The Marquee Volume 29 Issue 5

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MARQUEE THE

Volume 29 • Issue 5• March 6, 2014

Breaking Point

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Professional soccer player works as sub at the school.

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Former students finish school early to embrace new baby.

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Senior nominated to be McDonald’s All-American.

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


PHOTO WILLIAM L EG RO N E

COVER W I L L I A M L E G R O N E

Senior Bryce Verplank scores the layup as time expires in the first quarter of the bidistrict playoff game against Denton Guyer. The Marauders lost 49-46.

CONTENTS

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News

MOVIE ON WHEELS Drive-in theater is now under construction in Lewisville.

Feature COMIC CON COMMANDER

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Senior’s dad starts well-known convention in Dallas.

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Sports

MEET MARCUS FC

The Marquee highlights four varsity soccer starters.

Entertainment

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MANLY LOCKS Take a look into the latest hair trends for high school guys.

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DISNEY TRIVIA

Games

How well do you know your Disney characters and movies?

The Marquee Staff EDITOR IN CHIEF Austin Rickerson MANAGING EDITOR William Legrone DESIGN EDITOR Molly Webber PHOTO EDITOR William Legrone ONLINE EDITOR Alyssa Schmidt COPY EDITOR Alex Helm BUSINESS MANAGER Molly Webber NEWS EDITOR Victoria Price FEATURE EDITOR Alex Helm ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Rachel Ramirez SPORTS EDITOR Darci Walton OPINION EDITOR Jaime Hardison REPORTERS Cara Crocker, Sanika Sule, Katie Burton, Jacob Fontaine, Kaitlin Robison PHOTOGRAPHERS Brooke Wyant, Averi Collen DESIGNERS Abby Schlichter, Taryn Welch Anna Kate Hutton, Riley McClure 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. For more information call 469-713-5196. The Marquee is a standing member of ILPC, TAJE, ATPI, CSPA, NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll.


NEWS

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Irving earthquakes cause concern in DFW STORY K ATIE B URTO N

Because of the more than 24 earthquakes that have rocked the DFW area since the beginning of the year, Texas lawmakers are considering using $2.5 million to fund an investigation into their cause. The research would take place at the University of Texas at Austin and would monitor seismic activity in the state. With the information gathered, Texans would gain knowledge on how to respond to earthquakes quicker. Speculation has arisen over what is causing these earthquakes. Some geologists believe fracking could be responsible, while others are considering an undiscovered fault line. On Feb. 6, scientists at Southern Methodist University studying the earthquakes announced that they found a small fault that stretched from Irving into West Dallas. It is along this line that the majority of the earthquakes have occurred since April of 2014.

“Communities need to be able to make informed decisions about preparation as well as improve hazard assessment,” SMU seismology professor Brian Stump said in a press release. While this is an important step towards understanding the earthquakes, the team at SMU is still unsure of what is causing the fault to move. In order to determine the exact cause, the research team will look at both man-made and natural factors over the next few months. The largest earthquake so far, a 3.6 on the Richter scale, shook Irving on Jan. 6. Even though Irving is about 16 miles from Flower Mound, the effects have spread to the local community as well. Junior Emery Jordan felt the effects of an earthquake last November while at her uncle’s house in Dallas. “It felt like a little tiny shake, but it was big enough [to make me] wonder what was happening,” Jordan said.

There is a 0.25% chance of a major earthquake within 50 kilometers of Irving, TX within the next 50 years.

Low gas prices good for some, bad for others STORY K A T I E BU R T O N

Texas has the 6th lowest gas prices in the United States with an average price of $2 per gallon.

DESIGN TARYN W ELCH

Since last November, gas prices have been falling nationwide. Even though this price drop has been positive for consumers, it is starting to have a harmful effect on the Texas economy. Economics teacher Phil Cooke has been enjoying the relief from high gas prices but said he fears that this respite has come at a high cost. “If the prices keep coming on down, that could hurt a lot of people who work for the oil industry,” Cooke said. “We’ll see more and more people get laid off.” The layoffs have already begun in cities such a Houston. Baker Hughes, an oil field service-provider, had to let go of 7,000 employees on Jan. 20 because of the 60 percent drop in crude oil prices.

Schlumberger, the world’s largest oil supplier and another Texas-based company, is planning to layoff 9,000 of its employees. Prices have been dropping because of the excess of oil being produced in the United States, but if oil drops below $40 per barrel, the effects could be felt in DFW. Due to the large amount of fracking that occurs within the metroplex, many people could lose their jobs. According to Cooke, some fracking wells in Texas have already closed, and there could be more closing in the future. He said that the low gas prices have both positive and negative effects on the community. “It is good for the consumer and good to a certain point, but if the price keeps going on down, then it’s going to hurt those people here in the United States,” Cooke said. MA R C H 6 , 201 5


4 NEWS

Coming soon

Drive-in theater plans to build in Lewisville STORY K A I T L I N R O BI SO N

Although the most recent drive-in theater in Lewisville closed more than 30 years ago, a new one is under construction near Sam Rayburn Tollway and Highway 121. It is expected to open sometime after the summer. The movies being shown will be newly-released movies playing in regular theaters at the same time. The new theater will contain five movie screens that stretch over 35 acres of land, holding more than 1,500 cars. Customers will be able to watch films from the comfort of their cars,

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or they can set up lawn chairs and blankets on the grass. Audio for films is available by tuning radios to a designated station. Reagan Noble, an employee at the Coyote Drive-In in Fort Worth, said the new theater will closely model the Fort Worth location. “We both offer an open air atmosphere. We will both offer live music and food trucks and show similar movies,” Noble said. The drive-in will include a play area for children, a pavilion and a restaurant as well. The ticket prices are $8 for people over 7 years old and $6 for people 4-10 years old. Children under 3 years old are free of admission. Noble said that in many ways the drive-in resembles a regular movie theater. “Our concessions offer much of a regular theater with the addition of freshly grilled, fried and baked items such as chicken tenders

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NEWS

and corn dogs, cheeseburgers and hot dogs, and pizzas and churros,” Noble said. Coyote Drive-In also has a variety of other fun aspects besides the showing of movies. During the summer they have snow cone and cotton candy machines. Noble said there’s also live entertainment, concessions and unique summer events at the theater. “We do offer live music from local artists,” Noble said. “They play cover tracks to keep everyone singing along.” However, sophomore Katie Kelton, a former AMC Highland Village employee, thinks AMC will still be successful even with competition from the drive-in. “I don’t believe AMC has to worry about the new theater because the Highland Village theater has a very centralized location, and the shopping center brings in a lot of moviegoers,” Kelton said. Although a drive-in theater provide a different experience, some students still prefer a regular movie theater. Sophomore Hope Anderson said a drive-in theater isn’t always the best option. “I would only go to a drive-in about once a year,” Anderson said. “It would be a fun activity, but it would

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not always be a practical option. The best movieviewing and listening option is a typical movie theater, but the best novelty experience option is the drive-in theater.” However, many students are looking forward to the opening of the new theater. Sophomore April Clark said she is looking forward to the convenience and relaxation a drive-in provides. “You can watch a movie and still have t h e comfor t of your own pillows and blankets and car, and you can leave whenever you want,” Clark said.

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6 FEATURE

Getting back to the game

Substitute, graduate pursues pro soccer career STORY RAC H EL RAMI REZ

The boys’ varsity soccer team battled against Plano Senior High School. The winner of this game would advance to the 2005 playoffs. The school was down by one when suddenly freshman standout Sam Garza scored the equalizing goal. Now tied, the teams continued fiercely playing. But Plano made a fatal mistake - a foul in the penalty box. The team had a penalty kick that could win the game, but nobody was stepping up to take it. Thoughts raced through Garza’s mind as head coach John Gall turned to his star of the game, the freshman forward. “Sam, you take it.” Taking a deep breath, Garza stepped up. With confidence he sunk the ball into the back of the net. Cheers erupted from the stands. The school won the game 2-1 with Garza scoring both goals. They were headed to the playoffs, all thanks to the talented freshman. “All the players were looking around in bemusement that I was picking a freshman to take the penalty kick, but he stepped up like a veteran and stuck the ball in the back of the net and took us to the playoffs,” Gall said. “That’s the type of kid that Sam is.” Throughout his high school career, Garza continued to excel in soccer. During his junior and senior year, the team won back to back state championships. In 2007 they were the top-ranked team in the nation with an undefeated 30-0 record. Because of Garza’s combination of natural talent and ability to learn new skills, Gall remembers their interactions in high school fondly. The relationship between the two grew throughout Garza’s high school career, so much so that Gall said he regards him as one of his favorite players. “[He was] very, very coachable and always took advice the best way possible, whether it was trying to improve his game or it was asking questions to see what could get better for the team,” Gall said. “Certainly a Marcus Denver tremendously talented High School University individual, but the best team player that I’ve ever coached.” During his time at the school, Garza worked tirelessly to improve his skillset. From early practices for his high school team to games for San Jose San Antonio his club teams, the Quakes Scorpions Dallas Comets and later the Solar Soccer

