The Marquee Volume 29 Issue 1 by The Marquee

MARQUEE THE

Volume 29 • Issue 1 • Oct. 3, 2014

Freshman adjusts to ninth grade center, main campus.

The Marquee reviews local coffee shops.

Student brings back Gameday Girlies tradition.

Edward S. Marcus High School • 5707 Morris Road, Flower Mound, TX 75077

The Marquee Staff

COVER PHOTO W illiam L eg ro n e

CONTENTS

News

ELECTION PREVIEW Teachers promote voting before governor election.

APP MASTER

Feature

new social media tool.

Marcus alumnus creates

Entertainment

DRESS FOR SUCCESS Check out ways to dress without breaking dress code.

Sports

JUST IN TIME Sports medicine students aid injured football players.

Games

COFFEE CRAZE Take the quiz and discover what fall drink best represents you.

EDITOR IN CHIEF Austin Rickerson MANAGING EDITOR William Legrone PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR William Legrone DESIGN EDITOR Molly Webber BUSINESS MANAGER Molly Webber COPY EDITOR Alex Helm NEWS EDITOR Victoria Price FEATURE EDITOR Alex Helm ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Rachel Ramirez SPORTS EDITOR Darci Walton OPINION EDITOR Jaime Hardison ONLINE EDITOR Alyssa Schmidt REPORTERS Cara Crocker, Sanika Sule, Brooke Wyant, Jacob Fontaine PHOTOGRAPHERS AND DESIGNERS Averi Collen, Abby Schlichter, Anna Kate Hutton, Riley McClure ADVISER LaJuana Hale 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 schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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. For more information call 469-713-5196. The Marquee is a standing member of ILPC, TAJE, ATPI, CSPA, NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll.

NEWS

Are you smarter than a high schooler? COMPILED JA IME HA RDISON, SA NIK A SULE A ND CA RA CR O CK E R

The Marquee surveyed students from each grade to test their knowledge on current events and inquired about the frequency with which students watch the news. Students were questioned regarding the Texas governor elections, the current outbreak of Ebola and the prevalence of the ISIS terrorism group. The purpose of this exercise was to gain insight on how informed a typical high school student is about the outside world. 1. How often do you watch the news?

Freshman: “Not really. Occasionally. I watch it like once a week.”

2. Who is running for the Texas governor elections? Freshman: “I don’t know.”

Sophomore: “No, I don’t really watch it.”

Sophomore: “I couldn’t tell you, I don’t keep up with that stuff.”

Junior: “I watch the news every couple days.”

Junior: “I don’t know who’s running.”

Senior: “Whenever I’m not working or when e v e r I have the chance.”

Senior: “Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott.”

3. How much do you know about Ebola?

Freshman: “Isn’t that a disease? I don’t know much about it, I just know it’s a disease.” Sophomore: “It’s a terrible disease that’s spreading around Africa.” Junior: “I know there are like one or two cases in the U.S. in the last while and people are scared about it.” Senior: It’s a super scary disease that kills people quickly. The outbreak is very large. They are trying to quarantine people. It’s really sad that thousands of people are dying.”

DESIGN ANNA KATE HUTTON

4. How much do you know about ISIS? Freshman: “I know they are a group in, I think it’s Iraq and Syria. We learned about this in English, that’s the only reason I know. I know they are trying to take over parts of cities and they’re pretty powerful.” Sophomore: “I know it’s gettig bad. It’s terrorism, and people are getting decapitated and stuff.” Junior: “I know it’s like a terrorist type group that’s doing things like cutting off people’s heads because they don’t like westernization of their countries.” Senior: “They’re beheading a lot of people and it doesn’t really make sense. Their whole purpose is to scare people.” OCT. 3, 2014

4NEWS

Birthday ballots Government teachers promote student voting before governor election STORY AUS T I N R I C KER S O N

This year AP government teachers Carey Petkoff and Emily Worland are promoting voting among their 18-yearold seniors by celebrating birthdays in political style. On their birthday, students will receive a booklet on new responsibilities associated with being an adult, such as managing credit scores and registering for the military draft. They will also be presented with a voting sticker, patriotic pencil and the paperwork needed to register to vote. Instead of commemorating being a legal citizen by going to a casino or buying cigarettes, students will be presented with a voting celebration. “This is something where you get to celebrate an awesome virtue, instead of a vice,” Worland said. Once registration is completed, Petkoff and Worland are taking it upon themselves to mail students voting paperwork to ensure that they can vote if they so choose. Worland is even tweeting pictures of her newest voters with #mhsvotes on their birthdays as a way of celebrating their entrance into the voting public. Senior Jeremy Gackle, who recently turned 18, said that although he was not interested in voting before this year, taking U.S. Government has made him more conscious of politics. He said that he will likely vote after Worland provided him

PHOTO AVERI C OL L EN

Worland’s love of political science shows on the custom license plate of her Fiat 500. MHSMARQUEE.COM

with the necessary materials to vote on his birthday a few weeks ago. “It’s nice to have the ease of access,” Gackle said. “Instead of having to find your own way to figure that all out, she gives you the PHOTO ALYS S A S CH M I DT means you need to AP Government teacher Emily Worland goes over the Suget it done.” preme Court during class. Worland’s goal is to educate her In addition to classes on government operations to decrease political apathy. encouraging their students to vote, dwindle,” Worland said. “We are already Petkoff and Worland will continue to seeing that in some capacity in terms of hold governor debate watching parties. the NSA and privacy.” Some students will be voting in their The most immediate way new student first election this fall in the governor voters will be able to counteract that race between Republican Greg Abbott apathy is in the November gubernatorial and Democrat Wendy Davis. Both election. Either candidate would be Petkoff and Worland said they thought historic in their election. Abbott would be it was important that their students were the first Texas governor to serve in office informed before voting. from a wheelchair, as he has been partially “Because there is such a big population paralyzed since he was 26, while Davis within your age group that doesn’t would be only the third female governor necessarily identify with one side or the of the state and the first Democrat in 20 other, Republican or Democrat, I feel years. Although it is not a national election, like the debate is important because you Worland said that the governorship will haven’t necessarily made up your mind in still have a large impact on the nation as terms of specific issues,” Petkoff said. a whole. Worland said that she has always “The state of Texas is not just about wanted to promote voting in fun ways. us,” Worland said. “It’s really a national However, she said it was the addition of position in terms that we dictate so Petkoff to AP Government this year that much of what education looks like and propelled the plan into action. everything else.” “The reason to have the debate As such an important election watching parties would be to educate approaches, Worland said that voting [students],” Petkoff said. “A lot of kids smart is the most important thing a are apathetic because they feel like they student can do. Although the voting don’t know enough to care.” process can be intimidating for beginners, One cause of student apathy is the Petkoff said that the best thing students belief that students opinions don’t matter can do is go out and vote to get their first or that they can’t make a difference. election under their belts. However, Worland said that it is crucial “If you don’t know the particular that students, especially those of voting issue, you don’t have to vote on that age, not be indifferent. issue,” Worland said. “But vote in as many “If apathy continues, then liberty will elections as you possibly can.” DESIGN

V ICTOR IA P R ICE

Identifying the issues

NEWS

With the gubernatorial election only a month away, here is a closer look at the stances of each candidate on major political issues in Texas. COMPILED

AUS T I N R I C KER S O N

Greg Abbott

Health Care:

He opposes Obamacare and has taken it to the Supreme Court numerous times, believing it has been the cause of increased health care costs, more taxes and countless job layoffs.

