2013 Peregrine Issue 5

The

Peregrine

- Issue 5 Jersey Village High School

Houston, TX

Coming to a Close

Seniors decide future options DECISIONS DECISIONS With graduation just weeks away, the publication staffs polled seniors for the most popular post-secondary choices. The choices varied among college, military and technical schools spread out across the United States. Although the majority of students opting for college will be staying in Texas, the variety of acceptance letters will have graduates living from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Also Inside:

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pg 8 - 9

photo by Rosa Gonzalez

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Launching New Opportunities pg 3 Jersey Voltage- pg 4

TSA

photo by Koriana Peterson

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Thinking Outside the Ringpg 12

Track

photo by MonicaGarcia

Fashion Show

photo by Natalie Solano

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Champs of 5A

TSA Chopper Showing off his hand made chopper, Michael Shafer, junior, kicks the stand up and gets ready to ride off. His chopper awarded him first place at state competition.

TSA receives 30 first places at state Sawdust and sparks fill the air. A loud buzzing screams out while the wood screeches through the saw. The project nears its completion, only the final touches remain.

After the project gets finished, it rushes to competition. Sawdust, sparks, and burns remain on the projects’ creator. A smile runs from ear to ear as the finished project sits on the table about to be judged.

Sawdust, sparks, burns and cuts remain still after a successful year; a year in which Technology Student Association (TSA) won the 5A state championship.

The team had 30 of their projects place first at the state competition. Among the first place winners stood Gabriel Avila, senior, and Mariah Williams, junior. Each of them added to the number of winners at the 5A State Championship. Some placed in more than one event, but some put all their time into just one event which helped them place.

Avila placed first in his category of wood not exceeding eight board feet. He built a solid oak table that placed first at state and regionals. He worked a total of six months on his project, and it paid off.

“I joined TSA because I like building stuff, and making stuff from nothing,” Avila said.

The start of a project is just a pile of wood. What the final project looks like depends on the skill and want of the builder. Some students could turn a pile of oak wood into a solid oak table. Others could turn it into a serving tray. Some students who work with metal could turn scraps of metal into a Texans table. All they need is the will and drive to do it along with the skill set.

Williams was one of the females to place first. She placed first in wood not exceeding one board feet. She built a serving tray that took her four weeks to build, and when she found out it had won her first place, she was surprised.

“My favorite part of TSA is creating things and having the opportunity to build what most people can’t,” Williams said.

The students of TSA use their abilities to build what they want and are capable of out of metal and or wood. Some build a cutting board; others use their talents to build a bike.

There are an endless number of creations to make, and the students of TSA put their minds to work creating what they want when they want to.

This marks the second year in a row that TSA won the state championship. Some students contributed one project that placed, while others contributed multiple. All of them however, contributed to the their prized possession, the 175A trophy, that now sits in the office of Doug Pearson, the welding teacher.

By Matt DuBose

Time To Lift Showing off his bench press, Jose Campos, junior, rests after working. His work on his bench press paid off with him receiving a first place rating at state.

First Place Work A combination of metal works including a Texans logo made by Jose Lopez, senior, a rose made

by Juan Garcia, senior, a dragon made by Pedro Zagal, senior, and a Lakers plaque made by Pedro Zagal, senior, rest off to the side of the shop.

Hardcore Texan Fan Standing next to his prized Houston Texans style table, Frank Peña, junior, shows off his work that gave him a first place rating at the state competition. He entered it into the metal less than 50 pounds category.

photos by Koriana Peterson

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Launching New Opportunities

STEM program attracts junior into Houston NASA internship

His fingers scroll down gently, moving the mouse, and reading the usual posts from his friends on Facebook. Suddenly, his fingers stop as a post by Khanh Nguyen, senior, about a Texas High School Aerospace Scholars internship catches his attention and motivates him to apply. His mind wanders back to his childhood dreams about becoming a doctor and earning plenty of money.

His mind wanders even further as he realized that no amount of money would replace the satisfaction of contributing to an area about which he feels most passionate and intrigued. Engineering took place as his main focus and now, the opportunity to start accomplishing his dream has finally arrived.

With his dream of exploring further into aerospace engineering in mind, Dante Resendiz, junior, decided to apply for Texas High School Aerospace Scholars internship, which recruits teenagers considering a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related career as well as those who are enthusiastic in the learning of advancing space research.

Taking place at the Johnson Space Center from June 9th to August 2nd, the internship, part of the NASA program, takes these

teenagers to explore the facilities and work hands-on on engineering activities.

“I was interested in doing something related to engineering this summer. I wanted to gain experience and to expose myself in the profession to better understand beyond the superficial concepts in more depth,” Resendiz said.

Having placed third in the Science Olympiad in the area of Astronomy, Resendiz looks forward to continue to learn from space exploration as well as being able to tour the facilities during the internship and go behind-the-scenes to places where not every teenager goes in the Johnson Space Center.

“The easiest part will be taking in every moment that the mentors will show my group and me. The hardest part will be saying good-bye to other individuals who are just as willing and interested in Aerospace Engineering as I am. I am not looking forward to the last day at NASA,” Resendiz said.

Some of the activities planned for the internship are design projects and career exploration as well as being mentored by NASA engineers, designing missions focused on space exploration and briefings by NASA

experts. Resendiz’s future goals involve aerospace engineering as well as further exploring and working on mankind’s ladder to exploring deeper into space.

