The Marquee Volume 33 Issue 5

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the MARQUEE

VOL. 33. ISSUE 5. MARCH 20, 2019

Visible bruises, Invisible pain 3

Technological changes explained by district official

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Family and senior grieve over loss of their freshman son

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A step-bystep guide to a memorable prom

Edward S. Marcus High School • 5707 Morriss Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028

The Marquee Staff EDITOR IN CHIEF Chloe White MANAGING EDITOR Jolie Mullings COPY EDITOR Kendall Cooper DESIGN EDITOR Aeralyn Stinson PHOTO EDITOR Emily Lundell DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR/ OPINION EDITOR Skyler Middleton Seniors Kate Bauder and Chloe Agis help students sign up for the annual blood drive sponsored by Carter Bloodcare on March 19. MEDs club members assist with the drive to gain experience. Photo Maya Hernandez

CONTENTS

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NEWS PROPOSED PAY RAISE Flower Mound state senator’s bill for teacher raises passes unamiously

FEATURE LIFE ALTERING ACCIDENT Junior recalls injury from past summer

SPORTS HOMERUN HOMIES Senior varsity baseball team supports player’s sister with Down syndrome

ENTERTAINMENT BEST BOOKS Literary recommendations for all types of readers

COVER Emily Lundell

NEWS EDITOR Samantha Thornfelt FEATURE EDITOR Nikhila Bulusu SPORTS EDITOR Ava Bush ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Alex Anderson ONLINE EDITOR Madi Olivier REPORTERS Shayla Sistrunk, Reya Mosby, Michael Minton DESIGNERS Khailyn Agis, Emily Seiler PHOTOGRAPHERS Tara Connick, Maya Hernandez ADVISER LaJuana Hale PRINCIPAL Will Skelton The Marquee newsmagazine is a student-generated publication of Marcus High School. It is produced, edited and maintained through the efforts of the school’s advanced journalism class. The Marquee is designed to serve the school and community as a forum for open discussion and student expression. The Marquee encourages letters to the editor as part of its mission to educate, inform and provide an open forum for debate. All submissions must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit all material. Editorials reflect the opinion of the staff, not necessarily that of the administration. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author. Advertising rates are $70 per 1/8 of a page, with discounts available. Patron ads are available for $100. Online advertisements are also available. For more information call 469-713-5196. The Marquee is a standing member of ILPC, TAJE, ATPI, CSPA, NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll.

LISD implements technology changes story alex anderson

YouTube in the classroom

LISD implemented a new system for teachers to access videos on YouTube that have been blocked on restricted mode on March 4. Currently, the only videos available on LISD WiFi are videos that have been tagged as educational by the user who uploaded the video.

The new process will allow teachers to immediately approve YouTube videos themselves.

Teachers can make videos accessible for students across the district to view on personal and school devices, without waiting for district review.

“I think that’s exciting,” Instructional Technology Facilitator Dana Henderson said. “The video content is huge in terms of what I hear [people] wish would be different, so I think that’s a good thing that’s coming.”

Videos have to meet certain district guidelines such as abiding by copyright laws and meeting the curriculum. The teacher approved videos will be periodically reviewed by the district to en- sure they meet the guidelines.

Teachers often use YouTube to show educational videos and lectures, and many have struggled accessing those videos in the past year.

“It’s been pretty challenging I think for teachers and students to be able to utilize YouTube as a resource,” Henderson said.

“So many things that are out there are not appropriate.”

AP Environmental Science teacher Adam Hovde has struggled in the past with students not being able to access his own lectures that are posted to YouTube on the school WiFi. “It was my stuff that I created [that] got blacklisted,” Hovde said. “So it took me a while to get my stuff re-added on.”

because if you’re ever trying to work from a personal device.”

As students became more confused with campus technology, they began to go to librarian and webmaster Nancy McGinnis for help connecting to WiFi and accessing YouTube. On average, the librarians have two students a day come in with questions.

“I just didn’t know that [the librarians] were a resource As students attempt to connect that I could utilize,” Clark said. “I didn’t even think their personal devices to LISD WiFi, about it because the Wifi has a pop up appears that asks them always been so bad. I figto download a certificate onto ured it was just a concern their device. This certificate allows that everyone dealt with it.”

Students cannot access the WiFi network to connect to websites like Google search the personal device, so students on their personal devices, must choose “trust” when the even on the LISD WiFi. pop up appears.

“They do have to make sure kids are safe online,” McGinnis said. “They’re really doing what they feel is best.”

Henderson, said that websites are blocked to prevent potential misuse of the site to protect the students, and that LISD guest and personal devices personal devices are harder to restrict so LISD restricted the use of the guest websites like Google are blocked all-toWiFi for students and teachers in the fall gether. of 2018. The LISD WiFi is now the main “There’s not a way to allow certain WiFi for students and teachers. However, things on a personal device,” Henderson LISD WiFi restricts student access to cer- said. “It’s the disadvantage to having your tain websites when using personal devic- own device versus the school device.” es, causing confusion among students.

“It feels like the WiFi is only efficient maybe 50 percent of the time,” junior Annie Beth Clark said. “It’s especially hard

Three-step review process used by Digital Learning Step 1: Digital Learning first looks at the terms of service of that program to see if the student body meets the age requirements of the app or site. If an app raises their age requirements, it will be restricted from use on student devices.

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Step 2: After the review process, Digital Learning checks to see if the app or website could be abused by students. One of the major causes of concern is whether apps could perpetuate harmful acts like bullying. This filters out many apps. march 20, 2019

Step 3: The final step decides whether or not apps and websites are educational. According to Instructional Technology Facilitator Dana Henderson, this step is vital to ensuring that the content that students use matches with LISD’s educational goals. It also ensures that students aren’t abusing their school devices.

News

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Teacher salary increase proposed

by Flower Mound state senator staff members other than teachers. The bill includes $1.7 billion in property tax cuts, which would equal about $350 per A bill to increase Texas teacher and home in LISD. Their bill would increase librarians’ pay by $5,000 for two years, funding for all-day pre-K funding for ecoproposed by Flower Mound State Senator nomically disadvantaged students, special Jane Nelson, has passed unanimously in education students and English language the Senate. learners.

“I think it’s very The Texas Legnecessary and it should islature operates have happened a long similar to Congress time ago,” sophomore In order to attract and keep the — it’s composed of Abira Kaur said. “I kind of people you would like to a House and Senate. think teachers are very After both pass bills underpaid because educate students, you should on education, they they do a lot of work value that position more. work out the differfor their students and ences between the they really deserve it.” bills, then send it to After several years Gov. Abbott’s desk, of education cuts, law- carey petkoff, government where he can sign it makers are saying eduteacher into law. There is an cation is a priority for identical bill filed in this legislative session. the House. Lt. Gov. Three major education Patrick said in a bills, all numbered includes $3.7 billion for a $5,000 teacher statement he will be moving the bill to the hightly, have been given priority in the pay raise. floor at the earliest date possible. session. Republicans Gov. Greg Abbott Meanwhile, House Democrats have inIn every state but one, public school and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have both retroduced an education bill that includes teacher salaries fell below the average pay cently advocated for education reform — $14.5 billion.

Abbott declared teacher pay an emergenSimilar to Nelcy item in his “State of the State” address son’s bill, their in January. bill includes “In order to attract and keep the kind $3.78 billion of people you would like to educate stufor pay increasdents, you should value that position es and benefits more,” Government teacher Carey Petkoff for teachers said. “We value police officers, firefighters, and support but whenever you talk about teaching, it staff. Howevusually with some kind of denigrating er, it does not tone, and part of that has to with how little specify a fixed we get paid, which in our society equivosalary increase, cates itself to respect.” and it includes Senate Bill 1, the budget bill which story chloe white

must be passed by July, includes $3.7 billion for teacher pay, $2.4 billion to fund public education enrollment growth, and $2.3 billion to reduce reliance on the “Robin Hood” recapture system. A separate bill filed by Nelson — Senate Bill 3 —

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Texas State Senator for Flower Mound, Jane Nelson, spoke at the GOP meet and greet at Marty B’s in Bartonville on Oct. 9 last year.

Nelson is a former teacher and has been serving in the Texas legislature as state senator since 1993.

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for that state, when compared to the early 90s, where teacher pay was above average in 26 states. Since 2008, Texas has made the second deepest cuts on education, only behind Oklahoma.

Increases in pay have either been slowed or cut in many states. In 2011, public education funding in Texas was cut by $4 billion, causing many districts to cut staff and other programs.

“The legislature needs to replace that funding, so that school districts can serve the needs of the students in a way that you guys deserve, by paying for things Texas can absolutely pay for given the size of our rainy day fund,” Petkoff said.

Texas, compared to every other state, has the largest economic stabilization fund or “rainy day fund.” Currently it is close to $9.7 billion.

This legislation is affecting future teachers, such as senior Jordyn Carlson.

Carlson is a member of TAFE — the Texas Association of Future Educators — and said his sister, who’s now a teacher, did TAFE in high school, which inspired him to look into the program. For the past two years he’s looked into pursuing some form of teaching. Carlson said education funding should be dependent on each school and their unique circumstances, but he’s glad the bill is giving teachers the recognition they deserve.

“It really depends on the school itself, how much extra effort the teacher is having to put in or if there’s a large popula-

tion of special education kids, where you have to put extra time to make sure that they’re getting the material,” Carlson said. “I think those teachers might deserve a little more because it is a lot harder.”

Education and teacher pay has reached national attention due to strikes from teachers across the nation. Recently, teachers in Denver went on strike to raise their base pay, which is currently $43,255.

In Texas, teachers who go on strike risk losing their jobs, pension and teaching certificates.

Petkoff advises students who want to be involved in state politics to follow @txlegebills on Twitter, which automatically tweets information every time a new bill is filed.