Education:

He wants to focus on early childhood development to ensure future success. He will revise existing education, instead of making larger programs at the expense of taxpayers.

Government Transparency:

Republican

She has supported Obamacare and focuses more on women’s health, like right to abortion, encouraging rape victims and stopping domestic violence. Her changes to education include expanding pre-kindergarten programs, reducing standardized testing and making college affordable through grants and more college credit classes.

Government Transparency:

He wants to secure the border and has urged President Obama to make it a priority, now that Texas illegal immigration is up 55%.

Abortion:

He believes that all abortion is wrong, as everyone deserves a chance at life.

Marriage:

He opposes gay marriage and believes marriage laws are a state’s right, not a federal issue.

He fights for a more open government, as Human Rights: he thinks that is the foundation of a free He has worked to stop human trafficking society. and to protect children by removing and cracking down on dangerous predators, especially on the Internet.

Health Care:

Education:

Immigration:

She also wants to secure the border and reform the immigration process, allowing the addition of necessary immigrant workers and allowing them to eventually gain citizenship.

Abortion:

She filibustered against tighter restrictions on abortion, believing it infringes on women’s rights.

Marriage:

She supports LGBT rights, intending to She has protected people’s right to know repeal Texas marriage laws. information in the government, such as the location of explosive chemicals. Human Rights: She also has worked to stop human trafficking and to protect children from things such as child pornography.

DESIGN/GRAPHICS

Wendy Davis

VI CT O R I A P R I C E

Democrat

OCT. 3, 2014

FEATURE

There’s an

Appfor that

Alumnus creates new app for managing social media accounts Bitsy and just consider working with him. “I’ve watched him on Shark Tank and knew he was interestHe typed out the email. Read over it. Made sure everything ed in technology,” Stauffer said. “I didn’t think I’d hear back. I was perfect. It was a long shot, but he knew he had to try. It had figured he’s Mark Cuban and he has better things to do.” taken him hours to find the email address. People like Mark The next morning, Stauffer went to his history class. Just Cuban, a billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mav- like any other day, he sat down and unlocked his phone. He ericks, aren’t so easy to contact. Now there reluctantly opened his email, nerwas nothing else to do but wait. vous that what he hoped for would A l l Marcus alumnus Jesse Stauffer, a then-junot be there. One by one, the emails nior at the University of North Texas, went of it was such appeared in his inbox. But there was about business as usual. He did his homeonly one email that he needed. When an adrenaline work, hung out with friends and went to rush. I felt like I was up he saw it, he couldn’t believe it. The class. For several months, Stauffer had been response from Cuban had come. against this big business creating a new app, which he called Bitsy, “It was jumbled and full of misguy and I didn’t know with his older brother Brandon. spelled things,” Stauffer said. “You Bitsy was designed to be the newest social if I was going to could tell that he just picked up his network. Stauffer remembers first becoming be able to hang phone and threw something on there interested in computers and programming at because he’s so busy.” with him. Marcus. He began with classes like web tech It turned out that Cuban was and computer programming and then startinterested in Bitsy. He asked some Jesse Stauffer, Graduate ed teaching himself. Stauffer said that his inquestions and even gave Stauffer free terest really flourished from there. Mavericks tickets. But Cuban also “I just love how you can start with nothhad some changes in mind. While he ing,” Stauffer said. “You can pay some money for a domain liked the general idea of the app, he didn’t like the idea of it name and then you can create a whole business out of it.” having to be its own social media. He gave the suggestion that it Now, all they needed was a chance for Cuban to take a look should be able to manage the posts all throughout other social STORY

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FEATURE

media platforms. Cuban wanted all of the changes done by the said. “We’re constantly brainstorming.” end of winter break. Now in his senior year of college, Stauffer is always trying “All of it was such an adrenaline rush,” Stauffer said. “I felt to find ways to balance Xpire with a 21-hour class load. Whie like I was up against this big busijuggling the two is difficult, ness guy and I didn’t know if I was Stauffer said it is not impossible going to be able to hang with him.” with Cuban’s flexible approach. Stauffer worked all through “You just have to make time winter break. Since what Cuban was for things and learn how to priasking for wasn’t that different from oritize,” Stauffer said. “[Cuban] Bitsy, he was able to use most of the will tell me to do this or that but same coding. Once he had tweaked there’s never any set deadlines. his original creation, the app Xpire He let’s me work at my own pace was born. Stauffer created an app but that actually makes me want unlike any other. It ensures that to work harder.” content posted on social media is With the support of his appropriate. Xpire even allows users family and a partner like Cuban, to time posts to be removed so that Stauffer is excited to be creating when they’re applying for jobs or his career before he even leaves college their profiles are clean. school. From his programming Although they have never met classes at Marcus and UNT, in person, Stauffer and Cuban work Stauffer applied the things that very well together. Cuban’s main he learned to build and improve job is to provide financial support Xpire. Working with Cuban has for the app, but Stauffer said he given him a glimpse into what his goes beyond what a normal investor future career may have in store. would do. Whether through email “I always knew that after or a messaging app called Cybercollege I wanted to start a comdust, they talk several times a week pany so it’s cool to be able to do about different ways to improve it now,” Stauffer said. “I hope to Xpire. just keep building Xpire. I feel PHOTO S UB MITTED “He’s more business and I’m like it’s such a basic app right more making the app, but he’s defi- Jesse Stauffer shows off his app and one of its features - self now and there’s so much more nitely given me many ideas,” Stauffer destructing tweets. Users can time tweets to delete themselves. that I want to do with it.”

Xpire also allows you to look through your older tweets and retweets, and delete them individually.

