The Maroon v.90 December 2017

volume 90 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

S T E P H E N F. A U S T I N H I G H S C H O O L | A U S T I N , T E X A S | L O YA L F O R E V E R

TEACHER DRESS CODE

Do the clothes matter?

NEWS - p5

GUN CONTROL

It’s time for action.

STAFF EDITORIAL - p8

FLYING HIGH

Junior works on earning his pilot’s license.

LIFE & ARTS - p15

SIGNING DAY

Heide & Bigger Commit to Play College Sports SPORTS - p20

STRANGER THINGS 2

The Wait is Over ENTERTAINMENT - p23

BAND MARCHES TO STATE NEWS - p12

IN THIS ISSUE

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NEWS AHS Facilities to be Upgraded AISD’s $billion bond passes through major voter approval.

COMMENTARY Kahn Helps Youth of Lesotho Senior volunteers with impoverished schools through African Library Project.

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LIFE & ARTS Artistically Inclined From theater to orchestra to choir, LePage dominates every stage.

ON THE COVER

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Football Finishes Strong

Varsity finished strong with second in district, top seed in our playoff bracket, a four-game winning streak, and a strong playoff run.

| CONTENTS | DEC 2017

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Band Marches to State Band makes first appearance at State UIL competition since 1980s.

Stephen F. Austin High School Publications Department 1715 West Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78703 sfamaroon@gmail.com www.sfamaroon.org Editor-in-Chief Staff Writers Eleanor Estrada Giselle Aviles Kyara Avilez Managing Editor Kylie Baber Tessa Lehman Ava Baker Angie Black Creative Director Tatiana Brown Auston Abrego Caleb Bryant Kathryn Dach Copy Editors Jonathan Dominguez Miranda Gishoni Isabel Enciso Joslynn Sanchez Mickey Ferguson Aisha Foster News Editor Sofia Freed Bryan Sak Julian Garcia Maddie Gaynor Commentary Editor Sarah Guehring Cezanne Lossing-Cann Jazmiine Hogan Will Jones Life & Arts Editor Ashley Kahn Olivia Heinze Kenzie Marsales Adrian Mosser Sports Editor Evan Myers Michael Tiemann-Daniel Farah Nobles Jesus Nunez-Ramirez Entertainment Editor John Paidle Lauren Ward Jake Paterson Elsa Pecore Photo Editor Cole Ratliff Zayna Chouman Ana Rosero Connor Tate Publications Adviser Colin Wade Jena Weber Buddy White EDITORIAL POLICY The Maroon is published five times during the school year by the newspaper students at Stephen F. Austin High School.

The publication strives to meet the highest ethical and professional standards for news and advertising. It will strive to be an inclusive publication that will be free of prejudice against race, creed, national origin, handicapping conditions or gender. Information in this publication is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Neither the newspaper staff, the adviser, Austin High School administration, nor Austin ISD can be held responsible for errors or omissions in content.

All editorials are the sole viewpoint of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the organization. Letters to the editor are welcome for topics of general interest to the readership of The Maroon. Letters must be typed or neatly written in ink and include the writer’s signature, grade and contact phone number. Editors reserve the right to determine which issue the letter goes in, making every effort to print the letter as soon as possible and the right to edit the letter for grammar, length and repetition. All persons are hereby informed that all advertised products/services or establishments are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Letter From the Editor

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irst and foremost I want to thank you for taking the time to read our first issue of the school year. Our staff has worked so hard putting this issue together, and we hope that you all enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed making it.

We’d love to hear from you all about what you liked in this issue and what you hope to see improved in the upcoming publications.

This year we have been working to take our newspaper in a new direction.

From rebranding, to greater coverage of current events, we are working to represent the student body of Austin High School to the best of our ability. Every week we are sending staff members to a wide range of events in and outside of school in hopes of

covering everyone at AHS equally.

As a school newspaper, one of the most important aspects of our jobs is staying connected with our peers. From athletes to artists to debaters, you all are just as important to making this paper a reality.

We want your voice to be heard. Send us letters and come up to talk with us. Follow us on social media and spread the word about events to be covered. By creating a connection between our staff and our community, we can create the best product possible.

Once again, I hope you enjoy this issue, and I look forward to the many more stories to come next semester.

Eleanor Estrada Editor-in-Chief

CHECK OUT www.sfamaroon.org Follow Us @sfamaroon

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Feminism Club Promotes Body Positivity

Junior Deanna Deleon crafts a poster celebrating “everybody.” Deleon’s poster was used to promote body positivity. Photo by Ashley Kahn

BY ASHLEY KAHN | Staff Writer

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he members of Feminism Club are currently facilitating a project to promote body positivity and self love. Many in the club believe this is a necessary task in order to destigmatize the concept of appreciating and accepting one’s body.

“We’re trying to combat the negativity and practice loving yourself the way you are, rather than promoting an idea of criticism and self hate,” Women’s Studies teacher Katie Holbrook said.

The project was originally proposed by Sophomore Emma Galbraith, an outspoken member of the Gay Straight Alliance as well as Feminism Club.

“I think with American teenagers, there’s an underlying sub culture that perpetuates this notion of hating yourself and that acknowledging that you have a strong and healthy body which carries you everywhere is, for whatever reason, uncool,” Galbraith said.

The body positivity movement has recently become popularized with plus sized models such as Ashley Graham and Barbie Ferreira. Both advocate self love and actively rebel against conventional attractiveness and size standards.

“You can appreciate your body and love it just as it is, because really, there’s no right way to have a body. Right?,” Holbrook said.

With the rising rate of eating disorders in

the United States and United Kingdom, one must wonder if our society and media are partially to blame for this mental and public health crisis.

“So many people have anorexia or bulimia and try to commit suicide because they feel that their bodies of all things aren’t worth enough somehow, which is completely absurd,” Galbraith said.

According to The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, one in five deaths of anorexic patients is due to suicide.

Rates for patients with bulimia or binge eating disorder are similarly high.

“High schoolers are so vulnerable, so body positivity is necessary since we’re all growing into our own skin,” Junior Tara Simons said.

Club members believe this could be especially beneficial for students who have been discriminated against because of their bodies or have been deeply impacted by beauty standards promoted by advertisements and the media.

“Any change is good because while these posters may get overlooked by hundreds, if even one student realizes that their body is something that they shouldn’t be ashamed of, then something good will have come from this,” Galbraith said.

The club is planning to hang the posters throughout the school within the month, most of which concentrated by the girls restrooms, considering that bathrooms tend to be a breeding ground for body shaming and self criticism.

“It’s important we recognize that it’s perfectly okay to look at yourself in the mirror and say, ‘Hey I look good,’ and know that you’re worth something,” Galbraith said. “Feeling good about yourself is not vain, but rather a healthy thing to experience and carry throughout your life.

Overwhelming Vote Passes Billion Dollar Bond

BY JOSLYNN SANCHEZ | Copy Editor

V

oters approved the $1 billion bond package for Austin ISD on Tuesday, Nov. 7. The money will go towards necessary emergency repairs, renovations, and modernizations.

Projects will begin on a “worst-first” basis, meaning that schools that most desperately need repairs are given a “fast track” distinction and could see construction beginning as soon as the summer of 2018. Although Austin High was not put in the fast track category, Casis Elementary, one of nine elementary schools that feed into Austin High, was put on fast track and is expected to begin construction in June.

Austin High’s repairs focus on athletics facilities and renovations to core academic and

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| NEWS | DEC 2017

life skills areas, but the school may not see any construction beginning for quite some time. When facilities around the district were assessed, the school was given an average suitability rating which puts it at the end of a long list of projects throughout AISD. Though the process will be long, voters saw the necessity of the bond and passed it with an overwhelming vote this past Election Day. Schools like T.A. Brown, which is currently using a campus made of portable classrooms on the field of Barrington Elementary, and Eastside Memorial, which is expected to relocate to another campus location, are at the top of the district’s priority due to the severity of repairs needed. The bond

The proposed extensions to Austin High School with the 2018 Bond.

will allow fewer funds to be constantly spent on emergency repairs as band-aid fixes. The hope is that this bond will allow schools to be given the update they’ve always needed to be suitable for 21st-century learning.

If the Workplace Attire Fits

BY OLIVIA HEINZE | Life & Arts Editor

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emlines should be not be “distracting.”

Necklines must not be “revealing” or “provocative.” No hats or head coverings are permitted, and the same goes for piercings, shorts, or leggings. Jeans and tees are only to be worn when “designated by the principal.” Ties are “encouraged” and shirttails must be tucked in.

On Oct. 25, a bright pink note with 14 rules detailing the teacher’s dress code was distributed to faculty through their teacher mailboxes. No email was sent out to accompany this memo, nor was it discussed between teachers and administration prior to or following the note.

“We have always been informed about expectations about professional dress,” said Environmental Science teacher Deena Telley. “As far as the enforcement of the teacher dress code, it has been more of a suggestion. I’ve been through eight principals here, often times, there’s different priorities.”

Telley has been teaching here for 19 years.

Today she wears a new lab coat with her name embroidered on the front in maroon thread, and a pair of jeans. As the APES teacher, she is often outside leading walks or labs, so casual dress is more reasonable than business formal.

