The Marquee Volume 34 Issue 5

the marquee

M Face value 6

Photo gallery: Senior boys put skills on display at Mr. Marcus

Vol. 34 issue 5 March 11, 2020

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Juniors begin club that analyzes world events

Edward S. Marcus High School

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p.1 5

A how-to guide on tackling senioritis

5707 Moriss Road Flower Mound, TX 75028

THE MARQUEE STAFF EDITOR IN CHIEF Samantha Thornfelt copy Editor Ayra Charania DESIGN EDITOR Tara Connick NEWS EDITOR/DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Madi Olivier FEATURE EDITOR/Business Manager Reya Mosby Opinion Editor McKenna Cowley SPORTS EDITOR Michael Minton assistant Sports Editor Adriana Pueskens Entertainment editor Nikhita Ragam GRAPHICS EDITOR Emily Seiler REPORTERS Shriya Mukkavilli Alyssa Cheatham DESIGNERS Amber Luther Ryan Baker Esmeralda Arellano PHOTOGRAPHERS Maya Hernandez Kaitlyn Hughes Celine Engel ADVISER LaJuana Hale Associate Adviser Corey Hale PRINCIPAL Will Skelton 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.

cover kaitlyn Hughes

Sophomores Phillip Strange and Kim Ume-Ezeoke serve chicken to parent Lola Aje at Taste of Soul on Feb. 28. The event was held by the Black History Club to share traditional soul food with students and staff. Photo Samantha Thornfelt

CONTENTS

8 12 22 26

Taking the Reins

Senior builds connections with horses through competition

Making waves Swim coach reflects on Olympic past

Hope at Halftime Golf coach receives support through fight with cancer

Say cheese Finding the best grilled cheese in Flower Mound

Pioneering percussion Percussion begins their concert on Feb. 13 at the Texas Music Educators Association convention with their first ensemble “Toccata” by Jacob Remmington. Photo Submitted By Paul Garceau

Ensemble chosen to perform at TMEA convention STORY Alyssa Cheatham DESIGN Emily Seiler This was the 100th year of the Texas Music Educators Association being held and the first time an honor percussion has ever been invited. Percussion teachers have been advocating for the inclusion of this honor for years. The percussion ensemble performed at the convention in San Antonio on Feb. 13.

Over 35 schools sent in tapes to be reviewed in May of 2019 and Marcus’ tapes were chosen anonymously by a judging panel. Performers, teachers and students from across Texas are all encouraged to come to TMEA. The state bands, choirs, orchestras and other performers play concerts, and many teachers give clinics.

Performing at competitions and band concerts is a common occurrence for the ensemble. Last year, they were chosen to perform as an honor percussion at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago.

“Not everyone gets the chance to go to two conventions in their high school career as their section, so it shows how good we are,” senior section leader Milo Garceau said.

Percussion began preparing for the concert in October. They practiced after school for around two or three hours each

day. As it got closer to the concert date, they began to do hour long concert runs every day.

“You get to this breaking point and you’re like, ‘I want to quit,’ but then you think of the big moment and you know you love what you’re doing and that you

“

Not everyone gets the chance to go to two conventions in their high school career as their section, so it shows how good we are.

-Milo Garceau, 12

don’t mind putting in the hard work,” junior front ensemble co-section leader Corinne Worthington said.

Being chosen for TMEA didn’t exclude the ensemble from their normal band duties. The percussionists still had to worry about the marching band show, their region music, next semester’s band placements, solos and new ensembles.

“Having good time management was the biggest key part in day-to-day life,” Worthington said. “Getting fussed at for not knowing your part and then having to go home after staying up at school until 6:30 p.m. and practicing for another hour and a half.”

On Feb. 13 the percussionists arrived at the convention center around 10 a.m. and began unloading equipment from under their bus and Penske trucks. The group ate lunch outside of the ballroom while the first ensemble warmed up with sticks on the ground. After a short video, the percussionists began with the first piece, “Toccata,” before quickly resetting for the next pieces. They played “Shepherds Hey” second, and their concert continued with “Fandango 13,” “Gravity,” “Phylogeny” and four more ensembles before the concert ended.

There are still a few band concerts and the percussion ensemble concert on March 9, but for many students this was their last big performance. They believe it has made an impact on the band and percussion program now, as well as those who come after them.

“We hope that everyone that follows will strive for excellence,” Worthington said.

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New career center set to open fall 2020 “Dale Jackson is one of the older campuses for the career center so I’m excited to move to a new campus and have new stuff, a better building and a bigger space,” junior Cosmetology I student Jordan Mojica said.

Additionally, Dale Jackson students have to travel by bus to The Dale Jackson Career Center will close at the end of TECC-East to use equipment, such as anatomy tables, that are the 2020 spring semester as a result of the opening of the new not available on their own campus. The larger layout of the new Technology, Education and Career Center-West (TECC-West) TECC-West campus will hold more educational appliances, making these resources accessible to students without having to campus in the fall, which may cost up to $45.9 million.

TECC-West will offer new courses, including Animal Science leave the classroom.

TECC-West Director and Principal Justin Gilbreath hopes and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Culinary Arts, which will be new to the career center, is currently only that the new campus can help more students find an interest that suits them by expanding the range of courses offered. offered at The Colony High School.

“The need for additional programs that have student interests The Dale Jackson Career Center building has been used by and to serve our community was LISD students for 35 years. The really the focal point of building new building was needed to althe new campus,” Gilbreath said. low for more course options and According to Wilson, the provide updated equipment. Dale Some of the new courses being offered at career center can be beneficial to Jackson counselor Natalie Wilson TECC-West next year are: all LISD students, regardless of believes the age of the building • Heating, Ventilation and Air their plans after graduation. Most makes it difficult to prepare stuConditioning of the career center courses offer dents for the real world work enstudents the chance to receive • Cyber Security vironment. a trade certification, which can “We were growing, but we • Electrical get them a job right out of high weren’t really growing in the needs • Culinary Arts school. Many students have used of our kids and the industry,” Wil• Hospitality Services/Event Planning their trade certifications to support son said. themselves while in college, even if Courses, such as Cosmetology, they’re going into a different field.

Check out lisd.net/teccw to see all have faced issues like power “It just shows that we are here outages and a lack of counter space the courses being offered. You can to serve a variety of kids, not just on Dale Jackson. The larger space also watch short 1-2 minute videos a narrow spectrum that I feel like and updated electrical systems highlighting each course. has been portrayed over the years,” on TECC-West will reduce these Wilson said. problems.

STORY michael minton Photo Kaitlyn Hughes DESIGN tara connick

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Agricultural programs to be moved to TECC-West campus Agricultural classes will no longer be offered at Marcus starting next year. LISD’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) and agricultural programs will be transferred to the Technology, Education and Career Center West (TECC-West) campus in time for the fall 2020 semester. The FFA programs from all high schools will be combined to form a district team.

Each high school’s agricultural teachers will begin teaching at the TECC-West campus next year. This will allow them to choose what they want to teach.

“Usually you just teach what the school gives you and now we have the option where we were actually asked what are you interested in,” FFA teacher Kaitlynn Gordon said.

In the past, the FFA programs have struggled finding enough members to form a full team. Marcus FFA teacher Melissa Barnett believes that the consolidation of the program will help to remedy this problem.

“You’re struggling to make a full committed team,” Barnett said. “To fill all those teams I feel like it will be easier when we have that many more kids.”

However, some courses that are currently offered as art classes on campus, such as Floral Design, will only be available on the new career center. This will pose a problem for students who took these courses to fulfill their art credit requirement for graduation, because they will have to commit to a double blocked class rather than a one period 18 week course.

“When you have students taking [agricultural classes] as an art credit, there’s a lack of motivation there for them,” Gordon said.

Although students looking for an art credit may not commit to the newly double-blocked agricultural classes, the move will benefit other LISD high schools. FFA is currently only offered at Marcus, Lewisville and The Colony, so students from Flower Mound and Hebron would have to either attend a different

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There is something for everyone in the ag programs.

-Justin Gilbreath, TECC-West Principal school or be bussed over to attend these classes. By combining the teams as LISD FFA, Gordon believes they will create a better sense of district unity.

Another hope the ag teachers have for next year is that by combining the programs, they will be able to focus on students’ specific areas of interest and offer new subjects to study, such as Small Animal Management.

“If they like plant science they can only really take Floral Design and Landscaping, but whenever we move they can actually take Horticulture and Advanced Plant Science,” Barnett said.

By offering more classes TECC-West Director and Principal Justin Gilbreath hopes to show students more options.

