The Stinger - Issue 4 - February 2011

P.8 Weird Holidays | P.3 Texting and Driving | P.4 Extraordinary Jobs | P.10 Re-teach and Re-test P.8 Airport Scans Cause Controversy | P.10 Students’ Motivation in Class | P.11 Art Club

Denison High School 1901 S. Mirick Denison, TX 75020

February 2011 Volume 9, Issue 4

Stingerettes Experience the Magic of Disney Mikayla Ross Staff Writer Traveling back a few years, one would remember that infamous commercial about a football team winning the big championship game, and after receiving the big cup

trophy, they were asked what they were going to do. Their answer was simple and well celebrated. They were going to Disney World.

With cheering fans and great supporters, that is exactly what the Stingerettes Drill Team did. They had been

working for about three months on the dance they performed at Walt Disney World and had been raising money for their trip for over 7 months. The Stingerettes were down in Florida for 4 days, from Friday January 14, 2011 to Monday January 17, 2011.

“It was a great experience for the Stingerettes because it gave them a chance to perform in front of a different crowd and a bigger number of people,” junior Lexi Ellis said.

It was an experience of a lifetime for these girls, and coming back wasn’t as easy as some thought it would be. With all the fun, thrilling rides and the famous characters like Mickey Mouse, no wonder WDW is named the most

popular and magical park in the world.

“Disney was beast!

I had an experience of a lifetime there,” junior Stingerette Rachael Carney said.

Their performance was held in Downtown Disney on Saturday, and the crowd loved it. Stressing over their two-part American dance and practicing for it for so long was definitely worth it in the long run for these dancing machines.

“I’ve been to Disney before and it was great, but I never actually thought I would be able to dance there ever. It was a great experience to be a part of and I’m glad we got the chance of a lifetime with the Disney Performing Arts Department,” junior Stingerette Taryn McDaniel said.

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Virtues of Valentine’s Day Upcoming Events Jerrika White Managing Editor

It’s the beginning of a new year, and so the traditional holidays are one by one falling into place on the fresh calendar. First on the list: Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love and lovers everywhere.

“I think Valentine’s Day is really sweet and a good way to express your feelings for someone,” senior Erichell Moore said.

Some think of Valentine’s Day as an opportunity

to demonstrate one’s love and affection to each another. For many, this involves buying candy, planning romantic dates, or getting a little creative.

“Yes, I have a significant other that I will be buying a gift for this year. I’m not sure yet what I’m going to get. I’m going to try and be as creative as possible. Last year I made them cupcakes topped with their favorite candies,” senior D’Shae’ Dunlap said.

Some people take a creative approach to Valentine’s Day, while

others take to the stores to buy more traditional gifts.

Supermarkets stock their shelves with stuffed animals, heart-shaped candies, and romantic cards each year as the 14th of February nears.

To some, these are considered the typical cheesy Valentine’s Day presents.

“The cheesiest Valentine’s gift I’ve ever received was when I got a huge stuffed teddy bear holding a heart that said ‘me + you = forever,’” Moore said.

Although it’s expected

for most people to buy or make a gift for their significant other on the most romantic of all holidays, a planned romantic evening is also usually part of the agenda.

“Dinner and a movie is a nice way to spend the evening on Valentine’s Day. I usually like to just keep it simple,” senior Marissa Bruton said.

Whether it’s dinner and a movie or a trip to the beach, may Valentine’s Day be romantic for all the young loves at Denison High School.

What’s Inside Page 6-7 Redefining Beautiful Page 12 Choir featured in Foreigner Concert

Page 9 New Congress Affects Students Page 9 Billionaires Give Back

February 18 Baseball Game v. Princeton There, 6:30 PM Soccer Games v. Sherman Boys Home, Girls Away. 5:30, 7:15 February 19 Band Solo and Ensemble Contest February 21 Staff Development Day Baseball Game v. Little Elm There, 7:00 PM February 22 Soccer Games v. Little Elm Girls Home, Boys Away. 5:30, 7:15 Softball Game v. Blue Ridge and Tom Bean Home, 5:00, 6:30 Girls’ Golf Tournament The Bridges in Gunter February 23 JV Boys’ Golf Tournament Oak Hollow in McKinney

Fiction The Final Sleep Cina Catteau Editor-in-chief What else could I expect to see, as I drifted off to sleep, but Zara’s inescapable face staring back at me? The human testing stage of Antisomnia had begun, and so her pleas had become increasingly desperate over the last few days. Then, when I had refused her time and time again, her approach had changed: she was now making me pass out at work by waking herself up in the middle of the night. All of my coworkers were extremely worried, especially since every doctor that I was forced to see could find nothing wrong.

They even offered to put the whole project on hold, but I wouldn’t give Zara that satisfaction: if I decided to stop production, it would be because of my actions, not hers. It seemed like I could never escape her anymore: she was there at work and at night and always, always

in my head.

“Listen, Julianne,” her plea began. “I don’t know of anything else that I could say to you that might make you change your mind. I can understand how difficult this must be for you, and how much you would risk if you were to decide to help us and stop Antisomnia from becoming a reality.

