The Marquee Volume 34 Issue 1

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the marquee

January 1, 2019. Tallahassee, Florida. Columbia, South Carolina. Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Texas City, Texas. Torrance, California. Houston, Texas. Hurt, Virginia.

Roswell, New Mexico. Phoenix, Arizona. Little Rock, Arkansas. Palmdale, California.

Jacksonville, Florida. Owensboro, Kentucky. Houston, Texas. Chicago, Illinois.

Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Jacksonville, Florida. Gaffney, South Carolina. Miami, Florida.

Sebring, Florida. Rockmart, Georgia. State College, Pennsylvania. Ascension Parish and Livingston Parish, Louisiana. Albany, Georgia. Indianapolis, Indiana. Newark, New Jersey.

Birmingham, Alabama. Houston, Texas. San Diego, California. Chicago, Illinois. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Washington, DC. San Antonio, Texas. Cleveland, Ohio. Brooklyn, New York. Petersburg, Virginia. Livingston, Texas. Jacksonville, Florida. Aurora, Illinois.

Clinton, Mississippi. New Orleans, Louisiana. Henderson, Texas. Evansville, Indiana.

Solon Township, Michigan. Covington, Tennessee. Houston, Texas. Baltimore, Maryland.

Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Birmingham, Alabama. Oakland, California. Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Chicago, Illinois. Oakland, California. Shreveport, Louisiana. Denver, Colorado. Paterson, New Jersey. Harvey, Illinois. Missoula, Montana. Mobile, Alabama. Camden, New Jersey.

Rochelle, Georgia. Las Vegas, Nevada. Augusta, Georgia. Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona.

San Francisco, California. North Las Vegas, Nevada. Baltimore, Maryland. North Charleston, South Carolina. Atlanta, Georgia. Chicago, Illinois.

Covington, Kentucky. Hermanville, Mississippi. Stockbridge, Georgia. Panama City, Florida. Tallahassee, Florida. Chicago, Illinois. Wilmington, Delaware. Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Indianapolis, Indiana. Shreveport, Louisiana. Kansas City, Missouri. Baltimore, Maryland. Los Angeles, California. Phoenix, Arizona. Carbondale, Illinois. Miami, Florida. Vallejo, California. Stockton, California. Germantown, Maryland.

Louisville, Kentucky. Wichita, Kansas. Corpus Christi, Texas. Memphis, Tennessee. Los Angeles, California. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Hugo, Oklahoma. Poway, California. Jackson, Michigan. Jackson, Mississippi. Baltimore, Maryland. Birmingham, Alabama. Nashville, Tennessee.

West Chester Township, Ohio. Charlotte, North Carolina. Boston, Massachusetts. Dallas, Texas. Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore, Maryland.

Wilmington, Delaware. Indianapolis, Indiana. St. Louis, Missouri. Oceano, California. North Bergen, New Jersey. Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Indianapolis, Indiana. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. St. Louis, Missouri. Chestnuthill Township, Pennsylvania.

Paulsboro, New Jersey. New Orleans, Louisiana. St. Louis, Missouri. St. Rose, Louisiana. Cleveland, Ohio.

Sacramento, California. Muncie, Indiana. Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Long Beach, California. Atmore, Alabama.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Cascilla, Mississippi. Portland, Oregon. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Columbus, Ohio. Alexandria, Louisiana. Trenton, New Jersey. Chesapeake, Virginia.

Baltimore, Maryland. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Chicago, Illinois. Washington, DC. La Crosse, Virginia. Stockton, California. Washington, DC. Trenton, New Jersey. Cleveland, Texas. Robbins, Illinois. Virginia Beach, Virginia. Allendale, South Carolina. Macon, Georgia. Atlanta, Georgia. Chicago, Illinois. Chicago, Illinois. Portsmouth, Virginia. Santa Rosa, California. Chicago, Illinois. Austin, Texas. Chicago, Illinois. White Swan, Washington. Cleveland, Ohio. Buffalo, New York. Henning, Tennessee. Aurora, California. Savannah, Georgia. Charlotte, North Carolina. West Des Moines, Iowa. Shreveport, Louisiana.

Des Moines, Iowa. Louisville, Kentucky. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Memphis, Tennessee. San Antonio, Texas. Newark, New Jersey.

Allentown, Pennsylvania. Chicago, Illinois. Richmond, California. Saginaw, Michigan. Baltimore, Maryland. Hampton, Virginia. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. South Bend, Indiana. La Jolla, California. Columbus, Ohio. Abbeville, South Carolina. San Jose, California. Akron, Ohio. Atlanta, Georgia. Hamden, Connecticut. Paterson, New Jersey. Atlanta, Georgia. Chicago, Illinois. Hartford, Connecticut. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Bay Shore, New York. Dallas, Texas. Yucaipa, California. Oakland, California. Baltimore, Maryland. Wellston, Missouri. Washington Park, Illinois. Katy, Texas. Fresno, California. Rockford, Illinois. Los Angeles, California. Chicago, Illinois. Boston, Massachusetts. Gravette, Arkansas. Reno, Nevada. Chicago, Illinois. Brooklyn, New York. Charlotte, North Carolina. St. Clair Shores, Michigan. San Jose, California.

Albuquerque, New Mexico. Chicago, Illinois. Wichita, Kansas. Flint, Michigan. Washington, DC. Manson, North Carolina. Houston, Texas.

Chicago, Illinois. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Baltimore, Maryland. Atlanta, Georgia. New Orleans, Louisiana. San Antonio, Texas.

Lubbock, Texas. Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago, Illinois. Clairton, Pennsylvania. Jersey City, New Jersey. Washington, DC. Chicago, Illinois. Pembroke Park, Florida. Los Angeles, California.

Albemarle, North Carolina. Brooklyn, New York. Wichita, Kansas. Washington, DC. Chicago, Illinois. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Gilroy, California. Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Columbus, Ohio.

Rosenberg, Texas. Haskell, Oklahoma. Southaven, Mississippi. Elkhart, Indiana. Suffolk, Virginia. Pomfret, Maryland. Dayton, Ohio. Chicago, Illinois. Chicago, Illinois. Grenada, Mississippi.

Memphis, Tennessee. Brooklyn, New York. Suitland, Maryland. San Antonio, Texas. Detroit, Michigan. Stone Mountain, Georgia. St. Louis, Missouri. Irvington, New Jersey. Chicago, Illinois. Houston, Texas. Richmond, Virginia. San Francisco, California. Chicago, Illinois. Hickory, North Carolina. Riverside, California. Greenwood, Mississippi. Tacoma, Washington. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. New Manchester, West Virginia. Montgomery, Alabama. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Newport News, Virginia.

Kansas City, Missouri. Houston, Texas. Kansas City, Missouri.

Atlanta, Georgia.

Los Angeles, California. Columbia, South Carolina. Houston, Texas. St. Louis, Missouri. Temple Hills, Maryland. Coconut Creek, Florida. Lynn, Ma. Hobbs, New Mexico.

Chicago, Illinois. Pembroke Pines, Florida. Baltimore, Ma. Baltimore, Maryland. Mobile, Alabama. Frederick, Maryland. Charlotte, North Carolina. Toledo, Ohio. Hartford, Connecticut. Valley, Alabama. Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Greensboro, North Carolina. Chicago, Illinois. Elkmont, Alabama. Jacksonville, Florida. Marrero, Louisiana. Whiteville, North Carolina.

Sumter, South Carolina. Alexandria, Louisiana. Chicago, Illinois. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cincinnati, Ohio. Oakland, California. St. Louis, Missouri. LaGrange, Georgia. Cheyenne, Wyoming. Los Angeles, California. Chicago, Illinois. Washington, DC. New Orleans, Louisiana. South Bend, Indiana. Lancaster, South Carolina. September 27, 2019.

Mass shootings 2019 How many more?

El Paso, Texas

Odessa-Midland, Texas

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Senior overcomes brain injury after car accident

Vol. 34 issue 1 oct. 3, 2019

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22

Check out Flower Mound’s best tea shops

Edward S. Marcus High School

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Students give fashion advice for upcoming season

5707 Moriss Road Flower Mound, TX 75028

THE MARQUEE STAFF EDITOR IN CHIEF

Samantha Thornfelt

MANAGING EDITOR/PHOTO EDITOR Emily Lundell

DESIGN EDITOR

Tara Connick

NEWS EDITOR/DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Madi Olivier

FEATURE EDITOR/OPINION EDITOR Reya Mosby

SPORTS EDITOR/ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Michael Minton

GRAPHICS EDITOR Emily Seiler

REPORTERS

Adriana Pueskens Shriya Mukkavilli Mckenna Cowley Alyssa Cheatham Ayra Charania

DESIGNERS

Amber Luther Ryan Baker Esmeralda Arellano

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Maya Hernandez Kaitlyn Hughes

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 469-7135196. The Marquee is a standing member of ILPC, TAJE, ATPI, CSPA, NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll.

COVER TARA CONNICK

*list of 2019 mass shootings sourced from cnn, time magazine and new york times

Senior Ethan Barr asks senior Delaney Hemperly to Homecoming during the patriotic pep rally. Photo Emily Lundell

CONTENTS

4 8 10 26

Performing for a purpose

Varsity theater puts on a show to raise awareness for mental health issues

Rockabilly Around the clock Senior pursues his unique musical dream

Future Firefighters NCTC Firefighting program allows students to earn state certifications

Set Hut!