“There is something for everyone in the ag programs,” Gilbreath said.

The FFA program has been at the school since 1982, one year after the school’s opening. Barnett, who graduated from Marcus in 2011, was a part of the FFA program since she was a freshman, so the move is emotional for her. She views the current ag building as a safe place for her students because of her experiences here as a student. Even though Barnett will be teaching at TECC-West next year, she hopes to keep updating the school on the happenings of the FFA students competitions and projects.

“My goal and our goal is still just keeping that connection,” Barnett said.

The agricultural classes will be transferred to the Technology, Education and Career Center West (TECC-West) campus by the start of the next school year. photo celine engel

news march 11, 2020

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Seniors strut with style

Mr. Marcus contestants show off on stage DESIGN amber luther photos maya hernandez

Senior Dylan Duckworth (right) performs a scene from the film “Dirty Dancing” for the talent portion.

Senior Siddarth Jayakumar mixes beats on stage as his talents at the competion.

Senior Landon Bradley sings “Man or Muppet” from the film “The Muppets” for his talent.

Senior Tyler Robison presents his formal wear.

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Senior Andrew Gange presents his swimwear.

Senior Nathan Tonti performs in the opening dance.

Senior Michael Carignan dances and makes meatballs for his talent.

His performance is inspired by his nickname, Meatball.

Senior Garrett Karbs shows off a patriotic outfit for swimwear, and his talent is synchronized swimming. He won the competition and title of Mr. Marcus.

Senior Nick Underwood presents his outfit for the swimwear portion of the competition.

Senior Chaitanya Bashyam teaches the crowd his favorite math problems, or “Arthimetrix.�

Senior Hayden Self performs a ballet routine during the talent portion of the competition.

Senior Ethan Barr presents his beach wear during the second portion.

Senior Ethan Rice performs a ballet routine for his talent.

Senior Russell Raunam paints as Bob Ross for his talent.

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over hurdles and fences Senior bonds with competition horses

STORY Adriana Pueskens DESIGN Ryan Baker The Bridlewood stables were filled with horses. Senior Ashleigh Jooste, then 10, held on as her horse jumped over a fence in the ring. But she suddenly realized her body wasn’t in the right position, causing her to fall off.

Jooste had been riding for a year and was thrown off before. A week earlier, she thought she’d broken her collarbone after falling. Her mom had taken her to the hospital, but x-rays showed no injury.

Jooste was in pain and didn't want to get back on her horse, but her trainer told her to fix her mistakes.

“Run it again.”

Jooste reluctantly got back on. A few minutes later, she was thrown off again,

but this time she thought her clavicle was broken. She tossed and turned in the middle of the night, hurting from her falls. Her mom was reluctant to take her for another x-ray, but the pain shooting through Jooste was too much to ignore.

The x-rays showed a fracture, so she spent the next three months in a sling without riding. Although she was thrown off, Jooste couldn't wait to get back to the horses.

••• Jooste had her first lesson when she was 4, but it wasn’t until the fifth grade that her love for the sport began to grow as she transitioned into competitions.

It was obvious to Jooste's parents that she loved horseback riding and the connections she built with the horses.

“As a little child, she could not wait to get on horses, and she was so happy,”

After Stella became injured, senior Ashleigh Jooste’s family found Max and brought him to the stables in December. Photo submitted by Ashleigh Jooste

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Jooste's dad, Adriaan Jooste said. “She had a big smile on her face.”

She began riding Ringo, an auburn Appendix, a breed known for being both race and show horses. Ringo had previous competition training but was working full-time as a lesson horse, so he wasn’t being ridden competitively. He could jump, so trainers paired him with Jooste, who soon began competing.

“Having the gratification of having a good show round at a horse show or just having a good ride or something that makes you feel good, that is kind of addicting,” Jooste said.

She spent countless hours brushing the dust off of her horses, scraping dirt out of their hooves and feeding them treats. Jooste quickly began racking up championship ribbons and medals.

However, after five years, she realized she could not progress with Ringo. He was nervous and the trust wasn't there, so she had to find a new horse at the end of her sophomore year.

“He would spook a lot and he would decide… that he would just not want to jump,” Jooste said. “I wasn’t showing in a division that was fit for my abilities… because at the end of our partnership, we were holding back.”

Jooste found Stella, a tall, white horse. She was bigger than Ringo, and the pair did better at competitions. The two instantly connected, but Stella began limping and could not ride after a year.

It took a month for doctors to figure out that she had a tendon injury and needed surgery.

“The hardest part was just because we didn’t know what it was,” Jooste said.

With only a couple of weeks before her big show in Santa Fe in July, Jooste had no horse to ride.

Her trainer frantically called everyone she knew, asking for a big horse that could jump. They found Max, a brown 16-year-old horse whose owner was in college and no longer riding him.

Jooste and Max competed in the jumper division, where riders are placed based on their speed instead of their form. It was a change, but Jooste knew he was right for her after two rides.

“As soon as I got on him for the first time, it was way different than what I was used to, but it felt comfortable,” Jooste said. “It just fit which was really lucky because that doesn’t happen very often on such short notice.”

••• The sun was shining and nerves were high at the Santa Fe Summer Show Series in New Mexico. Jooste Senior Ashleigh Jooste guides her horse, Max, over a jump at a 2019 competition. She plans to study to become a large animal vet in the future. Photo submitted by Ashleigh Jooste held Max's reins, waiting to ride.

He was trailered out to Santa Fe carted me around, showed me what to do. something, that’s when everything finally a few days earlier to get used to the clicks,” Jooste said. altitude change, so the pair only practiced I kind of hung on.”

••• They jumped over eleven 4 foot 11 riding together twice. Now it was up to Jooste leased Max for Santa Fe, so they inch fences without knocking any over Max to keep her safe. She had to trust had to return him to his previous owner, and finished with the goal time of under him. leaving her without a permanent horse to 82 seconds.

They qualified for a second “He knew so much more what he was compete with. doing than I did,” Jooste said. “He just round, a feat for their first competition.

In early November, Max’s owner Without leaving the ring, contacted Jooste’s trainer. She didn’t have Jooste and Max did six more time to take care of him and was looking complicated jumps, aiming for to find Max a new home for the time under 42 seconds. being.

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When Jooste got the news, she was ecstatic and relieved to know that she would have a horse to show at competitions.

“It was also nice to see that she noticed that [Max] was happy and that our rides had been successful enough,” Jooste said.

“We’re actually a good pair.”

Max arrived at the Bridlewood Stables in early December to train with Jooste while Stella recovers.

Though each of her horses stand out, Jooste's most defining moments have been with Max. Their relationship has helped Jooste develop as an equestrian.

“Every time you get on a horse, you’re putting your life at risk. It’s not something to joke about, but also it’s something that’s incredibly fun and rewarding,” Jooste said. “Especially with Max… it’s okay if we mess up because we’ve built up that relationship and that trust.”

As a little child, she could not wait to get on horses, and she was so happy.

-Adrian Jooste

Her trainer met them outside of the ring with peppermints, Max’s favorite snack. Jooste could feel trust starting to form, and by the end of their two weeks in Santa Fe, Jooste and Max placed third for a performance In 2017, senior Ashleigh Jooste placed second scholarship. with Ringo in the Dallas Hunter Jumper “Once you realize that you’re Scholarship Circuit. Photo submitted by Ashleigh Jooste trying to work together to achieve

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Life outside 'the bubble' Club strives to teach current events STORY Ayra Charania DESIGN Ryan Baker Junior Angela Abraham’s mind was clouded with worries as she sat on the couch. The TV flashed images of her family’s flooded hometown, Kerala.

Citizens were trapped, left to either starve in their houses or be bitten by water snakes. Abraham saw that some were able to escape by raft, but she was still worried.

She had been to India the prior week to visit her grandparents, and she never expected this flooding. Her thoughts were of her family.

Are my grandparents alive?

My grandma hasn’t answered the phone.

What about their electricity? Their house?

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By September 2019, they had found a sponsor, AP U.S. History teacher Kaitlyn Wilson, and signed up to be a Junior World Affairs Council chapter.

“JWAC really just opened my eyes to what’s happening around the world,” Chun said.

Chun didn’t have a TV at home, so she wasn’t updated on most current events before she helped start JWAC. However, when she realized that nearly 27 million children in Africa were homeless during a speech at the JWAC orientation or that the lack of proper eyewear affected the quality of education for students in Africa, she was shocked.

Her newfound knowledge motivated her to learn more about worldly events.