My words will never be enough, but maybe if you see what you are doing to us, your own actions will convince you.”

She got up from the mirror, something I had never seen her do before, and proceeded to get ready for work.

I didn’t know what she was going to show me, but everything in me said that it could not be good.

She drove to a foreign building, emblazoned with the title “Somnia Research”, and I would have laughed at the irony if I had been awake. A sense of dread came over me, though, as I comprehended what I was seeing. There was

active resistance to our research in their world, or at least widespread knowledge of what we were doing. She walked in the building, into a room that looked much like the lab that our research was going on in, except this one was full of sleeping people. They were on white sterile cots, thousands of whitecovered chests rising and falling in unison. There were many doctors by their sides, doing very odd tasks: pouring water on their faces, checking the dilation of their eyes, wafting chemicals under their sleeping noses, and even a few being shocked by what appeared to be a small-scale defibrillator.

It dawned on me: they were trying to wake them up. Sure enough, as Zara walked around and observed the patients, I recognized a few faces that were undergoing trials for Antisomnia.

The image of these helpless people, completely dead to their own world because they were forced to be awake in

mine, caused the biggest wave of guilt yet to come crashing over my heart. This is how their entire world will be if I allow Antisomnia to become widespread: rows upon rows of sleeping people, oblivious to everything going on around them, helpless, useless, lifeless. Zara’s vision is razor sharp now: I can see the husbands and wives of those doing the testing, holding their hands as they try in vain to wake up. Zara passes by a young man in his 30’s that I recognize from my own lab. His wife sits in the chair next to his bed, holding a little girl of about two. I hear the little girl plead to her mother, “Momma, when will Daddy wake up?”

“Soon, sweetheart, soon,” she replies, and I find myself hoping that she is right.

I hear the beeping of a machine in the background, growing louder and louder, breaking into my own consciousness, and my alarm wakes me up from

the worst nightmare of all.

Julianne woke up slowly, almost reluctant for once to leave Zara’s world, because waking up would mean having to solve problems instead of just being impassively aware of their existence.

Although she knew she was crazy for doing this, this most recent encounter had made Julianne make her decision: for once, she was going to fight for something worth fighting for. Julianne’s life had suddenly seemed so empty. It was as though she had been stuffing her life full of all the things that she thought would fill it the most: money, career, and success, but all along everything had been leaking out, and just now had she realized that she wasn’t full at all. Julianne knew that it was too late now to begin filling her life with things that mattered, but there was one thing that she could do: become an advocate for those who still deserved to live. She saw that even though by trying to stop Antisomnia,

she would thoroughly destroy her own success, it would be worth it because it had the potential to save a million others, who had so much more to live for than the shallow success that Julianne had pursued.

As soon as she got up, she went straight to her mirror. “I’ll do it,” she said with determination.

“I don’t know how, but I’m going to do it. I honestly can’t believe I’m saying this. I’m destroying everything that I have worked for all my life, for the sake of you and the people of . Wow, that feels surprisingly good to say. I think I’ve spent so long undecided, it’s just a relief to finally be on your side. It feels right. The truth is, I thought I had everything to lose, but it’s nothing compared to the loss that I would be imposing on you.” With that, Julianne started to prepare for another day of work, but this time with a goal completely opposite that which she had worked for for so many years. To be continued...

Dear Abby: Romance Advice

Editorial Policy The Stinger newspaper is a student-generated publication that is produced, edited, and maintained by the DHS journalism staff of room 105.

The Stinger encourages student expression and is designed to be a forum for open discussion.

As part of its mission to serve as a medium for debate, The Stinger supports and accepts letters to the editor. All submissions must be signed by the author and delivered to room 105. The staff reserves the right to edit any material.

Editorials appearing in The Stinger represent the sole views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration or those of the DHS Journalism Department.

Abby Staff Writer Dear Abby, I’m having romantic issues. I am constantly pushing guys away because I feel love is simply a myth.

It’s hard to have a relationship because I deny that I have any sort of feelings toward someone, although I want to. I tend to put up walls and never let anyone in because I know nothing will last and high school love is just a myth. What do I do Abby?

Without love, Hopeless Romantic

Non-

Dear Hopeless NonRomantic, I do believe in fact you are a hopeless romantic. You have what psychologists tend to call romantic delusions. With these you are basing your beliefs on the myth that all love is instantaneous and high school love exists.

Romance by definition (found at wolframalpha. com) is “an exciting and mysterious quality.” Sounds like a fairytale right? Most girls your age still believe in Prince Charming, and though he is out there, they tend to rush into finding him, which ultimately leads to bad decisions and life altering events.

So, solution A, do not be in any sort of hurry. You are young! Live like it! Have fun,

because at this age you do not need to be tied down.

Sure, it’s fun and cute and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling, for now. It may not always last. However, kudos to the high school sweethearts that make it through.

Also you need to give other people a chance.

“You have to learn from your mistakes whether you are going to get hurt or not, it’s the risk you’re taking that will make you stronger in the long run,” an anonymous student said.

