The Maroon Vol. 89, Issue 1

Stephen F. Austin High School

NEWS Price Hikes Send AGS to China

Volume 89 // Issue 1

SPORTS New Quarterback Leads Varsity Football Team

November 7, 2016

ENTERTAINMENT Peter and the Starcatcher from Page to Stage

Global Youth Peace Summit

A junior’s transformative experience at a week-long summit devoted to self-expression and human connection

NEWS

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CLINTON BEATS TRUMP Campus-wide mock election results in win for Hillary

COMMENTARY

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GLOBAL YOUTH PEACE SUMMIT Gershoni finds understanding and support during week with 80 youth from 30 countries.

LIFE & ARTS

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HOW TO APPLY FOR COLLEGE Applications, essays, resumes, scholarships - it never ends.

SENIOR TRAVELS TO INDIA Smith spends six weeks learning Hindi as part of youth initiative.

SPORTS

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VARSITY ROWING TRC adjusts after adding nearly 30 girls to team.

ENTERTAINMENT

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CODY JINKS Country music’s up-and-coming star sits down with Auston Abrego.

IN THIS ISSUE contents

CHECK US OUT ONLINE www.sfamaroon.org

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NOT a GOOD FIT

by Lauren Ward

CHEER, CHEER for OLD AUSTIN HIGH!

by Oivia Heinze

ON THE COVER

Global Youth Peace Summit

by Miranda Gershoni - p. 6 Photograph courtesy of the Amala Foundation

EDITOR IN CHIEF Alexandra Currie-Buckner MANAGING EDITOR Natalie Bennett NEWS EDITOR Django Fox LIFE & ARTS EDITORS Olivia Heinze Tyler Scott ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Auston Abrego SPORTS EDITOR Victoria Diaz COMMENTARY EDITOR Miranda Gershoni ONLINE EDITORS Eleanor Estrada Violet Frohlich COPY EDITOR Tessa Lehman PHOTO EDITOR Ireland Tendler SOCIAL OFFICERS Reagan Jackson Drew Dowell

Editorial Policy

STAFF WRITERS Margot Becker Angie Black Tatiana Brown Luca Cendon Zayna Chouman William Crosnoe Doni Daughtry Mickey Ferguson Sirena Gatica Maddie Gaynor Sam Green Jayden Hamilton Lydia Heisel Elizabeth Kent Maddie Korstad Cezanne Lossing-Cann Matthew Martinez Alondra Molina Evan Myers Luke Myslik Jake Paterson David Ramirez Cole Ratliff Willa Roberts Ana Rosero Bryan Sak Joslynn Sanchez Tiarnan Santillana Blaze Savage Sadie Spaeth Michael Tiemann-Daniel Angie Torres Brianna Tovar Olivia Tudor Colin Wade Alexi Wall Hannah Walls Lauren Ward DJ Washington Hazel Westervelt

meet the EDITORS Alexandra Currie-Buckner editor in chief Hi, I’m Alexandra. This is my fourth year on staff. I’m a major Harry Potter fanatic, I drink way too much tea, and I’m essentially obsessed with all things British. Next year, I hope to major in English and then become perpetually poor.

Django Fox news editor Hi, I’m Django, this is my third year on staff for the Maroon. I drink my coffee black, and everything gets finished on the last day possible.

PUBLICATIONS ADVISER Jena Weber

The Maroon is published four 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 Independent School District 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.

Auston Abrego entertainment editor Howdy, I’m Auston, I live in Austin, and go to Austin High. There’s too much Austi(o)n in my life! I’ve come to love my southern lifestylewaking up early to fish, drinking sweet tea, and listening to country music everyday.

staff

Stephen F. Austin High School Publications Department 1715 West Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78703 sfamaroon@gmail.com www.sfamaroon.org

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Price Hikes Send AGS Seniors to China VIOLET FROHLICH ONLINE EDITOR

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he Academy of Global Studies is characterized partially by their annual trips, including the initial freshman year global hunger and poverty simulation and the sophomore year trip to Costa Rica. This year, the class of 2017 will be taking a trip to China. This is the first time the AGS program will be traveling to Asia, and it will be the first time in China for the majority of the students.

Many parents and students, including AGS parent Daniela Sepulveda and her daughter Desiree, have expressed excitement at the opportunity.

“China is on Desiree’s ‘To Do Bucket List,’ but we had no idea this would be scratched off her list so soon,” Sepulveda said.

In previous years, the senior traveled to Ecuador; however, the program that offers the trip, EF Educational Tours, increased the price tag from last year. This led the AGS staff to began shopping around for better options. What they eventually decided on was a trip to China for around $2,300 per student, which would cover the majority of meals and every other aspect of the trip.

“If we’re going to be paying that much money, is this really our best option?” AGS Capstone teacher Kelly Wroblewski said. “I don’t know how [AGS Director Nicole Griffith] stumbled upon the China thing, but I know it was initially instigated by the fact that the price had gone up. We’re looking for alternatives to make sure that we’re keeping prices down.”

AGS has been undecided on how exactly fundraising will work for students (as the district has very specific requirements for how fundraising can be done), but AGS will make an effort to fundraise enough money to ensure the trip is affordable to every family.

“The way Ms. Griffith’s describing it, I think it’s an opportunity you just can’t pass up, you know, especially given the price of it,” Wroblewski said. “If you think about where AGS travels, it’s like the next best thing to going to Turkey, to be honest.”

In the past, seniors have gone to Turkey; however, recent political instability in that area of the world caused the program to decide the trip was too

much of a risk. Sepulveda stated that she had no concerns about the safety of the China trip, as well as expressing her excitement for her and her daughter.

“I trust Ms. Griffith, as the director of AGS, has done extensive research making sure our students are both safe and take an educational experience from every trip,” Sepulveda said. “As far as the pricing, I’ve researched travel pricing for myself and have not gotten a better deal than this one. I get to visit this amazing historical place with my daughter, Desiree.”

Beyond pricing, AGS selected the first excursion to China because of it’s prominence as a major player in

“China is on Desiree’s ‘To-Do Bucket List,’ but we had no idea this would be scratched off her list so soon.” the world, and, most significantly, it’s difference from anywhere else AGS has traveled to before.

“If we’re looking at the different places that we travel [to] create diversity and create understanding about the world around us, Ecuador was very similar to Costa Rica. Spain has some striking similarities to other Spanish speaking environments,” Wroblewski said. “We weren’t getting a whole lot of diversity there, and [China has] such a different culture than what we experience.”

This unique look at Asian culture, enhanced by historical tours and even a brief exchange/sharing program with a Chinese school, is a big part of what makes this trip so exciting, according to Wroblewski.

“I’m really looking forward to people getting a view of East Asia that’s not something you can find in Chinatown, you know?” Wroblewski said.