“I am open to anything right now that pertains to aerospace engineering; that is my main focus,” Resendiz said.

Feeling pleased and proud for Resendiz, Karen Miller, Algebra II and PreCalculus teacher, also believes that there exists many opportunities for students to learn and experience beyond her classroom that can be very beneficial to their future.

Miller also encourages Resendiz to gain as much knowledge as he can to share with fellow students.

“Having an internship of this caliber will not only look great on a transcript but will also be a wonderful learning experience. I would tell

Dante to learn as much as he can and to make connections with others who are also involved in the process,” Miller said.

Following his dreams step by step, Resendiz slowly but steadily makes his way up to accomplish a career that develops his interests and goals and embracing his parents ethics of consistency and dedication.

“I wanted to be a doctor when I was little; I think I was being selfish though because I assumed that I would earn a lot of money but then I realized that no amount of money would make up for something I didn’t feel passionate about. I later realized how passionate and intrigued I was about engineering and how one could manipulate the world around them,” Resendiz said.

By Iveth Garcia

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER Taken by a NASA photographer on July 2, 2003, this photo shows hundreds of Johnson Space Center employees assembling in respect for America.

photo by Iveth Garcia

CONSISTENCY AND DEDICATION Inspired by his parents, Dante Resendiz, junior, has learned to embrace many lessons in life and wishes to build off the ethics that his parents have shown him.

photo from http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/about/people/index.html

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Jersey Voltage

Robotics team places in first ever competition Flickering lights, computers, and a giant metal pyramid welcomed the Jersey “Voltage” Robotics Team at their first ever team event. The event was held at the First Robotics Competition at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston where they competed against 59 registered teams on March seventh through ninth as part of the Lone Star Regional. The team had a total of six weeks to design and build their robot which would be entered in the competition, and they came home with an overall fourth place award.

The team was able to pick between two different tasks that their robot should be designed to perform. The contest they picked involved them to build and design a robot that would be able to climb a giant metal pyramid that has three tiers, one at three feet high, another at 10 feet high, and the tallest at 15 feet high. Completing this task would earn them points that would go towards their final score. Lillie Dixon, sophomore, helped with building and also helped with safety.

“Well, since this is our rookie year we didn’t want to try and do a ton of stuff so we just stuck to climbing and our robot climbed to the third level and that was pretty much all it did,” Dixon said.

Cooper Cash, sophomore, the team captain and head spokesperson for the robotics team, also acted as the head of the drive team and the build team during the competition.

The design of the robot came from an accumulative effort by all the members of the robotics team. No one person was left out of the designing process.

“The robot has a long hook that grabs on to each bar of the tower then retracts to pull itself up,” Cash said. “It’s almost the same concept as a person climbing a ladder. The robot grabs one bar then reaches for the next.”

Mohammed Khan, junior, was one of the

first to hear about the Robotics team while he was sitting in John Gray’s Chemistry during his sophomore year.

“Mr. Gray was talking about starting a robotics team last year, and ever since then I was interested,” Khan said. “I thought it was something unique and an experience that you can’t forget.”

Khan contributed to the team by helping on the design and building of the hook that was used to grab onto the different tiers of the pyramid.

Gray, the team’s sponsor and Chemistry teacher, was not a stranger when it came to robotics competitions. He had previously been a sponsor for a robotics team before he came to his current job teaching Chemistry.

“At my former high school they had a team, team #57 [Booker T. Washington High school] the leopards,” Gray said. “I loved the fact that they designed and built the robot themselves”.

The team also ended up getting professional help when they enlisted the help of team member’s dad, Robert Hughes, who works as an engineer making robots. He would help the students in building and designing the robot.

“Mr. Hughes is our lead engineer mentor who is an engineer at Oceaneering,” Gray said. “They design and build robots for working in water on oil rigs.”

Gray witnessed his team come together in the past six weeks in order to succeed in the competition.

“I cannot describe how proud I am,” Gray said. “We only had nine members; one freshman, six sophomores, and two juniors. As a rookie team with no experience we competed against 36 other teams and came in fourth overall. Plus, we won an award for the most creative robot.”

By Trevor Hargis

photo by Trevor Hargis

photo by Jess Dixon

photo by Jess Dixon

photo by Jess Dixon

Many long hours The robot built by the Jersey Voltage robotics team was started on January 5th, and was not finished until February 19th. The team worked on it everyday after school and even on some Saturdays and Sundays.

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rising up The Jersey Voltage robot pulls itself up to the top of the pyramid using the long claw mounted on the robot. The Jersey Voltage team controls the robot’s movements from outside of the arena by using software that the team developed. The robot is able to move around with wheels on the bottom and is able to move its claw in order to grab onto the pyramid. ready to go Karina Pereira, Cooper Cash, Kevin Villarreal, and Lillie Dixon, sophomores, wait by their team’s robot for their turn to compete. The robots either shot frisbees into marked goals, climbed a three-tier metal pyramid, or tried to perform both tasks to get the most points possible.

All-star rookies Lillie Dixon, sophomore, shakes the hand of a representative from the First Robotics Competition and is handed one of the two awards given to the Jersey Voltage team. The team won “Best Rookie Team” and another for “Most Creative Robot.”

Insider Info

The team originally tried to build a robot that would shoot frisbees, but switched to

climbing because it seemed more challenging.

Some members of the team decided to name the robot “Robby”.

During the first day of the competition, the robot caused an uproar when it fell as it was

reaching for the top bar of the pyramid.

