The Marquee Volume 31 Issue 6

THE

marquee Volume 31 • Issue 6 • April 7, 2017

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Junior forms club for students interested in vegetarian lifestyles

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Senior girl recounts deaths of parents

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Which assistant principal are you most like?

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 Just starting practice, Sophomore Phil Choi takes a swing at the golf ball at the Bridlewood Country Club golf course. Many of the varsity players including Choi have begun their extra practices to prepare for district competition.

Bailey Crocker, Michelle Mullings NEWS EDITOR Bailey Crocker

CONTENTS

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ONlLINE EDITORS

FEATURE EDITOR Michelle Mullings ENTERTAINMENT/ SPORTS EDITOR Kelly Rowe

News

DISTRICT CHANGES LISD proposes new guidelines for upcoming school year

GRAPHICS EDITOR Abbey Clouse REPORTERS Morgan Maxwell, Sky Middleton,

Feature

STRANGER THINGS Texas native actor shares his experience on the set of Netflix TV show

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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

MEET THE MARAUDERS Spring athletes in the spotlight

Entertainment

BUCKET LIST Students share their goals for the future

cover VANESSA DAVIS & ADAM LUQMAN

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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

News

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story Kelly rowe 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.

#SeeAmazing The long running PBS program Sesame Street will introduce Julia, a 4-year-old with autism, on April 10. The official Sesame Street Twitter is using the hashtag #SeeAmazing to show the world that “all kids are amazing, and all kids can be friends.” This will be the first Sesame Street character with autism, and many people on Twitter have expressed their admiration and appreciation for the new muppet.

#TexasWeather

The first wave of severe weather hit North Texas last week with hailstorms, strong winds and tornados. On March 26, hail the size of ping-pong balls to baseballs caused damage to homes and cars. Car windows and windshields were cracked, and some completely shattered. Two tornadoes touched down on March 29, one in Tarrant County and one in Lewisville, accompanied by winds from 85 to 110 mph. Many people took to Twitter, venting about damages done to their cars, lawns and homes.

#missingDCgirls After an image saying 14 African-American girls had gone missing in Washington D.C. in 24 hours, #missingDCgirls trended. Since then, the validity of this image has been disputed, but it brought the greater issue to light. Several cases of missing black and Latina girls have been discussed on Twitter. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are now calling for an investigation into the cases of the missing women. Twitter users have used the hashtag to state that women of color will no longer be forgotten.

#MarchMadness

In a 71-65 victory over Gonzaga University, the University of North Carolina won the NCAA Men’s National Championship on April 3. North Carolina was projected to win after their loss to Villanova University in last year’s championship game. Fans took to Twitter to express frustration over poor officiating from the referees after an unprecedented number of fouls were called. This is UNC’s sixth national title in the school’s history.

DESIGN Nick fopiano

APRIL 7, 2017

4

News

Bond election proposes changes to district Marcus updates on list for bond work: Replacement of interior doors

$100,000

Renovation of Existing Facilities

$9,207,535

Track & Turf Replacement

$7,348,995

Expansion of District Wide Security Cameras

$3,300,000

New Performing Arts Center

$140,366,449

Phone System Replacement

$5,177,000

The LISD bond committee has created a $737.5 million bond package of district improvements including technology, security improvements and new facilities.

Early voting on this bond will take place from April 24 through May 2 and voting will take place on May 6.

A bond election is used by a public school district, typically to finance a building project or other capital project.

The last bond election in 2008 for almost $700 million was approved by citizens and included the stadium, new technology and other district wide improvements.

Over the course of six months, the school board advisory committee had several meetings to discuss new renovations to be funded by a bond election.

These measures are placed on the ballot by district school boards to be approved or defeated by the voting public.

Several new facilites will be created with the passage of this bond package. A new career and technical center will be for students seeking job skills and certain certifications. New schools include two

elementary schools and a new Hedrick Middle School. Despite public dissent, Hedrick Elementary will be torn down and will not be replaced. Students of the elementary school will attend newer facilities with less crowding.

“As a committee we solely decided on the new plans for the district that we felt would make the student’s lives easier and more efficient,” dual language administrator Annie Rivera said. “We fairly decided on renovations based on the conditions of the facilities.”

Because the school has newer athletic facilities, it isn’t on the list for bond work except for minor changes. The school will receive new doors on all exits to the school that will now require a student to be buzzed in when locked out. The doors will also be bullet proof as required for every high school in the district.

“I like the idea of having bullet proof doors,” sophomore Gina Puente said. “I think it will make all the student feel more safe than we ever did before especially with all the gun violence going on.”

Budget Summary Projected Overall Cost District Wide

$737.5 million

Existing facilities

$249.1 million

New Facilities

$205.7 million

Technology

$99.1 million

Career and technical education

$71.5 million

Athletics

$45.1 million

Fine arts

$38.2 million

Safety and security

$28.8 million

News

proceeds towards becoming a District of Innovation

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60 Seconds

Recently, LISD has applied to be a District of Innovation. LISD will hold a public hearing on April 18 with the school board and if it passes, board members will develop a plan for innovations and exempt provisions. If initiated, the plan will begin on May 16, 2017 and will end on May 15, 2022.

What is District of Innovation (DOI)?

Why does the district want to become a DOI?

When a public school district becomes a District of Innovation they are exempted from certain TEA regulations that regularly apply. This gives DOI districts more flexibility like charter schools.

Next year’s calendar is a particular topic that has caused controversy online and throughout the district. The district hoped to start school earlier, which would allow midterms and finals to be taken before breaks. Calendar B would only be approved if DOI was passed due to TEA guidelines on start dates.

Senior Arabella Potuto said this calendar would benefit her to take midterms before winter break.

“We usually tend to forget the things we learned before the two weeks,” Potuto said.

However, Calendar A was voted in for next year. This calendar differs from the 16-17 calendar because school will now start on the last Monday of August.

This brings a longer summer, but pushes the school end date back further in June.

Midterms and finals remain before the big breaks in the year.

Why would a school choose to pursue this option?