“I think that’s one thing growing up in this half of the world does for you, it kind of isolates you, from places like Eastern Asia. You have to go out of your way sometimes to get yourself acquainted with that culture.”

Senior Violet Frolich is Online Editor of the Maroon News. She is a third year staff member.

STAFF WRITER

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TYLER SCOTT LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

ith the next presidential election a few days away, politics are an especially hot topic among students. While most can’t vote yet, the Mock Election recently held in the library gave students a taste of democracy, and a way to express their political alliances. Not only did this give students a way to somewhat experience the voting process, it also gave a poll to see how voting might actually result on November 8.

1,721 students cast their vote, and the results are surprisingly similar to national polls. Clinton won with 60.1% of votes, followed by Trump with 20.1%.

Gary Johnson got 13.9%, and finally Jill Stein placed last with 5.7%. While the massive lead Clinton had here doesn’t apply nationwide, it does reflect her overall lead on Trump. As of press time, Clinton has a 5.6% lead in the polls on Trump, according to the New York Times. With this presidential race being so close, it is more crucial than ever for those who are eligible to vote in the real election to cast their vote for the next president.

Check out the following sites for helpful information. http://www.votetexas.gov/ http://traviscountyclerk.org/ http://www.lwvtexas.org/

“I support Hillary Clinton because she has not made sexual harassment comments. She also has a clear view of what to do in immigration.

She has actually set ideas out with proof and support, and her ideas aren’t going to cause the U.S. to go down when it comes to economic structure.”

Nancy Mondragon Zapata (11)

“I’m voting for Donald Trump because I don’t think [Hillary] has the qualifications when she lies to the American public, and I support Donald Trump’s tax plan and his dealings with Islamic Terrorism.”

Sam Filleman (12)

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Whose campaign slogan is most compelling?

1. Republican nominee Donald Trump’s slogan is “Make America Great Again.” 2. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s slogan is “Better Together.” 3. Green Party nominee Jill Stein’s slogan is “#ItsInOurHands.” 4. Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson’s slogan is “Live Free.”

“I’d vote for Hillary because she has A LOT less scandals then Trump, and even though she’s very sketchy, she knows what she’s doing, whereas a lot of the third party candidates have no clue what they are doing. They have tax plans that are very idealistic and wouldn’t work in practice.“ Kai Hastings (12)

“I’d vote for Donald Trump because I feel like I cannot trust Hillary, granted they both have a lot of scandals, and neither of them are trustworthy, but I believe that Hillary has shown in past experiences in government that she doesn’t know how to carry herself properly.”

Ryancole Weldon-Carroll (12)

“I’d vote for Hillary Clinton because her website is extremely detailed and extremely diligent on all her steps and what she wants in her policies and what she wants to do when she becomes president.”

Becky Keenan (11)

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BRYAN SAK

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encouraged to share something from their own upbringing, such as a song, dance or poem.

A major theme during the summit is “crossing your red line,” that is, doing the things attendees have been afraid of most. My red line was singing in front of people. While scary at first, it felt healing, and I couldn’t have done it without the encouragement surrounding me at the summit.

Especially this year, the summit was my escape. A breath of fresh air. A week without the internet, without judgment, and without worry.

Last spring, my best friend and boyfriend, Jack de Leon, was killed in a motorcycle accident. A week filled with understanding and support was exactly what I needed.

During the Sacred Morning Circle, I sang a song in Jack’s honor. I was able to open my heart and express my pain through art, with open hearts there to listen. I’ve never sung in front of anyone other than my mom, so 100 people was frightening. It didn’t feel like 100 people, however. It felt like a small, intimate family.

My story isn’t unique. I shared a cabin with a girl from Iran who, as a child, had to watch her family be killed by terrorists in her own home. She found power and comfort in the summit, and we became close friends.

Seeds are grown at the summit. It is a place to grow from, and keep growing.

Youth Make Global Connections at Peace Summit MIRANDA GERSHONI

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COMMENTARY EDITOR

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ighty youth from more than 30 countries came together last summer for a week of cultural exploration and reckless self-expression. It’s the Global Youth Peace Summit, an opportunity to brige the gap between cultures, races, genders and generations.

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Sophomore Noor Alnoman is one of the few students from our school that attended the event this year. She came to the United States two years ago from Baghdad, Iraq. While at first reluctant to attend, after a week at the summit, she felt her life had been changed.

“If you need to leave for one week and feel you are free, to refresh yourself, go to the summit,” Noor said.

“If you need to make a friend, go to the summit. If you need to talk—if you don’t have anyone to talk to—go to the summit. It made me feel so strong. I cried a lot, but it made me feel so strong. The summit gave me power. ” It’s a week focused on connection; connecting youth with other people they may never get the opportunity to speak with otherwise. With more than 25 countries and cultures represented, it gave attendees the chance to learn about current events from people who are experiencing them first-hand.

At the summit, there are talking circles where core issues of humanity are addressed, as well as current global issues. At the 2015 summit, I became friends with a girl just a few years older than me who was still living the effects of the 1990s ethnic genocide in Rwanda, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

She came to the summit overwhelmed with experiences from the human rights crisis, and left with the power to help people from her country. Just months after the summit, she was selected to take part in a regional leadership center to help empower and inspire others in Rwanda and surrounding countries.

Youth also get the chance to express themselves artistically and authentically. Every morning, during a summit ritual known as Sacred Morning Circle, everyone walks silently in a large circle outdoors. Youth are

“It made me feel so strong. I cried a lot, but it made me feel so strong.

The summit gave me power. ” Last year, I had an amazing experience at the summit, despite going through the hardest time in my life. I cried more during this one week than I think I ever have. Especially since Jack’s death, all of my anxieties and struggles had become a huge inexplicable clump of “everything sucks.” This quiet space gave me freedom to truly grieve without the busy world forcing happiness down my throat.

I am forever grateful to the summit as a haven for exploration and self-expression. However still encumbered by grief, and not close to “over it”—which by the way, you never “get over it”—I do feel a sense of relief and strength after going to the summit. It’s almost like I now have a tool at my disposal when things become difficult, a reminder that the world can be good and things do get better. I can tell myself that because I’ve witnessed it.

Many hear “peace summit” and think it’s a seminar

Singing through her soul, junior Miranda Gershoni sings a song in memorial of Jack de Leon to other summit attendees.

Breaking the ice, youth work together to complete challenges during team bonding games.

seeker or being too self-centered.

But it is impossible to get anywhere or make any progress without first addressing our own internal conflicts.

At the Global Youth Peace Summit, attendees talk about the things that no one talks about but need to be talked about. We focus on creating a more emotional, cultural, global and self-aware version of ourselves.

Along with discovering our deepest inner strengths and saving the world, we also play games and have fun with traditional camp activities, such as s’mores and kayaking.

