photo by Ashley Hoselton
Mitch Fly goes above, beyond with academic achievements Page 5
Peregrine The
Jersey Village High School 7600 Solomon Houston, Texas 77040
Auto-tech, NAHS, welding create Art Bus Pages 2-3
photo by Alissa Trevino
Volume 43, Issue 4 April 2015
Dominating Opponents
School club racks up wins against local area teams
photo by Kelsey Hodges
As the sun sets in the chilly weather, 21 figures cast shadows down the football field. A Frisbee soars above the crowd and a player leaps to grasp it. Composed of mostly track and band members, the Ultimate Frisbee team dominates the district with skill, passion, and a brotherly bond. “What I like most about Ultimate Frisbee is watching every last gleam of hope fade away from our enemies eyes as we destroy them physically and mentally… on the field..14-0,” Phi Cao, senior, said. After suffering a reoccurring shoulder dislocation, Cao could no longer play football, Ultimate Frisbee served as the closest alternative. To Cao, the basics
of the game consist of communication, teamwork, and trust. Seniors Aaron Maier, Connor Okonski, and David Koch created the team two years ago and serve as captains, along with Jake Abeyta. “I like the competitive environment produced by the sport and the rivalries made with other schools most about ultimate Frisbee, my responsibility as a
captain is to keep the team functioning as the highest degree possible” Aaron Maier, senior, said. Maier’s responsibilities include calling the other teams in the area and organizing a time and place to play. Similar to army football, the game bans contact and steps with the disc. A team scores when the offense completes a pass in the defense’s end zone. Players self-officiate; each team member makes their own foul, line calls and resolves their own disputes. (Con’t on pages 8, 9)
By Kelsey Hodges
Propelling frisbee
From left to right, Brandon Castleman, freshman, Austin Brown, junior, Chris Taylor, sophomore, Chase Skewers, senior, and Matthew Dean, junior, Castleman toss the frisbee toward his teammate, jumping off the ground with force. On this Thursday practice, the Ultimate Frisbee team divided up to play against each other. Despite the chilly weather, the guys continued perfecting their skills and strategies to ensure their preparation for the game.
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The Issue 4 PEREGRINE
News
Apirl 2015
Optimus Prime Restyled Super hero art bus, roll out
Auto mechanics wait eagerly in the parking lot as a rundown orange bus turns the corner and slowly drives towards them. Fingers itching to start, they park it in the garage and set about to what they intend to do: turn a school bus, into a cool bus. The auto tech, art, and welding classes have banded together to create an art bus to represent their district. Each section has a responsibility and assignment to contribute to complete the bus. “It was my decision to include the welding and auto tech classes. I thought they would be able to add some interesting elements to the bus. It is a lot of work. We have to gather all the materials and take them across the school whenever we are ready to paint,” Alissa Trevino, art teacher and National Art Honor Society sponsor, said. The design originated as a way to promote the Second Annual Superintendent Fun Run set for February 21st, but due to complications, it did not make the deadline. However, at the rate at which the bus progressed, it will make the 28th Annual Houston Art Car Parade on April 11th. “We will be ready for the Art Car Parade, as I went in to this fully knowing that we would try our best to get it done in time,” Trevino said. The welding class designed and created the emblems attached to the lights as well as the flames and sheet of metal on the windows. The welding team included two people from the advanced welding class and went smoothly for the two weeks it took to finish their part. “I had to measure the windows, lights, and doors and weld the designs that Hector Hernandez made onto an attachable metal,” Alan Guerrero, senior, said. The auto tech class then used the pieces made and attached it to the bus as well as making modifications. Once the mirrors and grill finished in welding, they attached them to the bus to finish the designs. “We lowered the bus about five inches, removed the side panels, attached the decals and metal on the windows, and painted it white to prepare it for the art class,” James Clouse, auto tech teacher, said. With the bus souped up and prepped, art got to work on the main attraction. They started by choosing a superhero for each school, sketching it, and used that school’s colors to paint the characters on the bus. “It is really amazing to be able to do this. While working on my part and after I worked on my part I helped the other kids finish their sketches and helped paint their people. NAHS always gives me something new and exciting every time I walk in. We are using a different kind of paint that looks really cool, but is new to most of the people working on it, so I occasionally help and teach the newcomers what to do,” Sandy Nguyen, junior, said.
The parade will not charge anyone to attend unless they reserve a spot or special order something. It also does not restrict who can make a car or how. I believes the community should express themselves without having to go through elaborate set ups. Anyone can make an art car and anyone can come and watch. This is the largest free public art event in the city, drawing an estimated crowd of over 300,000. The parade has multiple events stretching over a few days, but the parade itself rolls on Saturday, April 11. The parade route opens at 10 a.m. for a perfect opportunity to see the entries up close and stationary as well as to meet their artist. It will begin at 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and runs along Allen Parkway, starting at Taft, heading toward Downtown, making a left at Heritage Park, and then back down Allen Parkway the other way. By Cade Schaudel
photo by Sandy Nguyen
Wonderful Art Designs
Working on the bus, Nicole Pena, junior, plans the sketch for her school mascot assignment as well as sprucing up other sections of the background of the bus.
photo by Cade Schaudel
Super Painting Results
The results of months of hard work shows itself in the nearly finished art bus and will continue to develop and add on to the already growing mobile mural Jersey Village High School took on to represent the entire district through their art, welding, and auto tech classes.
April 2015
Feature
photo by Cade Schaudel
The Issue 4 PEREGRINE
3
photo by Ashley Hoselton
Auto tech contributors
Students who worked on the auto mechanics aspect included: Jose Rosales, senior, Jason Galera, junior, Mark Rodriguez, junior, Paul Sanchez, senior, John Schaudel, senior, Brooke Diviak, junior, Michael Hernandez, senior, and James Clouse, teacher.