“I feel like I try to bring a sense of authenticity and connection with my students to the classroom,” Spanish teacher Kevin Gillion said.

“If I expect my students to be themselves, and relaxed, and ready for learning, then I need to be myself and look like the person that I am rather than pretend that I am somehow better or different than my students.”

The first line of the dress code states, “Employees shall act as role models by exemplifying the highest standard of professional appearance.” When asked if he thinks what he wears affects what his students choose to wear, Gillion laughed and replied that no one looks to a 46 year old man for fashion inspiration.

“I believe the school system is a very delicate place, although it’s simply not affected by the staff ’s decisions of attire. The quality of education cannot be affected by their attire. The information is not affected by their looks, it’s the words, the power of the language, that teaches us,” said sophomore Troy Abbott.

Much like the student dress code, the teacher dress code has not been heavily enforced before this notification. In previous years, the student dress code has been posted along the walls of the school. Three years ago, those posters were taken down.

“I will say this, I also find the student dress

Do teachers’ outfits affect how students learn?

code to be outdated and sexist,” Gillion said. “We need to teach boys to control themselves and be respectful to women, not tell women that their bodies are somehow shameful or weird. I call Hogwash on that. There was probably good intent behind that note, although the actual dress code itself looks like it was written by a white man in the 70s.”

Now, there are many articles detailing the sexist overtones of school dress codes, as well as numerous online petitions to get rid of dress codes in various school communities.

“Austin is such a casual community now,” Telley said, “Things are very different. When I go to a restaurant now people are wearing jeans and… oh, God forbid… ballcaps! In nice restaurants! Which I find horrifying, I don’t think they should be allowed in, but it’s a different era.

I had a lot of conflict in past years because I was very much a dress code stickler for students. I get it, it can be a touchy subject, but I think people should look neat.”

However, the average workplace continually allows more and more casual dress. Concern over tattoos and piercings may soon be a thing of the past, however the AISD Employee dress code

forbids piercings in places other than the earlobe.

Even beards and mustaches are only permissible when kept neatly trimmed.

“If we are really trying to prepare y’all for 21st century work, and if you look at the people who tend to be the movers and shakers, both culturally, as well as economically, like in the business world, you will find that no one dresses in that super formal, old-school attire anymore,” Gillion said. “I think that the school board --not our principal; nothing against our administration, overall, they are extremely supportive-- but I think the school board needs to go back and visit this with a 21st century perspective.”

Both teachers agree that this note was not necessary. Telley feels that the administrators should have personally addressed the teacher(s) they are concerned about. Gillion describes the note as superfluous when compared with all the other challenges teacher face on a daily basis.

“I have never noticed --not once in my life-the attire of my teachers,” junior Farrah Nobles said. Then she laughs. “Though, if all my science teachers were required to wear lab coats, I would feel more educated.”

DEC 2017 | NEWS |

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Sophomore Xander Christou volunteers at the new Austin Central Library. Photo

by Tatiana Gomez-Brown

Christou Helps Create Teen Space in Library

BY TATIANA GOMEZ-BROWN | Staff Writer Sophomore Xander Christou has many talents, from collecting Harry Potter books to adoring books so much, he then became the only teen working at the new Austin Central Library. He is also the Texas Teen Ambassador because of the multiple projects and responsibilities he has worked on. Christou has been working at the library since

September, the month before the library opened, to ensure everything runs smoothly.

“Since the library opened recently, I have been helping set things up in the teen area. Lately, I have taken photos, made book displays, opened and set up board games, and tested out crafts and games for programming,” Christou

said.

Christou spends most of his work hours in the teen section of the library to better relate to the visitors and help the adults that work in the section.

“My experience has been everything I had hoped for and more.

Getting to be behind the scenes and work with the amazing people there has been a huge gift. I especially love getting to nerd out about Harry Potter with the teen librarian I work with, Michael Harle,” Christou said.

Christou has found a job that he clearly enjoys and benefits from it not only financially but by earning service points for AGS. To Christou, books are an important aspect of his life.

“The grand opening was incredible. It was an event that I will remember forever. I’d already seen the library, but watching people’s mouths drop as they look around in awe was so fulfilling. It makes me so happy seeing the space being used by the public, and everyone is so friendly and excited when they see the space for the first time,” Christou said.

The grand opening of library went exceptionally and since the

library is six stories it has plenty of open spaces for visitors to roam around. Clubs and other activities have started forming at the library.

Christou, however, helps with in the teen section, which he helps any teens that have questions about the library and makes sure to make all that young adults feel welcome.

“There are lots of exciting events planned for the future: later this month, the Central Library is showing Wonder Woman, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and The Force Awakens. NaNoWriMo is in full swing and there are new activities every week during November. Tabletop Tuesdays are when anyone can grab a board game, and there’s also gaming on Sundays in the teen section are ongoing weekly events as well,” Christou said.

There are multiple events the library has to offer to get the people interacting.

“I don’t think I can describe it in words. I could say “it’s amazing” or “it’s the coolest place I’ve ever been” and those would both be true, but I think you should just go and see for yourself,” Christou said.

Former Secretary of State Speaks at LBJ Library

BY BRYAN SAK | News Editor A hundred senior students from Government and Economics were recently front and center to see Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton, speak at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library as part of an exhibit about her famous pins. The field trip, organized by government teacher Rolando Duarte, was an extra credit opportunity, but students such as Kaylan Berry and Eliana Salinas were excited to see Albright speak.

“I enjoyed the field trip because it was very empowering,” Berry said. “Seeing a woman who has been through so many things, yet has so many accomplishments, was amazing.”

Duarte shared this sentiment.

“I’ve been teaching for 16 years, and I’ve never had an opportunity to meet a former Secretary of State.

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| DEC 2017

I felt like she was really awesome, energetic, funny and engaging.

I thought it was a wonderful experience.”

Senior Miranda Gershoni, was even given the opportunity to sit onstage with Albright and ask questions submitted by students.

“Mr. Duarte reached out to me, knowing that I am a part of several political organizations, Youth and Government and Model UN, and he thought that I would want to,” Gershoni said. “It was really interesting, and I’m glad I got to do it.”

Gershoni asked Albright about the nation’s current political climate and about modern immigration policy, with which Albright expressed grave disappointment.

Albright’s frankness resonated with students.

“My favorite part of the trip was when the audience got to ask

Senior Miranda Gershoni sits with Madeline Albright and panel at the Lyndon B. Johnson Library. Photo Courtesy of LBJ Library

questions because it felt authentic and raw,” Berry said.

Albright answered a number of questions about her career as Secretary of State and her personal life. Albright had a particular focus on the empowerment of women and working together.

“I really loved the way she spoke about the importance of supporting other women. I feel like this detail in today’s feminist movement is

oftentimes left out,” Salinas said.

Duarte believes the field trip was a success and he appreciated the enthusiasm of the students who attended.

“At the end of the day, Madeleine Albright is an 80-year old-woman, and her exhibit is about her jewelry, and getting kids excited about an 80 year-old-woman giving a speech and talking about her jewelry was awesome,” Duarte said.

Media Arts Adviser Sean Gallagher Leads Show in New Direction

BY MIRANDA GERSHONI | Copy Editor

Q:

How have you changed the teaching aspect of KAHS this year?

The documentary Austinite was screened in the PAC and was followed by a Q&A with the producers Caedmon Arguello, Seth Parsons, and Cole Ratliff. Photo courtesy of Cole Ratliff

Senior Cole Ratliff Discusses KAHS’ New Format

BY KYLIE BABER | Staff Writer What is your experience in KAHS?

Q: A:

I am a second-year KAHS student. It is my fourth year in the program, and first year making documentaries and other productions. Last year we were making skits and shorter format products.

Q: A:

What is different about KAHS this year?

Last year, it was a bit of a mess because we had problems with our teacher leaving in the middle of the year and then Mr. Adams had to pick up the slack, and we kind of floundered. This year it’s a lot more structured, so we’re trying to be more like an actual film program. We’re going to try and up the production value and the organization and make it more of what people like at Austin High rather than stuff we want to make.

This year KAHS is no longer a short format, skit entertainment show. We have KAHS episodes about things that are going on in school, and then we do longer projects that take up entire six weeks, like music videos, documentaries, and narrative films, just a little bit of everything.

Q: A:

What is your documentary about?

My documentary is about a man who lives in Austin who has been here for about 20 years now, but his family has lived here for about a century. It’s just about him and his experience in Austin and how he likes the city and kind of the breakdown of the saying “Keep Austin Weird.” He’s able to tell us why Austin is “weird” and how to keep it that way.

Q: A:

What have you learned through this process?

I’ve learned that the process of making a documentary is a lot different than other films because you don’t have control over what happens in it, for the most part. The script is less useful in documentaries than it is anywhere else. It’s a lot harder to coordinate some things like who you’re interviewing, who you have to ask permission to film, and overall a lot more involved than just a narrative where you can set it up how you want.