“The text is really manageable it’s not outside the scope of understanding of a high school student,” Petkoff said.

“If you see something that you like or don’t like, respond to the people in office, let them know what you think.”

Since 2008, Texas cut funding by 16 percent per student.

$

In 2011, public education funding in Texas was cut by How to contact Marcus High School’s state representatives:

Sen. Jane Nelson can be contacted at jane.nelson@ senate.texas.gov, or call 512-463-0112 to contact her capitol office, or call 817-424-3446 to contact her district office in Grapevine.

$14 billion.

Rep. Tan Parker can be contacted at tan.parker@house. texas.gov, or call 512-463-0688 to contact his capitol office, or call 972-724-8477 to contact his district office in Flower Mound.

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MARCH 20, 2019

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Junior recovers after serious jet ski accident story samantha thornfelt Cool water splashed Marissa’s face as she jet skied with her coworkers Camille Hero and Dillon Baker. Already being out on the lake for a few hours, Marissa rode on the back of the jet ski behind Hero while Baker drove to the other side of the lake. Marissa’s loose grip on Hero, the strong winds and forceful movements of the water jets suddenly threw her into the water behind her.

The second she fell, Marissa knew something was off. An overwhelming weight pressed down on her abdomen.

She told herself to stop overreacting, but the pain was hard to ignore.

Once they got back to shore, Baker pointed out the large amount of blood dripping from the bottom of Marissa’s suit. Hero and Baker claimed that the pressure of the water jets had started her period, but Marissa was in too much pain to listen.

Junior Marissa Munster cuddles up with her trauma floor’s therapy dog, Boots. She said that the hospitals she stayed at had several programs, such as therapy animals, for all the patients to help them get through tiring procedures. Photo submitted

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“It felt like a huge stone was inside of me and wouldn’t move,” Marissa said.

“My brain was going a thousand miles an hour. I didn’t know what to do or what was going on.”

Marissa rinsed herself off in a shallow area of the lake and went to her car. Agony taking over her body, she told Hero to drive her to the restaurant where they worked. Once they arrived, Hero led Marissa to the bathrooms and handed her a bottle of ibuprofen and a sanitary pad. Lightheaded and confused, Marissa frantically opened the bottle and threw her bloody swimsuit in the sink. She poured three pills into her hand. All that she could focus on was finding a way to stop the constant, heavy pain.

“I was in so much pain that I had no idea if anything was going to help,” Marissa said. “I had this feeling that I was going to pass out and die.”

Closing the door, Marissa knew her condition was worse than she thought. She was getting dizzy and the pain increased.

She needed to go to the hospital.

After calling her mom, Michelle Munster, Marissa got in her coworker’s car. Speeding through stop signs and red lights, Marissa winced in pain. After meeting her mother and being transferred to another hospital, Marissa was told that she needed to be moved to a trauma center.

Marissa was then quickly loaded into an ambulance. When she arrived for surgery, she noticed medical professionals, their arms covered in yellow antiseptic.

“Don’t worry,” she heard a nurse say.

“We’re going to take really good care of you.”

Then everything when dark.

••• Marissa opened her eyes to the harsh, bright lights of her hospital room.

Through blurred vision, she spotted her mother.

Tears streamed down Michelle’s face.

Watching her daughter struggle to breathe on the ventilator, she began to understand how serious Marissa’s condition was. mhsmarquee.com

“It was sobering,” Michelle said. “I kept telling her ‘you’re alive and there’s a purpose in this.’ I knew that we needed to trust God and that we would be there for her and get through it together.”

The doctors told them the water jets forced lake water inside her abdomen, puncturing her rectum. The doctors performed an emergency surgery to remove the contaminated water and inspect her intestines for additional injuries. Afterwards, Marissa had difficulty breathing and needed to be put on a ventilator for 24 hours. She

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My brain was going a thousand miles an hour. I didn’t know what to do or what was going on.

- Marissa Munster, 11

was anemic, had to recieve a spinal tap and was given a colostomy bag, which she would wear for several months. She also needed several months of physical therapy to help her walk again and get her strength back.

“It took a while for what had happened to me to finally sink in,” Marissa said. “In between calling my nurses for pain meds and asking my doctors questions, I didn’t have time to think about it. I was only focused on getting through to the next day.”

Despite the difficulties she faced, Marissa was determined to recover as fast as possible. Several weeks later when given the task of walking by herself for the first time down a hospital hallway, she Design aeralyn stinson

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sleep in her own bed. However, the extensive amount of school work from the two months she had missed proved to be more strenuous than she had thought. Even though she was happy be home, not being able to see her friends was upsetting.

During these times, Marissa In my mind, I could have died. would focus on one main point Every day I wake up is another of motivation bonus day I’ve been given.

— theatre. Her only objectives Marissa Munster, 11 were recovering and applying for Stage Manager “In my mind, I could have died. So in the annual musical. She every day I wake up is another bonus day had worked towards this since I’ve been given,” Marissa said. “I wasn’t joining theatre and was not Junior Marissa Munster says her beads physically show all going to waste any of those days on giving going to let a few setbacks, she has been through since last July. The strand contains such as feeling insecure about 108 beads and charms she collected throughout her 46 up or feeling sorry for myself.”

Throughout her recovery process, one her colostomy and scars, days in the hospital. Photo Maya Hernandez of Marissa’s biggest support systems were prevent her from achieving her her car’s front mirror dangles a strand of her friends, as they reminded her how goal of returning to school by over 100 colorful glass beads, so long that much others cared for her. During her October. visits, junior Swetha Akkineni remembers “I kept telling myself that no matter it has to be wrapped around twice. These telling her friend how courageous she was, how hard it would get, I could make it beads, varying in shape and size, are a but Marissa quickly brushed it off. Swetha through for my friends and theatre,” part of the Children’s Medical Hospital’s program Beads of Courage. For every felt that Marissa never processed how Marissa said. strong she had been, as she never wanted Two months later she was chosen as surgery, transfer or visit, Marissa received to focus on what happened because it Stage Manager for the full production of a bead to represent each step she has “The Sound of Music.” taken towards recovery. She said having made her feel weak.

There is no instance in which anyone “It was incredible,” Michelle said. the strand of charms helps her remember would think she was weak,” Swetha said. “Having seen Marissa have the ability to to not take anything for granted.

“Seeing it not change who she was as work so hard toward something she loved “It’s a good reminder to have every day,” Marissa said. “To be able to physically a person makes her one of the bravest was a great thing to see.”

To help her reflect on everything she see everything I went through sit on one people I know.”

Once she was cleared to go home, endured over the past several months, all string helps me tell and understand my Marissa was ecstatic to finally be able to Marissa needs to do is go for a drive. On own story.”

moved past her checkpoint and walked an extra portion of the hall.

After each procedure, Marissa remembers being anxious to get back to her recovery schedule. While her nurses and therapists would tell her that she was in no rush, she took advantage of any opportunity to get better.

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Oct. 5

Return to school

July 9

Accident occurred in the afternoon

March 8

July 10

Colostomy removal

Colostomy

Aug. 23

Return home

July 9

First surgery in the evening

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Guardian angel

Senior’s family copes with loss of freshman story reya mosby photos submitted The Mowl family dragged themselves into their home. It was Dec. 21, almost Christmas. They spent so much time in the hospital that the days had felt much longer.

The family initially coped in their own ways after freshman Jacob Mowl passed away. Senior Peyton Mowl walked around the house aimlessly as she thought about her younger brother Jacob and how he had taken his final breath the night before.

Micah, Jacob’s younger brother, knew he would never get to eat Cheetos or play WWE video games with him again. Chris, their father, tried to be supportive for his family, but he was heartbroken. Lori, their mother, still had tear streaks running down her face.

The house that surrounded the grieving family was bare. The Mowl family is known for their extraordinary Christmas decorations, but there was not a tree or stocking in sight. To lift their spirits, the family decided to celebrate their favorite holiday, starting with a mass decoration of the house.

“I am so grateful to have that holiday to hold his memory to,” Lori said. “Every year when we get that stuff down, we get to celebrate him too. For a time of year that’s so special to so many, it’ll be even more so to us.”

Each light was perfectly placed as they put a personal tree in everybody’s room. They had heavy hearts as they hung up ornaments of all shapes, sizes and colors. The Mowls gathered to put up the main tree, and then arranged each stocking until they got to a deep green and red one with Jacob stitched in black cursive.

They went silent, then placed the stocking in the line with the others to show that he would always be a part of them.

••• December 20, 2019 Peyton walked to Jacob’s bedside where he lay with his eyes closed, shallowly breathing. She smiled sadly when she saw the small stuffed dog with a bright smile that Jacob adored tucked under his arm.

Loved ones filled the room and extended down the hallway.

Tears brimmed her eyes as she looked at the people who stood red faced and teary eyed around Jacob, and she walked to the front of the room.

Peyton wiped her tears as she closed her eyes and began to sing the melody of “Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)” by Hillsong UNITED. Her voice filled the room. All talking ceased.

I will call upon Your name Keep my eyes above the waves My soul will rest in Your embrace I am Yours and You are mine As she stopped singing, the room was silent, and the only sound was the beeping of hospital monitors.

“I knew it was something I needed to do because that’s what I do best,” Peyton said. “That was my own personal way of saying goodbye. Not letting go — but working towards being okay.”

••• Jacob Mowl was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Later he developed Protein Losing Enteropathy. His medical conditions meant that he spent around 600 days in the hospital.

When he was home, he enjoyed things like WWE, cooking shows and spicy food. He would often be glued to the television watching “Chopped”, motivated by his own desire to become a chef. He enjoyed going to Rosa’s and gorging on chips and salsa, and conquering the hottest salsas and hot sauces. He loved things as simple as mall walking with his grandparents and weekly dinners with grandma.