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Graduates

East Coast

Bound

Colleges

Moving across country for higher education

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University of Texas Location: Austin, Texas Mascot: Longhorns Color: Burnt orange and white

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Lone Star College Location: Houston, Texas Mascot: Ducks Color: Blue and white

3.

Texas A&M Location: College Station, Texas Mascot: Aggies Color: Maroon and white

For the past four years, Khanh Nguyen and Tram Pham, seniors, have packed their schedules full photo by Paolo Lacanlale of AP classes, clubs of every type, along with leadership positions and late nights of studying.

Finally this year, Nguyen and Pham, received proof that all of their efforts had been noticed. Nguyen received admission to Massachusetts Institution of Technology, better known as MIT and Pham to the University of Pennsylvania.

Even before high school started Pham began to look up colleges that she might be interested in attending. Her research led her to the University of Pennsylvania.

“In eighth grade, I did a research project over different colleges and that’s when I first found out about Penn. Ever since then, it has been my dream school, especially because the nursing program there is one of the best in the nation,” Pham said.

Nguyen also had a similar experience in finding her dream school. After researching different types of college she finally narrowed it down to one.

“I knew I wanted to go into Technology; I had really enjoyed my time with Computer Science. I knew I wanted an education worth the cost, so one day, I went online looked up the best schools for engineering and computer science. MIT came up and after a lot of research, I fell in love with it. I was particularly taken by the Independent Activities Period they held in January which allowed students to explore classes outside of the regular ones which was perfect for me,” Nguyen said.

After finding their niche through different programs, like computer science club and enrichment programs over summer break, Pham and Nguyen, had gained an idea of what their

futures might hold.

“I’m hoping to major in engineering, though in what field I’m not sure yet. I know I want to minor in computer science because its very versatile and actually quite useful in any field.

I hope to work towards creating something that will benefit the world, and engineering is one of the best paths to do so,” Nguyen said.

Pham hopes to help others but with a career based in the medical field instead.

“I hope to be a nurse practitioner. I plan on majoring in nursing and specializing in global healthcare. My family is from Vietnam and when I visited the country I noticed the poor healthcare facilities and limited resources. Through research and working with doctors, I want to introduce more advanced clinical practices to Vietnam and other countries to improve living conditions worldwide,” Pham said.

But after college, the late nights of working won’t stop.

“After college I see more work for my future. Hopefully a job that benefits the world rather than my wallet. I tease that I will be rich and live in a mansion, but realistically, I think I’ll have a pretty ave r a ge family life,” Nguyen said.

photo by Paolo Lacanlale

Finishing on top After four years of being involved in multiple clubs including Student Council, along with being Senior Class Treasurer, and gaining awards like AP Scholar with Honor, JR Falke, senior, is almost done with his high school career. But once he leaves high school, expect to see him again later.

“I have always known I wanted to study business and public policy in college. I will attend UT this fall. I

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University of Houston Location: Houston, Texas Mascot: Cougars Color: Scarlet and white photo by Rebeca Moscoso

basically decided on these two because their business programs are superb, internationally recognized, and have lots to offer. I think it is essential to understand both privatized business and the bureaucracy that surrounds our government. I have a passion for voicing my beliefs on issues and understanding the most important business in our nation-the Federal government,” Falke said.

In Depth

May 2013

The

Mechanic Fixable future

photo by Koriana Peterson

In high school, many students take classes in subjects that interest them but never have the chance to pursue the matter any further once the class ends. Juan Perez, senior, has the chance to actually put his knowledge to use in becoming an auto mechanic. For the past two years, Perez has studied under James Clouse, Auto Tech, teacher in the advanced auto technician class.

“In my family no one is a mechanic, they are either landscapers or work in construction. I want to be the first in my family to be a mechanic,” Perez said.

After seeing what a knowledge in auto mechanics could bring, something clicked for Perez.

“I became interested when I met a guy that had three nice cars and a ranch near Katy. He knew so much about auto mechanics that he had many clients and recommendations. I was interested the moment he fixed my dad’s truck in matter of minutes,” Perez said.

In a moment Perez decided he had found his career. Dirt combined with dedication has led Perez into what he hopes to be his future career, not only for the love of it but also to help out his family.

“I decided to be a mechanic the time when my parents and family struggled to get someone to fix their cars or trucks. I wanted to be that person that helped them out,” Perez said.

Perez’s plan for after high school include going to San Jacinto college for the fall to further his education in mechanics.

The

The

The

Military

Army strong

Since childhood Alan Jones, senior, has never lost sight of his dream job. After years of waiting, Jones will finally fulfill his dream of joining the Army.

“When everybody else was wanting to be firefighters, doctors, superheroes, and ninjas and all that kid stuff, I wanted to be a solider. I never grew out of it. As the years went by no matter what, it was still in my heart to join, so when I turned 17 I joined the Army because they guaranteed me the job I wanted and set me up to go to Ranger Assessment and Selection Program,” Jones said.

With three years of AFJROTC training behind him, Jones will enter with the rank of Private First Class.

“I took three years of ROTC to obtain advanced rank and learn the ins and outs of the military environment. Because of ROTC I will be two ranks higher than the average citizen.

There is a clash of some things due to the fact I am in the Army, not Air Force,” Jones said.

Along with becoming mentally prepared, Jones has also worked on becoming physically ready.

“The most important way I prepared was by getting physically fit by definition.