Check out what’s happening with fall sports this year

TEA gradES education

Marcus earns A, LISD’s B+ in 2019 report STORY Ayra Charania DESIGN Ryan Baker The STAAR school received an A, and Performance LISD received a B+ rating88 in the Texas Education Agency 2019 Accountability College, Career, Report on Aug. 15. The report evaluated 93 B Military Readiness categories of student achievement, student progress and closing the gap Graduation between socioeconomic status 90 and level Rate of education.

HouseAcademic Bill 22 led to the creation of the 82introduced B accountability system. It was Growth in June 2017 to measure the quality of districtsRelative and campuses in Texas by using 88 B in letter grades.

After being implemented Performance*

August 2018, the bill created controversy *Relative performance to percentage among school districts, with 25.1 percent economically disadvantaged of districts earning an A and 56.4 percent earning a B.

TEA’s District Grades Category

Grade

STAAR Performance

88

College, Career and Military Readiness

93

Graduation Rate

90

Academic Growth

82

Relative Performance*

88

*Relative performance to percentage economically disadvantaged

Senior Anna Ryan thought the school’s grade made sense.

“All of the teachers we’ve had have been amazing and taught me everything I need to do to succeed in my class and my future,” Ryan said.

She also credited the efforts of the student body for Marcus’s receiving an A. “I think all of our students are really hard working and all of us are trying to get

into good schools and have a successful future,” she said.

Superintendent Dr. Kevin Rogers sent a statement on Aug. 15 to parents addressing the fact that a large amount of the report had been based on STAAR test scores and expressed how he disagreed with the report’s grading system.

based accountability system, which looks beyond high-stakes, multiple-choice tests,” Rogers stated.

Ryan agreed with Rogers about how poorly the grading reflects school performance, but rather than focus on test scores, she felt that the report should focus more on economic status.

“No student should be solely judged on standardized testing, nor should the schools that serve them,” Rogers stated.

He further referred to the accountability system as being “based solely on a flawed standardized test.”

Senior Anna Ryan acknowledges that the emphasis on test scores is unfair because of possible differences in each student’s circumstance, but she also understands why using scores might have become such a common procedure.

“There’s obviously not really any other way besides standardized testing to see because they can’t go and interview every student at every school in how they’re doing,” Ryan said.

AP Chemistry teacher Janet Hutley also considers the use of a letter grade to be unfair.

“Any time you cook [a score] down to a letter, it just makes a very complex scale too simple,” Hutley said.

While LISD received a score of 90 for closing socioeconomic gaps between students, the district still was given a B letter grade because at least one school scored a D or an F. “That’s a level of criticism that I don’t know if we should even take the B seriously if you’re judging the size of the district based on one failed campus,” Hutley said.

To Rogers, the report failed to convey the district properly.

“Texas students would be better served by a comprehensive community-

“Taking into account economic status helps to not pit rich schools against poor schools,” Ryan said.

However, Ryan agrees with the grade LISD was given.

“I think that makes sense in my mind that we got a B and not passing with flying colors,” Ryan said.

Hutley notes the difference between LISD’s score and the school’s score and credits the relative privilege seen on campus.

“I know we have pretty broad demographics but there are schools in our district that students really struggle with day-to-day needs,” Hutley said.

JET’S PIZZA IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE MARQUEE news oct. 3, 2019

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‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ opens conversation about mental health

STORY Shriya Mukkavilli DESIGN Emily Seiler PHOTOS Maya Hernandez As the lights dimmed, the actors in the scene made their way onto the stage in the baggy, beige outfits. They were sittting in a group having their weekly meeting led by the head nurse. After she criticizes a shy patient, another patient revolts and asks for a vote to watch the World Series instead. Nurse Ratched, a powerful character, who is not used to being challenged, is clearly not happy about his suggestion. The rest of the group is too scared to question her authority. When the rebellious patient is not supported, he accuses the other men of being cowards.

“What are you guys afraid of? Why, you bunch of gutless wonders. I oughta just leave you to her.”

He eventually motivates the patients to find a way around the restriction and they watch the World Series, whooping and cheering at the game.

The audience watching this short preview was made up mostly of parents attending Mental Health Awareness Night

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McMurphy, a patient played by senior Ronan Benford, encourages Chief Bromden, played by senior Davidson Brown, after the patients are told that their vote to watch the World Series must be unanimous.

on Sept. 18. The parents silently watched the events unfold on stage. When the actors took a bow and said their goodbyes, the applause showed they appreciated their hard work.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was originally a book written by Ken Kesey in 1962. The following year, it was adapted into a play that premiered on Broadway.

Set in a psychiatric facility in Oregon, the

story follows Randle McMurphy, a man who fakes being mentally ill to avoid labor at a prison work farm. The play centers around his power struggle with the head nurse, Nurse Ratched, who keeps the men of the facility in line by exploiting their weaknesses.

Ratched is the main antagonist of the story, as she controls the men of the psychiatric ward by downgrading them.

tion. This helped them further grasp the theme of mental health awareness.

“I was doing research on mental illnesses and I was looking at how much I didn’t know,” Senior Davidson Brown said. I think that if I can start bringing it up a lot more as a topic that we talk about more, it would be better.”

Brown says that the production can teach a powerful lesson about individuality and finding identity.

“The play is about staying true to who you are and not giving in to other’s ideals,” said Brown.

The patients of Oregon State Hospital watch the World Series after successfully reaching a Although the play was unanimous vote. They shout and cheer as the game progresses. written decades ago, there Senior LA Herba, who plays Ratched, a different experience than his previous is a certain timelessness says that her power is what defines the roles. to the way the topic of mental health character in the story.

“The plays I’ve been a part of before is confronted in the play, according to “She takes her leadership very seriously. were not representative of an issue that Tooch.

It’s about control, about manipulation,” could be translated into modern life like “Even though this play was written in Herba said. this one,” Benford said.

1963, there are still some things in our Herba had loved this movie since she The play’s main focus is making society that are addressed in the play that was young. When she learned that theatre mental health a less taboo subject. we’re still struggling with,” Tooch said. was doing this production, she had her Theatre Director Denise Tooch says the What really made the directors choose heart set on playing Nurse Ratched. reason this play was selected was to start a this play, however, was the fact that “I loved Nurse Ratched. I used to discussion about mental health within the many of the characters face the same think she was so beautiful and powerful,” local community. mental health issues that teenagers do, Herba said.

“We chose to do this play because we including social anxiety disorder and Nurse Ratched’s power, however, takes wanted to make sure we used our voice in depression. The play also covers topics like a hit when McMurphy, played by senior a way to say ‘hey, this is still something we homosexuality being viewed as a mental Ronan Benford, enters the hospital. need to think about as a society and fix,’” illness in society, by having a character “McMurphy is kind of an anti- Tooch said. who has problems accepting himself as a authority character,” Benford said. “He’s The cast feels a lot of pressure to put gay man. a selfish, weird dude, what I refer to as on this production because of the impact Tooch hopes that teenagers and ‘socially dominant.’” it can make. They want to portray the parents can learn about mental health and Benford says playing this character was characters and story just rihgt. However, those that are affected by it from the play. the cast has a cer- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest will be tain power that al- performed on Oct. 3 - 6. lows them to bring “I hope that the play allows for words on the page someone to look at the person next to life. to them and say ‘I don’t think I ever “Human por- understood it that way, tell me some more trayal is so much about it,” Tooch said. “And that it starts a more powerful than dialogue between a parent and a child that anything books can comes to see the show that opens the door present,” Benford for the child to be able to express their said. fears and their concerns.”

The actors researched their charFeature acters by watching the movie adaptaoct. 3, 2019

5

Still standing

Senior recovers from car crash STORY reya mosby DESIGN tara connick People walked up to Landon Bradley attempting to make conversation. It was a town he didn’t know very well, so he brushed them off and secluded himself.

Landon sat alone thinking about what felt like nothing and everything. He always pushed everybody away. Why? In a split second Landon made a decision. He dragged himself up and willed himself to go to the train station.

He stood letting the wind from passing trains brush his face as he stared numbly ahead. The train roared into the night, and the whistle pierced the air. The last thing he saw was headlights before he jumped into the black abyss.

He suddenly woke up breathing heavily gripping his blanket as if it were his lifeline. He inched his way out of bed, sleep still present in his eyes. He mindlessly sat back down and held his cat, Angel.

Why couldn’t he be the Landon he was before the car crash? Why couldn’t he be normal?

••• In middle school, Landon was a golden boy. He loved playing sports like football, swimming and ultimate frisbee. He loved science as well and wanted to be a marine biologist when he was older. He was excited to take advanced placement science courses in high school.

He also had a love for music. He was in choir and orchestra. Landon was known as a fun loving and caring kid by those around him. He had no worries.

Everything changed the night of Nov. 16, 2016. Landon was in a car with his friend’s family, shoes in hand because he always put them on last minute. Landon looked to his side and saw a truck barreling toward his side of the car. He saw headlights peak through trees. He tried to say something to warn the other

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passengers, but his words failed as he clung to his seatbelt.

He flexed his arms, clenched his jaw and squeezed his eyes shut. His body jerked, his knees banged together, and he was engulfed into the darkness.

He woke up with cold pavement underneath him. Smoke hung in the air.

He saw the other people in the car with him and asked if they were okay. When they said yes, he proceeded to walk home shoes still in hand.