Club, Garza’s life virtually revolved around soccer. Afternoons. Mornings. Weekends. Breaks. All of them were filled with soccer practices, games and tournaments. “I definitely didn’t have any time to have a job or to do much else,” Garza said. “I had to sacrifice a lot.” All that work ultimately paid off because Garza continued his soccer career at the collegiate level at the University of Denver and then the University of California-Santa Barbara. During this time, he was even playing for the Under-20 U.S. Men’s National Team and was picked to go to the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt. However, before his sophomore year in college, he tore his ACL, a ligament in his knee, an injury that took him out of the game for about ten months. This injury was remarkably similar to an injury in Gall’s collegiate career and strengthened the pair’s relationship. “I had gone through a cruciate lig-ament tear when I was playing in college and he kind of went through the same thing,” Gall said. “I was able to help him through some of the difficult times with that.” After playing at Santa Barbara, Garza signed a Generation Adidas contract. The Generation Adidas program allows players to leave college and join Major League Soccer (MLS) early. Players like Garza receive their paychecks directly from Adidas, making them a free commodity to whoever drafts them. Soon, Garza found himself in a Kansas City convention center with his family at the 2012 MLS Superdraft, waiting to be picked by a professional club. “I was just super nervous,” Garza said. “I didn’t know when I was going to get called.” After a nerve-wracking wait, Garza was drafted in the first round, sixth overall to the San Jose Earthquakes. Back in Texas, Gall was watching his former star with pride as Garza was presented with his blue San Jose scarf. The pair hadn’t lost touch in college. In fact, their relationship had significantly strengthened since Garza left Flower Mound. Having faced a similar ligament injury during his collegiate career, Gall was able to University assist Garza through of California this and many Santa Barbra other trials. He was thrilled when Garza headed to the MLS. “It was just a super proud day for me,” Gall said. “I knew he would go in the Arizona first round and I United knew he was a highly-talented

Garza’s past teams:

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FEATURE

collegiate player. Nobody more than Sam deserved that.” Over the past couple of years, Garza is one of a small number of alumni that went on to play professionally, among those being Zach Barnes, who played for DC United. Nevertheless, Garza stood out to his former coach. Gall said he largely attributes the success Garza has found to an incredible work ethic, combined with his athletic ability. “There’s a lot of people with talent around the country who want to become professional players,” Gall said. “What separates a lot of players is that drive and desire and Sam had that all the time from his freshman year.” But once he began his professional career, it was little like he and Gall hoped it would be. Shortly after arriving at San Jose, Garza faced a series of injuries that made for an inconsistent rookie year. He was in and out of the team due to fractured ribs, a sprained ankle, and he aggravated a previous wrist injury from his high school career. His second year ended with little playing time. By the time he reached his third year, a very frustrated and mentallyexhausted Garza was waived by the Earthquakes last July. “A lot of outside factors played into why I wasn’t playing well,” Garza said. “It probably was one of the worst times of my life to be honest with you, the last year at San Jose.” Garza moved around from the Earthquakes to Real Salt Lake for a brief trial, before ending the season with Arizona United, a United Soccer League team. After the season ended, he found himself back at home not playing soccer, which had been the one consistent element in his life since he was 5 years old. The college studies that had been on the backburner of his mind, now seemed more and more pressing. “I was idolizing soccer,” Garza said. “Obviously, you have to have a backup plan and I was too naive at the time coming out of college.” Last December, Garza took some advice his mother gave him and applied to be a substitute in the district. Since then, he has substituted at schools of various age groups across LISD. Additionally, he has been assisting Gall

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with the boys’ soccer team. Among the many things he has learned about himself in this time away from the professional world was an interest in coaching. “It’s definitely catching my eye a little bit,” Garza said. “I think that would definitely be something that I would be really interested in.” His time back at home has greatly impacted members of Marcus FC. Players like varsity goalkeeper junior Landon Plunkett have grown up hearing the name Sam Garza and his achievements even prior to joining the school’s team. Plunkett said that working with Garza over the past several weeks has put professional ambitions into perspective for the team. “He was just an average high school player that cared more than anyone else and worked harder than anyone else,” Plunkett said. “It makes it more reasonable that you can reach those goals.” For the time being, however, Garza’s primary focus is on returning to the professional sphere. On Feb. 14, he traveled to Seattle to try out for the Seattle Sounders 2, a reserve team for the MLS club, the Seattle Sounders. He is still waiting to hear if he will sign a contract to play for S2. “They have a team in the MLS so they’re a second tier team, but I still have the opportunity to move up,” Garza said. “That’s my goal, obviously, to get moved up to Seattle Sounders 1, the first team.” While it might not have been the way he envisioned his career working out, Garza said he is grateful for the tougher times over the past couple of years. He said it allowed him to discover life beyond soccer while also preparing him to return to the professional world. “Everyone has their own path in life and this is my life,” Garza said. Since Gall has been a part of Garza’s life for the past ten years, he has seen Garza work through times of both triumph and trial. He said Garza’s determination has been the largest contributor to his maturing process. “He’s become a great person to be around,” Gall said. “I mean, he always was, but now he’s mature and now he sees things differently, and it’s been great to be around him through those stages of his life.”

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o r e n h b t p p re e l p ares oa ou a c r d fo F TC r ba

8 FEATURE

R O

by boy

STORY ALEX H ELM

Senior Matthew McClay sat in the chair next to the hospital bed where his girlfriend of two years, junior Chloe Fortune, laid. Both of their moms were in the small white room with them, eagerly anticipating the results. They had waited 16 weeks for this. Finally, the ultrasound came back. It was a boy. Tears streamed down everyone’s faces. McClay put his hand gently on Fortune’s stomach. A boy, McClay thought. I’m having a boy. *** Both McClay and Fortune never expected that they’d be having a child together. The two met through ROTC, and they both had plans to join the military. McClay wanted to be part of either the Air Force or the Army. Fortune wanted to be a pilot. But all that changed when Fortune found out she was pregnant last summer. “I cried,” Fortune said. “I just cried.” Their plans had to change quickly. McClay knew he couldn’t be one of those guys who just leaves once they get a girl pregnant. More than that, he didn’t want to

be one of those guys. He had to stay and raise his son. He wanted to stay. “Guys who don’t stay with women when they get pregnant are pathetic,” McClay said. “It’s a terrible thing. No girl should have to raise a child without the dad’s help.” Both McClay and Fortune decided to finish high school at the Lewisville Learning Center. McClay graduated in early February, and Fortune is finishing up taking both her junior and senior classes. She’ll graduate at the end of this school year. Then they’ll start thinking about jobs to save money for the baby, who they’ve named Keane. “Joining the military is something I could still go out and do because it would support Chloe and the baby,” McClay said. “It’s a job. Plus we’d get housing and the benefits that go along with it.” But Fortune had to give up her dream of being a pilot. Instead, she plans on being a neonatal nurse, meaning she will work with infants. “That was always the second job [I had in mind], even before I found out I was pregnant,” Fortune said. Their academic and military pursuits aren’t the only thing they’ve had to give up

either. The two have already had to alter some of the things in their everyday lives for their son. McClay’s closet is stuffed with baby supplies - bibs, blankets, clothes and diapers. He also got rid of his Mustang in favor of a more family-friendly Jeep Wrangler, since it can hold a car seat. Plus he works almost every day at Lowe’s to help raise money for their son. Fortune had to give up a lot of space in her room, too. Now, a big area of her room has been taken over by baby supplies and a crib. But her mother has helped her get used to the changes. “She was there for me,” Fortune said. “She didn’t scream when she figured out [I was pregnant]. She just understood and was willing to help.” In fact, they have already started looking for apartments in Lewisville, Grapevine and Flower Mound. They hope to move in together by the end of the summer and, when the time is right, to get married. But the couple doesn’t pretend that getting there will be easy. “It’ll start off rough because we don’t live together yet and neither of us have a full-time job to make all the money we

Junior Chloe Fortune cradles her newborn son, Keane Wayne McClay. He was born at 6:18 p.m. M HS MARQUE E.COM

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need,” McClay said. “But as we get older and the years go by, we’ll both be working full-time and get money and have our own place, and it’ll get easier.” While there have been parts that have been extremely overwhelming, there have also been parts that have been exciting for the couple. Every time they left the hospital after one of their bimonthly appointments, they knew a little bit more about their future son. “When I first heard his heartbeat I was beyond happy and couldn’t stop smiling,” McClay said. “I was so overjoyed to hear it and know he had a healthy heartbeat. Same with the ultrasound. I couldn’t stop smiling and couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. I just wanted to look at him all day.” During the last month of the pregnancy, Fortune was having more intense aches and pains. Some nights, it was hard for her to sleep. They knew that it was almost time for

their son to be born. “You go the whole first eight months and you’re like, ‘Okay, we’re having a baby,’” McClay said. “But then the last month gets here and you’re like, ‘This is real.’” This realization came to them on Fortune’s birthday on Jan. 16. As McClay was leaving school, he got a call from Fortune. She suddenly didn’t feel so well. The pain got worse, and she thought that her water broke. McClay rushed to pick her up, then took her to the hospital. “I just tried to be as calm as I could be to keep her calm,” McClay said. Although it ended up being a false alarm, the two knew that the time was coming. Finally, on Feb. 12, they got their chance to see Keane for the first time. After heading to the Medical Center of Lewisville at 5 a.m., the baby

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was born at 6:18 p.m.. He weighed 7 lbs and 8 oz. “It was going really well until the umbilical cord got wrapped around his neck,” McClay said. “So that led to a cesarean section. [But Chloe] handled everything great and was very strong through it all.” For the past few weeks, they’ve been spending a lot of time at home getting used to being a family of three. Keane is healthy, and the two parents are learning how to care for their son. They know that now they’ll be spending most of their time with Keane. They know they’ll have to give up even more of their lives. But they said they wouldn’t take back what happened. To them, courage is key to anyone who is going through the same situation as them. “They have to stay strong,” McClay said. “They can’t separate from each other. They have to do it for the baby.”

lcome, e W

Baby!