After spring break I began a 12 week workout program issued to me to prepare me for R.A.S.P. ,” Jones said.

By becoming mentally and physically fit, Jones is on his way to achieve his goal of being a Ranger.

“The top of my list is becoming an Army Airborne Ranger Infantry in the 75th Ranger Regiment, I am already on my way to achieving that goal because I have Option 40 on my enlistment contract,” Jones said.

While four years is the minimum amount of time to be enrolled in the military, Jones does not hope to stop there.

“I hope to be serving in the military for a career for life if God is willing. I have always planned to make it a career and after my four years is up I plan on re-enlisting,” Jones said.

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Runner

Moving forward After three years of relentless determination and extended practices, Chelsea Taylor, senior, can finally rest, but not for too long. Taylor has signed with the University of Texas at San Antonio for track and field.

“My sophomore year I hit the ground running.

I was determined to be the best at anything I did.

Other than the 45 minutes of practice during the period, a few teammates and I stayed after to put in about an extra hour and a half of training. Coach Day has been the key factor to this point. She pushed me beyond a point of return,” Taylor said.

Taylor had not always been so dedicated to her sport though back in junior high when she started. After some persuasion she came back to track ready to improve for high school.

“It was not an interest to me so I stopped after my 8th grade year. My 10th grade year Coach Day convinced me to run track and that was when I truly began. I’ve ran varsity that year forward.

Also being captain those three years as well,” Taylor said.

After all her practices, Taylor’s best event has become the 400 meter with a personal record of 56.34 seconds. The dedication she been able to give to track will hopefully help her later in other aspects of life.

“Track has taught me to be a determined, strong young lady. It was responsible for bringing the leader out of me.

It taught me not to give up when things get hard, but to persevere for the bigger picture. For these qualities alone I will be forever grateful and take them with me to my career and future endeavors,” Taylor said.

All stories by Evie Sweeten

Staying

In State

Seniors win scholarship money for academics

photo by Sandy Tang

Staying close to home makes sense to many students, but earning a multitude of scholarship dollars to go to college not far from home makes it even better. Neo Nanna and Cynthia Castrejon, seniors, made the choice to attend the University of Texas at Austin due to past experiences like summer camps and convenience . Nanna has received the Bill Gates scholarship which takes care of his college expenses for all undergraduate years, while Castrejon has been awarded the President’s Achievement Scholarship, Hispanic Heritage Youth, State Top Ten Percent, and grants too in order to help pay for college.

“I see a very fruitful future for me after college. After I complete the business program, I plan to either go two routes. If I specialize in accounting, I plan to work my way up to partner of one of the Big Four

Firms such as Ernst and Young or KPGM. If I specialize in finance, I plan to use that network to hopefully work my way up the district bank chain to become president of one of the 12 district banks in America,” Nanna said.

Castrejon also hopes to work with numbers in order to gain understanding of her future career.

“After obtaining my masters in accounting, I hope to obtain employment in an GSPN office, as well as helping my church with financial upkeep. I hope master in accounting to better understand the all important world of finances, as well as the fact that I have ready have a firm grasp on all aspects I would need,” Castrejon said.

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Falcon Runway

Advanced designers produce fashion show

photos by Natalie Solano

Buzzing with excitement, crowds of spectators filled the large commons, equipped with cameras and a program of the night’s events. The announcer welcomed the audience to the school’s first fashion show and proceeded to start the production.

The spotlight zones in on a model strutting down the runway to the beat of a rock and roll song. Wearing garments designed by fashion two students, the models brought each designer’s style to life on the catwalk.

The advanced girls in the fashion department created a show to display the garments they worked on throughout the year. There were seven designers and 28 models. Every designer had four models each for their four clothing articles. The models were mostly made up of Fashion I students.

One by one each model walked down the runway, posing to show off their clothes, the designers followed their models for recognition.

“Some of the preparations for the fashion show were making sure our garments look perfect, and planning how the stage and surroundings would look, and how our models would look and walk down the runway,” Delilah Nieves, junior, Fashion II student, said.

Nieves labored daily, designing and producing clothes for the show. Pattern after pattern, she carefully worked to create memorable and trendy pieces.

“I prepared for the show by looking at fabrics and magazines for ideas,” Cynthia Lopez, senior, Fashion II student, said.

Attaining ideas from various sources, Lopez was able to make uniquely designed clothes for her models to sport down the catwalk.

“I’ve been working on this project since the beginning of the school year. Getting everything made and choosing different ideas took a lot of time,” Nieves said.

Sewing and making clothes can be an extremely difficult and tedious task. The advanced class

Passion for Fashion Hallie Jackson, junior, strut down the runway showing off the clutch Bryana Thompson, sophomore, designed.

needed the whole year to prepare for the show. In addition, they picked models, music, and backgrounds for the runway.

“My favorite part of the show was seeing all my garments coming down the runway,” Lopez said.

Lopez brought her imaginative style to life with every piece of clothing she created. In addition, Malorie Costello, junior, Fashion II student, also designed clothes for the show.

“We needed to choose our music, make sure hair and makeup would be done right, and see if the models were ready to walk down the run way to prepare for the show, “Costello said.

Costello dedicated herself to the production, and edited her garments numerous times until she felt they were good enough to be viewed by the whole school.

“My favorite part of the show was seeing something I’ve worked long and hard on walk down our school runway. It was like a little piece of my dream coming to life,” Costello said.