Artists from nAhs
Volunteering their after school hours students from the National Art Honor Society included: Ranoy Pham, Amanda Lam, Luis Flores, Alissa Trevino, teacher, Ian Ehrhart, Lanella Brito, Hannah Mauss, Wilma Camarillo, Elizabeth Pecnik
Welding Wonders
Taking care of welding aspects of the Super Hero Bus Alan Guerrero and Hector Hernandez contributed their welding abilities to ready the bus for the artists. photo by Leslie Gonzalez
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Flying With Achievements
Senior attains long list of accomplishments The boy walks down the hall with an enormous smile on his face, swinging his keys, saying hi to everyone he passes. He has hung up his football jersey and traded it in for a warm up suit. Students and teachers alike wish him luck on his game that night. Mitch Fly, senior, has made a name for himself throughout the school as a member of the varsity football and basketball team, a Brown scholar and second place recipient of a scholarship from the Touchdown Club. He certainly has a very promising list of accomplishments from his four years here. “I’m first in the class, National Merit Scholar, Eagle Scout and I do community service,” Fly said. With his numerous academic activities and accomplishments, it seems hard to believe Fly has any time left over. Yet, he does and held the position of kicker on the varsity football team this past season, as well as playing on the varsity basketball team this season. His dedication to his goals has made an impression on his coaches. “He’s an impeccable person. You don’t find many people with the qualities he has. He’s a person of character, very trustworthy, very honest. The ultimate teammate,” Reginald Childress, varsity basketball coach, said. Even though Fly has many achievements that most can only dream of, he still felt immense pressure to follow in the footsteps of his older brothers, Chuck and Ross Fly, to gain the status of National Merit Scholar. Although he has his doubts, his parents continued to encourage his efforts. “That was something I used to talk to
my parents about because both Ross and Chuck had made it and the entire time I was just freaking out thinking, you know what if I don’t make it and the family legacy is over and everything. My parents kept reassuring me, ‘you know it’s fine if you don’t make it’ but fortunately, I’m very lucky,” Fly said. With his brothers portraying the main reason for pressure, they also acted as a driving force for Fly’s academic and athletic goals. With all the positive peer pressure, Fly has come to realize his many blessings. “I would say it was just seeing Ross and Chuck both doing it all and I’ve just been given a bunch of blessings and opportunities to go out and have the chance to do what I’m doing right now. It’s just the want to do something with what I have,” Fly said. His brothers have seemingly acted as an invisible force, molding Fly into the success driven student – athlete people recognize. His mother, Jane Fly, most certainly agrees with the positive influence Fly’s brothers have inspired in him. “His brothers have been good role models, and they’ve also put positive peer pressure on him. They expect Mitch to stick to his values, be kind, and be a person others can rely on,” Jane Fly said. In addition, Steve Fly, Mitch’s father, has seen even more positive effects of the high morals and goals of Fly’s two brothers, as well as the effects of the guiding hands on Fly himself. “Mitch was able to see that his brothers benefited from hard work and perseverance,” Steve Fly said. Although Fly will graduate this year, he continues to make good impressions
on the various people he encounters, including his teachers. Barbra Carlin, English teacher, has a lot to say about Mitch. “Mitch Fly is bright, intelligent and has what I consider to be a very important quality, a great sense of humor. His most promising quality is what makes him a good student, his focus,” Carlin said. Naturally, his parents have the upmost pride for their son. Steve Fly has enjoyed watching his son go through various challenges throughout his life and progress socially and academically. “I think he enjoys the challenge of setting and reaching goals. He works hard and doesn’t give up, and success just follows,” Fly said. Sophomore history teacher Lisa Siems continues to receive many visits from her former student. Throughout the time she has known him, Siems has realized a very important quality in Fly. “In order to have great success as a leader, you have to be a dedicated individual. It is Mitch’s dedication to achieving his goals that makes him a leader among his peers,” Siems said. From multiple points of view, Fly has displayed many auspicious qualities throughout his time here. John Havens, math teacher, recounts an experience he has shared with his student. “From talking with him outside the classroom setting, I believe his success
stems from his home environment – loving parents who taught their children a tremendous sense of right and wrong, a love of God and country, and a strong work ethic,” Havens said. Throughout his life, his family has always been a main support system for Fly. His mother has watched her son develop and grow into the person he is today. “I am most proud of the person he is. It’s not easy to be the kid that publicly admits “I don’t party, I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs.” But Mitch says it. There are a lot of good kids at JV who are doing the right thing. I’m proud that Mitch is not quiet about it, because it lets other kids know that they are not alone,” Jane Fly said. By eMMilyne tHoMas
good ol’ teAm PlAyer
photo by Jacqueline Solano
Standing in line with his team mates Anthony Padilla, senior, D’onte Williams, senior, Ruben Gutierrez, senior, and Kyle Zabadal, senior, Mitch Fly remains quiet for the National Anthem before they begin the game.
