The Marquee Volume 32 Issue 5

M T H E

M A R Q U E E

VOLUME 32. ISSUE 5. APRIL 6, 2018

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Campus food pantry formed for students in need

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Students Skype classes around the world

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Play two truths and a lie with the language department

Edward S. Marcus High School • 5707 Morriss Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028

The Marquee Staff EDITOR IN CHIEF Kelly Rowe MANAGING EDITOR Nick Fopiano COPY EDITOR Jackson Bednarczyk DESIGN EDITOR Jolie Mullings Photo Chloe White

Sophomores Brendan Skarjune and Aryel Jacques participated in the March for Our Lives protest in Denton on March 24.

GRAPHICS EDITOR Shay Wegele PHOTO EDITOR Sarah Newton NEWS EDITOR

CONTENTS

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Chloe White FEATURE EDITOR Skyler Middleton

NEWS

COMING TOGETHER Principal Gary Shafferman assembles an advisory committee

OPINION EDITOR Kendall Cooper ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Marc Kidwell SPORTS EDITOR

FEATURE

ROAD TO RECOVERY Sophmore reflects on progress after serious car accident

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ENTERTAINMENT

FORTNITE PHENOMENON Diving deep behind the psychology of the fan-favorite Fortnite

SPORTS CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP Soccer coach takes the boys Varsity soccer team to the playoffs

Cover Chase Martin

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Alex Anderson REPORTERS Aidann Zuniga, Morgan Maxwell, Shayla Sistrunk DESIGNERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Aeralyn Stinson & Chase Martin ADVISER LaJuana Hale PRINCIPAL Gary Shafferman The Marquee newsmagazine is a student-generated publication of Marcus High School. It is produced, edited and maintained through the efforts of the school’s advanced journalism class. The Marquee is designed to serve the school and community as a forum for open discussion and student expression. The Marquee encourages letters to the editor as part of its mission to educate, inform and provide an open forum for debate. All submissions must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit all material. Editorials reflect the opinion of the staff, not necessarily that of the administration. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author. Advertising rates are $70 per 1/8 of a page, with discounts available. Patron ads are available for $100. Online advertisements are also available. For more information call 469-713-5196. The Marquee is a standing member of ILPC, TAJE, ATPI, CSPA, NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll.

A helping hand

Pantry opens for students in need Story Chloe White A food pantry for students in need was opened up by junior AP Humanities teacher Debbie Brininstool with the help of Assistant Principal Dorrie Loughborough at the beginning of the school year.

The decision to make a public announcement about the service came after students stopped going to the pantry.

“I had to throw some food away, and that bothered me that the food was there, but it wasn’t being utilized,” Brininstool said.

Brininstool was inspired to start the pantry last summer when she read “Janesville,” a book about the struggles experienced in Janesville, Wis. after the General Motors plant shut down, leaving many without jobs.

“Although we’re not experiencing that here, Janesville was a fairly well to do community and when the jobs went away, all of these kids who were used to contributing to food pantries, became in need,” Brininstool said.

Brininstool contacted Assistant Principal Jennifer Hawes and Loughborough, and within a few days, Assistant Principal Jason Mullin secured and cleaned a room for the pantry.

“I’ve always made the assumption that the kids at Marcus High School lived the way my kids lived, or similarly,” Brininstool said.

Ten years ago, Brininstool had a student whose mother was mentally ill

Design Jolie Mullings

and father had walked away from the family. The student worked 40 hours a week and provided the sole income for her family. Principal Gary Shafferman and the

The Facebook post about the pantry has been liked over

300 times school paid for her family’s electric bills and made arrangements for the family to move to Georgia, where they had extended family. Over 100 students are classified as socioeconomically disadvantaged.

“That always stuck with me that we have kids who are going through some tough times that we don’t even see,” Brininstool said. “How many of our kids are not legally socioeconomically disadvantaged but maybe their parent is mentally ill or parent is partying or fighting with a parent or any other number of reasons? Basic necessities of life aren’t available every single day.”

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Their announcement has received widespread support from the community — their post on Facebook received over 300 likes and over 200 shares. A Flower Mound community member donated a new microwave to the pantry after seeing the post.

Students interested in receiving help from the pantry can go to A206 and ask the attendance clerks, who will discreetly unlock the door, and leave the room open to browse. The pantry has shopping bags and backpacks full of school supplies.

“Protecting [students’] privacy is paramount. It’s the most important thing,” Brininstool said.

Part of the effort to spread the word about the pantry included making posters to place around the school. Junior Kristen Stubenazy offered to make the posters in the hallways.

“I hope because of this, more students will use it. I hope it can actually spread the word,” Stubenazy said. “Even if one person sees it and thinks ‘hey, that might actually be useful,’ then I consider my work accomplished.”

Currently, the main goal for the pantry is simply spreading the word so students in need can be aware of it. Once they find out what’s being used by students, then they’ll know what to ask for. Brininstool says in the future she would like to add a fridge to the pantry.

“Once we know who our clientele is and what they want, we will leave no stone unturned, making sure they have what they want and need,” Brininstool said.

That always stuck with me that we have kids who are going through some tough times that we don’t even see.

- Debbie Brininstool, AP Humanities

April 6, 2018

News

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Discussing conflict

Student Advisory Group tackles cultural divides Story Kendall Cooper Photos Aalayah Woodley

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The Student Advisory Group is a new student-run organization on campus.

The members say its purpose is to help students understand one another and their unique cultural backgrounds. The group was assembled because of events involving a racially insensitive photo.

Principal Gary Shafferman has already seen a change within the group of students that were at the first meeting.

“It just felt like we needed to hear the students’ voice,” Shafferman said.

Most students that participated in the first meeting on Feb. 21 were chosen through teacher recommendations, but some were volunteers. The meeting lasted the majority of the school day.

Student leaders were chosen on March 9. Shafferman believes the group being student-led is a vital part of its future.

One of these student leaders, junior Geneva Le, believes that the group will create a lasting unity on campus between not only students, but also the

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surrounding community.

“We had so many mature conversations about these really difficult things,” Le said. “That kind of experience really binds people together.”

“I hope that students don’t get so afraid or panicked or nervous about conversations like race, sexuality, sexism or class differentiations— the hard stuff to talk about that’s going on in our everyday lives outside of school. I want those things to stop being scary topics,” Le said.

Senior Nathan Smith is also a leader of the student advisory group.

I hope it puts value back into the faces and stories of people’s lives.

- Nathan Smith, 12

During the first meeting, Le distinctly remembers that the group discussed cultural racism and why she it isn’t okay to say the n-word. It meant a great deal to her that the school was advocating for students to recognize an important part of their identities.

MHSMarquee.com

Design Shay Wegele

As a leader he believes his responsibilities are to help keep the group organized and give direction.

Smith said his goal for the group is to peel back ignorance by providing a safe and open space to talk about these tough issues in a productive manner.

“This is through our eyes,” Smith said. “Being students, we understand better what other students are going to be going through rather than the administration.”

Even though he has limited time left at school because he’s a senior, Smith hopes to leave behind a legacy of strength through the student advisory group.

“I hope it puts value back into the faces and stories of people’s lives,” Smith said.

Freshman Tamyra Kelly believes she was chosen by her peers as a student leader because she showed passion for the topics being discussed.

The group has helped her to see that people are dedicated to making a difference on how our campus’ community acts towards people of different cultural backgrounds.

“It’s beneficial because you get different perspectives, and it’s easier to make change when you understand different ideas,” Kelly said.

During the next three years Kelly will be on campus, she says she is excited to be a part of the cultural shift taking place.

“I want everyone to be comfortable coming to this school, and not have to worry about people being ignorant,” Kelly said.

Seniors Sydney Schwartz, Myles Tillery, Joseph Smrstik and junior Geneva Le gather in the library to discuss racial tensions within their community.

As a student takes the lead of the converstation, sophomore Mai-An Nguyen and her peers turn to face the speaker. They are divided into smaller groups to talk, however the discusion doesn’t end there.

Junior Georgina Puente and senior Laura Liles sit in their small table groups and begin discussing their opinions with their peers.

April 6, 2018

News

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AP Human Geography students Jonah Martinez, Zoe Mertz, Alana Thompson and Allison Rook compare the academic and social lives of students in Sweden and the United States.

Around the world in 24 hours

Freshman Humanities class holds global video chat

the course of the evening. Students and adults catered Chickfil-a and Firehouse Subs for some meals, but the rest of the food, such as chips and vegetable platters, was brought by the AP Human Geography took part in a 24 hour Skype session students. with people from different countries around the world. Students “It has let me apply what I’ve learned in the class to a lot of conferenced with people from Russia to Singapore to discuss the interviews,” freshman Riley Einspahr said. “It really helped incorporate [ Jennings’s lectures] into real life.” topics ranging from fairytales to housing.

