THE
marquee
Volume 31 • Issue 3 • DEC. 9, 2016
REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT
6
Local leader speaks to young athletes
8
Fashion club makes scarves for charity
pg.15
24
How to create festive gingerbread houses
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 PHOTO VANESSA DAVIS Junior Nelson Chevis and his Guyer High School opponent Grayson Carter jump for the ball at tip-off of the boys varsity basketball game. The Marauders were defeated by the Wildcats in a non-district game.
Nick Fopiano ONlLINE EDITORS Bailey Crocker, Michelle Mullings NEWS EDITOR
CONTENTS
Bailey Crocker FEATURE EDITOR Michelle Mullings
4
SPORTS EDITOR
News
RETURN TO LEARN Downing Middle School pilots a concussion recovery program
Keegan Douglas-Davis ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Brady Pierce REPORTERS
Feature
ROCKING AROUND School of Rock bands travel through the southwest on tour
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JP Martin, Morgan Maxwell, Kelly Rowe, Shayla Sistrunk, Aidann Zuniga DESIGNERS Megan Clark, Abbey Clouse, Jolie Mullings ADVISERS
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LaJuana Hale
Sports
MOVING TO THE PROS Coach Gall accepts position with FC Dallas
Entertainment
BEST ONE STANDING Reviews of local taco restaurants
DESIGN NICK FOPIANO
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Eline de Bruijn PRINCIPAL Gary Shafferman The Marquee newsmagazine is a student-generated publication of Marcus High School. It is produced, edited and maintained through the efforts of the school’s advanced journalism class. The Marquee is designed to serve the school and community as a forum for open discussion and student expression. The Marquee encourages letters to the editor as part of its mission to educate, inform and provide an open forum for debate. All submissions must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit all material. Editorials reflect the opinion of the staff, not necessarily that of the administration. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author. Advertising rates are $70 per 1/8 of a page, with discounts available. Patron ads are available for $100. Online advertisements are also available. For more information call 469-713-5196. The Marquee is a standing member of ILPC, TAJE, ATPI, CSPA, NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll.
#
in
News
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story Sanika sule & Cara Crocker 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.
#DumpKelloggs Kellogg’s recently announced they will be pulling their advertisements from conservative news site Breitbart. In a statement, Kellogg’s said this decision came after determining that the content on Breitbart does not reflect the values of the company. Following Kellogg’s decision, Breitbart has called for its readers to boycott the breakfast food brand, giving rise to the hashtag #DumpKelloggs. Breitbart readers took to Twitter to condemn Kellogg’s for discriminating against those with right-wing beliefs.
#DallasCowboys
After the losing season of the Cowboys last year, this year’s winning record has fans anticipating a ticket to the Super Bowl. Following the addition of rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott to the team, the Cowboys now have an 11-1 record. The last time the Cowboys played in the Super Bowl was 1995 and this year they have already clenched a playoff spot going into week 13. The hashtag #DallasCowboys has trended both locally and nationally during several games.
#Chapecoense After running out of fuel and suffering electrical failure, a plane carrying members of Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense crashed in Medellín, Colombia. The crash killed 71 people, including 19 soccer players. The team was traveling to Bolivia for the Copa Sudamericana, a South American soccer tournament. Following the crash, the hashtag #Chapecoense began trending worldwide to express support for the victims.
#Tennesseewildfires
Over the past few weeks, Tennessee residents have been recovering from the wildfires that raged around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. On Nov. 28, residents were evacuated as the wildfires starting reaching residential homes. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash says the wildfires were “likely to be human-caused” and they spread quickly due to the drought conditions. The wildfires subsided after a rain and residents are allowed back in starting Dec. 2.
DESIGN Nick fopiano
dec. 9, 2016
Which youth sport causes the most injuries?
Learning in recovery Middle school piloting re-entry program for students with concussions STORY Kelly Rowe
FOOTBALL
394,350 injuries in 2012
BASKETBALL
389,610 injuries in 2012
SOCCER
Downing Middle School has started a pilot concussion recovery program, Return to Learn (RTL), for students who return to school during their healing process. So far this year, Downing has helped two students through RTL. They’ve been able to speed up student’s recovery while also accommodating their needs in the learning environment. Most students who suffer from concussions are advised to stay home and rest, but this often causes additional stress because of missed school work. This new recovery program will allow the school to fulfill the students’ needs to avoid an unnecessary lengthy healing process. Sophomore Regan Rodgers suffered from three whiplash concussions during a football game his freshman year and endured a longer than usual recovery because of his early re-entry into the school setting. He decided to prematurely return to school to reduce the amount of work he would miss. “If teachers made it a little bit easier, knew what [the students] were going through,” Regan said. “Then that would definitely help.” While most of his teachers were understanding and patient as Regan suffered from his headaches and memory loss—at one point forgetting his own name—they still couldn’t provide him
with all of the help he needed. “Some of [my teachers] did help,” Regan said. “But it’s a hard thing to get a grasp of whenever you’re not going through it.” The RTL program is a part of a consulting business, Get Schooled on Concussions, which helps teachers understand how a concussion affects the brain to better take care of their concussed students. It also educates them on how to adjust the learning environment for students suffering from concussions who return to school before they’re fully healed. Co-founder of Get Schooled on Concussions, Brenda Eagan Brown, visited Downing at the beginning of October to help introduce and integrate the RTL program. “There’s a lot of... training for coaches and athletic trainers on the sports side of [concussions],” Brown said. “But there aren’t many people teaching teachers what to do when students have headaches, or are dizzy or foggy.” The first course of action when a student returns to school is to reduce his/her schoolwork and homework by at least 50 percent. The energy it takes to think cognitively is needed to heal the brain, and overtaxing the mind with too much work is what prolongs the recovery process. Next is to build in “rest breaks”, that way the student can take a mental recess to
172,470 injuries in 2012 Source : Property Casualty 360
DESIGN jolie mullings
NEWS
avoid overloading their brain throughout the day. “We would rather have students recovering in a month rather than pushing it to 100 days or more,” Brown said. Regan’s mother, Jennifer Rodgers underwent the training with Brown to learn possible effects of concussions, and how they can help concussed students in the academic setting. They also learned different ways to support students emotionally, as concussions can cause depression and suicidal thoughts. “It has to be individualized,” Jennifer said. “Each kid is treated individually based on what their symptoms are day to day.” In training, they also received a digital toolkit which contains a “symptom checker,” that assists teachers in quickly identifying symptoms and treating them on sight. The toolkit also includes forms that can be used to explain to parents how the school is accommodating their child. The effects concussions inflict can vary person to person, whether it be different symptoms or level of severity. Teachers talk with the student and their parents to make the program benefit each student in the best way possible. Jennifer said that having the training gave teachers permission to do what they figured would be best for the student’s recovery.
“You can’t always see their symptoms, but their symptoms are there,” Jennifer said. “[The program] empowered us to do the best thing for each kid individually.” Another student who is familiar with the struggles of returning to school while concussed, junior Kaitlyn Lunsford, went through the same hardships as Regan when she returned to her middle school
It has to be individualized, each kid is treated individually based on what their symptoms are day to day.
-JENNIFER RODGERS
with her first concussion. “It was really hard because I still had really bad headaches sometimes,” Lunsford said. “And some of the teachers weren’t...cooperative with what the doctor ordered.”
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Kaitlyn said teachers that better understood concussions and their effects were more supportive and helpful during her recovery. Other teachers didn’t understand the doctor’s request to slowly reintroduce work, thinking that Kaitlyn was just over-reacting. “I feel like [the RTL program] would benefit...schools a lot because kids who have concussions don’t really feel comfortable coming back,” Lunsford said. “They feel like some of their teachers don’t really understand the pain and the trauma that they’re...going through.” Senior English teacher Meghan Regent said that piloting a program like RTL at the school would be a good way to inform teachers on symptoms to look for and what to expect from students returning to school with concussions. “I think it would be a great idea to implement that here,” Regent said. “Often times the concussions are conveniently overlooked for the sake of sports, but it really does harm our kids in the long run.” Stories like Lunsford’s and Regan’s are what prompted Jennifer to take action. After getting the “go-ahead” from the District Leaders, Jennifer worked to implement the program with the help of other teachers and staff around campus. “I really hope that this program can take off in more schools in the district,” Jennifer said. “It’s been great.”