A:

Yes, throughout the year we’re going to have other film screenings for other short films and products we make, besides the KAHS episodes, and each one of those will happen probably once a six weeks, we might combine some of the shorter ones like the music videos into one screening, so maybe once every two-six weeks, we’ll space them out throughout the year so students can come to a few of them. It should be a similar format: come to the PAC and pay a cover charge, and watch movies and ask questions.

Q:

What will be the next type of film you will create?

A:

The next category is narrative.

We started pre-production on those, and they’ll be done at the end of this semester. We’re doing kind of a Hollywood clone where you have to pitch your idea to producers, and the roles of writer, producer, actor, director are all separate, and if you want to be one you have to apply for it and audition and get chosen.

A:

I’m not totally sure because I wasn’t here when the previous teacher was in here. I know that we’re trying to do more of our personal work, and less stuff for the show KAHS. Definitely less skits, and an attempt at real journalism.

So far [the students] have put in a good effort, so tonight it will be interesting to see who goes, what they think, how it’s perceived. I mean I’m proud of the work that the kids have done, and I think they’ve advanced, and at first I had to fight with them a little bit on whether we do funny stuff or not, because now we don’t have to, but their work can be humorous, just the show has to be more professional.

Q: A:

What was the process of making these docs?

The students first got into groups of two to three, then came up with the ideas themselves, pre-produced it themselves, borrowed the equipment, went out and shot for about two weeks.

When they came in to class I was like alright, go and work on your movies. They can leave campus, because they’re seniors, or if they’re not they had a permission slip. The amount of work that they put into it is cool, like that [brochure from the documentary screenings] is just a piece of paper, but it’s indicative of someone’s hard work. I’m proud of it.

Q:

Will there be more screenings of y’all’s projects?

DEC 2017 | NEWS |

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NEED FOR GUN CONTROL GROWS AFTER MASS SHOOTINGS OPINION | Staff Editorial

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Congress continues to miss the target on passing gun control legislation. In 2013, Congress passed a renual on the ban of plastic firearms. Graphic by Auston Abrego

8 | OPINION

MASS SHOOTINGS

n a nation with the highest number of firearms per capita, the topic of gun control sparks polarizing opinions. However, as mass shootings become the new “normal,” it is time for a serious discussion on how firearms should be treated in the United States.

According to the New York Times, there have been 555 mass shootings since the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. At least 639 people have been killed and thousands more injured. At what point will our country take the necessary steps to prevent these senseless deaths?

Comprehensive gun control reform should encompass laws which make certain weapons and attachments illegal, require more thorough background checks which pull from national

databases, and make it harder for those with mental illnesses to acquire firearms.

Many Americans, especially in the southern United States and in rural areas, feel strongly about protecting their Second Amendment rights.

States with loose gun laws, like Texas, allow potential attackers to purchase firearms through loopholes. For example, guns can be sold without a background check at gun shows.

Since the Federal Assault Weapons Ban expired in 2004, the National Rifle Association, a gun advocacy and lobbying group, has prevented gun control legislation from being passed at the federal level. In 2016 alone, the NRA donated $838,215 to Republican candidates, with Texas Senator Ted Cruz being the frontrunner.

Lobbying from the NRA, which has about

31 16.4 639

Shootings Related to Mental Illness

| DEC 2017

5,000,000 members, or only 6-7% of the nation’s adult population, has contributed to gridlock in Congress. This has forced states to deal with the issue on their own.

After the shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Senator Cruz noted in a speech that “we don’t need politics right now.” The notion that we cannot talk about gun control following a tragedy is senseless. The time has come for a bipartisan effort to strengthen and protect. In a nation with the highest gun-ownership rate in the world, the United States has a certain susceptibility to these attacks. It is crucial to take the steps to prevent these acts of violence in the future.

Several Democrats have been vocal about drafting new legislation. Senator Dianne Feinstein recently introduced a bill which would make bump stocks, an attachment that turns a semiautomatic rifle into a fully-automatic one by using a rifle’s recoil to pull the trigger, illegal. Recently, Republican Senator John Cornyn said he would introduce legislation to strengthen the national background check system and require more federal agencies to upload conviction records. However, broader legislation has been unable to pass due to political gridlock.

Furthermore, Americans need to have a serious discussion about how we deal with mental health in our country. Congress was able to pass two mental health related bills in December of 2016. While this is a good start, it is important to recognize that we need to be proactive when it comes to mental health in order to prevent mass shootings in the future.

Ensuring the safety of all Americans requires political leaders to work together, regardless of party affiliation. Citizens must be involved in the political process to seek change. Mass shootings occur so often that they can almost be expected, and that is unacceptable.

Since 2000

Mass Shootings Per Year from 2007-2013

Killed From Mass Shootings Since June 12, 2016

31%

World’s Mass Shootings Occur in the US

Senior Travels to Africa to Help Impoverished Youth

BY ASHLEY KAHN | Staff Writer

L

esotho is a landlocked country surrounded

by South Africa, and, chances are you’ve never heard of it. It’s a constitutional monarchy with the second highest rate of HIV/ AIDS in the world, accompanied by a tuberculosis epidemic, a corrupt government, and extreme poverty. What you don’t gather from graphs or news articles is the love, patience, and beauty expressed by the native Basotho people. They care about tradition, their country, and their family. I was privileged to experience this while teaching English, Creative Writing, and Art to a group of boys at the Kick 4 Life Academy in Maseru, Lesotho.

Kick 4 Life is the first enterprise and charity to promote social, educational, and economic change through sport. Donations from American and British citizens help fund HIV testing, soccer clubs and teams, and an academy which houses eight boys. Each boy was selected based on their soccer talent as well as their resilience through hardships.

One boy, Jason, lost his hearing when he was younger and was bullied throughout primary school because of it. His father died a couple of years ago, forcing his mother to provide for him and his five siblings.

This is not an unusual circumstance in Lesotho, with an adult HIV/AIDS rate of 23.3 percent.

According to UNICEF, 222,000 out of 633,000 Basotho children are orphans, largely due to their parents either dying of AIDS or tuberculosis.

Despite these hardships, students like Jason have turned their pain into power and continuously strive to better their lives and themselves.

After only one month on campus, my eyes were opened to a completely different way of life. I saw how desperate these boys were to get out of their current living situation. How eager they were to learn, grow, and eventually come to America on a soccer scholarship.

On the weekends, I traveled around the country and visited several libraries created by The African Library Project, an organization committed to increasing the overall English literacy rate in Sub-Saharan African countries by shipping donated books halfway across the world. Lesotho requires students to learn English, however, this can prove to be a difficult task when books are unaffordable and inaccessible. I vividly remember the enthusiastic screams coming from the 2,000 Ma’s crammed in the Hippo Knitting textile factory, as hundreds of their children could now experience the joys of reading.

Peace Corp volunteers, ex-patriots, and foreign diplomats alike all know of The African Library Project because of the profound effects it has had on Lesotho. United States Ambassador to Lesotho, Matthew Harrington, and his son, Ben, joined us and members of the community to organize Kick 4 Life’s community library. Cleaning and sorting three-thousand books was no easy feat, and ended up taking an entire day with an

Basotho= people native to Lesotho Seshoeshoe= the traditional style of dress for Basotho women. The fabric is made of starched cotton and are tailormade for each woman.

Ma= married woman Khotso= wool blankets that are a staple in every Basotho’s closet. They are worn on a daily basis in most villages. Each blanket represents status or tribal relation (like if the wearer is a chief or descendent of royalty).

Papa plate= consists of papa, nama, and moroho.

Papa is a congealed corn grit. It’s a staple in a Basotho’s diet. “Nama” is the Sesotho word for meat, usually chicken. “Moroho” means vegetables in Sesotho. The most abundant crops are pumpkin, spinach, and beets.

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army of twenty, and countless nights alongside my step-mother.

I wore a Seshoeshoe dress and was cloaked in a Khotso blanket during my last day. I watched the boys play football, ate my last papa-plate, and prepared myself for the waterworks. Unable to articulate my goodbyes, I embraced everyone I had worked with and taught. It didn’t take very long to see the boys tears soak the clean carpeted floor. I’m incapable of conveying how much I miss their kind words and sweet faces. I may or may not go back next year, but no matter what, I will always feel connected with The Mountain Kingdom.

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1. Kahn hugs a puppy in the village of Ha Cheche while delivering a passport to one of her students relatives.

2. During the last day of her internship, Kahn poses with a fellow teacher while wearing a traditional seshoeshoe dress and khotso blanket.

3. Four Basotho men wrapped in khotso blankets ride into a trading post on horses outside of Mohale Dam. 4. Kahn and her students in front of a shipping container on the Kick 4 Life campus after a character development session. Photos courtesy of Ashley Kahn

D E C 2 0 1 7 | C O M M E N TA RY |

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Preventing the Ache Preperation can reduce risk of injury

BY CEZANNE LOSSING-CANN | Commentary Editor

“B

lam!” Heads slam together in a tangle of bodies as football players fight for the ball. Elsewhere, legs fly across the field in a mad dash to score a goal in a soccer game. With dew clinging to their pants, track runners fight for first place in a mass of athletic tape and worn sneakers. Common scenes for athletes everywhere, many don’t see what is just below the surface.

With every headon collision, the brain is thrown around football player's skull, causing countless small injuries, which, after many years, can cause memory issues and emotional instability.

