the Marquee
the marquee the marquee the marquee the marquee
editor in chief Raksha Jayakumar
business manager
Roger Sader
design editor
Arushi Sharma
graphics editor
Sian Byon
photo editor
Anya Jain
reporters
Gabe Weaver
Macy Doan
Lucy Baysinger
Sofa Heidlerova
Aneesh Mishra
Jude Soape
Pretty Hnem
Diya Amaram
designers
Renee Rodriguez
Emma Yoon
Caleb Kim
photographers
Koa Navarro-Garcia
Atharv Vundyala
Calista Mahendran
adviser
Philip Leone
principal Dr. Cody Koontz
The Marquee newsmagazine is a studentgenerated 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 refect the opinion of the staff, not necessarily that of the administration. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author. Advertising rates are $70 per 1/8 of a page, with discounts available. Patron ads are available for $100. Online advertisements are also available. For more information call 469-713-5196. The Marquee is a standing member of ILPC, TAJE, ATPI, CSPA NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll.
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04
Hotline halt
Suicide crisis line funding shortage
08 Joyful golf journey
Nationally-ranked junior reflects on his love of the game
16
Single, ready to mingle
Meet Marcus men needing a match
cover Atharv Vundyala contents
Varsity Basketball Player Luke Susko reaches for the rebound during a 61-57 victory against Hebron High School. Photo by Atharv Vundyala
Food market debuts in the LLC
STORY Aneesh Mishra DESIGN Roger Sader
Because of food insecurity in the community, the Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) opened its 100th in-school food market in the Lewisville Learning Center.
To ensure that students are well-fed during the school day and able to pursue their education, TAFB established their Ready To Learn program. Te goal of the project is to combat food insecurity in academic spaces. To accomplish this, the organization partners with local school districts to install food markets where students can obtain nutritious groceries with no costs atached.
For their 100th grand opening, the food bank reached out to the LISD CHOICES department to set up a market in the LLC, an institute where handicapped students learn in a safe and dedicated space.
Across TAFB’s thirteen county service area, 18% of the population is under the threat of food insecurity; nearly 30% of that being children. With one in four kids being afected, the Ready To Learn initiative aims to work with regional school districts such as LISD to help fulfll their mission.
“Te opening of the CHOICES Market
The opening of the CHOICES Market at the Lewisville Learning Center demonstrates the power of collaboration and community support,”
-Julie Butner, CEO of Tarrant Area Food Bank
at the Lewisville Learning Center demonstrates the power of collaboration and community support,”
President and CEO of Tarrant Area Food Bank Julie Butner said. “We are thrilled to partner with Lewisville ISD to provide this critical resource for families facing food insecurity, ensuring students have access to the most essential school supply: food.”
Te two organizations have had a long-standing partnership for about a decade now and together have made many signifcant milestones in the development of the community.
Tis recent civic initiative is one of the many projects that the alliance has established to strengthen the area. By providing a source of safe and healthy meals for students of all classes, the organizations can see their goal of equipping all children with equal opportunities come to fruition.
“Tere’s a whole lot of science behind the fact that our brains need to be in a good place for us to learn optimally,” Monya Crow, head of the LISD Counseling and Social Work Team, said. “I don’t think any child should go hungry. Te market is defnitely puting something there at their fngertips that will increase their opportunity to ensure that they have what they need to be ready to learn.”
Over the past few weeks, the market has been well-received by the community. Children who struggle in school due to hunger now have a number
The CHOICES Market serves as a vital resource for our families, helping students focus on learning without the burden of hunger.”
-Dr. Lori Rapp, LISD Superintendent of Schools of nutritious grocery options to stay energized throughout the day.
“We are deeply grateful for the partnership with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to help address food insecurity.” LISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lori Rapp said. “Te CHOICES Market serves as a vital resource for our families, helping students focus on learning without the burden of hunger.”
In order to address food insecurity in the district, LISD partnered with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to improve accessibility through the Lewisville Learning Center
Photo by Koa Navarro
Dialing Danger
A $7M shortfall threatens Texas’ 988 crisis hotline
STORY Diya Amaram DESIGN Caleb Kim
Because of the $7 million funding defcit to Texas’ 988 Crisis Line, thousands of people will be lef without access to critical mental health support.
With suicide being the second leading cause of death in Texans aged 10 through 34, mental health professionals and advocates are sounding the alarm. Without stable funding, they warn that the hotline may not be able to keep up with growing demand.
Te 988 hotline launched nationwide in 2022 to provide an easier way for people in crisis to reach trained counselors. In its frst year, call volume jumped by 50%, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
In Texas, nearly half of residents lack adequate access to mental health care, overwhelming the hotline. In August 2024 alone, more than 12% of calls were abandoned, one of the highest rates in the country.
Te funding gap is largely due to the expiration of federal COVID-19 emergency grants that helped launch 988. Many states have introduced small phone bill surcharges to keep the hotline running, but Texas has not, leaving local crisis centers dependent on limited state funding and short-term grants.
Emily Harper, a crisis counselor at Denton County MHMR Center, sees the toll it takes when there aren’t enough resources to handle the call volume.
People need real, immediate support from someone who understands their community.
Emily Harper, Counselor
“When funding is cut, we’re forced to operate with fewer staf, and that means longer wait times,” Harper said. “Sometimes, people in crisis hang up because they can’t wait. It’s heartbreaking knowing that we could have helped them if we had the resources.”
Texas ranks last in the nation for access to mental health care, according to Mental Health America. Advocates say the lack of a dedicated funding source for 988 refects a deeper issue — the state’s chronic underinvestment in mental health services.
Te consequences are already showing. Crisis centers have been forced to cut staf, leading to longer waits and increased reliance on national overfow centers. Tese centers can provide basic support but ofen lack the local knowledge needed to connect callers with Texas-specifc resources.