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Riding Towards Success
7
Aspiring horseback rider perseveres The whistle sounds, and the focused girl takes off with her horse galloping at full speed. She grabs onto the rein tightly and directs her horse carefully over the hurdles. As she finishes with a record time, Jordan Pattillo, sophomore, just won the championship. Pattillo’s interest towards horses started at a young age, since she grew up with them at her grandmother’s house. The introduction to the horses lead her to pursue horseback riding. “I’ve always been interested in horses because my grandma had them out in Waller. I didn’t start taking horse riding lessons until I was nine,” Pattillo said. Once she started horseback riding lessons, she received her first horse, Henry. Taking care of a horse requires responsibility with all the maintenance and training that comes along. Equestrians, riders on horseback, must tend to their horse every day for their horses best health. Routine care requires ongoing expenses, and equestrians cannot forget to maintain their horse’s care despite weather conditions. Horses need hoof maintenance, shelter, food and water supply, exercise, and stamina to train. If equestrians maintain those duties, their horse can live up to 35 years. “I have my own horse named Henry, and I keep him out in Cypress at a barn named Cypress Riding School. I also ride there, too,” Pattillo said. Horseback riding has different sections, such as endurance riding, racing, jumping, and multiple other categories. Pattillo specializes in horse jumping, a timed obstacle course that tests the horse and equestrian’s ability, endurance, and skill. Jumper courses have very complex and technical skills, because the rider will not be judged on style. The judging system includes an objectively graded score sheet by if the horse attempts, clears, or finishes the obstacle in the allotted time. “The competitions for jumping are called hunter/jumper shows. Hunters are judged on cadence, consistency, and the grace and style of the horse and rider. Jumpers are timed on a course of fences that are higher and more difficult than hunter courses. The best time and least faults (when a horse stops at a pole or knocks a pole down) win,” Julie Jones, Pattillo’s riding instructor, said. Jumping, a more difficult aspect of horseback riding, takes years of training to perfect. Before an equestrian can attempt jumping with their horse, they must master the basic skills of horseback riding. Basics start from learning how to approach a horse, all the way to learning how to correctly ride and train one. Learning the basics in horseback riding may come across as a struggle, because they contain many skills and it can easily come across as overwhelming to the equestrian. Pattillo had setbacks with the basic skills at first, but over time she mastered them and continued on. “It took me awhile at first, but when I got the basics down I was able to choose what I actually wanted to do, and I chose jumping. At first I wanted to try jumping because it looked exciting, but
when I actually started doing it, I fell in love with it. I wanted to get enough experience to where I could compete. I’ve been competing with jumping for four years now,” Pattillo said. Horseback riding can have the reputation as a dangerous sport, while several injuries happen just by standing near a horse. Although most accidents occur while riding, some happen while feeding, grooming, or handling a horse. Horseback riding has a higher injury rate than motorcycling. Motorcyclists have an estimated injury rate of one every 7000 hours, and equestrians have a rate of one every 350 hours. “Riding can be dangerous, just like other sports, but with the proper equipment like ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) approved helmets, boots, and help from an experienced professional, it can be a very rewarding sport!” Jones said. Once an equestrian attains enough ability, they will present their horse and skills at a competition or show. A specific show that jumpers and hunters in Texas may compete in is STHJA, South Texas Hunter/Jumper Association. STHJA provides an opportunity for exhibitors of all levels to learn and show their horse at a quality show. The show emphasizes equitation, presentation, and professionalism. Pattillo has participated in this competition for two years, placing both times. In 2013 she placed second in the year-end finals, and in 2014 she placed first. “Jordan is an amazing rider and has been very successful in the show ring, and I think that keeps her motivation up, to keep going and always try to do her best,” Travis Parr, horseback rider, said. Pattillo has persevered in making Henry a successful and talented show horse. Through all her triumph and tribulations, the connection she’s created with her horse has an unbreakable bond. She impresses her instructors and raises expectation levels to new heights. “Jordan has been riding with us for many years. She’s a very graceful rider. She’s got the unique ability to keep good form over the jump while still being a very effective rider. She’s also a western rider as well as a great English rider. Her current horse, Henry, is quite talented and quite challenging. She’s worked really hard at making him a very successful show horse,” Jones said. Not only do Patillo’s instructors recognize her talents, the friends she made in riding do too. Riding along with encouraging friends benefit equestrians on their performance. “Jordan and I met at the barn and have known each other for several years now. We compete in the same classes so we work on the same type of riding together. It is always more enjoyable to have someone to be able to practice and compete with. Jordan is also very committed to riding, and that’s required when you show horses,” Parr said. Horseback riding has brought her best friends, memories, and a very special animal companion. All the diligent work she puts forth towards her fa-
A Leap of Faith
Directing Henry over a wooden log, Jordan Patillo, sophomore, focuses on her equitation.
Taking a Dip
Fellow horseback riders Jordan Patillo, sophomore, and Travis Parr, equestrian, beat the heat by taking a swim in a nearby pond with their horses.
Horseback Riding for Dummies
Canter: the run or the fast speed of the horse Equitation: the art of horse riding Gait: the paces at which horses move Trot: moderate speed gait in which the horse goes from one diagonal pair of legs to the other Jog: western riding term for trot Halt: when the horse is at a standstill Aids: signals or cues the rider gives to their horse Walk: a slow four beat gait Offside: the right hand side of the horse Back: to step a horse backwards Chip/Chip in: when a horse puts in a short, additional stride Lope: slow western canter vorite sport reminds her of where she stands now with Henry. “My favorite part is the bond I’ve created with my horse. Being able to see him, and ride him every day makes it grow even stronger. Also, I met my best friends through riding,” Pattillo said.
By Alanna Mullins
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The Issue 4 PEREGRINE
InDepth
Q&A
April 2015
A
Ultimate Tea
Frisbee players reach n
Ultimate Players
Shane Erwin, sophomore and Matthew Furman, junior
Most memorable moment this season? M: The game against Strake. S: When we played a private school called the Village. Why was that so memorable? M: I went down field for a pass and there were three defenders on me and I was able to catch it over them and score the point. S: It was a close game where we were almost tied the whole time, but in the end we pulled through to win the game. Favorite aspect of Ultimate frisbee? M: The teamwork of it, because you can’t do it alone. You have to actually work together as a team to advance down field to defend against the other team. S: My favorite thing about ultimate is that we all enjoy being a team, and it is a good way for me to get together with my friends.
In addition, band member and captain Connor Okonski, senior, assisted in the organization of the team and remains one of the original players. “Being captain means that there are other players who look at you to lead them. There are plenty of other viable candidates for the spot but they look to a select few. It’s a sense of pride,”Okonski said. In charge of such a large group of people, Okonski takes his position seriously. With only three captains, the responsibilities of maintaining a team can feel heavy. “The most memorable moment this season was our first game and we were down by 2 at the half time break with a long way to go to catch up. It was sluggish going into the half but something clicked. We rallied back and won by 1 to start the year off right,” Okonski said. This experience set the pace for the rest of the year and motivated Okonski to not give up. Although the other team had more points, the guys worked together to come back and win the game. “I'm going to miss the people mostly. They make a family atmosphere that just fun to be around. Being part of this team has introduced me to people that I may have never have met. It also gives us a new sport to learn,” Okonski said. With graduation ahead, the seniors on the Ultimate Frisbee team attempt to cherish their last moments as players. Okonksi will miss his teammates most, but remains grateful for their time spent together. Furthermore, Captain Jake Abeyta, senior, also helps lead in practices and games. “Whenever I play sports, I always like trying my best with my team. The two basics of ultimate are catching and throwing. Catching can be done pretty easily, but the throwing can take some practice,” Abeyta said. Dedicated to the team, Abeyta has worked to perfect his skills through his time as an ultimate player. The players decide the score at the beginning of the match, normally choosing the first to 7 or 14. “I came to every practice, it was good exercise and it was fun so I continued going. I wasn’t half bad either, so my attendance and skill is what made me a captain,” Abeyta said. Throughout the season, Abeyta bonded with the team, win or lose. Certain experiences on the team stand out more than others in his memory. “It was one of our first games-against a school called “The Village”. It was a pretty neck and neck game the entire way, and each of us needed only one more point to win (this was when we placed first to 14 wins). We had a quick turnover, and I immediately bolted for the end zone. Connor did a quick pass and I caught it, winning the game. After losing to them last season, it felt good to come out on top. It was a great game,” Abeyta said.