EXCUSE SLIP Date
Patient’s Name Anticipated Date of Return
Childrenneedanaverageof3+weeksrecoverytimeafteraconcussion.
Inordertoreducetheriskofanotherbraininjury,achildmustberemovedfromthefollowing uponreturningtoschool:Allschoolandclubsports,physicaleducation(PE)class,danceclassandallphysicalplayat recess.
Restrictions
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
DESIGN jolie mullings
DEC. 9, 2016
GROWING LEADERS Local volunteer mentors athletic groups STORY SANIKA SULE PHOTOS SUBMITTED Senior Colin Hickl sat among his teammates as he stared at the two images held up in front of him. A thermostat and a thermometer. Local speaker Jimmy Bryan explained how a thermometer simply adjusts to its surroundings, while a thermostat sets the temperature. He asked the members of the basketball team which one they would be. The boys talked about how they could become someone who exudes positivity and affect those around them rather than just conforming to what everyone else believes. Every two weeks, Bryan visits several sports teams and passes on lessons that will help the students grow as athletes, teammates and individuals. For the past 20 years, Bryan has been speaking to teams about leadership. As a local community member himself, Bryan said he is able to relate to the students on a more personal level. “I do more than just speak and leave,” Bryan said. “I try to stay and build a relationship with the kids, know what’s
MHSMARQUEE.COM
going on in their lives.” Senior Ridge Rodgers said that Bryan’s speeches resonate with him more than other speakers’ talks. Rodgers said that rather than spouting off a list of accomplishments, Bryan reveals his vulnerabilities and mistakes to the boys to connect to them on a deeper level. Rodgers said he and his teammates feel comfortable sharing their thoughts because of the open atmosphere created by Bryan’s honesty. “When they know my heart and when they know who I am, and they know that I put the time in to come and spend time with them, they are more open to listening to what I have to say,” Bryan said. “I’m sure there are people who know a lot more about leadership than I do, but I try to take the time to pour into them, therefore they’re more receptive to my message.” While Bryan’s interaction with the athletes is limited to every few weeks, he hopes his lessons can be applied to their everyday lives. He encouraged the boys to refrain from telling any lies over Thanksgiving break. Rogers and the entire baseball team pushed themselves to stick to Bryan’s challenge.
“It was hard,” Rogers said. “As much as you think you don’t lie, you catch yourself in a lie. When you push yourself to do that, it impacted me because it’s going to make me a better person now.” Bryan said his main goal is to help the athletes grow as individuals. While most of his talks are given to teams, he thinks it’s important for students to focus on learning about themselves before they can truly contribute to the group. “I teach that you have to lead yourself before you lead others,” Bryan said. “You have to feed yourself before you feed others. You have to know your strengths before you can do that.” As a former college athlete, Bryan understands the dynamic of sports teams and what it takes to be a good teammate. While most of his work at the school is with the athletic department, Bryan said his talks would be beneficial for any small group. “I’ll speak to anybody who wants to listen,” Bryan said. “I think it’s more than just athletes, but what I find is that the athletic coaches really see the value of this and provide the stage.” Bryan said he is grateful that the
DESIGN MEGAN CLARK
news administration allows him to come to the school and talk to the athletes. When he is not interacting with high school athletes, Bryan is a missions minister at First Baptist Church of Lewisville. While much of his experience of interacting with others comes from his work at the church, his message revolves solely around self and team betterment. “It would be very easy for the local schools to say ‘Well he works in a church, separation of church and state, we can’t have him in here,’” Bryan said. “That’s not the message I’m bringing the kids. I’m really about the core of who we are as people, as teammates, down the road as young men and young women.” Bryan sees talking to the athletes as helping what he describes as a “forgotten generation” find their way. He sees teenagers as often misunderstood. Bryan said he sees many teenagers given too much independence and left on their own before they may be ready for it. Bryan said it is this understanding of
high school students that drives him to visit athletes and pass on information. As a volunteer, Bryan is not paid. He said he finds satisfaction in just being able to teach lessons to students. “I don’t want anything from Marcus, I don’t want anything from the students, I don’t want anything from the team,” Bryan said. “I just want to see the kids become better students, better adults. I think people see that honesty and desire that in their own lives.” While his main goal is to impact the athletes, Bryan said interacting with the students has affected him as well. Bryan said that although teenagers nowadays are often seen at materialistics, his interaction with the athletes has given him hope. “A lot of people talk about the current generation and how they feel entitled,” Bryan said. “I hear a lot of negative things. In spending so much time with the youth in our community I am absolutely encouraged. I see young people who have a driving desire to live out their gifts. I see
7
a desire to be better, I see a desire for their fellow man. I see a desire to work hard.” Both Rodgers and Hickl agree that Bryan has left a lasting impact on their teams. Both athletes said their teams have been brought closer together by Bryan’s visits. “I think he brings out a lot that a lot of people wouldn’t share,” Rodgers said. “We kind of got to get to know each other better and [we’re] more personable with each other. I think he’s a big impact.” Bryan said as he has watched the athletes bond with each other, he has formed a connection with the students as well. He said the most rewarding aspect of interacting with the athletes is seeing how his mentorship translates in their individual lives. “It’s just seeing the wins that aren’t necessarily wrapped up in the scoreboard, or a result on the field,” Bryan said. “A true win comes in relationships with your friends or your family.”
Local leader Jimmy Bryan discusses leadership skills with the basketball team. Bryan has spoken to over five schools in the area, and visits Marcus about every other week.
DESIGN MEGAN CLARK
DEC. 9, 2016
Fashion forward
Newly formed Fashion Club designs scarves for Dallas charity story shayla sistrunk photo vanessa davis
and how they plan to give back to the community. One of the projects the club planned to do is make scarves for The students filed in after the bell rang. Their a local charity called Dress For Success. Like other organizations backpacks hit the floor and everyone began talking. at the school, the Fashion Club does charity work. The club The room echoed with loud voices and shuffling members decided to use their fashion abilities to donate to feet. The faces of each student were plastered with a people in need. smile and they were all laughing. The students then After several meetings, sharing their opinions and debating, went on to discuss the future of the Fashion Club they set up a production date and began working the following week. Instead of using a sewing machine for every single scarf, the members decided to do something different and design some infinity scarves. They can be made quickly and easily, and require few materials. Marketing teacher Nema House watched as students filed into her classroom for the Fashion Club after school. The students glowed with excitement as the meeting began. She gave a few basic instructions, then handed it over to some of the members. House sat back and observed as an advisor, letting the students run the show. “I love watching the students have fun,” House said. “You can tell already that they are comfortable with each Seniors Kalyn Jackson and Kennedy Buchanan browse through fashion other.” magazines looking for inspiration. Buchanan started the Fashion Club at the beginning of this school year as a creative outlet for students to express their style.
MHSMARQUEE.COM
DESIGN NICK FOPIANO
feature
9
Members of the Fashion Club skim through magazines for ideas and new styles for their projects. For different holidays, club members will bring in festive fabric and material to create items like scarfs, hats and gloves.
While the club is student led, she still gives her input and learns along with the students. Fashion Club meets every other Thursday to talk and discuss different fashion icons and trends. The club president is senior Kennedy Buchanan and the vice president is senior Kalyn Jackson. Since the first meeting at the beginning of September, Buchanan says she has put her whole heart into the club. She contacts sources and invite different professionals to speak to the club. As leader of the Fashion Club, Buchanan plans to use her fashion skills on another level. Jackson contributes behind the scenes, organizing finances, bringing snacks to meetings and suggesting ideas for future community service ideas. “The Fashion Club was definitely helpful for people who can’t find friends with the same interests as them,” Jackson said. “It’s fun to get to know people and their style preferences.”