“You can’t just redirect someone in crisis and hope for the best,” Harper said. “People need real, immediate support from someone who understands their community.”
Dr. Rachel Torres, a Dallas-based therapist who works with teens, says the funding crisis is hiting young people especially hard.
“We’ve seen a steady increase in calls from teens who feel isolated, anxious, or depressed,” Torres said. “Te 988 hotline is their lifeline, and without it, we risk losing vulnerable kids to suicide.”
Adolescents and young adults are among the hotline’s most frequent callers.
“I’ve had clients tell me that 988 saved their life,” Torres said. “But when we’re talking about a resource that is at risk, we need to ask ourselves, what happens if that lifeline is gone?”
Advocates are urging Texas lawmakers to create a sustainable funding source, such as a small phone bill surcharge. Other states have implemented fees ranging from $0.23 to $0.50 per phone line, raising millions to keep their hotlines fully operational. Experts estimate that a similar measure
The 988 hotline is their lifeline, and without it, we risk losing vulnerable kids to suicide.
Dr. Rachel Torres
in Texas could eliminate the funding gap and allow for expanded services.
“We need to fnd a permanent way to fund 988,” Harper said. “Tis isn’t just about preventing suicide — this is about giving people in crisis the support they need to stay alive and heal.”
Another option is increasing the state’s overall mental health budget, which is well below the national average. Additional funding for crisis centers, community-based care, and workforce development could not only stabilize 988 but also strengthen Texas’ mental health system as a whole.
Te 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was built to save lives, but its future is uncertain. Experts warn that if Texas fails to act, the hotline’s instability will deepen the state’s already severe mental health crisis.
“I think people underestimate the impact that 988 has had on communities,” Torres said. “It’s been a lifeline for so many who otherwise might not have made it. We can’t aford to let that slip away.”
For Harper and her colleagues, the solution is clear: “We know what works— we just need the resources to make it happen. Te 988 lifeline saves lives every day, but it won’t survive without a real commitment from our leaders.”
Te 988 hotline is available 24/7 to provide confdential support and connect individuals in crisis to trained counselors.
In 2022,
4.37k people died by suicide
In 2022,
14.4 people died by suicide per 100,000
The suicide rate in Texas has increased by 29.7% over the past 20 years.
Age-adjusted deaths per 100,000 people
*Statistics from USA Facts
Training through pain
Student athletic healer braves POTS and SVT
STORY Raksha Jayakumar
DESIGN Arushi Sharma
Saanvi Jeereddy’s legs dangle from the hospital bed. She stares up at the boxy lights as she is told to lie down. She tries to keep her mind relaxed, but it stays trained on the doctors around her. Tey shufe back and forth, taking her blood pressure and heart rate, mutering their observations to each
other. Ten minutes of this routine pass by until they look to her, telling her to stand up.
As pressure enters her feet on the foor, Saanvi’s vision goes black. Holding onto the hospital bed, the doctors measure her heart rate again. A silent moment passes between them as they see the spike -- from 72 to 160 bpm.
Te doctors tell Saanvi what she already suspected -- she had Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
routinely checks up on the coaches and players to ensure they are properly hydrated.
Photo by Tracey Bergeson
As Saanvi began her freshman year, she was excited to be embraced by the camaraderie and familial spirit of the Marcus Band. However, the strenuous practices and 100-degree weather started taking their toll on her.
“I go an hour into practice, and then I can’t see for fve minutes,” Saanvi said. “I do all of my choreography blind.”
When these issues got more serious, she went to visit a cardiologist. However, the diagnosis she got was not what she expected.
“I walked out with a diagnosis, but it was the wrong diagnosis,” Saanvi said. “I was told that I just had anxiety and that it’s something every girl goes through in high school.”
Te cardiologist referred Saanvi to a therapist who was meant to help her
combat anxiety. Recognizing that there was more to the story, Saanvi’s therapist referred her to a diferent cardiologist who would hopefully fnd the root of her problems.
As Saanvi explained her symptoms to the doctor, they suggested doing a poor man’s tilt test on her -- measuring her heart rate before and afer standing up. As she expected, Saanvi’s heart rate jumped over 80 beats per minute, signaling to the doctors that she had POTS.
Being writen of by her frst cardiologist lef a bad taste in her mouth, giving her uncertainty in future medical visits.
“It’s just kind of back and forth with my brain,” Saanvi said. “I know I have to go to the doctor because the doctor’s going to help me get beter, but what if they don’t believe me? What if they think it’s all in my head?”
Due to the impact POTS has on her body, Saanvi was not able participate in marching band her sophomore year.
While she hoped to at least participate in concert band, she was told that would not be allowed. With more free space in her schedule, she needed to fnd something else to do. Her friend suggested she take sports medicine, training to heal injured athletes on the feld.
“I ended up taking it, and I fell in love with it,” Saanvi said. “I learned how to do CPR in that class, and I learned how to do tapings.”
Te frst level of the class, Sports Medicine 1, put the students in the middle of the action by having them tend to players of freshmen games.
“It was kind of weird as a 10th grader, but it taught me a lot,” Saanvi said. “It taught me how to get out of my bubble and talk to people.”
Falling in love with the program, Saanvi chose to take the next level of the course as well: Sports Medicine 2. Being in the advanced class, she and the other student athletic trainers tended to the varsity games as well.
To accompany the football players
Saanvi
during their practices, the student trainers set up their supplies at 5:30 am. Despite their drowsy eyes, they still enjoyed their time together.
“We were all sleep deprived and everything, but it was just so fun because you were around your friends,” Saanvi said. “Half of the time, we are just goofng of anyways.”