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Three Basic Rule
1) Initiate Play - Each point begins with bo respective end zone line.
2) Both teams must raise one hand to sign (offense) must all have at least one foot on running around player
photo by Damaris DeLeon
Ultimate Frisbee teammates Chris Taylor and Matthew Jiang, sophomores. play against each other in a friendly game. The goal of these mock games revolves around adapting skills and knowing the best plays to call.
3) The throwing team (defense) may mov not cross the line until the disc is released
April 2015
am Takes Off
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new accomplishments
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Adrenaline pumping, Abeyta charged for Frisbee, grasping it out of the air and saving the game. Out of his entire ultimate Frisbee career, this moment stood out most to Abeyta and will remain etched in his memory after he graduates. “What I’ll miss the most when I graduate is the games. Practice and scrimmages with friends are fun, but games provide a different feeling. I’ll really miss that feeling and just the normal competitiveness that sports offer,” Abeyta said. Naturally competitive, Ultimate allowed Abeyta to excel in a sport he enjoyed. Abeyta will miss the rush of playing the game most when the season ends. “Being a member of the team has really enforced my “never give up” outlook. I’ve always been taught to never give up, always to try your hardest, but playing in a game and making a comeback really makes me think that never giving up can change things,” Abeyta said. Abeyta will carry the lessons he learned from ultimate Frisbee with him when he graduates. Furthermore, fan Tiffany Smith, sophomore, attended multiple games this season to encourage the team and her friends. “I went to the games to support my school and it was really neat to learn about a new sport. I also went to support Mason Hicks and Nick DeMarino,” Smith said. Attending nearly every game, Smith gained knowledge on the sport while watching her close friends play. In addition, Chase Skweres, senior, player enjoyed his last season with his teammates by winning against rival teams. “My favorite memory of ultimate was this year when we destroyed Emory... The ending score was 18-1... Favorite thing for me is doing throw-offs because it's just so nice to see that your throw is going from end zone to end zone... Every time you get a throw that just keeps going it feels pretty good,” Skweres said. Overall, the Ultimate Frisbee players have dominated other schools so far and will continue to work together and play to the best of their ability for the prosperity of the team. Skweres acts as a leader for the younger players and strives to perfect his and other’s techniques. “Since I’m one of the senior players, most of what I do is teach people techniques to throwing, how to read a Frisbee and how to see the field in order to make better plays, so my relationship with the rest of the team is a teacher and through the season everyone has progressed and gotten better and figured out things that work for them and because of that the team does really well, we all work well together and know how everyone likes to play,” Skweres said.
photo by Damaris DeLeon
Blocking His TeammaTe
Shane Erwin, sophomore, attempts to block senior Ryan Bronikowski’s throw while Chase Skweres, senior, looks on. On this Thursday practice, the Ultimate Frisbee team played against each other to perfect their strategies in preparation for the upcoming game.
sprinTing Toward opponenT
Below, Austin Brown, junior, grasps the frisbee, and Aaron Maier, senior, readies himself for the next play. Shane Irwin, sophomore, moves closer in anticipation of the throw.
By Kelsey Hodges
ules of the Game
h both teams lining up on the front of their
signify they are ready. The receiving team t on their goal line prior to the throw.
move around in their own goal, but may sed. photo by Damaris DeLeon
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The Issue 4 PEREGRINE
Feature
Challenging Competitions
April 2015
Veterinary tech team advances as season progresses
“Being on the team takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Our team has come a long way and is determined to succeed. It is a big part of our lives because we are putting a lot of work into it. Our goal is to make state this year, like we have in the past.”
-Zachary Broussard
The students sit in silence and anticipation as the administrator walks in baring the testing sheets. She sets the pages down before the participating students, and the questions present themselves to the anxiety-riddled students. Many weeks of studying and preparation had led to this moment, and they were completely ready for it. Fifty questions would prove no challenge to them. The students in the Veterinary Technicians department has covered significant ground since their first practice in December, starting the season off placing 15th at the state level, as well as reaching a rank of 10/76 at the Katy Invitational, 5/32 at the Klein Invitational, 3/30 at the James Madison Invitational, 2/118 at the McLennan Invitational, and 1/18 at the Chapel Hill Invitational. “You definitely take every rank you get seriously. The goal is to be the best of the best, and that means having to realize where you need to improve to obtain that higher rank,” Danielle Williams, junior, said. Five basic categories make up the composition of vet tech competitions: the Practicum, where students will demonstrate designated skill sets to judges, a 50 question test taken from 250 different terms, and then three different categories for identification that include various animal species, tool and equipment identification, and parasite identification. “The most important aspect of being on the vet team is learning how to study. You learn to actually put your skills into
“Before I joined vet tech I wasn’t sure if I wanted to become a veterinarian or if I wanted to work with animals, but joining the vet tech has taught me more about how vets work. It helped me figure out what I want to pursue with my life.” -Abril De La Mora
actual real world situations and really sets you up for success in vet school. It really puts emphasis on difference and exotic animals and parasites that normal people wouldn’t have any knowledge about,” Mia Medellin, junior, said. The vet team has become more than just an extracurricular activity, the students and team members also see it as an opportunity to get ahead in their life ambitions and get some additional training under their belts before going off to college. “I decided I wanted to become a vet when I had shadowed a vet in action in the ninth grade. We had known the vet, and she knew I was interested in the veterinary field so she let me sit in and watch different surgeries and procedures,” Cade Barnes, sophomore, said. Being on the team itself, even, has seemed to increase the amount of passion the students hold for not only their animals, but also for reaching their full potential and their dream professions. “Being in FFA these past three years has made me realize my passion and love for a career in veterinary medicine. Having animals as my own responsibility allows me to make decisions on the well being of my animal, and further advance my veterinary career,” Williams said. The students all had different experiences that had prompted them to join the team in the first place, but the commonality has brought them together and helps them function better as a one, smooth group. The aim is for the teens to get as much information as they can
“The team is honestly my life and I’m so happy doing what I love. The activities I do profit from the information I get from being on the team. It is so important to me, and it’s so amazing find in a team where you belong and are compassionate about.”