DESIGN NICK FOPIANO
Sometimes the club will get in contact with the Makeup Club. Since the clubs are similar, students thought they should join forces and come together. Tristan Moon is the founder and president of the Makeup Club. “Kennedy asked me if wanted to run our clubs in conjunction,” Moon said. “I thought it was a great idea.” In the fall, both clubs made trend boards and compiled different outfit combinations they’d like in a boutique of their own. During Halloween time, the classes met up after school in the fashion design room to sew up Halloween themed accessories. Key members of the group are seniors, so the juniors will have to go through rebuilding and recruiting just like many other clubs on campus. “I believe that this club can do great things,” Buchanan said. “I only hope that my peers continue to expand this amazing program.”
DEC. 9, 2016
10 FEATURE
Rockin’ on the Road
Students go on exclusive School of Rock tour
STORY KEEGAN DOUGLAS-DAVIS PHOTOS SUBMITTED It had been two weeks since the School Of Rock’s live audition and senior Max Moseley, sophomore Carolyn Locke and freshman Tyler Phillips were anxiously awaiting the results. The three had auditioned for the summer tour, an exclusive chance for students from School Of Rock locations across the country to
come together and tour like a real band. After sending in a recorded song, moving on to the live audition and completing an interview, all three of them were nervous. “No matter how good your audition was there’s always some amount of uncertainty,” Moseley said. As the two week waiting period passed slowly, each of them wondered if they were selected to go at all and if they were, which tour they would be a part of—east, central or west.
“I wanted to go on tour really badly and waiting for so long made me even more nervous,” Locke said. Locke and Moseley were chosen to go on tour and received emails congratulating them, but Phillips never got an email. So instead of forgetting about the tour, Phillips said he ended up on Facebook looking through random accounts, trying to find the list of participants. As his hope dwindled, he soon stumbled upon the list and found out that his name was included and he would be attending as one of the youngest members. Following the initial joy of making it on tour, the group began to learn songs from iconic artists like Led Zeppelin, Who, Metallica, AC/DC and The Beatles with 22 other musicians. And at rehearsals they had to show how much work they’d put in. “You’re going to be criticized together…You’re excited to be here but At Music Maker HQ in Deep Ellum, Max Moseley plays “Somebody Told Me by the Killers” on guitar. Moseley has been playing guitar since he was eight years old.
DESIGN JOLIE MULLINGS
feature
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su
mm
er
also nervous because people can get kicked off,” Moseley said. Shortly before they were scheduled to leave, the group underwent three days of grueling rehearsal at House of Blues. The rehearsals started at 10 a.m. and lasted all day until 6 p.m., singing the same song over and over until the director was satisfied. They were now bandmates with people they had never met before, and a sense of camaraderie was beginning to form. “What’s super cool about School of Rock on tour especially… is that we all have [music] in common,” Phillips said. The west coast tour began August 1 and was 11 full days of waking up early, loading the bus, driving to locations like Los Angeles and Las Vegas, playing music until late at night, loading the bus again, continuing to drive and finally crashing in a hotel bed at 2 a.m. only to wake up early the next day and do it all over again. The initial rush of nerves dissolved after the second show they played in Albuquerque, and every show after that tended to be an adrenaline rush. In Los Angeles, the band played a gig at Universal Studios, and got a chance to meet the midday medical show host, Dr. Oz. Carolyn Locke sings “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine while Max Moseley plays electric guitar.
to u
rr ou
“ Yo u ’ r e out there on your own, with these people who have never seen you before and it’s not your grandma taking videos of you anymore. It’s like a make or break moment and you’re up there with your “family” essentially,” Moseley said. The three agreed that while physically tiring, the tour was an experience that shaped their idea of what they wanted their future to be. However they didn’t feel that they could do it alone, and the experience has allowed the three to become close friends that still refer to each other as their tour nicknames: Mr.
te
Peanut Butter, Nugget and Curly. “Normally touring as a musician is something that only the elite can achieve,” Moseley said. “The fact that people our age can go through that same process and experience proves that anything is possible with the right resources and drive.”
12 sports
SAYING GOODBYE TO GALL Former Marauder head soccer coach begins coaching for FC Dallas
COACH GALL 15
Year
record
wins losses ties
276 71 42 UIL Play off Record
43 - 13 Back-to-Back state champs
2007 - 2008 Nationally ranked
#1 in 2007 #3 in 2008 NSCAA Texas Coach of the Year
2007-2008 5 district titles in a row
2006-2010 source: marcusfc.com MHSMARQUEE.COM
play college soccer at Oklahoma City story morgan maxwell University. It was a hard transition After finishing their weight lifting and moving to another country, but he was running, the Marauder soccer team was determined to keep going further in his called together, head coach John Gall told soccer career. them he would soon be leaving. There After college, Gall was a trainee was a look of with FC Dallas, disbelief in all then known as the the player’s eyes Dallas Burn. But as they tried to later his career process what moved in a different they were just direction. In 2001, told. When it Gall accepted a finally sank in, coaching position This isn’t just a chance for me some were mad with the Marauder at why he would to spread my wings, it’s their soccer team, which leave before the chance to see how they fly he would continue season started to shape for the next and others were without me. 15 years. crying because For the past 18 they were sad to months, Gall had see their coach been helping coach leaving. youth elite teams Gall announced that he had received a for FC Dallas. After the other FC Dallas full time offer to be the Boys’ Director of coaches watched Gall, they offered him Coaching with FC Dallas. While the boys a full time job. He has had dreams of were excited to see Gall’s career grow, furthering his career, and Gall said he they knew that this opportunity meant he was taking the job offer to challenge would no longer be there to support them himself and to see how he would adjust on the sidelines or lead their practices. to the new circumstances. “This isn’t just a chance for me to “I’m excited to further my career, spread my wings, it’s their chance to see but I am sad I won’t be here with my how they fly without me,” Gall said. players,” Gall said *** Assistant boys soccer coach Riley Soon after Gall’s senior year of high Dodge who has known Gall for a year school, he left his family in Wales,United and a half was taken aback by the news. Kingdom and came over to America, to He says he knows it’s a great opportunity
‘‘
-JOHN GALL, SOCCER
DESIGN JOLIE MULLINGS & MEGAN CLARK
for Gall and his family, but he is still surprised he was leaving after being a coach for so long. But even with Gall being gone, Dodge plans to continue to push players just as hard. “I’m excited for him, this is a great chance for him to further his career as a soccer coach and as a person,” Dodge said. Junior Austin Wills says though the upcoming season will be hard without their head coach, he believes they will still play to their full potential. “We know what’s expected of us so we can’t let this take us back. We have to move forward,” Wills said. Assistant boys soccer coach Preston Jund has been coaching with Gall for the past five years and said he was sad to see Gall go. His favorite part of coaching with Gall was watching him shape the program into what it is now. When Gall first started coaching, he said the soccer team was overlooked and players didn’t take it seriously. Gall established authority with the players, so it became a program where boys could come play and improve their skills. With the spring soccer season right around the corner, Sam Garza has been named the interim coach. He is a Marauder alumni who won a state
Photos Vanessa davis
Coach Gall, pictured far right, sits under the wind dugout on the sidelines with his players. The Marauders competed against Plano High School in a regular district game at home.
championship with Gall in 2007 and 2008, and Texas Gatorade player 2008. After his time with MMFC, Garza moved onto playing in college and has played in Major League Soccer for the past eight years. Garza said as the interim coach he’s going to push the boys just as hard as Gall did and the goal is to make them an even better team. Though some players are still upset about Gall leaving, Garza said he is determined to make the soccer team a family atmosphere for all of the players. He has worked out with MMFC many times before when he’s in his off season
from the MLS and that has helped with the transition of coaches. “I’m not going to let the boys slip through the cracks, I’m going to push them because I care,” Garza said. Gall said hopes he’s leaving an imprint on the boys that they will continue to work hard and push themselves. Though he’s getting out of his comfort zone, he knows the boys are too. He wants his legacy to remain that he made MMFC a team just as important as any other school sport. “I may not be there on the sidelines coaching, but I’ll be there in spirit cheering them on,” Gall said.
