundreds upon thousands of squats, sit ups, burpees, and push-ups.

The band works their hardest for two to four weeks of their summer and their first semester of school to make their show the very best it can be.

Their directors push them to march and play to the best of their ability through ‘Uncompromising Standards’ and ‘Chasing Perfection.’

Before the wind instrument players of the band started, the color guard, drum line, and front ensemble got a head start of practicing in the middle of July.

“It’s kind of frustrating because your miss half of your summer, but it’s also really nice knowing what you’re working towards, and how hard you’re working, and how great it’s going to be in competition season,” guard sophomore Grace Slapak said.

Guard worked on flag technique, dancing, catching and tossing, drum line worked on marching and their music, and the front ensemble worked on perfecting their music.

“I don’t like the thought of working out, but I know that it will help me for the fall season and so I do my best,” guard sophomore Isabel Padilla said.

On the first day of August, the wind players of the band made their way to Burger stadium from 8-12 a.m. to exercise and learn the basic fundamentals of marching.

“It was really tiring, not going to lie. I wanted to skip a day, but in the end I knew it would all be worth it so I didn’t. I thought it was a really unique experience,” band freshman Kathleen Nguyen said.

Band director Amy Suggs lead the students through workouts consisting of Cross fit, P90X, and Insanity in the intense summer heat. Afterwards, the band practiced marching or the drill of their show until 12 a.m. The band goes to Bowie from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a music practice, and then returns to Burger stadium for another “At the beginning it was really intimidating, we had hour-long workouts that most people hadn’t prepared for up to that point, but it felt really good after the first week to know that we were getting stronger and working to produce the best show possible,’ senior woodwind Captain Juliana Ison said.

Although marching band camp may seem like a nightmare, a majority of band students believe that the hard work is worth it and that exercising and marching gets easier with time.

“We’ve definitely gotten better as an organization,

Woodland Creatures: Imitating the action of a comet with a wave of her flag, Lillie Carter performs with the Outdoor Performing Ensemble in costume as a fox. The new band director made changes to the performance now titled ,“If a Tree Falls...” which follows the story of a sequence of events that come after the falling of a tree. Photo by Fuaad Ajaz

and I think that starts at band camp.” Ison said.

The work that the band puts in goes towards the busy fall marching season: football games, City, State, and BOA competitions culminating into the band’s performance in the London New Year’s Day Parade, which the band was invited to perform in this year.

‘This is actually the best year we’ve ever had.

It was really, really nice because usually band camp is the worst part of the entire season, but it was actually fun this year, which is probably something I’d never thought that I would say.” guard senior Jessica McMinn said.

The Outdoor Performing Ensemble’s newest director, Matthew Atkinson, got his first taste of the marching band during summer band

this year.

Atkinson, who used to teach at John B. Connally High School in Pflugerville, has known about the band program for a very long time and was really excited to become a teacher at Bowie.

“I knew there were a lot of candidates and a lot of really qualified candidates, especially from the area, so I felt I was really lucky and fortunate to get this

position,” Atkinson said.

A majority of marching band members love being a part of the band program, despite losing a part of their summer. The band works hard to accomplish their goals and win awards, and for the most part band members benefit from the marching band lifestyle.

“I don’t know how I could quit,” Slapak said.

Apple gives free U2 album to all iTunes users Justice Capello Online Editor

Melodies play on in a sweet, lively fluidity.

Rhythms cranking out in differentiating tempos. Low notes and high notes adding to the plethora of emotions and feelings that the music is creating. Music is a universal language understood by all.

The band, U2, released a collaboration with the musical software program iTunes September 10, 2014. In this partnership, iTunes released U2’s new album, Songs of Innocence, to all iTunes members for free.

ITunes and U2 decided to release this album as it marks the tenth year that the program and the band have been in a musical partnership, releasing many commercials and other special products.

In a growing age of technology, more and more people are downloading music illegally off of the Internet.

“I download my music using apps, illegal apps,” senior Alex Barcenas said.

People appreciate complimentary music.

“I enjoy free music because the best things in life are always free,” senior Troy Davis said.

However, the record

Expires: 11/15/14

art by Kamryn Bryce and Lauren Blevins

could also just take up storage.

“I wouldn’t download the album because it is just extra space. I mean why would I download it if I didn’t even

listen to the band? I can use that space for better songs,” Barcenas said.

With free music becoming more and more accessible, people are beginning

to become very particular when it comes to what music they put in their music library.

“I’m picky with my musical library because I don’t

have that much space on my phone for random music that I don’t like,” senior Jonathon Degollado said. “I only want songs that I really love.”