Beyond Austin, Amala’s programs are extremely needed globally. Many youth who attend have had to leave their war-torn country because it was unsafe to stay. In such a politically significant moment in global history, it’s key that we all come together instead of separating, which has proven to lead to senseless violence and war.

Especially with a recently increased influx of refugees and immigrants coming to the United States, it’s important to take advantage of diverse perspectives and welcome them into our society.

If we can integrate refugees and immigrants into a space of acceptance better and practice cross-cultural connection, we will be much more equipped to understand the world and make smarter decisions that benefit everyone.

Junior Miranda Gershoni is the commentary editor for The Maroon and a second year newspaper student. She plans to continue working with humanitarian organizations and expanding her global community.

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discussing tactics to fix the world. What’s unique about this summit is that it emphasizes starting with yourself.

Before diving into saving the world and achieving international peace, the summit seeks to work on the self first.

As a community for all ages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, classes and gender identities, the summit addresses issues such as authenticity, freedom, separation, and vulnerability. But the biggest difference between this experience and your typical “let’s-talk-about-bullyingand-depression-and-hope-for-the-best” school seminar is that everyone is willing to be real. No one pretends to be something they’re not. It is often the only opportunity many get to express themselves freely outside of the confinement of their age, gender role, race or culture.

At any given moment during the summit, attendees can expect an eruption of laughter, unruly crying, bursts of anger and songs screamed from the soul.

Locally, programs uniting youth from different backgrounds are needed now more than ever. According to the Texas Tribune, Austin was ranked the most economically segregated metropolitan area, above Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago, in the nation. The top 10 list includes four Texas metro cities.

The impact of this segregation is that many Austinites don’t experience diversity on a day-to-day basis.

Divisions are still visible from decades of segregation.

Consider the way the city is organized: We are encouraged to stay on either side of I-35, east or west.

Gentrification continues to threaten communities and create tension between Austinites. The segregation in Austin is so systematically deep-rooted that it can seem too big to take on, especially for a teenager. However, simply connecting with other kids from different parts of town or different parts of the world can bridge the gaps and encourage a new generation with less segregation and more connection. The direct antonym of separation is connection, so it only makes sense to start there.

The organization that holds the Global Youth Peace Summit is The Amala Foundation, a humanitarian organization based in Austin that works to end poverty and encourage youth leaders. Amala facilitates programs that directly address our segregation problems, giving youth from all over Austin and the world a chance to connect on a deeper and more genuine level. Amala also provides scholarships and transportation for those in need.

At the summit, there is a focus on broaching frequently overlooked issues like anxiety and depression.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness among people in the United States and “develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality and life events,” according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.

Because teen depression is often associated with a youth angst we all feel we’ve grown out of since our cringey middle-school phase, real depression and anxiety are pushed down for fear of looking like an attention-

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Cookie Cutter Path Not Right Fit for Everyone TIARNAN SANTILLANA STAFF WRITER

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n a school system that focuses on a certain kind of intelligence, students like myself who already know our “life’s calling” feel that the school system is a broken tool, a tool thought to fix and enhance, but that instead slows and disorients.

Our society has created a cookie cutter: the classic path of going to school, going to college, getting a 9 to 5, and living out the rest of your life in the same town. But what if others don’t fit this cookie cutter and want to live their life a different way?

These are the outcasts, the artists, the people who want to be in bands.

The band Residual Kid, for example, is insanely gifted. Yet during his time here, Deven Ivy couldn’t help feeling out of place. He constantly found himself learning about topics that he’d never use. Lead guitarist and senior Nik Sherrill, consistently felt that almost everything he was learning would never help him in the profession. What would help him? At the time, there was no entrepreneurship and business management was barely known, so unless there was a secret School of Rock class, there were few classes to help him pursue his unconventional path.

As for me, the school system has some what fixed itself.

With the inclusion of BIM and entrepreneurship, I’m to some degree

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learning things that will benefit me.

The school could have a certain class that was specifically for musicians and other artistic students to work on their passion and learn what benefits them. Not simply school band but also rappers, poets, and rock bands.

This problem encompasses a larger circle than most expect. When a 16 year old sophomore in high school says, “I want to be an engineer”, the school system immediately accommodates them with opportunities to pursue this goal,

how I first started working on my music and getting shows. However, school has never helped me with this or taught me how to promote myself.

Anytime I don’t work after school, I’m doing something to either help my music, or I’m doing a show.

In order to solve this problem, we must change the frame of school in order to properly let kids’ talents flourish. Instead provide out of school programs or classes in which you shadow a mentor or have a period that is devoted to running

But what if others don’t fit this cookie cutter and want to live their life a different way? helping with the setup and planning of their life. However, if someone the same age says, “I want to be an artist”, they are left in the dark to fend for themselves. Why? Because the school system does not place enough emphasis on the creative group. If you want to start a career in your art, you must do it by yourself.

I found my passion and doors with the help of my parents. Luckily they searched around and found that Spider House, a ballroom/coffee shop north of the UT campus, had an open mic every Tuesday. This was

your likeness as a business. When I wanted to be serious about music, there was no help from school in any way, shape, or form. I had to discover how to do everything myself, I was only able to with the assistance of my family and friends. However, I often wonder how many creative kids in the past have given up on their talent to fit the cookie cutter.

Senior Tiarnan Santillana is a first year staff member and an aspiring star in the local music community.

If you want to start a career in your art, you must do it by yourself.

Zimmerman Offends Young Latinos

Councilmember proves racism and prejudice are still prevalent in local government STAFF WRITER

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In August, young Latino elementary school students waited hours for the Austin City Council to consider a proposal for more funding for afterschool clubs. Some councilmembers responded, praising the students for their determination and hard work, but Councilman Don Zimmerman, the conservative councilmember representing district 6, however, did not.

He stated that the young students should “do something useful and produce something in [their] society so [they] don’t have to live off others.” The crowd immediately booed him and other council members criticized Zimmerman for his statement. In response, Mayor Steve Adler said, “We cannot let our policy or political goals… create an environment or culture where those testifying before us arrive or leave scared, humiliated, disrespected, or fearful of their interaction with us.”

Austin is currently one of the top three most economically segregated cities in the country.

Classism caused this division. Early in Austin’s history, Latino and Black minorities were forced into the east side with whites on the west side. I-35 became known as the Great Wall of Austin between the two sides.

Many Austin families rely on welfare in order to meet the needs that their low incomes cannot fund. And recently, due to higher costs of living and gentrification in Austin, many families have been forced out of their homes into surrounding cities with a lower cost of living. This trend is mainly evident in East Austin, where minorities are being forced out and the upper class is moving in. Class and racial divisions are still very prevalent in Austin, and Zimmerman reiterated that in his statement.