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OCT. 3, 2014

8 FEATURE

A swim in the fish tank

Freshman balances courses in new freshman center, main campus

STORY ALEX H ELM

It was the first day of school, and freshman Emma Bredenkamp had to get to the band hall. All the way from the art room by the gyms. On the other side of the school. She felt lost and overwhelmed by all the people, but was determined to make it through the stampede of students in the commons. The crowd that accumulated in the cafeteria turned into a swarm of giant people. She ran around upperclassmen and ducked under arms and backpacks. Trying to navigate the main campus, especially the commons, is difficult for someone who is only 5 feet 2 inches tall. As she finally reached the band hall, relief washed over her. Though she figured out not to go through the commons the next day, Bredenkamp still had a lot more adjusting to do from middle school. “My day is quite a bit busier,” Bredenkamp said. “But I enjoy learning and my teachers are nice and understanding if you’re slightly late because you have to run from one side of the school to the other.” She has to travel from the art room to the band hall, then all the way back to the freshman center just so she can eat lunch. Next up is Humanities and preAP Geometry in the freshman center, one downstairs and the next upstairs. She

M H S M AR Q UE E . CO M

walks back and forth across the entire main campus a total of three times a day, not to mention going up and down stairs in the freshman center. But despite all the walking, she’s gotten to know more students, especially some older girls in the band who help her out with homework. Her month of summer band camp also helped her to prepare for the first day. She had already been playing her flute in the band for a long time, and made friends in her section. “I know more people now,” Bredenkamp said. “It’s really nice because I’ll walk through the hallway and I’ll be like, ‘Oh, they’re in band,’ and they’ll smile and wave at me.” Bredenkamp’s new band friends have made her feel more comfortable, especially since they have so many good memories from their month of marching camp. One thing she remembers the most is she and her friends’ obsession with Tum-E Yummies, a blue energy drink they would buy during breaks. “There was a whole vending machine filled up with just Tum-E Yummies,” Bredenkamp said. “I had 17. We got the drum majors hooked.” Though her older band friends have made her feel welcome, she likes being around freshmen at the new campus. She knows a lot of the students from middle

PHOTO

A LEX HEL M

Freshman Emma Bredenkamp works with her iPad in the freshman center. She uses the study areas to complete assignments.

school, and is more relaxed being around kids her age. She said the new freshman campus has ultimately helped ease her transition into high school. “Having all my classes in the main campus would be kind of hard because you’re instantly thrown in with kids you don’t know whereas with the freshmen center you’re more eased into the idea of high school,” Bredenkamp said. Her favorite part of the new campus is the collaborative workspace. She and her friends complete math problems on the dry erase tables outside geometry teacher Sarah

DESIGN/ GRAPHICS JAIM E HAR DIS O N

FEATURE

Wagner’s room. To Bredenkamp, the work areas help her to practice and understand her work better. They also use technologicallyadvanced work areas to turn in assignments and work on group projects. “I feel like [they’ve adapted] pretty well,” Wagner said. “I feel like kids use that kind of technology all the time anyway so it’s not like it’s brand new to them.” Bredenkamp feels like she’s able to collaborate more with her peers and teachers both inside and outside of the classroom. To her, the new freshman building affects

the way the students learn because teachers can work problems from anywhere in the room using their iPads and Smart TVs, which are similar to projectors. Yet, she still knows that next year the move from the freshman campus to the main campus will be a shift. “Transitioning might be a bit of a change,” Bredenkamp said. “But hopefully most people have had a few classes in the main campus so they know what it looks like and can find their way around.” Though it might be difficult at first,

DESIGN/ GRAPHICS JAI M E H AR D I S O N

Bredenkamp is excited, albeit a little nervous, about attending the main campus next year as a sophomore. She knows that she’ll have to find her way around again, but she won’t feel as lost as she did on her first day of high school this year. Although she will have to face the swarm in the commons more often, she is looking forward to her next three years at the school. “It will be scary and probably a little nerve-wracking,” Bredenkamp said. “It’s like restarting school all over again in some ways. But I like making new friends.”

O CT. 3 , 2 0 1 4

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This flipped 01010101011110101010101010101001101101011110000011110101110101010101011011010110 among staff and students. The introduction of Bring Your Own classroom idea began prior to the distribution of iPads, but has since 10 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010 Technology, or BYOT, in the 2011-2012 school year started all swelled in popularity. However, some find the switch difficult. For technological additions. The recent addition of MacBooks and iPads Lumley, it solely served as a way to integrate more technology into the 1000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010 has prompted teachers to integrate more elements of technology into students’ learning. “What happened in trying to flip my classroom was that I started the curriculum. Assistant Principal Aaron Harrell handles the majority 1011011110110101000101010101010101111011011010101111011010000111010101010101 finding different ways to teach the information instead of lecturing,” of technology-based issues. Harrell said he credits the technology 01000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010Lumley said. push to students’ evolving method When you use your phone in class, of learning. Cell Phones 111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110 “It’s a natural response to how often is it school related? Despite its advantages, the use of students’ interests,” Harrell said. 1101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110 cellphones in the classroom can be a Never “Trying to appeal to them in ways Every time distraction. Prior to BYOT, cell phones 101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101000101010101010101 8.5% that are meaningful to them by and a majority of students’ personal 8.5% using the media or technology that 11101101101010111101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101 technology was prohibited. This they find relevant and accessible.” transition has caused teachers to become 010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101 more lenient in terms of rules regarding Paperless Classroom technology but has consequently also 0001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010100010101010101011 Because students’ personal resulted in more students engaging in technology, like cell phones and 01010101011110101010101010101001101101011110000011110101110101010101011011010110 non-school related activities on their iPads, is permitted in school, teachers Most of phones. According to a recent student are encouraged by the district to 10 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010 the time poll, only 8.5% of students use their transition to a paperless classroom. Occasionally 1000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010 cell phones during class exclusively 34% The attempt to eliminate the use 28% for classroom purposes. Because cell of paper has resulted in a variety of 101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100 phones are now an integral part of most responses from students and teachers. classrooms, Connick said the task of 00111010101010101010001010101010101101010101011110101010101010101001101101011110 Tools such as Notability and Evernote staying focused has shifted more solely to have provided a quick method of noteSometimes 00001111010111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110 students. taking, but at times the unreliability of 21% “They will allow us to send a quick technology causes students to prefer 11010101111011010000111010101010101010001010101010101101010101011110101010101010 text, but won’t repeat part of a lecture if pen and paper. Sophomore Elizabeth 10100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 we10110111101101010001010 have been Snapchatting for the past Connick said she acknowledges the * p o l l s ta ke n ou t o f 3 0 0 s t u d e n t s twenty minutes,” Connick said. benefits as well as the disadvantages of 10101010101111011011010101111011010000111010101010101010001010101010101101010101 The increased availability of MacBooks and iPads have not only replacing paper with technology. 01111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 10110 “I prefer to do most of my work on paper just in case my iPad altered the students’ methods of learning. It has also been a learning breaks or something happens,” Connick said. “However, during notes process for teachers. Despite their benefits, the MacBooks have proved 11110110101000101010101010101111011011010101111011010000111010101010101010001010 in class I import the PowerPoint into Notability and write on the to cause difficulty for students who are used to PCs. “I am fairly comfortable using my iPad,” Connick said. “However, slides directly so that I can actually pay attention and have time to ask 10101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101 I don’t know how to use a MacBook, besides basic usage. I was never questions instead of frantically scribbling down notes.” 101101011010 The move 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101 towards a more technological classroom has made taught how to use this technology and most of my teachers learn how teachers, such as Algebra II teacher Sandy Lumley, create new lessons to use this technology through trial and error.” 0101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111 Technology in the classroom has reshaped the classroom for that utilize technology. She said that at times, however, her students 010111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011 tend to choose to complete assignments on paper. She said she both students and teachers. Though some aspects are not yet flawless, recognizes from personal experience the different options and varied technology in the classroom has proved to cause an educational 1101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110 preferences among her students and therefore allows them to decide evolution. “I think the1011011110110101000101010101010 most important thing is for you to learn to be a good how to complete their assignments. 110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 “I would use whatever my brain felt most comfortable with at that learner,” Harrell said. “When it comes to technology, or anything else, 10111101101101010111101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010 time,” Lumley said. “Why would I change that thought process for my it’s always going to change, and there’s always going to be a new latest and greatest a few years down the line.” students?” 101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110 DESIGN M O L L Y WEB B ER OCT.. 3, 2014 1010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010100010101010101