On senior Peyton Mowl’s last birthday, the Marquettes held a 5k marathon and dressed in their full uniforms to send off the runners.

Peyton’s family was in the crowd cheering with her. Jacob loved to watch his sister perform in the Marquettes.

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Freshman Jacob Mowl and his family went to Philadelphia for his doctors appointments. While there, they enjoyed the Eagles’ 2018 Super Bowl win. Jacob desperately wanted to celebrate the win of Carson Wentz, one of his favorite quarterbacks.

“We never viewed it as he was disabled or not a normal kid,” Peyton said. “He was just my brother. He never acted like he felt sick. He found ways to interact with the people around him and have an abundant life. “ From a young age he had to go in and out of the hospital for various surgeries and appointments, but his family said that he would wake up in the morning happy and figure out what they would do each day. When they went to Philadelphia for a surgery, Jacob planned sightseeing and local activities to do when he was able. Lori said he didn’t want to miss out on life.

“He woke up beeboppin down the stairs with a big smile every morning,” Lori said. “That’s just who he was.”

Lori herself admired Jacob’s love for life and was so proud of the life he lived. She expressed that he did have a short life, but it was enough. She truly believes he lived the life that many people can only dream of because of his never ending happiness.

“I feel more than anything proud to have been his mom,” Lori said. “The one thing you want more than anything is for your kid to grow up and do something that makes a difference, and I feel like Jacob did that. He just did it in 15 years.”

The family and others who knew him have been outspoken about their pride for Jacob, They saw how he lived every day to the fullest even through the constant doctors appointments.

“He impacted so many people’s lives, and he did everything with such purpose and joy,” Lori said. “I couldn’t ask for a better son. That’s what’s hard. That little piece is gone.”

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The family often refers to Jacob as their guardian angel. The family explained that knowing he was looking over them from Heaven gave them piece of mind during their grieving “It’s sad, but one thing I realized the day he passed is that he’s looking out for us,” Peyton said. “It’s hard living without him, but knowing that his purpose was fulfilled made it okay. It’s easier knowing that he wasn’t taken too soon.”

The Mowl family has a saying—we won’t move on, but we will move forward. They recognize and value the importance of true mourning and created a safe space with each other to openly remember Jacob.

“It’s okay to grieve,” Peyton said. “You’ll never forget because your family members have a huge impact on you. They are a part of who you are, but you have to keep living.”

In the last few months, the Mowl family hasn’t tiptoed around sharing their favorite memories of Jacob. Peyton’s is how they always bought two bags of Cheeto Puffs. One for the family and another for Jacob because he would suck the cheese off of each Cheeto and put them back in the bag. During first few years of his life, he couldn’t eat solid foods and enjoyed the flavor of Cheeto Puffs. The quirk was something Jacob didn’t let go of after he started eating solid foods.

“There are some days where you are so overcome with grief and sadness, and those days are okay,” Lori said. “We as a family have been intentional to spend time together, to do things as a family and to hold on to things we have.”

The Mowl family feels like continuing their life helps them deal with grief. Activities like Micah’s one act play and Peyton’s college applications keep them busy, and moving forward.

“The hard parts have been Peyton filling out scholarship applications, and when they’d ask how many siblings she had, she would put one,” Lori said. “It breaks my heart, but that’s the world in which we live.”

Peyton said their faith has made the biggest impact on the grieving process and medical journey. Her family all have individual values of faith, and made an agreement that they were not going to be sad forever.

“This earthly life is temporary, and even though his life was shorter than ours, in the grand scheme of everything, we’ll all be together again closer than we ever were on earth,” Peyton said.

“This isn’t the end.”

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He impacted so many people’s lives, and he did everything with such purpose and joy.

- lori mowl

march 20, 2019

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Cheerleaders rank second at national competition in Disney them. They weren’t last. The announcer continued their way down the list, anticipation building with each name.

“Eleventh place…”

Cheers erupted through the crowd When they weren’t announced, they as the cheerleaders ran out onto the group turned to look at Brown, knowing competition floor to prepare for their they were going to be in the top ten in the performance in February. They pumped nation. up the crowd, jumping and shaking their “Sixth place…” pom poms.

The cheerleaders felt giddy as they They had performed their routine realized that they must be in the top five. countless times before, and now they were “Third place…” finally at Nationals. They just had to hit it They couldn’t believe it. They were perfectly one last time. going to be one of the top three teams “We were kind of laughing and joking in the nation, a title they that seemed around backstage to loosen up the nerves, impossible a few hours earlier. so going onto the floor, I honestly just “Second place… “ felt at home,” senior cheer captain Alesia When the announcer called “Marcus,” Dixon said. they felt nothing but pure excitement.

Marching band music blared out “Once they called second place, we of the speakers as the cheerleaders weren’t even sad about not being first. We began, chanting along with the music were just so excited,” Brown said. and executing perfectly synchronized “It was our first time to ever go to that jumps. competition as Marcus Cheer, so we were Coach Brittanee Brown proudly just very, very excited that we went in and watched the athletes she had trained for grabbed a silver medal.” seven months hit each portion of their

∙∙∙ The road to nationals wasn’t easy.

The cheerleaders began learning their routine in September, when they spent a day with a choreographer from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to learn the three minute performance.

“Three minutes may not seem like a long time, but when you’re constantly giving your full effort, round after round after round, it gets very tiring,” Dixon said.

After they competed at regionals, the choreographer came back and fixed the judges’ When the team wasn’t competing, they got to enjoy exploring the different Disney parks, where they met recommendations. The cheerleaders from other teams and grew closer as a team. After all of their hard work, visiting the parks was process was repeated after story nikhila bulusu & madi olivier

routine.

“I was up there in the sound board, just looking down at them and watching them nail it,” Brown said. “I finally felt like they were just having fun on the mat.”

As the cheerleaders hit their final poses, the crowd erupted into applause as they ran off the floor.

“The choreographers and our coach were right there on the bottom giving us so much energy, yelling with us and cheering us on, and our parents were yelling with us and holding up signs,” Dixon said. “Just being on the floor and performing it, I was very proud of us.”

Hours later, they stood together, eagerly awaiting their placement. They barely made it into finals, sitting in last place out of the 16 teams that qualified.

“The feeling waiting for awards is just so nerve wracking and crazy,” junior Riley Schmidt said.

“Sixteenth place…”

The cheerleaders held their breath as the announcer said the name of another high school, sending a wave of relief over

like a mini vacation, according to Dixon. Photo submitted

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the state competition to ensure that the group was ready for nationals.

At state, the team scored high enough to get sixth place.

However, a time deduction knocked them down.

“We never worried about time before,” Schmidt said. “It was really hard to hear that we could’ve gotten sixth but because of our time it brought us down to eleventh.”

The team viewed this as a second chance to prove themselves and showcase their skills.

“It really just fueled the fire to know ‘okay, we can do better than that,’ and I think that’s what really helped us get second place in nationals,” Dixon said.

“We know what it’s like to place really well and we didn’t want to not feel that again because of something minor.”

Despite their determination to perform well, the cheerleaders’ Sophomore Erin Bookout, junior Celine Toias and senior Ivana Tieu perform the second place routine at mindsets shifted beyond just a pep rally. The cheerleaders don’t perform full routines at events like football games, so the pep rally was an opportunity for the team to show off their hard work to other students. Photo Tara Connick winning.

“I notice that they’re just more eager to have a good time and just go deciding to drop one and just hold up “One of our big things is that we want out and show their skills and they’re not half of the prop. At first, she didn’t know people to respect us and not just see us as as worried about beating all these other what to do, but the encouragement of her the cheerleaders, the popular, the mean,” teams,” Brown said. coaches and choreographers gave her the Schmidt said. “We really want to change When February came, the team traveled confidence to keep going. that name and I feel like we’ve gained a lot to Orlando, Florida to compete in the national competition, which was hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports on Disney property. They were greeted by One of our big things is that we want the best teams from across the country, people to respect us and not just see all fighting for the top placements.

“When you’re there you know that us as the cheerleaders, the popular, you’re not able to look at a team and the mean.We really want to change automatically eliminate them,” Brown that name and I feel like we’ve gained said. “So the energy is very high and everybody is very excited, but everyone a lot of respect this year. that is there is very serious about cheer.”

The cheerleaders performed their final routine with nothing to lose, wanting to perform the skills they had been training for so long the best they could.

“At first it was fear, but then I got super of respect this year.”

“What we wanted to do was leave confident with it and was like ‘I’m just In addition to the respect they’ve everything we had on the mat. You don’t going to go for it,’” Schmidt said. gained, the cheerleaders were excited to want to have any regrets,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt believes that their second finally see all of their work finally pay off.

Despite their hours of preparation, place win helped them gain respect “It was beautiful to just watch them open Schmidt’s sign broke mid-routine, forcing from others. She thinks that they don’t up and become this beautiful group of her to perform the rest of the routine fit the mold of stereotypical high school kids that just finally tapped into what it holding both pieces up in the air before cheerleaders. feels like to be successful,” Brown said.

“

Design aeralyn sTINSON

MARCH 20, 2019

- Riley Schmidt, 11

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brynn’s buddies Siblings share strong connection despite disability story kendall cooper photos submitted The bell that ended second period rang throughout campus and the halls were flooded with students as usual. Senior varsity baseball player Brett Hedges was walking down the hall when he heard his sister’s voice.

“Hey homie!”

She embraced him in a hug followed by their special handshake, which consists of hand slaps and fist bumps. She’s more than willing to demonstrate for those who ask. This interaction is an everyday occurance for Brett and his sister, freshman Brynn Hedges. Even though Brynn has Down Syndrome, it hasn’t affected how close they are. The siblings have always shared a special connection for as long as they can remember.