Zimmerman’s statement suggested that those who receive government assistance do not contribute to their city. Zimmerman’s assumption based benefit to society on how much governmental assistance a person needs, but there is no correlation. People of color are far less represented in government, so telling young Latino children that they are not being productive as they engage with the city government seems counterproductive. Zimmerman also implied

that these students were using government assistance, but public education is a service that the government is obligated to provide. This councilman seems to think that any type of money from the government is a sign of laziness, weakness, and lack of productivity.

What Zimmerman fails to understand is that

He stated that the young students should “do something useful and produce something in [their] society so [they] don’t have to live off others.”

structural issues of racism are what put people of color at a systematic disadvantage in society, not personal choices.

Prejudices like those exhibited by Zimmerman make minority involvement in politics even more important. With the presidential election fast approaching, it’s time to participate more in local government. Our elected officials need to represent our best interests and beliefs. Make your voice heard in your community and help create a city council that represents you.

Junior Joslynn Sanchez is a first year staff member.

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JOSLYNN SANCHEZ

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How to Apply to College NATALIE BENNETT MANAGING EDITOR

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side from dealing with the work of high school classes, seniors who plan to attend college following graduation have to focus on completing applications. Colleges consider many aspects of a student’s high school performance even though the application process is not touched upon in-depth until senior year. So underclassmen, though

life & arts

"Do you have the minimum two years of a [foreign] language, or are you challenging yourself and taking four years of a [foreign] language?”

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they may not be applying to colleges yet, must consider how their course load and extracurriculars will serve when the time comes. Fortunately, applying can be straightforward if the process is understood.

Most applications are now online through either the specific school or an online application site, such as CommonApp.org, ApplyTexas.org, or CoalitionforCollegeAccess.org. ApplyTexas is for all schools, public and private, in Texas, for students who plan to apply to Texas schools.

CommonApp and the Coalition for Access and Affordability serve schools across the nation, but they do not include every school nor do they include many Texas schools. ApplyTexas exists for those schools.

Students who do not yet know what schools they wish to apply to can be matched through Naviance based on their personal preferences and qualifications.

Once a list of colleges is made via Naviance, students can determine how they plan to apply to each school and create an account on ApplyTexas, CommonApp, or the Coalition if necessary.

Colleges vary on whether or they require a personal essay, writing supplements, and

recommendation letters. But almost all colleges require a transcript, which lists courses, grades, GPA, and rank, if applicable. There is no cost for high school transcripts related to college apps.

“The transcript is the most important part,” College and Career Counselor Tara Miller said. “Are you taking a lot of off periods? If so, that doesn’t look very good when you’re applying to a competitive school. Do you have the minimum two years of a [foreign] language, or are you challenging yourself and taking four years of a [foreign] language?”

Transcripts can be requested on Naviance or in the second floor office. Test scores are next after the transcript in importance. At this point, many seniors have already taken the SAT and/or ACT once or twice and now have access to their scores. These scores must be sent from the website of the test itself. The school does not have access to the scores, and they cannot be sent from Naviance the way other portions of the application may be sent.

“Every student signs up on their own with either The College Board or ACT to take those tests,” Miller said. “You need to request that your scores be sent to the colleges you’re applying to. Every single one. I say send them all, because many schools will superscore, meaning [take] the best from multiple tests.”

Colleges are able to see if a student is hardworking by looking at their extracurriculars. Activities can be documented in the résumé on Naviance under the “About Me” tab, or in the specific application if there is a designated place for extracurriculars.

“Are you involved with things outside of school?”

Miller said. “Do you have a job? Do you have good leadership experience? The key is to not just do something once or twice here and there, but to show commitment to something.”

Colleges can see a little bit of the personality of each applicant through their extracurriculars, but the personal essay truly gives insight into the character and mindset of each student. Not all schools require the college essay, but the online prompts for college essays can be found on ApplyTexas and CommonApp for students applying to schools that do require an essay.

“I think a good rule of thumb is, it’s ok to take a little bit of risk in your essay, but don’t go completely polarizing to one side or the other. The key is, if it’s important to you, then talk about it, but don’t negatively talk about someone else’s point of view,” Miller said. “Don’t complain without having a solution, don’t be negative without spinning something positive into it, and don’t feel sorry for yourself in your essay without showing how it has strengthened you.”

In addition to a personal essay, some schools ask for writing supplements, which typically involve a relatively short response to a personal question.

Letters of recommendation, written by teachers

"Check your email. It is so important, because that's how colleges are going to communicate with you." a few teachers can each write a recommendation letter and send it electronically to a school through Naviance. For teachers to write a recommendation letter, students must first have made a list of colleges they’re applying to, asked the teacher to write the letter in person out of courtesy, filled out a brag sheet found on Naviance in the document library on the home page, and placed the request in Naviance for each teacher. The request includes the specific schools where the letter should be sent. The counselor letter can be requested through Naviance as well, under the “About Me” tab. In general, at least four weeks should be allotted for each recommendation letter to be written.

Apart from the portions of the application submitted by the student, some schools also consider demonstrated interest. Students can demonstrate interest by visiting the college campus for a tour or meeting with a representative for that college at a college visit in the College and Career Center. Smaller schools especially like to see that students have shown and acted on an interest in their school. Visits in the College and Career Center can be helpful, because the representatives that come are the readers of applications from the this area.

Until the completion of college applications, students should tour colleges with the help of the College and Career Center to show demonstrated interest. Students can make appointments with the counselors in the College and Career Center for help with application issues or looking for scholarships.

“Check your email,” Miller said. “It is so important, because that’s how colleges are going to communicate with you.”

The College and Career Center is on the second floor of the chemistry wing, for students that need assistance with or have questions about applying.

Senior Natalie Bennett is a third year staff member and the Managing Editor for the 2016-2017 Maroon News.

She has written news and feature stories and loves pugs with every fiber of her being.

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and counselors, give schools insight into the type of student they would be admitting. Written supplements vary based on the school as do letter of recommendation requirements. But typically

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Senior Gemma Smith explores the artifacts of the Indore Museum in the Madhya Pradesh state in India.

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Om. This was the phrase that started it all for senior Gemma Smith.

Over the summer, Smith spent six weeks participating in a Language Program that took her on a federally funded trip to India to learn the Hindi language as part of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth.

“It’s a scholarship funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Affairs,” Smith said. “The aim of the program is to provide high school students with scholarships to study abroad in countries that the U.S. considers we have a critical political relationship with. So it’s countries like China, India, South Korea, Jordan, Oman, and Russia.”

The program represents a national effort to facilitate global connections.

“They want young people from the U.S. and young people from those countries to form a bond so that people in the U.S. will have better opinions of people in those countries and, by learning the language, they can connect more,” Smith said.

Smith’s desire to experience Indian culture began at an early age.