Impressing the crowd, Costello took a monumental step forward in design.

Mentoring the girls through their first fashion production, Christi Shows, fashion teacher, acted as a producer and announcer at the event.

“To get ready for the show we made table settings, backdrops, and sewed garments,” Shows said.

Shows spent numerous hours perfecting the show. She made invitations and decorations, planned rehearsals, and helped the girls with the complicated process of making their garments. Furthermore, to be as authentic as possible, Shows recruited Fashion II students to model in the fashion show.

“I never thought I’d be so nervous to walk down a runway. But having so many people watch you is kind of scary,” Emily Hickey, junior, said.

Hickey walked the runway sporting Costello’s leopard skirt. With all the eyes on her, she flawlessly represented her designer.

“My favorite part of the show was spending time with the other models and comforting each other when we were really nervous,” Hickey said.

The models hid behind the stage before it was their turn to go on, therefore the girls who already went whispered words of encouragement to the others.

“The fashion show was definitely a learning experience. We all learned to be prompt, to keep going no matter what, and to overcome obstacles,” Hickey said.

Above all, everyone in the fashion department learned and developed from the fashion show.

“Making clothes isn’t hard, it just takes time, effort, and motivation,” Costello said.

By Kelsey Hodges Model Power Theodora Bosset, sophomore, fiercely walked to tribal music while displaying pants designed by Bryana Thompson, sophomore.

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Thinking Outside the Ring Girl thrives in male dominated sport Heavy summer air fills her lungs.

She can see her grandfather in the street with his opponent, encircling each other with the sun setting in the horizon behind them. His opponent throws the first punch, but grandpa quickly dodges out of the way as she catches her breath. Grandfather moves swiftly, quicker than the eyes can follow; he swiftly gets in a few hits before backing up to take a break. He tires out his opponent, like he has always taught her father and uncle. Lessons passed down from generation to generation. Boxing runs in their blood; their skills come naturally. Her focus snaps back into reality when her stepfather’s opponent gets in a solid left hook that staggers the grandfather.

Stricken by fear she gasped. But her grandfather quickly pulls himself together and returns the hit with an uppercut ending the match.

“When I grow up… I want to be just like him.” Her nine year old words hover around her, as she realized her true passion for boxing.

When the word boxing comes into a conversation headline names such as: Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, or Julio Ceasar Chavez come to mind. Popular female boxers

•B

such as Laila Ali and Ann Wolfe have taken the public eye for making a career in boxing. Everyday women find comfort in boxing as their sport, exercise, and/or their passion. Daniela Villarreal, junior, realized that boxing meant all this plus more at a young age.

“Boxing has always been a part of my life. It helps me release all the stress and anger I build up. Also when I’m in the ring I feel powerful,” Villarreal said.

Training at North Side boxing gym, Villarreal boxes both male and female opponents. When it comes to fighting opponents, they each get placed into a different weight class. Each opponent that faces each other has to range on the same weight class, regardless of sex.

“My first match, I was very scared at first. I remember praying before I stepped on the ring. But as soon as I stepped on the ring and heard all my friends and family cheering for me I felt confident and powerful. I won my first match, which was in 2009,” Villarreal said.

Stepping into the ring comes as second nature now to Villarreal.

Competing in tournaments and collecting trophies shows her success in this sport. Unfortunately the memoirs of her accomplishments burned to ashes in 2011; the tragedy struck the Villarreal’s household when part of their house burned.

“It was actually a very hard thing to go through. Just watching everything that my family and I owned just burn down, but throughout it all I learned to become a stronger person. I look back at it all, and think to myself how things could have been different. But at this moment I wouldn’t change anything,”

Boxer Terminology

um rush- indicates the way you hustle someone out, to rush an opponent to get them out of the fight fast.

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Villarreal said.

Not letting the house fire bring her down, Villarreal continued to compete in matches. Stepping in the ring the only opponent Villarreal had was the person in front of her. Yet, spectators and fellow peers sought prejudice upon the athlete.

“Being a female boxer was hard at the beginning because guys look at me like in some weird way, like if boxing is only a guy’s sport,” Villarreal said.

Yet the prejudice never stopped Villarreal’s thrill for the sport. She quickly put the neigh sayers to silence when she stepped into the ring with a male boxer.

“I have boxed guys plenty of times.

Boxing a boy actually makes female boxers better. It’s hard, but the more I practice the better I get,” Villarreal said.

With the support of her friends and family, Villarreal has always had someone to stand by her. With boxing as a family tradition, her mother and father help support her with her dreams.

“I think it’s a great way to learn to protect herself. I an amazing feeling watching her go out there and be an amazing boxer,” Melina Villarreal, mother, said.

Fighting for what she believes in, Villarreal has shown spectators that the lines of boxing do not only surround the men but further expand the boxing ring for women who enjoy the sport as much as men.

“It’s her choice to do what she wants.

I’ll be proud of her no matter what. She fights for her dreams,” Melina Villarreal said.

By Alexander Cruz

•B

elow the belt- an imaginary line from the belly button to the top of the hips where a boxer is not supposed to hit.

linch- is a last resort defensive technique. It’s when one boxer holds onto the other to avoid being hit or muffle an opponent’s attack.

•C •O •S

ount- the seconds counted by the referee after a boxer is knocked down.

n the Button- To be punched on the bony point of the chin, whether it be from a straight punch, a grazing left hook or an uppercut. econd- referred to as a corner man, aids and assists the boxer between rounds.