As Saanvi spent more time helping players on the feld, she was exposed to diferent scenarios that challenged her. During a game, one of the football players dislocated their knee, and he needed immediate atention. Saanvi’s coach called her forward and instructed her to hold his knee in place. All she could think was not to cough, not to move a muscle. Paramedics swarmed around her as her coach fnished puting a brace on his knee so he could be transported.
“It was my frst interaction with allied health and the healthcare feld,” Saanvi said. “It cemented that this is something I want to do.”
About a year and a half afer Saanvi’s initial diagnosis, she began noticing her symptoms worsening. At night, her heart rate would jump to 170. She sat back down, trying to lower it, but stayed high for about ten minutes. All of the methods she was told would alleviate POTS were not working.
Her watch recorded this information, noting each abnormal spike. Saanvi showed her doctors the videos, and they agreed that this was unusual. Tey put her on a heart monitor for the next month so they could observe the changes more closely.
A few days afer collecting all of the data from Saanvi’s heart monitor, the doctors called her in, saying they needed to talk to her as soon as possible. Contrary to what Saanvi expected, the doctors delivered another diagnosis -Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
“Your ventricles, what pumps blood out to the body, go into overdrive and they pump really fast,” Saanvi said. “Because of that, the things that you do to stop POTS like siting down and resting won’t help.”
With both POTS and SVT being linked to the heart, they feed of of each other, making traditional methods of prevention less efective. Saanvi went on a journey of fnding medication that worked for her through trial and error. She has tried about three, and afer experimenting with dosage, her doctors came to a set amount.
While this medication is helpful, Saanvi still has hard days with POTS and SVT because there are no specifc
feature Feb. 14, 2025
cures. Tese difcult moments follow Saanvi onto the feld as well.
Earlier this year, before football season began, the team had a scrimmage against Jesuit. While they played in 109º weather, the student athletic trainers set up all of their equipment went back and forth from the bus to the feld, drained.
visitor’s section only made the issue worse, so Saanvi sat down with an ice pack on the back of her neck, unable to keep exerting herself.
“Because POTS is a chronic illness, it’ll suck the energy out of you really quickly,” Saanvi said. “If you overexert yourself one day, the next day it hurts to get out of bed because you’re so nauseous, you feel dizzy.”
In the face of the setbacks she faced, Saanvi wants her priority to be helping others. She plans to go to Texas Tech, a Division I school with a strong program for sports medicine. While she does not plan to pursue sports medicine does want to go into the medical
“I want to be either a pediatric cardiologist or a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon,” Saanvi said. “I want to be a medical professional that doesn’t dismiss the symptoms of a
patient just because it’s a rare disease and not commonly found.”
Her experiences with disbelief and uncertainty have fueled her desire to ensure no one else has to feel held back
Saanvi preps nose plugs for athletes participating in the annual district wrestling tournament. Photo by Calista Mahendran
Tees, greens and memories
Junior’s love for golf lies beyond competing
STORY Gabe Weaver DESIGN Caleb Kim
Te tee box is silent. Te world seems to fade away.
All that 7-year-old Tyson Embry sees is the ball on the tee, and the green ahead of him.
His breath feels heavy - the same way it does now every time he tees of.
He feels the wind, the grass under his feet, and the club in his hands.
Embry takes a deep breath and begins his backswing. When the club is at its peak, he unleashes his downswing with all the power he’s generated. Club face meets golf ball.
As the ball is in the air, Embry sees the path it’s taking - and it’s perfect.
Te ball drops to the green and rolls into the hole. As he looks around, Embry realizes he just hit a hole in one.
Before Embry began playing competitive golf, his father and grandfather were constantly on the course playing together. Coming from a family with a love for the sport, Embry was bound to fall in love with golf, too. He started to follow in their footsteps at a young age.
“When I was four or fve, my dad and I were out of town playing,” Embry said. “I hit one shot from the fairway and
Being able to have your own style is different to any other sport, you can have your own style in football or basketball but not like golf.
Tyson
Embry, 11
made it from like 60 yards. Tat’s when my dad started to think I was going to be a good player.”
Tough golf is huge in his family, none of his family members went on to follow their dreams of playing golf at a high level to the degree of Embry.
“My grandpa and dad love the game, but they didn’t really pursue their passion,” Embry said. “I was the frst one to really pursue that and hopefully go to college for it and then go pro.”
Tough his love for the game is strong, Embry - like every golfer - has batled ups and downs in his career. Moving from middle school to high school was a difcult transition, longer courses and beter competition.
“From 13-14, it was a very tough type of challenge because you move up from playing shorter tees to the tips,” Embry said. “Te coaches began to expect more out of me and the bar was raised.”
Patience is a huge aspect of golf, but also a huge part of life that many are not taught. Embry knew that with time, he was sure to earn his spot on varsity and begin to play his style of golf.
Fueled by the competition of making
a spot on the team, Embry started to develop his own style of golf from the puting green to the fairway and tee box. Embry really honed in on his driver and discovered that club as his specialty.
Tyson Embry eyes the trajectory of his ball after hitting an iron from the fairway.
Photo Submitted by Tyson Embry
Tyson Embry hits his second shot from the fairway in competition this fall.
Photo Submitted by Tyson Embry
The sound his club made when it made contact with the ball was beautiful, especially his driver. It was different from everyone else’s.
Jackson Bodine, 11
“Being able to have your own style is diferent to any other sport,” Embry said. “I just really like the fact that it’s an individual sport and I get to choose what I get to play. I just fell in love with that.” •
At the range during team practice, sophomore Jackson Bodine worked on using his driver. With each swing, Bodine listened for the snap of his club
hiting the ball. As he paused between swings, he heard a diferent kind of “pop” and looked around to see what made that sound. Sure enough, it was Embry.