“I’ve been obsessed with India since I was six because of this co-op I went to,” Smith said. “We had to do a project where we learned about a religious symbol. I picked the om symbol and I learned about India and all its tigers and how cows are sacred there. I thought that was the coolest thing when I was six,” Smith said.

Smith spent the majority of her stay living with a local host family in Indore, a city in the centermost state of Madhya Pradesh.

“My host family was definitely the best part of my exchange because they showed me all the traditions and customs of Indian culture and they taught me more Hindi than I even learned in school,” Smith said. “They took me to different places in the city and outside the city and they were just so welcoming and so open to learning about American culture and then teaching me about Indian culture.”

Smith studied alongside her host brother at the Emerald Heights International School.

“Monday through Saturday I’d get up at six, have chai with my host mom, and walk to the bus with my host brother and my host cousin to get to school,” Smith said.

“I’d have four hours of language classes and then two hours

of electives, which included a week of a dance class, a week of practicing traditional Indian folk art painting, and a week of cricket- which we were all terrible at.”

The six weeks were also spent bonding with her host family.

“After school, I’d go home with my host brother and my host cousin and we’d usually get our homework out of the way, but my host brother goes to tutoring after school- as most kids there do- so I would usually just hang out and talk to my host mom for a couple hours while there was no one else in the house,” Smith said. “We’d usually go out to eat or to the market and when my host sister got home from college, she would take me out on her two wheeler motorcycle thing and we would ride around and usually go to temple. Then I’d come back and we would have dinner as a family.”

Smith recognized culture shock as inevitable, but adjustments to some aspects of Indian culture were unexpectedly difficult.

“I’m considered very, very skinny, like underweight, in India, even though in America I’m considered to look normal,” Smith said. “My host mom would just force feed me, and since my family was Hindu, it’s against their religion to leave food on their plate. So no matter how much food they put on my plate, I had to eat it.”

Amongst disparate customs were aspects of culture that Smith wishes could be incorporated into American society.

“Indian culture is very much centered around staying close to your extended family,” Smith said. “I feel like that’s something that the U.S. is kind of missing. Most people break away from their family ties when they’re in their twenties and they get married or whatever and move away, but in India your whole family stays in the same house until your grandparents are 95. I think that’s really sweet.”

Despite clear cultural differences, the program’s goal of greater global understanding came to fruition during Smith’s time in Indore.

“I just think of countries differently now that I’ve been to an undeveloped country,” Smith said. “Even though India is not a first world country, when I think of it, I think of the people there and how they’re the same as me and not how there’s so many people there that are poor and living on the streets.”

Senior Alexandra Currie-Buckner is editor in chief of the Maroon News. She is a fourth year staff member.

life & arts

ALEXANDRA CURRIE-BUCKNER

reaking ARRIERS

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Summer Abroad Worth More than Just Service Hours BETHANEE TOVAR STAFF WRITER

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enior Sonia Aguilar travelled to the Dominican Republic with The CIEE High School summer study abroad program. In this leadership and service program, students lived with host families and worked with kids at their schools. Sonia recommends all students find a way to participate in a study abroad program.

Q: What was the purpose of your program?

A: “The purpose of the program is to build leadership skills and provide support to children who came from abused homes, poverty, or just the streets. I was to make them feel, I mean they lack parents who love [them], we were there just to motivate them, keep them in school, and teach them some English, if we could.”

Q: How long are you there?

A: “I was there for about four weeks.”

life & arts

Q: Did you go visit the schools?

A: “We worked with one school. We could go there from Monday through Thursday. Sometimes we could go in the morning or sometimes we could go in the evenings, just depended on our schedule.”

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girls were from Maine, New York, Carolina, South Carolina-none of them spoke Spanish, most of them didn’t have any knowledge of Spanish. With their host families, they just pointed. My roommate is from Ohio and she didn’t know any Spanish. She was so happy I was there.”

“With their host families, they just pointed. My roommate is from Ohio and she didn’t know any Spanish. She was so happy I was there.”

Q: Did they speak any Spanish there?

A: “We lived with a host family who only spoke Spanish.

It was also to build our Spanish skills, but I’m a native speaker. Everything was in Spanish, that’s the main language in the Dominican Republic.”

Q: How did you adapt to all the changes?

A: “It has a very, very different temperature over there. It is hot and humid, always really sticky. Our house had a balcony that was never closed. It was always open so mosquitoes were a huge thing. The food is amazing! Every day we ate rice and beans and some sort of meat for lunch; for dinner was pasta. Plantains are so big over there, we had fried Plantains, all types of Plantains.”

Q: Were you one of the only people there who was a native speaker?

A: “There were two of us native speakers. All the other

Q: Did you eat everything?

A: “I hate being that one person who is picky, so I tried to eat it. My roommate, sometimes she liked what I didn’t

Students at the Hogar Escuela Santo Domingo Savio in the Dominican Republic were eager to show Aguilar around their school and loved asking questions about her life in America.

Q: What did you learn that you would keep from this trip?

A: “I learned a lot. We in the US are extremely fortunate to have everything that we have. It is very, very hard to go to a country [where things are different], especially the moments where you interact with the kids. Baseball is so big and literally the baseball mats were tissue paper. They didn’t have a baseball uniform; they played with their sandals and ripped shorts. It’s very difficult seeing that and coming from the US where everyone has everything. We have so many resources- they lack a lot of that stuff.

I thought that I was going to go over there and help the kids, but I learned so much from them. Even though those kids lack a lot of resources, that is not an excuse for them to be sad. Those kids are full of joy and it’s just a beautiful sight. It was a great experience and I loved it. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. That was the major takeaway, that these kids are beautiful inside and out. I remember going in every day, they really got attached to me because they knew that I knew Spanish. I would get there and they would make up teams and I was always the first one chosen. I told them “I don’t know how to play baseball,” but they didn’t care. They taught me how to play. It’s so nice seeing everything you can give someone... giving joy to those kids.

The day we were leaving they were taking pictures of

us and it was the cutest thing ever. That study abroad changed my whole view on parts of the world. Here we have everything and it taught me that you’re supposed to be extremely thankful that we have everything we have. That actually motivated me to go into international relations and global studies because I want to work with developing countries. I have always worked with kids at my church, but this really showed me what I wanted to do.”

“I thought I was going to go over there and help the kids, but I learned so much from them.”

Q: Would you recommend this program to another student?

A: “Yes, I would recommend it to any student. It’s a beautiful experience. I know there was also a culture and language [study abroad program], a science one- it just depends on what you’re into. If you want to learn a different language, I bet you can do another program, but service and leadership are really nice. Especially because most of the study abroad is done in college, and this is high school. I got a lot of scholarship money so money is not a problem.”

Bethanee Tovar is a first year staff member. She enjoys playing music, watching loads of movies, and spending time with family.

life & arts

like and I like what she didn’t like so whenever our mom would walk out of the kitchen, we would swap.”