“If we had gone a little bit faster, it would’ve hit my door,” Landon said. “I would be paralyzed or much worse.”

Landon was then diagnosed with brain damage on multiple lobes of his brain the summer going into his freshman year.

He could no longer participate in sports, music or advanced classes. He felt like a stranger to himself.

“I put up a big emotional wall, and I would not say much,” Landon said. “I wouldn’t have many facial features. I would just kind of do things on autopilot.”

Landon spent 22 to 24 hours a day

asleep for weeks in the beginning of his recovery. In the time he was awake he lived from appointment to appointment, test to test. He went to various cognitive and physical therapies. The only thing he had to look forward to was getting french fries and a chocolate milkshake from McDonald’s after therapy.

Life moved on, but Landon couldn’t move with it. He was constantly in a state of having to relearn and catch up. He would get pounding headaches, ringing in his ears, blurred vision and memory loss, which he still suffers from today.

He wanted to go to school, dress up for spirit days and be in choir and orchestra.

Instead, he dove into a pit of isolation.

“For a long time I felt like I was alone,” Landon said. “I didn’t feel like I was with God. I felt like He didn’t want me around, so I would sleep all day, and I wouldn’t go to church because I had to recover.”

••• Landon stared out of the window into the night. His breaths slowed as he calmed down from his dream. His parents were

Senior Landon Bradley’s family helped in his recovery. His mom would go to every one of his physical and cognitive therapy appointments. He often described her as his brain. She would remember things he wouldn’t, and help him with all of the tasks he had to do for his therapies. Photo Submitted

Senior Landon Bradley overcame his constant fear of regressing back to the beginning of his recovery.

This fear came from his first regression that sent him back to the beginning. After experiencing this, he had a newfound determination that helped his recovery move faster than ever. Photo kaitlyn hughes

gone on a business trip for a couple weeks.

It was just him and his older brother.

The house was dark and silent, with the exception of Landon’s cat walking around.

His stomach growled, interrupting his thoughts. Landon just ignored it as he had been doing for the past few days. Because he was constantly sleeping, he very rarely found time to eat. He didn’t see any point to eating and being awake anymore. Not if he wasn’t the Landon he was before the crash.

He wanted to be able to do the things that made him happy again. Soon enough he would use this longing to encourage him to complete his journey in recovery and become himself again.

••• Landon had a desire to be better because the accident made it hard for him to walk up the stairs without falling. He pushed and pushed himself to be better.

In his physical and cognitive therapies he worked on his vision, balance, memory, and speech. He would play card games with his family to work on his memory.

Throughout the process of his recovery, Landon steadily pushed his limits and continuously made baby steps towards getting better.

For a long time, he wasn’t able to listen to music because it would give him headaches. When he finally improved enough to watch the animated movie “Sing!” with his family. At this point in his recovery he couldn’t look at screens because they would give him headaches, but he was able to listen to music. Because

of this, he had to turn around in order to listen to but not watch the movie.

The corners of his lips twisted up in recognition as the opening chords of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” sung by Taron Egerton filled the room. Elton John had always been one of Landon’s favorite artists. He listened closely to the lyrics.

“

therapy] was I said I want to be 110%. I want to be better than I was before, so that was a big moment for me,” Landon said.

After many sessions of physical and cognitive therapy and hard work from both Landon and his family, Landon could rejoin his music groups like choir and orchestra.

“It’s taken me a long time to feel like I’m not alone,” Landon said. “[God] was there with me when I didn’t know, and a lot of things could’ve been a lot worse, but He gave me a lot of strength to keep going and push through. He gave my family a lot of strength.”

He has given each year of high school a theme according to his journey. Freshman and sophomore year was recovery, junior year was catching up and this year, his senior year, he gets to start with his classmates. He no longer has anything holding him back.

For a long time I felt like I was alone. I didn’t feel like I was with God. I felt like He didn’t want me around, so I would sleep all day, and I wouldn’t go to church because I had to recover.

- landon bradley, 12

And did you think this fool could never win Well look at me, I’m coming back again

His mom sat on the couch and hugged him as the notes and lyrics hung in the air.

He then heard the chorus.

Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did

“One of my goals during [physical

“I got through it with a lot of people that cared about me and a lot of self growth,” Landon said. “I learned that if I really try, I can do just about anything, and I found out that I have some great friends and great parents.”

feature oct. 3, 2019

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Rockabilly Blues

Senior pursues his uncommon passion

STORY michael minton DESIGN tara connick PHOTos Emily Lundell Senior Ryan Glenn LaFollette stood near the edge of the outdoor stage at Love & War In Texas, a restaurant in Plano featuring live music. It was the night of Aug. 31st and the middle-aged crowd questioned who this quiet high schooler was.

When the announcer introduced the “Ryan Glenn Band” as the opening performance, Ryan took the stage. His voice commanded the crowd’s attention, despite being the youngest person at the show by at least 20 years. But no one in the audience seemed to notice his age. They just heard his voice and tapped along to his rhythm.

They tapped along because he was playing songs they remembered from childhood. He was playing rockabilly, a Ryan Glenn Band performs on stage at Love and War in musical style that seemed to be rock and roll played by hillbillies.

Texas alongside his band members Dave Moore, Steven This style of music, that most high schoolers have never even Kistner, and Nate Morefield. Moore is Ryan Lafollette’s heard of, came from the combination of the familiar country stepfather and accompanies him on guitar and vocals. music style and the rhythm of blues in the 1950s. the wooden case at the thrift store, this cassette was sitting on Ryan defines it as roots music. ”It’s a hybrid of country [and] the rhythm of the blues back top as if by fate. Ryan’s grandmother, who has been performing on stage for years, even being the in-house band for a TV show in the 50s, but we put a lot of punk influence in it,” Ryan said.

He knows the genre well. Once he started playing, he flipped years ago, was happy to buy it for her grandson. They listened to a switch. Confidence flowed through him as he performed his it the whole car ride home.

Since then, he has held a passion for the style and has wanted own original songs like “The End,” covers of famous country songs, such as Johnny Cash’s “Transfusion Blues” and even to make it a part of his daily life. Though Ryan realizes the music threw in a rockabilly cover of Queen’s “Another One Bites the he loves is not for everybody.

“When you do anything different you’re going to alienate Dust.” His love for the music showed through the way he danced yourself a little bit especially at first,” Ryan said. “When I was across the stage as he sang and played his black acoustic guitar. a freshman especially From the I got picked on quite audience, the lead a bit.” singer of that night’s I figured if this guy who has Ryan said that headlining band, albums all over the world, if a guy other high schoolers Kevin Geil, watched like that gives me a chance... didn’t really get what proudly. It had been was into but he only a year since that probably means that I’ve got he didn’t give up on they had met on that something. his music. Instead, same stage, and he freshman year he could hear how far went one step further his young friend had with his passion and progressed. reinvented himself “He’s doing by adopting the great,” Geil said. “He will carry on the legacy of being a rockabilly guy and throwing rockabilly style. Most days he comes to school wearing Westernstyle button-up shirts, blue suede shoes with his hair slicked back down some cool tunes.” and styled “eight feet high” according to Ryan.

••• Ryan endured people’s digging remarks, insults and name Ryan first discovered rockabilly in the sixth grade when his grandmother bought him an Elvis cassette. Of all the tapes in calling because he knew in his heart, this is what he wanted. All he needed was someone to give him a chance. During his junior year, Ryan got that chance. feature Ryan was excited to finally see Two Tons of Steel perform live at Love & War. As he waited for the show, he met Kevin Geil, the mhsmarquee.com

-Ryan Lafollette, 12

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lead singer. After mentioning that he loved Kevin’s music and was interested in singing himself, Kevin asked if he knew any Sun Records songs.

The Memphis production studio opened more than 60 years before Ryan was born and was the studio that discovered Elvis.

“I love all that stuff,” Ryan replied.

“Do you know ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’?” Geil asked, referring to the “B-side” of of Elvis Presley’s first record, released in 1954.

“Yes sir, I know it by heart.”

“Well, you’ve got a gig.”

Later in the middle of the band’s set, Geil invited Ryan onstage to sing with him. After performing several songs, Giele left Ryan with two pieces After Ryan Glenn Band’s 45-minute opening set, lead singer of Two Tons of Steel, Kevin of advice: learn guitar and Geil, began to set up for his band’s performance. Senior Ryan LaFollette has shared the form a band. stage with other Texas performers on frequent occasions, such as Dale Watson.

That night, Ryan took his passion one step further, he went home and started teaching instrumental in helping him get his career off the ground. He himself guitar with his stepdads old acoustic 1997 Alvarez and calls his mother the “Mom-ager”, because she’s the one to reach dreaming of his band, picturing what it could become. Rather out to venues and get in contact with promoters. While Ryan’s than focus on how he did sound, Ryan focused on how he could stepfather Dave helps with the bands dynamics like deciding the sound. Ryan’s serious pursuit of music had begun. set list and even joined the band as the lead guitarist.