Believe in yourself and have faith in others. Most importantly ALWAYS have faith in yourself.

In love romantic, Abby

and

always

http://www.issuu.com/thestinger

February 2011

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TXTNG KLLS Cina Catteau Editor-in-Chief

Destructive. It destroys cars, it destroys money, and ultimately, it destroys lives. For this reason, the Students Against Destructive Decisions at DHS have decided to speak out against what has become the number one cause of car crashes: cell phone use while driving.

“SADD club is a club that stands up and takes action against harmful decisions students our age make due to our society and try to educate our peers of the consequences that can happen from these choices. With “X the Text”, we hope to make students and faculty aware of how dangerous texting while driving can be,” senior Megan Hurley said.

One of the steps SADD has taken is distributing blue bands with “X the TXT” written on them.

These are worn on the thumb, and as drivers reach for their cell phone to send a quick text or make a quick call, they are reminded of the danger that they are putting themselves and others in. The question that SADD poses is this: Is my text message or phone call worth sacrificing my life or the life of another driver.

“The Allstate

Foundation’s “Thumbs Up to X the TXT” is a national campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving and encourage teens and families to pledge not to text and drive… At the events, attendees add their thumbprints—a symbol of their pledge not to text and drive—to pledge banners. Upon pledging, participants receive thumb bands with the words TXTNG KLLS to wear as a daily reminder of their commitment,” SADD club sponsor Gloria Davidson said.

Driving is a great privilege that all teens look forward to: there’s no reason to abuse this responsibility and risk injury or death.

Some teen deaths are truly tragic accidents that could not have been prevented by anyone. These deaths are devastating, but even more so are the deaths that could have been prevented by one simple action: putting the phone away. According to www.keepthedrive.com, nearly 80 percent of crashes involve some form of driver inattention within 3 seconds before a crash. Texting takes the driver’s eyes off the road for about 5 seconds.

At just

55 mph, that’s equivalent to driving the length of a football field— without looking.

“About 6,000 people died in 2008 due to texting while driving, and with the popularity of cell phones and texting continuing to increase, who knows how many more people may die from something that is 100% preventable by putting your phone away. Hopefully with “X the Text” SADD club along with others can educate our community and prevent accidents,” Hurley said.

The law in Texas bans cell phone use and text messaging only in school zones, for bus drivers, and for drivers in their first 12 months of driving, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. Texas drivers are just as susceptible to the consequences of distracted driving: phone use increases the likelihood of a crash by about 3 times, and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that texting increases risk of a crash by 23 times. Other dangers on the road, like drinking and driving are easily definable dangers-- while still a problem, everyone agrees that they are wrong and illegal. Texting, h o w e v e r, poses the

A Nation-Wide Movement Towards Safer Driving Continues at Denison HS

same deadly risk, if not even greater. Texting and driving is estimated to be the equivalent of having four beers before driving. This kind of danger doesn’t just affect teens, but families as well.

“Family pledge cards [distributed by X the TXT] help to start conversations about texting and driving at home and encourage families to make a commitment to safe, focused driving… Distractions like texting are particularly dangerous for inexperienced drivers, but everyone is taking a risk when they drive distracted,” Davidson said.

The facts are frightening, and the danger is real. Don’t be one of the many who think “It won’t be me.” According to a survey done by the Allstate Foundation, even though almost half of teens consider texting very distracting, 82 percent continue to use their phones. Join the few who are willing to put up the phone for the sake of safety, and take one more small step towards the lessening of teenage casualties.

SADD club will be hosting an X the TXT event in the commons soon, where you can pledge not to text and drive, and receive a “TXTNG KLLS” thumb band as a constant reminder or the dangers texting brings. For more information about teen texting and driving and what you can do to help, check out www.keepthedrive.com.

Quick Facts:

11

teens’ lives lost in car accidents daily

Texting is like having beers before driving

4

Texting increases risk of crash

23x

82%

of teens agree that texting and driving is dangerous

Car crashes are the number killer of teenagers

1

Texting and driving crashes are

100% preventable by putting the phone away.

New Years’ Resolutions Improve Lives Faith Turner Staff Writer 2011 has officially started and the hype for things coming up is growing as the new year continues.

“I’m looking forward to my accomplishments in school, making new friends and just basically life,” said senior Kourtney Phillips.

The first thing people do, even before the new years starts, is the traditional new year’s resolution. A new year’s resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a personal

February 2011

goal, project, or the reforming of a habit.

This lifestyle change is generally interpreted as advantageous.

Some examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible. A key element to a new year’s resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the new year and new beginnings.

The new year’s resolution tradition dates back to the early Babylonians.

Popular modern Resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian’s most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. The resolutions at DHS had nothing to do with farm equipment but more to do with family and compassion towards others.

“I want to become a better person and focus on my future” junior Stephanie Myatt said.

“I hope to get closer to my family since I’m going to be going off to college, and I

don’t want to be on the outs with my family while I’m there,” senior Haley Allen said.

Some students also made resolutions to make themselves healtier.

“My new year’s resolution is to eat healthily and workout regularly” sophomore Alex Eichler said.