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Drum Major Works on and off Field to Motivate Players DJANGO FOX NEWS EDITOR

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he award for the loudest fans at football games, pep rallies and every morning in the student parking lot is bestowed to the marching band, and it’s drum major David Garcia.

“I originally played saxophone. I played the saxophone in Jazz band, and the bass clarinet in regular band,” Senior David Garcia said.

Garcia was in marching band sophomore year, and junior year Garcia became a drum major, and still continues it today.

Although all drum majors have unique abilities and preferences of instruments, being a drum major requires other crucial skills beyond ability on brass or wind instruments. For one, they keep the band on time, but there are other major responsibilities of a drum major completely fundamental to the success of the band. Despite major time devotion from drum majors during school, majors also have responsibilities outside of school.

Garcia’s nightly homework as a drum major has nothing to do with playing instruments, or conducting a band.

“My homework as drum major is to prepare for our weekly meetings with things to say to motivate people, or to inform people on how to perform better,” Garcia said.

Garcia believes keeping the marching band students motivated and prepared to perform is the hardest task of drum major. Motivation can be hard to teach. The majority of praise received by marching

band members comes from the drum majors or the section leaders.

“There’s a big tower in the student lot, and one of our instructors is up there, but he doesn’t have time to tell people what they’re doing well,” Garcia said.

“He only has time to tell people what they’re doing wrong.”

Motivating band students stands as Garcia’s most important task as drum major.

“People will stop liking band if they’re only getting criticized, so as drum major, or section leader, my job is to tell people what they’re doing good, to help people stay motivated, and to stay interested in band.”

Another unique responsibility of Garcia, is to unload the white trailer found in the student parking lot.

“The trailer is called Rasputin.” Garcia said. Rasputin stores all band equipment, beyond the instruments, that the band could need.

Garcia has grown up around band, and he also plans to continue band through college, if he goes to UT. “UT does not require students to major in band, in order to be in the marching band, so If I got to UT, I will surely march in band.”

Garcia will continue to conduct the drum line for the rest of his senior year and the future beyond that is all up to him.

Senior Django Fox is news editor of the Maroon News.

He is a third year staff member.

With Help of Service Dog, Junior Finds Relief from Anxiety MADDIE GAYNOR STAFF WRITER

Luckily for Sloan, she has a support network of friends and family that helps her out in any way they can.

“My parents have been very supportive in this. They have done a lot of work to meet my training sessions and move the dog from house to house,” Sloan said, “I have one friend that even went to a training session with me one time.”

Sloan is still in the process of certifying and getting her service dog cleared, but has thought about what the reaction will be when she brings her service dog to school. When she gets to bring it to school she will be relieved of some anxieties but new ones will be brought to her.

people say is, ‘Wow I wish I could bring my dog to school,’ but honestly I would strongly prefer if I could leave my dog at home and not have to deal with the problems that I have to deal with on a daily basis,” Sloan said. “I wouldn’t have a service dog if

“I know that a common thing people say is, ‘Wow I wish I could bring my dog to school,’ but honestly I would strongly prefer if I could leave my dog at home and not have to deal with the problems that I have to deal with on a daily basis.

I wouldn’t have a service dog if I could choose.”

“I think at first there will be a lot of reactions which will be a bit stressful,” Sloan said. “There will be lots of people asking me questions, but I think in the long run it will help me and lead me into having a better school experience.”

Sloan’s way of life has changed and developed since the decision was made to get a service dog. Her knowledge of service dogs has grown as well as her appreciation of them.

She now knows everything people have to go through to get one, and the things required to have a properly qualified service dog.

“I know that a common thing

I could choose.”

Sloan has often drawn attention in public and is expecting it once she comes into close quarters with peers, but one of her biggest concerns is that people will begin to look past her and only focus on her service dog.

“I hope people can understand to not distract [Toby],” Sloan said. “ He is doing something; He needs to focus. Don’t talk to him, talk to me.

I’m still there.”

Junior Maddie Gaynor is a second year staff member. She enjoys being with friends, singing and playing guitar.

life & arts

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long with other difficulties in her life, junior Sloan Dudley struggles with social anxiety that makes her feel like she can’t go anywhere and can’t do certain tasks that other people may see as simple.

Thankfully, with the help of her therapist and other support groups in her life she was able to find a support system in the form of her service dog, Toby.

“There are so many things that dogs can do,” Sloan said. “It’s incredible.”

Therapist Susan Thomas has been with Sloan through her entire service dog experience. She is a witness to how Sloan’s behavior and attitude, even though slight, changed when the topic of a service dog was brought up. She knew it would be the right decision for her specific case.

“Toby was there before he was really there,” Thomas said, “You could feel a shift like the support was already there once the topic was being explored.”

Before being able to get a service dog she had to go through months of training, expenses, and odd looks when she went out in public. But to her, it was all worth it.

“I have a difficult time going places and doing things on my own a lot of the time because it is scary for me,” Sloan said. “I think that having a companion that is with me all the time will be very helpful to me.”

Between her anxiety, the stress of high school, and social issues that teenagers go through, it’s been hard for Sloan in the last few years. She has put herself in positive environments and activities like choir that help and give her support, but she is still taking it one day at a time.

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2016 Football Records LBJ 5-0

McCallum 3-1

Austin High 3-2

Reagan 2-2

Travis 2-2 Crockett 1-3

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Lanier 0-5

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* as of press time

ELEANOR ESTRADA ONLINE EDITOR

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he new school year has brought with it new changes to Austin High. The shift in conferences from 6A to 5A means a switch in competition for AHS Athletics and Fine Arts. This year, the move down to 5A will bring back old rivalries and spark new challenges in UIL district competitions.

Varsity football is working hard to prepare for the new competitors they

“I’m hoping that we can be super competitive and look to be the big dog in the district, versus before when we were trying to catch the big dog.” will face this fall. Head Coach Mike Rosenthal hasn’t allowed the change to affect the team’s normal progression, but he’s excited to see the new competition.

“I think it’s really cool that we get to see new teams and have an old Austin High rivalry with LBJ and Reagan and Crockett and all those teams we played back in the 80’s and early 90’s,” Rosenthal said.

The girl’s basketball team, which has always been a strong district contender, is looking to dominate the court this year. They have only won

the district championship once, back in 2008, and are expected to go far in this new conference.

“We’re looking to be a big factor in the new district,” Head Coach Tricia Hughes said. “I’m hoping that we can be super competitive and look to be the big dog in the district, versus before when we were trying to catch the big dog.”

But athletics aren’t the only ones affected by the new change. Band, choir, orchestra and theater are all facing a switch in this year’s upcoming UIL and TMEA competitions.

Both group and solo competitors will be facing new competition from different AISD schools.

Varsity choir member Katie Cary is optimistic that the shift down will be a good change for the program.