While brain injuries are a reoccurring issue with football, it is not an unsolvable problem.

New helmet models have been updated to prevent such injuries based on new research.

For now, the best prevention is to keep informed and continue to update procedures with new equipment.

Athletes that fail to stretch or warm up, increase their risk of tearing muscles with every jolt of their legs, swing of a bat, or stroke of an oar.

Players march back onto the field, their cleats biting the astroturf and helmets shining from the spotlights above. With a throw of the ball, one of the players crumble onto the ground with a cry of pain much to the dread of the coach. Clutching his knee,the player is carried off the field and sat onto the bench for the rest of the game.

Injuries are an athlete's worst nightmare.

Nothing is worse than being benched for a season because of a blown out knee. A torn ACL can be enough to end a student's career, not to mention the countless number of smaller injuries and ACL reconstructive surgery that alone can cost families $5000. Money spent to only postpone an inevitable second injury.

Simple prevention techniques such as strength training alongside your weekly swim practice, yoga on occasion, or even simply stretching everyday after a workout can all go to drastically reduce your chance of injury.

With each stroke of the oar the rower grows increasingly worried, the athletic tape designed to reduce muscle strain is no longer working and the pain in their left shoulder screams. They keep going.

Overexertion makes existing problems worse. An issue that could have gone away in a few days suddenly takes weeks to months to heal. For any sport, athletes need to know RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Evaluation). Simply taking the time to pause and look at an injury can be enough to prevent from the bad from getting worse.

The volleyball player spikes the ball and comes crashing back down. Pain goes beyond fatigue and grows into joint pain that fails to go away.

Athletes everywhere are faced with the constant risk of injury that only increases the longer and harder they work. Simple prevention techniques may not stop every injury but can stop those that have smaller injuries from making it into something bigger.

Injuries are an athlete's worst nightmare.

Attending to an injury, junior trainer Sydney Porter stretches freshman Carlos Tiemann’s ankle. Porter has been a trainer for two years and plans to continue in her senior year. “You have to have a lot of patience, and know the balance of being mature and having fun to be a trainer,” Porter said. Photo by Taylor Russell

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Guide to Self Care How to stay healthy as a full-time student

BY MIRANDA GERSHONI | Copy Editor

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e all know the struggle: Wake up early. Go to school. Go to work/extracurriculars. Go home. Do homework. Sleep. And then do it all over again. It can feel like you’re existing in a synapse between reality and routine, going through the motions rather than really living. And in that routine, which is all too real for most students, it can be difficult to find time for yourself. This is partly because there are only 24 hours in a day, and most of those hours have been preassigned to certain obligations. But this lack of downtime can also be explained by the constant warnings against the deadly procrastination. Start

your homework early. Don’t waste any time messing around. This makes

So how do you do it? How do you keep your grades up, maintain your extracurriculars or job(s), and remain sane and healthy? First, let’s define selfcare. Taking care of yourself is holistic, it involves all parts of you. Mind, body, and soul. Thankfully, most self-care habits cover all these bases, so you don’t have to worry about checking each off separately.

Self-care is simply giving yourself what you need but “haven’t had time” to do.

It’s interesting how most people make time for work or school but not to the very body we live in, or the mental state we tackle every second with. It should be noted that not everyone has the privilege of extra time, whether they help support their family financially or have other necessary obligations. However, making time for yourself is a lifestyle that must be reinforced through constant practice, no matter how many responsibilities you have. One reason why it seems so impossible to take care of yourself is because we have this image of what we think self-care is, which is something that requires a whole lot of money and time, which, at least for the average student, we don’t have a lot of.

However, there are many ways to take care of yourself with very little time and no money at all. The most important thing is that you’re committed to self-care and that you see it as important to your wellbeing, which it is because you only live in this body once and you’re only you once.

Here, to the right, are a few ways to take care of yourself, physically and mentally, while still maintaining your obligations. Many of them may seem simple or obvious, but most people aren’t doing them, so think about each of these and figure out how you could make them a part of your lifestyle.

The most important thing is that you’re committed to selfcare and that you see it as important to your wellbeing.

people feel guilty for doing anything but what they feel they must do to succeed, whether it be getting good grades, making money, or any other obligations. While it is definitely important to prioritize your goals and not get caught up in distractions, it’s vital to find a balance between self-care and constant work.

Let’s start with why we’re all like this. Our capitalist society prioritizes hard achievements, things you can measure, rather than less tangible accomplishments that may be more valuable in the long run. Especially with the rapid expansion of technology, young people are expected to be beyond exceptional, because they supposedly have all of the resources they need with the click of a finger. This results in piling on way too many advanced classes and clubs that are simply unsustainable just to fulfill an unspoken quota on a college application. Unless students are meeting or exceeding this quota, they feel guilty or unaccomplished and end up sacrificing necessary self-care.

Your body is a temple. Whatever you decide to eat can affect you in both positive and negative ways, so make sure you eat regularly and see healthy eating as a method of self-care. Eating all organic veggies and fruits is expensive, so do your best to eat well with what you have.

It’s a dangerous habit to not prioritize sleep. Sleep is as important as any other basic function like eating and drinking water. Besides making you feel better physically and mentally, sleep improves memory, increases your lifespan, and decreases stress and depression. Start a nightly routine. Thirty minutes before bed, dim the lights, make yourself some chamomile tea, read a book you enjoy, and make your bed a sanctuary for sleep.

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Taking even 10 minutes to run, swim or do anything else that moves your body is good for you. Don’t beat yourself up for missing a day of exercise, and make sure to have a realistic goal in mind.

Countless studies show that slowing down and taking frequent breaks produces more creative and thorough work. Breathing deeply and frequently is important because it lowers your heart rate and transfers more oxygen to your brain, giving you more stamina to handle tough situations.

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Band Makes First State Apperance Since 1980s

BY AUSTIN ABREGO | Creative Director & COLE RATLIFF | Staff Writer

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or the first time in over 30 years, marching band advanced to the state level of the UIL marching competition. The band’s show Nocturne competed against 34 other bands at the Alamodome in San Antonio after placing in the top six in area competition.

“It means so much to be here at State,” trumpet player Coby Ramirez said. “Everything that we have done since summer has been leading up to this, and we didn’t even know it. No one even thought that we would make it to State, and now that we went to State, we were able to have the best performance of our life.”

According to trombone player Tommy Wangemann, this year’s members are the hardest working and more talented than in previous years.

“I think this is the strongest playing group we’ve had in a very long time, definitely in the four years I’ve been here,” Wangemann said. “Our color guard is also better than last year too; we actually should have taken more advantage of them, because we didn’t expect them to be this good.”

The idea for Nocturne came after several months of trial and error before marching band director Richard Patenaude finally settled on creating a show based off of light and darkness.

“For us to be successful I knew we had to pick some sort of show that basically, when the crowd sees us, anyone who doesn’t know anything about marching or music at all, will instantly know what our show is about,” Patenaude said. “We start

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movement one at twilight, it gets dark and then we give the stillness peacefulness of night, which is movement two. Movement three is midnight and that is the darkest before dawn. Movement four, the closer, is about the sunrise and the dawn.

We make a moon and then make a shooting star on the field.”

The band’s preparation for this year’s show started last spring during concert band season.

“Just like the football team, nothing can happen during the actual season unless you are working really really hard in the off-season,” Patenaude said. “We played some hard music last spring to get everyone ready. Coming into this year much more of our players were more experienced and more mature.”

After concert band season, the band practiced long hours during the summer as well as before and after school.

“During the peak of the season, we practice Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, before school for an hour and 10 minutes, then after school on Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:15. And that’s just practicing,” Wangemann said. “This doesn’t account for the time spent in class and out of school that members practice.”

The band received division one ratings in Regions and advanced to the Area competition.

At Area the performance received all ones and claimed the 6th place spot to advance to State.

“We were so surprised we made it past Area,” flute player Annika Bloomquist said. “We

performed and it was cool, but when they said our name we were like, ‘Oh my god. There is no way! This is a joke!’”

Ramirez explained that he was okay with the season ending at the preliminary portion of the State contest, because he was proud of everyone’s hard work.

“Before I even saw the field I had butterflies in my stomach, and it was hard to breathe,” Ramirez said. “But as soon as I got on the field, I knew that I have never been more ready for something in my life.”

Being able to compete at State gave the freshmen band players a tangible target to achieve for the years to come according to saxophone player Ben Campana.

“It is just so much for me to be here at State,” Campana said. “I love band and coming out here and getting this experience my freshman year, and having something to look forward to in the years to come, it’s just amazing.”

With the move to 6A next year, band will have a unique opportunity to compete for a state title for two years in a row.

“The competition is going to be really tough, and the bands are going to be really big and really really good,” Patenaude said. “It’s going to be hard, but the band grew a whole lot this year. I think we are on the right track for next year to be successful. We are definitely going to be better next year than we are this year.”

1) Marching band practices in front of the Tower of the Americas for their state competition in San Antonio. The band finished their season with a state ranking of 27. “Before I even saw the field, I had butterflies in my stomach, and it was hard to breathe,” trumpet player Coby Ramirez said. Photo by Auston Abrego 2) Color guard Natalie Guerero performs movement three of Nocturne. The black flag was used to represent the darkness of the night. “I was nervous at first but then kind of excited.

