The Marquee Volume 31 Issue 7

THE

marquee

Volume 31 • Issue 7 • May 5, 2017

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Riverwalk grand opening on Morriss

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Senior sets new track record in Triple Jump

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Where to take exciting roadtrips

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

The Marquee Staff EDITOR IN CHIEF Sanika Sule MANAGING / PHOTO EDITOR Vanessa Davis COPY / OPINION EDITOR Cara Crocker DESIGN EDITOR Nick Fopiano PHOTO VANESSA DAVIS

Senior Hunter Bushnell is greeted by his teammates on the field before the start of the game. Friday, April 28, was senior night for the baseball program.

ONlLINE EDITORS Bailey Crocker, Michelle Mullings NEWS EDITOR Bailey Crocker

CONTENTS

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FEATURE EDITOR Michelle Mullings ENTERTAINMENT/ SPORTS EDITOR Kelly Rowe

News

TEXTING AND DRIVING Senior’s experience with loss due to distracted driver

GRAPHICS EDITOR Abbey Clouse REPORTERS Morgan Maxwell, Sky Middleton,

Feature

SLAM POETRY Sophomore discovers talent for spoken word poetry

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Shayla Sistrunk, Aidann Zuniga DESIGNERS Megan Clark, Jolie Mullings PHOTOGRAPHERS Adam Luqman, Grace Pecunia ADVISER

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LaJuana Hale PRINCIPAL

Sports

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Previous Marcus football coach returns

Entertainment

SUMMER FUN Festivals for students to attend this summer

cover VANESSA DAVIS

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Gary Shafferman

The Marquee newsmagazine is a student-generated publication of Marcus High School. It is produced, edited and maintained through the efforts of the school’s advanced journalism class. The Marquee is designed to serve the school and community as a forum for open discussion and student expression.

The Marquee encourages letters to the editor as part of its mission to educate, inform and provide an open forum for debate. All submissions must be signed.

The staff reserves the right to edit all material. Editorials reflect the opinion of the staff, not necessarily that of the administration. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author. Advertising rates are $70 per 1/8 of a page, with discounts available. Patron ads are available for $100. Online advertisements are also available. For more information call 469-713-5196.

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

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in

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story michelle mullings & morgan maxwell Each month, Twitter has popular trending topics. Some are relevant for only a few hours, others remain in the spotlight for weeks. Take a look into this month’s popular hashtags.

#Rangers

As the Rangers continue their season, fights broke out during the Houston Astros game on May 1. At the top of the sixth inning, pitcher for the Astros, Lance McCullers Jr. threw a ball behind first baseman, Mike Napoli. As Napoli began to charge the mound, the home plate umpire attempted to resolve the situation by holding him back. Both bullpens and dugouts charged the field and began to provoke each other, but no punches were thrown. The matter was resolved by coaches, umpires and fellow teammates by breaking it apart.

#JordanEdwards On April 29, the Balch Springs police department was called to investigate a party where underaged teenagers had been drinking. 15-year-old Jordan Edwards was shot and killed while in a car with friends. Balch Springs police officer, Roy Oliver, fired at the car with a rifle as they were driving away. Oliver has since been fired. People took to Twitter to express their sorrow and anger towards the situation.

#CivilWar

On May 1, 2017, President Donald Trump suggested to the Washington Examiner that the Civil War was caused by issues that could have been “worked out.” The president asked, “Why was there the Civil War?” and claimed that Andrew Jackson could have prevented it, though Jackson died six years prior to the start of the conflict.

Social media quickly blew up over the President’s mistake, arguing that he is ignorant about American history.

#FyreFestival

Attendees paid up to $12,000 per ticket for Fyre Festival, a sold-out event advertised as a luxurious weekend in paradise. The creators gave buyers high expectations of the festival, with claims of gourmet food, top-rated artist performances and glamorous celebrity appearances. Guests were surprised when they instead ended up stranded on a deserted island, with limited supplies and tents scattered on a beach. The organizers are recreating the festival, and all guests who attended this year’s event will be given free VIP passes to the 2018 edition.

DESIGN Nick fopiano

May 10, 2017

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News

Not worth it

Senior’s family impacted by texting, driving story Bailey crocker

April 9, 2016, afternoon Senior Maddie Shaffer’s aunt, Emma Shaffer, and 12-year-old cousin, Tita, had gone out to cheer practice and to meet up with friends. Her other cousin, Jimmy, wanted to stay home.

They were only supposed to be gone for about two hours, but once it reached the third hour, 10-year-old Jimmy called his dad, James, telling him that his mom and sister weren’t home yet. That’s when Maddie received the text from James asking her if she would watch over Jimmy until they returned.

8:17 p.m.

The Denton Police Department received a call reporting a head-on collision on U.S. 377. A Nissan headed southbound crossed into the northbound lane, colliding into a Volvo — the car Emma and Tita were in.

James, who was in Pennsylvania on a business trip, began to track Emma’s phone. When he realized that they had been in the same spot on the road for about 30 minutes, he started getting worried. Maddie’s dad decided to stop by the location to see what was wrong.

A driver who was texting had swerved into the oncoming lane, killing herself and Tita on impact, sending Emma and the driver’s passenger to critical care.

Later that night, they both passed away.

9:00 p.m.

Maddie was still unaware of exactly what had happened. She only knew that there had been an accident. As she was taking care of Jimmy, she recalls two officers coming to the door, asking for her aunt or her uncle.

“I figured that police wouldn’t go to the house for a minor accident,” Maddie said.

When Maddie informed them that neither of them were home, they asked

her for their contact information, then left.

Maddie asked her mom what was going on, so her mom called explaining that there had been an accident.

“I feel like no one understands, truly, how it can impact your life,” Maddie said. “[Texting and driving] is incredibly dangerous. It’s not worth it.”

9:15 p.m.

Maddie’s mother picked her and Jimmy up to go to their house. Then, Maddie received a text from a cousin on her mom’s side of the family that read, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Confused, Maddie asked her what she was talking about. When her cousin apologized and said she must have gotten the story mixed up, Maddie knew. No one gets a death mixed up. When her dad came home, that’s when he told her. She recalls the moment.

“It was heartbreaking and traumatic,” Maddie said. “It’s the worst experience that not only myself, but other families have had to go through also. You can’t really put that type of feeling into words.”

Texting and driving bans around the state Arlington

April 10, 10:00 a.m.

Midland

Nacogdoches

Austin

mhsmarquee.com

Galveston

Source : Rasansky Law Firm

Maddie said the following morning they had to figure out a way to tell Jimmy that his mother and sister weren’t coming back home. But when Maddie came to visit a few hours later, she didn’t expect Jimmy’s reaction.

“He was acting positive, hugging everyone and being supportive,” Maddie said.

Surprised, Maddie asked him why he was acting that way.

“I’m being positive and I’m smiling because I know that they’re in a better place and they’re no

design nick fopiano

NEWS longer hurting anymore,” he had said. “So there’s no reason to be sad because they’re with God.”

April 16, 5:30 p.m.