“I remember seeing Tyson hit of the tee,” Bodine said. “Te diference between his shot and everyone else’s is night and day. Te sound his club makes on contact with the ball is beautiful, especially his driver. It’s diferent from everyone else’s.”
• • •
Tough Embry is a fercely competitive golfer, he also cherishes the small, quiet moments of simply playing the game for fun.
When playing a 9-hole course with his grandpa recently, Embry noticed he approached this round as he usually does - paying atention to his practice swing, his set-up, and the slight changes of the breeze to make sure every shot was as perfect as it could be.
But Embry noticed something diferent afer lining up a shot and leting it rip; he realized he had a huge smile on his face.
It’s moments like these where Embry
feels that he enjoys golf the most.
“Golf doesn’t always have to be competitive,” Embry said. “It’s fun just being able to play with friends and with my grandpa. You can play golf for as long as you want to and as long as you’re healthy, it’s just great.”
Feb. 14, 2025
Nationally-ranked junior golfer, Tyson Embry, chips from the rough onto to the putting green in order to save par in tournament play.
Photo Submitted by Tyson Embry
10-year old Tyson Embry watching his tee shot land in the fairway.
Photo Submitted by Tyson Embry
Mr Coleman Wagner
What is your favorite thing about your spouse?
Well he’s handsome obviously, but other than that he’s super hard working and kind. He’s always the frst to apologize for anything– I love that.
What is your favorite thing about your spouse?
She is really sweet and caring. She cares so well for our kids and our family.
What is something you learned from your spouse that has changed your perspective on life?
Recently she has become a runner. Her commitment and dedication to running has been really inspiring. I’m a runner but she’s way more disciplined than me. She’s seen way stronger results than I was able to see.
Describe your spouse in three words.
Funny, disciplined, and energetic.
What was your first impression of your spouse?
I thought she was cute, and she was the kind of woman that made me want to be a better man.
What’s your favorite way to spend time together with your spouse?
I like to cuddle with her and watch a good show together.
What is something you learned from your spouse that has changed your perspective on life?
He’s a really good people person. I’ve always admired the way he interacts with people, and I’ve tried to become more positive and kind after seeing the way he is with other people.
Describe your spouse in three words.
Loving, smart, and handsome
What was your first impression of your spouse?
We actually knew each other in middle school and high school. Honestly, I thought he was kind of weird. I tell all my students that the kid that you think is weird now might end up being your husband one day. Anyways, we both grew up and fell in love – he’s only a little bit weird now.
What’s your favorite way to spend time together with your spouse?
We like to have fun and laugh together whether that’s just hanging out with our kids, going out to dinner, or going to Mexico (we like to go to the beach!). As long as we’re hanging out together we’re always having a good time.
Mrs Sarah Wagner
Behind the Roses
As a result of recent societal changes, the rates of domestic violence rose over the last decade. In 2023, 205 Texans were killed from domestic violence, almost double the 119 homicides in 2013. Domestic violence is a complex problem that ties together layers of the world’s current issues including economic struggle, social pressures, and the government-citizen dynamic. It afects family and intimate relationships, even hurting those who aren’t directly involved.
In order to make help and safety more accessible, Te Marquee has compiled relevant information on the pages that follow.
Hazards of Hostility Domestic violence threatens Texans
STORY Macy Doan, Anya Jain DESIGN Arushi Sharma
Increasing DV Homicides
Of the 205 Texans killed by their intimate partners in 2023, 179 victims were female-identifed and 26 were male-identifed. Four of these deaths occurred in Denton County.
Te increased cases of domestic violence have various likely causes including legislation, fnancial problems (loss and instability), substance abuse, and mental health issues. COVID-19 also impacted victims who were isolated
in the home signifcantly increase the chance of a person to be murdered in the home. Firearms were the leading method of domestic violence homicides.
142 Texas domestic violence victims in 2023 were killed by an abusive partner from frearm impact, outweighing the numbers of homicides perpetrated by stabbing, physical assault, strangling, and other methods combined.
“As a detective, I have seen frsthand need starts with recognizing the signs of
“In North Dallas, domestic violence unequally afects specifc groups, highlighting the urgent need for targeted support and intervention,” Legget said. “Understanding the specifc demographics most afected by domestic violence in North Dallas is essential for developing efective prevention strategies and support services tailored to these vulnerable populations.”
Women, racial and ethnic minorities,
Teenagers afected by domestic violence might also undergo additional obstacles such as mental health issues, developing independence, lack of individuality, and a higher likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors -- all factors that come with puberty and the comingof-age stage.
“Studies indicate that the prevalence of dating violence among teens has been increasing, with reports highlighting a growing awareness and willingness to seek help,” Legget said. “Teen victims of domestic violence in North Dallas can fnd help by reaching out to local resources such as school counselors, youth shelters, and hotlines specifcally designed for young people.”
parties in order, protecting the privacy of women seeking abortions as well as their independent rights. Te authority to control decisions regarding abortion was handed over to state power.
Following the Dobb’s Decision, domestic violence shelters have seen a surge of pregnant women seeking help.
Te Texas Heartbeat Act, passed in 2021, prohibits abortions afer about 6 weeks’ gestation, which is the time a fetus’s heartbeat is usually detected, hence the law’s name. Around this same time period is when women typically fnd out they are pregnant.
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As reproductive resources and choices have become more limited, those with unwanted pregnancies in harmful environments become more urgent to fnd safety.
“Te fnancial burden associated with pregnancy and the subsequent responsibility of raising a child adds another layer of difculty,” Legget said. “When women lack the option of terminating a pregnancy, they may fnd themselves forced to endure abusive situations longer.”
Senator Cook said that this is one of the most dangerous times to be a woman in Texas.