“In the very first interview they were all kind of stumbling— Four students were assigned to each individual call, and not sure what kind of questions to ask,” AP Human Geography those students led the discussion with prepared questions. This teacher Tracy Jennings said. “After the first couple [of is the first time the freshman Humanities class participated in this event. It was started two years ago by interviews]...they were able to handle Social Studies Facilitator Rick Bleemel themselves better.” and librarian Trela Weesner from Briarhill Jennings made the connections Middle School. Throughout the past few through Google Hangout and found years, Jennings has been incorporating people who were willing to conference more projects into the students’ curriculum. with the students. Every person or group

“It was obviously very educational,” that the students were meeting with were Jennings said. “The fact that they got fluent in English, even the young Russian pulled into the discussion is a highlight children that they met with for me.”

Students interested in participating

Jennings said she hoped the students filled out applications and Jennings chose Tracy Jennings, AP Human would gain an appreciation for other 37 students for the event. Former students cultures.

She said many students that grow also applied to aid throughout. In total, Geography up in Flower Mound struggle to relate to 26 freshman students participated in the circumstances different to their own or the event along with 11 upperclassmen.

“It sounded like something that I wouldn’t ever get the ones in their town. Einspahr said she was able to look at the rest of the world with a different perspective than she did before, and chance to do again,” freshman Sidney Grennan said.

The event began at 4 p.m. and continued until 4 p.m. the next that perspective will change the way she views other cultures in day. Students were encouraged to stay awake as long as possible the future. during the event. While some students fell asleep right away “They had their eyes opened to the rest of the world,” around 8 p.m., others slept very little or not at all throughout Jennings said.

Story Alex Anderson Photos Sarah Newton

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They had their eyes opened to the rest of the world.

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News

MHSMarquee.com

Design Sarah Newton

World tour topics

Q:

From a class in Norway: Do you play Fortnite?

Q:

To Professor McCorran in Singapore: How is housing promoted differently in Japan versus Singapore?

YES!

The Japanese government realizes that its population is getting older without younger people to replace them.

The government has started promoting the idea of going back to your roots and vacationing in homes like the ancestors lived in. This is their attempt to bring back the idea of family. In Singapore, 80 percent of the housing is public and the government views it as their way of showing they can support and take care of their people.

Q:

A: A:

Junior Sydney Stagner and freshman Sheila Pan transcribe their video call with Sweden. The class transcribed every video call during the event.

To Tim Brice with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Center: How many years makes an “average� rainfall or temperature?

Typically ten years but when looking at Dallas it averages up to about 15 years.

Design Sarah Newton

A:

Marleen Whiteley discusses maternity and paternity leave in Sweden with freshmen Allison Rook, Alana Thomson and Zoe Mertz.

April 6, 2018

News

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Story Jackson Bednarczyk “Fortnite: Battle Royale,” a multiplayer video game developed by Epic Games, exploded into gaming culture in Sept. 2017. This 100 player, free-to-play, third-person shooter allows gamers to play alone or build squads of up to four people and take on others from around the world.

The mission—to be the last person or squad standing and claim victory royale.

Since its early release, Fortnite’s

popularity has skyrocketed. The total player count now tops 45 million and continues to grow. The seemingly simple game has taken over middle schools, high schools and social media. Senior Alex Thien began playing the game three months ago and attributes its popularity to the fact it’s free.

There are other similar games on the market like “Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds” (PUBG) and even “Call of Duty” (COD), which has been a popular multiplayer shooter for over a decade.

Thien, however, says he likes Fortnite

Screenshot Aeralyn Stinson “Fortnite” originally launched as a co-op game, in which players are tasked with “saving the world” from a horde of zombies. This mode is still available today but for $39.99.

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Entertainment

because it’s more lighthearted—it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

“I think because in other games there’s other stages that you have to pass, and in this game you can just keep on going, just level up. [You] don’t really have to do anything in particular,” Thien said. “I feel like PUBG is more realistic, and it’s always more fun to play something that actually couldn’t happen.”

Along with this, Thien enjoys how the game encourages team building and cooperation. In fact, his favorite part of playing is coordinating with his squad to defeat the 96 opposing players.

“If there wasn’t squads, I do not think MHSMarquee.com

it would be [popular],” Thien said. “Solo is fun, but with the squad, you can just interact more and have a higher chance of winning.”

Though Fortnite has racked up millions of users, not everyone loves the game. Junior Katie Clarke says she prefers to play solo video games to ease her mind. However, she does understand why Fortnite has grown to be so popular. The free-to-play aspect is a good way to draw new players in, and the team-centered focus keeps gamers interested, she says.

Clarke has also noticed Fortnite’s wide appeal on social media.

“The social media craze probably makes it more popular because it’s everywhere,” Clarke said. “That kind of attention it gets probably draws people into the game, and I can see why people like it.”

Clarke also says that a lot of famous gamers are streaming footage of Fortnite online, which contributes further to its popularity. AP Psychology teacher Amanda Vara agrees. She says that humans, as social creatures, tend to follow the crowd.

“We like to be part of a group. We like to feel that sense of belonging,” Vara said.

“Often, we want to follow the crowd to fit in—to not feel like we’re going against the crowd. When we go against the crowd, it feels uncomfortable.”

As Fortnite continues to add more players, the game developers frequently release updates that add purchasable cosmetics, new areas to explore, map redesigns and more. “Rolling Stone” reports that with every update, the developers seek to improve the multiplayer mode.

Vara believes this update cycle can contribute to players becoming hooked.

Game companies understand that people get excited by anticipation, she says, so developers capitalize on this human instinct—even down to the different sound effects.

Design Aeralyn Stinson

“Our dopamine levels in our brain spike when we learn something new or we accomplish something, which is amazing because dopamine is the pleasure chemical,” Vara said. “So we … get a physical satisfaction, a pleasurable feeling, whenever we learn something new, and I think that could be related to the game—especially the team aspect of it.”

Beyond Fortnite, Vara says video games are powerful because they can cause gamers to “dissociate” from the real world. This effect, however, is not only seen in video games.

“When you’re reading a book that you’re really enjoying, you dissociate from the world around you,” Vara said.

“Like maybe your mom or your friend is talking to you right next to you, but you’re just so into [the book], you’ve blocked everything out.”

But while books have been a source of entertainment for centuries, the fate of Fortnite is yet to be determined. For now at least, the game’s following is only

continuing to grow.

On March 14, a famous Fortnite player known as Ninja teamed up with rapper Drake, among other celebrities, to stream Fortnite on the website Twitch, a site that allows gamers to livestream gameplay. That single stream topped 600,000 viewers, breaking the site record.

At the beginning of March, Epic Games also announced that it’s developing Fortnite for mobile, and they are now allowing a select number of iOS users to test the game.

Students across the school have downloaded the game and are playing it before, after and during class. Epic plans to release the game for Android as well, but for now, Galaxy users will have to wait. The developers have not announced an expansion onto other platforms, but Thien is certain that if they keep innovating, Fortnite will remain popular.

“If you make a perfect game, of course everyone’s going to play it,” Thien said.

“And every little flaw, if you keep on correcting it, you’re going to eventually have the best game on the market.”

1.) How do you describe your personality?

A. Melancholy B. Aggressive C. Naive

2.) How do you describe your ings playstyle?

Salty Spr ’s) (mostly B A. Slower B. Technical C. I like to be right in the middle of things!

3.) How do you react when you die in Fortnite?

A. It doesn’t bother me.

B. A little frustrated.

C. I usually scream and body slam the nearest family member.

Mire Moisty A’s) (mostly

Tilted Tow ers (mostly C ’s) Entertainment

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t e e f r e h n o k c Ba rious car accident fter se

a Sophomore recovers

Story Samantha Thornfelt Twelve-year-old Riya Bhuta jolted from her unconsciousness as her blurry eyes shot open. Her face wrinkled in disgust as the potent smell of gasoline burned her nostrils. Pain pulsated throughout her entire body. Deep cuts across her lips bled as the distinct, metallic tang of the red liquid dripped onto her taste buds.

Slowly shifting in the back seat, Riya sat up in an attempt to adjust to her surroundings. She soon heard the voice of a woman who stood in front of her car door. The stranger shouted at her to get out of the vehicle, “you’ve been in a car accident. You need to get out of this car as soon as possible.”

This response heightened Riya’s confusion. She couldn’t remember anything. As questions raced through her mind, she slowly picked herself up and dragged her body out of the car.

Something was wrong.

Riya could not feel anything below her torso. Her legs had gone entirely numb. She tried her best to limp to the nearby curb. Once she reached it, she cautiously sat down and stared at the scene in front of her.

Fractured pieces of glass were scattered across the street. A broad dent covered the entire right side of the family van. A nearby vehicle was flipped onto its side. Large welts and scratches covered its exterior.