Although concerns for space are a big factor when deciding what music to download, at the end of the day free music is free music.

“I don’t really listen to them, but I would probably download it just because it’s free,” senior Mauricio Hernandez said.

Regardless of whether or not a person downloads Songs of Innocence, U2 is buzzing, and iTunes is promoting the band they have been in partnership with for a decade now.

“Everybody has been talking about U2, even if its not good things, everybody is still talking about their album,” Barcenas said. “It was really smart for them to do that.”

Free or not, U2 or not U2, music is a piece of American culture that anybody can share. Music gives each individual person a chance to have an aesthetically pleasing experience, that also allows for one to express themselves.

“I love music,” District Clerk Vivian Capello said.

“Every time I listen to it, it makes me feel great. It brings back a lot of old memories. Good memories.

Sometimes it reminds me of things I had forgotten a long time ago and I love how easily it can do that.”

A thletics The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Oct. 6, 2014 Page 8

Coaches death drives the team to dedicate the season in his memory The school parking lot was filled with students and faculty and green balloons.

This summer on June 16, 2014 volleyball coach and math teacher Jason Landers passed away after a long battle with cancer.

It was a bright summer morning for varsity volleyball player Eden Kasprak.

She got the heartbreaking news as she was watching TV with her siblings.

“My dad came and sat down next to me, and my mom was standing by the stairs. My mom then said she had something to tell me,” Kasprak said. “She asked me if I had gotten any strange texts and I thought I was in trouble so I told her no. But then I thought about the texts that morning I said ‘yeah people were asking me if I was ok.’ And then that was when my mom said ‘Well Coach Landers last night...’ I started crying and screaming ‘NO’ thinking that it couldn’t be real.”

It was tragic news for Kasprak, to find out that her coach was unable to overcome the cancer he had battled for over two years.

“I was one of the first ones to know about Coach Landers’ condition because my mom was texting his wife the day he got sick.

We were waiting for the test

results to come back in that said he had cancer. But what they had failed to mention was the severity of the cancer which was Stage 4 Liver Cancer,” Kasprak said.

Some players, like Kennedy Godsey, thought Landers was getting better and recovering.

Landers saw in her what she failed to see in herself.

“He always found potential I didn’t see. He is my fire to play and I play for him,” Kasprak said.

Landers was, and is still Kasprak and Godseys’ motivation to do their best and improve each and every day.

“Not having him here pushes us,” Godsey said.

There are a variety of things people miss about Landers.

“His jokes on the -Cathie Landers-Johnson sidelines and him yelling at us at games. His “Actually it caught ev- smile and presence. Every eryone by surprise, because game I would bring him oatit wasn’t that severe. He was meal cookies and now I just really bad when they found eat them myself,” Godsey out, but then they had shrunk said, while nearing tears. it down to two by two centiHis presence is missed by meters.” Godsey said. “And the team. the doctors were saying ‘oh “Its different, not normal my gosh we hit a home run!’ not seeing him. All the seSo when it happened it was a nior girls have been waiting huge surprise. I had actually for this year,” Godsey said. texted him the night before It’s a challenge every telling him ‘Happy Father’s day for Johnson-Landers, Day!’ and he said ‘Thanks’ to return to work due to the and so that’s why the day memories she has of her husafter it was pretty rough for band. me… He seemed to be get“It’s been very hard for ting better. And no matter me to come back to Bowie, what he would always crack there are days that I just a smile.” can’t make it. We met here According to his wife, on my first day that I was on Landers was a very strong campus so I have not been and loving man. here without him,” Johnson“He always loved to have Landers said. a good time and always The only favor Johnsonmade sure everyone else did Landers asks for is to keep too,” his wife Coach Cath- his memory alive. erine Johnson-Landers said.

“Hugs are always the For the volleyball team best, but just keeping his Landers impacted their lives memory alive for the stuin many ways. For Kasprak, dents to come,” she said.

“

“

Jasmine Correa Staff Writer

He always loved to have a good time.

Landers Angels: Varsity volleyball players huddle together with their new coach Vicki Benson. The 2014 Lady “Dawgs volleyball season is dedicated to former coach Jason Landers who passed away this summer. Photo by Jasmine Correa

JROTC family legacy comes true for Sierra Myers Sophia Mora Co-Student Life Editor Senior Sierra Myers continues a family legacy of being Corp. Commander.

Though she was overwhelmed and surprised, she fit the job well and helps bring JROTC together every day.

During her four years of high school, Myers dreams about being promoted to Corp. Commander.