“As a result of switching from the 6A division and going down to 5A, we will be competing against much smaller schools, closer to the size of Austin High, which will help us to do very well.” Cary said.

With new rivalries forming this year, Austin High is saying goodbye to a long tradition of football games against Westlake. But Coach Rosenthal hopes that despite the loss of the Westlake rivalry, students will continue to go out and support their team with the same energy that was always apparent at the Chaparral games.

“I always enjoyed playing at Lake Travis and Westlake and having that environment,” Rosenthal said. “I hope we can create that at every game this year.”

Junior Eleanor Estrada is Online Editor-in-Chief of the Maroon News. She is a second year staff member.

The TRC Girls Varsity rowing team rowing down the Lady Bird Lake during team practice after school.

Photo by Lily Harris

Rowers Test their Endurance CEZANNE LOSSING-CANN

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t’s a new year for the varsity team at Texas Rowing Center, and with that comes fall races, endurance tests, and sore muscles. With the recent addition of close to 30 girls to the team, modifications have been made to accommodate for the increased size.

“The coaching staff needs to be in constant communication to ensure best use of equipment and make sure everyone has what they need for a productive practice given their increase in numbers,” varsity girls coach Falesha Thrash said.

Varsity members from the year before have shown enthusiasm and readiness for the year ahead.

“Adding 25+ girls to our team is going to give our team depth on a level we haven’t seen yet with new competition to push some of our old varsity and new girls who need to be guided,” sophomore varsity rower Grace Potter said. “Many girls have never experienced a fall regatta, or a national regatta. I think encouraging the old varsity to teach them will help bring the team up to date, and help us bond.”

Varsity members who have recently moved up from novice have noticed the difference between the two.

“I noticed that people are more serious and dedicated,” varsity junior rower Kathleen Dinh said. “They put their all into the sport; people don’t slack.”

Along with the changes within the varsity rowing team, new rowing teams have been popping up across the country.

“The one major change in the rowing community is purely growth due to more awareness of the sport,” Thrash said. “More of the younger rowers from our area are going off to row in college, so their parents start to pick up the sport on their own and then their friends join in. Also, thanks to the Olympics this year, more people in general are aware of the sport. Then more adults in the community become involved just from word of mouth.

Outside of our own community in Austin, there are rowing teams popping up all over the country in states that the sport has not been prominent in before, like Alabama and Arkansas.”

With an expansion of the varsity team and the addition of more rowing teams to compete against, the Texas rowing team is working to find new ways to keep up with improved planning and better communication with the team.

This is junior Cezanne Lossing-Cann’s second year on staff.

She enjoys hiking on the trails around Austin and identifying the different plant and animal species of the area. She is also a member of the Texas Rowing Center Team.

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STAFF WRITER

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Varsity quarterback Khalyl Muhammad makes a pass to one of his teammates during the game against Crockett.

Photo by Sami Johnson

Muhammad Takes the Field Second String Quarterback Steps in After Garcia Injured

VICTORIA DIAZ

SPORTS EDITOR

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he second quarter of the game, the varsity football team was down 16-0 to McNeil. The stadium went silent as senior starting quarterback Edward Garcia went down.

“My ACL was completely torn,” Garcia said. “I only had one thing on my mind: is this the end of my football career?”

Garcia has since undergone surgery and will now attend physical therapy.

“Doctors say eight months but hopefully not that long,” Garcia said.

“I’m praying that rehab goes well so I can possibly return this season.”

The future of his rehabilitation is uncertain, but Head Coach Mike Rosenthal is hopeful this loss will not negatively impact the season.

“I know he will bounce back, he’s a captain for a reason, and he will be around to support the team,” Rosenthal said. “You just don’t know

how you’re going to react. Us as a staff, we had to be the steadiness through this. If you ask me, in my gut, I think we will bounce back, and I think we will rally around Khalyl.”

Varsity football inow looks to senior second-string quarterback Khalyl Muhammad.

“The only real adjustment is the pressure that naturally comes with being a quarterback, but after a game or two in there, it isn’t much of a change or adjustment,” Muhammad said.

Rosenthal is confident in Muhammad’s ability to take on this new role for the team.

“I think he will be fine; he is very similar to Edward,” Rosenthal said.

“He has paid his dues; he’s shown up every day; he’s worked extremely hard.”

Muhammad has not only received support from Rosenthal, but also his teammates.

“The other players have been great,” Muhammad said. “they support me through the highs and the lowest lows.”

Despite the turn of events, Rosenthal still had high hopes for the rest of the season.

“We have a long-term goal of winning a playoff game and make a deep playoff run,” Rosenthal said.

“But for me, if we improve each and every week, we will get to those goals.”

Muhammad aspires to bring recognition to the season and carry the team far into district and playoffs.

“I want not only my mark but the team’s mark to be bringing the first district title and playoff victories that this school has seen in almost 60 years,” Muhammad said.

Senior Victoria Diaz is a third year staff member and is the sports editor.

WILLIAM CROSNOE STAFF WRITER

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Austin vs. Ray 1957 Led by quarterback Mike Cotten, the Maroons continued their undefeated season into the playoffs with a convincing two touchdown win over the Corpus Christi Ray Texans. The victory against the Texans topped all the other ones, because this is the last time the Maroons advanced past the first round of the playoffs.

“Any win was very exciting for us,” Cotten said about the 1957 season.

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District Championship vs. Reagan 1970 Austin High won against Reagan in front of 30,000+ at the Memorial Stadium in Houston to snap their winning streak. Reagan went on to win the state championship that year, so Austin got a win against the best team in the state.

Austin vs. Westlake 2006 Wide receiver Emory Blake snagged a 71 yard touchdown pass to secure a 31-24 victory over the Chaps, and Austin students stormed the field in celebration. This win broke a losing streak against Westlake that had dated back to 1970.

Austin vs. Hays 2014 Late in the game, trailing by six points, the Maroons took a last minute drive down into the red zone.

Austin running back Marcelo Mendoza was stopped at the line of scrimmage on a run. As he was going down, he flipped the ball back to quarterback Beau Kalbacher who ran it in for the score to secure a 3534 victory.

“I think I was the only one who realized that the ball was no longer with Marcelo,” Kalbacher said.

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Austin vs. Lehman 2015 Quarterback Beau Kalbacher tossed seven touchdowns, tying a school record, as Austin beat Lehman with a huge score of 77-13. This win also secured a spot in the playoffs for the Maroons.

Senior Helps Take Team to District VIOLET FROHLICH ONLINE EDITOR

Senior Bethanee Tovar and her singles game helped the varsity tennis team win district for the first time in 22 years.

Q: A:

Why have you stayed with the tennis program all the way into your senior year?

I have stayed with the tennis program for four years because I love the sport and I love the community the team gives you. There’s always room to improve your game and the ladder system really motivates you to stay and get better. The team is very supportive and you become really close with them.