Keane McClay

PHOTO S SU BM I T T E D

Senior Matthew McClay holds his son in the hospital. He was born on February 12th at the Medical Center of Lewisville.

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Born on February 12, 2015, at 6:18 p.m. He weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces.

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FEATURE

d a rd

e p Su

Alex Aquino, Spanish 1. If you had to be on a reality TV show, which one would you be on? “Survivor. I have training in the Army. And besides, [that’s] the way life works itself. It’s really a surviving game.” 2. If you had a time machine, what time period would you go to? “I actually wouldn’t travel forwards or backwards. I’d travel out, out of this world into heaven to live in the presence to God. That’s my ultimate goal.” 3.What’s your least favorite food? “Cinnamon. Anything with a cinnamon taste, I don’t like.” 4. If you became famous, what would it be for? “Not for having money, but for doing something for the benefit of others. I admire what other people do, which is they work with orphans in Africa and things like that because this world has a lot of people in terrible need, and in America, we’re not aware of that.” MHS MARQUE E.CO M

Local father starts, manages Comic Con Ben, but it is also backed by the company. Instances like these are why his daughter, Almost twenty years ago, a normal, senior Julie Stevens, says she considers action-figure-collecting General Electric him a role model. An aspiring artist, Julie employee took a look around him. A fan says her father’s determination in his own of comic books, he had heard rumors of ventures helps her to be confident in her events elsewhere in the country where fans desire to go to art school. “I guess it’s just been encouraging to like himself could gather and discuss their favorite characters and artists. However, in know that he would support me in whatever the DFW metroplex, no such event existed. I want to do because he did that for himself With no college experience, a vision in his and made a business for himself,” Julie said. At the event itself, mind, and a small sold out there are a diverse group vendor room, Ben Stevens, of categories available for a Flower Mound resident, every taste. Dallas Comic started the first Dallas SciCon offers elements fi expo. This small event of horror, video games was the origin of the now science fiction and many 65,000-attendee Dallas others. Each category has Comic Con. Even when exhibitions, vendor booths he was walking around his and celebrity guests for first event, Ben knew by the fans to meet. Ben said they response he received that often try to expand the he was onto something. types of guests that appear “If you’re doing at the event. something that you really “We try to keep it like, and you work hard, different, ” Ben said. “We and you do it because you PHOTOS SU BM I T T E D love it, it does pay off,” Many people at Comicon participate in try to leave the pack and Ben said. dressing up as their favorite characters not just have the same Over the years, Ben’s from video games, movies or comic people that every other success with Dallas books. It was held Feb. 8-9. This fan is convention has.” Since the start of the Comic Con has grown sporting his Luigi outfit. significantly, and last year, he sold it to event, the convention has been held at Informa, an international company worth several different venues. When the event $5 billion. The event is still produced by transitioned from Plano to the Irving STORY R A CH E L R A M I R E Z

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Convention center, the staff experienced a significant change. What had been a 5,000-8,000-attendee event, seemingly overnight became a 25,000-attendee event. The staff had been expecting some increase in attendance due to the new, centralized location, but according to Ben, no one was prepared. Things like concessions and celebrity meet and greets now had several hours worth of waiting attached to them. “It just went on and on,” Ben said. “It was a lot of work to get a lot of people through that. We’ve since learned a lot from that.” With the growth of the event, Ben said he has also seen many returning faces over the years. In fact, some of the original attendees have become volunteers for the event, and some have even become staff. The fact that others have enjoyed the event so much is something that is really important to Ben. “That’s kind of cool, starting something from literally nothing and now having 300 people want to help you and be part of Dallas Comic Con,” Ben said. Volunteers like Ben’s children, Julie and Ryan, can have a number of responsibilities. A lot of work goes into producing such a large-scale event. Running errands for celebrity guests, managing merchandise booths and everything in between are

essential parts of running this event. “There’s a hundred different ways to get involved at Comic Con,” Ben said. “From the unglamorous, ‘Watch this door and make sure no one comes in’ to the ‘You need to help Ron Perlman at his autograph table.’” Guests like Perlman, an actor from Hellboy often return to the event every year. Some have known and worked with Ben since the beginning. Ray Park who played Darth Maul in Star Wars, has even bonded with Ryan. “Ray was always very friendly with Ryan,” Ben said. “They played soccer together. They always keep up with each other and I think that that’s kind of cool that some of these actors that may have been to my event 20-30 times have really seen our kids grow up.” Recently, Ben was reminded why he loves doing this event. During Comic Con on Feb. 8, a couple that reached out to Arrow actor Stephen Amell received a big surprise. Amell arranged for the couple, whose baby died in the womb when it became entangled in the umbilical cord, to receive many special perks at the event like front row seats to his panel. Having guests like Amell is what Ben says he really enjoys about Comic Con. “I just love it when people have such a positive take away from the event,” Ben said.

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Julie Stevens, 11 1. How is your relationship with your Dad? “My dad is sort of like a role model to me because he’s been very successful with his business, and he started it on his own. That’s always something that he wanted to do, so that’s pretty cool.” 2. Who’s your favorite person you’ve met? “My favorite was probably Oliver and James Phelps. They played the Weasley twins in Harry Potter, and they were really nice and cool to meet.” Junior Gabrielle Rochelle waits in line at the Comic Con convention in Dallas to get autographs from Power Rangers. It is her second year in a row to go to the event.

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3. What is your role at Comic Con? “Sometimes I’m the cashier at these booths that we run. Other times I run errands and sit with the celebrities and help them sign things.” MA R C H 6 , 201 5


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Learning to live

During the 2013-2014 school year, over 400 suicidal outcries occurred on LISD middle school and high school campuses. The Marquee reveals the stories behind a few of them, as well as the new suicide prevention curriculum.


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DEPTH

dear diary,

LISD begins suicide prevention curriculum, plans changes in the future

everything will work out. life will carry on without me. or maybe it wont. would the world really stop turning without me. i am one out of 7 billion. is it actually worth all of this pain. am i worht all of these people. am i actually supposed to be here. i am not worth anything more. i cant keep carrying on in this fake world. everything i do is fake. i have a fake smile. I have a fake world created to carry on. my smile is fake. i cant remember the last time i actually smiled. or the

STORY AUS TI N RI C K ERS O N

the suicide prevention material. The ention lessons will take re will be another parent night The third of four suicide prev offe red on April 1. In addition, students ns sig g nin war e cid sui on s are able to opt out of the place on May 1. It will focu lessons with a parent signature. is part of the Help Every and lls ski on nti erve int and Teachers are also prepared for the HEL was purchased by LISD P lessons through optional Living Person program, which trai ning courses run by Adams a few a is lor Jill Adams, who nse Cou days prior to the lesson. y. uar Jan in rted sta and Senior Andrew Spear said he thin areness Committee, said Aw ks e it icid will Su be good for students D LIS the of ber mem to find a teacher or other adult at scho implement HELP, LISD ’t ldn ol who wou ts m they can confide in tric dis er oth le whi that about issues like suicide. . risk a took “I think it is a good program to hav years is that if you talk e in place for people who may “The big myth I’ve heard over the hav e had suicidal thoughts and may e,” rt committing suicid sta to not have the right people to ng goi are s kid e, cid sui about talk about it with at home,” Spear said opposite. Kids are already the . ally actu “It’s . said ms Ada Adams said one change next year ’re already talking about they will be and e, hav cid ing the first lesson sui ut abo g kin thin in October. In addition, the program will it.” likely only teach sixth and ninth-g of t par is ram prog LP HE rade The students all four lessons. Other grade a statewide effort to increase Kids are already levels will receive one booster lesson as Tex ess. ren awa e per suicid year to reinforce information and skil tes nda ma 6 thinking about suicide, 138 l Bil se ls. Hou Adams said that the material will ools sch ry nda seco all vary that and they’re already from middle to high school. Mid dle discuss early mental health talking about it. scho ol will focu sed s pas , mor bill e on The copi ng on. nti skil ls interve and stress management to try to ease in 2011, has the Texas the transition into more adult topi cs, Education Agency and Texas Jill Adams, Counselor like suicide, which will be discuss lth Hea te Sta of ent ed in Departm high school. te crea to rate abo coll s Service “I just think it’s here to stay,” Adams a list of the best suicide t said. “I don’t think it’s just a whimsical, tric dis ool sch h Eac . lum ricu ‘Let’s do it this year and prevention materials and cur ram appropriate for see how it goes.’” prog a list the from ct sele then may She said she has seen positive feedback from teachers and implementation. stud ents. Spear said he thinks it’s imp be s ram prog ool sch the t tha ortant for depression and The bill also regulates e auditorium or assembly suicide to be discussed at school and that he is comfortable talking larg a in not d, ase m-b sroo clas use of the amount of time about it in his second period class. setting. Adams said that beca “I don’t think anything really need they develop relationships s to be changed,” Spear said. students are in the classroom, “It is hard for me to say because I hav talk t make it easier to tha s e never really had suicidal peer and hers teac r thei h wit thoughts, but I thought it was fairly inte ractive.” e. cid sui ut abo Despite positive feedback, there has r day at school,” Adams thei of also ty been controversy with jori ma the d spen ds “Ki vities are connected to the program. Biology teacher and science department chair Scott acti r ula rric acu extr eir “Th . said Hinsley said that making the curr nected to school.” iculum more intimate and school. Their relationships are con perh aps focusing on mental illness as the te wri t tric dis the help a cause of suicide could be Adams volunteered to ordance with new state beneficial. acc in be to lum ricu cur LP HE “Just make it more of a personal sort counselors and three of thing, where instead of regulations. Four middle school it just being a video students can interact de LISD worked alongsi in lors more,” Hinsley said. “I nse cou ool sch h hig er oth think a student-led part of it would wor k real ly well.” it. te crea to ms Ada Although some students thought eer on this,” Adams pion a is that t tric aspe dis cts, like the Kahoot our t tha w kno do “I e not done it because quiz, were insensitive, Adams said that the use of Kahoot was hav ts tric dis er oth of lot “A . said meant to make the material relevant ental response.” but that it will be taken out. they were very concerned with par “We’re taking all the feedback, and ing hav by lum ricu cur the we’re going to improve it LISD prepared parents for parents could preview every year,” Adams said. re whe er, emb Dec in ht nig ent a par M HS MARQUE E.COM