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Soccer Playoffs

After six years soccer team advances out of district For the first time in six years the boys’ varsity soccer team advanced in the playoffs. The team won the first game against Alief Hasting High School 2 - 1; however in the second playoff game, it came down to overtime when they lost to Seven Lakes 3 - 2.

During the season the soccer team posted an overall record of 10 wins and eight losses and a district record of six wins, three losses and four ties.

“Anytime you can take a team to the play-offs in this district, you have achieved something. This district is very competitive and any given team on any given night can win.

I have a lot of pride and respect for my soccer team. It was great to see three years of work paying off,” Danny Forsythe, soccer coach, said.

Forsythe has been coach for 16 years, with 10 of those years as the boys’ varsity soccer coach. He credits former varsity boys soccer coach David Swonke as the reason he became the boys varsity coach. Swonke led the team to several playoff games. Yet the reason behind this year’s playoffs games had to be the team’s attitude.

“Yes I did expect us to make the play offs, because we had a great team with great potential,” Marco Solano, senior, and team captain, said.

Solano is the goalkeeper of the team. His passion and ability to play is what made him join. Solano expected his team to go far.

Most of the team players enjoyed the season; even though they lost the second game in the playoffs.

“It was the greatest joy of my life, all the adrenaline from the game and crowd was overwhelming,” Gregg Gutierrez, junior, said.

Gutierrez’ position on the team was the center midfield.

Gutierrez thought it was their destiny to be in the playoffs.

His love for soccer made him join.

The players played a good game they were exhausted after

but thrilled. At the end of the game the opposite players fell down to their knees disappointed, but the Falcons celebrated the victory.

“I was glad for the win, it was the best when some of the fans got to rush on the field and celebrate with us,” Thomas Ebeweber, junior, said.

Ebeweber’ position on the team was the stopper (defense).

They really believed in their team. After the last seconds of the game were over fans and cheerleaders rushed on the field to celebrate. Soccer players, fans and, cheerleaders; screaming and jumping with joy and happiness to the field to celebrate the win of the game.

Receiving first team all-district Honors were Robert Lopez, forward and sophomore; Marco Solano goal keeper and senior; Thomas Ebeweber defense and junior, and Gregg Gutierrez, midfield, and junior, and second team all-district honor included Alex Guerrero.

By Elizabeth Ybarra CELEBRATING THE WIN Ramiro Aldana, junior, number 16, Justin Eadeh, junior, Gregg Gutierrez, junior, Marco Quiroz, senior, cheer and enjoy the victory of the team.

GREATNESS PAYS OFF Kevin Calva, senior, expresses relief after the win against Alief Hastings High School.

photos by Christin Ong

Cheering on falcons Travis Jeffrey, Jacob Rhodes, Reed McCoy, juniors, cheer on the varsity soccer team as they play against Alief Hastings High School.

PLAYING THE SPORT Before the play off game begins against Seven Lakes High School Brandon Molina, senior, warms off confident in his team’s efforts throughout the season.

PLAY TO WIN Thomas Ebeweber, junior shoots for the score against Alief Hastings High School.

Sports

May 2013

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Defying the odds

Track athletes break school records Once the starter pistol goes off, the track girls sprint with winning on their mind.

Arms move back and forth, and the breathing becomes harder with each passing stride.

Chelsea Taylor, Deja Searcy, seniors, Amberlyn Waller, and Teylor Jones, sophomores, power through their race in the 4x400 meter relay. They broke the school record when they ran a time of 3:56.29.

“I felt accomplished and that my team was proud of me and us as a whole. Our relay consists of the same girls so breaking records gave us joy and another reason to bond,” Taylor said.

Taylor has proven herself on and off the field. Earlier in the year she also placed second out of 41 competitors in the 400m with the time of 57.24.

“I am always nervous so I often have to talk to myself to keep my nerves to a minimum.

I always pray before competing,” Taylor said Taylor has evolved as a runner through

her three years of running track.

“Compared to prior years, my training had pretty much been the same. Some workouts were harder and required more mental strength,” Taylor said.

There was a difference in how she trained and stayed healthy while she competed.

“The biggest difference this year was that my workouts were geared toward the rehab of my hamstring that was recovering from injury,” Taylor said.

Searcy, another dedicated runner, also showed her committed side as she ran track for five years.

“I have been running track since middle school,” Searcy said.

Waller, Taylor, Jones, and Chelsea Brown, senior, also ran the 4x200m relay with a time of 1:43.50, setting a new school record.

“This past summer, I did work with a personal trainer, but during the school year, I worked with Coach Day alone,” Searcy said.

They have all trained consistently and they always proved it on the field.

“Even though sometimes we felt like we were dying, we knew that was well worth it because at the track meets, we showed everything that we had worked on,” Searcy said.

The girls also competed at the CFISD relays, where the competition really cranked up.

“I was really proud of what the girls showed out there, I could tell in practice that they really pushed themselves and it showed at the meet,” Crystal Day, track coach, said.

After the meets, they all had to repeat the whole process again. They consistently remained positive and stay focused on the goal that was at hand, which is to make it to do their best.

Sometimes the athletes felt that the work did not pay off at all. It just seemed that all they did was work, work, and more work.

But they had to remember that once they ran their race, they had to ran it like it was their last.

by Semon Adams

Racing toward the finish Deja Searcy,

senior, acccelerates toward the finish line with nothing on her mind but finishing with all she has left to give.