Meet Coach Garza HIGH SCHOOL
MLS
COLLEGE
ON VARSITY
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
2005 - 2008
2012-2014
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER THE DENVER PIONEERS
TWO-TIME STATE CHAMPION 2007 - 2008
TEXAS GATORADE PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2008
ARIZONA UNITED SC 2014
2008 - 2009
SAN ANTONIO SCORPIONS 2014
SEATTLE SOUNDERS SC 2015
ARIZONA UNITED 2016
DESIGN JOLIE MULLINGS & MEGAN CLARK
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA 2010-2011
DEC. 9, 2016
14
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Sexual assault: an underreported crime
MY SON’S emotional and psychological state has been DETERIORATING since the SEXUAL ASSAULT incident. I have had to WITHDRAW him from SCHOOL and ENROLL him in an intensive IN/OUT PATIENT PROGRAM to last no more than SIX WEEKS. He has SELF-HARMED and has had THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE — going as far to write a note. His father and I are also IN THERAPY. And, because I had to take so much TIME AWAY from work, I was LET GO FROM MY JOB. -VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT, 2012
16 In-Depth
Campus officials encourage students to report all sexual crimes story bailey crocker The recent Baylor scandal has brought sexual assault in schools to the spotlight. Some of the controversy has been the fact that Baylor delayed investigating multiple reports made against football players. One woman who was assaulted by two of the players was intoxicated, which lead to her hesitation in reporting. Students on campus have many places on campus to report this crime. Lead counselor Cheryl Richey said that about 80 percent of sexual assaults reported to her are because the victim was intoxicated. She said that unfortunately the first thought that comes to some people’s minds is questioning why the victim was out drinking—rather than asking them how they are doing and what they can do to help. “I don’t care what the girl was doing, what anyone was doing,” Richey said. “Whether they knew what was happening, whether they were drunk, it’s still a crime and I still hope [the attacker] gets charged.” Many times, however, the victim doesn’t step forward and report their assault. S.R.O Michael Anderson said that it might be because the victim feels that they’re the one to blame for it. “I think sometimes that they’re either embarrassed or ashamed or think for some reason that it’s their fault,” Anderson said. However some students may not feel comfortable talking to the school’s administration. Junior Andie Martinez said it is important that the staff should be open and available and listen carefully to what the students are confiding in them. “School might be the only place that a person can ever really tell somebody what’s going on. So it’s important to have at least somewhere that they can go to to talk about it,” Martinez said.
MHSMARQUEE.COM
A female senior who participated in a roundtable hosted by The Marquee said that every student should have a teacher they trust to report sexual assault to. “We need to make sure that every student gets a chance to have that personal, responsible adult in their life to receive that sort of support and the education that they need for a sexual assault,” she said. To Richey, it’s important that students report any and all sexual assault. This way the administration can help the student and ensure that they are secure. “You must be safe in this school,” Richey said. “It takes a village and we’re all going to work together to make sure that you’re safe.”
Assaults of a sexual nature have punishments ranging between a misdemeanor two to 20 years for sexual assault. -If sexual assault is between a minor and someone at least is three years older, imprisonment can be two to 20 years. -If it is aggravated sexual assault between a minor younger than 14 years old, it’s a first degree felony and penalties include between five to 99 years in prison.
. 6 3 million
adult Texans have experienced some form of sexual assault in their lifetime which is
33.2% 413,000
of all Texans
adult Texans have experienced some form of SEXUAL ASSAULT in the past year
there has been an expansion IN THE STATE OF TEXAS of sexual assaults reported
FROM ‘03-15’ BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE AWARENESS OF SEXUAL
Source : All statistics in InDepth are from the 2015 Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence by the University of
VICTIMIZATION AND THE EXPANSION OF THE TEXAS PENAL CODE
Texas.
DESIGN Abbey clouse
Ways to report sexual assault to the school
1. The Student Resource Officer, or S.R.O.
in-depth
65.2%
Depending on how serious the assault is, the SRO might suggest filing charges. The main campus S.R.O. is located down the Main Entry and A hall wing of the Commons and the M9 officer is located in room 9502.
2. Tip line.
A student can send in an anonymous tip, whether it is about themselves or a friend. Then from there, if the student is comfortable, they can be called to the counselor’s office to talk about what happened.
Text:
2146364125
3. The counselors. If the victim and the accuser are in the same class, lead counselor Cheryl Richey said that counselors can allow a schedule change. The counselors also ask the student to inform their parents and have the parents e-mail the counselor to notify them that they are aware. If it is not done within a day, the police may go to the student’s house and let the parent’s know about the situation.
4. Teacher.
It is required that the teacher report the situation to a counselor or the S.R.O. so that the victims can get the help they need.
OF VICTIMS REPORT MULTIPLE VICTIMIZATIONS
OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS NO WEAPONS WERE USED
70%
17
97.2%
OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS ARE COMMITTED BY A PERPETRATOR KNOWN OR RELATED TO THE VICTIM
It’s not my fault Cara Crocker
@cara_crocker
I’ll never forget the way you grabbed me. The way you held me in that tree house at midnight, and whispered “please” in my ear countless times. I’ll never forget the way you quickly forced yourself on me, knowing I’d put up a fight. I’ll never forget the way the swing set looked through my tears as I tried to focus on anything else besides your face. I’ll never forget the way that you took me back to your car afterwards, all of my fight gone and all of my dignity stripped away. I’ll never forget the way you sat in the driver’s seat, silent as if I had just done something horrible to you, and not the other way around. I’ll never forget that night. For a few days afterwards, everything made me nervous. I would jump at every raised voice or loud noise. I felt alone and scared, like I needed to hide my impurity. (Continued on pg. 30)
DESIGN Abbey clouse
DEC. 9, 2016
breaking
the silence Junior girls share their stories about sexual assault story michelle mullings Solo cups, ping pong balls, empty handles of vodka and drunk bodies of 20-something-year-olds littered the living room apartment. The once lively mood of the party had lulled into a quiet daze as 2:00 a.m. crept by. Inside a nearby bedroom, 16-year-old junior Jessica* laid curled up on a bed, asleep. The door crept open. Jessica’s 23-yearold coworker, Trevor stumbled into his bedroom. He slid beside her, making himself comfortable under the crumpled sheets. The first thing Jessica said she remembered was waking up to Trevor forcing his hand into her jeans and touching her. She froze. “I was very terrified,” Jessica said.
“That’s never happened to me before, so I didn’t know what I was supposed to do.” She started to panic. Scenarios ran through her head. Jessica said she knew everyone at the party had either left or laid passed out in the living room. Nobody could help her. Nobody knew what was going on. Still faking sleep, she tried to roll over and push him off. But he pulled her back to him every time, she said. “He was very aggressive,” Jessica said. “But he never said anything. He just kept pulling me back.” Jessica said she doesn’t remember how exactly she got out. But after pushing him off five times, she was able to pry herself away. “I did eventually get off the bed and
out into the living room,” Jessica said. “I wasn’t comfortable enough to even stay on the bedroom floor.” After waking up the next morning, Jessica was filled with disgust. She remembered her friend Alexis, who said to call her if she got drunk. Alexis said she stayed up waiting anxiously by her phone, ready to take Jessica home if needed. But when Matthew, a trusted friend at the party, called and reassured her that Jessica was fine, Alexis went to bed. “[ Jessica] said she wanted to go home, but that she didn’t want to get caught by her mom,” Alexis said. “So she stayed at the party.” After putting Jessica to bed, Matthew left the party. He said that he thought to
*All names have been changed
Reporting patterns for assault victims
31.5%
9.2%
45.3%
22.3%
told law told a family enforcement member told a friend DESIGN Abbey clouse
say nothing
Why victims didn’t report - were scared to report - felt ashamed or embarrassed about their experience - chose to deal with the sexual assault themselves or ask friends and family for help - did not define their experience as a crime - did not think they would be believed
- blamed themselves
in-depth take her home, but ultimately decided to let her sleep. “I didn’t want her to stay,” Matthew said. “But I was thinking that Trevor would take care of her like any good
‘‘
I was very terrified. That’s never happened to me before, so I didn’t know what I was supposed to do.