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everything will work out. life will carry on withou ally stop turning without me. i am one out of 7 i worht all of these people. am i actually supposed i cant keep carrying on in this fake world. every D E Pmy T H 15 a fake world created to carryI Non. smile is fa smiled. or the last time i actually around? I am so alone. Everything I do is not wo where in life. This world will crumble around me no one can love a lost duck. maybe someday I w nothing i do is good enough. I don’t think that

Chasing perfection

Mother remembers her son, graduate

With the little free time he possessed, he read and liste ned to music. His music taste was eclectic. He STORY ALY S S A S C H MI D T loved everything from classical to dubstep to country. Nick’s favorite book was The Great Gatsby. He gave Cast aneda a well-loved copy for her to read, the margins filled ad with Bre eet Str o the Main annotations. Tamara Castaneda walked int te dua gra , to meet her son “After someone dies, you tend to focus on the Baking Company in Grapevine good abruptly chosen to stop had He . stuf nch f, but he really was a good kid,” Castaneda said bru for se, Cha k Nic e . com to him going to ask He seemed to have it all together. However, towa going to college, and she was t rds tha er lett a se she brought the end of his life, Nick began struggling inter back to live with her. In her pur . nally CD x . mi a h , along wit Castaneda said that he tended to downplay situa explained how much she loved him in the title. tions me” and wasn’t one to share his feelings. But no one, All of the songs had the word “ho friends hair. his iced not tely dia me im she or family, would have thought he would comm When she saw Nick, was it r hai led perfectly gel suicide. It was gone. His once blonde and al ern int an eyes showed “He enjoyed the perception of now buzzed short. A look in his his in ess being in control,” Castaneda change, a new hardn said. “In his mind, [talking demeanor. Throughout the about it] would be showing brunch Castaneda’s questions weakness.” were met with defensive In the summer of 2013, just answers. A manifestation of two weeks after graduation, the rift in their relationship. Nick left for Brigham She needed to know what he Young University in Provo, was thinking. love?” you do Utah. Just before he left, his “Who mother, stepfather, siblings Castaneda said. “I love my girlfriend, and girlfriend gathered at Snooty Pig Cafe to see and I love my dad,” Nick him off. The laughs and said, deliberately leaving out syrup flowed, creating a Castaneda, his stepfather and memory that would have siblings. But Castaneda didn’t take to last until they would g see each other again. it personally. With everythin ew going on in his life, she kn Nick planned to maTED t S U B M IT jor in business adminwhy he felt resentment. He jus PHOTOS needed space to find himself istration, eventually g a total after winnin te ra b le e c again. getti a ng d his a mas ter’s in n ta s a . mara C business and even a law degree. He She gave Nick a hug and told ompetition mother Ta c d C n a E D e s C a A ch ional Nick Ch seemed very happy to be at college. ts in a reg him she loved him. Yet so mu 7500 poin f o re er o lett c s The He loved the idea that he could be around the was still unresolved. beautiful purse. nature that surrounded the BYU campus. To and the CD sat in Castaneda’s Castanetime da’s surprise, Nick and his girlfriend remained It just didn’t feel like the right t together tha was ow she didn’t kn over the long distance, as she attended the Univ to give them to him. But what ersit y of so. Texas at Austin. But what she didn’t know at would be her only chance to do the time *** was that their relationship was on and off until his death. ated, otiv -m self and ven Dri ld. chi t A few weeks after leaving for BYU, Castaneda Nick was a perfec a noticed was He h. ’t accomplis a shift in Nick’s behavior. He called to tell her there was nothing he couldn that he dy stu le Bib He went to would be switching his classes. pianist and an Eagle Scout. AP for ing dy time to stu every morning. He dedicated his DECA. and lon ath *continued on page 16 classes, Academic Dec DESIGN MOLLY W EB B ER

MA R C H 6 , 201 5


these people. am i actually supposed to be here. i am no carry on. my smile is fake. i cant remember the last ti I do is not worth the pain. I don’t believe I am getting a will beable to see the reason behind everything. nothing 16 I N D E P T H do. maybe someday i can see the world for how bright a this pain. I see no point in staying and every point in le “With the switch in his personality and his I want it all to end. goals, that’s when we first sensed that somethin g everything will work out. life will carry on without me. was different about him,” Castaneda said. He revealed to Castaneda that he wanted to one these people. am i actually supposed to be here. i am no carry on. my smile is fake. i cant remember the last ti day enlist in the military and become a part of the Delta Force in South America. His family I do is not worth the pain. I don’t believe I am getting a was confused by this sudden career change, will beable to see the reason behind everything. nothing but they assumed he was following his father do. maybe someday i can see the world for how bright a Craig’s footsteps, who was an Army medic. “He said he really felt a strong urge to this pain. I see no point in staying and every point in le protect people,” Castaneda said. “It was a moral I want it all to end.

responsibility that he felt drawn to, a higher purpose than just acquiring material things.” A couple weeks later, Castaneda found out that starting the April before he graduate d Tamara Castanada holds her twoweek-old son, high school, Nick began drinking heavily. Not Nick Chase. only was it against the strict honor code of BYU , it was against the rules of his Mormon faith. When Cast aneda attempted to confront Nick about the situa a tion, he suddenly received asked eda’s mind. She instantly became defensive. She wanted to find he an S . st ds Ca r closest frien out a lmost sage from one of he A way he could receive help so he could stay at es . m st xt po te Facebook s BYU, but k’ ic N en se d ha ge, the aneda Nick refused. Instead, he left school and went to live with if Cast tely after Castaneda read the messa his father in Grapevine. immedia then read the post. “He had always confessed to believe strongly d called. Her friend I’ve always ien fr in the It’s not your fault. tenets of our faith, and he knew it was it agai n’t blame yourself. . It was inevitable. Do nst the athetic rules,” Castaneda said. “It was especially been inexplicably ap very concerned because he wasn’t shocking s wa I t in r one because it wasn’t something that had been goin “At that po said. “He was neve a g on for ed an st Ca ,” ok bo was long.” big into Face t something up, he pu to g in go s wa he *** to cry wolf. If aneda Tuesday Aug. 6, 2013. A week and a half going to mean it.” to act quickly. Cast her ed after ed ne e sh at th meeting Nick for brunch, his behavior still weig She knew picked up hed on hborhood pool and drove to their neig rrent junior Meagan Chase. , cu dn’t youngest daughter gan said. “I coul s ea M ,” ed us nf co “I was so knew what wa y. I hardly even cry. I wasn’t angr e in happening.” wards Craig’s hous ver to ed sp em th of The two eda had ne oblem was, Castan Grapevine. The pr use and only Meagan knew the ho been to Craig’s new called 911 and filled them in on a ed an st mber directions. Ca the home phone nu em th ve ga he S n. k the the situatio that they could trac s pe ho e th in e us to Craig’s ho hang location. they had received a at th r he ld to er ch The dispat y. mber earlier that da up call from that nu , all of the doors and windows When they arrived uld not break into the house lice co nged were locked. The po home yet. They ba t no s wa er th fa s Craig’s since Nick’ ick. The squeal of N r fo g tin ou sh s, . He on the door ed into the driveway sh ru he as em th d tires startle g in hand. r with his medic ba jumped out of the ca door, and the police rushed in. e d the Craig unlocked th while they inspecte s nt re pa s k’ ic N d aig’s They blocke ew by the look on Cr kn e sh id sa a ed *Source: University of an scene. Cast Pittsburgh Medical Center face.

e v i t a l e r e t a i d An imme has

o h w n o s r e p of a itted suicide m com

s e m i t x i s o t is four likely more

to commit or e* attempt suicid

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ot worth anything more. i cant keep carrying on in this fake world. everything i do is fake. i have a f ime i actually smiled. or the last time i actually laughed. is anyone hearing me? I anywhere in life. This world will crumble around me if i continue having a smile that is not true. no on g i do is good enough. I don’t think that i can carry on. nothing is worth it. m aybe someday, maybe I N D E P T H 17 and full of hope to be. but and I am tired. am utterly exhausted and feeling sick to my stom “I tookit’s one supposed look at Craig’s reaction, I knew NickI was eaving. thisdead,” world is too dark with me in it. there’s no going back. I have made the decision to end it Castaneda said.