STAYING MENTALLY TOUGH Teylor Jones, sophomore, paces herself as she runs the 400m dash. She focuses on beating the time she ran in a previous meet.

PUSHING IT TO THE LIMIT Amberlyn Waller, sophomore, sprints it out toward the finish line. She remembers that she needs to have good form and to focus on her breathing.

photos by Monica Garcia

STRIDING IT THROUGH Chelsea Taylor, senior, finishes up the race with fight and determination .

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Personal Columns

MAY 2013

Non-traditional families grow

by Iveth Garcia The subject of homosexual couples adopting is known to be controversial but it should not be ignored and I personally agree with these adoptions. The most common agruement that many people give as to why gay adoption should not be permitted is that children should grow in a traditional family that consists of a mother and father.

The argument is mostly backed up with the obvious fact that the birth of a child requires a male and a female. Although the argument is clearly understandable, when adopting a child, all factors that will benefit the growth of the child should be taken in consideration. If the homosexual couple is eligible for adopting and meets all the requirements to adopt, that is including, housing, financial stability, physical stability, etc., then the couple should be able to adopt. Tradition should not be the main factor that adoption should rely on.

In the case of adoption, the child’s health and benefit should the priority and there is no research that demonstrates that homosexual couples cannot meet those necessary requirements.

As many know, the number of teenagers getting pregnant has increased as the options of abortion and abandoning as well. Society does not agree with homosexual couples adopting but it is contradictory to have that opinion when heterosexual couples themselves cannot take care of their own children.

Homosexuals that actually plan to take care of the child when considering adoption, premeditate their actions carefully and are aware of the responsibilities. It is without a doubt that the couple also plans to care and love the child they are to raise or else they would not even think about adoption in the first place.

Children deserve the best of a loving home and family and if homosexual couples can give them that, then they should not be denied the right to adopt.

Donating vital organs gives life after death

by Kelsey Hodges Death is a part of life, and many people dedicate their time on earth helping the less fortunate. However, many selfless people are unaware that they can still help others after they die.

In the United States alone, more than 115,000 men, women and children currently need lifesaving organ transplants. Organ donation is the donation of biological tissue or an organ of the human body, from a living or dead person to a living recipient in need. An organ donor on average can save eight people when they pass away, so they could make a significant difference in someone else’s survival.

However, many people have misconceptions about being a donor. When a donor dies their immediate family still has the final decision. The body will not show any signs of the organ removal if viewed at a funeral. Although many people shun the thought of death, they should consider the possibility and be a donor.

Likewise, after a person dies they no longer need their vital organs like the dying patients around the nation. The dead can no longer use their organs but so many people on the verge of death still have a chance at recovery. Students at this school can become a donor when they receive a learner’s permit and can remain one for the remainder of their life.

In 2007, there were almost 2.5 million deaths in the U.S., imagine if everyone one of those people were organ donors.

Perhaps they could have reduced the average of 18 people dying per day from not having an organ transplant.

In addition, every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list. Imagine all the people around the country suffering from conditions that can be fixed by a new organ.

Signing up to be a donor takes a lot of thought and discussion with family members, but overall being a donor means that when death occurs it can also be prevented in the process. Therefore the astonishing statistics should motivate everyone to sign up to be an organ donor and a hero.

illustration by Joel Montfort

Changing technology influences music making

by Trevor Hargis Much like everything in the world, music has been rapidly evolving from the time that cavemen sat in a circle banging rocks with sticks. Music is a universal language that crosses all regions of the world and racial barriers, but the way music is being made is changing.

Most people think of a recording studio and they see a giant sound board with some guy pushing knobs up and down, and someone else in a broom closet-sized room with foam all around, singing into a microphone that looks like a spaceship. Nowadays, with the transition from analog to digital recording, anyone is able to make music from the comfort of their bedroom (for better or worse). All you have to do is download the latest audio production software and you are good to go, and there are many you can choose from. These easy programs give you all the luxuries a professional recording would have and more.

Name any music producer and they will more than likely be using one of these programs, but of course you will

get those few guys who like the “vintage sound” and still be recording on tape.

I was recently talking to JR Paredes, owner and producer at a local recording studio, Satellite Studios. He told me how Pro Tools makes recording a lot easier process that takes a lot less time than recording on tape, but he prefers the sound of a vintage tape recorder far more than what digitally mastered music is giving him. He keeps a vintage tape recorder in the corner of his studio as “memorabilia”.

Although analog recording will be remember by most people as the so called golden age of music, I believe that digital recording has been able to bring new people into the industry with their own ideas and techniques. It’s always exciting to see an upcoming talent start from making tracks in his bedroom to getting signed by a label and making music for a living.

Digital recording has its own drawbacks, like the almost perfect sound you get that ends up sounding robotic (unless you are going for that type of sound). But it will be the artist’s opinion on which he prefers in the end. My preference happens to be digital.

Staff Editorial

May 2013

Spirit For All

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Spacing out pep rallies would keeps enthusiasm high

The Student Voice

Do you think that pep rallies should occur throughout the school year?