All in all students at DHS are willing to make a change in themselves and even outside of themselves.

Based on these goals, this new year at Denison should be a great one.

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FACES Page 3

The Most Extraordinary Jobs Emmi De Vries Staff Writer

Have you ever thought about what you want to become when you grow up? If yes, you’re good, if not… well I dug a little bit to find the most extraordinary and disturbing jobs out there. I selected those weird occupations from history and present using three websites: www. jobprofiles.org, www.jobs.aol.com, and www. itthing.com. Read and wonder. Maybe one of them will be your choice…

Mother Testers – already this first job can cause confusion, but despite the irritating

A “Furniture Tester” enjoys a hard day of work.

name it is a fairly unspectacular occupation that is better known as a Matrix Inspector. The job includes testing and inspection metal phonograph record called “mothers” for surface defects.

Powder Monkey – it has a funny name, but it’s a dangerous job. Powder Monkeys store explosives such as ammonium nitrate, dynamite, blasting powder, and fireworks, and enforce safety regulations for them.

Knocker-Upper (historical) – for this profession we have to go back to the time during the Industrial Revolution where alarm clocks weren’t jet affordable or reliable. If you were a morning person living in England or Ireland at that time you could have earned a little money by waking up clients using a wooden stick to nock at their window bright and early.

Tonsorial Artist – back to the future, that could be a job for you. Easy said, a Tonsorial Artist is an old-fashioned barber or haircutter who styles, cuts, and blow dries that frizzy stuff on the top of your head. People who like to work with hair thus should definitely think about this career!

Citrus Fruit Dyer – these guys are commercial farmers who run around and dye citrus fruits more vibrant colors to hide their ripeness. It’s definitely a necessary job, isn’t it?

Funeral Clown (historical) – are you a person with a really morbid kind of humor living in ancient Rome?

Yes? Then maybe you

School Switches Gears As Second Semester Begins Kayla Robinson Staff Writer After Christmas Break, most students are reluctant at best to return to classes. Being stuck in the school building when snow is falling outside the window, beckoning kids to join snowball fights and make snowmen, is looked upon as a sort of torture by high school students.

Teenagers spend their breaks from school sleeping and staying up late, so the abrupt end to their partying ways is tough on the learning environment.

“The environment of being at home and not having responsibilities is hard to give up but you just have to adjust to waking up early, even though it drains you,” junior Brandon Headrick said.

Even though students are present in the building, some minds are elsewhere, wishing they were anywhere but at school.

“I miss the break,” senior Collin Anderson said sadly.

After ski trips, family gatherings, or lots of food, sitting in a desk at school starting a new lesson is hard for students to get used to. Having homework again is a bit of a shock for some students.

“I hate homework. That’s because when I go home, I’m home, and not at school. But it is necessary, so I deal with it,”

February 2011

sophomore Samantha McMillan said.

The level of homework has gone down since the Christmas break, especially with the preparation and execution of semester exams. There simply isn’t time for huge loads of homework when students must be preparing for the exams, though many students are exempting themselves from the tests.

“If I get (homework), I make sure I get ‘er done! It’s pretty easy for now,...nothing I can’t handle,” sophomore Itzel Valdez said.

Added to the sluggish curriculum in school following two weeks off and snow days, students who are exempt from finals have more “free time” at school. These students can coast through the few weeks after Christmas break easily and with less homework than usual, due to the responsibility of teachers to prepare their students for semester exams.

“I wish (school) was a little harder sometimes, so I could have a challenge every once in a while,” Valdez said.

Teachers also feel a renewed vigor for teaching at the beginning of the new semester.

“I feel motivated to push you guys through to the end of the year – So the work is easier because I am refreshed and raring to go,” social studies teacher Mrs. Schneider said.

can start a career as a Funeral Clown. The job description is fairly easy. You dress up as the dead person, wear a mask of his face and dance and act like him/her to cheer up the crowd. Just a happy profession with a lot of perspective!

Curse Tablet Maker (historical) – also an ancient Roman occupation is that of the Curse Tablet Maker. These poor persons were as the name already indicates: making money by writing down other people’s curses. A curse here is defined as an action in which someone wishes something bad to another. Here is one example: “…blind every limb and sinew of Victorius, the charioteer for the Blue team… the horses he is about to race… blind their eyes so they cannot see, and twist their soul and heart so they cannot breathe.” Charming, huh?

Chicken Sexer – The name sounds shocking, but a with many things the story behind it is rather harmless. In fact, all a Chicken Sexer really does is separating chicken hatchlings according to their sex. This technique is used by large commercial hatcheries.

Furniture Tester – Yeah, this is a real job.

Though most companies have an automatic process of testing their products, some still hire people to test the furniture in real life situations.

Dog Food Tester – are you into food? Then this job might be your choice. As a Dog Food Tester you can, or rather must, taste and inspect dog food, as the name already gives away. Who doesn’t dream of doing that for living?

Could I elate you for one of those jobs? No? Then maybe you found at least an inspiration of what not to do with your live. Which ever answer it is, I wish you just the best in finding the perfect profession for yourself.