“I figured this guy who has albums that are played all over With his parents support, the band has taken off with the world, if a guy like numerous accomplishments. that gives me a chance, They’ve performed at the Wildflower he thinks I’m good,” Ryan Arts and Music festival to a crowd of over said. “[If] he suggest[s] I 600 people, along with artists like Fitz and get a band together, that The Tantrums and Bowling for Soup. They probably means that I’ve have been interviewed by several country got something.” music magazines, most recently in Blue The people close to Suede News, which has been in publication Ryan had always been for over 30 years. supportive, his parents Ryan credits his success with his chance especially. His mother, encounter with Geil, who has been a big part Kathy Moore, has been of the band since the beginning. performing country “He’s a mentor to me, he’s really helped music on stage since she shape me,” Ryan said. “Kevin gave me a was 12 and his stepfather, chance when a lot of people weren’t. [He] Dave Moore, has been did it expecting nothing in return.” playing guitar since he Performing almost every weekend, Ryan was 14, and has been in feels the most comfortable on stage, as if it is several country bands where he belongs. But he can’t really tell you over the years. They have what is so special about music for him. both always supported “It’s something inside me that just pulls his musical passion, but me towards it. I can’t help but want to do it,” they started taking the Ryan said. “[Music has] the power to heal, idea of him pursuing it as the power to grow, the power to uplift, and a career seriously after he all you need is three chords.”

Ryan Glenn Band opened the scene for performed with Geil.

Two Tons of Steel at the Love’N’War In Texas restaurant in Plano. Senior Ryan LaFollette has Since Ryan started feature a reputation of greeting his crowd, interacting pursuing music, his with people during and in between songs. oct. 3, 2019 parents have been

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Blazing the way Firefighting program offers career jump start STORY mckenna cowley DESIGN amber luther PHOTOs emily lundell It is 8 a.m. as twelve seniors in heavy firefighter gear crawl on their hands and knees by the bleachers in the Lewisville High School stadium. They’re doing bear crawls in “bunker gear,” which includes gloves, pants, a jacket, an air mask, an air pad and a helmet. Though it’s early, it’s still warm wearing all the extra gear. But these students are used to it. They are in their second year in the LISD firefighter program.

Senior Bryce Sherwood was inspired to take this class by his dad, who works at Grapevine Fire Department as an assistant fire chief.

“It’s a really good class, and it provides a lot of benefits for people that want to get out into the job world when they are done with high school,” Sherwood said. “I see myself doing it for a long time after this.”

After students spend two years in the program, they have the ability to receive a Texas Commission on Fire Protection

firefighter basic certification and a Texas Department of State Health Services EMT certification. These certifications come in the form of tests which then allow students to have the correct qualifications to eventually become firefighters.

After they finish the program they become eligible for the job at 18 and can make up to $55,000 a year. This is due to the high demand for firefighters in the Metroplex.

“

“I see myself doing it for a long time after this.”

-bryce sherwood, 12

Flower Mound senior Trinity Atchison hammered the end of a halligan bar to pry open a jammed door.

Atchison used what the students call a “pig” tool, a mix between a pick and a sledge hammer.

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Another benefit of the class is students get to experience what the job is like in real life. Although students involved are younger and there are a few differences, they go through the same drills and activities as students enrolled in college programs.

“These kids get to see everything and do everything that a regular fire academy does,” teacher Curtis Burt said.

Many elements of the class are physically demanding, including drills that involve running up and down bleachers in full gear, pulling fire hoses and breaking down doors. Because of the nature of the program, Sherwood said he wouldn’t recommend it to someone

The firefighting program gathered for a group photo after their door activity, which included multiple ways to pry open an almost 300 pound door jammed with pieces of wood.

looking for an easy class or that isn’t interested in becoming a firefighter.

“I feel like you have to know what you want to do because there is too much work you have to put in to not reap the benefits of this class,” Sherwood said.

One of the main goals of the program is to keep students interested in firefighting on the right path while they’re in

Lewisville senior Monica Dwyer positioned the halligan bar inside of the door as she worked on pulling the door open. A halligan bar is a tool used specifically by firefighters and law enforcement as a way of forced entry.

high school so they can be successful in their careers later on. Certain offences, such as a DUI, cause hiring delays for hopeful firefighters, which can last years. Students involved in the program are encouraged to keep a clean record and focus on their goals ahead.

“One of the biggest problems we’re having now is, when we are hiring firefighters for the job, their background checks are awful,” Burt said.

He wants students to know that if they make the right choices, they can get a job right out of high school.

Junior Will Sparks looks up to firefighters, partly for embracing many of the same principles that the program encourages.

“I always saw them as good role models to follow,” Sparks said.

“They don’t tolerate a lot of things like alcohol, drugs or misbehaving.”

Although all students are welcome to join the program, most people involved are currently male. However, Senior Matilyn Cady encourages more female enrollment.

“Three percent of the fire service is women,” Cady said. “So it is being able to show that we can do it and that [the instructors] don’t have to lower the expectation. Hopefully one day, once I get hired on somewhere, I can be an inspiration to a younger girl and hopefully that three percent goes up.”

The program opened up to juniors and seniors in the spring of 2018, and is held at Lewisville High School Main campus during first period.

news oct. 3, 2019

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Before the start of the game coach Barker encourages the players to do their best during a team huddle. This is Barker’s fourth year coaching at the school.

Volleyball rebuilds after large graduating class STORY Michael Minton DESIGN Esmerelda Arellano PHOTOS Kaitlyn Hughes The girls varsity volleyball team faced off against Lewisville on Sept. 13. After every rally the girls quickly huddled on the court, either to congratulate their teammates on the great play or reassure each other about their mistakes.

Whenever a player was subbed out, she travelled along the row of her teammates to her seat while other players offered a high five and a word of encouragement.

All this energy paid off as the girls beat the Farmers, shutting them out by winning three sets against Lewisville’s zero.

While the team has performed well in their season, with their record as of press time being 19 wins and 10 losses, many of the players are on varsity for the first time.

This year, the girls had only six members

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Outside hitter senior Allison Leone watches her teammates from the sidelines as the game against Denton High School on Sept. 6 starts. Leone is one of the many new players on varsity this year.

of their varsity team return from last season.

“It’s not that often you have that many seniors [leave],” head volleyball coach Danielle Barker said. “They graduate then your team is practically brand new.”

With only six returning on a team of 17, the coaches were forced to focus on rebuilding the bonds within the team.

“The teams that are closer off the court are always much better on the court,” Barker said. “Especially in a game that’s so fast paced. You don’t have time to talk it through you just have to react and know where someone is and trust that they’re going to be there.”

According to Barker, North Texas is a highly competitive region for volleyball, so the team must work hard to stay on their toes and ensure victory.

“In this district with these teams being average is not good enough, so they are forced to come in and work hard every day to beat those teams,” Barker said. “So there are definitely rivalries but I’d rather have it this way than fall asleep every Tuesday.”

However, this competition is not confined to other teams.

“Seventeen is a really big team for volleyball when there’s only six spots on the court,” senior Riley Vaughn said. “So competitiveness gets really high.”

To reduce the tension between athletes the coaches have taken steps to encourage a more bonded team.

Over the summer during an away trip to Austin for a tournament, the coaches took away the girls’ phones and encouraged family dinners. They also took the girls to Main Event where they broke into teams for friendly competition.

“Whenever we’re friends outside the court, it’s easier to support each other on the court,” Vaughn said .

The success of coaches bonding efforts are not only recognized by the returning athletes like Vaughn, but the new team members as well.

It’s definitely hard for us, because we were lacking the leader role because so many people graduated, but definitely the seniors this year have taken on the role very well,” junior Abby Atkinson said .

The girls are over halfway finished with their season, but district play has just begun with their opener against Lewisville. The girls have some big games ahead.

Middle blocker junior Ifenna Cos-Okpalla faces her teammates as coach Barker gives a pep talk. The girls season began well before school started with the Volleypalooza tournament.

Upcoming varsity games Who

Where When

Nimitz Lewisville Hebron MacArthur

Irving Nimitz HS Lewisville HS Marcus HS Macarthur HS

Oct. 4 Oct. 8 Oct. 11 Oct. 15

@ 6:30 p.m. @ 6:30 p.m. @ 6:30 p.m. @ 6:30 p.m.

Indian Cuisine As the game against Denton High School kicks off middle blocker junior Alex Warren serves the ball. The girls were victorious that night, winning 3 sets to Denton’s 1 set.

2221 Cross Timbers Road, Suite 105, Flower Mound, TX – 75028 Call: (972)355-4488

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AP Euro, AP World and Government Do you believe that climate change is real?

“I believe that the sun causes climate change. When the sun is not out, temperatures go down. When the sun is out, temperatures go up.”

What’s something that always makes you laugh?

“As long as my wife doesn’t see this, my wife.”

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What’s your favorite historical period and why?

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“AMERICA! 1776. Those dudes that hung out in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Pretty solid.”

What is your favorite conspiracy theory?

“The JFK assassination”

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Which song best describes you?

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“My go-to back when I was in high school: Led Zeppelin's ‘Stairway to Heaven.’”

Who’s your favorite Democrat candidate for the 2020 election cycle?

“HA HA HA! The ghost of John F. Kennedy or Harry Truman. I would have voted for either of them.”

What is one thing that you wish would become a law?

“If I had access to the elder wand and the one ring and the infinity gauntlet and being an absolute monarch, I would wish for world peace.”

972 537 5006 350 Parker Square, Flower Mound, TX 75028

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All entrees come with plain fried rice

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1940 FM 407 # 112 Highland Village, TX 75077 (972) 317-0589

gettIng a grip on gun violence

Students discuss fear surrounding mass shootings

How has the rise of mass shootings made you feel in school?

less safe 50%

no change 50%

*From a poll of 300 students by The Marquee

design tara connick

Do you think the rise in mass shootings have increased students’ anxiety about safety?