“She’s taught me more about life and how to live than anybody or anything ever will,” Brett said.

Around 10 years ago, the Hedges fami-

ly decided to partner with the Down Syn- opportunity for Brynn to have her own drome Guild of Dallas to create a team day. just for Brynn during their annual one and a half mile Buddy Walk.

Their team name is Brynn’s Buddies, and She’s the most magnificent the walk raises both money and awareness person I know in my life… she’s for kids like Brynn my hero and she’s very impactful who have Down Syndrome. on anybody she meets, “It’s one day evregardless of her disability. ery year when 100 percent of the fo- Brett Hedges, 12 cus is for Brynn and Brynn alone,” Brett said. “She’s the most magnificent person I know in my life… she’s my hero and she’s “The coolest thing is seeing how small very impactful on anybody she meets, re- it started... and how big it is now,” Brett gardless of her disability.” said. “You always know how many people When the Hedges’ initially talked she touches, but to really visually see evabout taking part in the Buddy Walks, erybody coming together for her is amazBrett said he was too young to quite un- ing.” derstand the magnitude of it. However, Friends, family and the varsity baseball Brett said when he got there, he was able team show up to support Brynn year after to grasp that it was important and a great year. She has always been heavily involved in her brother’s baseball career, consistently going to Brett’s games and practices.

“Oh, it was awesome… Just her face of ‘these are all my people’,” varsity baseball coach Jeff Sherman said. “And that’s what we’re there for.”

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Almost every member of the baseball program came to support freshman Brynn Hedges during the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas’ annual Buddy walk on Nov. 4 2018.

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Brynn said she loves baseball because it’s something Brett loves too. Sherman said that during every game you can always hear her cheering from the stands.

After they’re finished playing, Brett also said that she’s waiting in the dugout to high five all the players and coaches.

“All the players love her, she loves the guys. She has the whole roster memorized by name, number, who it is, what position,” Brett said. “She loves baseball and baseball loves her.”

Sherman said that Brynn’s positive energy has had a lasting effect on the team and is a major reason why their team chemistry is so strong.

“I think I learn more from her than us trying to help her.” Sherman said. “I think it goes both ways.”

Sherman said that watching Brett and Brynn’s relationship has been incredible.

Brett has been on the varsity team for two years now, and Sherman described him as a selfless team player, which he attributed to his relationship with Brynn.

“Brett’s a really hard worker and he’s a competitor at the same time,” Sherman said. “You can tell that he definitely has a

why or a purpose for why he plays the game, I think a lot of that has to do with his sister.”

Brett remembers times when they didn’t have a good game and Sherman had gotten onto them, until saw Brynn in the dugout.

Brett said Sherman’s “entire mood flipped.” They gave each other a big hug, high fives and fist bumps.

“First and foremost, Brynn is the most positive person,” Sherman said. “Everytime that you’re around her, even if you’re in a bad mood, you’re going to smile because she’s going to make you smile.”

Sherman knew that Brynn was going to be a freshman for Brett’s senior season, so she was offered a manager position on the team.

“Even before I was a varsity player, [Sherman] knew specifically who my sister was and had a great appreciation for what type of person she was,” Brett said. “They have this connection, they’re like best buddies.”

In addition to being a baseball manager, Brynn is also a cheerFreshman Brynn Hedges, then 10 years old, enleader on the freshman team. joyed her special day the Down Syndrome Guild of Brynn said she felt happy and glad Dallas’ annual Buddy Walk in 2014. Those who parwhen she found out that she made ticipate in the walk can organize teams to support the cheer team. someone close to them who has Down Syndrome.

Brynn’s team is nicknamed Brynn’s Buddies.

“The amount of lives she’s able to touch through that is awesome,” way. She was born not only with Down Brett said. “I love seeing it, you know, Syndrome, but also a hole in her heart whenever we’re going through town and and was underweight for a period of time. more people know her than know me.”

Brett remembers being four years old, layWhile some people don’t quite know ing next to her incubator, wondering if his how to treat or react to her, Brett said that sister was going to make it. Now, he said Brynn is widely loved and negativity to- she’s full of life and energy. She loves to wards her is a rare occurrence. talk to people and rarely gets upset.

“Give them a chance. Don’t be freaked “The biggest lesson she could teach out. I promise you, Down Syndrome kids anybody is to love everybody the way she are the most genuine people you will ever does,” Brett said. “Because if that hapmeet,” Brett said. “If you love them, they pened, the world would be very different.” will love you. Brynn’s a great example.”

Brett describes Brynn as a teacher. He said she’s taught him everything from not making a big deal over small things to how to treat people with love and kindness. He’s watched his sister come a long Last year, current senior Brett Hedges took a picture with his sister, freshman Brynn Hedges just after winning the game against Waco Midway High School.

The win in round three of the playoffs allowed the varsity baseball team to advance to the regional semi-finals.

Design jolie mullings

march 20, 2019

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60 Seconds If you had the world’s attention for 30 seconds what would you say?

“I would let everyone know that there is love for everyone in the world so don’t see the bad side of everything and focus on the good.”

Would you rather live permanently in an amusement park or a zoo?

“I’d rather live in a zoo, because you could take the time to mess around with all the animals and see how they live their lives.”

What’s something you’ve tried that you will never ever try again?

“I will never try shooting a firework in a playground, because if it wasn’t raining outside we probably could have caught something on fire or hurt ourselves… it was scary.”

What TV show do you never get tired of watching?

Compiled skyler middleton Photo maya hernandez

Chance Harris Senior

“Steven Universe, I like the artstyle mostly. It’s so cool it’s like a whole other way to view life because its someones own imagination.

What conspiracy do you lowkey believe in?

“So a couple of weeks ago the government shut down… I did not see a bird the whole time… and when the government comes back there’s birds again.”

Is a hotdog a sandwich?

“I don’t think so… because it goes on the side… a sandwich is closed….“

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The permanent scars of abuse

behind closed doors

Teen recovers from abusive childhood story reya mosby As Kate* sat listening to her teacher lecture, her mind drifted back her to relive childhood memories.

Preschooler Kate sat playing with her toys. She stopped when her dad, Rick*, stumbled through the door with a red face and messy hair. He beckoned his wife, Kate’s mom, Emma*, who inched her way towards him.

He snatched Emma’s arm, dug his fingers into her and demanded dinner. Emma shuffled her way back into the kitchen and explained that she hadn’t prepared anything. He started to throw cups, chairs and anything he could at her.

She dodged the objects while Kate watched.

“It was heartbreaking because as kids we couldn’t do anything about it,” Kate said. “We were so young that we couldn’t stand up for her, and she’s not the type of person that stands up for herself.”

He screamed in her face that she was a disappointment. The stench of alcohol lingered on his breath.

He slammed her against the wall, and his hand quickly moved to her throat as he started to choke her.

She barely managed to get away.

She grabbed Kate and her other daughter, Sophie*, ran out of the room and drove to her parents’ house.

Kate mentally returned to class. With an uneasy expression on her face, she blinked a few times, and began to listen again to her teacher’s lesson.

••• In the beginning, Rick and Emma were happily married but soon something changed. One evening Rick was driving Emma, who was pregnant, home after work.

The gas light flickered on, and Rick huffed, breaking the silence in the car. He started screaming at her for not refilling the car’s tank then slammed on the brake, flinging Emma forward.

He ordered her to get out in a dangerous neighborhood. Emma told him to keep driving and promised she would buy any gas that he car needed.

Suddenly he leaned in to unbuckle her seatbelt. He then opened her door, pushed her out of the car into the night and drove away.

Emma lay on the ground shivering. She got up and walked

“

around the town in search of a pay phone. When she finally found one, she called her mom to pick her up. She got in the car wordlessly, and they drove to her mom’s house.

••• After their children were born Rick would grab them by the arms and shake them while screaming, claiming the crying children drove him to be aggressive.

“I remember him always grabbing on to me and my sister and holding us so tight that we got bruises on our arms,” Kate said.

“It was scary.”

When their dad was away in the military for months at time, Kate said these were happier times.

They would bake every Sunday after church in their baker hats and aprons.

Her mom would play the song “Three Little Birds,” and they would dance for hours.

“Me, my mom and my sister have always been the three musketeers,” Kate said. “We look so much alike that people think we are all sisters. ”

Their mom took most of Rick’s abuse to protect her children, but he still managed to hurt and degrade them. He said it was because of PTSD, but he was never diagnosed.

“He would tell us we were worthless kids and we didn’t deserve to be alive,” Kate said. “He would say he wish he didn’t have kids and how awful it was being a parent.

He would call us dirt.”

His abuse consisted of throwing items, hitting and shoving her. When Amelia and Sophie were born, the abuse progressed and spread to all of them.

“I was broken,” Kate said.

Kate described how she saw her mom deteriorate in front of her. She would sleep all day to avoid hearing her husband screaming at her.

“She would put on a happy face for everyone else, but when it was just us she would cry all the time,” Kate said. “It was more of a ‘I’m going to pretend to be happy because my kids need support’. She was more of a robot than she was a person because she was so numb from everything.”

They divorced when Kate was young, and they took Richard to court. Kate talked to countless therapists and judges. They would ask her question after question, but told her that she was too young to understand. He eventually got remarried to Olivia,

I will always be somebody who is labeled ‘daddy issues,’ and somebody who is labeled as a broken home. My home really isn’t broken, there’s just somebody who’s not there.

- Amelia

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but Kate said staying with her dad was still traumatic because both her stepmom would yell derogatory racial slurs at them.

••• Katie and Sophie were at Richard’s house for their court ordered visit.