FAREWELL

Nick died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The rest of the day waswould a surreal blurworld for the really family. stop She called familywithout me. i am one out of 7 billion. is it actu or maybe it wont. the turning and close friends and informed them of what happened to Nick. ot worth anything more. i cant keep carrying on in this fake world. i do is fake. i have a f By: Nickeverything Chase And while he is no longer visible to their eyes, Castaneda and ime i actually smiled. or that thehelast time actually laughed. is anyone hearing me? I her family believe is still withi them, watching from At any given time a sunset anywhere in life. This world will crumble around me if i continue having a smile that is not true. no on behind a veil. And a sunrise simultaneously occur faith is Ia don’t huge component in our g i do is good“Our enough. think that i can carry on. nothing is worth it. m aybe someday, maybe healing process,” At twoexhausted different locations said. “Our belieftothat we but will see him tired. again isI very and full ofCastaneda hope it’s supposed be. I am am utterly and feeling sick to my stom comforting. I don’t know how you can get through an experience On Earth. eaving. thislike world is tooa belief darkinwith me larger in it.than there’s no going back. I have made the decision to end it this without something yourself.” Castaneda knows that what Nick did was the result of an impulsive and emotional decision. A result of internalizing his This phenomenon is occurring feelings. A result of pushing himself to a point where he couldn’t Within our lives right now. return. The pressure Nick put on himself for perfection on A sunset of our past along with his devastation over breaking up with his girlfriend ultimately led him to take his life. Accompanies a sunrise of our future. “I just know as soon as he did it and went to heaven he thought to himself, ‘That was so stupid and impulsive,’” Castaneda said. We close and we open. A year and a half later, Meagan now drives Nick’s black Volkswagen Jetta. When she inherited it, she remembers having We fare well and we greet. to change all of the tires. Nick had worn them down from his Ambiguously melancholy passes speeding. Meagan’s favorite moments with Nick were spent in The baton on to hopefulness. that car. They would take road trips together, drive to and from school and bible study together, blasting music the whole way. People would tell them to turn it down, but they wouldn’t listen. Like the death of an elder It was their time. Accompanied by the birth of an infant, “I didn’t get to share those memories with any of my other siblings,” Meagan said. “It’s something that I get to look back Theres an infant to raise. on and cherish.”

So look forward.

Be not Lots wife Who dwelt on the past And couldn’t resist a final glance That killed her future. When the water floods back out, Look forward and fight. Because you are a soldier In the hurricane war. And unlike most soldiers, You will win. *this poem was written during his last semester at BYU

(Left to right) Colton, Jacob, Cesar, Tamara, Madison, Nicholas and Meagan take a family photo in Destin Florida during Spring Break of 2013. They went to Destin a few months before Nick Chase’s death. DESIGN MOLLY WEB B ER

MA R C H 6 , 201 5


18 I N

DEPTH

A new hope

Student overcomes suicidal thoughts STORY C ARA C RO C K ER

enough. ould be h s ls il p ay the le of wash aw ld One bott u o c bottle Just one life. iserable pain. m is h t ve le to lea One bott rah*, who mind. Sa er h in held a the time, s swarmed These idea freshman year at in her hand. As fen ng was starti ened bottle of ibupro side at the orange in p o small, un e cap off and looked e hadn’t been able h s th p g in the she pulled eemed to be the hel was needin s e h s ey t th h , g ls li pil of The source nch. As to receive. g darkness. a loose bu econd in in d d n n -e a h er s ev er n water, no ell into h The pills f ills with a glass of ey had before. e th ep she took th ossed her mind lik t to bed and fell r en c w Sarah thoughts was done, e h s en h W er wake would nev e h . s ep t le a s th a certain She was , got before her d s er th o e up. ning an h, unlik But Sara mber the next mor before. lu ight er s up from h symptoms of the n empty pill showed no ere visible except the nothing d w No signs g in her room. An no pain. n d ti n it a s ness bottle up. No sick icide. But ever showed tried to commit su She had she lived.

*** Her problems were nothing new. In fifth grade, Sarah transferred to LISD. During that time she was diagnosed with medical issues, and she was put on a medical shot that would help stop these issues. The shot proved to be much more harmful than it was helpful. “The side effects from the shot made me suicidal as a fifth-grader,” Sarah said. “[It was also] the mix of moving and transferring.” For almost three years after she stopped taking the shot, she felt as though a fog of depression hung over her. In the summer before her freshman year, Sarah struggled with rumors that sprung up at a camp she was attending. Due to this stress, she began experimenting

Suicide

is the third

leading

cause of death in ages

15-24

*Source: Community Counseling Services, inc.

*

M HS MARQUE E.COM

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dear diary,

IN DEPTH

19

everything will work out. life will carry on without me. or maybe it wont. would the world really stop turning without me. i am one out of 7 billion. is it actually worth all of this pain. am i worht all of these people. am i actually supposed to be here. i am not worth anything more. i cant keep carrying on in this fake world. everything i do is fake. i have a fake smile. I have a fake world created to carry on. my smile is fake. i cant remember the last time i actually bulimia. d later g anthe h cuttinor wit smiled. last time i actually laughed. is anyone hearing me? Is anyldn’t tell anyone, cou she e lik t fel rah Sa one around? I am sored alone. I do is not worth the pain. I don’t believe I am getting she that if Everything not even her family. She fea . act rre ove anywhere in life. This world will crumble around me if i continue having a smile that is not told even her mother, she would ’t,” wasn d I rea fine an true. no one love a lly lost duck. maybe someday I will beable to see the reason behind eve “I acted lik I wascan nk thi to ne ryo eve d nte wa t jus “I erything. good enough. I don’t think that i can carry on. nothing is worth it. Sarah said. nothing i do is ne] [to anyo .” not open upmaybe s. I would I waaybe m someday, someday I can feel the way normal people do. maybe someday i can *** s her full of hope it’s supposed to be. but I am tired. I am utterly parentand seeShthe world for how bright tell her d to y decide e finall who tor doc a to took hersick to my r. They exhausted feeling stomach at the thought of continuing in on this pain. I see freshman yeaand time st fir her s wa is Th al. pit hos the her in in staying and every n’t no pointherin leaving. this world is too dark with me in it. there’s no put point depression, but it would be for d ate tre be to going back. I have made the decision to end it all. t. I las want it all to end. pital for one day Sarah was only out of the hos ool end att ter . Afout. everything will work lifeing willschcarry on without me. or maybe it wont. would the world rereturn before she had to it. dle han ’t ldn cou she t tha ed liz ally stop turning without me. i am one out of 7 billion. is it actually worth all of this pain. am rea again, she too. During rse wo g tin get s wa ia im iesworth bul And her i worht all of these people. am actually supposed to be here. i am d not of anything ressioi n, suicidemore. dep for to her t sen s ent par her p cam a i cant keep carrying on in this have a fake smile. I have everi y mom world. everything i do is fake. herfake wrote confession letters to Sarahworld had she n tha a fake created to carry on. my smile is fake. i cant remember the last time i actually rse s wo saying that her bulimia wa e cid sui d pte em att had i actually smiled. the time laughed. is anyone hearing me? Is anythat she also last and first saidor ing to hang I do is not worth the pain. I don’t believe I am getting try or g sin rdo ove er eith one around? I am so alone. Everything by five times herself. anywhere in life. This world will crumble around me if i continue having a smile that is not nt[ed] to be happy,”

One pers on

13.3 minute

s*

“I want[ed] to get help. I wa fight it, and I just Sarah said. “I know I could I was.” don’t want to go back to where suffering, Sarah After over two years of s time for some wa it and her mom decided that xie an ty medication. changes. Sarah was put on h this new help and She started to feel better wit e strong enough to as she took it, she also becam ns who struggle tee face her issues. Just like many rah had to learn Sa with suicide and depression, e with depression cop d an les tac obs her to overcome herself. be happy,” Sarah “I have to want to be able to sti s ll. But I have to said. “I have those down day those good days.” tell myself that there’s also listen to many of Sarah has also been there to were struggling y her friends and hear what the with. d she agrees that Counselor Cheryl Richey sai tan por t when they’re support for any person is im

*name changed to hide identity

DESIGN MOLLY W EB B ER

*Source: CDC, AAS

going through toug “You can be th h times. be their friend ere and you can and listen,” R there are train ic ed adults on ca hey said. “But what to do so y mpus that kn ow ou sh Even though m ould let us do that.” an y students are to tell anyone ab o afraid to ou there are severa t their issues, Richey said th at l and even suicid ways to cope with depress ion al thoughts. “We discuss so procedures,” R me strategies, some differe n ic getting out of hey said. “Breathing d t eep, the situation, coming down to just have a pl here ace Sarah has be to stop and think.” en ab le to share he in presentation r story listened to othe s to other teens. She’s al r so experiences. S people’s testimonies about th arah has learn ei r ed worst times, he lp is still out th that even in the ere. “Don’t keep it quiet,” S arah said. “You can g et help. Th ere is hope. You just ha ve to reach out for it.”