Innovation plans will be about local control. Each district will pursue designation as a DOI for different reasons, and no two plans may look the same. The district is leaning towards this plan due to the need of a new behavioral system and a fair classroom setting.

As of now no school will be given specific changes to their campus. All of the schools in the district will be given the same rules and regulations.

LISD’s requested exemptions: • LISD can start the calendar before the fourth Monday of August to better fit the needs of students for the school year • Rather than having students attend school for 180 days, the required time is now 75,600 minutes, which will allow the school to change the length of school days.

• LISD campus principals can delegate campus behavior coordinator duties to assistant principals as needed.

• If a teacher has previously worked in public education five out of the eight years before working in LISD, they now may be able to be on probation for two years if needed to evaluate them better.

• LISD could issue a school district teaching permit to those who don’t have a teaching permit but whom the district deem best to teach in a particular area, only specifically in Career and Technology education and Languages other than English.

DESIGN staff

compiled by Grace pecunia

Anna Shovlin 11th grade

What is your favorite show?

Friends. It makes me laugh and I can relate really well to Chandler.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Italy, because all the old architecture is really pretty.

If you could have any superpower what would it be?

The ability to fly, so I could go anywhere, whenever I want.

What genre of music do you listen to?

I listen to a lot of alternative indie rock.

What is your biggest fear?

I’m scared of the unknown.

What was the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done?

In 7th grade athletics, I ran straight into a hurdle without even trying to jump over it. Everyone in my grade saw. It was horrible.

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news

Food for thought

New school club focuses on the benefits of healthy eating

Members of the Ethical Eating club meet after school to discuss healthy eating habits. Typically, club meetings consist of going over key topics and then group discussion so people can share their ideas.

Junior Leah Hess, vice president of Ethical Eating, and Jain have future Junior Manov Jain recently formed activities planned for the club, including Ethical Eating Club for vegans, recipe swapping and powerpoints related vegetarians and those interested in to animal cruelty and veganism. changing their diet. The The group aims group held its first official to include everyone meeting on Feb. 21 in who is interested room 9210 in MHS9. in learning healthy Starting off with four ways to help the [Our goal is] to spread attendees, club president environment. awareness and possibly Jain shared a presentation “[Our goal is] to get people who never on what is to be expected spread awareness and during the meetings and possibly get people thought of it to consider shared homemade vegan who never thought of our idea. breakfast food with the it to consider our idea. group.

Even if they don’t -leah hess, 11 As a vegan himself, he become vegetarian, to wanted to make a group just incorporate [it] for students who are into their everyday interested in following a life,” Hess said. meatless lifestyle.

Jain believes “[It’s] for people who that the media does are currently vegetarian and want to meet not properly portray what goes into other people like them and learn about the making meat products, which was another health benefits [and] the environmental reason he started the club. benefits,” Jain said.

He hopes that by showing the club

Story aidann zuniga

MHSMARQUEE.COM

members how meat is manufactured, they will understand the cruelty behind the process.

“I could probably encourage them to make the change by showing them how easy it is or the resources they have and the things they can cook,” Jain said.

Following his family, Jain became a vegetarian but has recently started a vegan diet. After discussing his diet with a friend who also attends the meetings, Jain decided it was time to make a club for others who were interested in making the change.

The sponsor of the club, MHS9 English teacher Nikki Minich was impressed with the organization.

Although she isn’t vegan herself, Minich enjoyed watching the club members bond over food and believes the first meeting was a success.

“I think a lot of people assume that buying food that is wholly organic or vegetarian or vegan [is] not going to taste good,” Minich said. “That’s not necessarily the case, so he wanted to illustrate that by bringing his own ethical creations.”

DESIGN Vanessa Davis

sports

Chasing the fini sh line

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On March 25, the varsity and junior varsity track and field teams participated in the Jaguar Invitational meet at Flower Mound High School.

The Marauders competed against eight other high schools in the area. photos Vanessa Davis

Senior Katie Teal kneels in her starting position before racing in the 200 meter sprint. Teal placed 14th in the 200 meter race and 10th in the 400 meter race.

Myles Wheeler, senior, takes off at full speed at the start of a 400 meter run. Wheeler placed 4th in his race while setting a personal record of 50.62 seconds in the 400 meter race.

DESIGN Vanessa Davis abbey clouse

Issac Peterson, senior, nears the finish line as he competes in the 4x200 relay. Peterson is a member of the varsity track squad.

Sophomore Mackenzie Hayward launches herself into the air in a pole vault event.

Hayward placed 1st in the Varsity finals and set a personal record with a jump of 13 feet.

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FEATURE

Playing the Part Stranger Things actor talks about personal projects story skyler middleton The young child bounced around the living room, doing his best to bring his wild imagination to life.

His mind built stories up as he went, and the couch became his castle, or his mountain, or whatever he could think of.

His mind was filled with extravagant ideas that he acted out as his

loving parents stood by, smiling proudly at his creativity. Little did they know their son’s imaginative mind would land him on TV screens in millions of living rooms just 20 years later.

Houston-born Chester Rushing has recently gotten his big breaks through the new X-men movie Logan and Netflix’s original show Stranger Things.

Rushing’s character in Stranger Things, Tommy H., is known for being

the high school bully viewers hate. Rushing understands the importance of bringing the necessary villain to life and admitted playing the role of the jerk is actually a lot of fun.

Viewers have appreciated the cast’s hard work. Stranger Things has had trending hashtags and devoted fans since the day it was released along with 8.2 million views within 16 days. Rushing says he never expected a reaction this big.

“That’s what happens whenever you put your love into a project you and the rest of the cast really care about,” Rushing said, “We were all so excited after the first table read, but I don’t think anybody had any idea.”

As Rushing grew up and started high school, his passion for stories never faded, and he wanted to be in the school’s theater program. But there were no spots in the upcoming play. Instead he was placed into jazz band, even though he wasn’t able to read sheet music and could only play a handful of AC/DC songs on the guitar.

He knew it wasn’t going to work out and continued wanting to pursue theater. One day Rushing was reading Shakespeare for a class and the theater’s director decided to write him a role in the play.