“I was very overwhelmed when I got it and it was a lot because my sister had been Corp. Commander, and I really didn’t want to disappoint her,” Myers said.

Her sister was one of the main reasons why she wanted to be involved in the Corp. in the first place.

“My older sister was Corp. Commander, so she kind of had always been talking about it. It wasn’t something I really trained for, I just wanted to be involved in the Corp.,” Myers said.

The Corp. Commander

is selected based on how a person does over a four year period and the JROTC adult commanders handpick who they thought was the best.

“There were three or four people on the top of the junior class that we considered, but when it came down to it, she showed the most leadership potential,” Colonel Robert Downey said.

There were students in the JROTC program who wanted her to have it, and thought she was a perfect fit.

“There were a couple of people that I thought could be Corp. Commander and they all did a lot for The Corp., but Sierra was the best fit for the job because of her leadership abilities and she’s really good at bringing people together,” junior Flight Commander Matt Flickenger said.

When Myers got promoted, it helped her with her leadership skills and being more extroverted.

“Being Corp. Commander has helped tremendously.

I get really nervous talking in front of people, and I have

to talk in front of people all the time,” Myers said. “You have to talk to strangers nonstop, so I’ve gotten a lot better at talking to strangers and then on top of that, I’ve learned how to communicate with friends.”

Without JROTC, Myers’ life would be completely different. The whole organization has had a huge impact on her life.

“JROTC means a lot to me. I can just count on pretty much any of the cadets and it’s just really great that I found my family,” Myers said.

JROTC is different from a lot of organizations and it’s a place where the students can simply just be themselves.

“I think that Bowie is such a large school, there’s about 200 clubs and organizations. But, there are a lot of students out there that don’t really fit in to most like cheer leading, football, Silver Stars. Then, they come and check out ROTC and see that they not only fit in, but get along with everyone,

and easily make friends with everyone,” Downey said.

Students felt Myers was the best fit for Corp. Commander because she didn’t just care about herself, she cared about everyone else and didn’t want anyone to feel left out.

“She doesn’t always try to stand out, she does what’s best for the team. She would team up with someone who wasn’t as good and wouldn’t try to do the best for herself, she would try to help everyone else,” Flickenger said.

What made her stand out from the others was how much of a team player she is.

She went to a summer leadership program and won top cadet out of 400 people.

“She has a great profession al attitude and she has that ability to influence others to do the right thing.

“She takes the initiative when in the past, I always had to guide people along, but she’s always one step ahead,” Downey said.

Myers mostly wanted to help the underclassmen. a strapping amount of the

Oh say can you see: JROTC commmanders hold the flags for the national anthem at the Austin High game. JROTC attend every home game. Photo by Jasmine Correa.

JROTC underclassmen even told her that they look up to her.

“A goal of mine was to make an impact on the underclassmen, and I feel like

I’ve done that. I’ve had underclassmen come up to me and tell me that I’m like their role model and that just means the world to me,” Myers said.

‘Dawgs kick off their season with a 4-1 record Isabel Rosales Athletics Editor

Timber: Junior Josh Wainright goes for the legs while tackling opposing player from Madison high. The ‘D awgs later won the game 40-14. Photo by Jasmine Correa

Everyone’s going wild, the crowd is screaming the cheerleaders are cheering and the football players are pumped, as they begin their season undefeated in district.

The Bulldogs have started their season with a 4-1 record, playing two non-conference teams, Pflugerville, and San Antonio Madison.

The lost to Pflugerville by one point, 14-13 and defeating Madison by a score of 40-14. “ It was a little upsetting

that we lost to Pflugerville by one point, but it wasn’t a big deal,” junior George Roman said.

The team started distrcit with a 42-13 smashing win over newly added distrcit foe Lehman.

Against Anderson in the the second game of the season were the ‘Dawgs conquered the Trojans 41-22.

“Our coaches have been very proud of how we have been working together,” Junior Sean Fitzpatrick said.

The teams third win of the young district season, a win which qualified them for

post season play was agains Austin High, where the ‘Dawgs triumped 42-37 in a tightly contested game.

The next big game is the Homcoming tilt versus Akins, an upstart play-off qualifier from last year.

“I expect us to go at least to the second round if we don’t I will be very surprised based off of our performance,” senior Cole Kuykendall said.

The Bulldogs played Westlake last Friday night, in a match-up or traditional rivals. Last year the ‘Dawgs upset the Chaps.