During the performance I just tried to do my best,” Guerero said. Photo by Rhyan Patterson 3) Band performs Nocturne inside the Alamodome. Band placed 6th in Area, which allowed them to advance to the next level in the UIL competition. “I was really proud of the band.

It was impressive to play in the huge stadium,” junior Cade Borrow said. Photo by Auston Abrego 4) Senior Jessie Devereaux practices the music for Nocturne one last time before the State show. Band advanced to State for the first time in over 30 years. “I was really nervous because it was my last year in band, and I wanted to represent the band well,” Devereaux said. Photo by Auston Abrego 5) During the preliminary State performance, junior Sam Hibbert plays the marimba. “Going to State was amazing. I was nervous, but I was excited to do something no one from Austin High had done in 30 years. Photo by Auston Abrego

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Puerto Rican Refugee Calls for Action

BY ELEANOR ESTRADA | Editor in Chief

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enior Sarah Rosas dreamt of graduating high school surrounded by family and friends, celebrating the end of a long journey through years of school. But after her hometown of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, was hit by the worst hurricane the island has seen in 85 years, her mother’s decision to move the family to Texas was a decision of survival.

“I live in an area where we’re not going to have power or water for at least a good year,” Sarah said. “And my school had not specified whether or not we would finish this semester. And as a senior, I need to graduate.”

Hurricane Maria, one of the strongest storms to hit the Caribbean in history, struck Puerto Rico on September 20 as a category 4 hurricane. Since then, over 55 people have been reported dead and hundreds more remain missing. Weeks later, the island experienced an ongoing humanitarian crisis and is still working to regain power and running water.

“If you go to San Juan, where it’s more city, it’s a lot more normalized, but the prices are jacked up. For example, a pack of water is $30,” Sarah said. “At the supermarkets, you have to wait in line at 4 or 5 a.m., and pray that you get in and pray that you get meat or canned foods or water.”

Sarah, who since arriving in Austin has found it hard to find a local Puerto Rican community, has been surprised at the lack of awareness there is among many students. Many, she says, don’t

even know that Puerto Ricans are American citizens. “[People] know about the storm, and that’s about it,” Sarah said. “They don’t know about the consequences that happened because of it, the repercussions that it has had.”

Recalling the aftermath of the storm, Sarah remembers the difficulties in getting basic necessities like gasoline and water in the wake of the hurricane.

“I was in line [getting gas] with my mom for eight hours. The eight hours went by, and someone was walking by the cars saying that there was no gas so you had to scavenge for gasoline,” Sarah said. “It was freaky, because the first week you didn’t know anything about your friends.

When you saw someone it was like, who did you see? Who do you know is safe? And when you see someone you would let them know who was safe.”

Sarah, who was a senior at a public high school in Cabo Rojo prior to transferring to Austin High, has been amazed at the sheer number of resources available to students here.

“This education, this system, these Chromebooks, these cameras that let you project things onto the whiteboard, that’s not a thing back home,” Sarah said. “Getting copies of your work is not a thing back home. Having so many resources, so many projects is not a thing back home.”

Sarah and her family plan on staying in Austin

for the remainder of the school year so that she can finish her senior year and graduate. But while she dreams of returning home, Sarah fears that it could be years before her beloved country would be a viable place to start a career or get a good education.

“I would love to go back home, but in Puerto Rico’s current state it’s not a place for you to develop a career or study for one, especially if you want to study something in the arts. It’s just not the place to go. And it sucks because it totally could be,” Sarah said. “We’re so rich in culture.

We’re a combination of African, local Taino, and Spanish culture but the people don’t really embrace it. We’re slowly losing culture because of the United States, because we have so much American influence. And that’s okay because they’re apart of our culture as well, but they’re not looking to improve us or provide us with what we need. It’s not like we can’t take care of ourselves but if you don’t give a builder blocks, they can’t make a house.”

Eco Clubs Team Up to Earn Green Flag

BY MIRANDA GERSHONI | Copy Editor

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he Green Team and Garden Club are working together to earn a Green Flag from the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools program. The Green Flag is a national recognition awarded to schools who meet certain environmental standards.

Spanish teacher Lawrence Sclerandi has sponsored Garden Club for six years, keeping up with the school garden and getting students involved in planting, harvesting, composting, and Garden Club begins setting up space for a monarch garden.

Freshman Mary Gods spreas soil in order to plant butterfly friendly plants.

“Garden club is fun because you get to plant all these different types of seeds, see them grow, and harvest them,” Gods said. Photo by Caitlin Bragg

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other activities in nature.

“Garden Club was an already established club, so it was easy to incorporate them into the Green Team,” Sclerandi said. “Garden Clubbers are hardworking and dedicated to ‘La Pacha Mama’ so expanding their horizons to incorporate a broader purview was not much of a stretch.”

This year Sclerandi decided to lead the Green Team, a club created to advance the school’s environmental sustainability goals.

“The mission of the Green Team is to examine the current policies and procedures in place to look for ways to improve our school’s efficiency with regards to all things environmental,” Sclerandi said. “Part of that includes grounds, which we are trying to make an inviting place for pollinators, with a conscious effort to utilize native species.”

Freshman Lorenzo Huerta joined both clubs this year, and has enjoyed the rewarding feeling that comes with growing your own food and making concrete plans to improve the school’s ecological footprint.

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“I like the Green Team, it involves more planning [than Garden Club], although you get to engage with the community more, and you actually get to see results and things get done,” Huerta said.

Eco-Schools prioritize categories such as waste & consumption, healthy living, schoolyard habits, biodiversity, healthy schools, and sustainable food.

“In order to obtain Green Flag status, we must complete a series of audits into energy and wildlife and other ‘green’ aspects of our school, to see how we can make our campus more environmentally friendly,” Sclerandi said. “Then we must put plans in place to improve our environmental footprint.”

Students in Garden Club and the Green Team are actively working to meet these goals.

“Right now in Garden Club we are building a monarch garden, so we’re moving limestone blocks and we’re filing that in with soil. In Green Team, we’re actually working towards monarch conservation. So both of them are similar, but they’re slightly different in how they approach the problem,” Huerta said.

Quest for Wings Junior recieves his permit to fly airplanes

BY AUSTON ABREGO | Creative Director

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ooking up into the sky as a kid, junior East Hoelscher was fascinated by the birds flying with the wind beneath their wings, high in the sky. East always knew that soaring in the clouds with the birds was where he belonged.

“I’ve always been interested in flying, and I realized I could do it as a career. I want to get my private pilot's license to get ahead in college,” East said. “I enjoy doing it. It’s a fun break from school because I understand it.”

East was allowed to begin lessons for his pilot’s license in order to make sure piloting was a career he wanted to pursue.

“I say a special prayer every time he leaves the house to go fly, but then I remind myself: flying a plane is 100 times safer than driving a car,” East’s mother Michelle Hoelscher said. “Mostly I wanted to make sure this was something he was interested in before he goes into aviation college. If he can’t fly the plane, if he’s scared of flying the plane, then we know we should look at a different major.

It’s better to know sooner rather than later.”

Planning a schedule that wasn’t heavily loaded with homework gave East the time to balance school and flying.

“I purposely took grade level history because I knew I was going to be taking these lessons and trying to get that 20 hours in [to have enough hours to fly solo] and 40 for the license. It’s not that bad because my lessons are on Saturday or after school.”

After East completed eight classes of ground training, he found an instructor near the airport to teach him how to fly.

“I have done two flights. I’m flying. It’s not that weird to fly a plane because I know the

Junior East Hoelscher poses in front of the plane he’s learning to fly. He has co-piloted three flights. “I want to go to college and major in aeronautical science and then get my airline certificate at the same time so I can fly commercial [planes],” East said.

Photo courtesy of East Hoelscher

instructor is there so if I screw up and pull the controls too hard, he’ll just grab them,” East said.

“It was weird at first when he was like ‘you’re going to put your heels on the ground and add full power, we gonna take off.’ I was like, ‘okay let’s do it.’ It was weird at first, but after that, it’s less weird now that it is going to be my third flight.”

However, even with an instructor by his side to correct his mistakes, East said messing up is part of the learning experience.

“I screwed up on the radios a ton because last flight my instructor put me on the radios- in charge of communication,” East said. “I haven’t practiced at all, like actually talking to anybody, so

I was like, ‘Austin departure duh duh duh.’ I was totally wrong and the air traffic control people were like, ‘Say altitude. Let’s get this going. Can you say the right thing?’ My instructor was like, ‘Don’t worry after awhile it will become second nature.’ I was like, ‘Thank God, I sound like an idiot right now.’”

East gives advice to those who wish to follow in his footsteps and get their private pilot’s license.

“Find a good instructor. It’s really not that hard. You just have to put the time into it and find someone you’d like to learn from,” East said.

“I guess if you’re a good driver, you have a focus needed for flying.”