A memorial

service celebrating

“It’s the worst experience that not only myself, but other families have had to go through also. You can’t really put that type of feeling into words.”

-Maddie Shaffer, 12

Emma and Tita’s lives was held at Liberty Christian School. English IV teacher Wendi Spurgeon, a close friend of Emma’s, attended the service. She said that the fourth grade class performed a song and a celebration of life video montage was played. Emma’s other son, Sergio Azeula, also sang a Beatles compilation of “Blackbird” and “Yesterday.”

According to Spurgeon, Sergio had said that Emma loved the song “Blackbird” when he was a little boy and she always wanted him to sing it for her.

However, he wouldn’t sing it because it was too sad to him. Spurgeon said that now Sergio wishes he would have sang it more often with her.

Hundreds of people showed up for the service.

“It was probably the saddest thing that I have been to in my entire life,” Spurgeon said.

Emma was an active member at Liberty Christian and frequently volunteered at the school, designing bulletin boards and helping out where needed. Spurgeon thinks that Emma spent as much time at Liberty Christian doing volunteer work

design nick fopiano

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as her kids did going to school there. think that if something were to have been “Emma was one of the most devoted done already, then I would get to go over mothers I had ever seen,” Spurgeon said. there and hug my 12-year-old cousin and “She would help anybody out.” say hello to my aunt again,” Maddie said.

Spurgeon also recalls how bubbly Tita She has now become a huge advocate was. against using her phone while driving.

“Tita was a beautiful child inside “Before the accident, I was the typical and out,” Spurgeon said. “She was very teenage driver, always speeding with your charming and talked all the time.” music really loud, and I used to text and ••• drive,” Maddie said.

In only four states, Texas, Montana, She often sees billboard ads that read Arizona and Missouri, it is still legal “Your text isn’t worth your life.” Now that under certain circumstances to text and her family has been impacted by texting drive. and driving, she agrees.

Texas House Bill 62 was brought to “I shouldn’t be distracted because there the floor again, meaning texting and are enough distractions already,” Maddie driving could be banned statewide if the said.

Senate approves. The bill, which was filed Maddie said that her friends in 2014, has tried to pass multiple times occasionally text, but she’s started to

by Former House Speaker Tom Craddick. notice that when they reach for their After the recent crash on March 29 phone they’ll remember what Maddie’s where a pickup truck, who acknowledged family went through and decide against that he had been texting, collided with a it. She said that though they haven’t fully church minibus, killing 13, many think stopped, it is progress and she’s thankful that this bill will pass. for that.

What Maddie and her family don’t “It’s not only saving their life, it could understand is why state legislatures are potentially be saving someone else’s,” still against it. Maddie said that their job Maddie said. is to protect people and serve the public, but to her, voting against it is putting people’s lives at risk.

“I just wish people could sit in the lives of the ones who are affected by this,” Maddie said.

“They feel bad, but they don’t truly understand the feeling.”

If the bill does get passed, Maddie said that it needs to be enforced immediately and effectively. She said that if the ban had been passed two photo submitted years ago, then her family might not Emma (left) volunteered frequently at Liberty Elementary, have been torn and Tita (right) was a competitive cheerleader. They are apart. survived by father, James Shaffer and brothers Jimmy Shaffer “I can’t help but and Sergio Azuela.

May 10, 2017

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news

Phase One

Riverwalk opens after numerous delays Story adam luqman & aidann zuniga

Hundreds of people showed up to the grand opening night for Phase One of the Riverwalk on April 25. A local band played live music covers and various food trucks lined the Riverwalk, giving attendees options to chose from including tacos, cajun food and desserts. After the grand opening of this phase was delayed, Flower Mound residents in attendance said they were excited to see how far development has come. Town Manager Jimmy Stathatos was particularly impressed with construction.

“I am very excited,” Stathatos said. “It actually exceeded my expectations.”

Mehrdad Moayedi, CEO and president of Centurion America, the company behind Riverwalk, was happy to see the success of the grand opening. He

DESIGN Vanessa davis

said he could hardly wait to start the next stages.

“It took a little longer than I anticipated because when you’re working with water, weather really affects you,” Moayedi said.

“Now it’s time to go vertical with all the restaurants and amphitheater.”

Stathatos estimates it will take 1218 months to finish. With the medical center already built and the Marriott hotel underway, the Riverwalk also will include around seven new restaurants, an amphitheater, a water park, retail stores and a wedding chapel.

Current Riverwalk resident Susan Davidson says she is eager to attend events at the amphitheater and go to the Farmer’s Market and water park.

“I think the [Farmer’s Market] here at Parker Square has been great, but if they could expand on that I think it’d be really

good,” Davidson said.

One of the prominent features of Phase One is the waterfalls. Along with their remarkable structure, the developers have set them up to light up every night.

Ramona Denino said that she was stunned by the quality of the man made river.

“It surprised me, I didn’t think it was going to be this much,” Denino said.

“It makes me feel like I’m on the San Antonio river.”

Town Councilman Jason Webb said he has high expectations for this project and hopes to see the Riverwalk become Flower Mound’s center of prosperity.

“I really like the way the Riverwalk looks right now,” Webb said. “I think that it does not look exactly what we originally planned back in 2007, but I think we’re going to be happy with the end product.”

news

As they sang covers of old 90’s and 2000’s songs, a local band entertains attendees of the Riverwalk opening. The attendees were able to enjoy lively music, in addition to the pleasant weather and various food trucks.

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Manmade waterfalls and scenery are some of the many things on display at the Riverwalk. Many visitors were fond of the attraction, which is open throughout the day.

photos adam luqman

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Feature

was a s s e in l e n o L If String, it would be her t e g o T l l a s u g in ty

SPEAK FROM

THE HEART sophomore finds passion in slam poetry Story michelle mullings photo Aalayah woodley

The lights flooded around her as she stood before the microphone on stage.

Sophomore Geneva Le prepared to spill her heart in the form of her original spoken word poem, “Lists.” It was her fourth poem of the night, and the most personal.

Though she wasn’t new to performing,

this poem—unlike the others she shared that evening—put the spotlight directly on her. She told the crowd that though her final poem wasn’t the strongest, she wanted to open up to the audience.

“In spoken word poetry, you get the impression that it’s more impactful when it’s about something a lot of people can feel strongly about,” Le said. “So when it’s about yourself, it’s hard to make it impactful, or transcend your emotions in

a way that portrays it accurately.”

Le took a breath and nervously started to recite her newest piece. But after she began, she started to get emotional. Le’s voice trembled and her throat felt like it was going to close in. She faltered.

As tears began to well up, Le heard a burst of encouragement from the crowd.

They started snapping, clapping and cheering her on.

“That doesn’t happen a lot in

performance settings,” Le said. “It’s really unique to spoken word poetry to get that interaction. Because of all the support from the crowd, it felt comfortable... It was empowering.”

As she left the stage after her performance, a woman from the audience gave her a small yellow slip of paper.