Rushing went from high school productions to working with some very well known actors—Winona Ryder was in Stranger Things with Rushing and Hugh Jackman was in Logan with him. Even though some of Rushing’s scenes with Jackman didn’t make the final cut, Rushing is still a recognizable face in the film.

Rushing said the fact Jackman remembered his name a week after

25-year-old actor Chester Rushing worked at Rockfish Grill in Highland Village earlier this year. photo submitted

MHSMARQUEE.COM

DESIGN jolie mullings

FEATURE their first day on set is something that he makes it difficult to communicate, form never saw happening. relationships and understand complex “[ Jackman] was wonderconcepts. Rushing enjoys playing ful,” Rushing said. “I mean, music for the kids and getting he walked right up to to know them. He says it me. He was very nice allows him to become and very excited to a better person and a work with me. As a better actor. young actor doing

“The kids my first big studio look at the world picture, that was in such a different “We were all so awesome. I realized way,” Rushing said. he really did care, “And I try my best excited after the and that’s the kind to see the world like first table read, of guy I want to be them. Working with but I don’t think when I—hopefulthose kids is such an anybody had any ly—get to that level amazing experience, one day.” especially when you can idea.”

Even though Rushing bring joy to them and to hopes to be a big time actor - Chester their parents.”

Rushing one day, he still makes time to

Recently Rushing and volunteer at a non-profit organihis family asked a Cinemark in zation, Northwest Autism Foundation.

Roanoke to hold special screenings for This is an organization close to Rush- children with special needs and their ing, because his little cousin Sebastian families, so they could go to the movies who has Asperger’s syndrome—a condi- together and have a good experience. tion that’s on the milder side of autism However in the beginning there spectrum disorders (ASD). Asperger’s weren’t enough people attending, so the

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Rushing family purchased the leftover tickets to keep the program going for the kids. There was one family that came up to Rushing and thanked him while they cried. They told him it was the first time they had been to a movie ever as a family. He was amazed and felt accomplished and proud for being a part of the family’s experience.

Rushing revealed he will be in the upcoming Jeepers Creepers 3 and The Party Crasher. Though fans would love to see Rushing’s character Tommy H. return next season, Rushing is unable to discuss anything regarding Stranger Things. Fans are counting the days down for season two of the show, which will be released on Netflix this Halloween. “[I was] completely blown away,” Rushing said of fans’ reaction to the show. “I don’t think anybody has any idea about that kind of success on a show—you can just hope for it.”

Fun Facts About Stranger Things -They auditioned 906 boys and 307 girls to find their young leads.

-Hopper’s trailer only cost the art department $1 to purchase.

-The directors told Millie Bobby Brown they wanted her performance to resemble E.T.

-To achieve a vintage look, they added a layer of scanned film grain and used a digital cinema camera to shoot.

-They used 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt to get Millie to float in the kiddie pool.

-There was no original plan for Steve and Nancy to reconcile in the end

but Joe Keery, the actor that plays Steve Harrington, was too likable and charming in reality, the showrunners decided to change his character.

There’s more information about Chester Rushing at www.chesterrushing.net and more information involving Stranger Things on their twitter @stranger_things

Jessica Jones posed with her mother, brother and father for a family photo. The photo was taken not long before Jessica’s parents died.

Senior recalls hardships of deaths of parents

photos submitted Story Bailey Crocker “Maria...Kenneth….”

Senior Jessica Jones faced the judges and read a letter she wrote to her parents.

It was an Academic Decathlon speech she had practiced over and over again.

One filled of memories and good times, forgiveness and frustration. A letter her parents would never hear.

“As I now look back at everything, all I’ve been through, unfair or not, how can I be anything but grateful for all that I’ve learned and the individual growth awoken through confusion and suffering. What did I learn? First I must take myself back...9 years back to my past.”

Jessica recalls visiting her mother, Maria, in the hospital. After her cancer went into remission, they thought she was cured, then it came back. This time it was stage 4. Jessica’s last few memories of her mom were seeing her in the hospital, weak and unable to speak.

DESIGN abbey clouse

She and her brother slept in that school day morning in January. Because her dad’s parents had come to visit, she assumed that he was letting them take the day off. When she asked, her dad told her not to worry about it and that they were going to meet her mom’s parents for breakfast.

After their meal, everyone sat down in the living room together. That’s when Jessica knew something was wrong. And then her dad told her that her mother, who had been unconscious the last few days, had passed away.

“We all just sat and cried together,” Jessica said.

The weeks following her mother’s death, her grandparents visited often to help take care of her family. Jessica remembers one specific night when she had a nosebleed. She went into the living room where her dad was and told him.

“He was playing video games and I just lay next to him and then I went off to bed and I remember the last thing I did tell him was ‘I love you,’” Jessica said.

The next morning, when Jones woke up, she didn’t hear the regular snoring of her dad. As she went into the room to wake him, her grandparents followed.

“My grandpa came in and I remember he slapped him and tried to wake him up, but nothing happened,” Jessica said.

As they called an ambulance, Jessica said everyone was crying and freaking out.

Later at the hospital, it was confirmed that he had passed from sleep apnea hours

Kristy and Matt have raised Jessica since she was 9. They have three other children, one who grew up with Jessica and her brother.

feature

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In Loving Memory before Jessica came into the room from sleep apnea. Jessica’s grandparents stood beside her as she looked at his body in the hospital bed.

“I remember my grandmother specifically telling me ‘This is going to be the last time you see your dad, say goodbye,’” Jessica said.

After her parent’s passed, Jessica said that her aunts and uncles fought for custody of her and her brother. Because of this, her grandparents on both sides either ignored each other or constantly argued. She recalls that because of the confusion one day all of her grandparents came to pick her up from school. She said in the moment she had to decide who she had to go with.

“It was hard for me to feel like I was the one who was acting the oldest,” Jessica said. “I was having to deal with my own emotions rather than someone consoling me just because they were caught up in their own selfishness that they weren’t able to see how I was doing.”

Jessica now lives with her dad’s uncle, Matt Jones, and his wife Kristy. After her mom had passed away, her dad asked Matt to take care of his children if anything were to happen to him.