Winter Formal Flop Kayla Robinson Staff Writer What is it about this sharp, biting winter weather that causes most teenagers to get caught up in dramatic romances and pseudohappy endings? Is it the desire for a sort of social protection when the outside gets too cold to survive in alone? Or is it simply the coming of February 14th that puts everyone in a tizzy? All of the old teen movies I’ve seen lure girls into believing that Valentine’s Day includes a dance which, naturally, cause teenage girls to campaign for the title of Valentine’s Day Dance Queen, insisting that the crowning will somehow end all of their petty schoolgirl problems. The gymnasium where the dance is held would be decorated under a theme, and little glasses of punch would always be available for your date to bring you while you danced, a concept quite forgotten by today’s youth. Instead of this pleasant scene, our own Winter Formal will be filled with loud dancing music, and the dark dance floor crowded with grinding couples.

Or so even I assumed.

According to

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popular belief, there won’t be all that many people going all out for Winter Formal, which would include dress/tuxedo shopping, corsage buying, restaurant reservations, and the ever dangerous task: finding a date. Some couples are opting to go out for a nice dinner, or hang out and watch a movie instead of attempting to bring some life into the Winter Formal. What has caused this reluctance to attend the dance which is so painstakingly prepared for

by Denteens? Is it a dislike for the music choices, the lighting, the food (or lack thereof), or is it something more: a wave of indifference for anything less than

prom? Could this wave of unresponsiveness be caused also by the fact that the Winter Formal has been considered a Valentine’s Dance, and therefore the pressure of having a date too much to ask? Or, even wilder, I’ve heard in years past that it’s been a Sadie Hawkins dance, where girls invite the guys, so is that what’s holding back students from planning to attend?

Whatever the reason, I suppose the Winter Formal’s real contribution to this school will bare its true colors once the admission money is counted at the end of the night.

Students enjoy themselves during Winter Formal of past years.

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The Time is Now: Apply Early for Scholarships and College Scholarship Applications are usually something students associate with their senior year. Many high schoolers haven’t even decided on their post- Denison plans until their final year. However, it’s never too early to begin thinking about the future, becoming financially prepared, and applying for scholarships that are available to high school students of all ages.

Jamie Branscum Copy Editor Senior year is not the only time to apply for scholarships. However, as seniors apply for colleges this year, the realization of the cost of college inspires many to fill out applications for scholarships/ grants.

“You have the procrastinators and the really prepared students that start applying early,” senior Candice Cogburn said.

There are many scholarships high school students should be looking for. Cogburn said that some scholarships are harder to get than

others.

Scholarship applications can include details about one’s life, while other scholarships just enter one’s name in a drawing. Some include the “GPA Isn’t Everything Scholarship”, “AFSA National Essay Contest”, and the “Davidson Fellows Award.” One can find these scholarships using w w w. f a s t w e b . c o m .

“9th grade is a good time to start applying.

One scholarship for the 9th through 12th grade is ‘Voice of Democracy’. Always be on the lookout.... Write one really good essay.

Usually those are the easiest to get, because

nobody applies to them… A good time to start looking at colleges is the 9th grade. You can take college days and tour the campuses, or you can tour them in the summertime if the colleges offer that,” senior class counselor Rebecca Hatfield said.

Universities and colleges are not available for all high school students to apply to, unlike scholarships.

However, students in high school can begin to scout colleges.

Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors have one college day a year, and seniors receive one per semester. These

college days are for the students to take a tour of a college, but a student only aquires credit for the college day if he/she brings back a college letterhead proving that he/she took a tour with a college representative.

When it is time to apply to a college, students may have to pay money.

If a student cannot afford the payment, then he/ she can apply for a fee waiver at the counselor’s office. Applying to a scholarship, however, is always free. Hatfield says that students should not pay attention to the scholarships that “require” money for an application.

Check out the scholarship search services at:

www.collegeboard.com www.fastweb.com www.zinch.com www.scholarshipexperts.com www.salliemae.com www.fastaid.com And always check for scholarships and grants that are specific to your school.

TRiO Day: Keeper of the Dream TRiO Day is a program created by congress, designed to be “a day on which the nation is asked to turn its attention to the needs of disadvantaged young people.” This year, DHS is participating in TRiO day, hosted at SOSU Jamie Branscum Copy Editor This year, the Upward Bound (UB) program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University has decided to participate in this year’s TRiO Day in Oklahoma City.

Two students at DHS will be a part of this on February 23. They ask DHS students to donate needed items for troops: a service project in accordance to TRiO day.

“We are asking students, staff, and communities for help,” UB advisor Tomyra Britt said.

Items needed are things like travel size toiletries, anti-bacterial gels and lotions, baby wipes, eye drops, and socks. Deadline to turn these in at school is February 17th. Students can drop of items in certain teachers’ rooms, the library, and the office.

The Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance is the group that sponsors TRiO day every year. Each year there is a different project. Last year they headed a regional food bank. More information about ODSA and TRiO day can be found at www.odsa.org.

The more items that can be raised, the more support we can give to American troops.