MA R C H 6 , 201 5


20 S P O R T S

All-American Marauder

Senior nominated for prestigious basketball title STORY S AN I K A S ULE

Senior Taylor Roof ’s cell phone lit up as she received a text. She passed her phone to her sister, Mikayla, to read the message. Neither anticipated that she had just been recognized as one of the nation’s top high school athletes. Taylor looked at the 2015 McDonald’s All-American Game nominee roster in disbelief. Her name was listed among the elite high school basketball players in the nation. Her hard work has always paid off, but it has never been anything compared to this. “I couldn’t believe that I had been nominated for it,” Taylor said. “It was just such a great honor.” She began her sports career as a softball player and took up basketball just as conditioning practice during the offseason. But she quickly recognized her aptitude for basketball and decided to leave softball. She knew basketball would not only challenge her as an athlete but would also give her more opportunities. “Eventually when I got on a select team and played over the summer, it definitely became more intense because I knew I was doing it to get a scholarship. But it’s always been fun for me,” Taylor said. As a seventh-grader at Briarhill Middle School, Taylor’s skill level secured her a position on the 8th grade A-team. This feat contributed to her making varsity basketball as a freshman. But in her first year of high school basketball, she suffered an ankle injury that would act as a major obstacle for many games. Taylor’s rolled ankle took her out of action for about eight weeks and came with a troublesome recovery. She worked to rebuild strength in her ankle, and eventually she returned to the game with a vengeance. “I had to get used to the pain that came with it in the early stages of playing,” Taylor said. “I’ve gotten used to it, and I’ve been able to play with it, no problem.” Although she returned to the court, Taylor was worried that she would not be able to contribute to the team until she fully recovered. But she used that experience to fuel all of her future efforts. Mikayla recalls Taylor’s disappointment and said she has become a stronger player because of her injury. “It was hard for her because she really wanted to play,” Mikayla said. “She was a freshman. She came in and wanted to start strong, but she had a setback.” Despite having to to wear an ankle brace and attend about eight weeks of therapy, Taylor’s performance in her high school career led to her nomination as a McDonald’s All-American, a boy’s and a girl’s basketball game comprised of the country’s best high school talent. Her name was submitted by state representatives on a selection committee. The game began in 1977, and a girls’ division was cre-

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PHOTOS WIL L IA M L EG R O NE

Senior Taylor Roof inbounds the ball in a game against Plano East on Jan. 30. The Marauders won the game 69-57.

ated in 2002. The same honor Taylor received has been given in past years to LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Magic Johnson and Marcus Smart. Taylor said she wasn’t expecting the nomination, so the news came as a surprise. “It’s always a goal to be acknowledged and honored, but I wasn’t working for it,” Taylor said. “I was just trying to be the best player I can be.” The ability to play at the level of a McDonald’s All-American nominee came not only through personal hard work, but from motivation from Taylor’s teammates and family. When the news of her selection came, Taylor’s parents were the first to recognize all of her hard work. “My biggest supporters are my family, but most definitely my

DESIGN A BBY SC HL IC TER


SPORTS

21

FORMER MCDONALD’S ALL-AMERICANS

WOMEN:

Brittney Griner

-All-American in 2009 -Height: 6 ft 8 in -Currently plays for Phoenix Mercury (WNBA)

Other notable players: -Candace Parker (2004) -Maya Moore (2007) -Skylar Diggins (2009)

Roof tries to draw an offensive foul, called a charge, against a Plano East player. She will play basketball next year at UNT.

MEN:

Kobe Bryant parents,” Taylor said. “They’ve been through it all, and they have encouraged me to work hard, and they’ve pushed me so I could get a scholarship.” Taylor’s determination to get a scholarship paid off when she was accepted to the University of North Texas. As college quickly approaches, she said she is excited to continue her passion, and play basketball in college. Playing at UNT will give her the opportunity to cultivate her skills and become an even stronger competitor. Though she would like to play professionally, she knows there are few opportunities and is interested in pursuing biomedical engineering. As a nominee for the McDonald’s All-American Games, Taylor said it has been a humbling experience. “Just being up there with all the other girls, because I’ve played with them, and I know they are such amazing players,” Taylor said. “Just to have that opportunity to have my name up there with them is such a good feeling.” DESIGN ABB Y SCHLI C TER

-Played in McDonald’s All-American in 1996 -Height: 6 ft 6 in -Currently plays for Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

Other notable players: -Lebron James (2003) -Kevin Durant (2006) -Marcus Smart (2012)

MA R C H 6 , 201 5


22 S P O R T S

Meet the Marauders COMPILED J A CO B F O N T A I N E

Last year the Marcus boys soccer team claimed the title of District 8-5A runner-up and regional finalist. With maxpreps.com predicting them to be a contender in the regional tournament once again, The Marquee looks at four starters for this year’s MMFC squad. Although Plano West and McKinney Boyd currently lead the district, the team looks to get back into contention in their game tonight against Plano East. #14 Trace Marshall (Captain), 12 Pump-up song: “In Da Club” by 50 Cent Signature dance: The Sprinkler “Trace knows a lot about the tradition and culture of the program,” head coach John Gall said. “He always works his tail off doing everything he can and we’re counting on him to come up big for us as we make our run to the playoffs.” #8 Jackson Bradford, 11 Pump-up song: “I’m In It” by Kanye West Signature dance: The Lawnmower “Jackson is a very important piece within our puzzle,” Gall said. “He’s very aggressive, athletic and a player that’s hugely important to our program. He’s one of the players we’re counting on these next seven games to help us progress to the playoffs.” #7 Daniel Blaney, 12 Pump-up song: “Jumpin’ Like Jordan” by Migos Signature dance: The Whip “Daniel’s been a leader for us this year,” Gall said. “He’s been chipping in with his fair share of goals. He’s somebody that’s been around our team a long time, someone that holds a leadership position, someone who everyone respects and someone who’s doing everything he possibly can to [ensure] his team makes it to the playoffs.” # 1 Landon Plunkett, 11 Pump-up song: “Handsome and Wealthy” by Migos Signature dance: The Jerk “Landon’s been around the program a long time so it means an awful lot to him,” Gall said. “He’s been making key saves and everyone’s always comfortable knowing [he’s at the goal].” MHS MARQUE E.COM

DESIGN JA IME HA R D ISO N


SPORTS

#8

#14

Name: Jackson Bradford Grade: 11 Position: Center Back/Midfield Height: 6’0”

Name: Landon Plunkett Grade: 11 Position: Goalkeeper Height: 6’3” DESIGN J AIME HARD I S O N

23

Name: Trace Marshall Grade: 12 Position: Center Back Height: 5’11”

#1

#7

PHOTOS W I L L I A M L EG R O NE

Name: Daniel Blaney Grade: 12 Position: Forward/Midfield Height: 5’11”

MA R C H 6 , 201 5


24 E N T E R T A I N M E N T

w o l f w Ho

? o g u can yo STORY J A I M E H A R D I SO N

Society has always seen girls as the ones that have elaborate hairstyles, while using clothes and makeup to pretty themselves up. Meanwhile, boys are seen as plain, with easily combable hair that they flip to the side after they’ve had a good laugh. But they’re not plain any longer. Girls apparently don’t have a monopoly on different styles and hair accessories anymore. Some boys have moved past the cleanly shaven cuts and the “Justin Bieber ‘Do” and have opted for a more natural, rugged, hipster look.

The flow Who says boys can’t grow their hair out? Apparently no one has. Running rampant through the halls, shoulder-length hair can be seen at large. At first glance, one might think, “Oh, that girl has pretty hair!” But with one look further down, the trademark basketball shorts or khaki pants tell the real story. Boys have neglected the hair salon to nurture their long, flowing locks, with lengths ranging from the upper neck to the shoulder area. While it may seem to be a rendition of the mullet’s “business in the front, party in the back” philosophy, this style actually has a party on all sides. And some even adopt accessories to keep their manes contained. The headband pushes back those wayward strands and allows every boy to be productive without his hair getting in the way. In fact, the flow definitely requires more upkeep than the previous shorter cut. With lengthy hair, boys have to watch for pesky grease and practice vigilant hygiene to keep the hair looking silky and fresh. While it seems that guys would go for hair that requires less effort on their part, this style seems to be flowing from cavemen to modern day. M HS MARQUE E.COM

DESIGN V IC TO R IA PR IC E


Man bun

ENTERTAINMENT

25

Even though boys do enjoy their glistening locks, sometimes they too want it out of the way for the day. And like girls, who have mastered the art of having longer hair, boys use the same styling methods. By skillfully wrapping it into a mini bun in the back or on the top, a male is free to go about his daily activities as if he were back in the days when he had a short cut. And for the even more adventurous or hipster males, a clean-shaven look on the sides and back compliments perfectly a man bun on the top of their heads. With long hair, it’s the best of both worlds. Not only can a boy show off his healthy hair follicles and the rapid speed in which they grow hair, he can also pretend to ditch the flow for a day with a headband and some hair-tying abilities.