A thletics The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Oct. 6, 2014 Page 9

New JV squad brings the heat

Fired Up: The varsity cheer team pulls stunts as the new JV team practices in the background. Varsity cheer shows off their school spirit with large letters spelling, “Bowie”. The two teams not only practice all season for games, but as well as preparing for cheer competitions. Photo by Alyssa Martinez

Cheerleading coaches change things up and welcome a new team to campus For 26 years, there has been one cheer leading squad. This year head coaches, Ervin Knight and Wendy Uzzle decided to make a change and add a JV squad.

“We felt by adding a JV squad it would allow more students to participate in a school activity,” Uzzle said. “There will be lots of students interested and overall it will grow the varsity program because if they’re freshman on the squad they’ll be experienced by the time they’re seniors on varsity.”

Even though there is a new squad they do not have the same privileges that varsity squad has.

“The schedule of varsity is very demanding, they have more games and practices.

We have JV squad doing less things because

they’re mostly freshman, they need time to adjust to high school instead of having everything thrown at them at once,” Uzzle said.

The cheerleaders felt neutral about the change this year.

In fact the varsity girls did not like this change when it was first decided.

“At first I was against it because Varsity got all of the attention, which is how it should be, but now I learned to love JV,” senior Kenyah Coleman said.

The varsity cheerleaders can all agree they were so accustomed to being the superstars but now they have to face the fact that they have to share the spotlight with another squad.

“They look up to us, it gives them something to strive for and it feels nice being one of the role models,” Coleman stated.

Every cheerleader out there has some

much and I’m very proud to call all of the girls my team,” Reyes said.

The JV team isn’t what people think they are, they have more potential than people think.

“We shouldn’t be underestimated,” Reyes said.

The JV girls have goals they’re trying to achieve throughout the year.

“I want to learn how hard the varsity girls train and follow in their footsteps,” Reyes said.

The varsity girls are practicing regularly to achieve their goals while mentoring the new JV team towards accomplishing their mission of success.

This year following varsity’s leading example, the JV team not only practices for all season games but also prepares for high stake cheer competitions.

Top Dawgs

Steve Johnson

Standout athletic performances

Wake up, eat well, hit the gym and then just practice, practice, practice. That’s what senior running back Steve Johnson does every day to keep his game face on.

“I have to put in a lot of time into this and work out a whole lot,”Johnson said.

“But I don’t quit playing because its what I enjoy doing.”

Johnson has been playing ever since he was young boy.

“I started as a little kid, and turned out to be good,”Johnson said. “I just started playing, it was all me.”

Taking down the big competition is what makes it all worth while for him.

“My favorite part was beating Westlake last year. They think they’re so good, its just so fun beating them, especially on their own field,” Johnson said.

Photo by Jasmine Correa

goals they make for themselves, the cheer girls have lots of goals they created for the cheer season.

“I want to perfect standing tumbling and be an impact to a JV girl,” Coleman said.

Being on the JV squad seems to be less important to the people but the JV girls take that as a motivator to do better.

“Being on JV squad indeed does make me feel less important but I also understand that varsity will always be more important because they’re like an A team, they’re the top squad,” junior Yulissa Reyes said.

Reyes is one of the two juniors on the JV squad full of freshman and sophomores, which puts more pressure on her to do greater things.

“At the beginning I thought JV wouldn’t be nearly on varsity’s level. As summer practices went on I noticed that JV progressed so

Despite the painful shock of losing her beloved coach this past summer, senior Kennedy Godsey tries her best to play the game the way she did under his training.

“The season is different, just like anything would be if you lost someone you were so close to,” Godsey said. “But I try to play my best to honor him.”

This season Godsey is planning on leading the team to the play-offs and really cracking down on the mistakes to help them advance further.

“I believe we could go deep in the playoffs if we stay focused and minimize our errors,” Godsey said.

The girls work as one to reach this goal.

“My favorite thing about volleyball is that its team-oriented, everything we do, we do it together,” Godsey said.

Kennedy Godsey

Photo by Isabel Rosales

Alyssa Martinez Staff Writer

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C ommentary

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, October 6, 2014 Page 10

Dress code? What’s dress code?

Editorial

In a faraway land, a totalitarian regime reigns over its territory with an iron fist, and right here at home, a school enforces its dress code.

Of course our staff is not a totalitarian regime, nor is it being compared to one. To put it simply, dress code is not an issue in the face of things happening in the world that are bigger than us.

But that’s what’s happening at this school.

You see it in the hallways. You hear people talking about it, and you know how ridiculous the idea of dress code is, and how much more ridiculous it is to somehow break it.