How has the rise of mass shootings made you feel in public places?

no 18% somewhat 38%

yes 44%

less safe 48%

no change 52%

Facing the aftermath Student copes after gun scare STORY Madi Olivier DESIGN Tara Connick

Hushed whispers filled the agriculture classroom in a small Delaware town as a school administrator entered. He interrupted the teacher’s presentation to tell the class he needed to talk to a student. The adults made their way to a table in the back of the room to a boy sitting quietly. He didn’t have many friends in that class and didn’t talk much.

Sophomore Jenifer Barnes, then an eighth grader, turned to watch the exchange from her seat and her classmates did the same. The eyes of every student were on the administrator as he motioned for the boy to grab his bag. The three left without another word.

Maybe he just has to leave for the day, Jenifer told herself. Maybe he has to go somewhere and they’ll talk to him, or his bag might be getting searched.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the teacher entered again and pulled out the student that was sitting next to the boy in the back. When she returned a few minutes later, neither student was with her, and she didn’t say anything about what had played out outside of the classroom.

Nobody knew what happened until two days later when the student that shared a table with the boy returned to class and Jenifer asked him about it.

“Yeah, he had a gun in his bag and he showed me,” the student replied.

She never even considered that this could be a possibility.

“I didn’t think anything was wrong, necessarily, because kids could get pulled out all the time,” Jenifer said. “I never thought it was going to be as serious as him having a gun.”

Jenifer was bewildered. Question after question came up in her mind as she processed the information. He had a gun? Where did he get it?

Why did he show it to the student? It was the last period of the day, and he hadn’t hurt anybody, so she didn’t think he was planning on it.

“It was honestly kind of shocking because I’d known who he was and I wasn’t really friends with him, but I’d talked to him a few times when we were in class,” Jenifer said. “I didn’t understand why he

would bring the gun because he didn’t seem like he wanted to hurt anybody.”

In the following days, the information spread throughout the school. The boy that brought the weapon never returned to school, and the students were all talking about it as they noticed the empty seat at the back table.

“I don’t feel like I was scared really, because I knew that he wasn’t there anymore and it was getting dealt with, but I feel like everyone was kind of on edge and suspicious about what had happened,” Jenifer said.

However, soon after, the students were told not to discuss it, especially when it officially became a legal matter. When teachers called the boy’s name while taking attendance, students just looked around the room silently.

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I know the district, the county, the state and the country are doing things to enhance campus safety. So the best we can do is make our students feel safe in this moment, in this environment, at this school, with these people.

-Michelle Schwolert, Student Assistance Counselor

“It felt like everyone knew what had happened but no one said anything about it,” Jenifer said.

After the scare, Jenifer heard about more and more mass shootings.

“One gun could still hurt so many people,” Jenifer said.

“Personally, when I hear stories of when there are shootings and all that, it’s definitely scary. You never think it’s going to happen to you, but nowadays it could.”

It’s not necessarily guns Jenifer is afraid of. Her dad was in the Army, and both she and her mom know how to use a gun to protect themselves.

“I get that some people want to be able to defend themselves so that’s why they open carry a gun, so as long as they’re not doing anything wrong with it, I don’t have a problem with it,” Jenifer said.

Jenifer is more concerned with the people behind the trigger. She thinks people need to pay more attention to who is getting guns and how they get them.

“If your kid can get to your gun and get it in his backpack and bring it to school for a whole day, then there needs to be change,” Jenifer said.

Seniors weigh in on gun safety Julia Campopiano, 12

compiled adriana pueskens PHOTOs kaitlyn hughes

Garrett Einspahr, 12

How do you feel about guns?

“Personally if it’s in the right hands then I do feel safe. My dad’s a police officer, and obviously because of that we have a gun in our house so I feel safe with him possessing a gun. But because of all of the violence that’s happened recently, I don’t feel safe when I see someone openly carrying it or someone’s that’s not authorized.”

“Yeah I feel safe with most people having guns.

I just feel like there’s some people who you can look at them and be like ‘maybe they probably shouldn’t have that.’”

do you feel safe in america with the rise in gun violence?

“Honestly, just because of how much it’s increased, there’s a lot of times when I go out of the house and I don’t really feel safe. Especially if I go to an area where I’m in a huge concentration of people, even like the store or the movies or... at school. Because it hits so close to home, I’m starting to feel a little bit less safe.

Especially because Texas is passing more lenient laws towards guns being more available towards students.”

“I still feel safe because while it is an issue, it’s also blown out of proportion because of media coverage. You’re more likely to get killed by somebody who’s texting and driving when you’re going about your regular day than somebody shooting you.”

what do you think can be done to help towards combating gun violence?

“It needs to be a lot harder to get [a gun].

Because right now it’s a little bit too easy. It’s ending up in the hands of the wrong people.

I feel like [background checks] should be a lot more extensive so that we can still have guns, because banning them would be really stupid.

“I think they need to do a better job of enforcing their background checks, and I think psychological tests would be fine to see if the person is in a good mental state to own a gun. I think at the same time you can’t completely ban guns...I think the FBI and law enforcement needs to take tips more seriously.

in-depth sept. 27, 2019

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Texas lawmakers combat gun violence STORY madi OLIVIER DESIGN tara connick

texas laws changed On Sept. 1, the day after the Odessa-Midland Action Report,” which focuses on strengthening shooting, a series of laws expanding where reporting techniques between local and federal firearms are allowed went into place. The laws authorities, increasing the enforcement of current were signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in June. Their gun laws and making punishments more severe. effects include: The report doesn’t require background checks - Allowing licensed gun owners to keep guns for private gun sales, but it does suggest that the and ammunition in their vehicles in school Legislature should make it “easy, affordable and parking lots as long as they are out of sight. beneficial” for private sellers to enforce background - Allowing schools to have more armed checks. marshals on campus.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has openly - Defending licensed discouraged allowing people to Since the rise in mass gun owners if they sell guns to strangers without a shootings, have you unknowingly bring changed the way you live background check and has said that a firearm into a gun he’s willing to go against the NRA, your everyday life? free zone, as long as despite the past support he’s given they leave after being and received from the group. Last yes informed. year, Patrick received 100 percent 6% However, many ratings from both the NRA and the Texas officials have Texas State Rifle Association, as well somewhat started fighting for as thousands of dollars from the 26% additional laws after the groups during his time in office. no state experienced two “Look, I’m a solid NRA guy,” 68% mass shootings in one Patrick told the Dallas Morning News. month.

“But not expanding the background A bill was passed that check to eliminate the stranger to will require all school stranger sale makes no sense to me.” districts in the state to *From a poll of 300 students by The Marquee Patrick announced that had have bleeding control worked closely with Abbott in writing kits on all campuses the recommendations. The governor and provide training on how to use them by has expressed similar views and concerns as Patrick.

Jan. 1, 2020. These kits include supplies such as “Right now, there is nothing in law that would tourniquets, chest seals and bandages. prevent one stranger from selling a gun to a On Sept. 5, Abbott issued eight executive orders terrorist and obviously that’s a danger that needs with the goal of stopping potential mass shooters. to be looked into,” Abbott told the Dallas Morning On Sept. 12, Abbott released his “Texas Safety News.

National Proposal

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Sen. Ted Cruz is still in favor of the bill he introduced with Sen. Chuck Grassley in 2013 after the Sandy Hook shooting, called the Grassley-Cruz amendment. It focused on improving the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, increasing resources for prosecutions of gun crime, addressing mental illness and strengthening criminal law. The bill received support from many senators in 2013 and got a positive vote of 52-48 in the Senate, when Republicans were in the minority.

The bill was reintroduced in May as the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2019. It focuses on ensuring that relevant agencies and institutions, such as firearms dealers, are able to access the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, criminalizing gun trafficking and buying firearms for people unable to do so themselves and increasing federal prosecution of gun violence, all while preserving the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

In the school A little over two years ago, LISD put together a committee of teachers, parents and students from all over the district to come up with potential school safety measures.

How do you feel about the relationship between gun ownership and safety?

no opinion 35%

more 28%

less 37%

A major part of the most recent bond package passed by voters is a new front door security system, which was recently put into place. This requires that everyone enter the building through the front during school hours and shows their ID to a camera to be let in.

Also, IDs are strongly enforced on campus. According to Assistant Principal Jason Mullin, they’re important because they help adults on campus identify who is supposed to be there.

“It’s really easy to see,” Mullin said.

“The lanyard makes it even easier because you can see that from a distance, ‘okay, that’s a Marcus student.’ Then when we see the color on the ID, we know that’s this year’s label, this year’s Marcus student.”

Lockdown drills are a regular procedure on campus, and can be modified to fit a wide range of situations, according to Mullin. For example, in the past students were kept in their classrooms during a passing period so a student with a medical emergency in the hall could get help quickly. If there was a situation in a nearby neighborhood or business, the school would implement a lockout, meaning nobody could leave or enter the building.

“The lockdown drill is a little bit more encompassing,” Mullin said. “It covers several other options or several different scenarios. So that’s what we focus on and that’s what we practice.”

Over the summer, the staff received training in Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE). The program’s

main focus is to avoid, deny and defend.