Culinary Prepares Spanish Inspired Lunch

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1) Seniors Nico Villareal and Talize Olivella make canelones bechamel sauce. On Nov. 10, a Spanish meal was prepared for the faculty. “I was feeling very well that day becasue we had everything under control,” Villareal said.

2) Senior Talize Olivella puts the finishing touches on sunchocked spinach salad. The chefs had to improvise when making the meals. “I was really stressed out because I didn’t have the right ingredients,” Olivella said.

3) Senior Maddy Semerjibashian makes sure every leaf is in the right place. The dishes came out on time due to teamwork. “Culinary is a fun class and helps me express creativity,” Semerjibashian said. Photos by Miranda Gershoni

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Artistically Inclined LePage Performs On Every Stage

BY MADDIE GAYNOR | Staff Writer

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aving grown up in a musical household, junior Sydney LePage spends most of her time working within the arts.

From taking part in organizations such as choir, orchestra, and theater to learning how to play guitar and piano on her own, LePage has been an active member within the arts community.

“Having the outlet to express yourself, either in a group or individually, is something I love being a part of and I know is a unique experience,” LePage said.

With her family being active in the arts community, they posed as inspiration for starting some of her own activities.

“I started orchestra because I wanted to learn how to play an instrument,” LePage said. “My sister was playing the violin so I was inspired and thought we could do cello violin duets.”

During her time in chamber orchestra and varsity choir, she has won numerous awards, such as a medal for outstanding performer and many for getting the highest rank on a class one solo.

“You have to make sure to practice because, if you don’t, you won’t do well at competitions,” LePage said. “The amount of material can be overwhelming, but

once you know what you’re doing it feels great.”

After knowing her family for many years, choir director T.R. Forrest has worked with LePage throughout her high school choir experience.

“She’s very quiet, she hardly ever asks questions, but when she does they’re good questions,” Forrest said.

“That’s the sign of a good musician.

They know when to raise their hand and when to not, they know what’s important. All the things you want in a student.”

LePage has had the opportunity to be involved in many theater productions, and was most recently the lead in the musical, Avenue Q. “I think it turned out really well, and I’m happy with it,” LePage said.

“Everyone I talked to said that they enjoyed it and that it was so funny.

It makes me happy being able to give someone joy and laughter.”

Through working on the show, she experienced both the stresses and rewards of playing the lead.

“It was very stressful because at times you feel like the whole production is dependent on what you do, on your performance,” LePage said. “But, I think it’s really fun to have such a big role and be able to be a part of something bigger than yourself.”

Junior Sydney LePage performing in Avenuqe Q with her puppet, “I think it went really well,” LePage said. “Everyone that I talked to said it was really good and really funny and unconventional, not something they would expect to see at a high school.” Photo by Sirena Gatica

Senior Elliot Sonoqui has worked with LePage for three years in both choir and theater.

“She wants to be there, and she works for what she wants,” Sonoqui said. “She brings so much passion and dedication.”

Working with LePage gives Sonoqui an inside look at her range of talent and the work she puts into her activities.

“I think everyone sees her as just as talented as she is,” Sonqui said. “Everyone knows how hard she works and how good she is at what she works at.”

LePage is planning on continuing to work in the arts beyond high school.

“I will probably do something involving theater in college,” LePage said. “I’ll continue playing the cello, probably not in school, but continue out of school. I’ll definitely keep singing in a choir.”

The arts have played a large role in LePage’s life for years, and through her experiences she has been able to see what the arts can provide.

“I just think it’s a place where you can really be yourself and express yourself through words and music,” LePage said. “You can just be a part of something where you can give someone else joy and bring yourself joy at the same time.”

Puppets Take Over

Red Dragons Put On Avenue Q

1) Senior Olivia Heinze plays Christmas Eve in Avenue Q. Avenue Q was performed at the Preas Theater Oct. 19-22 and 26-28, “Avenue Q is definitely one of the best musicals we’ve done here at Austin High,” Heinze said.

2) Senior Jacob Hensey performs in Avenue Q with his puppet-double Princeton. The show recieved a 4.5 star rating from The Maroon. “It was actually one of our best performances. It came together really well,” Hensey said.

3) During the performance of Avenue Q, Sophomore Troy Abbott sings a song entitled “If You Were Gay.” Abbot controlled the mouth and left hand of his puppet. “In all eight productions of Avenue Q, I really liked working with Elliot Sonoqui. She was the best right hand I could have had,” Abott said.

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Senior Receives Life-Saving Transplant

BY LAUREN WARD | Entertainment Editor

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enior Alex Witt-Hurez was diagnosed in April with a rare genetic disease that affects fewer than 20,000 people in the United States. She suffers from Wilson’s Disease, a disease that affects the body’s ability to properly eliminate copper which causes the accumulation of copper in vital organs, possibly to a life-threatening level.

Because this disease is so rare, Witt-Hurez has been misdiagnosed and mis-medicated multiple times, making the diagnosing process time consuming.

“It has been a long journey,” Witt-Hurez said.

“Even after receiving medicine I never felt healthy.

While there are treatment options for Wilson’s Disease, like medications and diet restrictions, the only cure is liver transplant.”

After going to multiple hospitals and specialists, Witt-Hurez figured out that she had an infection in her stomach cavity that caused fluid to build up and ultimately wiped out her liver.

She was admitted to the University Children’s Hospital in San Antonio where they helped eliminate the infection and started the process of getting Witt-Hurez a new liver. She was listed as 1A, or top priority, and received her new liver just

six days after being put on the waitlist.

“After so long of being nauseous, it’s a great feeling to finally be hungry and feel full,” WittHurez said. “My scar has healed very nicely and life after having my transplant has been pretty close to normal.”

Even though the successful transplant cured her Wilson’s Disease, Witt-Hurez still faces many challenges. The medication Witt-Hurez was prescribed after her transplant surgery suppresses her immune system so that her body won’t attack her new liver, but it makes getting sick very easy.

She cannot go outside or be around other people in the first three months after having the transplant, and cannot eat foods that are high in copper.

“The hardest thing by far has been not being able to see my friends,” Witt-Hurez said. “They have been the best support system imaginable throughout this.”

Although Witt-Hurez has spent the past year in and out of hospitals and away from school, her plans for her future are still very much on track.

Witt-Hurez was deeply moved and inspired by the nurses and doctors that looked after her in the hospital, so much so she has decided to go to medical school to become a registered nurse after completing high school. She aspires to be a role

Senior Alex Witt-Hurez prepares for her transplant. She had a succesfull surgery and is now recovering. “My scar has healed very nicely and life after having my transplant has been pretty close to normal.” Photo courtesy of Alex WittHurez

model for other kids suffering from illnesses, and wants to be as influential towards sick children as the nurses caring for her were.

“My future has been inspired by the amazing people I’ve met,” Witt-Hurez said. “This experience has made me realize what I want to do with my life and has taught me to appreciate the good times in life more because of the harder experiences I’ve faced.”

Scherr Walks for Down Syndrome Awareness

BY ANGIE BLACK | Staff Writer

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ulinary teacher Ashley Scherr organized a team of 25 people, two of which were teachers and their families, who walked in the annual Buddy Walk on Oct. 22. In honor of her daughter Esme, who has Down Syndrome, the team raised over $1,895. The walk hopes to bring state and national awareness to the disorder.

“We wanted to raise funds to give back to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT), because they have been really helpful for us when we found out that our daughter had down syndrome,” Scherr said. “We didn't know much about it and most people don't which is really unfortunate.”

The mission of DSACT is to keep everyone up to date on the latest information about down syndrome. The funds raised from the walk go towards local programs and services, such as the Down Syndrome Foundation of South Texas, and the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas.

“It makes you scared. Like if they have Down Syndrome it's a bad thing,” Scherr said.

“But it shouldn't be and it shouldn't be portrayed that way so [the DSACT] is working to change people’s perception about down syndrome so that you are not scared to find out your kid has down syndrome,”.

Down Syndrome is a common genetic

chromosome 21 disorder that affects 1 out of 1,200 people in the United States. The disorder brings its own challenges, but it does not keep people from functioning in society. Beyond bringing attention to Down Syndrome, the DSACT and Mr. Scherr want to provide many different resources for people with the disorder and expecting parents.

“They have a group called baby talk that we are a part of for expecting parents of babies up to two years old,” Scherr said. “We meet up monthly so all the little babies can play with kids that are similar to them and their siblings and it's just a really good support group,”.

The walk is one mile through the streets of Austin. The participants can walk or run with their teams, and will be recognized for their

donations.

“Our goal was a total of $1,500, and we are really hoping to reach and even surpass that,” Scherr said. “Right now it is only my family on the team, but we have had a bunch of people donate and out of all of those I'm not sure who will actually join the walk with us. We hope to have a pretty good turnout.”

The walk provides the tools necessary for all those with Down Syndrome to get a chance to show off who they are. People don’t need to be a part of team or even donate to join. They even provide volunteer work for those who just want to help make sure the event runs smoothly.

“It's just a really good group, and they have just been fantastic in helping us find what we need to help ourselves and our children,” Scherr said.

Buddy Walk participants gathered at the entrance for a group photo.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Scherr

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Varsity Football Finishes Strong

BY JOSLYNN SANCHEZ | Copy Editor

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his regular season our Maroon Football team finished strong with second in district, top seed in our playoff bracket, a four-game winning streak, and made it to the first round of playoffs.