-Danielle Williams
before graduating to college-level vet and agriculture programs. “The most important aspect of being on the vet team is being fully selfdisciplined. You literally have to put in hours and hours of studying and work to make it as far as we have. You have to be 100% sure that you want to be on the team and you must be fully committed,” Mercedes Serna, freshman, said. The team has the most of their season remaining until the general stopping point in April before State and National competitions ensue, and they are studying hard to make an even higher ranking and advance further in their competitions. Even while working hard, the team members know the importance of slowing down and get in touch with one another and look at each other as more than just class or teammates. “What I think is the most important aspect is bonding as a family, working together, and having fun in the process. FFA reaches all aspects of personal growth and success. It is east to become obsessed. I love the people that are on the vet team and FFA because we all have a common goal: learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, and living to serve,” Williams said. The rest of the season looks bright for the vet team as the veteran members continue to advance and improve, and the new members train to achieve make their first year a success for not only them, but the entire department. The students fully intend to make it to state level and make this seasons the best that they possibly can. By Juli Perez
Taking Practice Shots
Photos by Juli Perez
The vet tech team assembles in the agriculture room every Monday and Wednesday after school for thorough practices and run-throughs. The members practice medical procedures on stuffed dogs, and act as though they were in a real phase of the competition. In the actual skills showcase students must call out their actions to the judge as they perform them, and they take the time in practice to perfect their wording and all of the actions are in the right order.
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April 2015
The Issue 4 PEREGRINE
11
Timeless technique
Artist pursues professional career Digital Artist Cassie De La Torre, senior, sits comfortably in her living room with her laptop before her, absent minded munching on a snack and running the stylus back and forth across her Wacom Intuis IV tablet, the computer input that turns her computer into a high-tech canvas. As the news reporters on TV go on and on about breaking news somewhere else in the world, De La Torre focuses intently on her piece, on the vision slowly coming to life on the Toshiba’s screen. De La Torre has dedicated herself to a career as an artist, specifically a character designer, for several years. Her works, produced both in and outside of school, have won several competitions, and she has even done professional work for a video game company. Her prolificity reveals itself in the fine arts wing of the school, where at any given time her paintings line the display cases. It’s no wonder that she produces so many works; even at lunch she can be found in the Art room working on a piece. Her dream of working for a company like Pixar, DreamWorks, or Square Enix keeps her resolve strong. De La Torre’s father introduced her to Art at a young age, and remains one of her inspirations. As a younger man he too pursued a career in art, attending an art school in the Philippines, but he never finished, and later pursued an entirely different career. His regret that he never had the opportunity to pursue his dream led him to support his daughter’s aspirations wholeheartedly. “It pushed me not to give up later on, I wanted to prove to him that I wouldn’t give up halfway,” De La Torre said. Video games have remained an important element of De La Torre’s style throughout her journey. In the beginning, around age 10, it was the Final Fantasy series that sparked her creativity, develop-
From landcape to portrait
Artwork by Cassie De La Torre
ing her style into one heavily influenced by anime. She started off wanting to create characters for unmade movies, but it soon transformed into a desire to create her own video game characters. The creation of distinct characters that people can relate to has always been an interest to De La Torre. “When you create a character you create a person that everyone can recognize and remember...an inspiration that you can look up to,” De La Torre said. Her journey began with sketching in pencil, and eventually moved into digital painting. By age twelve she was somewhat well-known on the website Deviantart, where anyone can upload their work for people to view and critique. As she fine tuned her skills, De La Torre’s teachers and peers noticed her talent as well. Not long after entering the realm of digital art, she got into a conflict with her significant other at the time, who spread rumors on the site Deviantart that her works were plagiarized. Following this row, De La Torre’s credibility as an artist online was tarnished, and she gave up her artistic pursuits for over a year. “Saying Cassy is an extraordinary girl would be an understatement. She is a phenomenal artist who pursues her art relentlessly. She has her dark hours, but she always finds a way to pull herself through,” Sandy Nguyen, junior and long time friend of De La Torre, said. It did not take long for De La Torre to rekindle her interest, however, and soon she started to embrace digital painting to a greater degree after investing in her first drawing tablet, which allowed her to take her professionalism to a level previously unattainable with only a mouse. De La Torre’s first introduction to working in a professional context ironically came out of the forums of Deviantart, despite her previous experience. Seeing an opening for a character designer in an upcoming mobile MMORPG game’s development team, she applied for a position. After going through a rigorous
application process, the Aeterna team chose De La Torre and one other as the sole artists for Eminence, which is coming out in 2016. Through online correspondence, the Art Director and De La Torre spent weeks coming to an agreement on the basic elements of how the artwork should be done, and then the work began, continuing for two and a half years. The Aeterna team finished up the majority of their work only recently, and the project has been fully funded on kickstarter. It’s only a matter of time before people play Eminence all over the US, and even internationally. De La Torre has learned considerably from her experience, and hopes for more projects of a similar nature. Just prior to graduation, De La Torre entered the VASE competition, a contest in which students from all over the district enter, hoping to advance to state and beyond. The AP art teacher suggested that the AP students enter, and De La Torre immediately began to work on a piece, choosing a design that reflected an issue that was close to her: World Pollution (top left). The idea for the piece came from a photo that De La Torre had seen online of a nature resort in the Philippines at the height of its beauty, only months prior to its destruction. The piece, done in acrylics and titled Aquarius, took over a month to finish, and scored well at the competition, just under the score required to advance. The results were not ideal, but De La Torre was satisfied with her work, and allowed the results to serve only as motivation. As De La Torre’s high school days are nearing an end, she looks toward her future, which remains bright. De La Torre is accepted at Texas A&M, where she plans to attend their visualization course, focusing on digital painting and animated works. With hard work and the abundance of talent that De La Torre exudes, she hopes to work for a company like Pixar or Square Enix before long. By Joel Montfort
At the top is Aquarius, a portrait submitted to the VASE competition, representing pollution and its affect on nature. Center is Luminocity, a portrait of a fantasy palace done in mystical pinks and purples to give the work a majestic element. At the bottom is a work entitled Pick Your Card, commissioned for the upcoming game Eminence as promotional art.