“Texas women are not in control of when they get pregnant, because there’s also an atack on contraceptives,” Cook said. “
Vehicles, homes, and bank accounts
Finding Assistance
Domestic violence can be an overlooked issue, but with the unceasing rates and cases spreading throughout Texas, they should not be ignored. It may be difcult to detect if someone is in an abusive household or relationship, but there are certain signs you can look out for to make sure you and your loved ones stay safe.
Some indicators exhibited by a victim that may suggest they are undergoing abuse include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, and isolation from friends and family. As an emergency room nurse, Senator Cook witnesses cases of interpersonal and domestic violence on a regular basis, yet she observed that people ofen prefer to keep it to themselves.
“A woman comes in and tells me, ‘My partner hit me,’”Cook said. “I say, ‘Would you like to report it? A lot of them say no.”
Common signs of an abuser include intimidation through threats, constant degradation, and controlling behavior that restricts individuality. If you notice any of these signs involving someone you love, do not be afraid to take action to cease abuse and prevent escalations.
While these situations can be straining and restrictive, victims should try to create a personalized safety plan,
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Feb. 14, 2025
restraining orders and reaching out to local legal aid organizations that can help with the legal process, especially once they escape to safety.
“Documenting dates, times, and descriptions of the abuse and any evidence, like photographs, can be crucial for legal proceedings,” Legget said.
Additionally, prioritizing a support system with trusted friends and family or even counselors is necessary to have people to confde in during this process. However, victims should be extremely cautious when using technology and social media, especially when it comes to location sharing and communication.
Don’t risk having abuse go unseen and unknown by ignoring the signs. Stay atentive to the people around you. If you see these signs in a relationship around you or even in one that you yourself personally share with someone, understand that there are trusted resources available in the local area.
healing the Heart
TW- abuse and physical violence
STORY Astor Jones
DESIGN Sian Byon
On a hot summer’s night, former Marcus student Kenia Martinez heads home afer spending the day with her then boyfriend. Looking from the passenger seat, she hears a buzzing coming from his phone. A gnawing feeling begins to grow in her stomach -- a familiar feeling. His history of cheating had always lingered in the air between them, but it feels especially heavy right now.
As she dares to read the Caller ID, her suspicions are confrmed. His ex’s name glares back at her from the screen. She quickly answers and puts the phone on speaker.
“Why are you calling his phone?”
Kenia questions.
“I wanted to see if he could hang out.” his ex replies.
Kenia turns to him, betrayed. He stammers, trying to fnd the words to explain himself, but she already knows what he is going to say next. She’s goten this speech from him before. As he begins to realize his
words have no efect, he switches to using his hands.
When Kenia feels the situation escalate, she continuously tells him there is a camera outside flming everything. But he doesn’t stop. He drives up and parks on the other side of her house, out of the camera’s sight. Another phone rings, but this time it’s Kenia’s. She sees her mom calling and picks
It all started out of nowhere, and over time, it felt like there was no personal space, self respect, or trust
- Kenia Martinez, 12
Tey want to call the police, but Kenia knows he is long gone.
Later that night, Kenia got a call from the police station. She didn’t know where to begin. She had evidence and proof, but it was hard for her to put her emotions into words. He got arrested for the assault, and Kenia was called down to fle a statement, get pictures taken, and examine the text messages between them. Afer showing evidence, an investigation was openedbut to no avail.
Less than 24 hours later, the boyfriend’s parents bailed him out of jail. She and her family sent messages demanding answers, or at least an apology, but Kenia still hasn’t heard from them.
“I never went to court,” Kenia said. “I never really got justice.”
Kenia, her mom, and childhood best friend started puting up fyers in
neighborhoods and posting on social media. Kenia was hesitant at frst, but she knew it would bring awareness to others going through the same thing. Afer posting, other girls connected with Kenia about their experiences, too.
“I remember there was one girl saying, ‘I wish I would have come out and said something sooner so this wouldn’t have happened to you,’” Kenia said. “‘I’m so happy that you came out and said something so other girls know it’s not okay.’”
However, not all responses were heartfelt. When Kenia went back to school, students started bullying her for coming out about the situation. Mocking memes appeared all over her social media feed. One such meme included a football game action photo featuring the ex-boyfriend tackling an opponent; it was edited to look like he was tackling her instead.
Group chats flled up with gossip, saying she was wrong for publicly coming out about her experiences. She knew that her ex was thought highly of in school, so she brushed it of, learning that not everyone would understand what she was going through.
Wading through the tricky responses a year later, Kenia was able to heal from what she went through. Being on her own self-love journey, she remembers how much she has changed over the years. During her past relationship, she would eat lunch by herself and not talk to any of the people around her. Now she embraces her culture, friends and family.
“When I was with him, I really shut everything out,” Kenia said. “I would look at pictures of me and honestly not think it was me at all. I’m glad it’s over because I really found myself.”
Not only has Kenia made peace with her past, she also has
in-depth
Feb. 14, 2025
found a new future. She and her new boyfriend have been together for over a year. Before jumping into a relationship again, she set new boundaries for herself, making sure communication would be a priority. She also wants to focus on the litle things this time. Bringing her fowers, going on dates to see light shows, and taking the time to connect with her family.
Afer Kenia’s experiences with both unhealthy and healthy relationships, she advises everyone to set boundaries and standards coming into relationships. She suggests taking time for yourself to know what your preferences are.
For people who are or were in the same situation, she said it is important to never feel ashamed of what you’re going through and to remember you
are not alone.
“Get out now before it’s too late,” Kenia said.
“It’s not love. It’s abuse. Never feel embarrassed to share your story, You’re helping others spread awareness. If you’re young and you’re in a toxic relationship, just get out now. You have so much to live for.”