From classroom to computer

1011011110110101000101010101010101111011011010101111011010000111010101010101 1 010001010101010101101010101011110101010101010101001101101011110000011110100 12 I N - D E P T H 111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110 1 1101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110 1 101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101000101010101010101 1 Students reflect on influx of technology 11101101101010111101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101 1 COMPILED BR O O KE W YA NT 010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101 0 0001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010100010101010101011 0 How do you feel about the increased Does using technology cut the time 01010101011110101010101010101001101101011110000011110101110101010101011011010110 0 amount of technology being used in it takes to do homework, as opposed the classroom this year? to using paper? 10 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010 1 1000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010 1 “Its good because you can do a lot of things at once but its also bad because you can’t guaranNo 1011011110110101000101010101010101111011011010101111011010000111010101010101 1 tee that everyone is going to be on the same 9% thing.” -Laura Liles, 9 010001010101010101101010101011110101010101010101001101101011110000011110100 Yes 41% 111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110 1 “I like technology and it does help simplify a lot Not Really of the processes, but I do feel like the teachers 24% 1101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110 1 are going overboard on it.” -Carolyn Minton, 10 101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101000101010101010101 1 Somewhat “I feel like it has its ups and downs. The 11101101101010111101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101 1 positive side is it makes it easier for teachers 26% to give classwork. The negative is people can get 010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101 0 sidetracked easily.” -Bhavil Patel, 11 0001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010100010101010101011 0 *p o l l s t a k e n o u t o f 3 0 0 s t u d e n t s “I feel like its more of a distraction. Nobody 01010101011110101010101010101001101101011110000011110101110101010101011011010110 0 gets anything done." -Logan Prentice, 12 10 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010 1 1000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010 1 101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100 1 Is the increase of technology improving learning? 00111010101010101010001010101010101101010101011110101010101010101001101101011110 0 00001111010111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110 0 110101011110110100001110101010101010100010101010101011010101010111101010101010101 No 10100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010 1 14% 101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010100010101010101011010101011 01111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 10110 0 Yes Not Really 11110110101000101010101010101111011011010101111011010000111010101010101010001010 1 38% 12% 10101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101 1 101101011010 101101111011010100010101010101010111101101101010111101101000011101011 0101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111 0 010111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011 0 Somewhat 1101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110 1 36% 110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101000101010101010 1 10111101101101010111101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010 1 101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110 1 MHSMARQUEE.COM DESIGN MOLLY WE B B E R 1010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010100010101010101 1

1011011110110101000101010101010101111011011010101111011010000111010101010101 01000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010I N - D E P T H 13 111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110 1101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110 How fast is the district trying to enforce the technology transition? 101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101000101010101010101 Too COMP I L E D B R O O K E W YANT 11101101101010111101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101 Slow Slow 2% 010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101 9% Too 0001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010100010101010101011 Fast 14% 01010101011110101010101010101001101101011110000011110101110101010101011011010110 10 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010 1000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010 Somewhat Fast 1011011110110101000101010101010101111011011010101111011010000111010101010101 36% Decent Speed 0100010101010101011010101010111101010101010101010011011010111100000111101040% 111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110 1101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110 *polls take n o u t of 3 0 0 s t u d e n t s 101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101000101010101010101 11101101101010111101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101 Learning should be focused on students, not technology 010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101 that students are issued. This prevents many students from being 0001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010100010101010101011 able to access their books, thus preventing them from studying. Sometimes the technological advancements cause more 01010101011110101010101010101001101101011110000011110101110101010101011011010110 problems than they prevent.. In some classes, the only quizzes students take are online. In fact, some online quizzes do not allow 10 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010 students to see the correct answer for questions they missed, 1000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010 which can keep students from learning from their mistakes. Also, teachers are told to make their classes paperless. 101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100 Consequently, much of the burden to print assignments transfers 000111010101010101010001010101010101101010101011110101010101010101001101101011110 to the students to print from home. In classes like math, doing homework and lessons online hinders students full potential. 00001111010111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110 According to studies performed by Abilene Christian University, COLUMN ViC T O R I A P R I C E Over the past few years the amount of technology in students absorb more information through the physical act 011010101111011010000111010101010101010001010101010101101010101011110101010101010 classrooms has grown immensely with new tools such as iPads of writing. Additionally, fully paperless classrooms can limit 10100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 a way that is best suited to their and Google apps. The change to a paperless classroom has been studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to learn in 10110111101101010001010 successful in some areas. However, the change is being enforced learning style. While some students do enjoy using technology to 110101010101111011011010101111011010000111010101010101010001010101010101101010101 too quickly, and the focus is changing from a student-driven study, work and present, not everyone learns that way. Some need 01111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 10110 flash cards or paper notes to study effectively. Some also prefer environment to a technology-driven environment. With all of the new technology and changes implemented to present projects via posters, skits, drawings or even songs, not 011110110101000101010101010101111011011010101111011010000111010101010101010001010 in classes, many teachers and students arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t properly trained to just via computer programs like PowerPoint. Still, as students transition into the workforce, their use the new devices. Therefore, they are still struggling to adapt. 10101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101 With so many new innovations, like Google Classroom, Google knowledge of technology will give them an edge over their peers, 1101101011010 Drive and the10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101 new Moodleweb, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s virtually impossible for so it is a valuable tool to have. However, it should not be an students and teachers to be comfortable using all of them. It can obstacle that prevents students from learning most effectively 0101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110110101111000001111 and reaching that future job. be overwhelming to have so much introduced at once. 010111010101010101101101011010 10110111101101010001010101010101011110110110101011 Ultimately, technology does have its place in the school. It Different classes use differtent sites, so it is hard for students to keep up with which class uses which technology. Also, is a valuable tool in the learning process, but it is not the only 1101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010101010101010100110 numerous classrooms this year are not getting actual textbooks option. Classrooms and teaching should be more focused on the them the opportunity to learn in the manner but a link to an online version. The links are very complex and students by giving 110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110101000101010101010 one small mistake can cause major problems. Some of the online that works best for them. Learning should be student-driven, not 10111101101101010111101101000011101010101010101000101010101010110101010101111010 books only work on desktop computers or laptops, not the iPads technology-driven. 101010101010100110110101111000001111010111010101010101101101011010 1011011110110 OCT. 3, 2014 DESIGN M O L L Y WEB B ER 1010001010101010101011110110110101011110110100001110101010101010100010101010101