Jessica said that Matt’s and Kristy’s house is like a safe haven to her. After trying to refer to them as “aunt mom” and “uncle dad”, she now just calls them mom and dad. It’s easier on her instead of having to explain to everyone why she lives with her aunt and uncle.

“They treat me like I’m really their own,” Jessica said.

The family likes to remember the positive memories of Maria and Kenneth.

They are also comfortable with talking openly about them in the house.

DESIGN abbey clouse

“My dad was really strict on my grades,” Jessica said. “He always wanted me to do well in school and I remember the first time I got all A’s on a report card, that was such a big deal for my family. So he let me go ice skating with any friend I wanted to, and we got to go to the movies.”

To Jessica, her mom was one of the nicest and most positive people. Kristy recalls how the family would always laugh at Maria because she often let jokes go

“He was playing video games and I just lay next to him and then I went off to bed, and I remember the last thing I did tell him was ‘I love you’” - Jessica Jones, 12

I love you over her head.

“She was more down to earth,” Matt said. “She was that person that could get along with anybody really easy.”

Jessica keeps a picture of her parents when they were in their early twenties next to her bed. She said it gives her a sense of security.

“Of course I know that they’re always with me but I like being able to look back at them,” Jessica said.

• • • “Mom...Dad….

I want you to know what I’ve learned and who I’m becoming as a person. Your death didn’t destroy me. I’ve seen ungrateful classmates complain of their childish problems, unaware of what little time they really have, which encourages me to cherish little moments.”

Jessica said it’s hard hearing her classmates complain about their parents.

She wants people to learn to appreciate their family because they may not always be there for you.

Jessica doesn’t want sympathy from losing both of her parents. She has held back from telling many of her friends because she doesn’t want them to view her any differently.

However, Kristy says Jessica is the most outgoing out of all five of the kids she raised. She even recalls how Maria and Kenneth used to talk about how smart and great Jessica was.

“When she puts her mind to do something, whether it’s band or Academic Decathlon, she says ‘This is what I’m going to do’ and does it,” Kristy said.

• • • As Jessica concluded her speech, the judges began to clap, taken aback at her performance.

She placed second and Kristy and Matt were proud.

“It’s quite an accomplishment,” Matt said. “I think she put all of the pieces together just right.”

“Hardships are unavoidable, but it’s what you do that shapes you into the person you become. I’m grateful for our memories and I’ll always love you.

Sincerely your daughter Jessica, To be united again in eternity by the grace of God.”

april 7, 2017

12 sports

spring into sports Now that the cold winter months are gone, spring has not only brought nice warm weather but spring sports as well. Let’s take a moment to get to know some of the athletes of softball, baseball, track, and soccer. story morgan maxwell

ER LEXI STOTL

photos vanessa davis

SENIOR

SPORT: Softball PREGAME: “I take a nap and try to eat

a healthy meal before I go to the fIeld.”

MOTIVATION: “I play to keep getting better.”

FAVORITE MEMORY: Hitting a grand slam against Plano East POSITION: First base

PATRICK K IR K H A O N FRESHMAN

SPORT: Baseball PREGAME: “I don’t have a big pre-

game routine, I just get ready mentally to play.”

MOTIVATION: “I want to get better to be

able to play at the next level.”

FAVORITE MEMORY: Hitting a triple off the wall

POSITION: Catcher MHSMARQUEE.COM

design jolie mullings

sports

LS

AUSTIN WIL

JUNIOR

SPORT: Soccer PREGAME: ”I do the same exact back

stretches before every game.”

MOTIVATION: “I play because I love the game so much.”

FAVORITE MEMORY: Scoring in the last second of the Lewisville game for the win

POSITION: Holding Midfielder

design jolie mullings

MACKENZIE

HAYWARD

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E

SOPHOMOR

SPORT: Track PREGAME: ”I hang out with friends and

try to create a low stress environment.”

MOTIVATION: “I try to do the best I can for my team.”

FAVORITE MEMORY: Hanging out with the other pole vaulters POSITION: Pole Vault

april 7, 2017

14 ad page

Eye on the ball Photos Vanessa davis

Sophomore Tyler Morgan pitches against the Southlake Carroll Dragons during a regular district game. The junior varsity baseball team defeated Southlake 2-0 on April 3.

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$5.50 Special

Getting ready to step to the plate, sophomore Zachary Davis grabs his bat and helmet as he waits his turn. Davis plays left field for the junior varsity team.

-2017

Custom Tailor Headline 1940 FM 407 # 112 Highland Village, TX 75028

Sex education:

a challenge in Texas schools

Photo adam luqman

16 in-depth

Texas schools teaching less sex education after removal of Health class requirement story kelly rowe According to a recent study conducted by the Texas Freedom Network, 25 percent of public schools in Texas don’t require sex education at all. If it is taught, Texas law requires that schools stress abstinence until marriage.

In LISD, Health is the only class that contains a specific curriculum over sex education that lasts a week long. However under the foundation graduation plan that was implemented in 2014, Health is no longer required to graduate.

While freshman Biology covers the scientific aspects of the reproductive system, it does not teach the sex education students would’ve received through Health.

To compensate for this, speakers from the 180 Degrees program visit freshman biology classes to provide students sex education through one 90 minute lecture. Statistics and resources

MHSMARQUEE.COM

from the crisis pregnancy center Real Options for Women are used to show students the positive effects of abstinence.

“Abstinence cannot fail,” 180 Degrees speaker Rich Shelton said. “A person can fail at abstinence, that’s different. But abstinence itself can’t fail.”

The program encourages teens to live a life of sexual integrity by discussing the consequences of premarital sex, and setting physical boundaries until marriage. Speakers discuss the emotional

use them.

“Condoms are designed and made well but that doesn’t mean that they’re going to be perfect, and they can’t protect you from every STD that’s out there,” Shelton said.

“Birth control can do a pretty good job of protecting girls from getting pregnant, but...it’s not going to protect her from an STD.” After the removal of the Health requirement, many students only receive their sex education through the 180

Abstinence cannot fail, a person can fail at abstinence, that’s different.

But abstinence itself can’t fail.