“We’ve worked really hard this season to get to where we are. Seeing how much our hard work has paid off feels really good,” senior outside linebacker Luke Ramirez said.

The boys’ work for this season began with summer workouts, two-adays, and early morning practices during the fall semester. Our Maroons fought hard until the very end of their season, finishing strong against Travis high school with a 61-0 win. Their overall win-loss record was 7-3, and their district record was 5-1 with losses to McNeil, A&M Consolidated, and McCallum.

Seniors finished their last high school regular season with players like Kevin Pate making over 95 tackles, and Tristan Wooten topping state rankings for first place in tackles multiple times through the season.

Juniors definitely made a name for themselves with star players like Sam Saxton, totaling over 18 touchdown passes for the season, Sawyer Berry, with over 311 receiving yards, and Tevin Wooten, with six interceptions this season. The future is bright for Maroon Football with juniors like Saxton, Berry, and Wooten carrying the team well into the next season.

Offensive lineman Juan Quezada celebrates a touchdown by lifting varsity running back Jordan Mitchell in the air. Mitchell averaged 53 yards a game. “I just felt excited making a touchdown. Me and Juan planned it out so everytime I score we do that,” Mitchell said.

Photo by Auston Abrego

“A lot of our team right now consists of seniors, but we have a strong group of juniors and underclassmen, so we’re excited about next season since this one was so successful,” junior wide receiver Devin Quintana said.

In their last game of the year, Maroons put up a tough fight against Boerne Champion in round one of playoffs, losing by only 11 points. The team finished their season strong, and underclassmen players anticipate doing better next season as they continue to carry the team towards success.

Winning: It’s a Family Affair

Wooten Duo Pushes Varsity to Playoffs

BY ELEANOR ESTRADA | Editor in Chief

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lad in their varsity jerseys, Tevin and Tristen Wooten look at each other with contemplating eyes, trying to recall their first football game together.

“Our first game playing together was for Spartans,” Tevin said. “When that kid broke his leg in the middle of the game and we had to stop.”

Tristen, a senior and starting cornerback for varsity football, has received national recognition for his impact on the field. Earlier this fall he committed to play for the Navy and currently holds the Texas high school record for defensive tackles.

Looking back on his football career, Tristen recalls one of his favorite memories playing as a Maroon.

“My favorite memory was

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| SPORTS | DEC 2017

freshman year. I remember this one guy, Patrick Dow, who I always looked up to,” Tristen said. “And my goal is to break his tackle record.

He had 127 tackles his senior year and I’m going to break it before I graduate.”

Tevin, a sophomore, laughs at his brother’s determination. Since joining his brother on the varsity field last year, Tevin has made sure that his brother’s accomplishments have not overshadowed his own talents.

“There are always challenges [when playing]. Some are easier to overcome than others,” Tevin said.

The brothers, who have proven to be a powerhouse on the field, contribute part of their success to the strong support from their parents.

“My dad, he’s at every game.

He goes on the sidelines every time.

Even if I’m getting taped because I have a cut, he’s down there making sure I’m not broken,” Tristen said.

“And my mom, because my mom sits in the stands even though it’s below 50 and she’s still out there with her cowbells being loud and yelling.”

Looking forward to his start playing for the Navy after graduation, Tristen says that he’ll miss having the opportunity to be with not only his own biological brother but the rest of his team, who he considers a part of his extended family.

“I’m gonna miss Coach Ros and Coach Riley because they were there for me through all the years I’ve been here,” Tristen said. “And I’m gonna miss playing with my brother, and I’m gonna miss having the bond that all of us guys have.”

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FALL SPORTS COME OUT ON TOP

Cross Country

Girls Won District Boys Placed 2nd in District Both Teams Placed 15 out of 30 in region

Tennis

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Won District Advanced Past Area Knocked Out of Semi-Regionals

Outstanding Runners Junior Taygen Sanchez Senior Emily Dwyer

“Amy Taylor isn’t going to give my coach coal for Christmas because we had an amazing season,” varsity runner Ava Mason said.

“It took a lot of time and effort from every player on the team to get this far, and even though we lost I’m proud of myself and the team for working so hard,” varsity tennis player Anna Farris said.

DEC 2017 | SPORTS

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Signing Day

always done,” Heide said. “I really love it. It’s a team sport, and it’s awesome when you bond with a group of girls. You feel like they are sisters and you succeed at something you love to do.”

Heide has had the opportunity to visit Tulane twice before she signed.

BY TESSA LEHMAN | Managing Editor “It’s an awesome school,” Heide said. “It has high academics, which hooting baskets in her backyard be creative with it,” Heide said. is something that I thought was and growing up with a dad that “There are many things you can important and something that I played basketball in college, do differently than others. It’s very wanted in the college that I chose. basketball became senior Mia Heide’s freeing and fun.”

It’s a beautiful campus, and it’s in a favorite sport and she just signed to At age 5, Heide started playing really cool city. It’s actually kind of play with Tulane University. at the YMCA, and she started club similar to Austin.”

“It’s just a fun sport and it’s basketball when she was 12.

Heide’s future basketball not like any other because you can “It’s just something I have coach has been coaching at Tulane University for 24 years, which is rare in women’s basketball.

“She has been there for quite a long time,” Heide said. “She is a great woman. It’s a great program.

They have great facilities, and it is in a great conference on the basketball side of it.”

On her soon-to-be teammates, Heide said they are hardworking, hilarious, and welcomed her with open arms, which makes her more excited for next year.

“I laughed so much on my

BY TESSA LEHMAN | Managing Editor visit,” Heide said. “I even regularly FaceTime one of the other commits in my class. Her name is Erin, and Senior Mia Heide signs her contract to play basketball for Tulane University with her parents she lives in Florida. I’m planning on sitting beside her. She signed Nov. 8 at lunch in the Maroon Room. “It was great,” Heide meeting her for the Tulane vs. LSU said. “I honestly didn’t know what to expect but it turned out wonderfully. Tons of people showed up which was so cool. I did not expect that many people at all.” Photo By Sami game in December.”

Mia Heide Commits to Tulane University

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Johnson

Heide said she hopes to make it to State this season because they fell short last year in the regional final game against Flour Bluff in double overtime.

“I’m so pumped for this season with my teammates and to finish my high school career strong,” Heide said. “Personally I want to become the all-time leader in points and rebounds for Austin High. I also want to become the Cen-Tex Player of the Year named by the Austin American Statesman.”

The great Tex-Mex food and the comfort of home will be missed, but Heide said she will miss her family most of all.

“I’m a very home-bodied person, so I know the distance will be hard,” Heide said. “As for Austin High, I know I will miss my teammates a lot.

I’ll miss laughing with them. I’ll miss our coaches who have helped me get where I am today. Overall, I’ve loved growing up here and going to Austin High. I have lots of fond memories I hold close and will miss.”

Heide said she is looking forward to growing up and starting anew.

“I’m going to miss it here, but I’m going to get to be independent,” Heide said. “I’m looking forward to playing the sport I love at a higher level, growing as a person and as a player, and learning new things. It’s a really fun experience, so I’m excited, and it’s not too far away either.”

Celia Bigger commits to Langston University

BY TESSA LEHMAN | Managing Editor

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hrough watching her brother play baseball and getting involved at an early age, senior Celia Bigger started playing softball when she was seven years old, and now she is signed with Langston University.

“I like playing softball because it teaches me how to put my trust in others, as well as making sure I’m independent and working every day to ensure my success,” Bigger said.

Bigger was able to visit Langston University, where she will spend the next four years.

“It was outstanding,” Bigger said. “I walked through campus and spent time with the softball team.

I learned a little about a few of the girls and got to know my coach.”

Bigger said that she likes

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everything about Langston, from the campus to the classes and even the food.

“The dorms are like mini apartments and the classes are small, so I will receive a better one-on-one relationship with all of my professors,” Bigger said. “I am excited and am looking forward to my new home in Oklahoma.”

Before Bigger plays softball in college, she will finish out her senior year and play one more season in high school.

“This season at Austin High, I would like to add another AllDistrict accolade to my career because they will help me in my future teaching and coaching endeavors,” Bigger said.

Next year, Bigger is majoring in

| SPORTS | DEC 2017

Senior Celia Bigger signs her contract to play softball for Langston University. She signed on Nov. 8 at lunch in the Maroon Room. “My signing experience was amazing by having all of my friends, my family, and my coaches there, who have supported me since day one,” Bigger said. Photo By Sami Johnson

secondary education and said she will miss her friends, family, and Austin High.

“I’m looking forward to just the

whole college experience, getting to know new people, getting to go to a different place, and getting to experience life outside of my house

Varsity Volleyball Wins District Championship

BY KYLIE BABER | Staff Writer

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or the first time in 25 years varsity volleyball won district. All three teams went undefeated, and varsity’s winning streak of 14 games lead up to the win. A series of new changes implemented this season helped push the team to playoffs.

“We focused in on fundamentals, and on creating that fast paced mentality, on and off the court.