14 E N T E R T A I N M E N T

A brewed

awakening STORY RA CHEL RA MIREZ

As the weather cools down and fall begins, coffee shops become popular hubs for both studying and warming up with a hot beverage. The Marquee takes a look at local havens for students seeking their caffeine fixes.

Roots Coffeehouse Located near the Highland Village Whataburger, Roots is a convenient stop for most students. This coffeehouse offers a variety of beverages for every taste. This coffeehouse is particularly good at making sweeter drinks like lattés and cappuccinos. The honey vanilla latté is a popular choice due to its sweet flavor and creamy texture. Soft lighting and friendly staff and patrons creates an excellent community environment and relaxed atmosphere. The assortment of seating choices ranges from cozy couches to more traditional tables and chairs, giving it a nice, homey feel. This coffeehouse is the best choice for a study group. It would not be suited for independent study, however, because the friendly environment is often a noisy one as well. PHOTO RACHEL RAMIREZ

This Chemex with Ethiopian Deri Kochoa from Onyx Coffee Lab is one of the specialty coffees at Roots.

Rating scale:

MHSMARQUEE.COM

America-NO

Mochay

I Like a Latté

Creamazing

Javalicious

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION WILLIA M LE GR O NE

ENTERTAINMENT

Trio Craft Coffee For someone interested in actual coffee, instead of lattés and other sweet drinks, this coffee shop on 2499 is an excellent choice. The name Trio comes from the three elements they aim to perfect and incorporate into their customers’ coffee experience: water, bean and barista. The baristas are able to offer a multitude of brewing methods and coffees to mix and match. They even provide a chart near their menu explaining which method pairs best with which coffee. The San Sebastian, for example, is a Colombian coffee that tastes best with a chemex pour over method. Trio’s staff is knowledgeable and provides excellent recommendations when trying something new, so experimenting with a new drink is a painless experience. With the exception of their Friday night music events which can get pretty loud, Trio has a serene, calming atmosphere PHOTO RACHEL and is relatively quiet. Because of this, Trio is the best choice for The Mocha is a popular latté at Trio Craft Coffee. cramming for that test tomorrow.

RAMIREZ

Jupiter Coffeehouse If a longer drive isn’t a deterrent, Jupiter Coffeehouse is the most versatile of the three shops. Located in Denton Square, Jupiter’s warm lighting and organized layout provides a great place to study. The table arragement provides enough space for the couple on a coffee date to enjoy each other’s company without disturbing the student cramming for midterms at the next table. Many tables also have conveniently placed outlets nearby to charge devices when necessary. This coffeehouse has a much more urban atmosphere with its interior brick wall and bulletin board plastered with advertisements. The baristas are well educated in concocting and recommending various coffee beverages like their Breve, a latté-like drink using half and half instead of milk, creating a less sweet taste than a traditional latté. If coffee isn’t appealing at the moment, Jupiter is the best place to find an alternative. They have a variety of options including delicious milkshakes and smoothies. Jupiter also provides an assortment of baked goods like cookies and bagels to pair with your beverage.

PHOTO RACHEL RAMIREZ

The Breve at Jupiter Coffeehouse is similar to a latté but uses halfand-half instead of milk.

DESIGN T AR YN W ELC H

OCT. 3, 2014

16 E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Dressed for success Discover how to look stylish, stay in dress code COMPILED ALEX H ELM

With the end of summer comes the end of shorts and tank tops, right? Not necessarily. The Marquee found flexible and fashionable ways to transition your summer clothes to fall - and still be in dress code.

Boys: Though the guys may not have as many issues with the dress code, some may still miss wearing those white summer tank tops and muscle shirts. An easy way to fix that problem is to wear a denim or flannel shirt on top of the tank. Leave the shirt unbuttoned and roll the long sleeves up to the elbows during the hotter months. Once the cold hits, make the most of the double layers and button up. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a win-win.

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A BBY SC HL ICTE R

ENTERTAINMENT

Girls: Don’t hang summer dresses and skirts in the backs of closets, ladies. Bring them to the front, along with a few extra clothing items to help make them appropriate for school. Short dresses and skirts that don’t reach mid-thigh are still wearable.

Just slip on a pair of leggings and boots to transform them from too short to too cool for school. Add a fun scarf and a denim or leather jacket for the colder days. Switch it up by mixing solid-colored dresses with patterned leggings for extra style, or vice versa. Now girls are no longer limited to jeans and sweatpants as the fall months hit.

More of a crop top kind of girl? Not to worry. The days of showing some midriff at music festivals may be over, but the staple of the summer isn’t banned during fall. Simply buy some high waisted jeans that reach the end of the shirt’s fabric. Rock the crop without worrying about extra skin showing through. Still too short? Wear a tank under the crop top and tuck it into the jeans. Make the ensemble more classy by looping on some long necklaces or wearing long earrings. Roll up the ends of the jeans and let some ankle show to even out the proportions of the short shirt and the high waist. It’s the best of both worlds.