Kenia and her current boyfriend, Diego, look at each other lovingly as they laugh about an inside joke whispered between the two. Photo by Anya Jain
Valentine’s
STORY Jude Soap
DESIGN Sian Byon
Across
6. Driver who was in ‘Marriage Story’
7. Cupid’s girlfriend
8. Lesser known romance language
10. Te actual color of violets
11. First lovers with 6 across
12. Teme of the cross word
14. Where you should go if your heart is broken
Crossword
1. He loves me.
3. Birds that mate for life
4. Valentine’s angel
5. What you probably don’t go on if you play crosswords
9. What you break on a frst date
13. Valentine’s occupation
*Check www.mhsmarquee.com for the answers!
2. Te X in XOXO
Mëët Ýøür Måtçh
Marcus’ eligible bachelors
STORY Jude Soap
DESIGN Sian Byon
@jackson.horn14
Grade: 11
Bio: I’m just an elegant bachelor looking for someone to spin me a web.
Looking For: weaving/looming skills preferred, must have eight legs, six eyes, two fangs, and be covered in hair
@justin_karamzin
Grade: 10
Bio: I love tennis and playing video games. I enjoy music and watching football. Looking For: any girl
@piotr_.j
Grade: 12
Bio: I like tennis, boxing, Fortnite: Ranked (unreal btw), and hanging out.
Looking For: any girl
entertainment Feb. 14, 2025
*answers collected with bachelors’ knowledge
@alex.roberson2008
Grade: 11
Bio: I like cars and doing automotive photography.
Looking For: also likes cars, not super clingy, can give me space, won’t make me cut any of my friends of, not insecure, and lets me get on the game with my friends
@maxy_czar
Grade: 10
Bio: I love tennis, skiing, playing video games, and watching anime.
Looking For: any girl
@jett.fernandez
Grade: 11
Bio: I am 6’7 and HATE period cramps.
Looking For: a Latina who listens to Carti
@veduchamala
Grade: 12
Bio: Loves music (especially Frank Ocean), loves cuddling, not super extroverted, enjoys watching sports.
Looking For: I love music, hanging out, and trying new foods. I’ll play any sport and I love having deep conversations.
@mat30.plumb.
Grade: 11
Bio: Mexican, glasses, red hair color. Extroverted but slightly introverted. I’d consider myself smart and kind. Maybe funny. Looking For: I am looking for any type of girl. A litle introverted, kind, and smart.
@cyrilsudepally
Grade: 12
Bio: I LOVE DOGS, tennis, gym, stocks, and staying at home. Jacked.
Looking For: tall, long legs, blonde
7 ways to get over a heartbreak
STORY Pretty Hnem
DESIGN Renee Rodriguez
Food for a fractured heart: healthy hearts eat more food
Afer shoving your face with a full box of 12 piece bone-in lemon pepper wings (with a side of extra seasoned fries and a medium diet Dr. Pepper to balance it out), now it’s time to reset and fuel your body with more nutritional foods. Replace your fries with a bowl of fruits, and use your ranch for your veggies instead of chicken wings. Eating healthy will not only make you look good, you’ll also feel good. Is your stomach churning thinking about that person? Try a ginger shot, they’re amazing for the gut and come in a variety of favors.
Screetime Sadness: Get off social media
Stop scrolling on TikTok and hiting the repost buton for that person to see. Don’t click that profle buton to see who they followed recently, and don’t even think about checking every comment section to see if they commented. Put the phone down and do something productive. You can decluter your room, read a book, or go out with your friends. One of the best ways to distract yourself is by spending time with those who make you feel good. Create good memories with those around you instead of reminiscing about the ones in the past.
One step at a time: Go to the gym, stairmaster or walk on the treadmill vents
Now that you’re no longer a passenger princess, you can become a Pilates princess. Go apply for a membership at your local gym if you don’t have one already and make ftness your new hobby. Can’t get a membership? Tat’s no excuse. Grab a pair of tennis shoes and get your heart racing. A broken heart calls for some cardio to mend it. Having a balanced workout routine has many benefts for a healthy heart such as improving circulation, lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
Glitter Bomb: Put glitter in their vents
Did they air your business out? Take a pack of glitter and pour it in their front air vents, so when they turn on their AC they get blasted in the face with a shimmery disaster. Free highlighter on the go, no? Perfect for a hot day when they get in their car all sweaty, desperate for some cool air where they instead are attacked with glitter and lef blinged out. It’s even better if they have somewhere important to be.
Natural healing: Spend time outside with nature
Sun glistening and fresh air blowing on your face. One of the best ways to distract yourself is to go outside and touch some grass. Instead of sulking in bed about that person and scrolling through old memories, go to your local park or even your front lawn and spend time outside to distract yourself. Green spaces keep our bodies healthy because the sight and sounds of nature can alleviate stress and promote the ultimate relaxation.
Mashing memories: Put instant mashed potatoes
A great way to get back at a cheater is to pour instant mashed potato mix all over their front yard, so when it rains they get lef with mashed potatoes in their grass. It’s hard to clean and super messy. A fun twist to get revenge, no? While you get a good thrill out of it, you’re also mashing memories of y’all together but in a somewhat nonviolent “healthy” way?
Cheesy Romance: cheese slices on their windshield
Sick of romance? Trow some slices of cheese on their windshields and watch it melt all over their windows. Just imagine them coming out to their car groggy and half awake, only to be greeted with a gooey masterpiece of cheddar plastered on their window like a dairy picasso. Bonus points if it’s sunny out, turn their car into a fondue pot of regret with the scent of grilled cheese gone rogue.
14, 2025
things we like
UnsungHeros
Our Athletic Trainers are truly the unsung heroes in this school. We appreciate the training and aid they give our athletes to help them perform at their best. What would we do without them?
rose colored glasses boombahs
STORY DESIGN Lucy Baysinger Emma Yoon
She stares at her closet shelf, swallowed by her heartbreak, holding back every teardrop -- preserving her pride. Her paper fowers stare back into her glossy eyes, reminding her that the love that once bloomed brightly has now wilted. Her fading hope echoes in her mind as she shuts her eyes tightly, knowing her fowers are no longer loved either.