The excuses vary, from trying to cool off, to just straight up sexism; people insist that it is their right to wear short shorts and muscle shorts, no matter the cost. The sexism argument is widely supported, but instead of directing our outrage at each other if someone doesn’t agree, let us band together and do away with this evil, because we all know how silly dress code is.

And before you break dress code, ask yourselves, is it worth it?

The answer is no, getting a referral and trying to explain to a college why you couldn’t follow such a simple rule isn’t worth showing some skin.

The schools say the clothing is “distracting” which is a bit farfetched. Sorry to break it to the administration, but the only distracting thing about bright colored shorts are the even more blinding white legs they show off.

And the only thing distracting about muscle shirts is the pity people have for those who don’t understand you need muscle to wear them.

We have our priorities straight, nobody ogles over some kid in showy clothing during class, and if they do, then is this really the bigger issue?

The rest of the clothes banned by the dress code are honestly jokes, not once in the history of ever has a man seen a girl in a shoulder-less dress and said, “Wow look at the shoulders on that one, what I give to take her to McDonalds.”

And not once in the history of ever has a girl looked at a guy in athletic shorts and said “My-my, the surprisingly large amount of hair on those legs makes me want to look at them all day.”

The dress code is frankly, stupid. Nobody is going to get “pantsed,” this isn’t middle school, and it’s fairly offensive that our staff thinks we behave like pre-pubescent children.

A change in dress code would be a change in thousands of people’s lives, and that’s something we must be aware of.

Seems likes a little much to me, these people are pretty over the top don’t you think?

Conformity is the poison of society

Dress Code 1. No Shoes 2. No shirt 3. No Education

art by Elyas Levens

If you want to get rid of the dress code, do it in a mature way, and if it has to be there under some inconceivable circumstances, find a real reason to ban an article of clothing, not some 1700’s puritan mumbo jumbo.

We can only direct you the right way, get support from teachers, students, parents, even board members and maybe with

a little organization and luck something will change.

Our rebellious phase has reached its end, and it’s time to grow up.

So again, as much as the urge to slip on something light tugs at you, remember your parents will see that referral, and hell hath no fury like a mothers scorn.

Counselors have electives saying “Et tu, Brute?”

Multi-year electives

art by Elyas Levens

Dispatch Staff Editor-in-Chief | Maryam Hussain

Photo Editor | Granger Coats

Editor-in-Chief | Kamryn Bryce

Online Editor | Justice Capello

Commentary Editor | Elyas Levens

Entertainment Editors | Paige Rife/Lauren Blevins

Managing/In-Depth Editor | Ashlee Thomason Student Life Editors | Shelby Becker/ Gabby Bourgeacq/Caitlin Devlin/Sophia Mara

system could be, students fix their schedules at the end of the first week of school to fit their needs. With this new system there would have to

“

be a requirement in order to change your schedule the first week of school, but the system could be upgraded and allow a less stressful schedule change process.

There are obviously a lot of problems with the scheduling system since so many students appear to need changes.

There are some students that just want schedule changes for no reason but their own personal requests or liking, but for those that

Gabby Bourgeacq Student Life Editor

Advisor | Michael Reeves

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.

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Another solution to fixing the scheduling system could simply be organization.

Implicating a better system could start with giving students their schedules prior to the start of the school year. If students were given the opportunity to review and fix their schedules on their own over the summer, it would make the counselor’s lives much easier.

Mailing the student’s their schedule would give students a chance to make

tions are set in stone before school begins. There should be allowance for leeway during the school year for alterations that require attention.

Counselors should still consider all problems and fix student’s schedules for the student’s benefit in order to create a school environment that is open to what the student’s need instead of counselor’s complaining about helping a student in fixing their schedules.

The summertime blues

News Editor | Annika Holm

Editorial Policy

decisions on their own behalf and take care of it by a given deadline. The deadline could be set a week before school starts, so all altera-

Either way I felt like I was betraying someone or something. This was an extremely difficult place to be in.

Athletics Editor | Isabel Rosales

Staff Writers Fuaad Ajaz | Ethan Archbold | Miranda Cassidy | Jasmin Correa | Zuha Lateef | Alyssa Martinez | Michelle McDonagh | Samantha Perry | Cecilia Ramos Cantu | Hazel Rodriguez | Casey Shrout

have a schedule with missing classes that are a requirement for graduation it can be a serious problem, and should be addressed quickly.

At the end of a long and exhausting school year, there is one thing all students look forward to.

Summer.

Summer is the time for students to chill out, have fun, and not think about school. But then comes the one and only... Summer homework.

Being a student who has had summer homework all four years in high school, I know its a buzz kill and ruins my last few weeks of

summer.