A chorus of loud honks echoed throughout the street as a crowd of onlookers stood outside their cars trying to see what happened.

The wails of sirens began to ring in Riya’s ears. She turned her head toward two advancing ambulances. Paramedics shot out of the white vehicles, and Riya was suddenly lifted onto a stretcher and rolled into the emergency transport.

Soon after arriving at the Medical Center of Lewisville, a nurse explained to Riya what had happened. A drunk driver had swerved and directly hit the Bhutas’ van. Police said that he was barely over the legal blood alcohol limit, and that they believed that he had been on his phone when the crash occurred.

The crash resulted in her father becoming temporarily deaf, and her mother and sister receiving a few small bruises across their bodies.

Although Riya was thankful that the results of the accident were minor, she was astonished that something like this could have happened to her family.

After physicians reviewed labs and x-rays, Riya was cleared and sent home with the rest of the Bhuta family. However, by the next day, Riya began experiencing symptoms of severe nerve damage. She was not able to properly walk or stand, and her legs were constantly in pain.

Riya had been elated the previous night knowing that she and her family were safe but was now anxious and concerned. The doctors had told her that everything was fine, but now, Riya could not help question her state of well-being.

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Feature

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Design Shay Wegele

The Bhutas returned to the hospital the next morning where Riya received a CAT scan. She prayed the x-ray would result in a clear diagnosis. Later that day, the family was informed that Riya had fractured her sacrum, a bone located in the lower part of her spine. She would have to use a wheelchair for several months and attend physical therapy sessions until she recovered. Riya knew this news was serious but felt somewhat relieved.

“There was an explanation for what had happened,” Riya said. “It was better to understand what was going on than to experience severe symptoms with no diagnosis.”

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I admired her inner strength immensely. In fact, we derived our own strength from her.

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- Bharvi Bhuta, mother

Riya’s transition back to her normal day-to-day life proved to be a struggle for the whole family. Once she was released after two weeks of hospital care, Riya used a walker at home and needed help doing basic activities. She was in constant need of assistance from her family members, causing tension in the household. At some points, recovery seem hopeless. “[The transition] was hard at first, but my family and friends helped me easily adjust to my new routine,” Riya said.

After receiving two spinal fusion surgeries and months of physical therapy, Riya’s condition gradually improved. She was able to stop using her wheelchair in two months as she slowly but steadily recovered from the wounds that once crippled her. Her determination and persistence amazed her mother Bharvi Bhuta. “[The accident] reflected how brave Riya is,” Bharvi said. “I admired her inner strength immensely. In fact, we derived

Design Shay Wegele

our own strength from her.”

Riya’s tenacity and endurance also revealed aspects of her character that her sister Risha Bhuta had never seen before.

“I noticed that Riya was never upset about her situation. She worked hard and never complained about her struggles at all,” Risha said. “I was proud of her for making it through the way she did.”

In a matter of five months, Riya was reexamined and cleared by doctors. The physical therapy over the past few months had resulted in her ability to function normally again.

This incident forced Riya to overcome many challenging obstacles.

Now a sophomore, Riya never takes her recovered mobility for granted and will always remember the patience and perseverance she had learned through her journey. Four years after the accident, Riya’s ability to confront her injuries with determination and fortitude demonstrates her courage to those closest to her. “[Riya] may not know this, but she is a girl made from a totally different metal in this matter,” Bharvi said. “I doubt many kids her age would be able to handle such a deal with this strength, casualness and determination.”

Photo Submitted The car’s rear end was completly crushed. Riya Bhuta survived the wreck within the confinement of this vehicle.

April 6, 2018

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Coach leads team to first round of playoffs Story Alex Anderson & Skyler Middleton Photos Sarah Newton Varsity boys soccer played McKinney Boyd High School in the first round of district playoffs on March 30. New head coach Chad Rakestraw led the boys to the playoff game. While the team didn’t walk away with a victory in the playoffs, they did end the season as district champions.

The boys soccer team was taken over

by Rakestraw this year. Sam Garza was the interim head coach last year and is still involved in the soccer program as an assistant coach.

Rakestraw has coached champions for the past six years at Coppell High School. The team he lead there were the recipients of five district championships and two state championships in 2013 and 2016.

Rakestraw said he received a warm welcome from the school staff. He noticed everyone was extremely nice and took him in with open arms. The transition with the players was just as smooth, as Rakestraw saw the team quickly adapt to him as head coach.

“I think the [players] have been very receptive, and they have been able to adapt to expectations,” Rakestraw said. “It’s been a really good and easy transition.”

The team began their training in December as the players started to prepare for their season a month before official games began. Rakestraw took his

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Sports

Coach Rakestraw gives his team corrections and intructions as they get into their positions during the game against Flower Mound. The teams tied 2-2.

Senior Austin Wills leaps into the air and hit the ball with the top of his head. Wills uses this as an alternative way to get the ball across the field.

MHSMarquee.com

Design Sarah Newton

players to scrimmages to prep them for his coaching style on the field. He said the team quickly bonded with him and adapted to his style of coaching.

Their season started early January with some tough competition. Rakestraw saw the challenging games as a testing point for his team, so he and the players could see where they stood. He looked at this as an opportunity to evaluate where the team needed improvements.

The team’s season was a mix between victories and tough losses, but to Rakestraw, that’s all a part of the game.

He said he witnessed some rough times towards the beginning of the season but saw his team find their balance.

“There is a tradition to uphold and continue to carry the torch,” Rakestraw said. “I think there are a lot of great things to come.”

Rakestraw believes that there is an

expectation with how Marcus soccer should do year after year. He sees this determination as something that has to come from within players and students.

Senior defender Austin Wills describes the shift from coaches as very different.

The recent change in coaching staff has provided the players with a different style and mindset to play with.

“I think having Coach Rakestraw come in from Coppell...and bringing that [mentality] here has definitely changed the way that we play,” Wills said.

Wills says that the change has made the team more like a cohesive group due to Rakestraw’s teamwork-oriented coaching style, and they now play more as a team than they have in the last four years.

“When we get to games, we’re one team,” Wills said. “We fight for each other.”

SEASON RECAP: Flower Mound Marcus

2 2

Hebron Marcus

1 4

Marcus Byron Nelson

7 2

Marcus Carroll

1 0

Lewisville Marcus

0 4

LD Bell Marcus

2 1

Chad Rakestraw goes through plays with his team next to junior Burl Shepherd.

The new coach stands among his players and motivates them before they take on the Flower Mound high school team.

Design Sarah Newton

April 6, 2018

Sports

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Overheard “Rich people don’t have to be pretty, they already have money.”

W hall “I like water polo because you can’t trip… you can only drown.”

at “These are my dying shoes. If I’m going, I’m going in jandals.”

“I was Flo Rida in a past life.”

MHS

C Hall

“Socks are not the meaning of life”

Upstairs D Hall

W hall

“My very faint arm doodles are very edgy”

S hall

Upstairs D Hall “The pineapple is in the banana.”

“You childish, childish manboy.”

Commons

Commons Compiled Skyler Middleton

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#Enough Photos Jackson Bednarczyk

“You weren’t there. You weren’t shot at. ...You didn’t lose a friend. So how dare you tell them they don’t get to have an opinion?”

-Chloe Thomas, 12

#Enough Photos Jackson Bednarczyk

“You weren’t there. You weren’t shot at. ...You didn’t lose a friend. So how dare you tell them they don’t get to have an opinion?”

-Chloe Thomas, 12

Students particpate in local March for Our lives protest Story Chloe White

Thousands of North Texas students, parents and teachers participated in the international March for Our lives protest against gun violence on March 23. During the protests in Fort Worth, Denton and Dallas, voter registration drives were also held.

Junior Lalita Kunamneni spoke at the Fort Worth March for Our Lives event after contacting the organizers on Facebook.

“I’d see [school shootings] happen, and I thought ‘there must be change.’

So I’d retweet something and nothing would ever happen,” Kunamneni said. “[The Parkland students] started speaking out and I saw the March for Our Lives movement and thought ‘this is something I can do.’”

Kunamneni also said that Texas’ gun laws were another reason she spoke out against gun violence.

She emphasized the importance of continuing action—right now, Kunamneni and other speakers from the Fort Worth rally are planning a town hall meeting with Rep. Michael Burgess, who is up for re-election. The meeting is set for April 7.

“You can’t say ‘you don’t know how it’s like,’ when it’s literally students saying, ‘this is what going to school is like,’” Kunamneni said. “They aren’t speaking

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once, it’s continued action.”

Junior Madigan Blake attended the Fort Worth march, which had over 7,000 participants. She was nervous at first since this was her first march, though she found out that a lot of those attending had never been in a march either.