Scrawled onto the note was a handwritten message that read, You are lovely. The personal poem you did was the BEST. Your vulnerability is charming, your authenticity beautiful.

“It was so nice, and it was a complete stranger,” Le said. “Things like that come from spoken word poetry.”

• • • Le’s venture into spoken word began in freshman year Humanities. Her class was covering poetry, and her teacher, Nikki Minich, showed her students a spoken word piece by Shane Koyczan called “To This Day.” “I use a ton of spoken word because... you can hear and see the passion versus trying to infer it from the reading,” Minich said. “It’s a medium that most people really respond to.”

At the end of the poetry unit, students were given the option to take the written test, or perform in a poetry slam organized by Humanities teachers Tracy Jennings and Minich. Le’s newfound fascination with spoken word inspired her to participate and share her first poem, titled “The Tempo of Life.”

The piece was inspired by Le’s hectic juggle of academics, marching band and growing up. The quickness of her life reminded her of a concept she had learned in band—the significance of tempo. Le said tempo is vital in music, and affects how listeners portray a piece.

“It was a perfect analogy for how we feel because us, ourselves, our personalities can be interpreted differently depending on how fast our lives are going,” Le said. “How we’re seeing things is totally changed by the pacing of everyday life.”

In the poem, Le explored the fears and tribulations of fast-paced teens her age.

“As we grow up, we feel like everything is going faster and faster and it stresses us out, especially at this age,” Le said. “So it gets harder to hold onto things because as you’re growing up, everything is kind of slipping away, which is ironic because you’re supposed to be learning things and gathering more information. But we sometimes forget that we’re still kids.”

DESIGN Nick fopiano

Le performed her first poem in front of fellow classmates, teachers and community members at a poetry slam last December held at MHS9.

“I was really proud of it,” Le said.

“Obviously looking back, I think it was a terrible poem. But it was an enjoyable process and I liked doing it, so I started to try to look for different places around the

“If loneliness was a string, it would be tying us all together.

Because when the Beatles sang ‘Oh, look at all the lonely people,’ we all knew what they were talking about.

So I know I’ll be okay because I could put every person’s name in the world on a piece of paper and title it, “List of People Who Have Ever Felt Exactly As I Do.”

"lists" -geneva le area to do spoken word.”

Her search led her to Union Coffee House in Dallas. Every second Saturday of the month, Union hosts a youth poetry slam called S.L.A.M., or Spoken Language Arts Movement. Le found herself sitting in a crowd of people, watching teen poets share their original pieces.

“It was so crazy,” Le said. “It was way different than anything I’d heard before, even the ones that [Minich] had shown us. It was more raw, because it’s right there in front of me, it’s live, and these were people my age. It was wonderful to see, and I wanted to participate. So I started to write new things.”

Le wanted to join a local youth poetry team called the ForthWrite Youth Slam Team, which performs at venues around the country. Though auditions

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for the team had already passed, Le was determined to join for the following year.

She attended slams every month and frequented team practices to learn how to sharpen her writing.

In the winter, she participated in the 2017 ForthWrite Youth Poetry Slam Championship to qualify for the team.

If she placed, she would also take an all-expenses-paid trip to San Francisco to attend the 20th Annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival in July.

She was up against about 14 other performers, including veteran poets as well as poets who had already competed on the national level. Mike Guinn, coach of ForthWrite, saw that Le was a “natural” when he first saw her perform.

“She looks confident, she looks determined, she looks like she’s getting ready to spit fire,” Guinn said. “Everything about her is about getting that message out there to the crowd. And they eat that up.”

Only the top six poets in the slam would be chosen for the team and compete internationally. And Le made it.

“She was super excited,” Guinn said.

“I’ve never seen eyes so big.”

Guinn formed ForthWrite in 2006 to allow youth poets to sharpen their work among other writers, and showcase their talents at slams all over the Metroplex.

“We have a great variety of people on our team, and we all write very differently,” Le said. “I wouldn’t get to know them unless it was through spoken word poetry.

We know each other in a special way because we have such a vulnerable art form that we utilize.”

Le and her team will be flying out to San Francisco to perform individual and team poems, and compete against young poets from all over the world.

“The year before last, we were number three in the world,” Guinn said. “We have a really strong national and global presence.”

Le said that participating in slams and improving her work among other poets has helped her grow.

“All she needed to do was know that there is a place for her and that it is okay for her to do what she naturally knows how to do—write and express herself,” Guinn said.

may 10, 2017

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Overheard

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MHS

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(C hall) “Just because it’s a salad doesn’t mean it’s healthy.”

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The Dominant Culture

PHOTO ADAM LUQMAN

12 IN-DEPTH

Communication between races can improve cultural understanding Everbach said that in an area like

Story sanika sule Flower Mound, it’s important to & Cara Crocker recognize that white people have received

certain advantages, like in the workplace, Marcus is one of the least diverse high schools in the district with almost a 75 percent white student body, compared to 42.6 percent white, district wide.

This lack of diversity can lead to less understanding of other races.

Dr. Tracy Everbach, UNT journalism professor, teaches about race and gender and said that when a school has a dominant racial culture, minority students may feel pressure to conform, rather than celebrate their diversity. She said it’s important to get to know people who are from different cultures.

“If you’re not exposed to people who are not like you, how can you begin to try to understand them?” Everbach said.

Senior Myles Wheeler also sees the importance of understanding people of all races. He wrote an essay for the annual North Texas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in which he addresses the need to see each other’s differences as positives rather than negatives so people can come together as a community.

“In the real world, you’re going to deal with different people from different backgrounds, religions and races,” Wheeler said. “Cultural awareness is very important. It should be emphasized in schools so you can understand the different backgrounds that people are coming from and that not everyone is a certain way just because they’re a certain color.”

and college admissions, that people of color have not. This is commonly called white privilege.

“It’s the way that our society is structured and unless you make a conscious effort to acknowledge it, to try

if you’re not exposed to people who are not like you, how can you begin to try to understand them?

“

- Dr. Tracy Everbach

to do something about these stereotypes to change your way of thinking, it will always persist this way and it’s not intentional,” Everbach said.

In our round table discussion, senior Matt Spence said he recognizes that historically white people have been favored in the college admissions process.

He said that not understanding white privilege can make it harder to see

campus demographics By race african american 4.0%

2.8%

american indian 0.9% source: lisd.net

white

2 or more races

asian

5.8%

hispanic

pacific islander 0.1% 12.0%

that programs like affirmative action are in place to help students of color, not take away from white students’ accomplishments.

“White privilege is when you want to blame your shortcomings on other people’s race,” Spence said. “That’s just so messed up to me.”

Everbach said it’s also important to be cautious of stereotyping. Although there may be no malintent with comments like “you’re articulate for a black girl,” it assumes that all people of color subscribe to certain characteristics. Senior Taylor Miller said her friends have said to her, “you talk white” several times.

“I’m not a stereotype to what black people wear or how black people talk,” Miller said. “I talk like I go to school like the rest of you guys go to school.”

One of the best ways to become aware of one’s privilege, Everbach says, is to talk to people of other races.