Why would anyone want his or her last memorable few weeks of summer be spent stressed out because you haven’t annotated your summer reading book yet?

I think it is pointless to make students do summer work.

What’s the point of having a summer break if we have to spend a lot of our time reading, writing, annotating and studying?

Also, I don’t think every single student does all his or her summer homework. And if they do, then it is most likely not perfected.

On the other hand, I do understand why teachers think it’s a good idea for us to do. It keeps us educated through the break and keeps us focused on school. But I

Bryce

Lost another student to the other guys, darn

dents file in and out of the counselor’s offices.

This year I have especially noticed that many of the seniors that had a schedule problem that was either entered incorrectly, had classes missing on their schedule, or had some scheduling conflict. There were so many students trying to get schedule changes that the counselors were stressed to their breaking point. Although the stress is understandable from an empathetic perspective, it still does not give the counselors an excuse to refuse requests, because this is their job.

Scheduling problems can be traced to the root of the problem, the computer system.

I propose that the scheduling system be updated to a more flexible system that can allow students to make quick, easy, accessible alterations to their schedules. An example of this new digital

art by Kamryn

Either way I felt like I was betraying someone. I had a schedule conflict that forced me to choose between Silver Stars and Newspaper, which was a difficult decision for me. I was in line to be Editor-in-Chief and was ready to go, until this mishap

presented itself on my desk.

There are several cases of students like me, who were involved in athletics, Silver Stars, or other organizations that had a schedule conflict arise with another organization’s class period.

The beginning of the school year always starts off with clusters of students pouring into the counselor’s office for schedule changes, alterations, and fixing problems. Bodies line up against the narrow hallway walls and the neon green papers continue to increase as stu-

“

Ashlee Thomason Managing Editor

think it should be an optional assignment, instead of a requirement.

I don’t think its fair for summer homework to be required. First of all, do the words SUMMER and HOMEWORK even go together? Second of all, why make us do something none of us want to do?

I think it would be a better idea to read a book and write an essay on it for extra credit at the beginning of the year.

Students would be much more willing to do optional extra credit than a required assignment on a boring book. One summer I had to read, annotate and write an essay on two books. I personally think that is an insane thing to make students do.

We do that all school year, and then we have to do it during summer as well.

Like I said, insane.

I don’t resent or detest summer homework. If I have to do it then I will. I just think it is unfair for the students. Summer homework is the last thing we want to do. I understand the reason for it, but I don’t understand why it has to be required. Requirements for summer homework should stop.

Without summer homework comes a summer without stress.

C ommentary

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, October 6, 2014 Page 11

Racism here at home

The events in Ferguson aren’t contained, racism still exists, and we allow it to thrive by ignoring it Justice Capello Online Editor

“Article the third... Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

The Bill of Rights was amended to the Constitution the same year it was ratified. The foundation in which this nation was built guarantees each individual of this nation certain rights; certain rights that when combined hold great, unimaginable power. This power is usually seen whenever an extreme circumstance occurs in which the people find disturbing, menacing, or unconstitutional.

The people of the United States have a history of rebellion, as that is how our country became united in the first place, so it is not unusual that in the case of 18-year-old Michael Brown, citizens of this country will express their opinions with or without remorse.

Brown, an 18-year-old high school graduate who was planning on attending Vatterott College, was shot, in broad daylight, while on his way to his grandmother’s house Aug. 10th by Police Officer Darren Wilson. Witnesses claimed Officer Wilson shot and killed Brown, despite him being unarmed.

Upon hearing what had happened, the community of Ferguson, Missouri (12 miles north of St. Louis) erupted into a violent chaos which is still going on today with protesters most recently disrupting a government meeting.

The pointless killing of any human being is an act that will always be unjust to me, regardless of any “probably cause.” As an American citizen, I believe it is important that we protest any act by government, law enforcement, or military forces that is unconstitutional.

Brown’s shooting is no exception.

Humans of Bowie What advice would you give to a classroom of freshmen?

“Well since I’m a freshman I guess you really can’t wait until the last minute to do homework anymore, and that’s something I would do a lot in middle school. I kind of learned that the hard way because I failed a quiz because I didn’t understand the material, so homework is a lot bigger of a deal here than it was in middle school. I also noticed that you definitely can’t play all the sports, you have to choose one and really commit to it, and that’s not something that you did in middle school.” Freshman Julian Hiddad

Race relations are progressing quickly and practically, soon everyone will be equal and free Race equality still has a long way to go, and it’s an uphill battle

art by Elyas Levens

When law enforcement officers overstep their boundaries, it is our job to protect ourselves and ensure that the people who are supposed to uphold the ideas that our government is based on are properly maintained.