PHOTOS BR O O KE WY A NT

Shaved sides On the other end of the spectrum, many boys are seen with an entirely different look. Many boys will shave the sides of their heads and leave a pile of luscious locks of varying lengths atop their heads. This style has also taken precedence in the hallways, and is generally employed by more hipster boys. The more adventurous hair doers will even etch a line into their head that traces the natural part in their hair. When paired with well-fitted skinny jeans and a trendy shirt, this hair style screams glamorous. DESIGN VICTORIA P RI C E F EB. 27, 201 5


26 E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Do you know y ur Disney? COMPILED D A R CI W A L T O N

1. Who is not one of Ariel’s sister’s in The Little Mermaid? A) Aquatta. B) Attina. C) Adella. D) Ariana.

4. What did the crocodile swallow in Peter Pan? A) Hook’s compass. B) A treasure map. C) Tiger Lily’s feather headband. D) An alarm clock.

2. How did Edgar remove the cats from the mansion in The Aristocats? A) He secretly sold them. B) He put sleeping pills in their milk. C) He kidnapped them. D) He abused them and they left.

3. What is Scar’s original name in The Lion King? A) Ahadi. B) Taka. C) Uru. D) Kovu.

5. Where did the idea for Mulan come from? A) An ancient Chinese poem. B) A dream. C) Walt Disney’s notebook. D) A historical event.

6. Where did Buzz and Woody meet the Squeeze Toy Aliens in Toy Story? A) Pizza Zone. B) Pizza Party Fun Time. C) Pizza Planet. D) Pizza Arcade.

1-2 correct

3-4 correct

5-6 correct

Minor character:

Side-kick status:

Disney royalty:

You might have seen the movies and know the basic concepts but you need to brush up on your trivia. Netflix and the Disney Movies Everywhere app are two services you should probably check out.

You’ve for sure seen the movies a couple of times and maybe own a few but lately they’ve been collecting dust. It’s time to have a movie night, fire up the old VCR and make some popcorn.

Move over Cinderella, there’s a new princess/prince moving into the castle! Disney trivia is your forte, so don’t be afraid to flaunt your skills.

Answer Key: 1:D 2:B 3:B 4:D 5:A 6:C

M HS MARQUE E.COM

DESIGN V IC TO R IA PR IC E


ENTERTAINMENT

27

Embracing the magic Senior makes frequent trips to Disney

STORY D ARC I WALTO N

The homemade green tutu swayed effortlessly in the October breeze. Senior Hanna Harrison entered Disney World’s Magic Kingdom for an exclusive Halloween party for those who had special passes. Along with her tutu, Hanna wore green leggings, a green t-shirt with a single eyeball and a Monster’s University cap to complete her Mike Wazowski costume. Beside her stood her cousin Caitlin in a pink dress and purple tights. Caitlin finished off her Boo costume with two pigtails and a teddy bear. Excitement buzzed everywhere. Princesses, princes and creatures milled around as far as the eye could see. The trip was Hanna’s 18th birthday present and her seventh trip to the theme park. For her, this was truly the Happiest Place on Earth. But it didn’t start out that way. When the Harrison family first traveled to the amusement park in Orlando, she was in fifth grade. Although they hoped for a fun family vacation, the Harrison’s dreams did not come true. “I actually really didn’t like it,” Hanna said. “My first roller coaster I ever went on was Splash Mountain. I was a major wimp. I was terrified of it, and I think that’s the main reason I didn’t have a good time.” After a few years, Hanna and her family decided to give the theme park another try. And a second chance was all that Disney needed. According to Hanna’s mother, Sabrina Harrison, they were able to leave all their troubles at the airport. “All you have to do is show up and let the fun sweep you in,” Sabrina said. “The little kid inside you can come out for a week and play.” Hanna made sure to avoid Splash Mountain this time around, making their overall experience remarkably better. After that trip the Harrisons couldn’t get enough Disney. In the last seven years the Harrisons have been to Disney a total of eight times, three in Hanna’s senior year alone. During those trips Hanna began to collect Disney pins. “I have about 20 or 30 now,” Hanna said. “My favorite is the one my mom bought me when we went for my birthday. It has the Castle with balloons behind it and it says, ‘Happy Birthday.’” In her eight trips Hanna has had the opportunity to explore all DESIGN VICTORIA P RI C E

four parks and has had some opportunities that not every guest gets. One night, while the fireworks boomed throughout Magic Kingdom, the Harrisons enjoyed a meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside the iconic Disney castle. “They were able to turn on the sounds inside the restaurant,” Hanna said. “After we finished eating we got to go outside, and [the fireworks] were still going on. It was really cool.” After graduation Hanna plans to keep Disney a major part of her life. During her time at the University of Oklahoma, where she is majoring in public relations, she intends to be a part of the Disney College Program, which allows students to spend a semester interning in Florida. She hopes to return to Disney after she has her degree and plans to work for them full time. “I really want to keep [Disney] as a part of my family when I get older,” Hanna said. “I love it.”

PHOTO SU BMITTED

Senior Hanna Harrison stands in line with her cousin Caitlin waiting to enter the park for a Halloween party. The trip to Disney was Hanna’s 18th birthday present. MA R C H 6 , 201 5


28 O P I N I O N

Texas proud Aust i n Ri ckerson

@ a us t in _ R 2 8

I raced across the cylinder-shaped hay bales, trying to avoid my cousin in our impromptu game of tag at my uncle’s ranch in Terrell, Texas. We hopped from hay bale to hay bale in our reckless game, sprinting across the rows as if we were just running along the ground. Now my sister was “it.” I sidestepped quickly to avoid her grasp and lept to the adjacent row of golden-colored bundles. As I landed, planting my two feet, I used my hands to brace myself, losing my balance slightly and falling forward. As I stood back up a sharp pain radiated from my left hand. A 12-inch shard of hay protruded from my hand. Quickly I snapped it off, leaving a piece in my skin but resuming the game. Maybe I was tough or maybe I was just caught up in a childhood game. Maybe that’s just how we do it in Texas. But a year or so later, when I had to get the shard surgically-removed from my hand after my skin

had healed over it, I felt full of this sense of pride. Not in myself or some macho feat I had accomplished but in my uncle’s ranch. In the place I was raised. In Texas. *** The NRA supporter ranted about his view on firearms and gun control laws in front of my Civics class. We were in the middle of a mock Congress project where my classmates and I were creating our own legislation on current political issues. Listening to different experts from around the community was part of that. But as the man continued his talk about his fears of different limits on guns, I could feel the liberal students around me cringe. Now I didn’t completely agree with him either. Some of his worries were farfetched, like the idea that our guns would be confiscated if there was a national gun registry. But I could still agree with most of his logic, unlike many of my peers. “Just another ignorant Texan,” my liberal classmate said after the period was over. “I can’t wait to be out of this state.” I was shocked by her comment. Maybe the guy wasn’t the best conservative to bring to talk about gun legislature, but he wasn’t an ignorant fool either. And her opinion wasn’t even what really bothered me. During my senior year, I’ve heard classmate after classmate say how much they can’t wait to escape from Texas. I guess they think it just consists of a bunch of ignorant rednecks.

But I couldn’t disagree more. Although I was born in Nashville, I’ve lived in Flower Mound for all but six months of my life. I’ve been raised by the Dallas Cowboys, Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and plenty of southern cooking. I’ve spent quality time at my uncle’s cattle ranch, feeding the cows that roam on the pasture. And I’ve been brought up in a Methodist, Republican household. So maybe I’ve been brainwashed. Maybe my mom and dad have just drilled an illogical sense of Texas patriotism into my head from birth. Maybe people talk behind my back about how I’m just another ignorant Texan. But the bottom line is that I’ll never be dying to leave the state that has shaped me into the young man I am today. *** Back at my uncle’s ranch, my cousin, sister and I all watch as my uncle and his friend herd all of the young steers into a metal pen. Castrating time. Only one of these lucky males can be the bull. For the rest, they are about to face the knife my uncle holds in his hand. In the afternoon, my uncle has finished his work. As he leaves the pen, cattle squealing behind him, he drops a bucket in the dirt next to my sister. Full to the brim of the aftermath after a long day of castrating steers. Gross. Hick. Redneck. Ignorant. But I don’t care what people say. I’m proud to be a Texan.

Sweet tweets COMPILED DARCI WALTO N

If I had a time machine the first thing I would do would be to go to a jonas brother concert in the year 2007 ngl - Ellen Slater, 9 @ellensl8r

M HSMARQUE E.COM

Alright spring break I need you - Elissa Felt, 10 @elissafelt

Is it bad that I still listen to Lady Gaga sometimes or - Sydney Hardin, 11 @Sydney_Hardin

DESIGN TA R Y N WEL C H


OPINION

29

My phone alarm sounded and I couldn’t be more disappointed. It felt like I had only slept two or three hours. Bleary-eyed, I climbed out of bed and stumbled over to the offending device, ready to turn off my 6 a.m. alarm. But as I picked the phone up off of my dresser, I realized that it was my friend calling, not my morning alert. A cold shiver of dread ran through me. For the first time in my life, I actually wished my school alarm was waking me up for the day. I remember very little from the actual moment. All I knew was that it was 3 a.m. All of a sudden I wasn’t tired anymore. The words I told him earlier in the night pulsed through my head. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be here. Apparently, my friend decided that he would.