Eight-year-old Katie was taking a bath with the help of Olivia, whocounted to three and dunked her under to wash off the shampoo in her hair, and then Kate would pop up with bubbles on her face laughing.

She giggled and played in the bubbles as Olivia got ready to dunk Kate under the water.

“1…2...3…,” Olivia said.

She dunked her, and after a few seconds passed Kate was still underwater. Olivia’s hands were still on top of Kate’s head holding her down. Kate panicked as she failed to reach the surface for air.

Kate heard muffled yelling that turned out to be Richard yelling at Olivia her to stop. She released Kate’s head from her grip, and Kate popped up and took large gasping breaths of air.

Kate ran to her room crying until her sister came in.

Sophie sat by her on their bed and held her as they both cried for hours.

“

••• Rick made a habit of getting angry, leaving the family for extended amounts of time, then later coming back into their lives. Each time he brought promises of change. Every time they trusted him, he left again.

“I blame myself for a lot of stuff that happened between me and my dad even though I know I shouldn’t,” Kate said. Rick sent one of his friends to spy on the family, causing them to live a life of fear, looking over their shoulders. Emma, Sophie and Kate now sleep with knives under their pillows.

“I always have this feeling in the back of my head that he’s going to come back one day, he’s going to take me away from my mom and force us to live with him,” Kate said. “I am always scared.”

Kate and her family found themselves unable to tolerate his empty promises. The decision to cut him out of her life took prayer and family to lean on.

Kate stopped returning his calls and texts and saying she loved him. She said that she felt reassured knowing he could no longer abuse her. If she were to see him on the street today, she said she would disregard him.

“Even though he’s my dad ,I have no feeling for him in my heart anymore because he has hurt us so bad,” Kate said. “It got to the point where I was emotionally done with how he treated [us.]”

For the first time she feels like her home is happy and complete even though he is not there. She felt powerful to finally end something that caused so much pain.

“I will always be somebody who is labeled ‘daddy issues,’ and somebody who is labeled as a broken home,” Kate said.

“My home really isn’t broken, there’s just somebody who’s not there.”

Once he was out of their lives, things started to look up.

The family was baking and singing on Sundays again. Emma openly discussing everything that happened with her family.

They feel like this experience bonded them closer. They are all protective of each other and a force to be reckoned with.

“We grew, and we are stronger,” Kate said. “I feel like if he came after us again, he wouldn’t stand in our way.”

Because of her experience, Kate encourages others going through abuse to get help.

“Seek help first because safety is a number one priority,” Kate said. “Nobody is going to get mad for telling your story because someone cares and wants to listen. Please get help because that really helped our family and made us stronger.”

I was broken.

- Amelia

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of those involved

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Mar. 20, 2019

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Suffering in silence

Junior struggles with an abusive relationship story skyler middleton Anna* giggled as she and her boyfriend, Cole*, sat on a friend’s patio and playfully argued over whether or not Panic!

At the Disco was worth listening to. Anna smiled while lightly punching his shoulder as she joked that he had bad music taste.

The previously cheerful atmosphere took a turn, and before she realized it, her cheek stung. Tears swelled in her eyes and she reached to feel her face. She looked at him stunned, trying to understand what just happened. Without meeting her eyes, Cole changed the topic. All she going through her mind was, “Did I do something wrong?”

This was the first time he had slapped her but it wouldn’t be the last.

“At first everything was fine,” Anna said. “Then he got really possessive. I was in a really bad place at the time. I was very insecure, and he took advantage of that.”

Despite his ongoing abuse, they continued dating.

With consistent emotional manipulation, Anna blamed herself and kept his abuse a secret.

Anna’s mom, Mary*, was fond of Cole when they first met.

“I thought he was a nice kid and he seemed to like Anna,” Mary said. “I kind of suspected he was going to break her heart, but not in the way that happened.”

Anna said she ignored the warnings she noticed — being overly possessive, making vulgar comments and inappropriate PDA — because she anxious, depressed and struggling with her self-image. Mary said that her daughter felt she needed affirmation that she was beautiful. Anna’s dedication to her mental health was nonexistent.

“Whenever you’re in [an abusive relationship] you tend to blame yourself and think it’s your fault that it’s happening,” Anna said. “You keep to yourself because you think people are going to judge you.”

After six months of being together, Cole sat Anna down and said he needed to focus on school. The break up crushed Anna,

“

but she was still desperate to be with him. Her mom knew how low Anna’s self esteem was, but had no idea that Cole was fueling it.

“Because of everything she went through with him, it took her to an even lower place.” Mary said. “I don’t think he was stupid, I think he picked her for a reason and I think he played onto that.”

Anna now knew that Cole was bad for her, but the fear of being alone clouded the truth, Soon Anna approached him about getting back together. Cole said he didn’t want to be exclusive.

Because Anna felt he was the best she could get, she agreed to an open relationship.

•••

Her knee bounced along to the music playing over the Barnes and Noble speakers. Anna’s heart raced as she waited for Cole.

She was hoping for a chance to catch up, but with only a couple of words Cole drove towards a secluded parking lot. Her stomach dropped. She knew she’d rather be talking, but her insecurities overpowered her rational thinking.

Her eyes were shut when she suddenly felt his fist collide with her ear. Her eyes jolted open as she tried to jerk back, only to see Cole’s hand raise again. She froze and he struck her again, and again. The ringing in her ear snapped her out of the numb daze she was trapped in, and she yelled at him to stop.

The drive home was quiet, yet her thoughts were screaming.

She rushed into her room and as she lay in her bed, tears started to fall from her eyes. The side of her head still ached.

“It makes me feel disappointed with myself,” Anna said.

“That I didn’t stop it sooner, that I didn’t tell anyone, that I let it go on for so long... I should have stopped the relationship all together whenever he started being emotionally abusive but when it got physical I should have done something to stop it.”

They continued with their open dating life for around a month before Cole stopped putting any effort into the relationship. Anna felt like she was clinging onto whatever she could to keep his attention.

Whenever you’re in [an abusive relationship] you tend to blame yourself and think it’s your fault that it’s happening.

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“I was scared of being alone and I became dependent on him,” Anna said. “But [being with him] only made me feel worse about myself.”

He broke up with her again, but this time her clinical depression consumed her. She attempted suicide.

“I just felt helpless and everything was messed up,” Anna said. “I tried to escape.”

Mary didn’t know the extent of his abuse until weeks after their relationship ended.

She felt as a mom she needed to let her daughter come to conclusions herself, but when Anna tried to take her life, staying out of it was impossible. Mary had access to Anna’s phone and found that the relationship was more manipulative than Anna let on.

“As a parent when you realize you can’t protect your kids no matter how hard you try, and when you don’t know what they are going through, it takes you to your knees,” Mary said. “I realized no matter what I said, what I did, she was a person who had to go through her own stuff to become who she is going to be. I stopped lecturing and stopped trying to protect her from all of the things that are going to happen because they are going to make her who she is going to be. I was able to just listen and it’s amazing what your kid will tell you once you just stop talking.”

Anna’s was transferred to a mental hospital. Besides parental calls, she was isolated. Upon her release, She fell back into the need for Cole’s attention. Anna went directly to Snapchat and let Cole know she was back and doing okay.

She got an immediate notification from him. She smiled at his name on her screen, but as she read his message she felt it disappear.

“When can we hook up again?” Cole asked.

Anna knew that Cole had no idea where she had been, so his lack of concern made her stomach twist. Her face felt hot reading the message, and despite how difficult it was to share the truth, she told a friend about his message. Mary believes this was a cry for help.

“The people like this are very manipulative and they manipulate you in a way that you think it’s your fault. It’s very hard to not let them take a little piece of you,” Mary said. “You have to be strong and confident and you have to be able to put them in their place.”

When the news did reach Mary and her husband, they

“

took away Anna’s phone number, and blocked Cole’s number.

Even after being out of that relationship for almost a year, Cole’s actions still haunt Anna. After starting counseling, she was diagnosed with PTSD.

“She was afraid that he was going to come after her, that he was going to come to the house. She couldn’t sleep, she didn’t want to go anywhere,” Mary said. “Compared to now, where she is gaining her independence and she knows it wasn’t her fault.”

Anna said that taking a moment to think how she would’ve reacted if a friend came to her in the same relationship changed the way she thought about her situation.

Both Anna and Mary believe that knowing when to get an adult involved is crucial.

Ignoring the fear of getting in trouble or getting over the anxiety of telling your parents is important in Mary’s eyes because escaping an abusive relationship is bigger than that fear.

“I know it’s hard, but have the courage to tell at least someone about it,” Anna said. “Just try your best to get the help you need.”

I was scared of being alone and I became dependent on him, but It only made me feel worse about myself.

- anna

Design tara connick

March 20, 2019

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of those involved.

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Teen Abuse Remains widely underreported story michael minton Domestic abuse is a widespread problem in the United States, that does not discriminate — according to loveisrespect. org about 1.5 million high school students have experienced abuse in their relationship, and according to childhelp.org, child abuse is reported every 10 seconds.

“If it’s in a relationship it’s going to be termed as domestic violence,” School Resource Officer Michael Anderson said.

“That could be anyone who lives under the same house, a dating relationship or a married couple.”

Domestic abuse is when one partner in a relationship is trying to control their partner through either physical or psychological means. When thinking about domestic violence, most people imagine an abusive man beating his partner or spouse, but abuse can be emotionally controlling and present in any relationship regardless of gender.

Student Assistance Counselor Michelle Schwolert, said two out of five students that see her have been abused. This number includes students in abusive relationships and students being abused by parents. Despite the many places for support available, Schwolert said it’s common for people to stay in abusive situations.

“A lot of people would rather deal with [an abusive relationship] than deal with the conflict that comes with trying to get out of it,” Schwolert said.