Murder is a barbaric act. Every time one is committed in our society, we take a step backwards. A step towards war. A step towards chaos. A step towards anarchy.

With these events being recent and extremes such as the National Guard being called, as well as a state of emergency being declared in Ferguson, I can only wonder how far this protest will go.

The biggest thing about this entire situation that stands out to me is how one event can trigger, in a domino-effect type of way, a huge chain of events that brings the nation’s inner workings to its knees.

People may argue that violence is never the answer regardless of the situation, and I concur. But after years of torment, followed by peaceful protest the community of Ferguson feels as though their voices have not been heard. How far does one have to go in order to solve a problem that should not even exist in society if everybody followed the golden rule: treat people how you want to be treated.

Questions have arisen if these people even have the right to do this, and in theory there is nowhere in the constitution in which it says we as people of the

nation have “the right to protest,” but as people of a republic, shouldn’t we be able to show our discomfort with a certain events, policies, or actions we deem unjust?

As a nation founded on the basis that all men are created equal, why should one act a community deemed racially inspired set off a chain of events that causes an entire city to come crashing down into a raging spiral of protest?

Racial profiling is an act that exists in our communities today. I have experienced this in my own neighborhood having being stopped by a cop for simply walking my bike down the street.

Racism is not impartial to Austin. It lives, and is thriving.

Lower-income neighborhoods are subject to more police patrol, such as our own Bouldin Oaks government homes, and although justified, is the relentless stopping of random, harmless individuals necessary to maintain the peace?

The truth is that racism still exists in our society today whether we like it or not, and it is our job as citizens of the United States of America to ensure that equality is spread and practiced worldwide. It is only when deep emotions, long forgotten by a generation of transition, resurface that our society realizes that it is time for change.

It is time for a new era of peace, equality, and social justice not just at a national level, but within the confines of our own communities as well.

“Well, I would say don’t try too hard, because you will get really stressed out, also don’t be rude to other people who are doing the same thing as you. And homework is really important so actually do it, the first six weeks I failed because I didn’t do my homework and basically understood nothing about what we were doing in class. Also don’t procrastinate on things and don’t be afraid to speak your mind.” Sophomore April Briggs

“I would tell them not to do anything stupid, like follow dress code, don’t go off campus, and if you do go off campus, don’t get caught. I think that school and those ideas will help later in life, so that you don’t pick up bad habits and if you do you can at least control them and make good decisions that won’t come back later and mess you up really bad.”

Junior Evan Burt

School improvements lacking Michelle McDonaghStaff Writer

Scurrying from class to class, I have seen quite a few improvements around campus since last year.

Some of them good, some of them look incomplete, and some that don’t really make a whole lot of sense.

I believe that our school needs a lot of changes that have not been completed to make this school look and feel good as good as I know it could be.

In the hallways the paint is chipping, ceilings are leaking, and every winter I dress like I did when I lived in San Francisco. These should have been at the top of the improvement list, but clearly they were not.

When the roads are sizzling, the academic halls are sweltering. And when the rooftops are frosty, I feel like I have to add more layers inside the hallways then outside. Anytime it rains, the roofs in the hallways on the second floor leak like a faucet. I thought once again that this issue our student body complains about every single year would be one of the major changes that the school would focus on. The school needs to really fix the hallways, because this is the part of the school the student

body complains about the most.

The air conditioning units are so old, it seems like there is some sort of air conditioning problem at our school at least every other week.

Now, they painted some of the railings red and black colors, but others in between C and D, and by the library, are still chipping away in their stable blue or green states. And, above all the railings, the part that surrounds them is still an ugly blue or green in every hallway, even those that had their railings painted.

But, there have been some changes that have taken place that benefit the

school. One of them was that they added these sleek metal bars that clip papers and posters to them to avoid using tape. Not only has this proven effective, but it will save the school money that they would usually spend on repainting those tattered walls. Though I think that this is an amazing new addition to the school, I wish that these clips weren’t literally everywhere I seem to wander.

The administration really needs to update the air conditioning system from the current one. If the system breaks every week, there needs to be something done about it. They need to stop

making excuses and update to save money in repairs costs that they pay every time the system goes out.

The administration also needs to paint all the railings the same color. Just get some volunteers to spend one Saturday or Sunday to paint the railings the same, consistent colors throughout the school.