-jessica, 11 person would. I hoped that he would do that.” In the days following the assault, Jessica felt violated. The memory of that night plagued every thought. She felt unsafe, and terrified at the thought of seeing Trevor again. She started to close herself off from her friends. Alexis noticed. “She was always super sad, she didn’t really eat,” Alexis said. “When she was by herself, you could tell she was really distraught about it.” Soon, Jessica decided to tell Alexis about the assault. “I was worried for Jessica,” Alexis said. “I’m just glad she told me.” Alexis said she encouraged Jessica to tell her supervisors at work about what happened. But when she did, they dismissed her concerns. “Since they didn’t really have a lot of proof, they didn’t do anything. They kind of just gave him a warning,” Jessica said. After this, Jessica said she felt discouraged from reporting the incident further. She didn’t think her counselors at school would know what to say or do — and feared they’d “get involved” when she didn’t want them to. And she didn’t go to the police, thinking that because Trevor didn’t have sex with her, it wasn’t as “serious” anyway. So she kept quiet. “I didn’t really want to talk to anybody. I wanted to be isolated because I didn’t know what to say to people if they asked
19
me [what happened],” Jessica said. “I kept getting asked if I was okay. I was trying to push them away, push the issue away.” Three days after the assault, Jessica and Trevor had a shift together. When he came in for a hug, Jessica shifted away. “I was shocked. I was uncomfortable,” Jessica said. “I worked just about the same shifts as him on the weekends, and he would always try to talk to me as if he didn’t know what happened.” At work, he would try everything he could to talk to her. He’d ask why she was acting weird, as if he didn’t do anything to her. “Some days, he would try to get on a different rotation and have the same break as me so he could talk to me,” Jessica said. Alexis said she remembers how Jessica “stiffened up” nervously every time Trevor came near. Jessica said that if he would come into the break room, she’d leave. If he came out, she’d go back in. If he passed by an area, she would hide in the bathroom until he left. “I was afraid that if he knew that I said something about it that he would try to do something to me,” Jessica said. One day she got a text from him, asking her about the rumors going around at work. “He didn’t threaten me individually
‘‘
I kept staying ‘no,’ and ‘stop,’ but he just ignored it.
-Sarah, 11
because he didn’t even know I said something,” Jessica said. “He just said he wanted to find them, and whenever he found out who it was, he was going to finish them. I know he would actually hurt somebody.” And as more people talked, she said Trevor got more paranoid. “He kept threatening to hurt whoever (Continued on pg. 22)
DESIGN Abbey clouse
DEc. 9, 2016
20 in-depth
Roundtable Q & A
The Marquee interviewed 10 students — four seniors, three juniors and two sophomores. They were asked a series of questions, and were told their answers would be anonymous. COMPILED SANIKA SULE & BAILEY CROcKER
1.
I know how to report sexual assault at my school. All respondents said no, then were asked to expand.
“Well if this is going to be a school where we are supposed to come here and feel safe and be able to learn in a healthy environment, we should be able to know how to handle all of our situations, including sexual assault.” (Female, 11) “What exactly constitutes as sexual assault? Because it’s usually not as simple as, ‘I said no and they kept going.’ It’s usually not that simple. So maybe it’s, where do we draw the line and what actually should get reported, and then who would we report that to?” (Male, 11)
2.
If you observe a situation that you believe is or could lead to sexual assault, how would you respond or engage?
“I would interrupt the action immediately and I would defend the victim and tell the attacker to stop and defend physically if necessary.” (Female, 12) “You get in the middle and you start having a regular conversation [with the victim] and ignore the attacker and eventually they should go away. If they make any sort of physical move towards you, you have the right to defend yourself.” (Female, 12) “It’s easy to say you would in this kind of situation, and I would like to think that I would, but then you step outside and into the actual situation. You never know how you’re going to react.” (Female, 11)
3.
Do you think the school has taught you good ways to identify concerning behaviors involving sexual assault?
“Not necessarily. I don’t think I’ve ever been taught at school. Maybe like once or twice.” (Female, 12) “It’s a very thin line between sexual assault and just stupid teenagers. If we did have a guest speaker who is actually educated in this to come talk to us, I feel like we would all be better off.” (Female, 12) “It was very brief, and I think I got most of my own personal like knowledge from home.” (Female, 11) “I think if the school really wanted to be efficient we would have sex education where we could talk about not only like safe sex... but also about consent.” (Female, 12)
4.
All of you said that you would step in if someone were being sexually assaulted. Do you think your classmates would?
“I would like to say that if there was a sexual assault people would step in, but it depends on the severity and how apparent.” (Female, 12) “It takes you the guts to actually go back there and actually help someone. Most people are afraid to do something because they’re like, ‘I don’t know this person.’” (Male, 10)
DESIGN Abbey Clouse
Scenarios
The 10 roundtable participants were read several scenarios. Each situation involved two people in a sexual context. Each student was given time afterwards to share their thoughts.
1.
Sam and Chris are dating. Sam is uncertain about whether they should have sex. Sam tells Chris to stop and tries to move away. Chris restrains Sam and continues. Afterwards, Sam is upset. Chris apologizes, but says Sam was ok with it at first.
“ That would be rape.” (Male, 11)
2.
“Despite the fact that there was an apology, it was still rape.” (Female, 11)
3.
Hayden and Skyler are dating. One night, they engage in sexual activity and Hayden proceeds to take it further. Skyler says no but doesn’t try to push Hayden away.
“It’s not really their job to fight back. Like if they say, ‘I don’t want this and it’s still happening, I can understand why someone doesn’t fight because they’re scared that it might hurt them or their relationship.” (Female, 12) “They should talk about it, they should set boundaries. If that keeps going on then something needs to be changed.” (Male, 11) “That in my book, that’s called rape. Even if it’s two people who say they love each other but one of them didn’t want it, that’s still rape... It’s your job as a boyfriend as a girlfriend or whoever to ask, ‘Hey, is it okay if we do this?’ Any time you engage in any sexual activities you have to make sure it’s okay first.” (Male, 11)
DESIGN Abbey Clouse
Blake and Jamie have previously engaged in sexual contact. The next week, Jaime tries to initiate sexual activity as they had done before. Blake shows signs of discomfort, but Jamie assumes that Blake is okay with it. “If it’s OK one week, it doesn’t always mean it’s going to be ok the next week. People’s attitudes and feelings can change.” (Male, 10) “You need to make sure that you’re having the communication that needs to happen because it’s a serious issue. You don’t want to get yourself in a serious issue.” (Female, 11)
22 in-depth
end of her bed, stunned. He asked if she (Continued from pg. 19) was okay, as if nothing happened. said something about it,” Jessica said. “I “I kept staying ‘no,’ and ‘stop,’ but he was afraid he was going to try and hurt just ignored it,” Sarah said. me.” Soon after Trevor left, she went to • • • the police. Then she told Jessica what When Jessica’s friend Sarah got hired happened. at her work, Trevor was her supervisor “He didn’t listen to her,” Jessica said. too. And Sarah never felt comfortable “She was a virgin at the time. And he took around him. that from her.” He acted “off,” always persistent about While most of her coworkers stood up hanging out one on one or spending for Sarah, some close friends of Trevor time together at his apartment alone. He stood up for him. refused to take no for an answer, so Sarah “People were taking sides on who they came up with countless excuses to avoid thought actually was the victim. They hanging out. But since he was her don’t believe that it was his fault in any superior, she didn’t way,” Jessica said. know what would “So they took his happen if she spoke side over hers. They up. were just like, ‘Oh, One day, she was she’s just a 16-yearhome alone when old girl. She doesn’t she got a text from He didn’t listen to her. She was know what she’s him. He said he just a virgin at the time, and he talking about. It was got off work, and that took that from her. probably her fault.’” he wanted to come Jessica told over and talk to her Sarah that she about something. She was also sexually finally gave in. assaulted by Trevor, “I was like, ‘Fine, but that she never you know what you’ve asked enough,’” reported it. Sarah urged her to go to the Sarah said. “‘I just want to get whatever police with her and make a statement. you want to talk about out of the way.’” “I told her that I had [told the police] As soon as he came through the and that she should speak up because it’s door, Sarah said Trevor started acting not okay for people to go around getting suggestively — flirting with her, touching away with that,” Sarah said. her, and kissing her. Jessica hadn’t yet told her mom When she went upstairs into her room about what happened at that party last to grab something, Trevor followed. As December. But once she did, her mother he crept through the threshold, he shut told her that no matter what—whether it the door behind him. Once inside, Trevor be going to the police, or not reporting undressed Sarah and raped her. the incident at all—she would be by her When it was all over, Sarah sat at the side. Jessica made a statement to support her friend’s case. After learning the gravity of the situation, she said she regrets not going to the police sooner. She feels like if she reported her own incident with Trevor earlier, he never would’ve had the chance to victimize someone else. “[The hardest part is] not being able to forget everything right now just because I do have to wait for my court case. So I still have to remember everything,” Sarah said. “I’ll always have that part of my past with me.”