Heartbreak feels like the world is weighing down on you. Every scent, picture, and gif triggers tear ducts to waterfall. Reminiscing on memories that were once vibrant and sweet. Watching others around you bask in the glow of “love,” triggers an unsetling question: what is love, really?
For many teenagers today, navigating emotions can be overwhelming. An epidemic exists in our current culture, a confusion between love and lust. Love is a warm place where you can be your authentic self, and appreciated for your dreams and faws. It fourishes in honesty, respect, and genuine connection.
In contrast, lust, by defnition, is a strong sexual desire, ofen superfcial. Te distinction can become fuzzy, especially when decisions can be swayed by societal pressure. Tis confusion is born through manipulation and deceit, where standards are lowered for acceptance, allowing others to take advantage of their vulnerability.
Lust has a big impact on our
We loved our theater department’s recent production of “Anastasia.” Every part is played perfectly, and we admire and appreciate how much hard work goes into putting on a musical. Congratulations to the entire cast, crew, and teachers on a job well-done. Bravo!
Full-fat chips are back! The more favorful and flling chips are back in all their caloric glory in the lunch line, so we can enjoy the pure, delectable treats without having to think healthy, if we do choose so. This opens up a lot more options for students’ lunches, and we’re happy to have these snacks back.
generation, ofen fueled by the oversexualized context on social media; many people mistake strong desire for a deep emotional connection. Lust-driven relationships can cause insecurities, jealousy, and having a lack of trust bloom as they’re ofen built of shallow foundations that crumble under pressure.
Te emphasis on physical appearance has also contributed to the rise of “hook-
up culture”, making it harder for young people to form genuine connections.
In a world dominated by social media portrayals of perfect relationships, comparing your relationship with others can create second thoughts that damage your connection. “Doom scrolling” can lead you to question the authenticity of your feelings and the strength of your bond.
Ofen what you see is a polished version of reality, created for public consumption. It isn’t fair to compare and
contrast your unique experience with someone else’s.
Te pain of heartbreak can serve as a painful yet valuable lesson in selfdiscovery. In moments of deep sorrow and binge ice-cream-eating, we ofen learn more about ourselves than we thought possible. It is a time to refect on reassessing our values and puting the shatered pieces of your heart back together. Embracing the opportunity for growth allows us to come back stronger and more aware of our worth and be beter equipped to recognize genuine love when it arrives.
Loving yourself and puting yourself frst is one of the most important things you can do for your happiness and wellbeing. Tis means valuing your needs, emotions, and goals without feeling guilty for prioritizing them. When you take care of yourself, whether that’s through seting boundaries, practicing self-care, or leting go of toxic relationships, you’re showing yourself that you deserve respect and kindness.
Puting yourself frst doesn’t mean you’re selfsh, it means you’re making sure you’re in a good place to give and receive love in the healthiest way possible, it is the foundation for every other relationship in your life.
Te road to healing is full of unexpected twists and turns, moments of joy, and setbacks. It’s crucial to preserve your sense of self and honor your emotions.
HEYS things we don’t
Cell Phone Incarceration
Phone holders in classrooms are no fun. These jail cells have become far too common for classrooms, and they keep students from seeing important notifcations. It isolates students and it invites more rebellion.
Hot or cold? Having to bring a jacket to school just because of one cold classroom is a hassle. The temperature fuctuations in school are distracting and take away from learning. It’s diffcult to focus on the lesson when your teeth are chattering.
Eating lunch at a table and at the library should be easy for most students; however, with less space in the school, it stops us from being able to sit and eat with our friends. The lunch room becomes crowded and it’s always a race to get to an available table in the library.
Noooooooooooo Mi TikTok
STORY DESIGN
Sofa Heidler Emma Yoon
It happened so fast that most of us didn’t even have time to process it. TikTok went dark for a few hours, the app refused to load, and suddenly the world was forced to fnd something else to do.
Some people panicked, others shrugged it of, and a small handful probably thought, “Maybe this is a sign I should fnally touch grass.”
And then, just as quickly as it disappeared, TikTok came back. No big announcements, no explanations, just… back. Business as usual. Except it wasn’t.
When TikTok returned, something was diferent. It was like when you argue with a friend, and they show up the next day acting like nothing happened -- but you know something happened. It wasn’t the TikTok we knew, this was a TikTok that had clearly been scrubbed, fltered, and polished. Videos about certain topics, like the LA fres, had all but vanished, buried under layers of unrelated content.
But the real question was, why was it banned for such a short time? If the government was serious about concerns like data privacy and national security, why not commit? A 12-hour ban isn’t exactly decisive. Te whole situation felt less like a hardline policy and more like a dramatic stunt—something to remind us who’s in charge without
Feb 14, 2025
fully pulling the plug.For a brief moment, though, the ban gave us a glimpse into what life without TikTok might look like.
And, honestly, it’s not the worst thing in the world. Productivity would make a comeback. Without TikTok, you might fnally clean out that junk drawer, or fnish the book that’s been gathering dust on your nightstand for two years.
Imagine a world where people didn’t spend hours trying to perfect the same trending dance or making an hour long deep dives into Ash Trevino. Te possibilities are endless.
A longer TikTok ban could have also given us a mental health breather. Don’t get me wrong—TikTok is entertaining, but it’s also exhausting. One second, you’re laughing at Nara Smith parodies, and the next, you’re spiraling because you saw yet another girl move to New York for flming a GRWM. It’s a nonstop loop of comparison, chaos, and overstimulation. Maybe we all need a litle less TikTok and a litle more quiet.