“I think it’s important to have conversations about it,” Everbach said.

“Before I became a researcher in this area, I learned a lot just from talking to friends who were people of color about their experiences.”

She said that acknowledging the different experiences that other racial groups go through is an important first step for understanding each other.

“I think it’s really important especially for students, high school or college students, to talk to people who are not like you and ask them about their experiences,” Everbach said.

74.4%

Sticks and stones

IN-DEPTH

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Racial slurs cause frustration for minorities Story sanika sule Senior Kennedy Buchanan was in elementary school when she first realized that the color of her skin separated her from her classmates in her overwhelmingly white school. Buchanan sat confused as she attempted to understand her peer’s question.

“Do you like being black, or would you rather be white?”

Buchanan could only respond with silence. As an 8-year-old, she hadn’t realized that her peers saw her as unlike themselves, or that they saw being black as unfavorable. As she looked around, she noticed she could count the number of other black students on one hand.

“It was just kind of confusing not seeing people who looked like me all throughout elementary school,” Buchanan said.

As Buchanan approached high school, she remained one of the few black students in her classes. She continued to hear comments like “you’re articulate for a black girl.” Although she knew her peers didn’t mean to insult her, words like these triggered a pang of frustration. They served as a reminder that many of her peers maintained stereotypes about black people.

Despite the lack of black students at the school, black artists started growing in popularity. Not only did hip hop style appeal to her peers, but their language did as well. Buchanan would remain quiet as her peers, including her friends, would toss around variations of “n****r” as if it was a lighthearted colloquialism rather than a word surrounded by a painful history.

As Buchanan’s friends and classmates quoted song lyrics and attempted to mimic black culture, she didn’t feel like it was her place to make them aware of the impact of their words. Buchanan said that because they were her friends, they felt comfortable using this racially charged language around her, as if they saw her as less black than the artists who created the music.

design jolie mullings

“I didn’t know what was right, what was wrong,” Buchanan said. “I was not confident enough to say something about it.”

Buchanan remembers a time when a friend used “n****r”. This time when she voiced her concerns, she was met with backlash from others. They didn’t understand why she took it so seriously.

She said those who disagreed with her did not understand the full impact of using slurs, even as a joke.

“I like to say when people use that language, ‘please don’t use that language around me’,” Buchanan said. “I will say, ‘I don’t use it around you because I don’t

conscious.

“I think if they decide to learn, and they try and get past those racist stereotypes or racist things that they grew up with or learned, then they’re not racist,” Mendonca said. “They’re someone who’s working on themselves.”

• • • Buchanan said that her peer’s comments are not blatant racism, but a result of the largely white student body. She said that because of the lack of diversity, students are unable to fully understand other cultures.

“To be ignorant you, can still say racist things that are wrong, but I don’t think

I like to say when people use that language, ‘please don’t use that language around me’.

-Kennedy Buchanan, 12 want you to use it around me.’”

• • • Senior Chris Mendonca was in middle school when she first heard the word “gook.” What was an ordinary argument quickly became confusing when her peer hurled the insult at her. The word continued to weigh on her mind. When she asked her mom about it later that day, her mom became furious. She explained that it was a slur used to demean southeast Asian people, especially during the Vietnam war. The outdated insult caused a new insecurity in Mendonca. She said ever since then, she is more aware of how people treat each other.

“That made me more open-eyed to my environment and the type of things people would say to me from then on,” Mendonca said.

Mendonca said that more needs to be done so students can be sensitive to other races and cultures. Mendonca said that it is important for students to make an active effort to become more socially

that they truly dislike certain groups of people,” Buchanan said. “And I think that people who are ignorant may not be fully aware of how their actions affect other people.”

Buchanan says that students may not realize what certain things mean or how their actions affect others and they “say racist things that are wrong, but I don’t think that they truly dislike and have a hatred for certain groups of people.”

Mendonca said she agrees. She said that to understand others’ perspectives, students have to open to learning.

“I think that white students shouldn’t be so offended if someone points something out to them that’s being racist,” Mendonca said. “If what you’re doing is offensive and a student of color says, ‘Hey, this makes me uncomfortable,’ don’t put up a fight. Do more research on it or ask around and see if what you’re doing is offensive.”

May 10, 2017

14 in-depth

Roundtable: Racial Comments We brought in six students of different ethnicities and political views to weigh in on various opinions of racial issues in our community. COMPILED ADAM LUQMAN

3) Can you tell me your opinions 1) While sitting at lunch, you overhear a group on white privilege at Marcus? Around of white student using the “N word” to greet each other. They continue to use this word conversationally. Would you respond, why or why not?

“If a black person says it then I don’t really flinch at it but if a white person says it then I flinch at it a little more, but in the back of my mind I don’t think it’s right either way.” - Reagan Kinley, 12 (White) “For an African American to call out a white student and say “you can’t say that,” it’s kind of hypocritical towards us, because why are we saying it if it both means the same thing. So I think if a white person can’t say it, then we shouldn’t be able to say it either.” -Lauren Respass, 12 (Black)

the country too?

“When you’re around people and they say snarky racist jokes and you think they’re joking but you know that on the bottom line, they’re not joking.

And you can’t say anything about it.”

-Kory Lee, 12 (Black) “As a white person, I don’t really notice it, but that’s probably because I am white and not a minority.”

-Reagan Kinley, 12 (White)

2) You walk into class one morning before 4) You hear students talking about colschool. A group of kids are gathered around lege admission. A white student complains talking about the recent presidential election.

They are expressing support for the building of the wall on the border and chant “Send the Mexicans back.” Would you respond, why or why not?

“I believe that all people should respect American laws so maybe I would tell them ‘hey it’s okay if you believe not all these people should be coming into our country illegally and maybe you could say it like that and not be super loud and offensive about it.’” -Reagan Kinley, 12 (White) “At that point if they’re all chanting whether it be offensive or not it wouldn’t be the best climate to get any productive conversation down. If I want to try and have a productive conversation with someone on the other side of things it would be in a calm environment where no one is yelling.”

-Grace Cabuena, 12 (Filipino)

MHSMARQUEE.COM

about not being admitted into a state university while a black peer with similar credentials was accepted into the same school. The white student claims she was not admitted because affirmative action gives students an unfair advantage in the admissions process.

Would you respond, why or why not?

“Yes as a white person I could say it [makes me mad] when these kids claim their race as the reason they didn’t get in.

If it was that close then you really screwed up. Affirmative Action can end when racism ends.” -Matthew Spence, 12 (White) “I do agree with colleges trying to make their campuses more diverse but I really think that we’re past the point where we can use the excuse that African Americans got in over white people because of Affirmative Action. I think if there is just something about them that puts them over the other students then I really don’t think Affirmative Action is something to blame.” -Lauren Respass, 12 (Black)

in-depth

15

5) How do you differentiate between being racist and being ignorant?