Many outlets exist to help students out of abuse, such as Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in

Lewisville, Denton County Children’s Advocacy Center and local police. “[We] have to get people involved that can wrap their arms around [the abused] and say ‘we’re here to help you now. It’s not going to be easy but we’re going to get you out of this’,” Schwolert said.

FMPD Detective Joe Adcock, who investigates crimes against children, said 122 cases of domestic abuse were reported in Flower Mound during 2018 alone. “[Abuse cases] are underreported for adults and that’s probably exponential for juveniles,” Adcock said.

Adcock said that lack of reporting can stem from economic dependence, threats to revoke custody of children and even self-blame by the abused.

“We can’t do anything about [abuse] if we don’t know about it, so they have to find somebody they trust and they have to tell somebody,” said SRO Anderson.

If the abuser is also a student and there is reason to believe that they will continue to assault the victim, whether by threat or physical injury, the school can implement a non-interaction agreement.This agreement would be signed by both parties and prohibits the abuser from interacting with the abused in a negative way such as unwanted conversation and spreading rumors. If violated, the abuser can be suspended or even expelled.

Teachers and counselors are mandated reporters which means if they become aware of an abusive situation they must report it or suffer legal consequences.

Student Assistance Counselor Michelle Schwolert, said four out of ten students that see her have been abused.

ABUSE VS PARENTING Anytime someone tries to exert control or dominance over another person, it is abuse. This does not apply the same way to parents. For example, if a parent grounds their child it is not abuse. If a parent spanks their child, it is not abuse because in Texas, parents are allowed to administer some corporal punishment.

While a parent is allowed to physically punish their child, they cannot strike their child without reason because that would be excessive force and could be punished by law. The punishment must be “necessary to discipline the child or to safeguard or promote his welfare,” according to Texas penal code Section 9.61.

“A parent can’t just decide they’ve had a bad day at work they’re going to come home and take it out on their child,” Anderson said.

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recognize abuse in relationships

The first step is becoming educated on abuse and its signs.

While most students are not involved in an abusive relationship, knowing the signs can allow them to recognize when others are.

Signs of physical abuse include wearing different clothing to cover cuts, scratches or bruises.

“When people think of domestic abuse they think of physically beating, but there’s so much more to domestic abuse, a lot of it is verbal and psychological,” Schwolert said.

Schwolert said signs of emotional abuse include changing their appearance, not talking about the relationship, and a decrease in desire to do other activities. “[Emotionally] abusive relationships can lead to low self esteem, negative self talk, anxiety, depression, isolation, loneliness, a decrease in grades [and] pulling away from family and friends,” Schwolert said.

reporting abuse

After identifying a situation as abusive, next contact a trusted adult such as police officers, counselors or parents. If it is a physically abusive case, the police can be heavily involved but when it comes to emotional abuse they are able to do less.

“It’s hard for police officers to get involved because we can only enforce things we have evidence on, and we won’t have evidence on mental and emotional abuse,” Anderson said.

In most emotional abuse cases, police will inform Child Protective Services who are trained in handling such cases.

They can provide counseling and are trained in how to not jeopardize the case.

If the abuser and the abused are both underage juveniles, the case would be handled in a juvenile court and classified as a misdemeanor. However, in a relationship if the abused is under the age of 14 and the abuser is over the age of 14 or the abused is severely injured, the charge would be upgraded to felony assault.

Physical abuse breaks down into three types. Class C assault is an unwanted touch or assault by threat. If there is an injury, it is a Class A assault. If the injury is serious enough, it would be upgraded to a felony.

“It really depends on a case-by-case basis,” Anderson said. “It’s hard to give a general statement it depends on the circumstances involved.”

Design tara connick

signs of abuse in a relationship

-Abusers tend to humiliate, over-criticize, blame and objectify their partners. Victims are often embarrassed if their friends or family see them treated this way.

-Abusive partners can often be violent and threatening.

Examples of this include an unpredictable temper, physically hurting the victim, threatening to commit suicide as leverage, destroying belongings and forcing the victim to have sex with them.

-Excessively controlling behavior is a sign of an abusive relationship. Keeping the victim away from their friends and family, extreme jealousy, controlling where their partner goes and limiting access to their phone, car or money are all ways abusers control their partner.

-Even if the abuser has only hurt their victim once, it’s still abuse.

Source: helpguide.org

Resources to Contact SRO Michael Anderson 469-948-7099 andersonmichael@lisd.net

Crisis Counselor Michelle Schwolert 469-948-7003 schwolertml@lisd.net

Denton Children’s Advocacy Center 972-317-2818

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in Lewisville 972-221-3910

Flower Mound Police Department 972-874-6200

March 20, 2019

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Custom Tailoring Color Variation Large Selection

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Jos. A Bank, Flower Mound $ Custom Tailoring Color Variation Large selection

Design khailyn agis

Dallas Arboretum Dallas $$ A must-see and Instagram worthy attraction, The Dallas Arboretum is a beautiful 66-acre garden located right next to White Rock Lake. The arboretum has a collection of different themed gardens and water features.

For those who love flowers, plants and water this is the spot for you. This is also the place to get some nature photos or just pics for the gram.

Gaylord Hotel Grapevine $ This resort is gorgeous with a lot to see. There are excellent places to take pictures, such as fountains, a mini train station and flower beds. They also have a few restaurants, including the Riverwalk Cantina, which has excellent tacos and desserts.

Flower Mound River Walk (Free) The Riverwalk has beautiful scenery to take pictures outside in the sunlight, as well as at night, when the lights switch on, creating an entirely different atmosphere for your photos.

Trulucks (Seafood) Southlake $$ If you enjoy the full package, then this is the place for you. The second floor dining experience gives off an elegant vibe and is the perfect place to dine lightly before dancing the night away.

Pappadeaux (Seafood) Grapevine $$ This cozy place is the real deal and worth every penny.

You get fine dining at a reasonable price. No matter what you decide to eat, it will fill you up, especially after snagging a couple slices of their buttered bread.

Cantina Laredo (Mexican) Lewisville $ This venue is on the smaller side, and offers exclusive seating for special events including prom night.

Benihana (Japanese) Irving/Plano $$

Although it’s a cheaper alternative to the restaurant Hibachi, the food is still delicious, and provides the same knife-flipping entertainment.

realms of arcadia

Perry's Steakhouse (American) Grapevine $$$

1842 Justin Road Highland Village, Texas

Although you might have to drop a couple more dollars on this restaurant, this is perfect venue if you’d like to spend quality time with friends. The lights are dimmed and each table is set up for two, making this a good location for couples.

Design khailyn agis

march 20, 2019

entertainment

23

story alex anderson photos Maya Hernandez

Most everyone has a favorite book that inspired searching for your next novel easier, we talked to stuthem or affected them in some way. Avid readers are dents and teachers to create a literary bucket list for often stumped on what to read next, so to help make every reader.

“Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, because it has an amazing storyline, and it gives you a way to look at Greek mythology and these kind of mythological events and stories in a more modern light, but also tells the story in a way that children can learn or anyone from any age can appreciate the ancient culture and the stories behind it.”

“The Throne of Glass [series]

by Sarah J. Maas because it’s got a feminine heroine who really represents how strong a woman can be. Also I just really liked the story. It’s just my favorite book.”

Uma Obalapuram, 11 “‘The World is Flat’ by Thomas Friedman. It describes how the global economy was in the early 1990s to how it is today and how the changes around the world have impacted the U.S. global economy and the U.S. part in the global economy. It’s just a good book for people to understand how America is where it is today.”

Matthew Stoeberl, Economics

Cynthia Domergue, 11

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entertainment

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Design emily seiler

“Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Brontë because it’s absolutely insane. I think that everyone should read it because it’s a wild ride, start to finish.”

Abby HarringtonKelso, 12

“‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee because of the message that we should put ourselves in other people’s shoes. If we can all learn that message, we would all get along a whole lot better.”

Stefanie Napolitan, Reading and English

“‘Lone Survivor’ by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson because it demonstrates what our soldiers really are fighting for, and the condition of the conflicts overseas in Iraq and Iran.”

Corey Stoltz, 12

The Marquee staff expressed their love of literature by telling the books they think people should read.

There is something for everyone — from romance to realistic fiction. “‘Anna Karenina’ by Leo Tolstoy because it challenges timeless conceptions about gender, sexuality, political freedom, economic revolution and things that I think are just really good, timeless lessons.”

- Ava Bush, 12

“I love ‘Girl Up’ by Laura Bates because it’s a modern and lighthearted take on the serious topic of female equality in today’s society.”

-Kendall Cooper, 12

“‘Out of My Mind’ by Sharon Draper because it’s from the perspective of a girl with cerebral palsy, so it kind of humanizes people with [physical] disabilities, and it kind of shows that they have feelings and thoughts as well.”

- Madi Olivier, 10 Design emily seiler

“‘A Walk to Remember’

by Nicholas Sparks because I think everyone needs to read a heart wrenching, tragic love story once in their life.”

- Reya Mosby, 10

“‘[The] Perks of Being a Wallflower’ by Stephen Chbosky because the characters are really relatable and the storyline can help many people with different life issues regardless of where you came from.”

- Skyler Middleton, 12 March 20, 2019

“Everyone needs to read ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde — despite being written in the 1800s, it covers many important and relevant issues in society. Reading it will change your perspective on life.”

- Chloe White, 12

“‘Tuesdays With Morrie’ by Mitch Albom because the author spends time with his former professor, who continues to teach lessons about life right up until the end of his own.”

- LaJuana Hale, Creative Writing and Journalism entertainment

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Clay target team receives national recognition while combating misconceptions about their sport story Nikhila Bulusu The field was completely silent as junior Lexie Smoot focused on the small, orange target flying up in the air. Her usual, carefree demeanor was nowhere to be seen as she forgot about the world around her. Finally, when the angle was just right, she pulled the trigger and the shell from her shotgun hit the target, causing it to shatter to the ground.