It puts emphasis on ways to reduce the chances of an active shooting and how to protect people involved if one occurs.

Mullin wants to reassure students that safety is being taken seriously on

How often do you think about the possibility of a mass shooting?

daily 9% never 49%

weekly 42%

campus, from the security aspect as well as student wellness.

“The best thing I can say to students is just know that this is something that we have people in the district, people on our campus that that is their focus every single day and that is what we work on,” Mullin said.

in-depth sept. 27, 2019

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El Paso strong STORY samantha THORNFELT DESIGN tara connick PHOTO emily lundell

I sat up on my bed clicking through Netflix. I had been binge watching all day and decided it was time to find another show. Before I could select a new series, I heard my phone buzz loudly beside me. Sighing, I saw a single Twitter notification on the screen.

“BREAKING: Active shooter at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas” I stared at my phone. I didn’t know how to react or what to feel. Most of my mom’s family is native to El Paso.

My grandparents, uncle Jason and aunt Amanda all lived roughly 20 minutes from that mall. They had been texting us 15 minutes prior, joking around.

Surely, they couldn’t be there.

They almost never go that far out to shop, but my mind soon wandered to the what ifs. What if that was the day they decided to shop there? What if my ninos Ana and Jaeger or aunt’s family were nearby?

Who would do this to El Paso?

El Paso has been my second home for as long as I can remember. Every summer and Christmas, my parents,

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sister and I make the 10 hour drive to my grandparents’ house. Some of my favorite childhood memories are dinners at my great-grandmother’s house and playing basketball with my grandfather in his backyard. It’s the city where I met my baby cousin for the first time, and said goodbye to my greatgrandfather for the last time. El Paso has been a constant in my life. I couldn’t imagine why someone would want to do anything to harm the beautiful Sun City.

A shooting occurred at a public area, a Walmart, where people and their families should feel safe. Before this tragedy, I would only think of the possibility of a mass shooting occurring at school. After, it would even happen when I went out to buy milk and eggs.

“

...He targeted people who were Hispanic...

People like my family. People like me.

In addition to this, the victims weren’t random. Not only did the alleged shooter target innocent people in a public place, he targeted people who were Hispanic. People like 60-yearold army veteran and bus driver Arturo Benavides, who had been shot and killed while grocery shopping. People like Jordan Anchonda, a 24-year-old mother of three who was killed while shielding her 2-month-old son. People like my family. People like me.

He had confessed to killing 22 people, and injuring 24 others all to make a political statement. It was horrifying.

Before I ran downstairs to my

parents to ask if they’d heard about what had happened, I received another text.

My family group chat began to flood with responses about the mass shooting. The tightness in my throat subsided as I read their texts. They were safe.

Fortunately, I did not experience the loss of loved ones like the families of the El Paso shooting victims, but hearing the stories of those that died the first few days after the shooting still made me question how going back to El Paso would feel after an event had traumatized the whole city. I wondered how it would be able to recover from such a heartbreaking experience.

My questions were soon answered as I scrolled past tweets and articles, all using the hashtag, #EPStrong. As I read through the articles, I read story after story about how the people of El Paso were reaching out not only to others in their own city for support, but those across the country in other towns, such as Dayton. Vigils were held and fundraisers and relief funds were started within a matter of days.

Later that week, I received a package from my aunt and uncle, who lived in El Paso, containing shirts displaying the city’s famous Star on the Mountain in between the phrase “El Paso Strong.” The fact that that community was able to do so much in such a short time, all while still healing themselves was incredible.

Since then, I have realized that if the families and friends of those affected by the victims of the shooting are able to move past the darks events of what happened that day, then I could too. The city of El Paso has proven that the power of joining together for a common cause can help heal an entire community.

Rather than letting the actions of one person define how they live their lives, El Pasoans have shown that together, they are able to find purpose, strength and hope in the face of tragedy. Now, when I think of El Paso, I will not only think of my family and many wonderful memories, but will also think of a place made up of a unique and powerful group of people. I will forever be proud to come from a family that is El Paso strong.

Patriotic Pride

Students show their school spirit at first home game Photos Emily Lundell

Senior football players Ethan Barr and Favian Arreola run the flags during their entrance onto the field. Arreola ran the American flag in honor of those affected in or by 9/11.

Senior Marquette officer Mariah Wheeler stands forefront as she guides her line onto the field before the game. Wheeler has been a Marquette officer since her junior year.

Freshman Harrison Hamre watches the drum major as he prepares to play the timpani. Hamre is part of the front ensemble, who, with the band performed pre-show and part 1 of the band’s show during halftime The student section shows their patriotism by waving an American flag during the game. Other students supported the football team by wearing red, white and blue.

photo page oct. 3, 2019

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That’s The Tea

Reviews on tea shops around town STORY adriana pueskens DESIGN Amber Luther PHOTOs Kaitlyn hughes

Sukoon Price: $$$$ Rating: 1288 W Main Street #142 Lewisville, TX 75067 Sukoon has a homey, cozy ambiance with lots of lighting and comfortable seating. It has a family friendly atmosphere and the option of indoor and outdoor seating. The staff is friendly and welcomes each guest with a smile. Quiet and spacious, it also makes a great study spot. The matcha latte was a tasty tea with a distinct flavor that wasn’t overpowering, and it pairs well with their sweet scones. A regular matcha latte is $4.09. Sukoon also offers sandwiches, cheesecakes, muffins and cookies to compliment their drinks. Although very tasteful, the tea op-

tions are limited, so the variety may not fit what every customer is looking for.

Starbucks Price: $$$ Rating: 701 Cross Timbers Rd Flower Mound, TX 75028 Starbucks is often known for their coffee, but Teavana at Starbucks carries a variety of tea options. Teavana’s teas are sweeter than most, but are refreshing, making them good for cooling down on a hot day. Their iced guava white tea is fruity and tastes like a sip of summer for only $3.52. Not only do they carry this tasty tea, but they offer matcha, black and peach teas for people with many different drink preferences. Starbucks

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is great for hanging out due to a variety of seating, drink options and food that ranges from breakfast to dinner. However, because of its popularity, Starbucks can become very crowded and loud, so it is not the best option for students looking for a quiet study spot.

Edison’s Price: $$$ Rating: Edison Coffee Co., 420 Parker Square Rd Flower Mound, TX 75028

For people who don’t have a sweet tooth, the iced crescent green tea at Edison’s is perfect. The tea was flavorful, but not too sweet- a neutral taste that fits the studious feel of the cafe. An iced crescent green tea is $3.50, which is pretty cheap for a refreshing drink. Edison’s is decorated with hanging baskets of plants, and has lots of natural light, plenty of comfortable seating options and low-fi music in the background. It is a great place for students to get their work done and have a drink. You can taste the herbs and because Edison’s has a distinct flavor in their teas, it is a unique option for many students. However, their tea might be a bit bitter for some students’ liking.

Teaholic Price: $$$$ Rating: Teaholic Teahouse & Restaurant, 2940 Justin Rd Unit 100 Highland Village, TX 75077 Teaholic has many tea options — customers can choose between milky or fruity teas with the option to include add-ins like boba and fruit jelly. They can also choose how sweet they want their tea. The restaurant brings a cultural flair to tea shops in the Flower Mound area, and the variation in drinks makes it a top choice for many students. Teaholic has trendy decor such as benches and neon signs for students who wish to show off pictures of them with their drinks. They have a lot of seating, but with their

long tables that seat many, there is limited individual seating. Their mango twist tea is $4.50 and definitely worth the price. It includes mango jelly and is light, fruity, and refreshing. Teaholic is a restaurant, not a coffee shop, and has delicious meal options such as tom kha soup after a drink. The variety of options and and and shrimp fried rice available focus on tea is a specialty of Teaholic that to customers who are still hungry attracts customers to this new restaurant.

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FALLing into fashion Students showcase the latest seasonal trends STORY McKenna Cowley DESIGN EMILY SEILER PHOTOS Kaitlyn Hughes As fall approaches, it’s time for students to swap their shorts and t-shirts for jeans and sweaters. The world of fashion is constantly changing, so navigating seasonal trends can be challenging. For students looking for some style direction this fall, two fashion fiends on campus are here to help.

Vintage clothing has been a staple this year, and fall won’t be an exception. Senior Logan Collins’ go-to outfit is inspired by the trend, including a brown leather trench coat from a thrift store in Nebraska and a patterned shirt from a thrift store in Arizona.

“I really attempt my best to only own pieces that have some sort of story to them,” Collins said. “I try to go and thrift vintage pieces because I like the character that each one has.”

Collins makes a point to wear oneof-a-kind clothing. To achieve this, he sometimes has to get creative.

“I ripped [my jeans] myself which I highly suggest because you can kind of

personalize where you want the rips to happen,” Collins said.

For those who are just beginning their fashion journey and don’t know where to start, Collins has some tips and tricks.

Before going to raid any thrift stores, he suggests ditching the classic leggings and gym shorts look by throwing out clothes that are comfortable but not stylish. Then, Collins recommends going shopping for bold, unique pieces.

“You’re going to be wearing a collection of good pieces,” Collins said. “There’s not going to be anything that’s holding you back.”

However, for those who don’t want to throw away their whole closet - Collins approves of a few trends considered “basic,” and thinks people who already own a pair of FILA Disruptor sneakers are on the right track.

“That is one of the only school-wide accepted things that I will hop on board with,” Collins said. “The chunkier the white shoe, the better.”