Second Semester, Second Wind

Kayla Robinson Staff Writer

501 W. Woodard Denison, TX 75020

903-465-8383 903-465-5034 Fax

February 2011

COMMENTARY My Christmas break was filled with skiing, traveling, cooking, cleaning and entertaining the family, along with late nights, watching TV, and a complete disregard for anything school-related.

Things seemed to happen a million miles a minute and then stop completely; I felt one minute as if I’d spend my entire life sitting on the couch and the next that I’d never get a moment to myself. The holidays are always stressful at the least, and I am especially susceptible to

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letting my emotions and thoughts run wild. It’s not that I or any student has been looking forward to school, but now that it has started, I’m appreciative of the ordered and planned time frames that keep me levelheaded during the day.

Everything should start clicking back into place as we slow down this month after putting our bodies through and surviving crazy schedules during Christmas break. My plan for becoming motivated this year is to actually follow what could have been New Year’s Resolutions, without officially dictating any resolutions that I’d be

easily tempted to forgo.

Instead of continuing the fast-paced chaos of the holidays, now it’s time to sit back and relax…The only problem with this ideal situation is that school is demanding enough, even at the beginning of the second semester.

To deal with this, don’t let anything stress you out as much as visiting family and scrambling to buy Christmas presents did. Just pull out that “due-tomorrow,” back to the old grind, halfstarted English essay and tackle it calmly with that blasted candy cane your bratty cousin knocked off of the Christmas tree.

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Jerrika White Managing Editor I’d be willing to bet $100 that, out of all of your classes, at least 75% of the students you have in those classes are not comfortable with their physical appearance in some shape, sort, or fashion. It’s nearly become expected for teens to dislike their bodies.

With the media pushing the ideal physique, it’s hard for young teens not to compare their bodies to those of the model industry and think that they’re not good enough, not skinny enough, or tall enough to be considered good-looking based on what they see on the television screen or in the latest issue of Vogue.

This issue is not anything new. We’ve seen it all before: the girl in the hall with the funky sense of style who uses her wardrobe as a way to hide her imperfect body, or the jock who acts like a jerk only to distract you from his insecurities. Students from each group of friends are feeling the

same way, whether they vocalize it or not. You are not alone in these feelings of dissatisfaction. Though, it’s difficult to believe this when the media says otherwise.

To abolish these types of insecurities seen throughout various types of students, Denison High School needs to come together to create a feeling of acceptance of all different kinds of clothes, hair styles, body types, and different students in general.

In the end, it won’t matter who was the prettiest girl in your graduating class. The friends that you make while in high school and the bonds that are created through those friendships is what will be remembered.

Why not open your heart to those who don’t have as many friends simply because of their weight?

Ingenious minds roam the halls of Denison High School; embrace as many as you can, regardless of appearance.

Cina Catteau Editor-in-Chief The world’s obsession with image affects everyone. However, these effects are most visible in the middle school and high school years, when girls are forming their opinion of themselves and trying to figure out who they are and how they are going to fit into the world. Surrounded by a culture that puts appearance above everything, girls are swamped with insecurities, tempted to think that if they don’t look good enough, then they’re just not good enough.

“I believe our culture’s definition of beautiful is a lot of do’s and don’ts. Don’t have frizzy hair, do wear this brand. Do have heavy makeup, don’t be modest,” sophomore Katie Burkhead said.

Faced with these obstacles, a few Denison High School girls have decided to create a new definition of beautiful, which will make students realize that they don’t have to look a certain way, weigh a certain number, or wear certain clothes to be beautiful. All it takes is being yourself.

“I’ve felt for a long time that society places too much emphasis on things like makeup that supposedly enhance a woman’s beauty instead of encouraging women to embrace their natural looks. Especially

as teenagers, girls get uncomfortable with who they are because they feel like they aren’t pretty, and Redefining Beautiful is helping discourage that attitude,” sophomore Maria Hayes said.

This revolutionary movement, called Redefining Beautiful, has amassed a pretty big following, from all different grade levels and groups of friends. The ideals that they embody are universal: beauty goes beyond the physical appearance.

“I think [Redefining Beautiful] will make girls realize that makeup doesn’t make them pretty, it’s the attitude they have and the way they carry themselves. I define beautiful as being selfless and knowing that no matter how you look on the outside, you have a good heart,” senior Charli Wahl said.

Redefining Beautiful serves not only to help girls come to terms with their own appearance, but also learn not to judge others based on prejudice, appearance, or first impressions.

“I think if you don’t wear makeup, you will force everyone to like you for who you really are. I didn’t want anyone to know the real me, but now that I’m a part of Redefining Beautiful, I’ve shown people me, and I love it,” sophomore Megan

Nicholas said.

To be beautiful is to be someone that others can look up to as a positive role model and one who is dedicated to being their own person. Based on this definition, no one can deny that these girls are just about as beautiful as they come.

“The impact we hope to make at DHS is that girls will feel confident with themselves inside and out.

No girl should feel that she has to wear makeup to feel beautiful. Every girl is truly beautiful just the way she is,” Burkhead said.