Smoot is the newly elected president of the Clay Target Team. Her brother was on the team when it first started and her dad has been a coach ever since then, which is why she was naturally inclined to join in eighth grade. Her first time shooting with the team was back in middle school, but she had been exposed to firearms a few years before that.

“I felt nervous because I was holding a

gun, but the team helped me out,” Smoot said. “I wasn’t just shooting by myself. The squad was supporting me in every single shot I took.”

There are three main categories of clay target shooting that the team focuses on — skeet, trap and sporting clay. The team goes to tournaments throughout the year to practice and improve their skills for the national competition in the summer.

When Smoot was a freshman, the team competed in San Antonio. All of the hotels around the Riverwalk were packed with shooters from across the nation, getting ready for the tournament. Colorful tents and lawn chairs, filled with people playing games and chatting, were scattered across the field where they would compete.

Smoot’s squad quickly became known for wearing American flag shorts as well as their mascot Zoey, Smoot’s golden

“[Many people] are just scared of the idea of a gun. A gun does have the power to do some really awful things, but if you place it in the hands of the right person, a person that knows how to use it, it’s a great sport.”

- lexie sMOOT, 11

retriever.

After a long day of shooting, the team sat through what felt like a never-ending awards ceremony. The wait paid off when Smoot ranked 1st in the nation for skeet and sporting clay, 3rd for trap and 1st overall.

“I was at a national competition and it was my first year being competitive with the sport so to get all the medals and have them all around my neck felt pretty cool,” Smoot said.

The clay target team has won many awards over the years. They have been state champions back to back and often bring home awards from nationals and other tournaments.

All of their trophies are in their sponsor, Mr. Cooke’s, room. They are not allowed to display them anywhere else in the school since they have guns involved with their sport.

Clay target shooting has become increasingly controversial over the past few years due to the number of school and mass shootings that have occured. Smoot is confident that The team celebrates their wins from the State tournament in June 2017, holding up their trophies with this sport does not correlate to the pride. Their mascot Zoey, the golden retriever, is also pictured. Photo submitted recent tragedies.

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Sports

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Design Emily seiler

Junior Lexie Smoot has won many awards at national and state clay target tournaments.

The team’s awards are displayed in Mr. Cooke’s room. Photo Maya Hernandez

to go through six hours of safety training every year. There have been zero incidents of injury since the clay target team began.

The coaches often say that this is the safest sport on campus because with physical contact sports, someone is bound to get injured. Smootv said with clay target shooting, if all of the safety guidelines are followed, the worst that can happen is a finger jam.

“While initially if you don’t know about our sport and what we do, it might be perceived as dangerous, if you follow the four basic rules, nothing bad can happen,” Barge said.

The team not only offers students skills that they can’t

learn anywhere else, but has given many students a new family. After practices and tournaments, they always go out to eat and they often roadtrip to their competitions together. All of the time they spend together has Smoot said a lot of kids who never found their niche in school have found their place on the team.

“I think of the Marcus Clay Target Team as this ragtag group of students,” Smoot said.

“There are so many different personalities on the team and e ver yone fits in.”

“[Many people] are just scared of the idea of a gun,” Smoot said. “A gun does have the power to do some really awful things, but if you place it in the hands of the right person, a person that knows how to use it, it’s a great sport.”

Some people are apprehensive about kids having access to firearms.

Longtime coach Devin Barge explains the importance of teaching students how to safely operate a firearm.

“For different reasons, a number of youth have a curiosity about firearms,” Barge said. “I think [it’s important] to provide an outlet where kids can not only become educated in safety, but exercise it.

The more people that know how to safely operate and be around a firearm really makes a difference.”

Every athlete on the team is required Members of the clay target team pose for a picture at the YTF, or Youth Target Foundation, national competition, wearing their infamous American flag shorts. Photo submitted

• Skeet simulates dove hunting, trap simulates duck hunting and sporting clay is a mix of it all.

• Targets are biodegradable so they do not harm the environment when they shatter.

• The team shoots using 12 or 20 gauge shotguns • A team of 5 shooters is called a squad. The members of a squad rotate every 5 shots.

Design emily seiler

• Shooters go to tournaments where they shoot 4 rounds of 25 targets for a total of 100.

• Clay Target has four safety guidelines: -treat every firearm as if it’s loaded -keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times -keep finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot -be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.

March 20, 2019

sports

27

vingPorcelain legacy doll Madi Olivier

@madio531

My twin sister and I have one obvious difference between us — she has brown skin, while mine is white. Besides that, we are extremely similar, short with matching brown eyes and thick brown hair. However, we have been treated differently because of our skin color ever since we were little.

I’ve been told that ever since we were young, our nana seemed to gravitate towards me, the baby that looked like her, and because of my pale skin she called me her “porcelain doll.” My sister, Abby, was never given a nickname.

Abby and I, of course, didn’t notice anything was off then. We were still blessed with ignorance, unaware of the harsh reality of racism. As we grew older, however, the little differences began to add up.

••• My sister and I ran onto our aunt’s porch, overflowing with the childhood giddiness of seeing our extended family.

We were always ecstatic to go to her house, where we would get to see the family that lives four hours away from us, play with her cats and sleep on an air mattress. When we saw Nana, she welcomed me first with a huge hug and a smile, commenting about how much I’ve grown, how pretty I looked. Abby stood behind me, unacknowledged. After a few minutes of cooing over me, she gave Abby a small side hug and a quick “hello.”

••• Abby’s light brown skin resembles a stereotypical Middle Eastern girl, reflecting our mother’s Persian ethnicity, while I have pale skin associated with our European father.

This made her different than the rest of our white family. Superficially, we look like we could come from opposite sides of the globe, but genetically, we are nearly identical.

Out of curiosity, we took a DNA test. As we sent off the results, my mom joked about how great it would be if I was genetically as Persian or more than my twin sister. How ironic it would be if the white and the brown sisters had the same Middle Eastern blood.

When the results came back, my mother’s hopes were realized. I am 49 percent Persian, while Abby is only 38 percent.

However, this goes unseen, and my sister and I are treated differently based off of what is visible to the naked eye.

Unfortunately, this kind of prejudice isn’t specific to my family. It’s seen all over the world, even in places where brown skin is more common.

Driven by the idea that you must have a pale complexion, people douse themselves in skin lightening creams and lotions that can be filled with harmful chemicals and toxins. They often ignore these consequences, determined to be accepted into society.

While skin lightening might not be as common in America, people with colored skin still face the skewed idea of society that you must be white to be pretty.

Even though segregation due to race has been illegal in America for years, it hasn’t changed the mindset of those who discriminate. It just made the barriers separating us invisible.

As I’ve gotten older, the differences in the way I and my sister are treated have become more obvious, and it’s hard to tolerate. I have more of what some people hate about my sister — our Persian ethnicity — within me but I don’t experience any racism just because it can’t be seen.

I struggle with understanding how the color of somebody’s skin could make them appear as less of a family member or of lower worth.

My sister is just as much of a person and part of my family as I am, and she deserves to be treated like it.

Boom Bahs — Things we like College acceptance wall Students like to see where their peers are attending college, and also share where they’re attending. This is useful for finding roommates and finding former classmates at our new schools. While some students may be going far away, it’s nice to know there will almost always be another Marauder there with us.

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opinion

Letting us know it’s a drill Hearing the alarm causes mixed feelings in students — confusion, anxiety, annoyance. However, it’s always appreciated when we are told whether or not it is a drill. When it’s announced that the alarm is a drill, students instantly calm down and exit the building. However, when it’s not a drill, it’s nice to know so we can get out faster and treat it more seriously.

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Design class windows Students love the design class displays between C and D hall because it’s fun for us to see each other’s work. It gives us a glimpse into a unique class many haven’t taken. The displays turn a once boring hall into a creative space.

They reflect upcoming events or holidays, and the students projects.

Design tara connick

Momma’s boy Michael Minton

@mintonm1015

With a household of four, someone was almost always at home. On a January afternoon, I walked into my unusually empty house.

I brushed it off and after a quick nap, I felt my stomach grumbling. I wondered where everyone was but my hunger dominated my curiosity. After raiding the fridge, my phone started to ring. It was my father.

“Michael, I’m with your mother in the hospital …”

My stomach tightened as he said she had been vomiting all day and collapsed at work.

Every thought in my head was consumed by the thought of my mom doubled over in agony.

••• When I was in preschool, the night before Dr. Seuss Day, I told my mom that a month ago the teachers said to wear a Dr. Seuss inspired costume.

After a heavy sigh, she busted out her

sewing kit and got to work. I fell asleep with my head on her lap as she quietly cut fabric and sewed it together. In one night she finished a bright red Thing One costume, which is still hanging in my closet. I don’t think I ever thanked her.

And now she was barely conscious.

My mind ran wild with questions. My dad told me the doctors were still working to figure out what was happening, but I couldn’t focus on a single word he said.

My dad promised she would be fine, still waves of anxiety overwhelmed me. He told me her doctor had entered the room and hung up. The call ended and it hit me, I was scared of losing my mother.

She was always there to comfort me.

I remembered when, in fourth grade, my birthday fell on a Thursday. With both my parents working, staying home and celebrating wasn’t an option.

I wasn’t very popular so I wasn’t surprised when I didn’t receive a single ‘Happy Birthday!’ At lunch, I trudged to my spot in the corner, but then I saw my mother waiting in her work clothes with a bag of Subway. She brought my favorite lunch with a special halloween cookie shaped like a pumpkin. People noticed, and before I got on the bus, I got so many ‘Happy Birthdays!’ I lost count.