“I’m not really a march kind of person, but so many of my friends talked about going, and so many people talked about making changes for gun violence,” Blake said. “If everyone else can get out and do it, then I can do it, too.”

U.S. History teacher Jesse Hood also expressed his support for the teen activists.

He said the activism is what makes the shooting at Stoneman Douglas different from those like Columbine.

“These kids who are getting active are 18, 19, 20 years old, young men and women. And I keep thinking about the Civil Rights Movement and looking back at the student nonviolent coordinating committee, and they were the same age,” Hood said. “So I think something like that is in a movement here, and I hope

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change for the good is coming from it.”

Blake said she’s frustrated with continued school shootings and nothing changing as a result.

“It’s their time. They’re fed up, they don’t want it to happen anymore, so they’re moving on it,” Hood said. “And it’s pretty impressive to watch these kids,

“

[The Parkland students] started speaking out and I saw the March for Our Lives movement and thought ‘this is something I can do.’

-LaliTA KUNAMNENI, 11 young men and women, do this.”

The March for Our Lives movement goals are universal comprehensive background checks, funds to research

Design Nick Fopiano

TIMELINE

SINCE THE PARKLAND SHOOTING, FEB. 14

FEB. 22 28

During a town hall held

by CNN, the Parkland students address Senator Marco Rubio about stricter gun laws, and addressed the NRA. Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart end the sale of assault-style rifles and high capacity magazines. They also barred the sale of guns to those under 21.

Florida Governor Rick Scott approves a three day waiting period for purchases of firearms, raises the legal age to purchase a gun to 21, and bans the purchase of bump stocks.

Students across the nation participate in a national school walkout for 17 minutes.

The national March For Our Lives protest.

Mar.

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gun violence, high capacity magazine and assault weapons ban. Junior Zach Kephart doesn’t believe this will end gun violence though.

“To a certain extent [we need stricter gun control], but for the most part, no.

These instances just happen to be going

violence had directly affected her.

Superintendent Dr. Kevin Rogers addressed the situation at Marcus, stating that “LISD will do everything within our power to keep our kids safe.” He said the district plans on adding an additional 700 to 800 security cameras.

‘‘

It’s their time. They’re fed up, they don’t want it to happen anymore, so they’re moving on it.

-Jesse Hood, U.S. History on at the same time, and I think with a couple of slight changes maybe we could fix that and make it a little bit better,” Kephart said. “It’s going to happen, and there’s still people out there who will get their hands on guns no matter what.”

Since the Parkland shooting, there’s been multiple students across the country who have brought guns to school, including at Marcus. Blake says this was part of what inspired her to participate in the Fort Worth march — the issue of gun

“One of the most heart wrenching things that educators face are things like what happened in Florida,” superintendent Dr. Kevin Rogers said.

“The sad reality is we’re not ultimately safe anywhere, whether at home, at the mall, at the movie theater. I do believe that if you pay attention to schools in general they’re safer than most places, and they’re filled with people like the teachers that we saw in Florida that will literally give their lives for the kids they serve.”

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Sources: NPR, CNN, March for Our Lives

Photo Lalita Kunameni Junior Lalita Kunameni spoke to a crowd of around 8,000 people at the Fort Worth March for Our Lives event.

Design Nick Fopiano

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In-depth

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Classroom Targets

Former student relives her story as a survivor of Stoneman Douglas shooting

Story Kelly Rowe Photos Submitted

Minutes before tragedy

Teddy bears and pink, heart-shaped balloons flowed through the outside commons of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as senior Megan Smith made her way towards her Creative Writing class. It was fourth period, her last class on Valentine’s Day. Prior to attending the Florida school, she lived in Flower Mound and attended Lamar Middle School as a sixth-grader.

There she made lifelong friends like senior Whitney McMahan, and they moved up to Marcus.

Although she was new to MSD, Smith

still maintained the quiet personality people knew her by in Texas.

“The school’s so large they didn’t even know I was new,” Smith said.

After her class in the freshman building began, her teacher played soft music and gave instruction to write “love or hate”

poems for Valentine’s Day. Smith laughed and made small talk with peers around her, like her best friend Nina Kamensky and classmate Meadow Pollack.

Muffled banging disrupted their calm. Not many students heard it at first, and those who did assumed it was miscellaneous noise.

When it happened again, pens and poetry writing slowed. It wasn’t loud or quite identifiable but it seemed like something tumbling down the metal stairs a few yards away.

The music stopped as the banging occured a third time. Inquisitive glances were spread across the room—students looked to each other with confusion and

(Left to Right) Seniors Dawson Lewis, Whitney McMahan, Megan Smith and Matt Morrow hung out together during Smith’s visit in Texas over winter break. On the final day before her move that summer prior, Morrow drove Smith around to say goodbye to her friends including McMahan. It was also Morrow and Smith’s one year anniversary.

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Design Nick Fopiano

concern. Kamensky and a few others called it gunshots, but the majority remained unsure.

“I didn’t register it as gunshots because I’ve been around them,” Smith said. “So for some reason I was like ‘there’s no way this is happening.’”

Just when anxiety peaked in Smith’s classroom, the fire alarm blasted through students’ ears. It was strange, as they already had a drill that day.

Smith readied her car keys regardless, hoping to avoid the student parking lot traffic. Any threat inside their familiar halls didn’t seem plausible.

Crowds of students turned down the stairwell, but they halted after the first flight. Smith looked to the crowd of peers doubled over the banister, trying to peak at the lower level. Before she could push her way through, Kamensky grabbed her arm, holding her back.

“I just heard screaming.” “‘Go back up! Go back up!’” A boy yelled for his classmates to retreat. Smith bubbled with nervous laughter from either shock or denial—she couldn’t tell which—as people rushed back up the stairs.

Smith and Kamensky returned to their Creative Writing classroom two doors from the stairwell to find disheveled and displaced students already back in the room. Their teacher and many of her classmates were missing.

A peer instructed everyone to get against the wall, and just as Smith felt the friendly classroom interior press against her back, she heard clear shots on the other side of the wall.

Seconds later, the glass window of her classroom door shattered. A spray of bullets entered the room. Love or hate poems laid stranded and vulnerable on the desks of young teens.

“I didn’t know if it was real or fake,” Smith said. “I didn’t know what was happening, I just heard screaming.”

Smith crouched on the floor and gripped Kamensky’s hand in her own.

Through the noise and panic Smith told her that she loved her and made an unstable promise that they were going to be okay.

Her thoughts were drifting elsewhere,

Design Nick Fopiano

to concern for her sister, freshman Ambria Smith. She didn’t know her location, if she knew what was happening or if she was even still breathing.

Around her, everyone was trying to message their loved ones maybe for the

“

I told him my best friend...Megan Smith almost died today— she could’ve been gone.

-Whitney Mcmahan,12

last time, but the busy signals caused texts to go undelivered, unsaid. Smith sat unmoving, beginning to feel the pain in her knees from slamming them against the classroom tile.

The haunting sound of a boy wailing for help from the hallway received no attention, because fear pooled in the bones of young teens, freezing them in place. Once she could finally work up the courage to move, Smith texted her mother and sister.

“I didn’t start texting them until thirty minutes after I was crouched down,” Smith said. “I was so afraid to move, to grab my phone out of my pocket.”

This is when the rumors began to spread. Classmates texted each other, saying there were three shooters, some said it was fake, others said it was real.

Smith’s mother replied, giving her instruction to run, hide or play dead.

“The first thing I said was ‘I love you, mom,’” Smith said. “I didn’t really think how much that would scare her, but I just wanted to let it out.”

National media had basic details by then, and began publishing their developing reports. Panic soon reached Smith’s loved ones in Texas.

April 6, 2018

Back in Flower Mound Senior Matt Morrow, Smith’s boyfriend, was in the computer lab when her name illuminated his screen. She said there was an active shooter in her school, that she was okay and she loved him.

He frantically began searching online for news updates. Typing in keywords like Fort Lauderdale, high school and shooter.

No results popped up until a Twitter notification finally appeared, stating there was “high activity around Stoneman Douglas High School” and warning people to be wary of the area.

“When I finally saw it, my heart just dropped,” Morrow said. “And that’s when I started freaking out and shaking.”

After that, the notifications and news reports that filled Morrow’s screen seemed constant and endless.

Months before the shooting, seniors Megan Smith and Nina Kamensky vacationed together on a cruise to the Bahamas. The two survived next to each other throughout the horrific massacre.

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As the fourth period bell rang, Morrow excused himself from the beginning of class and found isolation inside a bathroom stall. Sobbing, he continued to text Smith and watched live feeds from outside MSD. “You never imagine it to be your school,” Morrow said. “Or someone you’re close to’s school.”

A classmate eventually found Morrow and reminded him of the test he was missing. After explaining to his teacher what tragedy was taking place, he left school early.