Yes, the school looks better, but some of the jobs look half done, and some of the issues that I thought would be of more pressing concerns were not dealt with in a single way. The school needs to make changes to make the students and staff happier.

“I think that freshman should pick up good study habits early in the year because if you mess up on something big it will be really hard to fix your grade. I say that because sophomore year I missed a lot of school and making all of that work up was ridiculously hard and overwhelming. I picked up a good work ethic and got it all done and I think that it really helps out now later in school. Just make sure not to pick up bad study habits or it won’t be an easy year.” Senior Joanna Cadena

“What I would tell a class of freshman is that it’s really important to not be afraid to talk to your teacher about what you don’t get. We are here to help and we want to know if you’re struggling or if you just need extra help or whatever it may be, you should ask your teacher no matter what, do not be afraid.” English teacher Whitney Shumate

source: Austinisd.org

art by Elyas Levens

P hoto Essay

The Lone Star Dispatch Monday, Oct. 6, 2014 Page 12

Bulldogs and Hotdogs expands to younger kids Annika Holm News Editor

Bulldogs and Hotdogs took place in the fine arts building, due to rain concerns on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 6-9 p.m.

“While we were setting up for the event we had a hard time deciding about moving out of the courtyard to avoid the rain,” co-event organizer Stacey Jo Petrash said. “ But we ended up moving most of the stuff inside and we were prepared in case of rain.”

The other co-organizer of the event Joanna Willard aimed to make the event more open to the community.

According to Willard, if a greater amount of younger students were in attendance that would help foster their interest in the school.

“We decided last year to make the event this year more of a community event,” Willard said. We wanted the community to become more involved in Bowie and we want the

elementary and middle school students to start to feel more of an ownership of their school.”

This year the organizers of the event advertised at feeder schools to create a greater attendance of future students, which was successful last year.

“We had a record attendance of those younger students last year and so it was a huge success,” Willard said.

The advertising worked as there were students from schools as far away as Kealing in attendance.

“We’ve never been [to Bulldogs and Hotdogs] before, but we’ve heard it’s fun,” Kealing seventh grader Elizabeth Meyers said.

The middle schoolers from Kealing and other private and magnet middle schools felt that Bulldogs and Hotdogs was a good chance to get a feel of the school and decide if that’s the high school they want to go to, or if they’re continuing on the track theyre already headed on.

“We want to have fun in high school and we figured this was a good way to check out the school,” Kealing seventh

grader Caroline Meyers said.

Bulldogs and Hotdogs is also an opportunity for current students to explore and support various clubs and teams around campus.

“Bulldogs and Hotdogs is a great way for the football team to reach more people than we normally do,” booth volunteer Shanna Teague said. “It’s a way to attract people other than the football fans.”

The fundraiser was smaller than in years past due to a mandatory twenty dollar fee per booth.

“The organization [of Bulldogs and Hotdogs] pays for custodians, security, a sound system, every table and chair, so we need every group to pay a little money,” Petrash said.

Ultimately the event staff considered this year’s annual Bulldogs and Hotdogs a success.

“We were very pleased with the evening of Bulldogs and Hotdogs, the outcome and had a huge crowd,” Willard said.

“We have just heard that the boosters were pleased and found it to be a successful event.”

Face paint time: (Top right) Junior Kahn Lee gets his face painted. Afterwards Lee went to several different activities that Bulldogs and Hotdogs has to offer. “Playing basketball was fun, and it was a great time seeing everybody,” Lee said. Photo by Alyssa Martinez Art through expression: (Top left) The art booth decorated students with henna tattoos. Senior Megan Schwab was passionate about the tattoos they offered.“We raised a lot of money and the money will go to getting more supplies for art club,” Schwab said. Photo by Fuaad Ajaz

Spreading the word: (Below) Talking and getting the word out to the school, senior officer Kristel Martinez helped the Starlight Theatre Company. Martinez spent her time working the theatre booth.“I enjoyed face painting and selling shirts,” said Martinez. Photo by Alyssa Martinez

Support for Theatre(bottom right): Junior Grace Battle painted students faces during Bulldogs and Hotdogs. Battle face painted to raise money for theatre. “The booth was more popular than last year, we sold shirts and lots of people paid for face paintings which is great for the company,” Battle said. Photo by Fuaad Ajaz Making Decisions(bottom left): Co-organizer of Bulldogs and Hotdogs Joanna Willard talks with custodian Jesus Borjon. Williard aimed to invite families and younger students to Bulldogs and Hotdogs to increase revenue and interest.”We do not have a way to know how much we made overall, although the boosters were pleased with the event,” Willard said. Photo by Granger Coats