DESIGN

AB B Y S CH LI CT ER

OCT. 3 , 2 0 1 4

18 S P O R T S

Defending tradition

Senior takes over, to keep Gameday Girlies alive STORY

D ARC I WALT O N

Members of the varsity football team fill the commons wearing their black sweater vests and khaki pants. Many of them are holding a red and black decorated bucket filled to the brim with chips, candy and other little knick-knacks. It’s the first game day of the school year, a typical Friday during football season. But this particular Friday is special for senior Dana Schultz. She has waited for this day for four years. Schultz started dating her boyfriend, senior Hunter Warner, in November of 2010 and has been looking forward to being his Gameday Girlie during her senior year ever since. Being Warner’s Gameday Girlie would mean that every Friday she would sport a t-shirt with his last name on the back and bring him a basket full of goodies and notes to wish him good luck for the upcoming game. “I really enjoyed making his bucket and decorating it with pictures of my boyfriend and [I],” Schultz said. “I like seeing him happy and giving him encouraging notes on game days.” However, she shouldn’t have gotten this memorable chance at all. After being a part of the school’s culture for over 20 years, Gameday Girlies was canceled this year. Math teacher and student council sponsor Gina Karbs announced the news at a student council meeting this past summer. The program, originally called Pigskin Pretties, was shut down by administration because of the existing process used to choose which girl would support which player. In past years, players would be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis by the senior girls. Potential Gameday Girlies would sign up for the specific athlete they wanted to support in Karbs’ classroom before school. However, as the years went on, girls started showing up earlier and earlier to ensure they got the MHSMARQUEE.COM

photo Averi Collen

PHOTO A V ER I COL L EN

Seniors Dana Schultz and Hunter Warner exchange the Gameday Girlies bucket. This is Warner’s second year on varsity and he appreciates all of the support.

player they wanted. “It just became so competitive and girls were lined outside my door at 6:30 in the morning,” Karbs said. “It was full of pettiness, not supporting our football team.” Upon hearing the disappointing news, Schultz began to think of ways to keep the tradition going. If Gameday Girlies were to continue, Schultz knew she would have to take matters into her own hands. She also knew that some things would have to change. One of those changes was reversing the player-picking process. Instead of the traditional manner of choosing, the football players would now be responsible DESIGN

for requesting their own Gameday Girlie. “Instead of girls lining up to reserve their players, I asked the football players to text me with who they wanted to be their Gameday Girlie,” Schultz said. “It cut down on the chaos.” Since the athletes chose their own Gameday Girlies this year, the girls who could be involved expanded. Some underclassmen are now Gameday Girlies, contrary to the prior tradition of only senior girls participating. Still, some rules of the former program have carried over into the new student-run organization. “I can’t really stop a junior from getting their boyfriend a bucket,” Schultz

JA IME HA RDISON A ND A NNA K A TE HUTTO N

SPORTS

said. “But the shirts are still just for the players about [Gameday Girlies],” Schultz senior girls.” said. “I tweeted about it too and the [stuSince the program dent council] girls was no longer going to helped spread the be run through Karbs word. It was a I really enjoyed and the student councombination of cil, Schultz enlisted multiple means of making his bucket and help from the football decorating it with pictures communication program. The football of my boyfriend and [me]. I and I think it was booster club helped to pretty effective.” like seeing him happy place t-shirt orders for T h e and giving him the senior girls who program reboundwould be Gameday Girled once the stuencouraging notes ies, while Schultz dedent body heard on game days, signed the shirts and kept that Schultz’s was DANA SCHULTZ, SENIOR taking it upon up with the finances of the program. Along with herself to continthe booster club, Schultz ue the tradition. received help from the football coaches. Karbs said she was pleased with Schultz’s “I had the coaches text all of the initiative to keep it going at the school.

“I’m very happy [Schultz] took it back over,” Karbs said. “I think it’s a great way for the girls to be a part of the football season and to share in the excitement and have school spirit. It builds a relationship between the football players and the student body.” The Friday night lights are now shut off. The stadium is empty. The players have taken off their uniforms. Whether it was a win or loss, the football team still had the full support from the student section. Each bucket that had been full of goodies early in the day is now empty and back in the possession of each Gameday Girlie. Schultz once again has Warner’s bucket, ready to fill for the next Friday with even more snacks and even more support for the boys of fall.

What’s the best thing you’ve received in your bucket? “Sour Patch Watermelons. They are by far my favorite candy.” Kaden Smith, 11

“Chick-Fil-A breakfast chicken minis.” Landon Plunkett, 11

DESIGN

J AI M E H AR D I S O N AN D AN N A KAT E HUTTON

“A Nerf gun so I could shoot people all day at school.” Andrew Parish, 11

Oct 3, 2014

20 S P O R T S

Sideline support Student trainers aid injured athletes STORY J AC O B FO N T AI N E

Ambulance lights flashed. The nearly full stadium fell silent. All eyes were glued to sophomore safety Daniel Young lying motionless on the ground. The expressions the players exchanged wordlessly conveyed how bad this one was. No one moved except for Young’s father fighting through the stands, rushing to his son’s side. Five minutes passed and still no movement from Young. Since an ambulance is not kept on site for JV football games, it was the trainers’ responsibility to give him care. Though the tension was high, junior Mary Ryan and sophomore Kendra Hess knew exactly what they had to do. “In the moment you have so much adrenaline and it’s scary,” Ryan said. “But you have to focus on the player and ensure he’ll be okay.” Ryan has been involved in the sports medicine program since the beginning of her sophomore year. Every morning she arrives earlier than the players with the other trainers to prepare for morning practices. Many of the trainers also attend after school practices that last until 7 p.m. In addition, the trainers attend all Thursday and Friday football games. It’s common for them to get home as late as More than

775,000

children and adolescents ages 14 and younger are treated in hospital emergency rooms for sports-related injuries each year.

MHSMARQUEE.COM

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Junior Mary Ryan aids in preparing sophomore Daniel Young to be taken off on a stretcher. This is Ryan’s second year as a trainer.

midnight on game days. “[Sports medicine] is our first priority, before jobs and everything,” Ryan said. “I quit my job for this.”’ Regardless of the time commitment, the girls see the value of the hours they contribute to the players and some plan on using the knowledge they’ve acquired as trainers later on in college. “I plan on getting a dual degree in both physical therapy and athletic training in college,” Hess said. “The hours pay off not in dollars, but in experience.” The girls’ knowledge was put to the test when Young fell on his neck during the game versus Hebron and was left on the ground unable to move. “Everyone was scared,” Hess said. “I knew what my job was and even though I was worried, I couldn’t show that to him. Remembering what we had learned, we prepared him for the stretcher.” The trainers lifted his neck, assuring

him that he would be okay. The players all remained on a knee, silently praying from the sideline. “People were distressed everywhere when they realized he couldn’t move,” Ryan said. “But as trainers we had to continue our jobs no matter the situation, as we had been taught.” When the paramedics arrived, the trainers helped lift Young onto the stretcher and watched as he was escorted away. Young suffered from a cervical sprain in his spine that night but is expected to return to play this week. He said he was grateful for the trainers’ quick response. “I’m glad they were around,” Young said. “I’m thankful that they kept me safe.” Though this moment was serious, Ryan said she is glad her experience and practice was put to use. “You always see these things on TV but it’s much different in real life,” Ryan said. “I’m thankful I could help.”

Sports and recreational activities contribute to approximately of all traumatic brain injuries among American children and adolescents.

Approximately

21%

3.5 million

children and adolescents ages 14 and younger get hurt annually playing sports or participating in recreational activities.