“All of these huge numbers surprised me, made me want to do something,” Chun said.

••• White walls surrounded the spacious room of the shelter.

Centered on the back wall was a Christmas tree, decorated with festive ornaments. JWAC President Renee Gomez entered, grasping the large bag of 86 toys that the club donated in her hands. Each toy was wrapped, labeled, and placed in a pile next to the tree.

“I was humbled,” Gomez said. “It felt really

JWAC really just opened my eyes to what’s happening around the world.

Despite how much this impacted her, she noticed that not many people knew about the flood. Most news outlets didn’t even cover it. It took two days for the tragedy to be recognized on Twitter.

“I clicked on the trend and it was just all these nasty tweets about the people that speak my language and the people who are dying,” Abraham said. “They called them monkeys and disgusting people.”

As she voiced her feelings to her friends, she realized that many of them were not aware of what was happening in India.

Abraham said she wanted this to change, for others to be more knowledgeable about world issues.

One year later, Abraham found a way to pursue this goal.

She was at the Career Center, talking with classmates when she learned about the Junior World Affairs Council, an organization dedicated to teaching its members about global issues. Abraham was immediately captivated. Abraham enlisted the help of her friend, Junior Fiona Chun, and they scouted for a sponsor over summer.

-Fiona Chun, 11

Angela Abraham visited Kerala a week or two before the flooding began. Flooding started Aug. 16, 2018 and caused 483 deaths. Photo submitted by Angela Abraham

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JWAC Officers Angela Abraham, Fiona Chun, Destiny Simpson, Renee Gomez, Neha Yawalkar and Sponsor Kaitlyn Wilson stand together. They discussed education in third world countries during the February meeting. Photo Maya Hernandez

good to see the number [of toys] grow whenever you put your bag next to them.”

Abraham was proud that JWAC could contribute to the Friends of Family shelter.

“I think it was a success … especially because we only have 25 members in our club,” Abraham said.

Aside from service projects and education on global affairs, JWAC encourages its members to apply the knowledge they learn to be politically active. Abraham said the club presents QR codes on their slideshows which directly send members the contact information of their senators and representatives.

Gomez believes there are many costly world affairs students don’t know about and hopes all that JWAC offers will inspire students to do their own research and look deeper into current events.

“To live in a community where we're as fortunate as we are, I think it would be a little self entitled to keep it all for ourselves,” Gomez said.

Donation Drive Eyeglasses-until 5/15 Bottle Caps-until 4/6

Drop off in D207

The Junior World Affairs Council collected toys, books and clothing for their Christmas service project. They are currently planning to collaborate with the Environmental Club and Science National Honor Society to organize a climate march. Photo submitted by Angela Abraham

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Swim coach reflects on achieving Olympic dream STORY madi Olivier DESIGN amber luther PHOTO adriana pueskens Every day at 4:45 a.m., swim coach and natatorium manager Shannon Gillespy is greeted by the smell of chlorine as she steps into her office at the LISD Westside Aquatic Center.

A large window takes up the back wall, looking out to the pools that swimmers will be diving into at 6 a.m. sharp. Binders with labels such as “distance training” and “physiology school” stand up neatly on a bookshelf.

A white flag with the 2012 Olympic rings hangs on the wall opposite of the door, making it one of the first things Gillespy notices when she walks in. Numerous signatures are scrawled across the fabric in black ink. More mementos from her swimming and coaching career are placed throughout the room — a London 2012 pin, a USA swimming flag, framed photos of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.

In Gillespy’s office two worlds collide, capturing her roles as both a high school and Olympic coach.

However, nothing there recognizes her for being on the 1980 Olympic team because she and the rest of the U.S. team never got to compete.

•••

1980 Olympic Trials Irvine, California

Gillespy stood on the starting block in front of the pool, nervously staring at the water. The buzzer signaled the start of the race and Gillespy dove in like she had countless times before.

She stared at the black line at the bottom of the pool as she swam. Gillespy had been chasing that line for 15 years, starting out in classes at SMU when she was 5. Gillespy started competing three years later and found her way back to the SMU pools as a student athlete. As an

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upcoming sophomore, she was training for four hours a day, six days a week. She even spent Christmas in the water. All with the hope of going to the Olympics.

“It’s something that you work all your life for, and then you’re there on that stage all of a sudden,” Gillespy said. “That’s why it’s nerve wracking. You worked all this time for it and then you’re here.”

But Gillespy didn’t think about any of that. She didn’t have to.

“You don’t doubt yourself,” Gillespy said. “You put the work in and once you put the work in, you’ll flourish.”

Muscle memory took over as Gillespy swam lap after lap, allowing her mind to

Inside, you’re always angry. How can somebody take that away from you when you work so hard all your life?

- Shannon Gillespy, swim coach

run wild. She sang “Stairway to Heaven” to herself, just like she always did in training. When the song picked up speed, Gillespy began swimming faster.

Yes, there are two paths you can go by But in the long run There’s still time to change the road you’re on

When she finally hit the touchpad and looked up at the scoreboard, she knew that her time was high enough to qualify for the team, but it didn’t matter.

Gillespy already knew that she wouldn’t end up at the games in Moscow. A week earlier, her coach told her that the United States wouldn’t be sending any athletes

to the Olympics as a protest to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. “[It was] disappointing, but… we knew it was coming six months in advance,” Gillespy said. “With all political things that were going on in the world at that time, that was inevitable.”

Gillespy pushed away the negative thoughts that came to mind as she climbed out of the pool. She wasn’t there to qualify for the team. She just wanted to know that she would have achieved her dream.

“Inside, you’re always angry. How can somebody take that away from you when you work so hard all your life?” Gillespy said. “But I think it got to a point where it is what it is.”

Gillespy never watched the other swimmers from around the world compete in Moscow and rarely discussed how close she was to racing alongside them, because to her, it simply didn’t matter. She returned her focus to the black line, continuing to swim throughout college and after graduating before starting her family.

“It was just another thing that happened, and there’s nothing you could do about it,” Gillespy said. “So move on.”

••• Soon after the 1980 Olympic Trials, Gillespy decided to retire from competitive swimming and not go after a spot on the 1984 team.

She had already started a family with her husband and knew it was time to leave that chapter of her life behind.

However, Gillespy never strayed far from the water. She began coaching swimming and started working at Marcus in 1987. Gillespy moved to Florida two years later but rejoined the school’s coaching staff in 1994. She hasn’t left since and has made a name for herself among swimmers and coaches alike.

“All of the swimmers respect her because they know that she’s an amazing coach and was an amazing swimmer, so she definitely holds a lot of power and respect,” senior Maysen Hauck said.

Although her competitive swimming days were over, Gillespy never let go of her Olympic dream.

“It didn’t happen, so I needed to work harder to fulfill my dream and I did,” Gillespy said. “If I can’t go as an athlete, I work hard to see if I can get there as a coach.”

In 2004, Gillespy started coaching for USA Swimming and ran camps all over the country. Although she had spent her whole career working in pools, Gillespy shifted her focus to open water swimming, which is in outdoor bodies of water, such as lakes. She acted as the manager of the USA World Championship Open Water Swim Team, and in 2011, Gillespy finally achieved the goal she set as a kid when she was asked to coach at the 2012 Olympics.

“I was giddy. Jump-up-and-down giddy, but I didn’t let anybody know,” Gillespy said. “My dream had come true and again. My hard work and determination actually paid off.”

•••

2012 Olympic Games London, England

Gillespy ran down the stands and to the edge of the water with the rest of the coaches, watching as American swimmer Haley Anderson neared the end of the 10 kilometer race. She was neck to neck with Hungarian swimmer Éva Risztov with the gold medal on the line.

The crowd cheered as the athletes swam under the sign marking the finish line. The final times were announced immediately, with Anderson behind Risztov by only 0.4 seconds.

But the color of the medal didn’t really matter to Gillespy. Anderson’s second place finish secured the first medal won by an American open water swimmer.

“It was the most exciting moment I’ve ever had, to be part of the staff that got the first medal for the United States,” Gillespy said. “It was just awesome to know that you’re a part of the staff that got her to where she is.”

Swim coach Shannon Gillespy had a qualifying time for the 1980 Olympic swim team, but they never got to compete because of the boycott. She was chosen to be an Olympic coach in 2012.

••• When Gillespy returned to Texas after the Games ended, she made an addition to her office — a framed white Olympic flag signed by the team members. Six weeks later, her Olympic ring came in the mail. To Gillespy, owning these objects was surreal.

My dream had come true again. My hard work and determination actually paid off.