Inspiration:

• Jackie Kennedy • Timothee Chalamet

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Many people are changing up decadesold trends - from 70’s inspired bell bottoms and funky patterns to Victorianera puffed sleeves and floral prints - to fit their own style.

Senior Aryel Jacques, however, believes that 90’s inspired fashions are going to be in the spotlight this season, many of which she personally wears. Her go-to fall outfit consists of plaid pants, white doc martens, a plain white shirt and a corduroy jacket.

“Denim jackets are always a thing, kind of a 90’s thing, but people are wearing them a lot now,” Jacques said. “Corduroy too, just more textured stuff.”

To Jacques, fashion is an important part of her everyday life.

“I think it’s a cool form of selfexpression,” Jacques said. “Plus, I feel like you feel different depending on what you’re wearing.”

Jacques styles her outfits by beginning with a bold piece of clothing and building around it.

Inspiration:

• Zendaya • Rihanna

“I usually have one thing that’s patterned or colorful and then another thing that’s super simple, and then I just add more stuff,” Jacques said.

Jacques takes inspiration from stars like Zendaya Coleman, especially for her bold and fearless style.

“Zendaya always has good clothes,” Jacques said. “The thing is, she just wears whatever and it always looks good. So, that’s the goal.”

However, Jacques is not a fan of outfits that consist of the same name brand, like Nike, from head to toe.

“Not everything has to have a check mark on it,” Jacques said.

Instead, she encourages students to focus on their own personal taste instead of wearing many expensive pieces at once to impress others.

“Just wear stuff you like, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to find cute stuff,” Jacques said. “It’s not what [brand] it is, it’s how you put stuff together.”

“

Fashion allows me to have fun, it allows me to be creative, it’s allowed me to have more confidence.

-Zendaya Entertainment oct. 3, 2019

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Go, fight, win!

Athletes give their take on the start of fall sports STORY Adriana Pueskens DESIGN Ryan baker & Amber Luther PHOTOs Kaitlyn Hughes What are Volleyball’s goals this season?

“Our goals this season are to be first in districts because we really think we can win this year, and after that to go to playoffs and to just go as far as we can.”

What does the start of the season training look like for you guys?

“Tryouts start on August 1, before school starts. We’re here before everyone else, but August is our tournament season. We had the Allen tournament and we made it to gold. We tied for 7th. Then [at] our tournament this last weekend in Leander, we made it in the top 25.”

What are you most excited for this season?

“I’m definitely excited to just have my last year with my best friends and just to have fun and hopefully win a lot.”

Riley Vaughn, 12 varsity volleyball captain

What are the dive team’s goals this season?

“We got a lot of new people, so our goal is just for everyone to get an 11 dive list [11 dives needed for invitational meets], which for most meets you need to have, so we just want everyone to be able to compete.”

What does start of season training look like for you?

“Right now we’re doing a lot of conditioning. We’re working out for about an hour, and we’re getting on the board and doing a few jumps and a few dives.”

What are you most excited for this season?

maddie Moran, 11 Dive Captain

“I’m excited for our away trip at A&M.”

What is the tennis team’s goal this season?

“Our goal would be to make it to state. We made it to regional finals last year, and we lost a tough match, but this year I think we could make it to state.”

What does THE start of season look like for tennis?

“We usually stay after every school day until about 4 p.m., and it’s not too bad, but it’s pretty hot.”

What are you most excited for this season?

“Team bonding is a really big part of it, and I’m really excited for that.”

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Molly Dalglish, 12 Tennis co-captAIN

What are the swim team’s goals this season?

“Our goal is to develop our freshmen, who have never swam before, to get best times and to get a couple of the guys records.”

What does start of season training look like for you?

“[We are] mainly just in the water for about an hour getting back to shape as we’ve all been out for the summer.”

And what’s it going to look like farther into the season?

“[We will] ramp it up to two hours a day, put some weight room and some CrossFit in there.”

What are you most excited for this season?

“I think that our guys have a really good chance of breaking a couple of the records, so that would be quite exciting.”

Ethan Brown, 12 Swim CO-CAPTAIN

What is the football team’s goal this season?

“The goal is to go to the playoffs and win.”

How do you guys think you’ll achieve that?

“We will achieve that by team unity.”

What are you most excited for this season?

“Being able to just compete with my brothers.”

What does start of season TRAINING look like for football?

“We started the day before school itself started. Mondays is after school practice, [and] Tuesday, Wednesday is before school.”

Remek Dzwolak, 12 Football VARSITY PLAYER

What is the Cross Country team’s goal this season?

“For me personally, it’s probably to make state just because it’s a really cool opportunity, and I think the whole team wants to make state.”

What does start of season TRAINING look like for Cross Country?

“On Mondays we do EPR training which means longer distance, and on Tuesdays it’s more of a recovery run and just to make sure our muscles are fine. And Wednesdays and Thursdays we do a faster pace like working on our racing pace.”

What are you most excited for this season?

“Honestly anything because I just love cross country, so just the opportunity to be in it.

I’m excited for all the meets and all of the travel.”

how long have you guys been training for?

“Since the first day of summer.”

Mallory Embry, 9 Cross Country VARSITY RUNNER

sports oct. 3, 2019

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BOOM BAHS

things we like The New Cafe Menu

This year’s cafe menu includes new options like blueberry bagels, muffins and veggie cups with hummus.

Students can also enjoy the bigger salads and variety of sugar, brownie and carnival cookies. Students like haveing options because they can always find something they like.

Immediate/Organized IDs

New School Safety Measures

The ID process this year was organized and quick, allowing for students to receive their IDs right after their picture was taken. This way, students can easily wear their Marcus identification every day.

This year, parents have to provide identification outside of the campus doors before they can enter the school.

Though this may seem tedious for some, students appreciate the school’s extra effort to keep students and faculty safe.

Fighting The Fear Column Madi Olivier My mom lead me through the dark parking lot, gripping tight onto my arm.

As we walked, I fumbled with a key, struggling to get it to fit between my fingers. When I succeeded, I made a fist around it, so the key stuck out like I was pointing at something.

I held my hand up to show my mom, feeling a small sense of pride for doing just as she had showed me. Her advice replayed in my five year old mind as we moved through the parking lot. Hold it tight. Be aware. If someone tries to grab you, run, scream, fight back — do anything you can to bring attention to yourself and make them decide you’re not worth it. Stab the key in their throat and get out.

My mother took the key back with a small smile and reassured me that I was holding it correctly. She quickly shifted the key between her fingers in one fluid motion and held it the same way, scanning the dark parking lot.

••• I was only five when my parents started teaching me how to protect myself. Young kids are taught how to defend themselves to avoid becoming victims of crimes like sexual assault before they can even understand what it is. They’re taught to be wary of everybody and everything, slowly developing a fear of what the outside world will do to them. This fear can live inside of anybody - there are so many

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different factors that can make people feel safe, terrified or somewhere in between.

Just being a female has been enough to make this fear stick with me, only growing stronger as I got older.

There’s always the thought in the back of my mind that I could be the next victim. When I’m in certain situations, like walking to my car alone, everything

@madio531 seems to be a threat. A truck with tinted windows means nobody would be able to see me if I was pushed inside, a man standing nearby could be pretending not to notice me so I feel safe, and every corner could be a hiding place.

The line between being helpful and being unsafe also becomes blurred.

Attackers have played recordings of a crying baby outside of women’s houses and apartments, grabbing them when they come out to help what they think is a child. Women have been preyed on when pulling over to help someone pretending to need help changing a tire or jump starting a car. It’s impossible for me to tell if I would be helping somebody in need or

putting myself in danger.

What makes everything worse is that through the eyes of an attacker, I’m fully aware that I’m an easy target. My thin, five foot frame wouldn’t be much of a challenge for anybody determined to cause harm. If I ever find myself in that situation, I can only hope that if I yell loud enough or fight back hard enough, the attacker will decide I’m not worth it.

Eventually, the fear makes it seem as though it’s no longer a matter of if something happens, but when. I know that I live in a safe area. The most recent statistics show that in Flower Mound, there were nine rapes and 31 assaults in a year.

Although nowhere near all incidences of these types of crime are reported, this is still much lower than other cities.

I’m aware that ninety nine percent of the time I’m overanalyzing everything, but the constant fear of the other one percent makes it impossible to feel any reassurance. This doesn’t make me weak, and neither are the thousands of other girls that go through their days plagued by the same fear.

Every day, we’re reminded that no matter what we do, we will never be fully safe. But we keep going - that’s strength. As a society, there are so many things we need to fix, starting with the small proportion of the population that’s making us have this fear.

Until then, however, we can’t let these few bad people steal a part of our lives and our joy. If we come together as strong individuals and support one another through it, we can form an unbreakable force to fight this fear.

More Study Halls In Marauder Time This year there will be more study halls in Marauder Time. This allows for students to finish school work in class that otherwise would be done at home and the extra free time is appreciated.

HEYS

THINGS WE DON’T LIKE Spirit Days This year, many traditional spirit days such as grade level color wars and tacky tourist are not scheduled for football game days. Instead, spirit days like patriotic day are repeated, and students miss the regular spirit days from past years.