DESIGN/GRAPHICS A N N A KA T E HUTTON

EDITORIAL

Students should be less apathetic, aware of news STAFF EDITORIAL

The beheadings of Americans by ISIS shocked and scared everyone who saw and heard about them. However, many students are unaware of major news events like this because they’re too fascinated with trivial things like the newest latte at Starbucks. Although students may not think national and global news are vital now, being oblivious means that students leave high school totally unprepared to be a productive member of democratic society. Consequently, students need to regularly seek out news in the world around them. As high school students reach their senior years, most are excited for the opportunity to vote. This allows them the chance to cause change on a controversial subject within society, like abortion and gay marriage. However, not being educated on these current events in their areas will lead to a lack of knowledge over the most pressing issues. These ignorant and ineffective voters are fulfilling their responsibilities as citizens in a democratic system. However, some students feel that the matters are unimportant since they don’t have to deal with them daily. The teenagers living in the area have this problem, since Flower Mound and Highland Village are so safe and sheltered from the rest of the world. This can be an issue for students when there are new laws, like House Bill 5, that directly affect them. This new law decreases the number of state end-of-course exams that were once required for graduation. House Bill 5 therefore affects graduation requirements, which should be important to every high school student. Yet, many students don’t even know it exists. Students must remember that we are global citizens. Everything that happens can affect us directly or indirectly. Even if a catastophe doesn’t affect the community now, it can have repercussions or an aftermath that does later. For

example, the Ebola virus is an ongoing terror in Africa. The world has seen the damage it can do and unless people start caring about the future spread of it, then the devastation will not stop. Even if students still believe they are safe in the Flower Mound area, most students won’t live here forever. Some move out of state to go to college, get transferred for their parents’ jobs or leave town to live near their relatives. It’s important for people to know about the world around them now instead of waiting until a disaster occurs. Some people’s rationale for ignorance is the fear that they won’t be able to do anything to help. If a student can’t make a difference, there is simply no need to pay attention to it. However, anyone can make an impact. One example would be Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who was shot in the face by the Taliban for promoting education for girls. She survived and has spoken at the United Nations for universal education and girls’ rights and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. If a student is not informed about any current events, there are endless opportunities to research and become informed on websites like Google news. With a click people can download apps and catch up on what is happening in the world which means that someone is lazy if they are not bothering to concentrate on breaking news stories. Watching the news and paying attention in history class are vital. It would be naive and irresponsible of students to not pay attention to crucial news in today’s everchanging society. We’re the ones in charge during the next generation, so we need to understand the world we’re in before we are out living independently in it.

The Flower Mound Bubble

DESIGN/GRAPHICS

V IC TO RIA PRIC E

OCT. 3, 2014

2 2OPINION

Th i n k i ng o u t s id e t he d i a m ond Austin Ri ckerson

@ a us t in _ R 2 8

The floodlights around the baseball diamond were blinding against the otherwise black night. My heart pounded through my chest as I stood ready in right field, the last play of freshman baseball tryouts imminent. I opened and closed my glove in anticipation of a ball hit my way. Only 18 of the over 70 players trying out would make it, but I was determined to be one of them. Over a decade of year-round baseball had led up to this moment. The first play of my high school chapter or the last play of my baseball career. One more chance to make a good impression before the final cuts. The runner at second shifted back

Un e x p e c te d j oy Darc i Walton

@ d a rc iwa l to n _

I looked up at the village to see four stray dogs in the street, running past broken down cars. As I leaned against the shovel I was using to rip up the poorly constructed roof my group had been working on for the last few hours, I lifted my gaze in complete awe of the Rio Grande. It ran as far as the eye could see, shimmering with the Texas heat. All 124 degrees of it. All of the aching in my MHSM AR Q UE E . C O M

and forth, wanting to score on a base hit. Any error I made at this point in the freshman baseball tryouts could cost me a spot on the team. As the pitch was thrown, I focused on home plate. The baseball shot off the bat. Right towards me. I let it take one bounce before scooping it into my glove. Quickly, I transferred the ball into my left hand and hurled it towards home plate. If the runner was tagged out, I would leave an amazing last impression on the coaches. In a matter of milliseconds, both the runner and ball reached home. The catcher caught the ball and tagged the runner. OUT. As tryouts ended that night, I felt confident about making the team. I already had it planned out. I would be a star pitcher on the baseball team throughout high school. It made perfect sense. Yet, when the final roster was posted later that night, my name had been left off. My heart sank. Over 10 years of baseball culminated into not even making the freshman squad. Hours of practicing, years traveling the country for tournaments, a lifetime of dedication to the game left me on the outside looking in. I wasn’t good enough. Immediately I wondered how I would fit into the high school crowd. After all

the time spent on the baseball field, I was blindsided. I felt I was better than a handful of kids that made the team. Someone had made a grave mistake, but no one seemed interested in fixing it. The next year, however, I joined newspaper after taking Creative Writing and catching the attention of my teacher. I came into newspaper not knowing what to expect. However, I adapted quickly with some guidance from my teacher and fellow staffers, ultimately winning both regional and national awards during my first year. My junior year I became the sports editor and now, as a senior, I am the Editor in Chief of the publication. It turned out to be a pencil in my hand instead of a two-seam fastball, but as a writer I felt more powerful and more at home than I ever had on the baseball diamond. Despite my failed aspirations to be a baseball prodigy, I found my niche in something else- writing. I realized while some doors slam in our face and leave us disappointed, others always open. God’s will has a funny way of working itself out. Now that I have risen to the highest leadership position, developed my writing skills and made long-lasting friends on staff, I find myself wishing God would slam a few more doors in my face.

muscles and exhaustion from the blistering sun rays escaped me and replaced itself with an overwhelming joy, a joy I had never known until Mission Laredo. Seven days before, I sat on a freezing charter bus embarking on my first mission trip with little expectations and a lot of t-shirts.What a difference a week can make. I give all the credit to the transformation in my heart and in my perspective to the people of El Cenizo, the tiny border town we helped that week. They showed me the true meaning of loving others and not taking pride in earthly possessions. In a town dictated by slumlords who have the power to evict anyone at any moment, every day is unpredictable but enjoyed to the fullest. I was the only one in my group who spoke any Spanish so I naturally became the translator. I am now so thankful for struggling and pushing through AP Spanish IV. Just because they didn’t have the luxury items we do in Flower Mound

doesn’t mean they didn’t have a story to tell. A simple “hola” to one man led me into a bakery overflowing with raspberryfilled churros and the most wonderful scents. Picking up the phone and calling the local repair service isn’t an option for the people of El Cenizo, like it is here. They don’t have the extra money lying around. For the first time, I felt like I was actually making a difference that would leave a lasting and positive impact on the families we helped. Sure, I volunteer here in Flower Mound but there’s just something in El Cenizo that feels more real. I unscrewed the cap of my blue and sticker-covered Nalgene water bottle sipping the no-longer-cold Gatorade, unable to look away from the river. I didn’t see a poverty-stricken border city up on the roof that day; I saw my paradise. El Cenizo, a tiny town right on the Rio Grande, has stolen my heart, and I now anxiously await my return in 286 days.