“I

think we should have more pep rallies throughout the year and not use a majority of them on football,” Itzel Rodriguez, junior

“I

believe we should have more. It’d be nice if they weren’t all clumped together” Collin Harvey, sophomore

“I

t’ll give us something to look forward to as the progresses. It boosts school spirit and I feel that should be important,” Angie Mayorga, senior

“W

e should have one each semester and one randomly for each sport to cheer on our teams,” Michael Garcia, freshman photos and poll by Alex Cruz, Koriana Peterson, Evie Sweeten, Sandy Tang

F

or the first time in six years varsity boys soccer made it to the playoffs, yet the team was only allowed a spirit gathering to celebrate the occasion. The event left many students confused as to why there wasn’t just a pep rally instead.

Football, volleyball, cross country, track, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, golf, and swimming.

Every year the high school is allotted only three school assemblies, or pep rallies to celebrate all sports and other activities. Two are used early in the year by football and the last one has typically been used as an end of the year pep rally. Since having a fourth pep rally is out of the question, due to state requirements, maybe the pep rallies should be more spaced out.

The first two grading periods need at least one pep rally for the sake of boosting morale early in the year and to introduce fall sports teams. But within the latter half of the first semester there is also the Homecoming parade, which is fairly well attended. (This parade does not count towards the three limit, due to the fact it is after school.) While some may argue the Homecoming parade represents all teams, which it does to a degree, it is mainly centered on football because the Homecoming game is a football game after all. So by saving one more pep rally for later in

Peregrine Staff Editor in Chief Evie Sweeten Managing Editor Matthew DuBose staff writers Iveth Garcia, Alexander Cruz Kelsey Hodges, Semon Adams, ELIZABETH YBARRA, PAOLO LACANLALE TREVOR HARGIS, Sandy Tang Contributing Photographers

Jess dixon Christin Ong Natalie Solano Koriana Peterson monica garcia Rebeca Moscoso Illustrators Joel Montfort Vanessa Morales Staff Adviser margie comstock Principal ralph funk

illustration by Vanessa Morales

the school year, fall sports are not all that affected.

By saving one pep rally for the end of the year and another for any teams that make playoffs in between, students would have a more regular boost of school spirit. With most exciting things happening in first semester, students tend to lose their spirit after holiday break. Say if a pep rally was planned in January or February, the school could celebrate the winter sports like soccer and

golf along with the achievements those teams made.

One pep rally is typically saved for the end of the year, which is completely agreeable. By ending the year on a high note the student body will be allowed to revive the spirit that used to dominate

the halls in the beginning of the year.

In conclusion, given the fact there are only three pep rallies to go around, administration should think differently on the scheduling of them.

Peregrine Staff Opinion

6 YAY 2NAY

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 or email subscriptions can be purchased for $6 and a PDF copy will be sent to your email address.

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 business card, 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, the National Scholastic Press Association and supports the Student Press Center Law Center.

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 1720. 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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Photo Essay

May 2013

Up To Bat

Team faces Pearland Oilers in regional semi-finals PLANNING AHEAD Taking advice from his third base coach, Mikey Sliepka, junior, thinks ahead to his actions once the ball is put into play.

Contributing to their success during the season, Sliepka hit a home run against Cy- Ranch in their first game against them. Despite missing his first year playing due to surgery, Sliepka returned and played a vital role in this year’s season.

Baseball ready Digging his cleats into the dirt, Phillip Ybarra, senior, charges the ground ball in order to make a play to first base. Coming off of his position as second baseman, Ybarra kept his eyes on the rolling ball as he hustled towards it. With the game determining their district standing, Ybarra inputs his effort to try and get his team an advantage over Cy-Ranch.

SWINGING AWAY Mason Howat, junior, puts the ball in play, forcing CyRanch to hustle to get him out. Having to deal with a major injury to his arm later in the season, Howat kept his thoughts off his injury and with his team as they played in playoffs. photo by Monica Garcia

LOOKING UP With the ball soaring through the air, Austin Luchak, junior, tracks the movement of the foul ball to try to get the opposing batter out. Being a solid defender, Luchak played a part in getting the team to the second place spot in districts as well as to playoffs. Playing first base, he aided teammate Peek with earning a low ERA during the season. photo by Monica Garcia

photo by Christin Ong

JUST STRIKING Kirby Peek, senior, releases the ball, sending it towards home plate, staying within the strike zone. Clocking in at an average of 91 miles per hour, Peek’s pitches come close to the major league average of 92 to 94 miles per hour. Throughout the season, Peek’s biggest accomplishments includes throwing a no-hitter during the first game of playoffs against Alief Taylor.

photo by Monica Garcia

laying out Sliding for the catch, Ryan Lawhon, sophomore, hits the ground. Trying to get a play on the hit and not wanting to waste time, Lawhon skipped getting up, using his arm strength to get the ball to first base. Playing his part and contributing to the game, Brandon Koncaba, senior, takes a swing at the ball as he attempts to get himself in a good position.

photo by Monica Garcia

photo by Korianna Peterson

SWING BATTER BATTER Furthering his at bat, Cole Frost, freshman, fowls off a pitch, causing the opposing pitcher to throw another ball. Taking his experiences into account, Frost takes the title of being the first freshman on varsity ever since Robie Rojas, senior, three years ago. Along with that accomplishment, Frost also hit the first home run by a freshman in the season during the final district game against the Cy-Falls Golden Eagles.

photo by Kayla Torres

photo by Monica Garcia

Leading Off Keeping an eye on the pitcher, Shawn Erwin, junior, stands alert and ready.

Knowing that the pitcher could turn at any second, Erwin prepares to either run to second or slide back to first base to keep him in the game. photo by Christin Ong