- Shannon Gillespy, swim coach “The whole experience was an amazing experience of a lifetime,” Gillespy said.

Gillespy is known for being a tough coach that produces champion swimmers.

Her athletes have been high school state champions, college recruits and Olympic Trials qualifiers. In 2010, she won the Glen S. Hummer Award, which is given to the person or group who makes the greatest contribution to open water swimming.

“She’s very passionate, that’s for sure,” sophomore Molly Patrick said. “She loves distance, so she always says, ‘Swim, swim, swim. That’s the only way you can get better.’”

Gillespy is planning on retiring in two or three years and hopes that in her time coaching the Marauders, she has taught them more than how to swim.

“The swimmers that I’ve coached give me great happiness,” Gillespy said. “I tried to instill their life skills as champions in whatever they do.

I would like to hope if they were to walk through the door today, it would be, ‘You taught me the discipline that I needed to be a banker, be a trader, make money, be a millionaire.’”

The discipline that Gillespy teaches her athletes is what helped her achieve her dream 32 years after it was taken away from her.

But when asked if she’d ever change what happened at the 1980 Olympic Trials, she looks around her office, glancing at the flag hanging on the wall.

No. Absolutely not.

“I have fulfilled the dream,” Gillespy said. “I’ve enjoyed the ride. Like I said in 1980, move on. We’re good to go. Move on. I’m happy with the accomplishments.

I’m happy with where I am right now.”

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seconds Compiled shriya mukkavilli DESIGN tara connick PHOTo maya hernandez

jet’s pizza is a proud patron of the marquee

Ashley Gamache, 10 Who’s your favorite teacher and why?

“Probably Mrs. Hutley because she’s just an amazing teacher and she knows how to tap dance.”

(972) 221 5387

2001 Cross Timbers Rd, Flower Mound, TX 75028

What’s a hobby you have that no one else has?

“I frequent airports in banana suits and shark costumes.

When I’m flying somewhere I wear the banana and when I’m picking people up I wear the shark costume. Every time I do it I get a lot of weird looks and it makes people smile.”

What’s your spirit animal?

“Ty Kelly.”

What song do you belt in the shower?

“All of them...However, my main ones are probably anything by Queen, and for some reason the ‘Footloose’ soundtrack.

Specifically ‘Footloose’ and ‘Let’s Hear It for the Boy.’”

If you could switch lives with any teacher or student who would it be and why?

“Not Ty Kelly. I mean, I’m pretty content with where I’m at, I suppose.”

Would you rather have exactly three hairs on your head or have Rapunzel hair you can never cut?

“I think just three hairs because then I can just wear hats...I think I could rock it, you know. If I had Rapunzel hair there would be no way to keep track of it.”

What’s your favorite word and why?

“Swanky. That’s my favorite word.

Why? Because one time I was looking through fonts on Google because I was writing a document and there was a font called ‘Swanky and Moo Moo’ and it sounds fun.”

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Marcus journalism · Want to try something new? · Are you good at a skill like design, photography or writing and want to see your work published? · Would you like a place to belong on campus? · Would you enjoy working with a team? · Do you love to travel with friends to fun places?

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You can still apply!

Come to C108 for an application.

Self reflection Teens discuss cosmetic procedures

Mirror image

Graduate reflects on her cosmetic surgery

I hate how I look.

Why me?

Why can’t I feel beautiful?

Ryann was tired of the teasing. The name calling. The hiding her face in photos. Ryann wanted to change. She wanted to feel beautiful.

••• Ryann’s mom, Diana Taylor, had the same insecurities growing up.

She inherited her father’s large nose, and at age 12 began to notice its size.

Diana hated her nose and wanted to change it, but her mother didn't share her nose, so she couldn't empathize.

Diana knew how her daughter felt.

That’s why when Ryann asked to get a nose job, she couldn’t say no.

Since middle school, Ryann

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before

Staring at the face in the mirror, tears rolled down Ryann Taylor’s cheeks. Her eyes continued to well up as she thought of the cute, button-nosed girls she’d seen in her classes. They were perfect. They’d never have to change.

Ryann hated her nose. She had since she was 6. She had never liked how it looked when she compared it to others, but the comments didn’t help.

Since she was young, people would make fun of Ryann’s large nose, often comparing her to the character Gru from “Despicable Me.” In elementary school, she thought they were just joking. They were teasing her like friends often do. It wasn’t until the sixth grade that she realized their remarks weren’t meant to be funny.

They weren’t laughing. They never did.

As she continued to look at her reflection, all Ryann could focus on was her nose. Her throat tightened as her mind began to race.

had begged her mom to let her get a rhinoplasty. Every time she asked, Diana would answer with hesitation, always hindering from fully saying “yes.”

One day when she was 15, Ryann asked again, expecting the same response she’d received countless times. However, what she heard immediately threw her off guard.

“Yeah, sure. We’ll start looking into it.”

She couldn’t believe it. Soon after,

after

story samantha thornfelt design tara connick

photo submitted by ryann taylor

they scheduled a consultation with a plastic surgeon to begin planning for her rhinoplasty.

“That’s when things actually felt real to me,” Ryann said. “I knew it was finally happening.”

When Ryann shared the news with her friends, most of them were supportive, saying they were happy with whatever she decided to do. However, some didn’t share the same feelings.

While clicking through stories on Snapchat, Ryann came across one posted by a close friend. It was a pitch black screen, with only a few sentences describing his dislike for a girl at their school getting a nose job and how he disagreed with her surgery. Although he never mentioned a name, Ryann knew it was about her — she was the only student she knew of getting a nose job.

Ryann never expected this friend to not be supportive of her choices. She responded to the story asking him why he felt that way, but was only met with more rude comments, so she stopped talking to him.

Despite these harsh words, Ryann never questioned her decision. She knew she had other friends who would stick by her, regardless of the procedure. She wasn’t going to risk her happiness for the pleasure of others.

Though she was still nervous about her first surgery, she knew what she wanted.

She was going to get everything she wanted since she was a little girl. She was going to feel beautiful.

••• Ryann impatiently fidgeted with the silver bands on her fingers as the nurse began to remove the cast from her nose. It had been a week since Ryann’s surgery, and she was finally able to see her new nose.

Since her surgery, graduate Ryann Taylor has additionally received lip injections three times, her most recent being in October 2019. However, she said she does not regularly book appointments and only gets them for fun.

Photo by Kaitlyn Hughes

She had worried since she began her recovery. The tip of her nose had been swollen since the surgery, and all she could think about was if it was ugly and misshapen and how her surgeon would have to try again.

Once her cast was off, Ryann didn’t hesitate a second to turn and face the mirror hanging on the wall next to her. As soon as she saw her face, her eyes welled up. She couldn’t believe it.

She wanted to cry, but wouldn’t let herself in front of strangers. She no longer saw the nose she had hated for years.

“I was finally happy with how I was,” Ryann said. “I’d had this big nose my whole life, and it was just gone. I felt more like myself.”

For the first time in years, Ryann smiled at her reflection. In her eyes, it was perfect.

“She was so happy. Her nose went from something she hated to something she loved,” Diana said.

Ryann’s throat tightened as she thought about how she had felt about herself before. On the ride home, as she looked at her mom, whose own eyes welled up, she allowed herself to cry. She no longer felt self-conscious about her looks. She felt beautiful.

•••

Once summer came to a close, Ryann began to feel anxious as she realized she would face her classmates for the first time since her surgery. She’d never liked being the center of attention and didn’t want others to continuously point out the recent changes made to her face.

However, she wasn’t worried about hearing negative comments from people in the halls. For the first time since she was a kid, Ryann felt confident.

She no longer felt ashamed about how she looked.

“I felt that before my surgery, it was holding me back,” Ryann said. “Now, I feel free, like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

When classes started in August, Ryann found that very few students had negative comments to say about her surgery.

In fact, most students said they didn’t even notice she had changed her nose because it looked so natural.

“I knew I was going to be a little self-conscious about it at first, so it made me really happy knowing other people liked how I looked,” Ryann said.

••• Today at 17, Ryann has no regrets about her rhinoplasty. She said that her new nose is a part of her, and she loves it.

“It’s who I am now,” Ryann said. “It changed me for the better.”

While Ryann has had additional lip injections since her surgery, she said she does not regularly book appointments and understands there can be an obsessive side to cosmetic procedures. Ryann said that there are some cases where people

"

are never fully happy with their results, which leads to them continuously having to get more surgeries and alterations. She said that she believes the more cosmetic procedures a person gets done, the more harmful it is to their body.