Q: A:

What did the team do to prepare for this success? What was your favorite part of training, and what was your least favorite part?

The team has practiced nearly everyday since before school started to prepare for our matches. The practices focus on the skills we need to develop and getting our endurance up. My least favorite part of training was the conditioning at the end of each practice which included suicides and intense running drills

Q: A: Q: A:

Tell me about how your match in particular went.

I didn’t play this most recent match for districts since I was an extra match.

What do you think was the most interesting part of the season so far?

The most interesting part of the season has been seeing the team win and become close no matter the grade or skill level.

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Certain football games separate themselves from the ordinary game. With a little help from coaches, former players, and their relatives, the list was narrowed down to the top five football games in Austin High history.

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Up and Coming: CODY JINKS

Cody Jinks plays at the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival on Oct. 15 just outside of Houston. Photo

by Auston Abrego

AUSTON ABREGO ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

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eal country music is about the hard and fun times in life, and that’s exactly Texas country singer Cody Jinks’ style. Like other Texas country singers, he differentiates himself from mainstream country with songs about being misunderstood and getting through the hard times.

“I think what they really mean [when my fans say they don’t like country but they like my music] is they do like country; they just like real country,” Jinks said. “[My fans are] very loyal and very diverse, bikers to cowboys to hippies to old people to young people. I think it’s a great testament for our band.”

Jinks started out writing songs and singing, then he learned the guitar so he wouldn’t be singing to himself. He figured out he wanted to be a musician in

entertainment

“I look for greatness that is deserving, and Cody Jinks is exactly that.”

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high school and started playing in clubs when he was a junior. Jinks was briefly in a heavy metal band, but then decided to return to his roots and play the music he grew up listening to. Jinks was picked up by C3 manager Arthur Penhallow, who is currently helping Jinks achieve more and more success.

“It takes an exceptional amount of work to properly manage somebody, and you have to know

what lanes to put him in so he gets the proper exposure and deserved exposure,” Penhallow said.

“Once I did that, his talents and songs did the rest.”

Jinks and his band released their album I’m Not the Devil on Aug. 12. The album has reached the fourth spot on the Billboard’s Country Albums chart, and he is currently performing his new hits across the country at sold out venues.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Jinks said. “I think I’ve seen 41 states. I’m very grateful to be able to do this for a living. I get to see things I wouldn’t normally get to see, so I appreciate that. I appreciate going to places and people knowing my songs. It’s a great honor.”

Even though I’m Not the Devil just dropped, Jinks is already writing and working on his next record.

“Whitey Morgan and I tour a lot together, and we are trying to compile songs and do a duo EP with the two of us, but right now, we are touring really hard,” Jinks said. “I’m focusing on that and writing a few more [songs] for the next project.

I’d love to do a Gary Stewart Tribute record or something like that.”

According to Jinks, honesty is one of the most important things about writing. He uses his honesty and other elements to craft his songs. “[I get my inspiration from] life, my own stories, things I’ve seen, things I’ve been through,

"Just keep going. It’s tough. Play wherever you can for whatever money it is." trying to be a conscientious observer, pay attention to people learn things from people,” Jinks said.

“Somebody might say something profound or somebody might tell you something and you know as a songwriter maybe I can try and dig in a little bit and see what that story is about.”

Jinks says it’s a business of longevity. It’s “how much can you put up” with all of the hard times that come with being in the business.

“There are a million great musicians, a million great songwriters, you have to take the time to hone your craft. Musicians are the type of people who get better with age. I’m 36, and I feel like I just hit my stride in the last couple of years,” Jinks said, “Just keep going. It’s tough. Play wherever you can for whatever money it is.”

Sophmore Auston Abrego is the entertainment editor for the Maroon News. He is a second year staff member and the only sophomore editor this year.

Peter and the Starcatcher Soars with Satisfaction

Red Dragon Players Bring Pages to Life on Stage LUKE MYSLIK STAFF WRITER

with solid voice work and choreography.

The lighting is rich and lively, fitting and creating every mood in the scenes properly. The set design is also excellent, and it was evident that a lot of effort was put into it.

Easily, one of the best parts of Starcatcher was its comedy. There were some hilarious comical moments that’ll make you burst into laughter. What makes the

comedy land is in not only the performances, but the dialogue. Every joke is delivered on point. While there are a few pop-culture references in the play, they aren’t used for cheap laughs, instead they become entirely clever and don’t distract from the play itself.

Peter and the Starcatcher is one of the most charming plays the Red Dragon Players have ever produced, with charming characters, appealing performances, enchanting production design, and warm hearted moments of comedic and musical excellence.

Senior Luke Myslik is a first year staff writer for the Maroon News. He enjoys writing movie reviews for the entertainment section.

At the beginning of Act Two, the mermaids sing about the effects of starstuff on them.

Photo by Auston Abrego

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rom page to stage comes the Red Dragon Players production of Peter and the Starcatcher, a musical based on the 2006 book written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson which is a prequel to the classic childhood story of Peter Pan. In Peter and the Starcatcher, the story centers on Peter and his companions on a daring escape.

The mythical tale also depicts how the youthful poor orphan Peter became an adventurous immortal flying boy of Neverland, and how an egotistically evil pirate named Black Stache, became one of the most legendarily villainous icons known today as Captain Hook.

The play is directed by Nick Mills and stars junior Nicholas Aragon-Maresca as Peter, senior Mary Blanchard as a bright and gifted Molly Aster, and senior Logan Robichaud as the wretched but charming antagonist, Black Stache. This production is another home run for the Red Dragon Players and is a fun, fantastical adaptation, containing enchanting acting, likeable characters, solid musical moments, with hilarious comedy throughout.

One of the promising aspects Starcatcher really showcases is its delightful performances. Each and every actor was not only chosen exquisitely, but handled their part with so much care. AragonMaresca pulls it off as Peter, as he manages to do so with the right amount of valiance and relatable characterization of his role. Blanchard does an exceptionally nice job as Molly Aster, a young apprentice starcatcher who is in a dire need of proving herself to her father.

Perhaps the biggest stars who really stole the show, were the dynamic duo of Robichaud as Black Stache and junior Johnathan Leary as Smee. Their performances liven the show up, and their chemistry is purely brilliant, and their comedic dialogue and playfulness really make for some good laughs.

There are also a variety of components that make the play function as a whole. To start off, the musical interludes throughout Starcatcher were downright impressive. Each of the songs was neatly executed

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Ballet Folklorico celebrated it’s 13th Annual Viva Mexico show on Mexican Independence Day, Sept. 13.

The performance in the PAC featured guest performer Cesar Casteneda and showcased dances choreographed

by Victoria Carr, representing the four Mexican states of Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Veracruz, and Jalisco.

Photos by Rhyan Patterson