-rich shelton

and psychological effects of teen sex, abusive relationships and sexting.

“Of course they’re promoting abstinence,” Biology teacher Christa Walters said. “[But] they also say if you choose not to be abstinent, these are some of the things that could happen.”

The 180 Degrees program does include information about contraception such as their failure rate and the uncertainty that comes along with using them, but they don’t include facts about how to

Degrees program. Senior Madison Lewis said she thinks the 180 Degrees program holds back information that should be available to students through an abstinence-plus form of sex education.

“It’s not realistic to think that scaring teenagers away from the idea of having sex will work,” Lewis said.

A 2008 study done by the University of Washington reported that teens who received comprehensive sex education were 60 percent less likely to get pregnant, compared to teens who were educated with abstinence only curriculums.

In 2012, school districts in Mississippi began gaining permission from parents to teach students through an abstinenceplus curriculum. This type of teaching

DESIGN NICK FOPIANO

includes more information on contraception, like how to use a condom and where to find them, but still strongly promotes an abstince only lifestyle.

This same policy was adopted in Hawaii in 2015, and has caused a decrease in teenage pregnancies and in STD’s among teens.

“I would’ve loved learning through a program like that when I was younger,” Lewis said. “It would’ve been much more beneficial to me, to learn all that stuff through the school instead of having to learn it on my own.”

MHS poll Do you think sex education should be taught more frequently in high schools?

No 21.7%

Yes 68.3%

Which of these have you received information on?

Pregnancy 20.2%

Reproductive system 22.2%

Abstinence 26.9%

STD’s 30.7%

Where have you received a majority of your sex education?

What grade was the last time you had sex education at school?

Home 21.0% School 26.9%

Friends 22.7% Internet 29.4%

6th 10.0%

7th 16.7%

8th 19.7%

9th 50.3%

10th 3.3%

Abstinence curriculum Petal tactic

A flower is passed around among the students, and each student is instructed to remove a petal. Each fallen petal is symbolic of a sexual relationship.

Once the petals are removed, the lesson is that having sex multiple times before marriage leaves you like the flower — ugly and of lesser value.

DESIGN NICK FOPIANO

Cup/spit tactic

Students are instructed to spit in a cup, and pass it to the next person. After multiple students have contributed to one cup, they are asked if they’d want to drink it. This activity is used to symbolize how once one person engages with another person, they are not as “pure” as they were previously.

april 7, 2017

THE MARQUEE

18 in-depth

m

REMARKS

Marquee remarks

Students and parents shared their opinion on the sex education curriculum.

They had differing opinions on the content of the curriculum and whether STORY staff it should be taught at home or school.

Andrea Garza

12th

What should sex education in school focus on?

Definitely on development and letting people know that everything [they’re] feeling is normal and also how to stay safe.

Should health be a required class? why/why not?

If it’s like a nine week class or something kind of short that they could fit in.

When was the last time you received sex ed?

Eighth grade.

At what age level/grade level should we receive sex education?

Definitely in middle school because that’s when kids are starting to go through puberty and also again in high school.

MHSMARQUEE.COM

Zach Montegudo

11th

Where should we primarily receive our sex education?

[Whichever] one would be less awkward, probably the school because I’m not going to have to see these people again.

At what age level/grade level should we receive sex education?

Seventh because you’re 13.

Should health be a required class? Why/why not?

No because it’s not information that everyone necessarily needs to know.

Should we have a specific and informative sexual education curriculum?

Probably because then everyone gets the same [teaching].

Alex Anderson

10th

What sex ed. should we receive through the school/our parents?

Schools should be responsible for yearly classes that inform students how to have safe sex, and discussions about the right time to have sex... should be discussed at home with the student’s parents.

Should we have a specific and informative sexual education curriculum?

Yes, because it would prepare students for something they are going to deal with their entire lives.

What should the focus of students’ sex ed be?

I think sex ed classes should contain 100% scientifically accurate information that isn’t manipulated in any way, and all programs should teach students about safe sex versus presenting abstinence as the only option.

DESIGN NICK FOPIANO

in-depth 19 Norma Garza

Parent, M9 teacher What aspects of sex ed can a school more effectively teach?

What can a parent more effectively teach?

I know that LISD has a really good program where they take small steps in the middle school. I remember going to a couple of things for parents and them saying ‘This is what we’re going to be talking to the kids about,” and they pretty much go through the program with us.

Do you think parents should have an active role in their child’s sexual education? Why, why not?

I think some parents do... A lot of people may say we don’t need sex ed in the school but they’re not looking at it from the aspect of maybe a cultural background where it’s taboo to talk about sex.

When you were a student, where did you receive your sex education?

In Health.

John Montegudo

Vanessa McDonald

Do you think it’s important that your child received sex ed through the school?

Do you feel as if your child has received sufficient sex ed? (why/ why not?)

Parent

Yes, a lot of kids won’t get that sort of education anywhere else, so for those who don’t have parents who are willing to give that sort of education, school is about the only other place they’ll get it.

Parent

I am honestly not really aware of the type of sex ed that they have. I think I would teach her a lot more about sex ed if she was more willing to listen. But I think she knows enough of where we stand and what our beliefs are based on our belief of God and what she knows is going to be right for her life. I think she knows enough.

Do you think parents should have an active role in their child’s sexual education? Why/ why not?

To the extent that they know what’s being taught. Yes, I think so.

DESIGN NICK FOPIANO

april 7, 2017

20 sports

Taking aim Golf coach battles cancer, receives community support photos submitted story Sanika sule Uncertainty and apprehension consumed the room as golf coach Kerry Gabel stood before his students. He had called the golf team in for a morning meeting — a request that strayed from their usual schedule. As coach Gabel looked at the students that he has coached through both wins and losses, he announced that he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer. The athletes sat in shock.

The gravity of his words pressed down on them. As coach Gabel began explaining his diagnosis, he and the golfers began to cry. Although the team knew this meant that he would be absent from several practices, they were more worried for the health of their coach.

“You could feel the heaviness in the room,” senior Maddie Spear said. “The thought of losing him came into all of our minds, and it was just so sad.”