At the same time, Smith’s best friend since 6th grade, senior Whitney McMahan was relaxing in anticipation for her Valentine’s Day date with her boyfriend, senior Dawson Lewis. Due to senior out, McMahan was preparing her gift and watching Netflix.

But it wasn’t long before she received the same active shooter Twitter notification Morrow had.

A few moments later Smith texted, and McMahan felt the same in-shock, unreal calm that Smith did. She wasn’t sad, she wasn’t crying.

It wasn’t until her boyfriend Lewis showed up that the emotions finally set in.

“You know that time when people ask if you’re okay, and you’re not? That’s when I...started bawling,” McMahan said. “I told him my best friend...Megan Smith almost died today—she could’ve been gone.”

Although they were miles apart, McMahan felt she had a responsibility to be there for Smith the rest of the day.

She didn’t pry for details, but Smith kept repeating one thing:

“‘There was so much blood.’”

A SWAT team carefully inspected Smith’s classroom, ushering her and other bewildered classmates into the hallway.

Telling them they were safe. They were going to be okay.

“At that moment,” Smith said. “It was the most relief I’ve ever felt in my life.”

They were instructed to keep their

“

I was in shock. I was crying. I was screaming. I don't even know what noises were coming out of my mouth.

-Megan Smith, 12

hands above their heads, walk in single file and to not look anywhere but at the back of the person in front of them.

“Of course, when they tell you something like that,” Smith said. “You want to look.”

Dark grey dust laced the freshman corridors. Glass crunched under the feet of tearful teens as they were directed toward safety. Smith saw streaks of blood, as if bodies had been dragged away from sight.

Further down the halls, she saw feet.

Two or three young, dead bodies lay off to the side. As she neared the exit, another

body was completely visible. She didn’t recognize the lifeless teen.

“I was in shock. I was crying. I was screaming,” Smith said. “I don’t even know what noises were coming out of my mouth.”

When Smith finally joined the world outside, she was awestruck by the amount of law enforcement surrounding the school. Helicopters, cameras and journalists littered the grounds with students and parents searching for the relief of an embrace. Something the families of the victims left on the hallway tile would never receive.

“There were parents and siblings, and they were all crying. I was so scared, I was like, ‘How many people were even dead in there?’” Smith said. “These parents may never see their kids again. They may be waiting for their kids, and they might not come out.”

Floridian best friend Kamensky and Smith decided to join their classmates and run away from campus, making the choice to find refuge in Kamensky’s home, a short distance from the school.

Smith called Morrow and McMahan, reassuring them that she was safe. She also called her mother, coordinating how to be picked up through the chaotic course of haphazard-parked cars and blockages.

For another hour, terror coursed through Smith’s veins until she finally received news that her sister Ambria wasn’t in the freshman building during the event. She was safe.

“She has four classes in that building and I have one,” Smith said. “I’m just glad it was me in there instead of her.”

The Aftermath, and #NeverAgain Smith recalled her morning drive into the senior parking lot. At the entrance,

Over a month later, the memorials outside gates of the school are still piled high. The police tower was recently placed in the parking lot by the freshman building, where the shooting took place.

Design Nick Fopiano

Coach Aaron Feis, 37, would smile and wave at students, so they could start their day with a friendly face. Although Smith had never spoken to him, discovering he lost his life protecting students devastated her.

“It’s amazing that he died a hero, but it’s sad that he died so young,” Smith said.

“He has a family and everything...It’s just crazy.”

Two of her Creative Writing classmates, Meadow Pollack and Joaquin Oliver, as well as several of Smith’s sister’s friends were also killed.

The world seemed different and frightful the days after. Smith threw away the outfit she’d worn and even suffered anxiety while in small crowds. She wanted to support her fellow classmates and remember those who’d been taken from them, but the memorials and vigils were hard to attend. She couldn’t shake the thought of another shooting taking place.

“

We’re creating history and we’re creating something big, and I think we really are going to change something.

-Megan Smith, 12

However, beneath the candles, the posters, pictures, rosaries, teddy bears and heart-shaped balloons covering the gates around Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a movement was rising.

Design Nick Fopiano

Student’s immediately began speaking about their experiences, their beliefs and their suggestions for change. They’ve coined several hashtags such as #MSDStrong and #NeverAgain, with a goal to be the generation that ends school shootings and gun violence across America.

Although Smith is not at the forefront of the movement and prefers to stay out of the media as much as possible, she is still an advocate for their message.

“I want to make sure people know that you don’t want to go through this,” Smith said. “So you have got to help us make a change so you don’t ever have to.”

Senior Megan Smith and sister Ambria Smith started Even though she grew their first day at Marjory Stoneman Douglas last fall. up comfortably around guns, Since the shooting, the sisters have grown closer her own beliefs altered after and often talk to each other on late nights when the shooting. She sees some thoughts of that day keep them awake. possible solutions as more in-depth mental health background checks, armed security in stop until their goals are achieved, and school, a ban on assault rifles and access they’re proud of Smith for rising up.

“They’re demanding to be heard and to juvenile criminal records.

Smith trusts that their movement everyone’s coming together as one. They’re will cause change because many of those fighting this as one through personal involved can vote and will be voting for experience,” McMahan said. “It’s sad that it’s taken this many shootings to get to legislators that support their goals.

“We’re creating history and we’re it, but again, something’s...just different creating something big,” Smith said. “And about this time. It’s sticking around.”

I think we really are going to change Panic attacks and isolation don’t plague Smith’s routine everyday anymore, something.”

Even students who can’t vote are but she still struggles with large crowds still doing their part to be informed and and sudden loud noises. All Smith wants support the voices of their peers. They’re is for her story to be told and for people also encouraging adults to listen to what to listen and realize these events aren’t as far away as they may seem. they have to say.

“Adults don’t like to listen to kids,” “I just want people to know that it is Smith said. “But we kind of know more personal. I wasn’t super popular. I didn’t know a lot of people, but people did know than they do sometimes.”

The Parkland students are not the only who I am,” Smith said. “For people to ones who believe a change will come from know someone who was a part of this, this teenage activism. Both of Smith’s would make it more personal for them. loved ones back in Texas, Morrow and And I want them to know that it was me.

McMahan, believe these teens will not It was my life on the line.”

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roundtable

Seniors discuss student activism after Parkland shooting Compiled Jackson Bednarczyk

Why has the student led movement been so effective?

“More people died in Las Vegas, but afterwards, you didn’t see the survivors of that or the band that was playing really spark a change or even have a conversation. But … the students have really brought change … So I think a lot of that has to do with the survivors and how they reacted to it.” -Everett Eads “I think that students are expected more to limit what they say and kind of be close minded, and so they don’t have large opinions about matters going on, socially and politics … But I feel like, because it’s young students expected to be in this safe environment ... it means more. Sometimes adults don’t expect students to ever speak out in the way they have, and it shows how important it is.” -Katy Crawford

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YE AR S

O LD

YE AR S

O LD

Student activists across the nation are pushing legislatures to increase the age to purchase assault rifles from 18 to 21.

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How do we debate touchy subjects like gun control in America?

“It really sucks that something like this has to happen before this gets brought to attention. It should have happened a long time before this happened.” -Agat Pughazhendi “I think it’s important to talk about issues when they’re most relevant. Obviously some people complain about politicizing tragedy, but you can go up to the line of making actual change without actually crossing it and getting inappropriate. I think it’s important to use the emotions when they’re at their highest because, as we see with Marco Rubio, people just died in his state, and he’s still not helping.” -Sammie Harris “I think it’s really hard to in America because we basically have a broken system. Sure, we can elect people in there, but for example, Senator Marco Rubio is the senator of that state, and he’s supposed to represent all those people.

And the overwhelming majority of people that live in Florida want a ban on assault rifles, but the NRA funds a lot of his campaign.” -Everett Eads

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Design Nick Fopiano

How should lawmakers approach gun laws?

“Something I always want with whoever’s leading, no matter what, I want them to take action and make change. You were voted into that position to do something. You weren’t voted there to sit there, so the people that are voted there, even if they are supporting loose gun laws, I want them to be educated about it. I want them to pursue what they believe. Same with the people who are saying ‘we want strict gun laws,’ then I want you to fight alongside the kids that are saying they do right now. And I just want to see some action. I don’t want you to be silent—that’s worse for me.”

-Chloe Thomas “It’s so stupid of them to say ‘it’s not a good time.’ Then when is? I consider myself a mainstream Republican, but … they’re just so hypocritical. Whenever there’s a bombing or anything like that, whenever 9/11 happened, they were so quick to bring more security to airports … but they’re not doing the same for gun control. Anything that happens like this, there should be a debate afterwards … and maybe it doesn’t even have to change laws, but they’re not even bringing a debate to the floor in the Florida state house. I just don’t understand. They’re not even addressing the issue, and it’s just really disappointing.” -Everett Eads “When they say ‘when is the right time to talk about it,’ I mean, a tragedy is going to keep happening like this. So if you don’t want to talk about it, then you’re never ever going to address an issue if it just keeps happening. You’re just going to keep sweeping it under the carpet. And that just doesn’t seem right.” -Agat Pughazhendi

How do you react to adults who criticize student activists?