Changing the way people think about their appearance is a huge obstacle to overcome, and it goes against everything that society has ingrained in students from a young age. However, these girls are not deterred, but rather are willing to face the challenge ahead of them and do their best to truly make a difference.

This movement, led

by Katie Burkhead, Kailee Gaddis, Katie Burtis, Brieann Heaton, Emilee Bizzle, Kristyne McKoy, and Kaylem Renfro, is still growing. If anyone would like to be a part of it, sign up outside room 105, order a t-shirt, or show solidarity by participating in nomakeup Wednesdays.

“I Plead the Fourth” - Airport Full Body Scans Cause Controversy Jamie Branscum Copy Editor

Airports across America have implemented a new scanning procedure within the past year.

Some think the full body scanning violates the 4th amendment: the right to no unreasonable searches/ seizures.

Some refuse the digital scanning.

“Passengers that wish to not receive image technology screening will receive equivalent screening, including metal detection and a physical pat down,” Lee Kair, assistant administrator for security operations for the Transportation S e c u r i t y Administration, said in

a press conference.

While Americans and tourists don’t like the immodesty of the scanning, the company who manufactures the scanners says the equipment has no way to save the images and use them later.

“The TSA has not, will not, and the machines cannot store images of passengers at airports... operators at airports do not have the capability to activate any such function,” TSA spokesperson Sari Koshetz said.

Airport spokesmen have also stated that the security cautions in this case are needed to protect travelers.

“I think that it is okay for the protection of the people that

are going to be on planes. I don’t think it is a violation of the 4th amendment, because it is a government regulated airline; you should have to follow the rules of security,”

junior Paisley Watkins said.

The scanner was built in order to protect American travelers, but there is one consequence: the scanning also emits

low levels of radiation, making the full body scanning potentially dangerous, but only a low amount of radiation contacts the skin. Still, the risk of basal cell cancer is increased.

There is another scanner a company called Millivision is developing. The new technology emits no radiation, and ensures a little more privacy to travelers.

An official monitors the pictures of passengers who walk through the fullbody scanner.

Weird Holidays Celebrated in America Mikayla Ross Staff Writer Sometimes, America can seem like the weirdest place to live. And with the bizarre holidays that have been created, it doesn’t help anyone think differently. Everyone knows of the special holidays celebrated more outrageously than others, like New Years, Valentines Day, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and of course, Christmas. But what about the other holidays like, dress up your pet day, ditch new years resolutions day, public sleeping day, there’s one for every day of the year. Though, one would say these don’t really count as holidays, but believe it or not, are uniquely celebrated.

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“I think that they’re unnecessary and a waste of time. If we don’t get out of school for it then it’s dumb,” Junior Jasmine Wrenn said.

And, some people may feel like Wrenn, that it is unnecessary. Some of these unique days were probably made up, but someone, somewhere, appreciates these days.

“I also think that it’s just pointless. And I think whoever made these weird days up has no life,” Junior Lamonica Finley said laughing.

Well whether it is pointless or a waste of time, people actually do take notice in these certain days. It may be as a joke or just for fun, but whatever it is, have a great time celebrating it.

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Philanthropy Pledges Jamie Branscum Copy Editor A group of billionaires around the globe have given a pledge: a pledge inspired by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. Each has pledged to donate half or more of their fortune to philanthropy. According to the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary, philanthropy is goodwill to fellow members of the human race. This means that billions of dollars will go to help people in need. “…health and welfare of others…: that reality sets an obvious course for me and my family: Keep all we can conceivably need and distribute the rest to society, for its needs. My pledge starts us down that course,” Warren Buffett wrote.

Many, 40 to be exact, have stepped foot on this path. One couple in particular took the pledge together.

“We have committed the

vast majority of our assets to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help stop preventable deaths such as these, and to tear down other barriers to health and education that prevent people from making the very most of their lives,” Bill and Melinda Gates wrote in their pledge together.

There are many different reasons why each contributor is donating: some to cure diseases, others for education, etc… No matter the reason, the money has been given in hopes of bettering human lives. If any amount of the money was donated to some area in Denison, Texas, some citizens believe that the money could be used for good. Junior Kristyne McKoy believes that the money could be used for more up-to-date equipment in the school system, but thinks that the money is definitely needed in different parts of the town.

“The place that I believe would really need it would definitely be the homeless shelter, soup kitchens, etc… people who actually go there are the people who truly need help, … they are really working hard to provide for their families,” McKoy said.

Organizations such as the Denison Youth Leadership Academy (DYLA) involve students in the community and show them the institutions and needs in the Denison and Sherman area. Many communities need help in order to feed families, repair damages, and finance needed expeditions.

Some families are needy, while some have plenty of money for material possessions. However, to some people, one life is not more important than another based on fortune.

“All lives have equal value,” the Gates said.

Bill & Melinda Gates Give $30 Billion For Philanthropy & Entertain These Children

The House United Stands Cina Catteau Editor-in-Chief Two years ago, the school was buzzing because of the 2008 presidential election.

Students were taking sides, wearing t-shirts, and either celebrating or lamenting the election of Barack Obama.