The girls worked extremely hard in the weight room, and on the court, and it showed; They dominated against all the teams,” head coach Ally McAlister said. “They also did a lot more team bonding activities this year, which I think brought them closer. We went and watched the Texas and Texas State games.

We also tie-dyed shirts early on in the year, so they had a really close teamwork mindset.”

McAlister, who has been coaching volleyball for two seasons, is proud of the hard work her team put into practice everyday.

“These girls pushed through,

and fought to make each day better.

During challenging moments or not, they understood what it took to be successful, and a lot that comes from our senior class coming in ready to set that expectation.” McAlister said.

Crushing teams however, isn’t as easy as it might seem. The girls made sure to be ready to out-do their opposing teams.

“Every practice [Coach McAlister] would make sure we were working towards playoffs, not just our district games, because she knew that playoffs were going to be a lot tougher, which meant those games weren’t enough to prepare us,” senior Cameron Thompson said. “We also had a warm-up game against Bowie to help us prepare; I think it payed off.”

Next year, the team will be moving back up to 6A to compete against schools like Lake Travis and Westlake.

“Being district champs feels, very good. I feel super proud of my team for going this far, and I’m very proud

Jordan Bernard spikes the ball against McCallum High School. Varsity crushed the Knights with a score of 3-1. Domintating the Knghts on Oct. 10 allowed us to take that step to becoming district champs.” Photo by Auston Abrego

to be apart of the team that made it this far,” senior and co-captain Virginia Brown said. “This year we knew that it was kind of our last chance to go all the way, since next year we’re going back to up to 6A. I think because of that we all had the mindset that we were gonna do really well and work really hard.

Having that mindset, I think, made this possible.”

The team is proud of their accomplishments this season and looks forward to the seasons to come.

Many of the seniors on the team are happy to have left their mark at the school.

“Having an undefeated season feels like happiness. To finally win district after 25 years, finally doing what everyone’s been wanting us to do for so long, it’s just pure happiness,” senior and co-captain Jordan Bernard said. “I can walk through the hallways knowing that we did our best, and we’re district champs. Also, to know that everyone was undefeated, not just varsity, that freshman A-team, and JV went undefeated. It’s just truly unbelievable.”

UPCOMING GAMES

Lanier Dec. 19

CROCKETT

7:00

Austin High Dec. 8

7:00

ROUND ROCK

AKINS

MCCALLUM

Austin High Dec. 19

LANIER

DEC 2017 | SPORTS |

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LANIER

McCallum

8:00

Dec. 12

7:00

Austin High Dec. 15

7:00

Del Valle

Austin High Dec. 5

8:00

7:45

ANN RICHARDS

Austin High Dec. 12

Girls Varsity Basketball

8:00

REAGAN

MCCALLUM

HENDRICKSON

Dec. 5

7:45

House Park Feb. 2

CROCKETT

Hendrickson

7:45

LANIER

Nelson field Jan. 29

Travis

7:45

7:45

Noack #1 Feb. 2

10:45

Burger Annex Jan. 30

MCCALLUM

Burger Annex Jan. 26

7:45

House Park Jan. 27

CROCKETT

Burger Jan. 23

7:45

House Park Jan. 24

Boys Varsity Basketball

Girls Varsity Soccer

8:00

Boys Varsity Soccer

Grand Tour Becomes Instant Hit for those with Need for Speed

BY WILL JONES | Staff Writer

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o you like cars? Do you feel the excitement of hearing the roar from a great American muscle car? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then you are in for a treat.

Presented by Amazon Prime, The Grand Tour is hosted by three comical Englishmen, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, who really appreciate the raw power of not only the modern day car, but also the great classics from yesteryear. Within the show you will see everything from long journeys across the Namib desert to thrilling races between several of the world’s greatest automobiles all tied together with a great deal of comedy.

I have lost count of the numerous times I

have laughed out loud at the jokes and hilarious fails from the hosts.

There are several hilarious portions of the show, two examples being “Conversation Street” and another being “Celebrity Brain Crash.” On Conversation Street the hosts talk about current events in today’s world involving cars, while including a great deal of humor into the “touchy” subjects they discuss.

On Celebrity Brain Crash, celebrities from the country the episode takes place in appear for a special interview where each celebrity acts out a hilarious death disallowing them to continue onto the show.

One aspect of the show that I find outstanding is the attention to detail, and the comedy weaved

in. Never once have I been bored while watching this show. All of the cut scenes are good, the car reviews are exciting, and every Celebrity Brain Crash segment had me at the edge of my seat, even though I knew that the character was going to act out his death. For me it’s little things like these that can make a good show great!

However, the show is only viewable through a subscription to Amazon Prime, which costs roughly $99 per year. I have decided to give The Grand Tour a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating. It is still a must watch from me! And don’t forget that season two of The Grand Tour is available for stream on December 8th, so be sure look out for that!

New Library Provides Convenient Study Space

BY ADRIAN MOSSER | Staff Writer & ELSA PECORE | Staff Writer

The archetecture and views from the new library are pictured above.

Photos by Zayna Chouman

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The new public library opened downtown and students all over campus are thrilled. The new Central Library opened on Oct. 28 on Cesar Chavez. The establishment is just a mile walk from the school.

This new library will provide the much needed resources for students who do not have printers or wifi at home. Many students also struggle with the hours of the school library. It closes at 5:00 p.m. and some need longer than that to finish any assignments or homework they need to get done. This new library offers longer hours, staying open until 9:00 p.m. on weekdays. Being right down the street, the library’s close proximity makes it a great place for students to finish their assignments because it is easily accesible.

The library is like a book, with each new improvement it gets better and better. Six stories of computers, books, reading areas, and a luxury cafe are just few of the improvements that were added.

The Central Library is only a 20 minute walk, a convenient distance for students whose parents are unable to pick them up and need a place to study.

Into the Upside Down: a look at Stranger Things 2

BY MIRANDA GERSHONI | Copy Editor

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ince the initial release of the Netflix Original last year, Stranger Things fans have been counting down to the release of the second season. The fusion of horror, coming-of-age, and drama genres coupled with a refreshingly authentic portrayal of characters across backgrounds captivated audiences of all generations. The series won several awards since its opening, including the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. After such a successful start, Stranger Things fans wondered if the second season would hold up to such high expectations.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

COMING SOON TO THEATERS

While the first season focused on setting up the mysterious conspiracies behind the strange things happening in Hawkins and the relationship of Eleven with the crew, the second season focuses primarily on Will’s reintegration into the world, and his intense connection with the Upside Down, as well as Eleven’s journey uncovering her past and becoming independent. The second season also brings in new characters and subplots that will probably develop more in upcoming seasons. Ultimately, Stranger Things 2 was a success, as it is not only bigger and bolder in its plot scope and cinematography, but brings forth new and more intricate character and relationship development.

The season opens with a mysterious crew of misfits headed by

Kali, Eleven’s childhood companion from the lab being chased by the police. Kali uses her powers to escape from the police and the scene ends with a nose bleed and cold stare similar to Eleven’s. While some argue that this subplot and especially the lone episode (Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister) seemed out of place, I saw it as a necessary diversion in informing Eleven’s journey. This is the first time Eleven leaves the comfort that Hawkins has since (mostly) provided, through Mike and Hopper. Her craving for independence shines through when she takes the bus by herself to Chicago to find Kali, and when she goes searchiong for her mother in Indiana.

The introduction of Max Mayfield and her step-brother Billy Hargrove, the “cool kids” from California, sets up several new relationships that, in some ways, have yet to be completely developed, but have left me craving to discover how they will evolve over time. The most pronounced is Max’s place in the crew; how she acts as both a distracting outsider and exciting love interest among the boys. Her presence at first provides a gentle escape for the boys, an opportunity to act like normal kids who have a crush on the new girl. However, this fantasy of normalcy is crushed by the realness of Will’s suffering and by Mike’s frustration with the new member, especially her trying to virtually replace “El”, whom we assume he still has feelings for.

What I liked most about the Wonder Wheel On Coney Island in the 1950s, a lifeguard tells the story of a middleaged carousel operator and his beleaguered wife.

In Theaters: Dec. 1

second season was the meaningful character development that occurred both between the first and second seasons and throughout the second season. Will’s transformation is perhaps most apparent; he goes from a passive idea to an active force deciding the fate of the story. In the second season, Will represents the wise, misunderstood child who doesn’t belong in his world, and keeps alive the theme of childhood agency present throughout the Star Wars The Last Jedi New Jedi, Rey joins Luke Skywalker on an adventure with Leia, Finn and Poe that unlocks mysteries and secrets of the past.

In Theaters: Dec. 15

first season. I really liked this continuation, as it kept the fresh authenticity of child minds that drew me in on the first season.

Overall, the second season gave me more of what I loved from the first: raw, complex, and unafraid characters who work together to solve a complicated Sci-Fi mystery that alludes to real-world conspiracies, all complete with the totally tubular synthy-80s vibes.

Pitch Perfect 3 The Barton Bellas reunite one last time at an overseas USO competition but face competition who use instruments as well as thier voices.

In Theaters: Dec. 21

D E C 2 0 1 7 | E N T E R TA I N M E N T |

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