“You weren’t there. You weren’t shot at. You didn’t cry.

You didn’t text your mom for the last time. You didn’t lose a friend. So how dare you tell them they don’t get to have an opinion? When you were just at home watching this all happen, the kid were the ones that were there.

They need the change because it could be the next school tomorrow, who knows?” -Chloe Thomas “I consider myself decently politically informed, but I can talk to some adults, and they’re just very convinced that their age and experience means that they’re much more informed than you are on a lot of issues. And everyone’s experience is different, but I probably know more on certain topics, and they’re just not willing to grant teenagers any sort of leeway.” -Sammie Harris “Because of the stereotypes of students being so close minded and not really knowing what’s going on, think about how much more authentic and unbiased it is coming from them. They don’t have maybe as strong opinions as these adults that are getting angry, but it’s so authentic in how people react. It’s genuine. It matters.”

-Katy Crawford

CONTROVERSIAL GUN PARTS MUZZLE BUMP STOCK

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PISTOL GRIP EXTENDED MAGAZINE

April 6, 2018

In-Depth

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roundtable

Seniors discuss student activism after Parkland shooting Compiled Jackson Bednarczyk

How should lawmakers address the current movement?

“Something I always want with whoever’s leading, no matter what, I want them to take action and make change. You were voted into that position to do something. You weren’t voted there to sit there, so the people that are voted there, even if they are supporting loose gun laws, I want them to be educated about it. I want them to pursue what they believe. Same with the people who are saying ‘we want strict gun laws,’ then I want you to fight alongside the kids that are saying they do right now. And I just want to see some action. I don’t want you to be silent—that’s worse for me.” -Chloe Thomas

“More people died in Las dn’t

ds, you di Vegas, but afterwar that or the see the survivors of g really band that was playin en have a spark a change or ev the students conversation. But … change … have really brought at has to do So I think a lot of th d how they with the survivors an rett Eads reacted to it.” -Eve

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hen is the right “W hen they say ‘w I ’ mean, a tragedy time to talk about it, ening like this. is going to keep happ talk about it, to nt So if you don’t wa going to address then you’re never ever s happening. an issue if it just keep ep sweeping it You’re just going to ke d that just doesn’t under the carpet. An Pughazhendi seem right.” -Agat

Why has the student led movement been so effective?

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“It’s so stupid of them to say ‘it’s not a good time.’ Then when is? I consider myself a mainstream Republican, but … they’re just so hypocritical. Whenever there’s a bombing or anything like that, whenever 9/11 happened, they were so quick to bring more security to airports … but they’re not doing the same for gun control.

Anything that happens like this, there should be a debate afterwards … and maybe it doesn’t even have to change laws, but they’re not even bringing a debate to the floor in the Florida state house. I just don’t understand. They’re not even addressing the issue, and it’s just really disappointing.”

-Everett Eads

exts are n e d u t s ey say k that mit what th and n i h t “I more to li ded, s e min pected d of be clos rge opinion and a n l i y l k e l hav ocia e and g on, s s y don’t so the atters goin l like, becau e m e e t o f u t d b tI abo … Bu nts expecte t means s c i t i l po ... i ude ment ung st it ’s yo safe environ ults don’t d ut in in this ometimes a ver speak o ow h S e more. students to nd it shows a t rd , expec they have rawfo C y y t a a the w is.” -K ant it t r o p im

Design Nick Fopiano

rtant to talk “I think it’s impo ey ’re most about issues when th me people relevant. Obviously so zing ici complain about polit important tragedy, but I think it’s en they ’re to use the emotions wh mie at their highest.” -Sam Harris

How do we debate touchy subjects like gun control in America?

to in y hard y have l l a e r ’s l basical hink it “I t because we we can elect e, ca Ameri system. Sur example, n e f k nator but or a bro there, bio is the se o n i e l ed t peop o Ru suppos r Marc Senato tate, and he’s ple. And the t s o ha of that t all those pe y of people t t n i e r u s o a e j ass lt ma repr lming nt a ban on of his e h w r ove lot a wa F lorid unds a live in t the NRA f ads u tE rifles, b n.” -Everet g i campa

How do you react to adults who criticize student activists?

“You weren’t there. You weren’t shot at. You didn’t cry. You didn’t text your mom for the last time. You didn’t lose a friend. So how dare you tell them they don’t get to have an opinion? When you were just at home watching this all happen, the kids were the ones that were there. ” -Chloe Thomas

“Because of the stereotypes of students being so close minded and not really knowing what’s going on, think about how much more authentic and unbiased it is coming from them. They don’t have maybe as strong opinions as these adults that are getting angry, but it’s so authentic in how people react. It’s genuine. It matters.”

-Katy Crawford

On the other side ited to ts we inv n e d tu s ring The did not b le b ta d n ctions the rou f the obje o y n ists. a m up fety activ a -s n u g hold raised by ny people ld a m , s a x In Te nt ho mendme ral to g Second A to be inte ts al h g ri n u g . Addition re u lt u c n sted America ions are li in p o t n e stud below.

Killian Loshelder, 12

“ “

Getting rid of a gun, such as just making all AR-15s illegal or something like that, will not solve anything.

That is not the correct way to go.

Zach Kerhart, 11

Guns are a part of our history ...

I feel like taking it away would be taking away something from the U.S.

April 6, 2018

“I consider myself decently politically informed, but I can talk to some adults, and they’re just very convinced that their age and experience means that they’re much more informed than you are on a lot of issues. And everyone’s experience is different, but I probably know more on certain topics, and they’re just not willing to grant teenagers any sort of leeway.”

-Sammie Harris

“ “

I do not think all teachers should be allowed to carry a gun because you could have a ... teacher ... that that does not have the strength or the knowledge to properly and safely operate it.

However, if a teacher has a CHL or another government issued license, in that case I do agree that they could carry one in the classroom.

People kill people, and it’s the person and not the gun. It’s the ammo you put in the gun yourself that kills them.

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Rolling in the Park A food truck guide to Klyde Warren Story Marc Kidwell Photos Chase Martin

In busy downtown Dallas, car horns blare as pedestrians cross the street to reach the five acre green field and assortment of food trucks located at Klyde Warren Park.

Taking a 27 mile drive from Flower Mound to 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201 is a great way to spend a few hours of your weekend. Pigeons wander through the gravel paths where tables and chairs are located. Food trucks lift up their awnings as they start to get ready for the day, chatter of families and children playing at the playground accompany the park and provide a joyful atmosphere. The food trucks open at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. The park closes at 11 p.m. every night.

Walt Garrison BBQ Sit down and enjoy the atmosphere for while, eat at Walt Garrison BBQ. With a wait of only three minutes, the freshly cooked BBQ comes out steaming hot and ready to be devoured. You can get a bottle of water, brisket covered cheese french fries and a pulled pork sandwich with one side for $22. The brisket french fries are fried to perfect golden brown with a crunchy outside and smooth inside. They are smothered in cheese and juicy sweet brisket sending your mouth on a trip to Flavortown. Creamy and light mac-n-cheese

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Entertainment

pairs perfectly with the pulled pork sandwich.

The sweet buttered roll leaves no need to drench the sandwich in BBQ sauce. Although this meal cost more than others, your belly will be full, and your taste buds will thank you.

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Design Shay Wegele

Abe’s Flavor Flave Have a fiesta at the park at Abe’s Flavor Flave Mexican food truck. Serving chips and salsa, quesadillas and street tacos for a low price. Try the three different flavors of tacos for $2.75 each. Freshly pulled fajita chicken, chopped up fajita beef and sliced pork that looks blazing red. The pork looks spicy, but is actually bursting with a sweet lime flare. The fajita chicken has the most flavor out of the three, juicy and melting inside your mouth with

each bite. The fajita beef taco comes with a slice of lime and grilled onions. Squeezing the cut lime onto the beef enhances the flavor leaving you wanting more.

Liberation Coffee Co. When craving a quick pick-me-up and needing a nice cup of joe, visit Liberation Coffee Co. Whether in the mood for a hot or cold drink, the inside of the van has a brewing station and a blender for smoothies and frappuccinos. The mocha frappuccino has one serving size of 16 oz and costs $5.25. Blended smoothly with a creamy texture, it’s the perfect drink for a warm spring day. If frappuccinos aren’t your thing, try the mint iced coffee with cream for $5.00. The perfect blend of cream leaves

the coffee with a freshly brewed flavor with a hint of cooling mint. Liberation Coffee Co. is just right for any point of the day and will not leave your wallet empty.