I slumped over in my chair, gripping my phone with white knuckles. I would’ve given anything to be in that room, to know what was happening.

After what felt like hours, Dad called

me back.

The doctors said she had kidney stones.

They are so painful that my mother, the toughest woman I know, was doubled over on a hospital bed and my father said he hadn’t seen her in this much pain since she gave birth. He told me they’d be home later that night.

I spent the next several hours researching kidney stones, their symptoms, treatments and their mortality rates. Despite my fathers and the doctor’s reassurance she’d be fine, I had to know for myself.

As I researched, I realized I took advantage of all the love she had given me. I felt guilty. I had spent my entire life oblivious to all she does and now all I could think about was the thanks I never gave her.

That night when my father opened the door, I had to stop myself from tackling my mom with a hug. Now that I knew she was okay and she was home, I wanted to give her the thanks I never did but when we got to her room, all the questions I had poured out.

“Are you okay? Do you need anything?

What happened at work?”

She waved her hand, gesturing me to stop my interrogation. My mother, after experiencing some of the worst pain of her life and being hospitalized for over six hours looked me in the eyes and with perfect sincerity said, “Yeah, yeah I’m fine, but how was your day, baby?”

Heys — Things we don’t like Not embracing Marauder Time lessons It may seem like students don’t appreciate Marauder Time, but many of us enjoy the lessons the district has provided. We appreciate how the administration has put in extra effort to revamp the presentations and start conversations. Student’s respond best when their teacher are enthusiastic and their peers are compassionate.

Design tara connick

B-hall bathroom In the girls’ b-hall bathroom, over half of the toilets are out of order, and many have stayed that way for weeks. The bathroom is already small, and when only about three toilets work at a given time, it can lead to a frustrating wait, especially since the handicapped stall is also out of order.

march 20, 2019

ID reinforcement Students may be warming up to ID’s, but they would prefer to wait for their teacher to remind them in class to put it on. When you are rushing to make it to first period class the last thing you want to hear is an AP yelling at you and making you even more late.

opinion

29

The real fake news Ava Bush

@ava_bush1

Katy Perry was recently accused of being racist — not because of anything she has said or done, but because of a pair of shoes for sale on her brand’s clothing website. The shoes had a triangular nose, blue eyes, and red lips attached to a shoe which comes in a variety of rainbow colors.

However, out of the nine available colors, the black shoe, caused an outcry about its supposed resemblance to blackface.

This is ridiculous. We praise a toy brand when it comes out with a doll in multiple skin tones, or a clothing line when it produces nude-colored tights in multiple shades.

But a solid black shoe was criticized for being racist, even though the color selections weren’t even skin tones. Clearly, the black shoes were not meant to replicate blackface — they’re not people, they’re shoes.

Meanwhile, Flint, Michigan still doesn’t have clean drinking water, and it’s been

five years since the water was discovered to be contaminated with lead. Since then, thousands have been permanently handicapped by lead poisoning, while others have died.

Within days of the Twitter meltdown over the shoes, Perry removed them from her website. It’s been five years, and the people of Flint still don’t have access to water that won’t kill them. Shoes should be below clean drinking water on the priority list of things to start a Twitter riot about.

Social media gives every person a voice, but I’m disgusted at how it’s being used right now. Instead of using tweets to promote real problems, our society uses them to complain about every little thing that offends them. Don’t get me wrong — blackface is a terrible form of racism that shouldn’t be tolerated.

But to get angry over shoes that clearly weren’t intended to portray that is a waste of resources. Our society does this daily — we sit around and search for things to find offensive. I’m tired of people looking for, and creating these “problems,” when there are real problems in the world.

I’ve been told that the world is changing, evolving into a more accepting and openminded society.

However, people use Twitter to call out every single thing that displeases them.

This call-out culture has proven to be very useful and far-reaching. And this can be a very positive thing, such as with the #MeToo movement.

“Can you send that to me? I’m building my meme arsenal.”

-Downstairs W Hall

“I wanna be grunge during the day and disco by night.”

-Cafeteria “No, I’ve never heard somone call a pony a compressed horse.”

- Newsroom

overheard

“I just wanted to build a shrine for myself.”

- C Hall

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opinion

But, because of its influence, call-out culture has began to work against us. I’m tired of this boy-who-cried-wolf scenario, where we freak out about every little thing that annoys us, which causes the major atrocities of our world to slip through the cracks.

That is why the crisis in Flint isn’t getting adequate media attention — people are devoting their attention to things like shoes or “controversial” celebrity outfits.

It’s time to start using the media to focus on real issues such as Flint, or the children being incarcerated at the border.

For example, I don’t understand why, when Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice, our country chose to focus on the act of his kneeling, rather than the racial injustice he was trying to advocate against.

His protest did little to nothing for those suffering from racial injustice, because Twitter was more focused on the controversy of kneeling than it was on the racism and violence.

That protest could have been the catalyst for change, but our call-out culture got ahold of it, and the argument over the protest itself, another fake problem, overshadowed the actual problem, which was racial injustice.

I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and that people are free to choose what they care about. We as a society just need to choose better.

“He’s super chill and everything, but I don’t know if I want to go to Chili’s with him.”

-Upstairs C Hall

“I drink my coffee battery acid black.”

- Downstairs B Hall mhsmarquee.com

Design tara connick

Recognize signs of abuse before it’s too late Staff Editorial Being controlling, possessive or violent are red flags that appear early in abusive relationships. One third of U.S. teens have been victims of physical or emotional dating abuse according to National Domestic Violence Hotline. Though these numbers are high, domestic violence still remains one of the most unreported crimes. Seemingly small behaviors may seem harmless but in reality are dangerous warning signs. It is important to look for these signs in friends’ relationships, as well as your own. Taking early action against domestic abuse rather than ignoring it is a necessary step towards minimizing this epidemic.

It is necessary to discuss red flags with others as soon as they are noticed because it can be a heavy burden for victims to try and solve the issue themselves. Chipping away at the victim’s self-esteem can quickly escalate into prohibiting victims from making their own decisions. Small hits or slaps can manifest into forced sex or intimidation with weapons. The longer these behaviors are excused, the more powerful the abuser becomes, resulting in more manipulative actions or violent situations. Victims tend to over dramatize the good qualities of their abusers while simultaneously downplaying the bad.

This allows the abusers to disguise their controlling behavior as concern for their partner’s well-being. Being with an abuser

the MARQUEE

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can also lead to suicidal thoughts or PTSD. Discussing the severity of these behaviors and their consequences will likely result in the victim forming healthy decisions on how to escape and move on from the toxic relationship.

It can be difficult to watch a loved one go through an abusive relationship. Not knowing how to support them may create frustration. While it may be easier to avoid getting involved, ignoring the issue is not the answer, particularly when the victim struggles to reach out for help. The support of others might be the victim’s lifeline.

Realizing the severity of their situation might create the idea that they have to be “saved.” In reality, the best thing to do is bring it to the attention of an adult. Teens and young adults often feel reluctant to reach out to an adult out of fear and lack of trust, but notifying a parent, teacher or counselor will ensure that victims will have appropriate resources to contact in an emergency.

No matter one’s history or upbringing, there is never an excuse for abuse. Many victims of domestic abuse stay in a relationship by making up justifications for their abuser, but this only further encourages their partner to continue this unhealthy behavior. It is important to note that while someone may have been brought up in a household where abusive behavior was acceptable, this gives them no right to mirror the same violence

towards others.

Often undiscussed, but still equally prominent, are male victims of domestic abuse. One in four men have experienced some form of physical violence from a partner in a relationship—nearly equivalent to the one in three women affected. Domestic abuse is commonly viewed as a gendered crime, but CDC surveys have shown that men make up more than 40 percent of victims from domestic violence. The misconception that men are rarely victims of abuse needs to be understood in a broader context to recognize the normality and severity of their abusive environment.

Regardless of the severity of one’s abusive situation, it is important for both the victim and their abuser to report any harmful behaviors and actions. While it may be difficult to do, taking small steps towards addressing abuse are still impactful. Simply talking with the victim or abuser about manipulative behaviors in their relationship may lead to the situation healing itself or ending before it turns into violent or criminal activity.

These discussions are important to have at a young age to prevent the normalization of red flags before someone could enter a toxic relationship or marriage at an older age. Whether you are directly affected or not, it is essential to find your own voice against dating abuse and encourage others to do the same.

Why are red flags important to listen to in relationships?

REMARKS

compilED skyler middleton photos maya hernandez

“I think it goes on without people realizing what it is, because it happens a lot more than people recognize.”

Briann Johnson, 12 “They stack up. They are very subtle in the beginning. You don’t notice it and you let it pass by. You start getting worried, and scared and you don’t tell anyone. That’s the worst thing you can do because it’s gonna get worse and then you’re going to start accepting it as a normal thing.

Ruth Morales, 11

Design tara connick

“The person might not want to leave that relationship because they are scared something might happen to them, or that the person might hurt them.

Blake Bradford, 10 “A red flag shows you who that person is and that’s a very blatant warning about how they will be in the future.”

Miriam Mcleod, English

march 20, 2019

opinion

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Track season, off with a bang A parent volunteer fires the starting pistol at the inter-squad track meet on Feb. 2. This meet split track students into two teams, having them compete against each other in preparation for the upcoming season.

Design emily seiler photos emily lundell Photo Illustration

Coach Steve Telaneus talks to senior Harvey Leal about his sprint and strategies to improve.

Track and cross country runners make a human pyramid on the field while other teammates warm up and prepare for the next race.

Juniors Lance and Kadin Lakey line up to get their times after competing in the same race at the inter-squad track meet.

Freshman Jonathan Dixon and senior Sean Watson leap over hurdles in the inter-squad track meet.