Just one week after his initial diagnosis, coach Gabel spent over two weeks in the hospital having surgery to remove his right kidney. His wife, special education teacher Jessica Gabel said she had little

MHSMARQUEE.COM

time to absorb the shock of his diagnosis because they immediately began searching for medical facilities. In just a few days, both coach Gabel and his wife were forced refocus their time away from their students and their two kids to create a plan of action.

The coach missed the beginning of the season and several tournaments. He said his pain was worsened by not being able to actively coach his students.

As soon as he began to recuperate from the surgery, he picked up his laptop to work on organizing tournaments.

Spear said that even Coach Gabel holds a check with the money raised during a golf tournament fundraiser.

The fundraiser helped bring awareness to cancer research.

though the assistant golf coach worked hard to prepare the athletes, coach Gabel’s presence was missed.

“I feel like the team chemistry and the team balance was kind of off,” Spear said.

The members of the golf team were quick to support their coach and his family. He and Mrs. Gabel received a stack of handwritten letters from the golf team that

Support from school, community for coach Gabel

Crowdfunding

Fundraising goal- $4000 Donors raised $8630.00

Golf Booster Club

- set up meal train - sold t-shirts in support kidney cancer awareness

photos vanessa davis Senior Josh Domergue and Coach Gabel exchange jokes as they wait for the other players to show up for practice.

Golf Team

Made ribbons with the slogan “TAKE DEAD AIM” spoke of h o w the coach impacted each athlete’s life. The team even attended his older daughter’s volleyball game to show support. Jessica’s students have also shown support by signing a poster that reads ‘We Love The Gabels” that hangs on the wall of her classroom.

The golf booster club set up a meal train for him and his family and organized a fundraiser to help with his medical bills. The team designed t-shirts and sold them online and during lunches.

Spear also made ribbons for the team and their parents that read “take dead aim,” a phrase the team coined for coach Gabel to encourage him to focus on getting rid of his cancer.

His niece set up a donation system through the crowdfunding site, You Car-

DESIGN abbey clouse

ing. His friends and family donated over twice the amount of the goal. The money raised covered the entire year’s medical expenses, with some left over for the next year.

Through his work of organizing and leading several golf tournaments, he has interacted with many other teams. To show support, golf teams from other schools such as Jesuit Dallas and Lake Dallas High School, have contributed to the fund and left messages of support.

“To see the support coming from that is very overwhelming,” coach Gabel said.

“Friends, family, community, a lot of high school coaches and golf teams supported that.”

Coach Gabel has now started immunotherapy cancer treatment at UT Southwestern. For this, he missed more school, but is hopeful that treatment will work.

Despite his positive outlook throughout his battle, he said he must carry the emotional and physical weight of cancer.

When he was first diagnosed, he said he received several heartfelt words of support, but the words that stuck with him the most were “dude, cancer sucks.”

For coach Gabel, these few humorous words represented his goal to stay positive

throughout his battle.

“It was a lighthearted comment, but it really does suck,” coach Gabel said. “It’s a supportive statement that we use all the time now.”

Coach Gabel said that since his diagnosis, he has learned what is truly important.

Although he tries to conduct golf practice as he did before, he said he has changed.

While he still encourages his students to perform well as athletes, he places a greater emphasis on making a difference in others’ lives.

“I think ever since he’s had cancer his viewpoint has gone less from the score and how you act on the course to how you make other people feel when you’re around them and the impact you make on other people,” Spear said.

For the Gabels, cancer has disrupted many aspects of their everyday life, including their future plans with their kids, yet coach Gabel knows he must remain hopeful.

“A big part of it is a mental battle that you have to go through,” coach Gabel said. “Throughout the whole process I’ve stayed pretty positive I have to. I have to do it to myself I have to do it for my family.”

April 7, 2017

22 entertainment

Streaming Streaming on on the the net net Over the past month, many new Netflix Originals have come out. Some of these shows are underrated, but still remain to captivate audiences worldwide and have good ratings. Here are some of the most popular original shows to watch in your free time. story Shayla sistrunk

Fuller House Recently widowed D.J. Tanner-Fuller gets some much needed help from her sister Stephanie, who is an aspiring musician, and her best friend Kimmy, to raise her three sons. Under one roof, the women experience moments big and small together, including budding romances, holidays, parenting and life’s surprises.There are references to the original Full House series, and inside jokes about the stars’ outside other projects besides what they do on set.

The plot takes a while to develop, so impatient viewers might not make it past the first two episodes. When the show reaches its climax it includes lots of drama and is interesting to watch. New relationships form and more family controversy rise to the surface.

Stranger Things Filled with supernatural creatures and 80’s-esque childhood adventures, Stranger Things combines drama and science fiction. The show is crawling with paranormal events occurring around the town including the appearance of a psychokinetic girl who helps the missing boys’ friend on their own search.The heroes are a perfectly cast gang of four, charming yet slightly nerdy boys who play Dungeons and Dragons and roam free in the woods on bikes. While watching the show it’s easy to notice that there is never a dull moment. The scenes are constantly changing and new stuff is always happening.

In the show, the actors’ real life personalities are incorporated, which makes it more real. During the entire series, the audience feels as if they are taken along on a magical adventure. Every character on the show has a different personality that viewers can resonate with.

After watching only three episodes, viewers will find a character that seems to have the same traits as themselves.

DESIGN Megan Clark

entertainment

23

DareDevil Lawyer-by-day Matt Murdock uses his heightened senses from being blind to fight crime on the streets on New York City under the name Daredevil. As a superhero, he uncovers a conspiracy of the criminal underworld. In the second season, Murdock continues to balance life as a lawyer and as Daredevil. Smart writing and hardhitting fight scenes immediately help elevate Daredevil above fans’ expectations. The show often goes back to his childhood in various flashbacks and viewers see all the tribulations Matt has overcome. His character provides insight into what it’s like to live two completely different lives and also maintain a rocky relationship with a girl. The entire intro into the season is captivating. Although episodes are long, the series is very fast paced.