“I think ignorance can breed racism. You would have to really understand what other people go through before you can make an accurate judgement on them.” -Kevin Nguyen, 12 (Vietnamese) “I feel like you can be ignorant about things without being racist but I feel like racism has to come with some degree of ignorance from somebody else’s experience. You can say things that are offensive and not understand why. There is no way to be racist without a lack of understanding for other people.

Because once you understand other cultures and what they’ve gone through it becomes a lot harder to be prejudice against that culture.” -Grace Cabuena, 12 (Filipino)

Acceptance Vanessa Davis

Laughter fills the air as my parents tell us stories from their childhoods.

My father grins as he remembers the summers he spent playing pickup basketball with his friends. My mother reminisces about Friday night dinners with her family at their favorite Mexican restaurant.

Gathered around the dinner table is my parents, older sister, younger brother and me. I realize we’ve been sitting here for a while even though our meals have been cleared. It’s something we do often. This gives us a chance to step away from the burdens of the world and just be together.

My parents take us through their wild years of college, the wonders of the single life and the first time they met at a dance club in Dallas.

But then, there is sudden shift in the conversation. My siblings and I focus in on our parents as the table gets very still and quiet. To my surprise the next story isn’t one of laughter and

design jolie mullings

amusement, but one of heartache.

For a young interracial couple in the late 80’s, a serious relationship and marriage was not that simple. My father pauses several times as he tells us how my mother’s parents weren’t exactly fond of their white daughter marrying a black man. My parents did not spend many Thanksgivings and Christmases with my mother’s family because my father was not welcome in their household.

My father reaches for my mother’s hand. This is hard for me to digest. I cannot comprehend why the loving, warm and affectionate grandparents I’ve known my whole life could ever disapprove of my parents relationship.

But then I begin to consider my school and the sea of white I lose myself in each and every day. The community filled with students whose parents will never have to explain to their kids the harsh realities of systemic racism in this country. The school whose students can achieve academic success without any hesitation of whether or not they are capable.

It’s just assumed that they are highly qualified. The community whose white youth can dress in baggy sweatpants, a hoodie and beanie and they won’t be labeled a thug, a low life or a gangster. And the school whose white students have never and will never truly understand the concept of discrimination simply because of the

color of their skin.

The same reason my grandparents could detest my black father for loving their daughter is the same reason my white peers can tell me how “smart I am for being a black girl.” How, surprisingly, I “talk really proper for a black girl.”

For some reason I have yet to understand, a great deal of people believe the race war ended in the 60’s along with segregation, and there is no longer a racial divide in this great nation. I can confidently tell you, students of Marcus and members of the community, that people of color are still being held to an unjust double standard that society refuses to end.

I manage to bring myself back to the dinner table and back to reality despite the raging thoughts surging through my head. As I take another glance around the table at my interracial parents and mixed siblings I am reminded of something. Hope.

My parents could have given up on each other and found spouses of the same race. Instead they chose to look past color. They saw what their love could be and what it could accomplish. They knew the risks of bringing biracial children into the world and they accepted that.

Because of them, I have learned the importance of accepting others differences and embracing my own.

May 10, 2017

16 sports

Coming Full Circle

Marcus Football welcomes new head coach story morgan maxwell photo aalayah woodley New athletic director and head football coach Kevin Atkinson started April 10, after Gerry Stanford left to pursue the head coach position at Texas High School in Texarkana.

Atkinson hopes to help the boys reach the highest level of their playing ability. Since he left coaching at Marcus, he still kept up with the team.

Every Saturday morning he would check the score of the game the night before.

“I’ve heard a lot about these boys, so I’m excited to see what they can do as a team,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson started his coaching career at Marcus in 1992, before he began coaching at Denton High School, Keller, Colleyville and Denton Ryan.

In his coaching career, he has made more than 14 playoff appearances.

While at Marcus, he was a part of the Poynter have moved on to other schools 1997 state championship since being let go by coaching staff.

Atkinson.

Dodge is When he heard coaching at Northwest about the job opening High School as an he immediately applied. offensive coordinator His family was on board and quarterback coach. with his decision as they Poynter plans to finish the all loved Marcus since he school year out teaching “Marcus has always first started his coaching Algebra, but next year he been very dear to career. will coach at Lewisville.

“Marcus has always Coach Fewell has come my heart, so I’ve been very dear to my heart, in as the new offesive always wanted to so I’ve always wanted to coordinator, coach Patrick come back.” come back,” Atkinson has been announced as the said. new defensive coordinator - Kevin Atkinson As Atkinson has and coach Scales is the adjusted to the teams, he new offensive line coach. has been looking for a new Junior Daniel Sheehan coaching staff to bring in said he is sad to see his for spring football. He coaches go. He hopes the hopes with all the new changes, the boys team doesn’t let the changes break them can still work well as a team. apart after creating a strong bond.

Coaches Riley Dodge and Tommy “We have to trust that the coaches chose good guys to continue the job they started,” Sheehan said.

With his senior year approaching, Sheehan hopes to make it to playoffs.

He believes this can be achieved with Atkinson because of his past playoff experiences.

“We have a strong team and we are capable to make it far in postseason,” Sheehan said. “We just have to keep putting the work in together.”

Coach Atkinson discusses his future plans for the Marcus football program.

DESIGN jolie mullings & NICK FOPIANO

Achieving Greatness

Senior breaks personal record in Triple Jump event story skyler middleton photo vanessa davis Her heartbeat pulsed in her ear while overwhelming cheers filled the field as she prepared herself for the triple jump.

The horn blared, and she was off. The fans, team members and coaches encouraged her as her feet hit the pavement.

“Just get to the pit, get to the pit,” repeated in her head as she tried to keep her feet balanced and correctly placed on the track, preparing for her jump. All the hard work she put in was paying off as she leaped over the dirt. Everything stood still as she flew over the pits further than ever before. She hit the ground and was brought back into reality.

With this jump, senior Kyndal McKnight had broken Marcus’s record she’d previously set. McKnight’s record for triple jump was 41’3 feet, but in April, she jumped 42’2.5 feet. The record she had originally broke in 2016 had been held for years.

Currently McKnight is ranked second in triple jump in the nation and is headed to compete at the UIL State Championship in Austin, May 11-13.

Her coaches were pushing her to break a record, due to it being her senior year.

She said they are even hoping she’ll break

one more before she graduates.

When McKnight set it the first time she knew it was something to be proud of.

Breaking that record was something she never imagined be able to do twice.

“You know that you’re always trying to work for something bigger than yourself,” McKnight said.

McKnight has always been athletic.

Ever since she was six, her dad put her in every sport that was available to her.

Even though she tried almost everything, McKnight choose track for the long run.

Without track, she doesn’t think she would be where she is today.

“At one point I was discouraged with track because you sometimes reach a point where you don’t progress and you feel stuck,” McKnight said. “So I thought to try something else, so I tried triple jump and found out I was good at it.”

In the beginning of her high school career, McKnight hadn’t chosen yet what college to go to. However, after receiving a scholarship from Louisiana State University, she is now excited to graduate high school and begin at LSU. “Even though track is an individual sport, you still have a team and you can’t let your team down,” McKnight said.