Cool Haus Finish off your day with an ice cream sandwich from Cool Haus. For $5.00, you can choose what type of cookie and ice cream you’re in the mood for. Cool Haus wraps every ice cream sandwich in an edible wafer paper. Cookies range from chocolate chip to funfetti whoopie pie, and ice cream flavors go from basic vanilla to strawberry creme. Try the double chocolate cookie with cookies and creme ice cream. The chocolate cookie enhances the flavor of the Oreo cookie pieces that are mixed inside the vanilla ice cream, but eat it fast before it melts all over your hand. Another combination, the funfetti whoopie pie and strawberry creme will have you feeling like you’re flying through

Design Shay Wegele

the clouds. The whoopie pie combines perfectly with the strawberry creme, creates a soft texture from the pie that crumbles on your tongue and bursts with strong fresh cut strawberry flavor.

April 6, 2018

Entertainment

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The language of truth Story Marc Kidwell Photos Chase Martin We don’t really ever know what a teacher’s life is like outside of school. When we were younger, we always assumed they just lived in their classroom.

Some of us would even dream about sneaking into the school at night to spy on the teacher. We went behind the scenes of the language department to learn a little more about these teachers as they give a sample of their lives with two truths and one lie.

“ “

I know how to play two double reed instruments: bagpipe and bassoon.

I speak five languages: French, English, Spanish, German and Mandarin.

The Legend of Zelda is my favorite video game series.

Mademoiselle Marion Lee French

ULI

N

Lie: She can’t speak Mandarin.

INS

I was a radio personality at one time named Dan The Comedian.

I caught three batting practice home runs in one day before a Rangers game.

One time when I went to a Mavericks game I helped ref the game when the referee got hurt in the fourth quarter.

Señor Dan Rosendahl Spanish

Lie: He has never been a referee for a professional game.

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Design Jolie Mullings

“ “ “

When I was 8 years old I did singing telegrams as Little Orphan Annie.

I spent a summer in France after I graduated college.

I’ve run over someone with my car.

Amy England Sign Language

Lie: She did not spend a summer in France.

ref

I can read Sanskrit.

I was captain of the drill team in high school.

I own a dog that cannot bark.

Magistra Melisande Santos Latin

Lie: She cannot read Sanscrit.

I have a second degree black belt in Taekwondo.

I’ve studied French, Spanish, Latin, German and English.

Frau Anja Jarboe German

I may speak German, but I grew up in America.

Lie: She grew up in Germany.

Design Jolie Mullings

April 6, 2018

Entertainment

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Accepting myself for who I am Shayla Sistrunk

It all started in 5th grade homeroom when I was the new kid. I had just moved from a different side of Highland Village. It was my first time back to the school since moving. I couldn’t wait to see the principal who got my shy kindergarten self to smile. Although I was close with the principal, I still felt like an outcast. The first day of school was one of the most stressful days of my life. The second I walked into the class, I felt everyone’s eyes burning holes right into my skin. It seemed as if I didn’t belong. They continued to stare while the teacher introduced me. My palms become sweaty and I couldn’t stop fidgeting my hands. She then pointed at an open desk near the back of the class. I walked over to it and sat down.

I’ve never been one to enjoy being the center of attention around unfamiliar faces. Among all my friends, I’ve always

@shaylaa_kaye been the quiet one. It always took time for me to open up and feel comfortable.

Often I would ask myself, “What’s wrong with me?” and “Why am I so afraid to do the simplest tasks?” Easy things, like walking into a full class, gave me so much anxiety. Eventually when I reached middle school, I realized that I’m very different from the rest of my friends. After several visits to a variety of therapists, my parents explained to me that I have ADHD, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, a chronic condition in brain development and brain activity that affects attention, the ability to sit still and self-control.

From that point, I had a better understanding as to why it was harder for me to get rid of the anxiety and focus in class. Later on, I found out that I had been diagnosed as a child, and my parents had been working hard to get me help. Once I found the right therapist, I started trying different medications. It felt like every pill I took wasn’t working.

One night I had a horrible reaction to a medicine I had been taking for only two weeks. I began to feel dizzy, and my vision became blurry. It was so hard for me to move due to the tingling in my legs. I felt like I was dying. My dad immediately became worried after taking my temperature and took me to

the ER. The moment I walked through the emergency room doors my body felt limp. I sat down in a chair towards the back of the room shivering from the cold air.

Finally the nurse brought me back into a smaller room and tested my vitals. The entire time she was hooking me up to machines I was trying not to pass out. My palms and forehead were extremely sweaty and my hot flashes were getting worse.

I spent the next 24 hours in the Flower Mound Presbyterian Hospital. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. It wasn’t until they placed me in a hospital room and gave me medicine that I began feeling better.

It didn’t take long for me to return back to my healthy self. I stopped taking that particular medication and began working with my therapist for the next year about my anxiety. I took a break from medication for a month before trying a new prescription. Eventually I didn’t need to see a therapist anymore and started opening up to my parents more. My social anxiety has faded away and I’ve become a completely different person. I’ve become more confident and have learned to not care about others opinions. Right now I couldn’t be more proud of myself.

Boom Bahs — Things we like Fundraising for Florida In the wake of the shooting in Parkland, Fla., support and acts of kindness are greatly needed. Even though we’re over 1,000 miles away, we’re helping through a Go Fund Me started by Yearbook and Lit. Mag. advisor Allison Miller. The $30,000 goal is going to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas journalism department to provide an ad free memorial issue of their paper.

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Opinion

ID’s

The new emphasis placed on IDs by the administration has created a much safer campus. Even though they can be annoying, many students and faculty have realized the true importance of establishing a more regulated learning environment. This has been implemented by wearing ID’s… On a lanyard… Around your neck.

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Student advisory

The new student advisory group is making a positive change towards cultural understanding on campus.

It's affecting how we interact with one another by starting conversations about issues such as race, sexuality, and prejudice. We greatly appreciate the administration’s support for this group.

Design Jolie Mullings

The magic of the movies Alex Anderson

There isn’t much that compares to the magic a child feels when they run downstairs on Christmas morning to find a pile of presents under the tree, or when they stand under the boom of fireworks over Cinderella’s castle at Disney World.

But that feeling fades as you grow older— that magic becomes harder and harder to find.

••• I sat alone in the aisle of a theatre as the light of the screen reflected off on my hands. The camera panned upward, showing hundreds of actors dancing on top of their cars on a Los Angeles overpass during the opening musical number. As the song hit its final note, the title appeared on the screen in bold yellow type—“LA LA LAND”—sending chills throughout my body.

I spent the next hour and a half in awe of the spectacle that had unfolded before me. The lights turned on while the ending

@aaallleeexxx16 credits rolled up the screen. I felt euphoric as I left. The small, vintage theatre kept me in the magic of the movie even as I walked the parking lot. The feeling of Christmas and Disney World that had faded away with my childhood was stirring in my stomach for the first time in years.

••• The low rumble of the trumpet echoed throughout the Ambassador theatre. A jazz overture swelled as the stage lights revealed a full band playing on the stage.

They were joined by ensemble members dressed in various degrees of fishnets and mesh, dancing in the style of Bob Fosse.

The score blended seamlessly into the beginning of “All that Jazz.” I reached out and grasped the hand of my friend. We both looked at each other and tears welled up in our eyes. My focus went back on the show as the Velma Kelly stood about six feet from us on stage. My heart fluttered as I sat, transfixed on my first Broadway show.

As the number came to a close, Velma took her place, center stage. She was almost close enough to touch. And with the final “that jazz,” every actor struck their final pose. Velma stood center stage; the ensemble members framing her. The tears that had been stuck in my eyes streamed down my face. The familiar butterflies that I had been missing had returned—almost to tell me this was where I was meant to

be. This was home.

••• Film and entertainment brought back the magic I had been missing since my childhood ended. I got the same Christmas morning feeling watching Luke Skywalker blowing up the Millenium Falcon as I got walking up to Cinderella’s castle for the first time. I found myself watching all of the old classic films from the 30s and 50s. I was falling for Fred Astaire’s charm, Gene Kelly’s footwork and Ginger Roger’s witty comebacks.

I loved studying the way the films were put together. From the camera work to the cinematography, I started to appreciate all the little details in a movie that completed the final picture. And then it hit me— I wanted to become a film critic. It was a way to combine both my passion for film and writing and turn it into a career.

Growing up, I thought I had to choose money over passion when it came to my future career. Later, I learned that you can never be successful at something if you’re not passionate about it. I know that the road won't necessarily be easy, but I am willing to put in the work it will take to make my dream come true. I thought that I had lost the ability to feel those emotions again, but I discovered an opportunity that would allow me to do just that. Now, I know that you don’t outgrow magic— sometimes it just becomes harder to find.