“Sometimes it can get to the point where it's obsessive. That’s not healthy,” Ryann said. “Your body can only take so much. You’re hurting your body by doing that.”

Ryann said that while she sometimes still has issues with the way she looks, she is no longer in a place where she feels pressure to change her appearance for others. She said that as she matured, she was able to overlook small insecurities and love her body for the way it is.

“Back then, I thought I had to look a certain way because that’s what everyone else was saying,” Ryann said. “Now,

Back then, I thought I had to look a certain way… Now… I no longer feel like I have to change.

-Ryann Taylor, graduate because I’m older, I don’t necessarily want to look like them anymore. I like how I look. I no longer feel like I have to change.”

Before, when Ryann looked in the mirror, she couldn’t stand the sight of her reflection. Today, she doesn’t hate the face that stares back.

She no longer hides her face in photos.

She no longer wants to change. Now, when Ryann sees her reflection, she sees the person her 6-year-old self had always wanted to become. She sees someone beautiful.

in-depth march 11, 2020

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Filtered reality Popularity of cosmetic procedures among teens connected to social media story madi olivier

& Adriana Pueskens design tara connick

Impact of social media The popularity of social media among teenagers allows smartphones to do what only scalpels and syringes once could. Apps like Snapchat and Instagram let users alter their facial features until they achieve their desired appearance.

In August 2019, Instagram introduced an update that allowed users to create filters. Some were made to portray cosmetic surgery, including the filters Plastica, which imitates the effects of extreme cosmetic procedures, and FixMe, which portrays the markings surgeons make on patients’ faces before surgery.

Almost immediately after the filters’ release, users voiced concerns that they promoted a false sense of beauty, harming mental health.

“I think that it can be a fun thing, but I do think that it kind of influences people to wish they looked a certain way and to kind of conform to society about what they should look like,” junior Riley Berger said.

In October 2019, Spark AR, the platform that creates the filters, announced

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on Facebook that they would remove all offers non-surgical cosmetic procedures plastic surgery filters and prevent new like fillers and Botox injections, has seen ones from being created. The compa- the effects of Snapchat Dysmorphia in her ny didn’t know the timeline for the ban, own practice with a greater number of but the original Plastica and FixMe filters teenagers coming in for these procedures. have already been removed and searching “They want to get their lips plumped “plastic surgery” in the effects gallery pro- up or they want to get laser hair removal duces no results. However, there are still a done,” Dr. Jabeen said. “...There are sites few filters available that make more subtle and apps that they can see that people are changes, such as giving users narrower putting pictures with their plumped lips faces. and how they got it done or the procedure “We want Spark AR effects to be a or something, and the other girls are positive experience and are re-evaluating excited about it.” our existing policies as they relate to wellWhile many factors go into a patient’s being,” Spark AR stated. decision to get a cosmetic procedure, While Instagram’s decision to remove several studies have labeled social media the filters was widely supported, some as a major player. After surveying its users didn’t see the point.

Senior Addison Eads said In 2017, that he would use the FixMe filter if it was still available.

“It’s just a funny thing of surgeons said patients’ people can do,” Eads said. motivation was to look better in “It is just a face filter, after selfies, while only all.”

In addition to providing teenagers with an outlet said the same in 2016. to edit their own image, social media platforms *Source: The American Academy of Facial Plastic and put countless photos of Reconstructive Surgery celebrities and influencers at their fingertips. This led to the idolization of some figures for their members in 2017, the American Academy physical features, such as Kylie Jenner of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive for her plumped lips. Freshman Morgan Surgery reported that 55 percent of Putnam believes this lowers teens’ self- surgeons said patients’ motivation was esteem. to look better in selfies, while only 13 “Instagram models, TikTok stars, all percent said the same in 2016. those people have perfect bodies and However, senior Alexis Marzwania they’re so pretty, and if you’re not up to believes that if a teenager thinks that that body type or that face type, you get getting a cosmetic procedure will make bullied or cyberbullied,” Putnam said. them happier, then they should do it.

Many doctors believe this can lead “If something is really bothering you to “Snapchat Dysmorphia,” or patients’ so much that you wake up every morning desire to have cosmetic procedures to and feel terrible about yourself and there’s match their appearances in heavily edited a way to fix it and you have the means to selfies. In recent years, Flower Mound do it, then go right ahead,” Marzwania primary care doctor Javaria Jabeen, who said.

55 percent 13 percent

Things to consider before getting a cosmetic procedure story Shriya Mukkavilli photo kaitlyn hughes

Specific goal:

Doctors prefer for teenagers to have a specific goal for surgery. A teen that wants to remove a bump on their nose would be more likely to be a potential patient.

Recovery:

Different procedures have different recovery times and are often painful. Some non-surgical procedures like Botox have no recovery time. Other surgeries, such as breast augmentations, can require over six weeks to recover.

Complications:

Common complications of cosmetic procedures include infection, scarring and nerve damage. Although unlikely, even simple procedures such as Botox injections can have negative effects like headaches and trouble breathing. Some procedures, such as lip fillers, can be easily reversed, but most invasive surgeries are irreversible and can cause permanent damage in extreme cases.

Trends among teens story madi olivier

& Adriana Pueskens Some teenagers are driven to get minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures, which are alternatives to surgeries with long and painful recoveries. These relatively simple procedures, which include laser hair removal and Botox injections, have become more accessible with recent medical advances.

Despite their decline over the past decade, doctors have raised concerns regarding teenagers getting cosmetic surgeries, the most popular of which are nose jobs, breast enlargements and ear reshapements. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggests that at the earliest, rhinoplasties should be performed on females ages 15 to 16 and males ages 16 to 17, while breast enlargements should be postponed until patients are at least 18.

“Surgeries, teenagers are still developing, so I don’t recommend it,” Flower Mound primary care doctor Javaria Jabeen, who offers non-surgical cosmetic procedures, said. “I don’t do anyone less than 17 for lasers. We hold off because their hormones are still changing.

Botox, we usually limit it for 18 or above.”

Additionally, few guidelines are set to ensure that these procedures are performed appropriately on teens, who rarely realize how addicting procedures like Botox injections can be.

“I like to have more of a natural look for the patient, so I tell them if it’s going to be unnatural then don’t do it or I don’t want to do it, because if it’s just too much, it’s going to be obvious,” Dr. Jabeen said.

decide on surgery.

“I think it’s a good thing just to know if they’re ready for the surgery or not, if they’re mentally prepared for it,” senior Shreena Desai said.

Despite her concerns, doctor Jabeen believes cosmetic procedures can also have positive effects on teenagers, such as boosting their self esteem.

“It builds up your confidence,” Dr. Jabeen said. “If they really want to get

The number of minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed on teens

increased by 3.6 percent

from 137,251 in 2008 to 162,000 in 2018. *According to The American society of Plastic Surgeons

“They’re going to get addicted to it.”

Although psychological screenings are not required by law, many cosmetic surgeons check patients’ mental health before procedures by administering a test to identify patients who have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). This is especially common for teenage patients to ensure that they are in the mental state to

that procedure done and that is what is holding their confidence or they’re feeling bad or they’re feeling low about it, then yes, I would be very positive about it and tell them to go ahead and get this done.”

in-depth march 11, 2020

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The varsity cheerleaders show off their medals from the NCA National Championship. They also won an award for best use of props. PHOTO SUBMITTED by yasmeen siddiqi

Top of the pyramid

Cheer places second at nationals STORY ayra charania DESIGN esmeralda arellano The cheerleaders circled together, tightly holding hands and watching from backstage as the team before them performed at NCA nationals. After sharing motivational messages and saying a prayer, they spun themselves out of the circle and hugged.

Senior captain Riley Schmidt counted off “five, six, seven, eight.”

The team responded back in unison “Be one comp team.” This chant reflected their desire to move as one person in every competition.

The lights of the Dallas Convention Center arena flashed on as the team walked on stage to perform their routine. They had been preparing for their Feb. 2 performance since September, practicing six to eight hours each week to perfect each skill and stunt.

“I was stressed because we all wanted to do really good, and being a senior, it’s my last chance,” senior co-captain Emma Francis said.

Everyone was following the choreography perfectly, just like how

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they performed in the warm up room, until junior Yasmeen Siddiqi fell. she slipped off of senior Bella Whitesell’s shoulders while doing a shoulder stand.

All Siddiqi could think about was getting up as fast as she could so she could continue the routine. She was dedicated, regardless of how she could have been injured. She sat herself on top of Whitesell’s shoulders and the routine continued smoothly. The rest of the team was unaware that the fall happened.