‘‘
-jessica, 11
60 Seconds
compiled by shayla sistrunk
Karcie Stone 10th grade
If you were granted three wishes, what would they be? I’d wish to have unlimited money, a perfect family and good life until I die.
If you could fuse bodies with any celebrity, who would it be? Julianne Hough, because she’s so pretty and is super talented.
What’s the first app you click on after unlocking your phone?
Snapchat. I have to check my streaks and see if anyone Snapchatted me.
If you had a twin, what would their name be and what would their gender be? Definitely a guy and his name would possibly be something like Carson.
If you could eat at whatever place for the rest of your life, where would you go?
Any Asian place, kind of like Hibachi. But to be honest I’d enjoy any restaurant with Chinese or Asian food.
what would you label yourself as?
I’m very shy and quiet. If you haven’t known me for a while I probably won’t talk. Overall I’m pretty withdrawn.
The wow factor
Senior recalls experience of being first male cheerleader story JP Martin Standing in front of the student section, senior Cooper Winiger stared at the red sea of the cheering Marcus fans. Under the Friday night lights, emotions were running high with students anxiously hoping for a win, and Winiger knew it was up to the cheerleaders to keep up their spirits. “Cooper is one of our biggest assets,” cheerleading coach Brittanee Brown said. “He has a very positive personality, he’s very easy to work with and the kids and crowd love him.” Winiger has been able to make the All-American team for his skill in cheerleading three years in a row but still struggles being the only male on the team. “I think the biggest hardship for Cooper is that he’s the only boy,” Brown said. “He can’t be in our locker room with the girls whenever they bond as a team and he can’t room with a girl when we go to camp.” Winiger has been a cheerleader at Marcus for three years and has done gymnastics for ten years. Although he enjoys gymnastics, he says he prefers cheerleading. “It keeps me motivated because it is a team sport,” Winiger said. “The fact that I’m involving myself and being apart of something keeps me going.” Winiger’s gender doesn’t affect the
DESIGN NICK FOPIANO
team dynamic, and the team makes sure to bond outside of school. Senior cheerleader Riley Carr says that the squad hangs out and even has sleepovers. “[He is] one of our best friends and he’s also one of the best ones on the team,” Carr said. Brown says that she will feel Winiger’s absence when he graduates. “We’re so sad to be losing Cooper,” Brown said. “The crowd loves him when he performs because he’s just an elite and exciting performer. We always use him in specialty things when we need a wow factor or crowd pleaser.” Winiger started cheer as an underclassman because of his interest in gymnastics, encouraged by a friend that was trying out for the team. “She was like ‘Hey, you should try out for the team and see if you like it or not,’ and I was like ‘Oh, that seems fun,’” Winiger said. When Winiger first cheered in front of the section, he remembers being nervous because he had never done it before and did not know what to expect. This fear also came from the pressure of being the first male cheerleader in school history. Today, he is seen as a leader on the team. Different from his nervousness when he began, Winiger is now looking back on his career as a Marcus cheerleader. “The greatest thing about cheering is the connections that I’ve made,” Winiger said.
Beyond his athletic ability and positive impact, Brown says that Winiger is uplifting to his teammates, coaches and to others who know him. “He’s definitely an inspiration to our team and the people around him,” Brown said.
Cooper Winiger cheers alongside his teammates on the sideline of a varsity football game. Now a senior, Winiger has cheered on the school squad since sophomore year.
PHOTOS Yearbook DEC. 9, 2016
24 entertainment
Gingerbread Village It’s the holiday season and we all know what that means. Awkward family photo shoots, tastefully colored sweaters and beanies and homemade treats galore. In contribution to the most wonderful time of the year, here is a quick and easy gingerbread recipe. STORY AIDANN ZUNIGA
gingerbread ingredients
• 6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp baking powder • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter • 1 cup packed dark-brown sugar • 4 tsp ground ginger • 4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1 1/2 tsp ground cloves • 1 tsp finely ground pepper • 1 1/2 tsp coarse salt • 2 large eggs • 1 cup unsulfured molasses • Fine sanding sugar for sprinkling
3. MHSMARQUEE.COM
1. 2.
Next, plan your layout of the houses. This can be done with using a butter knife or a dull blade to outline the shapes of the pieces. This is when you have to use those old art skills you thought you’d never apply in real life. If you want to separate the excess dough
Dump the baking soda, flour and baking powder in a big bowl and set it aside. Add the butter and brown sugar into a mixing bowl and stir until the mixture is fluffy. Now pour in the spices, salt, eggs and molasses. Slowly stir, then pour in the flour mix. Stir the ingredients one more time until it looks good.
Split the dough into three even parts and set them in the fridge to settle for about an hour. After the dough is made, roll it flat over a clean surface until the dough is about 1/8th of an inch thick. Let it settle in the fridge for at least an hour and preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
from the shapes now that’s fine. Adding in extra details can be done here as well, like tiny windows or figuring out how to put on a chimney. Put pieces in the oven until they are crunchy and darkened. While you wait, make the icing.
DESIGN JOLIE MULLINGS
entertainment
icing ingredients • • • •
3 ounces pasteurized egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 cups confectioners’ sugar Food coloring
1.
Take out that large holiday bowl the family saves for such special occasions and grab your whisk—unless you have a fancy electric mixer. Throw in the egg whites and vanilla together in suggested bowl and mix until frothy, then slowly pour in the sugar.
2. 3.
Mix the ingredients with a bit more vigor for 5 to 7 minutes or until the icing stiffens and looks glossy. If you want to add more color and character to your house, now would be the time to mix in some food coloring of your choice. Transfer the final product into a plastic bag or icing pouch and set in aside for now (don’t forget to taste check the leftover icing in the bowl).
PHOTO SUBMITTED
DESIGN JOLIE MULLINGS
DEC. 9, 2016
25
26 entertainment
TAC S around town
While tacos have always been a favorite food, the area has recently received an influx of new taco restaurants. Everything from the combination of flavors to the quality of the tortilla can either make or break these handheld meals. Here’s reviews of the best taco destinations around town.
story sanika sule photos vanessa davis
Torchy’s Tacos rating:
Taco Brone, a new addition to Parker’s Square, brings fresh yet traditional flavors to the area. Each taco is carefully crafted and has a good balance of flavors. Although each taco has a unique taste, the menu is small, limiting options for patrons. Prices average at about $3-$4. There are several options of beef and pork tacos, but little variation among other types. One item worth trying is the Ensenada fish taco. This selection has beer battered cod drizzled with chipotle aioli. The light and crispy fish is perfectly complimented by the tangy toppings. While the restaurant is adorned with colorful decorations, the lack of customers makes for a less than lively atmosphere. The friendly staff and appetizing food indicates this will be a goto community favorite in the years to come. Despite the limited menu, the fresh flavors makes Taco Brone worth stopping by.