Heys — Things we don’t like Covering tattoos Some students have legally gotten tattoos and are unable to show their artwork off. Student’s are required to cover their ink, thus suppressing their creativity. Students should be able to proudly show their tattoos. As a campus we should encourage students’ ability to express themselves through their tattoos.

Design Jolie Mullings

Stall graffiti None of us like having to stare at inappropriate messages and drawings while we're in the bathroom. Students need to stop defacing the bathroom stalls for no reason, other than satisfying their need for teenage rebellion.

As students, we should be nicer to our janitors because they always clean up after us.

April 6, 2018

Ignoring security

In light of recent events, increased security on campus has been beneficial. However, doors are still being held open and kids aren’t going through monitored doors like they should. Increased monitoring at entrances, especially during lunches and first period, will help cut down the number of students going in doors they’re not supposed to.

Opinion

29

A puppy’s purpose Morgan Maxwell Jolie Mullings

That morning, nothing meant much to me. Sinking into my chair, I tried not to fall asleep as my parents discussed home improvements with the refurbisher. I scanned the room—between the chatter and the security camera that seemed as bored as I was, I knew I was going to be there for a while.

I decided to sacrifice my phone battery by turning to pet adoption websites. My eyes glazed over pages of animals and I entertained the idea of another dog. I wondered if I could have another pet.

But when I came across Joey, I knew my question had been answered.

The adoption facility smelled of fresh air, abuzz with meows and wagging tails.

I found myself among people hurriedly moving about, colored adoption papers in hand.

I brushed through crowds, scanning for the little tan puppy I had seen online. The moment of excitement quickly deflated, acknowledging that there was a chance she had been adopted already.

Taking a deep breath, I entered the area where the dogs were kept. She was the first one I saw. I swallowed down my urge to cheer as I stared back at the little animal.

Her chocolate brown eyes made me melt. A pink identification tag clung to her neck, as she was too small for a dog collar.

The paper taped onto the glass confirmed that it was her.

Joey wobbled in a desperate attempt to keep up with her excitement. I knew she was the one. As I walked down the hall to complete the registration process, I couldn’t help but to look among the faces in cages I had previously neglected.

I stopped for a moment, looking down

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Opinion

@jolieam_ at a black lab named Buddy. His ears perked with excitement as he moved closer to the gate. The little puppy in my arms then whined cautiously, and Buddy realized I wasn’t there for him.

While I was overjoyed to give someone a home, I couldn’t help but wonder how many others wouldn’t get that chance. At home with Joey chewing on my finger and a laptop in front of me, I began my search.

The majority of that night was spent discovering cases of abandoned animals, puppy mills and kill shelters until I was in tears. Joey sat on my lap as I traced the pattern of her fur and searched my ceiling for answers. However, the more I thought, the less I believed in myself. With Buddy on my mind, I slowly shut my laptop and tucked into bed.

Ideas continued to buzz in my mind throughout the next day. My mom and I decided to grab some puppy food at the pet store.

The usually calm and laidback shop was filled with children running around, dogs sitting by lawn chairs and animal information sheets clipped to cages. I hesitated to make eye contact with any pets— I didn’t want to let anyone else down.

Looking around, I met eyes with a woman that gave me a warm smile. I realized she was the host of the event.

She beckoned me closer to make conversation. I stepped back for a moment, laughing awkwardly, waving her off. She insisted. We made polite conversation, and I explained that I had adopted a new dog, which piqued her interest. I confessed that I wished I could do more for animals left behind.

“Well, why can’t you?” she replied.

I responded with confusion, saying that I couldn’t open my home to any more animals. She laughed for a moment, before excusing herself.

I rocked on my heels, staring at the linoleum floor. For a moment, I debated leaving the store to escape my embarrassment.

However, the woman returned, a piece of paper in hand. As I read over the

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volunteer application, she explained that the organization she worked for needed new members to help support fostered animals. She sent me away with her contact information and a newfound optimism.

Two years later, Joey is fully grown and rambunctious, tearing up the yard and chewing on tennis balls. My phone buzzed with a notification from my volunteer group, telling me that one of our animals found their forever home. The woman reminds me that over the summer a vet is eager for me to shadow her.

My days have been filled with lonely cats purring against me after I open their cages, strangers deciding to welcome a pet into their homes after speaking to me and Joey becoming uncontrollably excited when I walk in the door. I’ve come to realize that while I’m just one person, I can make a difference.

Joey was adopted on March 23, 2016.

She sits in the backyard that she has known for two years, with her favorite tennis ball.

Photo Jolie Mullings

Design Nick Fopiano

The voices of young people have impact Staff Editorial The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School not only ended 17 lives but also left hearts across the nation heavy and angry. Some students from the high school immediately decided that enough was enough. They stood up to a deadlocked Congress and millions of adults who told them to sit down and shut up. Some went the less subtle route of screaming “we call BS” on live television.

Journalism students took the quieter, but equally impactful, approach of writing about those they lost and their ideas on ending school shootings. Their passion and anger has shown the nation that being young doesn’t affect the ability to be heard.

The power of the youth to spark change is not to be underestimated.

Often teens are treated like they aren’t capable of making adult decisions. Even after giving young people more legal abilities such as gambling, enlisting in the military, and voting, adults still dismiss their opinions on the premise that they’re inexperienced. Speaking out and causing real change in an adult’s world can seem impossible, but the power of the Parkland kids lies within each young individual with a cause.

One way young people can create change is through voting, which allows them to directly influence what happens in the government— to be a part of the people’s voice. Millenials have become the largest voting demographic. If teenagers want to cause change, they have the numbers to do it. This gives them the ability to hold the most power over the future of the nation if they choose to seize it.

But even those not of voting age can still influence their peers. Everyone has the freedom to stand up for what’s important to them. If adults belittle teenagers for being young and inexperienced, teens shouldn’t let that keep them from being passionate about what they believe in.

With age comes valuable experience. But, it’s the nature of the experiences, not the quantity that’s Photo Kendall Cooper

“

important. Teenagers today have grown up in a much different environment than the generation before. Today, teenagers know

The power of the Parkland kids lies within each young individual with a cause.

how it feels to walk into school wondering if they said goodbye to their mom for the last time. They know an environment where the conversations surrounding gender, sexuality and sexism aren’t as taboo

April 6, 2018

as they once were.

Adults often try to dismiss young people’s opinions that are based on these experiences. Parents can’t seem to grasp the fact that their beliefs often don’t align with their kids’ because they’ve been raised in different worlds. In areas like Flower Mound that are like bubbles, kids seem to be heavily tied to their parents. Teenagers feel that if they don’t think and act exactly how their parents want them to, they’re disrespecting them by “rebelling.” Simply having their own thoughts or forms of self expression doesn’t make young people disrespectful— it makes them their own person.

Contrary to what some teenagers might think, being involved in important issues isn’t always angrily standing outside with a sign during a protest. All that is needed to be politically active is an educated opinion and the ability for students to have rational conversations with their peers. Knowing which politicians they agree with and having an opinion contributes much more to America’s political climate than being entirely passive or blindly following ever could. Attending a protest is meaningless if they don’t understand why they’re there in the first place. Young people shouldn’t always assume that adults will vote or make decisions in their best interest.

Young adults need to join together with their peers and address issues that affect teenagers right now. No matter which side teens are on, they should care.

Young people supporting other young people exponentially increases their power. They need to educate themselves so they can intelligently debate with others. People will disagree with them and try to belittle them because of their age, but young people’s opinions are valid. The responsibility of having an educated opinion comes with being young adults in today’s society. Don’t be fooled by the idea that the big issues are only for adults. They are young people’s issues too.

Opinion

31

Triumph over the Trojans The girls varsity soccer team capped off their regular season with a 7-1 victory over the Trinity Trojans Monday, March 19.

In the first round of playoffs they defeated McKinney Boyd 3-0. As of press time, they were poised to play in the second round of playoffs.

Photos Jackson Bednarczyk Design Aeralyn Stinson Junior Sarah Noble is a defender on the varsity girl’s soccer team. After a penalty, she takes a quick break before rejoining the action.

Taylor Moon scores her first goal of the match. In the season finale vs. the Trojans, Moon scored 5 goals.

Senior forward Taylor Moon fields a pass near the Trinity penalty box. Next fall, she will attend Baylor University and and play soccer for their women’s team.

Freshman Emma Lasater, junior Lauren Cook and sophomores Junior forward Francesca Amoe her only goal of the Allie Crinklaw and Isa Pedroche celebrate the girls JV1 team’s match, making the score 2-0. Marcus scored twice in the victory over Trinity. The girls’ squads swept the Trojans on March first 10 minutes of the game.

19.