“You can’t really think about your pain,” Siddiqi said.

“You just have to keep smiling and pushing through.”

Her perseverance isn’t something uncommon in cheerleaders. The popular Netflix documentary “Cheer” has shown audiences how passionate they are and how they strive to make dangerous stunts look perfect for a two minute and 30 second routine.

“I didn’t want to be the person that ruined it for the rest

of the team,” Siddiqi said.

The cheerleaders waited for their results after their performance.

The announcers began to list off the places of the 29 teams.

After every 10, they would let the teams go.

Once they made it to the final five, Siddiqi felt nervous and excited. As they announced fourth, the team realized they made it to the winner’s circle.

The cheerleaders sat together on stage in a circle, holding hands and waiting to find out if they were first, second or third.

“With a score of 96.733, second place Marcus High School,” the announcer said.

The cheerleaders began to cry from excitement. They shot up, hugging each other and giggling. It was their first time coming to the National Cheer Association national competition. They had also won an award for best use of props.

“I was really just happy that all of our hard work had paid off,” Whitesell said.

As head coach Brittanee Brown collected the results, she saw

“

You can’t really think about the pain,you just have to keep smiling and pushing through.

-Yasmeen Siddiqi, 11

that the team’s score was not deducted because of the shoulder stand fall due to their quick recovery.

“I just was really happy that the kids could feel success when we were all so nervous that that was going to affect us,” Brown said.

Francis believes that the team’s self-motivation also played an important part in helping them get second place.

Junior Yasmeen Siddiqi and Natalie de Berjeois show their medals. The cheerleading team performed part of their routine to a remix of “I Love Rock and Roll” where they changed the words “rock and roll” to “Marcus.” photo submitted by yasmeen siddiqi

“We take it in our own hands to work with each other before practice,” Francis said.

Last year, the cheerleaders went to the UCA nationals for the first time and won second place at UCA as well. For the future, Brown hopes to go back to nationals and leave with the gold.

“We definitely are shooting for first place now that we know what to expect,” Brown said. “We’re super proud of second place and we will accept second place forever ... but of course, it’s only right that our next goal be first.”

Senior Kaitlyn Reichenberger was part of the varsity team that placed second at nationals. She performed their nationals dance routine for the last time at the pep rally on Nov. 22. photo by maya hernandez

sports march 11, 2020

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Fighting back #together

Coach honored at annual Cancer Night STORY mckenna cowley DESIGN esmeralda arellano photos maya hernandez

Golf coach Kerry Gabel thanked the team and community at halftime for their support as his battle against cancer continued.

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Golf coach Kerry Gabel was honored for his fight with kidney cancer at the Lady Marauder Basketball game on Feb. 4. The annual Cancer Night is organized by the Lady Marauder basketball coaches.

They pick a different member of the community each year.

“This time we kind of wanted to honor one of our own and help them out,” girls ~ said. basketball coach Monica Pena ~ Pena met Gabel through his daughter Kendall who is on the freshman girls basketball team.

“You can tell he’s a family man. You can tell he does a great job with those ~ said. “He’s very polite. golf kids,” Pena Everyone here that I’ve met speaks very highly of him.”

Both the home and opposing teams wore orange socks, which is the color that represents kidney cancer. The cheerleaders also wore orange socks and ribbons.

During halftime, Gabel and his wife Jessica stood on the court wearing shirts that were being sold as a fundraiser for him. In front of them a video flipped through family photos and clips of an interview with the couple.

After the video, Gabel received a standing ovation from fans of both teams and gave a short speech.

“I can’t put into words the gratitude that my family and I have for this school, this community, and the people we have gotten to know and be around,” Gabel said, “We’re very thankful and appreciative for helping my wife and my family out in this time. It’s tough but we’re getting through it.”

Gabel was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2016, after he was rushed to the hospital because of a sharp pain in his side while playing golf. There is currently no cure for kidney cancer, but Gabel has gone through multiple clinical trials, surgeries and radiation treatments.

The school has hosted multiple

Posters were hung around the school to announce the game and honor golf coach Kerry Gabel. Coaches and members of the boys teams cheered on the girls during their game, and also had a game afterwards to support Gabel.

fundraisers in honor of Gabel, such as the creation of a GoFundMe, a “Fighting Back #together t-shirt sale”, a live auction for a gift basket at the game and a partnership with Mary Kay. All of the proceeds from each fundraiser went to Gabel and his family. The GoFundMe has currently raised $7,970.

“He comes to work every day, and you wouldn’t know that he’s dealing with this unless someone told you,” ~ said, “He lives his life Pena to the fullest. You can tell he doesn’t want that to hold him back and that’s definitely inspiring.”

Gabel’s daughter Kendall sat in the bleachers along with the other players on the freshman girls team. Some

“

members of the boys basketball team also attended the game to show support.

“I was just kind of processing it. I wasn’t even thinking about anything. It was kind of like my life was on a screen for a moment,” Kendall said, “It was a lot of attention for a moment, but it was a good attention.”

Assistant golf coach Matthew Schwolert is inspired by Gabel for his passion for family and teaching golf.

“He calls golf his ‘second family,’” Schwolert said, “[It’s] his desire to be a great coach and a great leader, and give his players and his family the best opportunity to be successful.”

Schwolert says that the event means more to Gabel than his own personal fight with cancer.

“For coach, it’s bigger than that, it’s for all the people,” Schwolert said, “What he has gone through mirrors what thousands of people go through. For coach, it’s never been ‘I want your sympathy.’ It’s always been about him just going day to day and living with it.”

We’re very thankful and appreciative for helping my wife and my family out in this time. It’s tough but we’re getting through it.

Interested in donating?

Scan this code for a GoFundMe that supports Gabel and his family.

-kerry gabel

sports march 11, 2020

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The senior slump A guide to combating senioritis STORY Nikhita Ragam DESIGN Ryan Baker Senioritis (see-nee-or-i-tiss) noun.

1. College Board: Slacking off during spring semester or after being accepted college; can jeopardize future plans 2. Urban Dictionary: A disease mostly affecting high school seniors; symptoms include laziness, excessive absences in school, putting off assignments till the very last minute (more than usual), feeling of hopelessness Senioritis is a serious disease that plagues the majority of the senior class. It’s so grave that the College Board, the pillar of American education, recognizes it and has a whole page dedicated to keeping seniors on track (they really find ways to occupy us, even when it’s not necessary). They believe that infected seniors will be kicked out from colleges due to their lack of focus and effort. While this is true to some extent, remember that the bare minimum is required to not have your admissions rescinded. To prevent this severe illness, they recommend that seniors commit to a career-focused job and maintain a rigorous course load.

But who really wants to do all of that?

Here is a guide to tackle the tiring disease of senioritis without stretching yourself thin across millions of extracurriculars and AP courses.

Stop pushing yourself too hard With the school year coming to an end, grades and ranks will soon cease to count. After the third nine weeks, your rank is locked and all that matters is that you’re doing semi-well in your classes. This means you don’t need to invest as much energy in getting all A’s or even (*gasp*) an 85. Don’t put in extra effort by making Canva graphics for your presentations. Don’t stay up till 2 a.m. cramming for your economics test. Go to bed at 10 p.m. instead.

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Binge watch With senior year coming to an end, it’s easy to become nostalgic. Leaving home for college is daunting and many of us want to relive our childhood. Release your inner child. Thanks to the power of technology, we can now watch all of our favorite Disney, Pixar and Marvel shows. “Victorious” is now on Netflix, so you can relive your childhood by watching it. Instead of studying, relax and catch up on the last seasons of “Bojack Horseman” and “The Good Place.” If you suddenly have the urge to become a film enthusiast after the Oscars and Golden Globes, enjoy critically-acclaimed films such as “1917” and “Parasite.”

Take road trips Have you always wanted to go down to Austin and eat at the original Torchy’s Tacos? Do you want to travel to Waco and take cute Instagram-worthy pictures at Magnolia?

Grab a couple of your other infected friends, and take a road trip! Stop by a Buc-ee’s to enjoy some fudge. Then, find a local coffee shop and take pictures of your latte art so you can make your classmates jealous. Make sure to only take a maximum of three road trips so you can qualify for senior exam exemptions!

Walk into school with a drink The pros of being a senior is that you can buy a drink before school starts. Then, you can walk through the hallways in style, showing off your detailed order of an almond milk caramel macchiato with three shots of espresso and an extra shot of caramel in a plastic cup with a metal straw (because we always have to save the turtles).