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The Issue 4 PEREGRINE
Feature
April 2015
National Champions Cheerleaders earn 1st place
photo by Rebecca Canizaro
National Victory
photo by Rebecca Canizaro
After winning the cheerleading nationals, the cheerleaders and fellow coaches, friends, and family members went to the beach to celebrate the victory. In San Diego’s shallow waters, the girls pose for the picture while holding up the cheerleading nationals banner.
Cheerleaders leave the mat dripping in sweat and fatigued from the routine they just performed for. The girls peer into the judges box, awaiting the announcement of the winners. As the audience silences, the judges proclaim first place of the cheerleading nationals. The school’s cheerleading team competed in a national cheerleading competition in San Diego, California on February 8th. The girls practiced and put a lot of effort in the routine they used in the competition. The coaches also put effort in to make it to 1st place. “It took long hard months of practice, sweat, tears, and injuries were everywhere for the competition,” Cassidy Canizaro, senior and captain, said. Three days before the competition the cheer team flew to San Diego. The girls got off the plane, fatigued from the three hour flight. Outside the San Diego International airport, the cheer team and coaches waited for the bus. "Trees were everywhere I looked and it was just so beautiful. Also the hotel that we stayed was in a very urban area," Terrie Fields, junior, said. After an exhausting day the cheer team finally rested at the hotel for the night until the day of the competition arrived. Many of the cheerleaders started cheerleading in their sophomore year and were still in cheerleading their senior year. The cheer team also described their relationship like it's a big happy family. "You make friends in cheerleading really fast, and your friendship with the girls are unbreak-
able and will last a long time in high school and outside of school-life," Canizaro said. The coaches and cheerleaders rode a bus to a convention center where the competition was held at. Around 4:30 p.m. the excited,but nervous girls prepared to perform in the front of the judges, spectators, and other high schools from all over America. It was finally time for the cheerleading team to show the nation their Falcon spirit. After they performed the girls waited for the other high school cheer teams to do their routines and the judges to transfer their points to paper. "When we got off the mat, I was relieved that we finally finished our routine for the competition," Shae De Los Santos, senior, said. Finally after the last school cheer team performed the girls waited for the judges to count up the points for each high school that had competed. The judges stood up and announced 1st place. “The feeling of receiving the first place national title for the second time in my cheer career was incredible. I stepped off the mat with tears in my eyes when I realized we hit the routine,” Kelsey Hodges, senior, said. At the hotel, the cheer team packed up their suitcases and bags, ready to go home. The cheer team won first place in the cheerleading nationals and used their social medias to tell their friends, family members, and others companions. The team flew back to Houston and the girls were ready to share with the school the first place national title in cheerleading.
By John Le
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The Issue 4 PEREGRINE
Columns
April 2015
Close to Home Value
Community colleges offer more than savings
illustration by Ale Garcia
Groups of students congregate in the classroom and discuss their plans for college. Many students recite the names of numerous universities they dream of attending, or scholarships By Alana they have received. As one Mullins student speaks of their idea to attend a junior college, all eyes dart toward him uneasily. Many students receive disapproval and even ridicule from other students when they express their plan of attending a junior college. In many cases a junior college contains the best options for incoming students, and therefore it should not receive negative judgment. One factor about college will never change; its expense. Colleges can get ridiculously expensive, especially if a student wants to go out of state. A student can receive a loan, but four years of college takes many years to pay off. A junior college has much more affordable options with the same basic classes one would take at a university. Students can even pay for classes on their own with an hourly job at minimum wage. Junior colleges allow students to have a flexible schedule, with classes ranging from all times during the day and into the evening. Students can now maintain a steady job during the week
with no interference with their school classes. Community colleges also have much smaller classes than a university would, so students can ask more questions and get more involved with the lesson. Attending a community college gives students a longer decision to decide what they want to major in when they attend a regular university. Not only do they receive two extra years to decide what they want to pursue, but they also get to transfer to a university of their choice if they qualify. Many students attend a junior college to get their basic classes down, so when they transfer to a regular university all their time spent there goes towards their major, or their future career. A community college has little to no social interactions within the campus, so students can put forth their entire attention towards the curriculum. Students also do not have to worry about the cost of room and board or a disruptive roommate. Junior college serves as a transitional step for students who are not ready for the independent lifestyle on a university campus. It may not have the best options for some students, but for many, junior college leads a pathway of opportunities for their success. Furthermore, students should not have a negative view on junior college, but an optimistic outlook for those who can benefit from it.