Last Chance U Originally a short film, Last Chance U was reproduced as a series with 10 episodes. The show quickly became popular last summer. The documentary series showcased the East Mississippi Community College Lions’ football season. The camera crew followed the Lions as they attempted to win their third consecutive national championship, their fourth in just five seasons. The crew was on site for a brawl that ended the team’s season and their chance at the championship.

The show, which is based on a true story, follows all of the players on the team and their home lives living in a poor area.

The series captured the team’s struggle as many players gave up on their dreams for drugs and money. The fast action scenes will definitely keep viewers from leaving their couch.

The Get Down The story is set in 1977 in the Bronx, New York and begins with a flash-forward to 1996 where the main character, Zeke, performs in a seemingly sold out show at Madison Square Garden. His rap is about growing up in the chaotic 1970’s and sets the stage for what’s to come in the pilot. The show adopts a futuristic and mysterious theme throughout.

It allows everyone who wonders what it would be like to see the future to fulfill their dream. Instantly when the first two seconds start, the audience is pulled into another era, as if they are living a double life in the past and present. The c­ limactic rap battles and time travel are energizing and makes viewers want to break-dance. With great acting and moments that keep audience concentrated on the screen, The Get Down will not disappoint.

DESIGN Megan Clark

APRIL. 7, 2017

24 entertainment

What’s on Your Bucket List?

Explore the deep depths of the ocean/live there -Aisah Rashwawn

Own at least every gun from WWII -Adrian Redden

Go Skydiving -Austin Nerell Compose music/Get into more art shows -Sam Holguin Jump out a helicopter and ski on a mountain -Laura Mize See an aurora borealis/See the night sky without pollution -Tino Welch Become Pope/Rule a small country -Zach Harris

Start my own bakery -Nadya Medina

Help people -Jessica Best Become a billionaire

-Collin Capo Karaoke by myself -Daine Park

Learn how to surf -Makenna Clay Find true love -Danam Randhawa Meet a celebrity/athlete -Nimisha Srikanth

MHSMARQUEE.COM

Meet an elephant -Callie Bailey

DESIGN Abbey clouse

entertainment

25

Bucket lists are a great way to organize your wildest dreams and goals in life. Whatever those dreams may be, big or small, there are no limits on what you can add. compiled Aidann zuniga

Milk a cow -Madison Browning Go to every continent -Sofia Gomez Run with the bulls -Michael Minton Walk the stairway to heaven - Maggie Bloume

Go to the Bahamas -Sam Sanchez Help a dog give birth -Annie Piece

Meet Brendon Urie/ Have 4 kids -Jade Barnett Go to London -Tara Sachar DESIGN Abbey clouse

Pet a monkey -Brittany Jones Travel to Greece -Brooke Wootlant Travel to Europe -Skye Fernandez Go to Japan festivals in the spring time -Tori Bier Play with polar bears-Halei Yanish Set magnesium on fire/Drop all alkali into water -Emily Jimenez Visit every Asian country/Learn as many languages as I can -Sydney Johnson

Create a business -Chase Martin Go back to my childhood home -Larry Sekishiro Make my first hundred thousand dollars -Garrett Dickson april 7, 2017

ARE YOU?

AP

WHICH

compiled Cara Crocker

Pancakes or Waffles?

Pancakes

Waffles

Pepperoni or Cheese?

Rain or Snow?

Cheese

Snow

Pepperoni

Rain

Cookies or Cake?

Hot chocolate or Coffee?

Cake Hot chocolate

Cookies

Coffee

Favorite food?

Favorite class?

What country would you like to visit?

Italy

Australia

A MHSMARQUEE.COM

B

History

C

Choir

D

Pasta

E

Steak

F

DESIGN cara crocker

entertainment

A

Mr. Mullin:

You’re one of the loudest and most animated in your friend group. Motivating people is your specialty.

Although you’re seldom serious, you know exactly how to make others feel better when they’re down.

B C

27

Mr. Hamric:

Although quiet, you’re not shy. It may take people a little bit to warm up to you, but once they do, they love you. Although you only tell some of your closest friends, you have a few special talents hidden up your sleeves.

Mrs. Loughborough:

While you may see yourself as the average friend, you’re anything but. You’re the caring one that listens and lets everyone know that you’ll always be there for them. You’re what people would call the ‘mom friend.’

D E

Mr. Harrell:

You’re not typically one to stray from the rules. You may be one of the youngest in your friend group but you do know how to have fun. People are sometimes surprised about your sense of humor.

Mrs. Hawes:

You’re one of the more introspective in your group of friends. You’re not reactionary, and you make sure that everything is planned out before you jump into any project. While you are serious, you also know how to have fun.

F DESIGN cara crocker

Mr. Smith:

When you walk into the room, it instantly feels brighter because of your smile. You love to laugh and make sure that everyone always feels comfortable. Your friends look to you for support and you’re always there to provide it.

APRIL 7, 2017

28 Opinion

Playing the victim Grace Pecunia

@gracepecunia

I woke up sobbing, with an exhaustion that had been following me around for weeks.

I started to weigh the pros and cons of lifting my body out of bed or missing yet another day of school. I shut my eyes, and decided I would rather lie alone in the dark all day than be plagued with expectations and responsibilities I couldn’t handle.

• • • I started to slip into a funk when I was in middle school. There was no specific cause for my depression. My thoughts just suddenly became more complex and negative and my motivation disappeared.

I would constantly pull myself down.

This continued throughout my sophomore year. I was consistently avoiding attending school and completing homework. It wasn’t that I was unable to do my work, I just lacked the energy to try.

I began to get into the pattern of choosing my mental health over my future. I would wake up in the morning

before school only to stare at the clock until I either dozed off or dragged myself out of bed.

Then things began to get worse. I would isolate myself from people who just wanted to help me, solely because I didn’t know how to put my thoughts into words. My refusal to talk to my friends about what was going on eventually ended up ruining those friendships.

By summer, I had lost all of my friends along with my ambition.

I would go weeks without getting out of bed. I was too dejected to sleep or even eat. I would spend every day staring at the ceiling for hours.

After repeating this pattern for half of summer I finally broke. I was lying awake in my empty house at 4 a.m., and the realization of how incredibly alone I was finally settled in.