If you have senior in, you’re even luckier. You can actually eat breakfast! Enjoy a hearty meal at Seven Mile Cafe or First Watch. Post a picture of your stack of pancakes coated in syrup and powdered sugar to make your friends jealous of how amazing your senior year is.

Go Prom dress shopping April 4 is inching closer. If you haven’t bought your prom dress yet, what are you doing?! If you have senior out, beat the weekend rush by heading to Terry Costa on a weekday. Grab a couple of your girlfriends to accompany you so you can have a second opinion. After trying an assortment of Sherri Hill dresses (that’s the only brand that matters), say yes to the dress that suits you best.

Before you checkout, make sure to check the “Marcus girls prom dresses 2020” Facebook group. You don’t want to get on another girl’s bad side because you wore the same dress! After you’re done buying it, post a picture on the group, claiming your reign over that dress. Don’t forget to apologize for wearing socks in the image, reminding everyone that you will indeed wear heels on the big day.

Sleep You Made It! Congratutlations, you finally made it to graduation! Give it 45 years, and maybe you’ll actually get a chance to relax!

As your senioritis progresses, your tolerance for a lack of sleep weakens. Whenever someone asks you how you’re doing, your immediate response is probably that you’re tired. Ten years into the future, when someone asks you what your favorite memories from senior year are, you obviously want to tell them that you spent a good portion of it asleep. After coming home from school, take a nap. After eating at Chick-fil-a, take a nap.

After skimming through your notes, take a nap. Take pride in your ability to sleep anywhere and everywhere. You deserve it after making it to senior year.

Entertainment March 11, 2020

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GOUDA EATS Best grilled cheeses from the view of a lactose intolerant person

STORY alyssa Cheatham DESIGN emily seiler Like everyone, I love a good grilled cheese. However, my lactose intolerance often gets in the way of me enjoying more than one a year. When I do, I pay the price of a headache and a stomach ache. You may believe I am the least credible person to critique a grilled cheese, but I believe my body’s medical aversion makes me a better choice for the job. Whether your intestines are normal, or you’re a member of the “I Consume Lactose and Slowly Die Club,” the taste is still the same.

With the help of Lactaid and Tums, I was able to visit four local restaurants to determine which one offers the best grilled cheese. I based my decisions mainly off of the sandwiches’ cheese and bread, in addition to how many Tums I had to take after my Lactaid so my fellow intolerants can be prepared for how much medicine to have on hand for the event.

Red Robin: TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TU TUms ms

This was one of the best sandwiches. Arguably, there was almost too much cheese, but let’s be real, it’s grilled cheese.

There can never be too much. It was filling by itself, but the side of bottomless fries was a good addition to the meal. Put together I would definitely go back.

The cheese: The cheeses were center stage. Not only was there swiss, provolone and cheddar mixed between the pieces of bread, but there was also parmesan and cheddar melted on top of the bread. The cheese was so melted that even after the sandwich had cooled down, there was still enough heat to create cheese strings after every bite. The cheese wrapped around the top piece of bread made it the first flavor to hit your taste buds instead of bread.

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Photo Alyssa Cheatham

The bread: The rustic italian bread from Red Robin was way better than the other breads I ate. It was lightly toasted, enough to be crunchy without tasting burnt. It was also airy enough that it didn’t overpower the cheese. Though, with the large amount of cheese, it would be hard for any amount of bread to overpower it.

Cotton Patch: TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS

This was my least favorite. I had higher expectations for this grilled cheese because I know a lot of the food on Cotton Patch’s menu, such as their chicken, is very good. I would still go eat this one if I had to, but this would definitely not be my first choice for a grilled cheese stop.

Photo Alyssa Cheatham

The cheese:

The bread:

This one had three different types, but they were hardly melted. The pan was just warm enough for the cheeses to melt together, but still cool enough to where they separated after a few minutes. Along with this, the cheese didn’t fully cover the bread, so some bites were just bread.

The homestyle white toast at Cotton Patch was not evenly toasted. The edges were barely crisp while the middle section was nearly burnt. The bread was plain, which didn’t give it any extra flavor and made it hard for me to enjoy.

Sonic: TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS

Sonic’s sandwich was everything you think you don’t want in a grilled cheese. It’s one I would eat if I was having a bad day and needed quick comfort food. Along with this, it’s cheaper and better than almost all the other options.

Photo Kaitlyn Hughes

The cheese:

The bread:

It was severely lacking compared to the other sandwiches.

There was only one slice of American, but considering that the pieces of white bread were thin, it didn’t take much for the cheesy taste to shine through.

Sonic’s white bread was saturated in butter, which made it not as crisp as the others. Surprisingly, it didn’t bother me much. It was also not cut into triangles like all the others. It seemed like a downside at first, but ended up giving more room to hold the grilled cheese since it was floppier.

Mom s grilled Cheese: TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS TUMS

Grilled cheese can be a great meal to get when going out to dinner, but a homemade one is still in the running for first place. Sometimes you just really need a home cooked meal made with love. This one was definitely more worth it than others, even if my poor intestines did have to suffer more for it.

The cheese: My mom only used slices of muenster and American, but they melted together nicely. When you looked inside you could see cheese melting. The edges weren’t as melted as the center but at least this one had cheese going to the edges so no bites were just bread. When the two triangular pieces were pulled apart, the melted cheese caused strings to hang between the two pieces. I live for the strings of cheese because it shows the gooey insides that I’m so excited to eat.

Photo Alyssa Cheatham

The bread: The bread was plain wheat which gave the sandwich a more prominent flavor, but also let the cheese stand out. This was also a nice change from white bread because it is more flavorful and healthier. The bread was toasted more on one side than the other, but it’s okay because my mom made it.

Entertainment march 11, 2020

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BOOM BAHS things we like Announcements Students Care About The weekly newsletters that were originally only sent to parents are now being sent to every student. These help students remain aware of upcoming spirit days, schoolwide events and club meetings.

Apple TV

Senior class updates

Within all classrooms, Apple TV systems have been installed. This makes it easier for teachers to connect their district-provided Macbooks to project their home screen that has a picture of their family, clips of CNN 10 or unending PowerPoint presentations.

The Canvas class for seniors provides information on job opportunities, upcoming events and important dates.

Recently, they have alerted seniors about census summer jobs and fun events, such as Mr. Marcus.

and scary like the DMV. I was the beginner driver, freshly 16 with a new dress and sandals and my required documents in a color-coded folder. Everyone else was middle-aged in worn out sweatpants, getting their license renewed for the 15th

hadn’t even seen his face. The first person that had spoken to me all day except for my first period English teacher had just called me the b-word.

My mouth was hanging open as I texted my mom and asked her to pull me out of public school. I wanted to be homeschooled.

She said no.

At first I wanted to excuse his behavior for some reason I didn’t know. Maybe he mistook me for an ex-girlfriend or a girl who refused to let him cheat off of her in Algebra 1.

However, there is no excuse for his actions. That one word has left a huge impression on me over the past four years because it was hurtful. I entered high school with excitement about new possibilities, yet within the first two hours I was reduced to the b-word by someone who had never even seen my face.

One day some teenage boy might call his daughter the b-word in her school’s hallway. He will unleash his hormonal rage on her, and she will be upset. My advice to the boy I bumped into four years ago would be as follows: let your wife handle this one.

I have learned from this experience that words have unexpected impact, so I will let my words be positive. If a sweating, apologizing, 14-year-old girl bumps into me in the hallway, I will respond with a simple “It’s OK.” Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, but while kindness goes a long way, unkind words last even longer.

The b-word Column Mckenna Cowley I wandered through beige hallways that never seemed to end, checking my watch and seeing the time run out. I was desperate and lost, entering a random classroom for help. Faceless strangers stared at me, waiting for me to speak.

Then the late bell rang. I looked down at my outfit, except I didn’t have one. I was naked.

This nightmare haunted me every night during the summer before my freshman year. Thankfully, I never walked naked into a classroom full of people with no faces, but I could have never anticipated what really happened that first fateful day of school.

Aug. 25, 2016 was the first day of my freshman year. I had been in band camp, so I knew my way around, but navigating the hallways with 3,000 other students would be more difficult. I began the day on the freshman campus, which was my safe space. The boys wore outfits picked out by their moms and the girls had perfectly-done hair. Then, the bell rang for students to be released to second period.

I had to go to band on the main campus. I had walked there before, but that was like learning to drive in an empty Wal-Mart parking lot. With all of the other students, it was like merging on the freeway.

The main campus was crowded, loud

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time with messy hair and lazily sprayed axe to make up for a missed shower.