Move Along
Slow groups stop movement in school hallways The bell rings to go to the next class of the day. Students burst out the classrooms crowding the hallways. Students group up with their friends and begin to socialize. The groups start to link their shoulders together and make a blockade in By John Le the hallways. Students behind the blockade slowly pace their steps and start to pack together. Students behind the blockade protest to move faster or disperse. The students ignore the protest and resume their conversation, then suddenly the final bell rings. Students hurry to their classes before the door closes and locks. Every day between the bells, it’s always mad rush of students struggling to get to their class is similar to a time trial level in a video game. There are about 3,200 students in the school and having all of them collide into each other in the hallways is a problem. Many freshmen eyes show feat as they struggle to get through and mass of upperclasmen migrating to their classes. A person cannot possibly understand the pain until they find themselves behind a group or couple of people whose speed is in inches per hour and are too stubborn to not walk faster. Certain activities can happen in the hallways, as one might daydream while walking to class, then suddenly the student whose daydreaming collides into a another student or teacher. One can run through the hallways and then meet head-on to a teacher holding a stack
of textbooks injuring both people. There can be thousands of possibilities that can go badly in the hallways. Imagine this scenario, a student in a hallway rushes to get to class in two minutes then they bump into a couple slowly walking in the hallway smiling to each other and softly whispering to each other while they stand in the middle of the hallway, or a student walksbehind a line of students having a conversation while blocking half of the hallway not moving faster nor letting anyone past through their blockade or maybe a student is going up the stairs and the person in front of them is just walking slower than a sloth. The feelings of being mad impatient and frustrated fill the student trying to get to class. I constantly see other students tripping and dodging each other near the Commons. The hallways near the Commons are always packed with seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen struggling to pass through the Commons to get to class or the lunch lines. It is just chaos near that area. There is a small area near the entrance and exit near the hallway and the upperclassmen group up in the middle, blocking most of the room for others to pass through, while others line up on the walls and just stand there until the warning bell rings. There is limited space for other students to walk around near the area. I find myself gasping for oxygen and struggling to find an exit out of the bodies of people. If you are one of these culprits, please move along. It just frustrates me and other students to see another classmate walking slower than a giant tortoise. illustration by Ale Garcia
14
The Issue 4 PEREGRINE
Columns
April 2015
Planning Ahead
Life will be okay in future career
Body Shaming
illustration by Joel Montfort
Comments destroy females, males She sits on the floor, various magazines scattered around her, with her laptop open to photos of models. The latest Victoria’s Secret catalog sits next to her with tear drops on the pages as ByEmmilyne she vows to never consume Thomas another calorie again. Body shaming has become a major problem for many of today’s members of society. A majority of the teens and adults can plead guilty to committing this crime. Although it may seem strange, if we listen to some of things friends say; it might just shock us. However, I do not intend to attack readers when I hold just as much guilt. Lately, I have begun to truly take notice of the “Drop five pounds in a week” and “Take inches off your waist in no time!” promises plastered on the covers of magazines. I completely support a healthy lifestyle, but I do not enjoy feeling like I need to change myself in order for people
to think I have the “perfect body.” The idea of a perfect body seems to differ based on the situation and the person. Kate Upton has supposedly come to resemble a “thick, vulgar,” “squishy brick” with “terrible body definition”. Miley Cyrus still cannot shake her resemblance to an uncooked chicken, so thoughtfully coined by social media. Society has the power to completely destroy an entire person with just a few comments, which immensely terrifies me. Just one comment about someone’s weight can turn their whole body image around on them. When thinking about this situation, one can realize just how horrible of an effect body shaming actually has on a person, male or female. I do not enjoy listening to people tear me down, so it should not make any difference if I’m talking about someone else. I have decided to avoid negative gossip about people and it should be something that teens here should try to do as well. This school is what we make it, let’s make it a great one.
On a dark, 43°F night in late February I sat around a lit fire pit with various female relatives. The evening had started out harmless enough until we had all realized that in three short months, my senior year in high school will commence, and in just over a year, I will be leaving home and college-bound. By Juli Perez Naturally, the conversation from there shifted from funny holiday experiences to what I needed to do in college and with my life in general. It took a bit of an unexpected turn, though, from doing what makes me happy, to doing what will make me independent. My aunt had told me that whether it happens by mass amounts of scholarships or making french fries at four different burger joints, I have to make it through college. Although it all seems daunting and impossible now, I will look back on these critical years when I am ready to retire and I will feel all the satisfaction in the world for working now, so I would not have to work then. Now before anyone goes off thinking “Well, they all sound older. College, tuition, and scholarships run much differently than way back when.” Yeah, they know. They know how much all of the processes empty your pocket now, but that does not affect the main message here. The main message was that independence and the ability to take care of ones self when we get older, depends on how much and how hard we work and plan now. There is no doubt, it does seem daunting and impossible, especially when we have an especially rough day that makes it all seem like all my work will not amount to anything. However I have adopted the attitude that if I wait two days and go to bed with the mantra “it will be okay” and keep repeating that mantra through every piece of daily life for those 48 hours ends; then in 48 hours I cantake a moment to say “I had the worst day in a long time 48 hours ago, but it turned out okay.” Living in general takes a lot of work, but doing the work while everyone still has the energy and the elevated work ethic makes looking back on life that much more satisfying when the time comes for it. Work hard everyone; life will definitely turn out okay.
Computer Hacked
Caution advised while online socially, or otherwise If you thought sites like Twitter and Facebook are unable to be hacked because they are popular, you are dead wrong. On Friday, January 16th, two news outlets were hacked and By Cade claimed that the naval ship Schaudel USS George Washington was under attack and further claimed the Pope had said “World War III has begun.” Not far from our memories is also the major corporation, Sony, being hacked over The Interview a while ago. Tips to not get hacked, or at least reduce the chance of it are listed here. Be suspicous of any link that ask you for log in info. One way to test if you will be hacked while logging in is to open the site in a new tab and log in from there, then refresh the place that asked you to sign in. If it does not work, it is a false log in and should not be used. Be creative about your password.Using a family members name, birthday, or some-
thing well known or easy to find out is not a good password. Replace letters with numbers to give it an almost impossible chance of guessing (something like J3rs3y Vi114g3). Do not give your password to anyone, even your friends. They may log into your account without you knowing and look at everything you have done or do something you did not. You may even forget to log off and next time someone uses that phone or computer, you are logged on to it. Get ad blocking / removing software in your browser. Ads can contain viruses that can infiltrate sites you have accessed and send the info for the hacker to enjoy. A good ad blocker is in the Google store for free, Ad Block Plus. Do not leave your computer on with an internet browser open. Hackers have viruses that scan for idle computers and will infect files and personal info such as passwords for social media accounts. These few tips will help your computer safe.
illustration by Joel Montfort
Editorial
April 2015
How do you feel when you see PDA in the halls?