I braced myself and answered the call, realizing that sleep wouldn’t be possible for the rest of the night. He had threatened to kill himself, and I knew that he was serious. *** Whenever someone would talk about suicide, I payed attention. I listened to everything they said - how to see it in your friends, how to get help for someone with those sorts of problems. Everything. And I wasn’t too naive to think that I wouldn’t come into contact with the subject. But out of all the information that parents and teachers gave me, no one ever told me what to say if someone called me for help. No one ever told me how desperate the voice on the other end of the line would be, and that my heart could beat so fast. And unfortunately, these were things that I had to experience firsthand. The problem is that there is a huge difference between saying and doing. Between learning and living. There’s no way to translate the things I was told about suicide into real life. In the case of my friend, the early morning call was not entirely unexpected. He had been dealing with saddening thoughts for months and would resort to me when times were tough. This was just about every day. I would talk to him, and suddenly the day was better. I thought that I had HIS problem under control. But I made a huge mistake. I had broken one of the rules that I had been taught: get help from an adult.

As the freshman that I was at the time, I figured I had a firm grip on my own life, and another on his. I served as his counselor of sorts. The problem was, I was only 15, and the responsibility was a lot to take on. I spent hours every night neglecting homework and mulling over future possibilities. It was exhausting. But the pattern continued, until the night that served as a wake-up call in every sense of the word. The day after served as a complete moment of clarity: the moment I realized that there was no way I could fix his problems and our therapy sessions could not continue. So I marched into school with more outward confidence than I actually felt, and confided in a trusted teacher before my first period. The conversation escalated as expected, and I ended up rigidly sitting across from the head counselor by the end of the day. I kept worrying over how mad my friend would be at me because we had an unspoken agreement to keep quiet about his depression. I expected him to be furious. But I was pleasantly surprised. He didn’t berate me, or hate me. He thanked me. And I was convinced that after months of stalling, I had finally made the right decision. Although I wish I would have explained his situation to someone who could help sooner, I am thankful for that early morning wake-up call. As it turns out, choosing his life over his potential feelings proved to be worth it.

Petition to install traffic lights at the W hall intersection

I can’t wait until ap tests are over so I can have my life back!!!!!!!!!!

- Aydin Zanagar, 12 @azanagar

- Katie Bienek, 12 @katiefranci

You should remember that the “F” in Physics stands for FUN! #PhorScience

Wake-up call Jai me Hardi son

DESIGN TARYN W ELC H

@ ja ime ha rd is o n

- Adam Hovde, Physics @Hovde_Physics

MA R C H 6 , 201 5


30 O P I N I O N

Studying vs. sleeping Darci Wa lton

@ d a rc iwa l ton_

As I saw the time illuminate through the screen of my phone, my heart fell. 12:48 a.m. I had crawled into my warm, inviting bed almost five hours earlier with the intentions of getting a good night of rest, but I hadn’t slept a wink. I tried everything. Laying on my side. My back. My stomach. Fan off, fan on. One pillow, two pillows. Ben Howard, Oasis, even the soothing sounds of Bon Iver couldn’t relax me. What was keeping me awake? I should be exhausted. After all, we ran sprints at ultimate frisbee practice earlier that day. I couldn’t think of anything, until a little voice crept up on me and gave me a hint. You didn’t study enough, Darci. You’re going to fail both of your tests tomorrow. It’s only 10:20. You still have some time to cram. I gave in to the voice. I pulled out my notes and switched my brain back into per-

MARQUEE Remarks

fection mode. Failure was not an option. It never has been. The bar I have set for myself is unattainable, and I am very aware of that, yet I constantly trade my mental and physical health for stress and sleep deprivation. Because I’ll never be able to achieve my outlandish goals, I am constantly dissatisfied with myself. I earned a 98 on one of my finals, which should be an incredible achievement and a reflection of my hard work. But instead I spent the long weekend in between semesters trying to jog my memory of test questions in order to determine how I could have made a perfect score. With every little victory I have to subconsciously move the bar higher and higher. It’s a vicious cycle. Nothing will ever be good enough for me. My fight with not being good enough peaked sophomore year, and Algebra II became my nemesis. I panicked because my grade was heartbreakingly low for my standards. The only logical explanation I could think of was that I wasn’t trying hard enough. I began going into my teacher’s room every single morning for tutoring, and if we were assigned the odd-numbered problems, I did the even numbers as well. Despite my efforts, nothing seemed to be working. My grade rose slightly over time, but I still wasn’t happy. After months of unhappiness I realized it was okay to not be great at everything and it was exhausting always trying to be. Sleep is more important than stress and late night

cramming. It’s been almost a year since my realization but it’s still a constant battle. Between AP U.S. History, AP English III, newspaper and AP Physics II in one semester, my obsessive academic efforts have proven victorious over sleep on more than one occasion. One night, about two months ago, I snuck downstairs after both my parents went to bed to retrieve my Physics binder for another late night cram session. As I picked up the blue binder I realized if I didn’t know the material I had spent a week studying for, I would never learn it. I put the binder back into my backpack and got a good night of rest for the first time all semester. I woke up without a headache the next morning and received a score on my test that actually met my expectations. That day I challenged myself to accept the little victories for what they were. They were victories, not an excuse to nitpick imperfections to see how else I could improve. Sure, fixing bad habits is an uphill battle, but taking accomplishable baby steps helps. Planning out my entire week ahead of time helps to visualize where I will have extra time to fit in personal projects or get ahead on homework. I reward myself with a “sleep day” every week where I don’t get out of bed until the last moment possible. I will probably struggle with being too ambitious and a perfectionist my entire life but I’m learning that it’s okay to take a nap every once in a while.

“Help out the students more individually. Nobody wants to speak up in front of a bunch of people.”

“It could center around group discussions and talk about what the average students goes through in a day, week, year.”

THE

What would you suggest to improve the HELP suicide prevention program? COMPILED C ARA C RO C K ER

-Kailey Corprew, 9

-Kindall Brijalba, 10

PHOTOS AV ERI C O LLEN

M HS MARQUE E.COM

DESIGN TA R Y N WEL C H


OPINION

31

Suicide prevention discussions needed but HELP curriculum needs change STAFF EDITORIAL

Recently the district implemented a new suicide prevention curriculum designed to promote the discussion of topics like suicide, depression and self-harm. Taking action to combat the impact of suicide is commendable, but this particular curriculum needs serious work to be able to solve this problem. The primary problem with this curriculum is that the material and activities are designed to be very personal in a classroom setting where there is immense ridicule and insecurity. The curriculum encourages students to share deeply personal information with strangers, since most students had just started new classes when the program debuted at the beginning of the semester. Because of this setting, the curriculum virtually becomes a waste of time since the discussion the activities aim to create isn’t occurring. Another problem with the curriculum is that it is administered on a teacher-byteacher basis. The fact of the matter is, a large majority of these faculty members are not trained in counseling or psychology, are not comfortable talking about the subject and received the material with little time to

“Give an example or a story, something to show kids what to look for.” -Josh Venter, 11

DESIGN TARYN W ELC H

train for it. By putting the curriculum in a classroom setting, each student’s experience is inconsistent and different. It is doubtful that the student will receive the best instruction or support. Also, with the push toward technology in the district over the last several years, it’s no surprise that the curriculum included several technological aspects. However, in the effort to present the information in a relevant manner, the severity of the topic was belittled. One of the best examples of this is the use of Kahoot as a method to teach students about depression. Kahoot is known among students as a tool used by teachers to attempt to make a subject more entertaining, which is entirely inappropriate when the subject is suicide. Kahoot bases its point system on how fast the contestant can answer the questions correctly. When the questions are designed to provoke thought and discussion about depression and its effects, the purpose is somewhat lost in a frenzy to win the game of flashing lights and music. Overall, using games and apps like Kahoot in an attempt to make the topic more accessible to students makes suicide and similar subjects seem trivial.

“Have suicide awareness week, like red ribbon week.” -Michael Wilson, 12

Of course, students do need to be informed about the gravity of suicide and depression. Administration at the school and district level need to recognize that their goal of suicide education will not be achieved if they water down the material. It’s important to recognize that according to state law, teachers must administer the curriculum. However, unless students have a healthy mindset about their suicidal struggles, mandating vulnerability in front of their peers could be detrimental. There are so many students who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or depression or any number of mental health struggles. Activities like role play, which are scheduled for later in the curriculum, could be potentially dangerous for those at risk of harmful behavior. Setting up a program similar to “CHILL” like the school had years ago to create a safe place for students to discuss life and heavier topics like suicide would be ideal. Either solution places a student in a mature atmosphere and educates them on suicide without insulting their intelligence with games and forcing them into awkward encounters with their classmates.

“I thought the curriculum was good. It’s going to depend upon the classroom dynamic.” -Becky Lee, French

MA R C H 6 , 201 5


32 S P O T L I G H T

Taste of soul

On Feb. 20, the Black History Club hosted the 12th annual Taste of Soul. The event provides students with a chance to experience AfricanAmerican culture through an authentic meal.

the through ed er goeisth home-cook rn a W r w te n te u a l H Senior line, fil ing his p foodl . dishes

Plates potatoews ere fil ed with c desserts. . mac-and-che hicken, mashed ese and

Spon Club vsors and p olunte er atarents from the ev ent. the Black H isto

a hitmnan and Paulinnth Seniors Brittany W story Mo with Hi ck a Bl te bra e l ce Bracker a plate of food.

ry

Taste Of Soul for 11 years. Teacher Allan Nance (left) hassorun s run it (right). p hel al g n i Sterl rtney Teacher Cou

ck Students celebrate alongside the Bla b. u Cl History

DESIGN & PICTURES AN N A K ATE H UTTO N

Studen Taste otsf serve the hom emade fo Soul. od

at

MA R C H 6 , 201 5


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