Te short-lived ban also raised some eyebrows. Te message that popped
up when it was banned read “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate Tik Tok once he takes ofce”.
What was the point? Was it a warning shot? A way to test public reaction? Or just a glitch that someone tried to spin into a policy move? Te whole thing felt strangely theatrical, as if it was more about sending a message than actually addressing any real issues.
In the end, the TikTok ban wasn’t long enough to leave a dent, but it was just long enough to get people thinking: about how much time we spend on the app; about the content we consume; about what’s behind the curtain.
And maybe that’s the point—whether intentional or not, the whole situation served as a reminder that the digital world we’ve built isn’t as invincible as we’d like to think.
For now TikTok is temporarily back, even though it’s still down from the app store. So all the people who haven’t deleted it are back to scrolling, doubletapping, and arguing over which trends are cringe and which ones are iconic. But if there’s one takeaway from the whole bizarre ordeal, it’s this: nothing online is guaranteed, not even your favorite app. Maybe next time the ban will stick, or maybe it’ll be another half-hearted atempt to make a point.
Either way, you might want to save those dance routines in a safe place—just in case.
Dear Delusion
STORY Macy Doan & Renee Rodriguez
DESIGN Renee Rodriguez
Dear Delusion,
Sometimes you get the best of us.
He opened the door for me? He’s obsessed with me.
She looked at me in the halls and smiled? I’m in love.
Most of us have had that person who has somehow infltrated our entire lives because of how much we like them. Suddenly, every litle thing they do gives us buterfies or makes us giggle. At some point, a one sided crush and these cute, seemingly harmless litle fantasies, turns into a desire for more.
But sometimes, the lack of reciprocity can kill us. Everyone enjoys living in a fantasy world where the person they want the most is theirs — but what if that fantasy started slipping into a reality where only heartbreak and toxicity exist?
Here’s what social media tells us: toxic romance is hot; being given the bare minimum is worthy of infatuation; chasing afer a person who has already tried ignoring you will eventually work.
Whether it be inspired by the recent tarot card reading I got on my FYP that told me my true love was coming (supposedly, the LOML’s name starts with the leter “S”) or normalized from the infnite edits flled under a hashtag of the red-fag villain with wildy freaky comments, you, Delusion, have given us horribly damaging ideas to our generation.
Sometimes you make things fun, but other times we’re headed in the completely opposite direction. All the praise and the thirsting sets us back centuries where toxicity and not standing up for yourself thrived.
Now, many young women and men express how they only want a partner who’s obsessed with
them. Crushes are no longer tame. Every mundane thing their crush does or says is taken to the extremes only causing them to fall deeper into a trance. Even stalking is normalized because why does this girl know his address? He’s spoken to her all but once. Of course, you help us all fawn over cute guys hoping they’ll like us back and geeking out over a touch of the hand, but there’s still a healthy extent to that.
Sometimes, I overhear girls mentioning how their entire day is ruined all because a man didn’t look
her way. When did doing the barest of the bare minimum make us so infatuated? It’s so upseting watching girls cry over boys who never did them right. You have blinded people to realizing and discovering red fags. Sometimes it’s ignored because their partner is “atractive” and “does their best.”
What people see might be an entirely fabricated version of what they want to see and like, not who that person actually is. Tey could be geting themselves into something harmful and dangerous, not even realizing it before it’s too late.
In turn, atempts at building a real, healthy relationship might always be diminished because people don’t learn or understand the true meaning
of a relationship. Tose who have fallen under your trance will setle for much less than they deserve because they aren’t even aware of how a proper relationship works.
Te idea of love is completely skewed with you in the picture, elusion. ou’ve changed people’s perspectives on dating and seriously “fnding the one.”
ou’re hurting people. umans are supposed to love and appreciate others in ways that also prioritize their own well being. ith you around, people get hurt more ofen in entirely avoidable situations. ove should be fun. ove should be e citing. ove should be sincere. ou’re destroying one of the only parts of life that is bona fde. bsession is not love. It’s a product of unhealthy desires and unatainable feelings. aybe we all become obsessed because we’re obsessed with the idea of love, not a person. ou’ve given us false hope that we can fnally be given the same love that we have tried to share but have never been reciprocated.
o people give love simply to love, or do people give love in hopes to be loved?
Tis is why I want to break up with you, elusion. I’ve given you much atention, but I am still never happy. ou’ve infltrated my head and spun a fantasy that will only ever e ist in my heart. ou’re the red fag and you’re only holding me back from loving truly and genuinely.
I fnally want to let go and love in peace no obsessions, no unhealthy interpretations of love, and no heartbreak where there was no love to begin with.
It’s not me, it’s you.
X.O.X.O.
REMARKS
Atharv Vundyala, Calista Mahendran
Would you break up with your signifcant other if you were given a million dollars?
“Yeah, I’d break up with her. It’s a million dollars and just a high school relationship. There’s nothing serious about it.”
“Probably not because relationships are important. It’s not worth it to break up over something that’s a physical item and will just go away over time.”
“I wouldn’t. Personally I’m Christian, and I date to marry. I really wouldn’t trade that for a million dollars.”
“Yes, I would. I’m not dating anyone right now, but if I was I don’t think it’s going to last forever. Plus, I need that money for college.”
11:30AM-3PM, 5-10PM
11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-9:30PM
Adhi Malladi (12)
Ailani Tinajero (11)
Chloe Heeter (12)
Kyle Lassahn (9)
Royal R e h e a r s a l
Senior Rebekah Rogers, senior Chaz Belcher and junior Kyle Keddy, were the main leads in the musical "Anastasia." The musical took place Jan. 23-26 with the opening night rehearsal taking place on Jan. 22, open to family and friends of the cast.
Photos by Anya Jain