Senior Year Personal Records

18’ 3 Long jump (Flower Mound Jaguar Invitational) 17’ 0 Long jump relay split (North Mesquite Ben Robertson Relays) 42’ 2.5 Triple jump (UIL 6A Area competition for Triple Jump) 39’ 1 Triple jump relay split (North Mesquite Ben Robertson Relays) DESIGN Vanessa Davis

may 10, 2017

Mt. Mackinzie 4 150’

432 3’

Hit the Road Camp Hayward

story grace pecunia

DESIGN NICK FOPIANO

If you’re looking for out of town adventures, there are a variety of beautiful locations that will leave you and your friends with loads of fond memories and lovely photos.

The following trips all contain natural sites that are filled with enough free activities to make gas the only thing you’ll need to spend your money on.

Camp Ford

4205’

Lambert’s Peak

Pedernales Falls Park Rd. 6026 257mi 4hr 21min 2585 Johnson City, TX 78636

entertainment

Pedernales Falls, southwest of Austin, is a simple trip away with nature.

This middle-of-nowhere location is known for some of the best sunsets in Texas. For a relaxing day in the water you can float the cascading river that is the falls’ main appeal. Use the serenity and quiet found within this park to search your soul, and relax from everyday stresses. If you’re into photography, this is a one-of-a-kind chance to capture the beauty of the falls.

253mi

Enchanted Rock Ranch Road 965 4hr 16min 16710 Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Enchanted Rock is the perfect attraction for nature lovers.

Visit this unique town for its main attraction, the giant granite dome that gives the town its name. While you’re sightseeing take time to indulge in a variety of activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing and stargazing. If you’re interested in becoming one with nature this is exactly the place for you. Or, if you travel into town, you’ll find a few antique shops where you can purchase from a large selection of vintage collections.

houston 269mi 4hr 5min

Houston,TX

Houston has an incredible art scene. The Museum of Fine Art is well-known all around the world along with other inventive museums for you to visit. This city holds the Menil Collection, which features approximately 17,000 diverse art pieces, including some 20th century art by Picasso and Matisse. If you’re looking for a trip that will get your creative juices flowing, a drive up to Houston will surely do the trick.

137mi

Possum Kingdom Kingdom State 2 hr 31min Possum Park, Strawn, TX 76475

This lake situated in the middle of a huge state park is located just a few hours outside of the city. The drive is the perfect length to set up a playlist with your favorite songs, and jam out on your way to see the sites. Grab your family, friends and swimsuit and head for the clear blue water and striking scenery. If you’re looking to go all out, this location features scuba diving spots along with hiking trails, to fulfill all your adventuring needs. You can even set up a campsite and spend the night or stay at one of the state park’s available cabins.

DESIGN NICK FOPIANO

19

20 entertaINMENT

2017

Summer Festivals

co mp iled sh ayla si stru nk

california state fair july 14-30, 2017 Sacramento, CA The California State Fair, held at the CalExpo in Sacramento each July, is a multi-week event that has been taking place for over 150 years. It’s a festival of fun and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. With activities ranging from thoroughbred racing to corn dog and pie eating contests and athletic events like soccer and motocross as well as engaging educational events for kids. There are also animal shows and competitions, live music from big-name bands and tons of delicious fair food. The State Fair is a great place for all types of people to get together and have a good time.

wildflower Arts & Musical festival may 19-21, 2017

Richardson, TX

Wildflower Arts and Music Festival is an electric celebration of visual and performing arts featuring events and activities for the whole family. The festival spans three days and has live entertainment across multiple stages, boasting national as well as local talent in the lineup. The Kidz Korner offers all kinds of fun such as free games, crafts, a climbing wall, bouncy house and a live butterfly habitat. The Wild!

Marketplace is a shopping adventure with jewelry, pastries and the festival’s Food Garden which offers fresh vegetables and fruit along with newly planted flowers to pick from.

riverfest arkansas june 1-4, 2017 Little rock, AR Arkansas largest festival occurs each year on the first weekend of June. Riverfest is a family festival that includes visual aspects and performing arts for over 250,000 visitors.

Families from all over the state enjoy multiple bands, games, food and fun. The three day event offers four stages of live performances and a variety of entertainment options from a kid friendly activity area for young teens to art classes at the ArtZone. The festival will also include rides and exhibits that allows attendees to virtually travel the world. On the last day it will be open to adults only and will feature a late night concert by the headlining music performer.

Independence film festival june 23-24 Denver, CO Independent film festival is a small showcase that features international films from talented storytellers and creatives worldwide. The festival connects with Colorado filmmakers in all walks of life to bring a wide variety of film work from multiple genres to showcase. In addition to the films, they also host classes and workshops throughout the festival to provide resources for those who are interested in getting into and advancing their skills in film.

DESIGN abbey clouse

opinion

21

Let’s talk about what white privilege really means STAFF EDITORIAL

When you say the word “white privilege” at this majority-white school, you get that look. The look that says “I don’t want to talk about it,” and “I couldn’t care less.” But white privilege is prevalent in this community. And you should care.

Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Let’s start with a real explanation of white privilege. It’s important to know what it is before you have an opinion on it. It isn’t meant to bash white people.

It means that white people have certain benefits over non-white people just because of their skin color. This can play into different areas of life.

If you’re white, you shouldn’t get mad when you read the phrase white privilege — it’s not an attack. It doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong, you just need to see the truth for what it is.

You inherently benefit from being white, and these benefits — no matter how big or small — can help you advance in places like work.

Most white people don’t have to be afraid of applying to a job and having the employer reject their application from looking at their name. White people don’t usually have to worry about if their race is going to be represented in the next upcoming film or show or left out entirely at the Oscars. White people typically don’t have to be afraid of cops if they go

outside wearing a hoodie and baggy jeans.

And if you think that white privilege isn’t active much around here, you’re wrong. When a black person is pulled over, even in our community, they’re taught by their family to keep their hands on the wheel, use manners and comply with everything the officer says. If you’re white, this isn’t a worry because you are taught that cops are there to protect you, and they are your friends.

While people of color are sometimes told that, they’re also warned when they leave the house to be careful. It’s obvious in the classroom when there is one black student who is called on to comment when anything comes up about people of color. People talk about their one black friend as if having them around is what keeps them from being racist.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, yeah, but there are lots of disadvantaged white people. That is true, but most of the time it’s not because of skin color.

Economic status has no race.

White disadvantaged people still turn on the T.V. or open the front page of a newspaper and see their race well represented. Some people don’t like the idea of white privilege because they feel it creates more stigmas and white guilt. Like saying that people need to feel guilty and apologize for being white. But that is not the case.

You don’t have to be sorry because you have this privilege, you just need to understand it plays a factor in your life and others’.

If you’re white, it’s not your fault if you have this privilege, but it is your responsibility to be aware that you benefit from it. You can maintain this awareness by sparking conversation with people from different races and cultures, and then you can learn from them.

What's your go-to coffee order?

“Vanilla chai latte.”