OPINION

Te mp o ra r y p os s ib ilit ie s M ol l y Webb er

@ mo l l ygra c e 9 2 4

I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t ask for the late nights at the hospital, or the long days between medical tests. I didn’t ask for an incurable obstacle to crawl into my life and spread its roots of depression in my family. I didn’t ask for my dad to have brain cancer. The only thing that consistently runs through my mind is that everything is temporary; everything has an end. But it didn’t occur to me until my dad was in a stretcher being taken to surgery that the thing that could end includes the lives of people you love. I have screamed at God. I have yelled at

Le a r n i ng h ow to le a r n Vic tori a P ri ce

@vic tor ia a p r ic e e

Being told I was smart was probably one of the worst things that has ever happened to my self confidence. I’ve lived my entire life using and abusing my intelligence like it was nothing. Getting A’s was completely natural for me. They were easy. I was a LEAP kid, so people told me that I was different than other kids. They told me that I was smarter and more advanced. I was a member of NJHS. Our shirts even said “I’m smart and I know

people. I have skipped multiple potential high points of my senior year because I would rather sit in my room and feel sorry for myself. I have stayed up late worrying, and came to school crying. I have wondered why cancer chose my dad. And now, after school when I come into his room and tell him about my day, I have to take my shoes off before I walk in, so that he won’t get sick with anything I track in with me. I receive hugs and sympathetic smiles, and welcome people who make me meals and bring me flowers. I hear the unnerving words from everyone at work and school. “I’m sorry about your dad.” And as much as I appreciate the sympathy, I don’t want something that brings tears to people’s eyes when I tell them what my life is. I just want a guarantee that everything is going to be okay, but I need to accept that that is just as impossible as finding a cure to cancer. God only knows how everything is going to turn out, and God only knows why. When I realize the fact that I am crying on my dad’s shoulder, while eating

someone else’s home cooked meal, and trying to not hit his medical port, I realize that I don’t want to be going through what we are. I don’t want cancer in my life. And even so, my perfect family has a good way of making light of a situation. We bring a board game up to the hospital when my dad has to endure chemotherapy. We still laugh together, even in a hospital room. In all honesty, it isn’t the survival rate we are concerned about. We know that no matter the outcome of the situation, there will be healing. But we also know that going through something like cancer within the family is undeniably life-changing. We know that the journey is going to be hard, and can rely only on faith and the love from others to get us through it. So everytime I scream, or cry, or feel like giving up, I know that there isn’t a reason to. Everything is temporary. Everything can be taken away in a moment. And I need to remember that this also includes the pain from the struggles life brings you. Everyone is carrying something heavy. But somehow, we all find a way to live. It is possible.

it.” Then freshman year came along and all the sudden LEAP didn’t exist, and I was thrown into the lions’ den of Pre-AP classes. Which, by the way, are 100 percent not the same as LEAP classes. I had absolutely no idea how to write a real essay or make a project that had strict guidelines and didn’t allow for glitter. Pre-AP teachers didn’t understand that I love to read but hate being forced to do it. My grades dropped slowly. Freshman year was also the first year I ever failed a test. I assumed I could just wing that map test like I had done for the past 14 years of my life. When I saw that red, mocking 62 at the top of my page, my eyes immediately filled with tears. How could this have happened? But alas, it was no mistake, I really was horrible at geography. As soon as I didn’t make the highest test scores in my class, I completely broke. I cried almost every night when I tried to study. I had no idea what I was doing. Kids in my classes were making almost

perfect scores on their PSATs. I wasn’t. I could see my life tumbling downhill like a snowball. The first 62 was obviously just the beginning of my downward spiral. There was no way I’d ever become successful. My class rank will ruin my chances of ever getting into college. I’d have to live on the streets and beg for a dollar just to get some McDonalds. According to everyone else the solution was obvious. Study. But honestly I had no idea how. I’d never had to study before. But I had no choice. And I still get down on myself for not acing every test I take. Sometimes I still have panic attacks over the fact that my grades directly affect anything I want to do in the future. And I’m positive that some of those kids who donned the “I’m smart and I know it” shirts are going through the same thing I am. But I’m slowly learning to accept that I’m still the same smart kid I was before, and hopefully those kids are too. We’re just going to have to try a little harder. OCT. 3 , 2 0 1 4

24 GAMES

Which fall drink are you? COMPILED RA CHEL RA MIREZ

Fall is here, and with the cooler temperatures and Halloween decor comes the seasonal drinks found at local and corporate coffeehouses. The question is, which of these promotional drinks is your soulmate beverage? Add up the points to figure out which drink most resembles your personality. 1. Netflix Time! What is your go-to binge show? a. Gossip Girl (2 pts) b. Breaking Bad (4 pts) c. The Office (6 pts) 2. If you were a super-hero played by an actor named Chris, who would you be? a. Thor (Chris Hemsworth)- Hammer is bae. (2 pts) b. Star Lord (Chris Pratt)- 80’s Jams are bae. (4 pts) c. Capt. America (Chris Evans)- Shield is bae. (6 pts) 3. What is your favorite basic brand? a. Vineyard Vines- Whales, man. (2 pts) b. Southern Co.- Leggings and mid-thigh shirts. (4 pts) c. Kendra Scott- Homecoming proposals. Because that makes sense. (6 pts)

4. What is your favorite Ron Swanson, the character from Parks and Recreation, quote? a. “Crying: acceptable at funerals and the Grand Canyon.” (2 pts) b. “Fishing relaxes me. It’s like yoga, except I still get to kill something.” (4 pts) c. “There’s only one thing I hate more than lying: skim milk, which is water that’s lying about being milk.” (6 pts) 5. What is the best Jolly Rancher flavor? a. Cherry (2 pts) b. Grape (4 pts) c. Blue Raspberry (6 pts)

Now add up your points below: (1-10 points) No Coffee, No ProblemYour personality is most like the seasonal coffee-free drink, like chai lattes and apple ciders, that accompany the arrival of autumn. You’re really sweet and can get along with anyone. It’s a goal of yours to try and make everyone happy if you can.

(10-20 points) Promotional Pumpkin SpiceYour personality is closest to the pumpkin spice drink that frequents coffee shops everywhere when the temperatures drop. You are always in the know about pop culture. You have a unique personality, and many people like that about you.

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(20-30 points) Fall BlendYou resemble the actual coffee blends that show up around autumn time. You are bold and daring, unashamed to be who you are. You don’t see the need to fix something if it’s not broken. Your interests may be a little more classic than others, but you simply enjoy things without the unnecessary fluff that can accompany newer styles.

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WE CATER TOO! OCT. 3, 2014