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The Issue 4 PEREGRINE
Staff displays distaste towards PDA at school
“I
t makes me feel indifferent because I have done it before but at the same time it is pretty disturbing,” Leticia Perez, junior, said.
illustration by Sandy Nguyen
“I
I don’t do it in the halls with my girlfriend.I feel that if I am not disrespectful in my relationship, others shouldn’t be either,” Micheal Davis, senior, said.
“I
t makes me feel down on myself along with giving me a very uneasy feeling because i do not want to see that,” Edgar Tapia, senior, said.
compiled by Will Scales
2014 - 2015 Peregrine Staff Editor - Kelsey Hodges;
Staff Writers - John Le, Joel Montfort, Alanna Mullins, Julianna Perez, Will Scales, Cade Schaudel, Emmilyne Thomas. Contributing Photographers Christine Le, Leslie Gonzalez, Sandy Ngugen, George Rosales, Jacqueline Solano, Damaris DeLeon Contributing Illustrators Ale Garcia, Sandy Nguyen Adviser - Margie Comstock. JVHS Principal - Ralph Funk.
Walking through the halls of the high school stresses students out enough. Thousands of students descending upon hundreds of classrooms, teachers struggle to keep the peace and enforce the school’s policies, but one policy stands alone in the fact that many teachers directly avoid enforcing it, PDA. The PDA policy can be enforced and acted upon thoroughly, resulting in parent contact, DMC, and even ALC if it is severe enough, yet the tongue wrestling has yet to cease. The school’s policy on PDA, personal display of affection, does not get enforced often on a day to day basis. Couples making out in
the halls, loitering with each other, and just generally expressing their feelings for each other in excessive ways needs to stop. The halls have become an uncomfortable place for students. High school must stay a safe place, where students do not feel uncomfortable, and without debate, seeing couples displaying their affection in the halls does not induce a comfortable environment. Many teachers avoid the awkward confrontation that stopping PDA requires, leaving the couples to fondle each other in the halls. This nonconfrontation has created an awkward high school environment where smaller halls
are almost delegated to the couples that choose to spend their oh, so treasured alone time. Students even know the halls and stairwells where couples decide to spend their alone time, and avoid them at all costs, sometimes completely changing their route to class. Many of the students in the high school feel lonely when they see couples in the halls giving each other the affection. The issue makes many people uneasy while they walk the halls. Though completely eradicating the constant PDA might be impossible, limiting the more excessive displays of affection may allow the high
schools halls to feel more comfortable for students and teachers alike. Teachers and staff must confront students violating the Code of Conduct’s definition of PDA, no matter how awkward the situation may be, otherwise students will continue their activities. Students are tired of watching others loitering in the hall, nearly stuck together, kissing and hugging and groping each other. It is just disturbing, and not appropriate to do inside of a high school, let alone in public. We’re tired of the disrespectful and completely unessesary PDA. The kissing can wait until students get out of school.
Jersey Village High School Student Publications’Newspaper Policy The Peregrine is the official student publication of Jersey Village High School and is published by the Advanced Journalism newspaper class at Jersey Village High School, 7600 Solomon, Houston, Texas 77040 (713-896-3400). It is distributed free to the student body. Subscriptions can be bought for $15, and copies of the paper will be mailed to your residence. Unsigned editorials represent a majority agreement of the staff. The Peregrine is read in advance of publication by the JVHS administration. Advertising is sold by the 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and full page. The staff has the right to reject, edit, or cancel any advertisement at any time. The advertising policy is stated on the advertising contract. Advertising is not an endorsement from the staff, the adviser, the administration, or the Cypress Fairbanks Board of Trustees. The Peregrine is a member of the Interscholastic League Press Conference, Quill and Scroll, and the National Scholastic Press Association. The Peregrine is printed by Mirror Publishers, Inc in Texas City, TX. The opinion of readers is held in high regard. Please send all feedback or questions to our address or room 1712. Letters to the editor need to be limited to 150 words. We reserve the right to edit for spelling and grammar. Letters must be signed.
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The Issue 4 PEREGRINE
Photo Feature
Breakfast Honors
April 2015
Successful seniors receive National Merit recognition nAtionAl merit breAkfAst. Continuing with a long standing tradition Nation Merit recepients were recognized at a breakfast held in their honor. Parents of the top ranking students were also invited to attend as the students were honored.
To the left, Bryan H. Nguyen and Haley Ramponi, receive recognition as National Merit Commended Students. “It felt good to have all my work finally recognized. Because of the recognition, colleges were also offering me scholarships, which made me happy,” Jake Abeyta said. photo by George Rosales
photo by George Rosales
photo by Leslie Gonzalez
photo by George Rosales
National Merit Scholarship Program National Merit Finalists Mitchell R. Fly Gabriel D. Ko Samuel A. McKenzie Thomas C. Nguyen National Merit Commended Students Claire Blute Morgan A. Brown Victoria W. Comet Jacob J. Egliht Kevin C. Le Anh-Khoa V. Nguyen Bryan H. Nguyen Haley M. Ramponi Zachary Stachowiak Kevin E. Villarreal Harriet R. Wu
photo by George Rosales
photo by George Rosales
photo by LeslieGonzalez
National Achievement Program Outstanding Participant Referred to Colleges Joel Holmes National Hispanic Recognition Program National Hispanic Scholars Jake Abeyta Lesly Deleon Patricio Lamacchia Amanda Rodriguez photo by George Rosales
photo by George Rosales
Above, Harriet R. Wu, Morgan A. Brown, and Claire Blute, National Merit Commended Students. ”To be amongst the top scholars is one of my greatest accomplishments and I hope to keep the tend going,” Joel Holmes said. “It felt like all the effort I put into academics had paid off and I’d accomplished something great,” Lesly DeLeon said.