MHSMARQUEE.COM
Set to open on December 20th in the Shops at Highland Village, Torchy’s Tacos offers a perfect blend between classic Mexican flavors and unconventional combinations. Everything from the average beef fajita taco to a Jamaican jerk chicken taco can be found on the menu. Tacos prices range from $3.25 to $4.75. The ‘Trailer Park’, a taco with fried chicken, green chilies and pico de gallo, marries southern comfort flavors with traditional taco toppings. The Trailer Park stays true to its name by giving customers the option to ‘make it trashy’, replacing the lettuce with Torchy’s famous green chile queso. Each taco comes with a sauce ranging from a mild poblano to the appropriately named Diablo hot sauce. Torchy’s even has a secret menu for its patrons willing to try some of the more unusual creations. Everything from its laid-back Austin atmosphere to the creative combinations makes Torchy’s the ideal taco destination.
Taco Brone
rating: DESIGN abbey clouse
entertainment
Taco Ocho
27
Situated next to Market Street, Taco Ocho offers a diverse menu sure to have a taco to suit anyone’s palate. Although the menu has several options, not all the flavors seem to sing together harmoniously. The tacos range from about $3-$4 each. While the plantains in the Latin Love taco overpower the beef and salsa verde, the Rico Ocho has an unexpected yet satisfying flavor profile of fried potatoes and fresh jicama and cabbage. This restaurant also offers good vegetarian options, ensuring that all customers can find something on the menu. Along with tacos, Taco Ocho also offers salads and tortas. While not all the flavors complement each other, the large variety makes Taco Ocho worth visiting.
rating:
Located on Valley Ridge Boulevard, Street Taco delivers authentic yet affordable tacos to the area. Despite its name, Street Taco offers other items such as tamales and enchiladas. Although the menu is relatively small, each meal is flavorful and carefully crafted. The tacos are small, but average at about $1.25 each. Patrons can enjoy a meal of several tacos without breaking the bank. One popular item is the chicken taco, which consists of marinated meat topped with pico de gallo on either a flour or corn tortilla. The restaurant is cozy and adorned with sombreros as decoration. While there are only a few customers dining in the small space, to go orders are a popular option. The authentic flavors and inexpensive items make this hidden gem a great option to satisfy any taco craving.
Street Taco rating:
DESIGN abbey clouse
DEC. 9, 2016
28 Opinion
Aptitude
JP Martin
@jackpsm
When I was growing up, nothing made sense. I was confused and upset about life because I saw it differently than my friends did. Nobody understood what it was like to have separated parents, because none of my friends had separated parents. They looked at divorce as more Christmas presents, two birthday parties and a way to get away from a parent if you were in disagreement. What I experienced as a young kid was mediators questioning me about life with each parent, my mom and dad trying to convince me they were the better option and countless “who would you rather live with” types of questions. At the time, I was way too young to make those decisions or answer questions like that. However, I wasn’t too young to find a passion. What I found amidst the confusion of my childhood was a love for music. It started at an early stage of my life. The first type of music that I was introduced to was Hip-Hop/R&B when my mom would listen to Kanye West
during road trips. She would also play bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Radiohead, but the rebellious sound of rap is what I fell in love with. As I grew older, I began to identify with what I was listening to and when times got tough I would turn to artists like Kanye West to let out my anger. As I continued to mature, I got more involved in music and eventually love and interest would turn into an obsession that I would think about and work with at all times. At first I played the drums. I had done it as a young kid but lost the love for it as an elementary and middle school kid who played as many sports as possible. When I came into high school, I took a step back and evaluated what I really wanted to do. I ended up quitting every sport except for baseball, which I would continue to play until sophomore year. However, due to a shoulder injury I was no longer an athlete by my sophomore year. This misfortune gave me a chance to chase what I loved. I resurrected my passion for music and involved myself in the culture more than I ever had before. Similar to how I started, drums were where I picked up again. As a 16-year-old, I bought my first set of drums and played for the first time since I was less than 10. The feeling was great. I felt as if I was catching up on something that I had been missing out on for years. I enrolled in multiple competitions and though I never won any awards, I felt as if I was back home — back in the world of music. Around this time,
a lot was going on with my parents. A new battle for custody was occurring that included more court cases, more mediators and more stress. However, this time I wasn’t bothered. My love for creating music surpassed the weight of the stress coming from my parents. As I continued to play the drums, I continued to become interested in different forms of music creation. Percussion led me to electronic production, and in this, I found what I want to do for the rest of my life. For Christmas my sophomore year, I received a Macbook, and on this was the music production software Garageband. Though simple and unprofessional, it gave me a taste of production, and from there I jumped into more expensive and complex softwares. Things that I work with today, Logic X, ProTools and FL Studio, are what the producers I look up to use, and I look at the mastery of these programs as steps that I’ve taken to become more of the man that I dream to be. At the end of the day, music has taught me more about life than any person could. I am always able to turn to music in times of need and I’m always thinking about what unique sound I can create next. My parents never agreed on much, but they would agree on the fact that I move to the beat of my own drum — literally.
boom bahs Things we like Basketball support
Fundraiser fun
Sub love
It’s finally basketball season and students can watch the freshmen, JV and varsity teams play every Tuesday and Friday. Let’s cheer on the girls and guys teams with our strong Marauder pride!
It’s hard to walk around the school and not see the different types of fundraising. Thanks to DECA, Spanish Honor Society and AVID, students are able to get their favorite treats at school each week.
We may not realize it, but substitutes love us. Subs say we are some of the nicest students in LISD. I guess we know the importance of treating substitutes with respect. Go Marcus!
MHSMARQUEE.COM
DESIGN NICK FOPIANO
Opinion
A close call
Nick Fopiano
@nick_f8
As my sweaty hand pushed in the throttle, a jolt of sheer power flooded through the plane. The engine roared to life — dashes on the center line passed by faster and faster. At nearly 90 mph, the plane eased into the pale blue sky. In the right seat was my flight instructor, Roger Putnam, a 96-yearold veteran who was slightly crabby and spontaneous. We both had that same unbreakable passion for flying, no matter what unexpected event would test it. A few minutes following our departure, we leveled off at around 3,000 feet, and flew south along the Massachusetts shoreline. Out of the blue, Roger pulled out the mixture knob, cutting fuel from the engine. The propeller halted, the speed slowed and the nose dropped. Roger, in a raspy voice, said “Your engine quit, where are you going to land?” I frantically looked out the window, trying to find a spot suitable to land a plane. It was difficult, Cape Cod is a peninsula layered with tall pine trees. Off
to the left of the plane, a resort country club caught my attention. With slight taps on the rudder pedals, the nose centered with the fairway, only 100 feet above the chilly waters of the North Atlantic. The numbers on the altimeter fell, “100 feet,” I called out… “75”... “50.” The golfers darted to the side of the fairway, I couldn’t help but chuckle in the heat of the moment. “25 feet” escaped my mouth, and in the blink of an eye, Roger’s hand pushed the mixture knob in and turned the key — and like that, we were in the sky again. ••• We decided to head back to Provincetown, and just feet above the runway, Roger asked if I wanted to do a touch-ngo or a full stop landing. With no time to think, I blurted out “full stop!” Just moments later, an older plane came up behind us and announced his landing. We pulled on to the taxiway, as the older plane disappeared under the tall marsh grass. I noticed he was pitched steeply downward, but didn’t think much of it. Just seconds later, a horrid smash rung — I flipped my head around my shoulder just long enough to see it. The plane arose over the grass line, the propeller blades were mangled, the front landing gear pierced the engine, the windshield — what was left of it — was shattered and bolts were visibly flying off of the plane. It sank below the grass line again,
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followed by another grisly smash. I was the captain of my plane, and without direction, I pulled off the taxiway. I got out feeling sick. I was worried for people I didn’t even know. The man and his wife in the older plane walked away with only minor injuries. Luckily, the front wheel missed their legs by inches when it went through the nose of the plane. ••• It took me a year to get back into the pilot’s seat. I was scared — the images of that mangled plane kept me from the cockpit. After avoiding flying for a year, it was the next summer that a considerable amount of frustration boiled over. For me, the deeply rooted passion for flying in the sky weighed more than the potential risks it posed. The very next day, I was back in my happy place I tried to push away. Although there was a substantial degree of risk, I wanted to win. I needed to beat my fears. That attitude went so much further than just flying. Risk-taking happens everyday — deciding to take an AP Test, making new friends, playing a sport, starting a business — all have varying degrees of challenge and uncertainty. I knew if I didn’t keep pushing to my end goal, I wouldn’t achieve success. As Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
HEYS
Things we don’t like parking stickers Spot stealers
eportfolios Winter break
Staar STAAR suffering
Purchasing seniorthe parking It’s a pain to ascrape bright spot isstickers a privilege all students orange off your window to. parking Don’t ruin by iflook you forward don’t have passit yet. parking in someones Maybe instead they couldnumbered just put a spot. Just you windshield were late, warning slipbecause under your doesn’t mean you should take wiper. their spot they waited four years for.