Senior Picture Information Not Relayed Many seniors did not know about the senior pictures this summer. One way to keep them informed would be to send messages through Skyward during summer to students as well as parents, so they are more aware of upcoming events.

predator Or Prey Column Alyssa Cheatham Shark Week has been important in my family since I was young. It started as an excuse to clear our busy schedules and spend time together, even if that meant watching documentaries together.

As my siblings and I got older, it was easy for them to forget about our tradition between band and school. However, I still had an abundance of free time to watch the documentaries myself. I think that’s when my love for sharks began.

Most people see sharks and think of scary creatures like the sharks from movies that perpetuate the idea that sharks are out to get humans. However, I have a completely different perspective on sharks.

Sharks are creatures who deserve our appreciation. Their habitat is constantly bombarded by humans, boats and other things they aren’t accustomed to. To figure out what these things are, sharks will bump it with their snout or bite it. This gives humans a negative view of them, but what else are they supposed to do?

Sharks are often times just as afraid of us as we are of them. If a human looks like a threat to them, their prey, or their young then they will attack because of their instinct to protect what is theirs, just like humans do.

Sharks may bite because they believe humans on surfboards are turtles or because swim fins make a humans legs look like seals. Rarely do they ever bite to kill and attempt to eat humans as many people today believe. Sharks killing of humans is accidental, but the same can’t

be said for humans. Man’s slaughter of sharks is purposeful.

There are around a hundred shark bites per year, and almost all of them have explanations, most being that the shark was provoked by a human. What explanation do we have for 130 million sharks killed by humans per year?

Drifting Nets? Shark fin soup demand?

@pidgeonpip People being afraid of sharks? Should all these sharks die because of people’s fear?

Culling, the selective slaughter of a specific wild animal species, often occurs because a person got bitten by a shark, and the community becomes afraid.

This panic often leads to the decision to cull that shark species from their area. Because of these cullings, shark populations rapidly decline in places like Florida and Australia.

Most sharks have to constantly swim to survive, but they will often get caught in drifting fishing nets that have broken off of ships. If sharks do live long enough to get reeled in, many fishermen become annoyed and shoot them before throwing

them back into the ocean.

Shark fin soup, a $200 delicacy, is heavily sought after in many Asian countries. Legal and illegal shark finning businesses have popped up across the world and will catch sharks just to cut all their fins off and throw them back into the water. Without being able to swim, those sharks die a long and dragged out death while they sink to the bottom, eventually suffocating.

Whether people like it or not, sharks are a vital part of our ocean ecosystem.

Whether it’s filter feeders such as Whale Sharks eating only plankton and algae, top predators like a White Sharks or Wobbegong Sharks, one which doesn’t have the typical features of a shark, they are all important.

Without them our ecosystem would be completely thrown out of balance. Prey species populations will rise, and it will cause a dramatic shift in the oceanic food chain.

There are people out there who want to protect sharks though. Marine biologists, shark experts, and organizations like Sea Shepherd go out of their way to do just that.

Although I don’t plan on becoming a marine biologist, I do plan to volunteer on one of Sea Shepherds’ ships, be a part of the group that stops illegal fishers, be an advocate for the protection of sharks and I plan to be a voice for these voiceless fish.

I want to protect these valuable sharks from the real predator—man.

Design Emily Seiler oct. 3, 2019

29

“You look like the baby from ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.’”

“We can take it out. You don’t need them, just like your intestines.”

- A HALL

- BAND HALL

“You need to go to a TikTok rehab center.”

OVERHEARD

“Is South Africa in India?”

- UPSTAIRS W HALL

- UPSTAIRS B HALL

“I like making friendship bracelets and saving the turtles.”

“I need to clear my schedule tonight to cry.”

- Downstairs W Hall

- NEWSROOM

My wardrobe crisis Column AYRA CHARANIA If I was given a penny for every time a Muslim man asked me why I don’t wear hijab, I would be a millionaire. I remember being only eight and watching my friend’s dad talk to my parents about the dress I was wearing when I went to their house.

Apparently, it was “sinful” for my knees to be showing. He berated my parents for letting me go outside in the dress and not covering me up more because good Muslim girls don’t do that. At no point did he care about my relationship to my religion. He only cared about how well I fit with his definition of a Muslim.

I grew up in a minority sect of Islam known as the Ismailis that does not require women to wear hijab, a scarf covering the hair and neck. Many people who aren’t of the Muslim faith and “modernized” Muslims call us progressive. Meanwhile, other Muslims will consider us illegitimate as a sect and refuse to recognize us.

The underlying issue is that people judge a Muslim woman’s level of devotion by what she wears. American society may view a woman who wears a hijab or burqa, a veil covering all of the face except for the eyes, as extreme, yet fellow Muslims may consider her as failing to be spiritual enough.

I have never seen a Muslim man have to deal with this unnecessary attention from the Muslim community. Though my religion has a similar concept of covering

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for men, my off the shoulder top or my friend’s hijab will always generate more gossip than a man’s shorts.

Even if Muslim women like me do dress modestly, tiny mistakes like a strand of hair poking out from a girl’s hijab automatically seem to receive criticism.

Whenever I am spending time with my hijabi friends, it annoys me to see how random men they don’t even know comment on their social media posts

@____ayra____ or approach them in public about how they’re wearing their hijab. Even if it’s as small as a little eyeliner or a slightly figure-fitting shirt, they receive judgment for not being “modest” enough.

Muslim women like me further feel pressure rather than relief when we enter a Muslim dominated space. While I was usually allowed to wear whatever I wanted, the rules would change whenever I would enter a restaurant or shop that Muslims would frequently visit. All of a sudden, my parents and I would worry about me showing my shoulders or

revealing my calves because the people there might find it disrespectful.

My clothing even becomes an issue when I try to celebrate a religious holiday.

When I was fasting during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan this summer, I spent sixteen hours in the blistering Texas heat without food and water just to be told that my choice of clothing was incorrect for fasting and apparently not conservative enough.

No matter where I go, I feel my freedom to express myself being clamped down. Instead of Muslim women changing themselves for the world, the world should accept our clothes and us. I should not feel constant stress from other people’s perception of how I dress, and I should not have to change my wardrobe to accommodate others.

This issue is not just limited to Muslim women. Women regardless of faith are often expected to appear a certain way.

At formal events, while men can usually slide by with a button up, women deal with the conflict of being overdressed vs underdressed, wearing too much makeup vs too little, or being overexposed vs underexposed. Even if a woman meets the perfect balance of all these standards, they still will be subject to comparisons to other women. Because of how much emphasis society places on a woman’s appearance, their clothing decides for them how others will view them and treat them.

No woman should have to sacrifice their individuality to please others and be respected.

REMARKS Do you feel safe in America with the rise of gun violence?

“ “ “ “ Compiled Reya Mosby PHOTOS Maya Hernandez

I do, but I think that we need to be more vigilant as a culture and as a population and do our part, too. It doesn’t always have to fall on one side, like law enforcement, to fix everything.

- Jesse Hood, History

No, because anybody can get a gun and anybody can bring it anywhere. The people that keep you safe can’t really when someone can come in with an AR15. Why should anyone, children especially, be able to have access to a rifle or machine gun that can kill tens of people in seconds?

It’s definitely concerning.

I think that actions need to be taken to prevent it. Maybe within the actual ownership of guns or perhaps within the mental wellbeing of students within the high schools and the criminals acting with gun violence.

- Beren romo, 12

A lot of the time, no. When I walk into a building, the first thing I do is think, ‘Ok, if someone [was] in here with a gun, where would I go?’ It’s really sad, but that’s what I do a lot of the time.

- Jessica Dunlap, 11

- Sydney Benson, 10

School needs to inform students about safety S TA FF E D I T O R I A L In the last decade, gun violence in America has been at an all time high.

According to the CDC, over 1.2 million Americans have been shot in the past ten years. With this came the rise in mass shootings. Recently, two of these mass shootings occurred in Odessa and El Paso Texas, killing 29 people. Having these highly publicized shootings happen in our home state means that more people are afraid of losing their lives at any given moment- at schools, churches and stores.

This harsh reality affects teenagers.

The rise in gun violence and school shootings in the United States has caused a whole generation to have anxiety and nightmares about events that most have never experienced. Students are more aware than ever of the constant danger they are in.

Lockdown drills are how we prepare for this possibility, but many students and teachers don’t take these drills seriously.

Everyone whispers and makes jokes. The

only way to make these drills effective is by taking them seriously.

Another problem with the adequecy of the drills is that they are only in second period and during Marauder Time. In reality, school shooters can come at any point in the day. Right now students don’t know what to do in the event of a shooter coming into the building during a passing period, lunch or even if they were in the bathroom.

The staff had a summer training class in Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE). The program teaches people to avoid, deny and defend in the event of an active shooter. This information has not yet been shared with students, and it could greatly help students be more prepared for what to do in a shooting whether it’s the school or community.

We are asking for an upcoming Marauder Time lesson to be devoted to informing students about gun safety, gun

violence and what to do in the event that an active shooter enters the school or a community event. The school spends weeks learning about mental health and suicide awareness. While we feel this is beneficial, this topic is also important.

Also, at some point in the year, there should be a lockdown drill in every class period. Teachers should also talk to their students about what to do specifically in that class. This would allow the student body to be educated on what to do in more situations and would ease some of their anxiety.

Learning and education should be students’ main concerns at school.

Knowledge is power, so training students in more scenarios would alleviate some of their stress and could potentially save lives.

Design Emily Seiler oct. 3, 2019

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