It felt like every emotion in existence came crashing down on me. I broke down, overwhelmed, analyzing every moment that had lead to this. It was the worst day of my life.

Hitting rock bottom and realizing how incredibly far I had allowed this despair to drag me changed me for the better. I started to pick apart my brain trying to pinpoint the exact moments that had caused me to fall down this path of despondency.

I realized the solution was simple, I needed to take control of my own thoughts.

I spent the rest of summer forcing myself to

think positively and telling myself that I was going to be okay.

Something as simple and cliche as thinking positively helped immensely.

I started looking at what was most important to me and realized I couldn’t keep pushing people away and sabotaging relationships.

Going back to school was terrifying.

I had completely renovated myself and was afraid that coming back to a difficult environment would ruin all my hard work.

Throughout my first day back whenever I felt I was slipping into old patterns I would remind myself that I was in control and it didn’t matter what was going on around me, because I was okay.

I began to think I would spend the rest of my high school life alone in my room, when my best friend from the year before approached me. She wasn’t looking for an apology or even an explanation.

She simply understood I had needed space to figure things out. We quickly reconnected and became even closer than before.

I was able to turn my thoughts into my only source of sanity instead of the enemy I had previously made them out to be. Everyday I fight to keep my head on straight, but I am proud of how far I’ve come since I took matters into my own hands and decided I could no longer play the victim.

BOOM BAHS Things we like Water dispensers

CAC Fundraiser

Artwork around school

The new water dispensers in the D hall and the commons are an added motivation for students to bring reusable water bottles.

They show how many plastic bottles the school has saved and are a convenient way to stay hydrated.

Each year, the school raises money for the district wide fundraiser for Children’s Advocacy Center. Not only does this event give back to the community, but the students raised the $4,000 to win the half day and have the opportunity to put their name into a raffle and win a prom ticket.

The A and B halls double as galleries to showcase students’ art. Not only are paintings and illustrations displayed, but ceramic creations are featured as well. The mundane walk to class is made a little more exciting because of these talented students’ work.

DESIGN Vanessa Davis

Opinion

The real me Bailey Crocker

@BaileyDCrocker

“Let’s do an ice-breaker. We are going to say our name, a fun fact about ourselves and what we want to be when we grow up.” My teacher points to a kid across the classroom to start.

As it moves down the rows of students, I practice what I’m going to say in my head: “I’m Bailey Crocker, I have a passion for writing and I want to be an English teacher.” Good.

I listen to the people before me as I wait for my turn, paying particular attention to their future professions.

“I’m going to be a physician,” someone said. “I want to be a lawyer,” the next person said. “I want to be a scientist,” “I hope to own a business.”

The student in front of me sits down, and I stand up and face the class. “Hi,” I begin. “My name is Bailey Crocker, I have a passion for writing and I want to be” — I pause for a second, then finish my sentence — “a vet.”

Since I started getting serious about what I want a future job, I have

been passionate about teaching English.

However, I have also been judged for telling people that’s what I wish to pursue a career in. And for a while, I started lying about it.

Time after time, I would tell people that I wanted to be a nurse, or a veterinarian or even just saying that I didn’t know. I was ashamed of wanting to teach.

Though some give me words of encouragement, telling me to do whatever I want to do, I can’t help but let those other remarks get to me.

I hear the same repetitive statements, like “Teachers don’t get paid that much,” “You’re going to get sick of working with kids,” and “Grading all of those papers is going to be such a hassle,” as if I haven’t thought about all of these things.

Since elementary school, English has always been my favorite subject, even when we had to learn about poetry and Shakespeare and it’s not because I’m bad at math or science.

Despite how many essays I have to write, I still love getting better and learning more and more about the subject.

As for why I want to be a teacher, I love teaching people what I know. As a supervisor at my job, I have to teach the people that work with me every day how to accomplish different tasks while also making the job fun.

I have learned how to handle the stress of working with teenagers and I can

29

quickly figure out a solution to how to get them to focus.

Teaching English is something I know I will love doing for years. I know it doesn’t pay a lot, but in the end, I would rather teach English to teenagers and enjoy every second of it than do something that doesn’t even make me want to get out of bed in the morning.

But this negative feedback doesn’t just come with teaching. Other jobs such as police, firefighters and social workers get bad reputations because they don’t pay as well or require as high of education as other jobs might.

However, no one should be ashamed to do what they are passionate about because of other people’s opinions. As a senior, I have learned to not be embarrassed of telling people that I want to teach.

Though other people’s opinions still get to me sometimes, I brush them off quickly because it’s my life, not theirs. I’m going to make myself happy, not someone else.

I shouldn’t feel the need to lie about what I want to do for fear of being judged. Don’t let anyone else’s opinion control what you love to do.

Chase after your dreams, because in the end, your own happiness is what matters the most. In the words of William Shakespeare, “To thine own self be true.”

HEYS

Things we don’t like parking stickers

Blocked Spotify As approach the last It’s we a pain to scrape the nine bright weeks school off andyour our window work orange ofstickers load winds is apass must. if you don’tdown, have music parking yet.

Now Spotify blocked on a Maybethat instead theyiscould just put school students find warningiPads, slip under yourmust windshield other wiper. ways to focus in a loud classroom.

DESIGN VANESSA DAVIS

eportfolios

Lunch in the library Our colleges aren’t avoiding going to Whether you’re check for eportfolios, so why the arctic temperatures of take the time to create one?

Not only cafeteria or need a quiet placethat, to but when everyone in theduring school study, the library is a haven tries toThis make them, has the been wifi lunch. privilege crashes. revoked for some lunches because many students cannot follow rules and throw away their trash.

We need to respect the rules to keep privilege.

Staar

ePortfolios Despite how easy may Although the STAAR districts be they are You have attempts to still stayannoying. technologically to worry over the temperature savvy are appreciated, ePortfolios of yourmore assigned room andthan hoping are of a nuisance a that your doesn’t growl. benefit.

Atstomach this time, few colleges actually require ePortfolios and students spend most of their time goofing off rather than updating their portfolios.

April 7, 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.