I was speeding through the hall when my forehead bumped into the chest of a 6-foot-something upperclassman boy. I swerved out of his way and quietly said “So sorry.” For the sake of being appropriate, I will replace the word he said with a phrase that has a similar meaning.

“Female dog.”

Then, he walked around and past me. I

HEYS

THINGS WE DON’T LIKE ID consequences Students often forget their ID in their cars or in a classroom, and if they are caught without one more than once, they are given a detention. Not a warning. A detention. Even teachers and adminstratrators forget their ID’s more than once! We suggest that the count for missing ID’s be reset every semester.

“Survivor: D Lunch Edition”

Sanitizer is not a replacement

During A, B and C Lunch, the lunch lines remain open throughout the allotted time. However in D Lunch, the lunch lines close midway, compelling kids who arrive late to lunch (because they’re busy in some intellectual activity) to scavenge for food. The lunch lines should be open throughout all lunches to ensure students don’t have grumbling stomachs.

While coronavirus has not infiltrated the school, it has slowly spread across the nation, including Texas. Ladies and gents, please wash your hands.

The school has had to put up signs in bathrooms, reminding students to perform a basic act of hygiene that should have been taught at the age of 5.

I’ll love you forever Column Tara Connick I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always.

As long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.

Moms teared up as my preschool class recited the words to the popular children’s book “Love You Forever” during our Mother’s Day celebration. My mom smiled at me while she wiped her eyes.

Even though a dozen kids were sitting on the floor saying the same words, I hoped she knew I really meant them.

Last Mother’s Day, while trying to figure out a gift that could possibly start to explain how much my mom meant to me, I thought about that day in preschool, so I pulled out my phone and ordered a bracelet. It was engraved with those same words: I’ll love you forever. When she opened the box, I knew she was confused; she never wore jewelry. However, once she saw the words written on the side, she smiled, immediately remembering that day so many years ago.

From that day in preschool, to Mother’s Day in high school, to the day that I will pick up my bags and move out, my mom will always be my best friend.

She has always been my favorite person, so growing up I tried to spend as much time with her as I could. I went to my sister’s ice skating practice three times a week, so I could talk to her. I sat in the car as she worked, so we could be together during the drive there. When she needed to go to the grocery store, I’d keep her company.

We have spent so much time together

that we don’t have to use words to know what the other is thinking. When I’m sitting at the table, frustrated by homework that I don’t understand, my mom will bring me a coffee because she knows that it’s exactly what I need. When she glances at the kitchen in disgust at 5:30 p.m., I know it’s because she doesn’t want to make dinner. When we make eye

@connicktara contact from across the living room and both seem annoyed, we know that it’s because we don’t like what my dad put on TV. That’s why I’ve struggled so much with the thought of leaving her one day. The stress of moving to a new town, starting college and having to meet new people feels like nothing compared to the pain of having to leave my best friend.

Spending time with people that I have to leave one day is bittersweet. It’s great to be together, but it hurts to consider how limited that time is. I think that’s why so many upperclassmen, including my older sisters, grow apart from their loved ones before they leave for college.

Many of my peers talk about how excited they are to move out of their parents’ house and move on with life. As much as I respect and agree with that, I think that the negative parts of moving on need to be addressed.

Life after such a major change will never be the same as it was before. I can call my mom as often as humanly possible when I move away for college, but we’re never going to have the same relationship as we do now. Instead of talking with my best friend, every conversation is going to be us catching up from the last time we spoke. Instead of walking into my house everyday and feeling like I’m home, I’ll be a visitor.

However, the change doesn’t have to be for the worse. My mom and I have talked through how hard it’s going to be for us to be apart, and I’m so glad we did. Now we really value the time we get to spend together.

If I didn’t acknowledge that leaving my mom would be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, I would forget to remind her that I’ll love her forever.

That’s a mistake I don’t want anyone to make.

Design amber luther march 11, 2020

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“I can’t comprehend time. When someone says 20 miles, is that five minutes or 30 minutes?”

“Hey, do you wanna see ingenuity to the max?”

- Ensemble room “Give me the bones. Give me my trowel.”

- c hall

- newsroom

OVERHEARD

“How many horsepowers are in one horse?”

- B Hall

“Ideally, you would get up and eat something with protein in it.”

“But like… donuts.”

“He has the personality of white bread.”

- w Hall

- C Hall

Boys will be boys Column MADI OLIVIER In elementary school, some boys shoved girls and pulled their hair.

Teachers would try to discipline them, but it often ended in giving a defeated shrug and muttering the same four words.

“Boys will be boys.”

In middle school, some boys would whistle at girls in the hallway and engage in “locker room talk.” Again, discipline would occur, if teachers even noticed.

However, the same excuse was normally given.

“It’s because he likes you. Boys will be boys, you know.”

In my PSAT prep class, a boy sat at a table group near mine, loudly announcing which girls in our grade he finds attractive and saying that they were there for him to look at.

“He’s young. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. Boys will be boys.”

This all-too-common mentality has been around for decades. While “boys will be boys” was originally used to excuse their tendency to track dirt into the house, its use shifted over time to dismiss any of their inappropriate behavior towards others. Instead of reprimanding young boys, adults could simply brush off any blame and convince themselves that’s just the way things are, normalizing their behavior.

However, as long as “boys will be boys,” some will grow up to be men that act on aggression and assault but are never held accountable. Every time a girl is told that a boy acts inappropriately because he “doesn’t know any better,” that boy

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is being told that that is how he should express his emotions.

It’s not that every elementary schooler that finds “teasing” girls funny will end up assaulting women. Most of them will mature and grow out of this behavior with time. But this is in spite of the constant use of “boys will be boys.” When a boy doesn’t

@madsto03 move on, the phrase is used to excuse them for actions like sexual assault.

For example, in 2014, the mother of a 5-year-old girl asked a Montana County prosecutor why the teenage boy who sexually assaulted her daughter was only punished with two years of community service. He responded with “boys will be boys.”

Covering up sexual assault with this excuse is like putting on a Band Aid on a bullet wound. These boys are being given a get out of jail free card. Whatever they do wrong isn’t their fault. But as teenagers and adults, they knew the weight of their actions and can’t play dumb anymore.

While their decisions were driven by

countless factors, the “boys will be boys” mindset is part of the core of the issue.

Baylor is only two hours away from our community and is the home of the biggest sexual assault scandal at a university. Most of the rapes were committed by football players. University regents told the Wall Street Journal that former Baylor football coach Art Briles knew about an alleged assault but didn’t report it.

He was fired as a result in 2016. Three years later, Briles was hired to coach at Mt. Vernon High School. Apparently, it didn’t matter that the numerous girls that were raped by his players were still going to therapy. The victims weren’t even contacted. Briles was hired because when the school looked at him from a football standpoint, he was golden. They focused on the number of wins he had and ignored the number of assault cases that took place.

There has been a fight against this type of behavior in recent years. The #MeToo movement empowered women to speak up against sexual assault. Gillette’s 2019 Superbowl commercial promoted men defying toxic masculinity. These were both huge steps in the right direction, but it’s not enough. People moved on but the problem remained. We have to continue to fight against this “boys will be boys” mentality if we’re going to have a chance at reversing the decades of damage it has caused.

Being male is not an excuse for aggression and violence, so we need to start holding them accountable for their actions. We owe it to that 5-year-old girl, the Baylor students and every other female that has ever been told “boys will be boys.”

REMARKS What are your thoughts on cosmetic surgery?

“ “ “ “ Compiled Ayra Charania PHOTOS Maya Hernandez For teenagers, my big problem is that... if a teenager was to get plastic surgery at this age, in 10 or 20 years, their body might grow out of it.

-Chris Junginger, 11

I think that cosmetic surgery is both a good and a bad thing. You have to be doing it for yourself. For our age… because our bodies are still developing, there’s still things that can harm you.

-Dylan Tran, 10

For cosmetic surgery … people should do what makes them happy. If it’s a lifestyle choice for them or if it’s a decision they’ve made to better their lives and to better the enjoyment of their lives, then they should. Cosmetic surgery is good in a way.

There is a lot of pain that goes along with any surgery and I can’t imagine wanting to volunteer for that... As for teenagers... [they] are very impressionable. They have self esteem issues so you don’t want that added to the already troublesome issue of elective plastic surgery.

-Hyunsung Na, 9

-Lauran Popp, Teacher

chasing society’s standards Doesn’t Work E D I T ORIAL c a r t o o n b y A ly s s a C h e ath a m

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