Our going to The colleges holidays aren’t are just around check for eportfolios, so why take the corner and students couldn’t time to create one? Not only that, be more excited. Although we but everyone school getwhen the same time in off,the this year’s tries to break make isthem, the break wifi winter odd. The crashes. never feels long enough, and now it surely won’t.
Despite easy are STAAR STAARhow tests like may a be they cold. are still annoying. have nasty They come You around toevery worry over year, andthe aretemperature always muchof your and hoping worseassigned than weroom remember. If it’s that your stomach doesn’t not bad enough that we growl. have to sit in a room for four hours, the bell schedule will be thrown off and classes will be relocated for a week.
DESIGN NICK FOPIANO
Dec. 9, 2016
30 opinion
It’s not my fault Cara Crocker
@cara_crocker
(Continued from pg. 17) There was no one I felt I could go to, until one day while with a friend, I decided to speak up. I told him what happened to me, skipping the details I wanted to forget. I thought I finally had a person to trust. Although he knew my attacker, he didn’t know him well, so I didn’t think it would have much of an impact on his reaction. I told my friend everything I could and waited to see what he would say about my attacker. “Oh, that sounds a lot like something he would do,” he said. Those words hit me like a truck, yet my friend didn’t realize the impact of his comment. His words implied that I was naive and should have known better. It came off as though it was ok I was raped. I felt so ashamed as though I should have known that it would have happened. That I should have known after the first words I ever spoke to my attacker, that he would later strip me of my self-esteem late one night. Later, another close friend of mine
implied that I was at fault. This was a friend that I had countless times gone to for help. This was a friend I thought I could trust and that I thought would be there for me. As I was on the verge of tears after telling him my experience and the aftermath I’ve had to deal with, out came those words that still make me angry. “You know how he is.” Apparently I didn’t. I didn’t know that this guy I thought was a friend would turn into my attacker. That a time where I just wanted to get a bite to eat, he was looking for something more. I started getting angry after that. Why should I know someone is a rapist? Why was it ok that he was like that, but not okay that I didn’t know? Why do we live in a world where some people see rape as a crime, and some people don’t? This happened with three of my friends who knew the attacker. They weren’t shocked. They kept implying that I shared some of the blame. Before now, I only told about six people, and three of them blamed me for it. Since my attacker is still friends with many of mine, his name stills pops up in a few conversations. And when I tell friends not to mention him, they always ask “Why?” which prompts me to act like we had an argument, rather than the truth. Hearing his name always causes my stomach to churn, especially when it’s my sister or brother that say his
Overheard
at
name, no matter how many times I ask them to never bring him up. But it doesn’t make sense to me as to why his name is still in my friends conversations. If this was another crime, such as one where I’d end up in the hospital, then most of my friends would not mention him. So I don’t understand why rape is any different. To some, it appears to be a big deal when I ask them to sever contact with him -- but it’s not a big deal for him to have raped me. I could never be ok with saying that one of my friends is rapist, and I hope no one else could either. But for many of my friends, they ignore that part about him, which is the only part about him that I see. I’ve been asked what I would’ve done differently about the experience and the answer isn’t as simple as I hoped. I would definitely not tell the friends who reacted poorly, and I would have tried talking it out more with people, rather than keeping it inside for so long as so many others do. But for the rest, I don’t know if there’s anything I would be able to change. As demeaning as this experience has been, I have grown and learned so much to help myself and others in the future. And no matter the intensity of it, sexual assault and rape are never something to be neglected, so if you know someone struggling, find them help and be there for them.
MHS
compiled Kelly Rowe “I think I was Ashley Tisdale in a past life.”
“The only marathon I run is on Netflix.”
“Will you marry my cat? Please? She’s lonely.”
DESIGN Vanessa Davis
“Do pickles know how good they are?”
“Do I look like a Teletubby today?” “I’m terribly afraid of mashed potatoes.”
opinion
31
LISD needs to include sexual assault in curriculum STAFF EDITORIAL
THE MARQUEE
The most current and alarming statistics by NCTSN are that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be victims of sexual assault before 18. With over 52,000 students in LISD, this is an issue that some students have already faced, or will face in adulthood. Due to this, it is important for students to know what behavior is appropriate and where legal boundaries lie, especially before they move on to college and for the rest of their lives. In 2014-2015, LISD introduced a suicide prevention curriculum. While this program is necessary, sexual assault is another pressing issue that should be addressed. Measures need to be taken to ensure survivors safety and recovery. Currently, as this is not an issue we talk about students who have been assaulted in LISD may not know what to do, or what options they have in regards to healing after being assaulted. Sexual assault can have debilitating effects on mental health such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, lowered self esteem and eating disorders. Counselors need to be more available to show students that they have an in school safe place they can go to, to talk about how they’re feeling and receive information on healthy coping mechanisms. An aspect that makes sexual assault so difficult to talk about is that students may not know exactly what it is. In Texas, it’s defined as any form of unwanted
m
cartoon jolie mullings
sexual contact and is considered a crime of violence. The suicide awareness curriculum includes symptoms and explanations of depression and suicidal thoughts to make it easier to understand. In a sexual assault curriculum, we need more than textbook definitions. The lack of distinct definitions for things like consent and harassment cause us to create the missing definitions ourselves. This leaves room for opinions, which make it harder to inform or teach students accurately. We need to be clear and informed about specific aspects of sexual assault. A drawback of district wide curriculum is that some students don’t take it seriously in a group setting. Being around classmates who don’t take it seriously halt any sort of comfortable, productive discussion about suicide prevention, and the videos are seen as
robotic and surface level. In a sexual assault curriculum, we suggest using personal examples involving real people, rather than powerpoints with textbook interpretation of sexual assault. Real stories from sexual assault survivors would help connect the audience to the videos. Information on how and where to report an assault are essential and need to be a highlighted part of the program. Students should also learn how they can support victims of sexual assault, and what they can do in terms of helping. LISD’s use of the suicide prevention program has been a good addition to our education, but now it’s time to include other relevant topics. Sexual assault should no longer be swept under the rug. It’s time that we openly talk about saving teens and young adults from the lifealtering trauma that sexual assault brings.
How should LISD educate students about sexual assault? compiled Morgan maxwell
“Teachers need to educate students on sexual assault so students can watch out for each other.” -Lexi Benson, 9
REMARKS
“Sexual assault needs to be handled through an investigation and students need to know how to handle the situation the right way.”
-Elizabeth Kerns, Math
“We should have a meeting during Marauder Time to teach students how to handle these situations.” -Jacob McNichols, 11
“This is a very imporatant topic in todays society because a lot of people do go through it in high school I think LISD should prepare students for what may happpen.” -Adam Luqman, 12
DESIGN Vanessa davis
MAGICAL MADRIGAL
Each fall semester, the commons turns into a medieval land of kings and queens. The choir hosts a show for paying guests where they can enjoy a meal, a theatrical production and several musical performances.
Seniors Ian Archbold and Shane Roney sit along the walls of the commons as they watch their classmates rehearse for the play. Archbold and Roney are both in the varsity mens choir.
Freshman Annie Beth Clark and junior Rachel Franks exchange lines as they rehearse for the play portion of Madrigal. Franks played the jesture and Clark portrayed the Bard.
DESIGN & PHOTOS VANESSA DAVIS
As freshman Gwyn Glanton portrays the character of the wise woman, she delivers her lines with dramatic movements and exaggerated facial expressions. Glanton is in the junior varsity choir.