What is your dream job?

“Producer at Buzzfeed.”

If you could have a celebrity take you to prom, who would you ask?

“Andrew Garfield in Spiderman. Because he’s hot.”

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?

“It’s from a book. Don’t let someone tell you the sky’s the limit when there’s footprints on the moon.”

Suggestions for opening dialogue on racial issues: -Cultural diversity training is implemented already for teachers, it’s time for students to learn it too. This could be done during Marauder Time.

-Invite speakers without political motivation who know how to talk to students about cultural diversity.

Speakers who have direct experience with the topic they’re discussing will impact students.

-Form a multi-cultural club that raises awareness about racism, and works together to make a difference in the school.

60 Seconds

compiled by Michelle mullings & Skyler middleton

Alexys Macie 9th grade

DESIGN staff

What’s your favorite emoji? Why? “The laughing emoji, because I’m always laughing.”

Would you rather live as though you were in a movie, or a video game? Why? “A movie, so I can be overdramatic.”

Do you prefer rain or shine? Why? “Shine, because who likes to be wet?”

What’s your favorite vacation spot?

“I’d have to say Canada, because it’s really pretty and different.”

may 10, 2017

22 Opinion

Our hummingbird Skyler Middleton

@_skylerw23

The smell of Marlboro cigarettes and baby powder imprinted the house, acting as my granny’s signature. Sitting in the kitchen where she taught me how to bake cookies, the memory never fails to make me smile.

Her rocking chair and hummingbird feeders were still outside on the front porch swaying with the wind.

Her cabinets still packed with the endless supply of popcorn, coke and butterfingers.

This house was somewhere I felt most at home, yet there was a lack of the warmth it usually possessed.

She wasn’t there.

Without her, the house I loved was nothing but a reminder of the pain my family was trying to block out.

• • • My mom and I lived with my grandparents over the summer because we knew they needed support. After all my grandparents had done for my mom and I, it was time we returned

the favor.

I was forced to watch the life leave my granny within a year. All I could do was sit back and witness the cancer rip her away.

As she got worse we brought her to Flower Mound to be closer to the rest of the family. Taking her to treatment centers and watching them stick needles into her dull skin was one of the hardest parts.

Even though the process was mentally draining for everyone, we stuck through it in a freezing and lifeless room with other patients, because the love for our granny—our hummingbird—was endless.

I was on my way home from school, walking the back route because it was faster. But if I could turn back time, I would have taken the longest way to postpone the horrible news that awaited 13-year-old me.

“Sky… something happened… we leave for the funeral tomorrow.”

Cold wind imprisoned all of us that December afternoon. It was the day of her funeral and we traveled to our small town in west Texas so we could bury her. The ceremony was filled with beautiful flowers she would have loved.

A nice women sang some songs, and we all moved along with the music.

I stood beside my mom and listened to our family go around and share stories of her. How she once bought $200 worth of paper towels because there was a sale,

and how much her eyes would light up when she saw a hummingbird approach her window.

One by one everyone shared a sentimental memory of her. Tears filled our eyes as we shared this moment of grief.

Even though this was a serious moment and I was surrounded by depression, all that come out of my mouth was “She was a heck of a women to shop with.” Laughter quickly filled my ears and the remorseful mood lifted.

• • • Losing someone to an unstoppable illness felt unbearable, and if my family wasn’t there to support each other, we wouldn’t have made it to where we are today.

Cancer is tragic and devastating.

Some days the loss we suffered is intolerable, but my family helps each other through it. Mary Kay Middleton was one of the best people I had known, and will forever hold a special place in my heart.

The hummingbird carved onto her gravestone perfectly represented my granny as the beautiful person she was.

It was placed alongside an engraving of the words she taught us to live by.

“It’s all about family.”

BOOM BAHS Things we like Post-grad posters

Freshman and JV Baseball District Champions

Every year, the counselors place posters outside of the main office to show where seniors are going after they leave Marcus.

These posters bring a sense of pride and accomplishment to the graduating class.

After a good year, both JV and the freshman team finished as LISD district champions. Freshman finished 23-6 and JV finished out 26-4 for the 2017 season. Coach Carder led the freshman team and Coach Riordan led our JV team to victory.

MHSMARQUEE.COM

Teacher appreciation week This week allows students to express how much their teachers mean to them. It conveniently falls towards the end of the year, which allows a chance to go back and share their appreciation to their teachers one last time.

DESIGN Vanessa Davis

Opinion

Under the same sky Aidann Zuniga

When I moved from California I felt a great loss. Everything was different in Texas, and I wasn’t willing to adjust. I didn’t want to make friends or enjoy going out to see the town. I didn’t want to go to a new school and didn’t want to re-invent myself.

Everything about leaving California was terrifying, abandoning everything we loved and cared about.

I just wanted to stay in my room and look at the things we were able to save during the move.

Goodbye letters, gifts of art and crumpled pictures of young faces scatter my walls, reminding me of people I wouldn’t see again. Staring at the wall with only the past going through my mind, I hardly noticed the room growing darker. I was only able to snap out of daze when I grew too restless to stay still any longer.

Sitting up in my cramped bed I contemplated what to do to keep me from boredom. After a few minutes, I decided on going to a park that was

about 15 minutes away from our house.

At least, it was in California. Now it’s just another memory.

Millions of curious lights hovered past the clouds, seeming to look over me, focusing on my very being. Giving them all of my attention, I scanned the night sky — searching for answers to questions I never asked.

I thought if I stayed there long enough I would be at peace with the world and myself. Those magnificent, mysterious stars I loved so much, I felt they loved me back.

• • • I remember standing on the damp grass in my backyard in California, I was alone, reluctant to go back inside after dinner. The sun had just not too long ago, taking the warm breeze along with it and leaving a chill behind.

At the time, we lived in a small house away from town and close to the hills, giving us open land and quieter nights.

My imagination was running wild, trying to figure out why those twinkling lights in the sky were so beautiful to me.

I felt as if I should always be watching them, as if something extraordinary was always about to happen and if I looked away I would miss it. So I always kept my eyes on them.

It took me awhile to get over my grief for the park, but I finally convinced myself to get up and make my way outside.

23

It was dark enough to barely make out the stars in the sky but I already knew where most of them were. Spotting the brightest and most familiar stars I traced their formation—recognizing Orion’s Belt instantly. A wave of comfort washed over me, making my heart swell.

Looking up at them I subconsciously felt at home and safe.

The glimmering, beautiful lights looking back at me gave me new hope about being here. My hand lifted itself up, reaching for them as if I could grab one and hold it close. The thought of home was no longer a state or house, but a feeling of reassurance and peace.

I thought, for a small moment, that maybe the stars were my home. It was silly, but after some speculation I thought that perhaps it was the familiarity and memories that came with the stars that made me love them so much. Every moment spent standing outside and looking up at those gorgeous stars was always filled with wonder and joy, love and thoughtfulness, peace and hope. These feelings and moments were in solidarity, but that doesn’t mean I felt alone.

Those special stars keep me intact, reminding me that wherever I am I will always have the stars watching over me.

HEYS

Things we don’t like parking stickers

Boots and stickers It’s a pain scrape the bright While we tounderstand the orange stickers off yourparking window importance of getting if you don’t haveyour parking pass yet. stickers, having car booted Maybe instead theytocould just put a and getting sent Wednesday warningschool slip under your windshield night seems a little wiper. We only have a month extreme. left of this school year, this punishment shouldn’t start now.

DESIGN Vanessa Davis

eportfolios

Cold season Our colleges going to With school aren’t ending, both check for eportfolios, why take stress and work so loads are time to create As one?ifNot that, skyrocketing. thisonly wasn’t but whenenough, everyonethere’s in the aschool draining bad tries oftothe make wifi case cold them, going the around. crashes.

Along with everyone’s anxiety, the headaches, stuffy noses and all around sick bodies are making for a difficult end to the year.

Staar

Card readers howofeasy STAAR may ADespite majority students have be theycards. are still annoying.

Youwe have credit The fact that to worry overtothe temperature can’t use these purchase school of your assigned room and hoping lunches is a major inconvenience. that your stomach doesn’t growl.

While there is an ATM in the Commons, there’s a $3 charge fee which is about the same price as buying a lunch in the first place.

May 10, 2017

30 opinion

Moving forward

Morgan Maxwell

@Morganmaxwell_

I played softball for ten years and loved it. I lived for striking a girl out and hearing the cheers from my teammates and parents. But all of that stopped mattering to me when my coach looked at me in front of the entire team and told me I was the reason we were losing the tournament. I was embarrassed but I was used to his verbal abuse.

When our pitcher began to struggle on the mound he called for me to come in and pitch without a warm up. He handed me the ball and said, “Make sure they don’t score.” I took a deep breath and threw the first pitch with the rain starting to come down.

The game was eventually called off, so we automatically lost. I looked to my dad, the guy who taught me everything about the game, who caught for me at every pitching lesson, the guy who loved watching me play. I told him I couldn’t

keep playing.

I told my parents what he said to me and my dad called him out in front of the players and their parents, telling him we would not be a part of his team any longer.

I shuddered at the thought of starting over on a new team.

• • • Over a span of a year I wouldn’t touch a softball. My glove was beginning to get stiffer and my cleats would soon be too small for me.There came a point that I thought everything was my fault, that maybe if I was perfect he wouldn’t have taken his anger out on me.

My parents tried to get me to play catch in the backyard, hoping I would love the game again. I was a kid who had a dad that coached college softball and a mom who played softball throughout her entire life, so I was expected to make a comeback.

One summer morning I woke up and felt angry and empty inside. I had a part of me had been taken away by a man who didn’t care about me. I found my cleats and glove, ready to remind myself why I loved the game.

I felt like I had forgotten everything.

I went slow through my warmup. I took a deep breath, found the stitches on the ball, and pitched for the first time in a year. I

Overheard

Compiled Grace Pecunia

at

could feel myself tearing up, not because I remembered the things he said to me but because I realized how much I missed playing.

I joined a team and I liked my coach. I was having fun again and I felt unstoppable. But when we drove up to a field for a tournament my heart dropped to my stomach. It was the field where I left my old team.

Everything was going fine until the last game, my parents hoped I wouldn’t remember what happened there, but how could I have forgotten?

I pitched the whole game and at the end it started raining. I wanted to break down, but it was my game. I was in control.

After the game was over I went to our car, and my mom told me how great I did that day. I couldn’t get a word out before I started crying. I thought the game would bring me back down. But I was wrong, it made me stronger.

In life people are going to knock you down and tell you that you aren’t enough for them. But think back to the reason why you love what you do and don’t let anyone take that away, whether it be a teacher, coach, or a parent, get back up and fight for what you have a passion for.

MHS

“My cat screams every morning.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t spell pregnancy on a daily basis.”

(W hall)

(Newsroom) “I want a minivan with racing stripes.”

“I once fit 15 jumbo marshmallows in my mouth.”

(A hall)

(Commons) “I’d be okay with living in a dog house.”

“Go microwave your face.”

(C hall)

(C hall)

APRIL 7, 2017

Sex education must shift to more inclusive approach Texas schools notoriously shy away from teaching sex education beyond surface level, or fail to teach it at all. This is because the state of Texas requires that sex education must teach an abstinenceonly approach. But this method isn’t working. According to a survey done by the Center for Disease Control in 2013, about half of Texas teens report having had sex, and by 12th grade that statistic rises to over 60 percent.

Though state law requires that sex education in schools must emphasize abstinence, the curriculum itself is left up to individual school districts. Some teach abstinence along with information about sexual health. Abstinence-only education is an outdated curriculum that leaves half of Texas students in the dark about their health. This needs to change. Curriculum must steer away from abstinence-only programs, and shift to an approach that speaks to all students.

Current methods of teaching rely on moral shaming and negative fear tactics to push the message of abstinence. In sex education lessons, people who are no longer virgins are considered damaged goods. They are likened to cups that have been spit into, tape that won’t stick, dirty chocolate that has been handled and flowers that have been plucked of their petals. Instead of an honest discussion about sex, these teachings rely on shame and mockery.

Sex is only a moral discussion, and one’s worth is based on whether or not they are a virgin. These methods

STAFF EDITORIAL

of teaching effectively discourage any questions about sex and alienate half the students in the room.

Because of the negativity, students don’t ask questions and concerns about sexual health that are currently relevant to their own lives.

Information regarding sex, contracep-

The curriculum should shift focus, not only discussing the advantages of abstinence but also comprehensive information about sexual health.

tion and relationships are most vital to a high school audience, as opposed to a middle school audience, yet most of this teaching stops by the end of 8th grade.

A high school audience is more mature and receptive to this information simply because it directly affects them.

According to The Marquee’s poll, little to no sex education is taught in high school. By age 19, most students will lose their virginity, and continue to have sex. Though this is when education and

resources are most vital, students receive no guidance.

Abstinence-plus education is the alternative that an increasing number of school districts in the state are adopting.

Proponents of abstinence-only education chalk up its effectiveness to the simple fact that abstinence is the only way to prevent STDs and pregnancy. However abstinence-plus programs do this while also opening up an honest discussion about health that doesn’t alienate or shame students.

Instead of strictly focusing on abstaining from sex, abstinence-plus also talks about how students can protect themselves against unwanted pregnancy and STDs. In doing this, schools can continue to stress the advantages of staying celibate until marriage while educating about contraceptive use and STD testing.

As a leading school district that continually excels in technology and education, LISD should shift to a more inclusive sex ed curriculum that reaches not half, but all its students.

With the elimination of Health as a required class, sex education should be a higher priority for LISD. It should be implemented more fully into required classes such as biology, or in periodic lessons like the Marauder Time presentations.

The curriculum should shift focus, not only discussing the advantages of abstinence but also comprehensive information about sexual health.

Abstinence only?

CARTOON Jolie Mullings

What if a teen is already having sex?

information.