However, virtually nothing has been said about the election of congressmen last November. Although these elections are lower-profile than that of the president, congressional changes have the potential to affect the lives of all Americans, including those of students.

The changes that are happening now are the ones that our generation will have the responsibility of carrying out. One of the biggest and most difficult problems for the new Congress to tackle is the federal deficit.

“I look to them to perhaps give lip service at least to deficit reduction as it became such a prominent item on the Republican agenda in the last election cycle. However, some promises listed in their Pledge To America manifesto last fall have already fallen short, so perhaps we’ll find deficit reduction harder to manage than previously thought.

Any deficit in the country is not just my responsibility as an

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about.

“I think the Republican majority in the House could make things heat up, but would in the end have a hard time convincing the Democrats... that the item that used up most of the political capital of the past year, health-care, was in reality, a bad idea that should be repealed,” Schneider said.

The two years to come may see few radical changes because of the divided Congress, but some minor ones, as always, such as the predictable rise in the price of college tuition, because Congress is in charge of writing the budget, and they may allot less money to state universities.

“As far as students are concerned, college tuition may go up because state governments have less money to fund state universities,” Boren said.

Instead of becoming more radical, the new Congress may lead to more compromise between the President and the House of Representatives, trying to find a middle ground between their opposing parties.

“Hopefully, a new spirit of bipartisanship will prevail over the thorny ideological issues and they can resolve real problems that involve real people,” Schneider said.

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Allen’s .

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Heating

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adult but involves future adults… rather, you,” history teacher Staci Schneider said.

After the elections of 2008, America was left with Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, who, combined with a Democratic president, succeeded in making some dramatic and controversial changes, such as the health care reform act passed in March of last year. Now, however, the Senate remains Democratic, in opposition to the Republican House, which may result in little or no new policies being passed.

“I don’t think there will be any big changes in the next term of Congress. Although the Republicans control the House, the Democrats still control the Senate.

Neither party is going to be able to make a lot of changes without compromise from the opposition party.

I don’t think there will be any major changes in health care reform, although the President may have to compromise with Republicans on some minor changes in order to get legislation that he wants passed,” AP Government teacher Norma Boren said.

On any issue, it’s hard to get two parties to compromise. This is especially true, however, concerning the health care bill, since it was such a centerpiece of the change that President Obama has tried to bring

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Reteach, Retest: Real life?

Emmi de Vries Staff Writer

Since the beginning of the academic year 2010– 2011 a new policy is in effect at DHS. Reteach/ retest makes it possible for students to retake tests with low or failing grades. The details and requirements are different in each department, but the basic process stays the same. Each department and grade level chooses a mastery level that each student must reach. If they don’t, for whatever reason, they now have the chance to review the material and master lacking skills. After that, they can retake the test, whereby the decision on how to design the retest lies with the teacher.

This new idea has already helped many students that have profited from the second chance they where given.

“I think that it is good for the people who need extra opportunity to do better,” junior Sierra Dunn said.

In fact many students and teachers have positive opinions about reteaching.

They share the view that it is a great opportunity for people with learning disabilities who cannot keep pace with the average student.

“The reteach/retest policy helps to keep up your grades so that one bad day doesn’t affect you as much, because you can make up for it,” junior Juliane Waack said.

Waack points out another pro for the

Photo by: Emilee Bizzle

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reteach/retest policy, but nevertheless, there are also people voicing concerns.

“It is discouraging to me to see that students without the need for it are taking advantage of the system and using it as an excuse not to study,” math teacher Stephanie Daniel said.

To prevent this from happening, different concepts could be discussed.

“I would make retesting and reteaching a process that must be done on the student’s free time to discourage those who are taking advantage of the system,” Daniel said.

She might have a point, but then again, there are other opinions to be considered.

“I think it should only be an option once every 6 weeks. That way it is not abused and it does not slow the rest of the class”, employee at the administration building and mother of a DHS student Pam Branscum said.

Either way, improv-ements certainly will be made in the future, when the school gets more familiar with the process. However, students should not forget that there are no retests later in life. Sometimes what goes wrong can’t be redone. Everyone has to learn to live with failure, even if it is difficult.

Then again, everyone can ask themselves, whether it does hurt to take an opportunity from time to time when it is offered or not.

MOTIVATION The Answer For Success Incentive, interest and simple enthusiasm can be motivational.

Emmi de Vries Staff Writer By definition, motivation is to give reason, incentive, enthusiasm, or interest that causes a specific action or certain behavior. It can be both self-motivation and being motivated by others. In general, however, motivation consists of internal and external factors that stimulate desire and energy in people to be continually interested in something that ultimately leads to a goal. This goal doesn’t have to be significant or good, because motivators can be anything from reward to coercion. A goal can also be changed by conscious and unconscious factors such as the intensity of desire or need, incentive or reward value of the goal, and expectations of the individual and of his or her significant others.

On a large scale, motivation can be found everywhere in one way or another.

Simple acts such as eating are motivated by hunger. Education is motivated by desire for knowledge. In today’s schools, however, this very specific motivation is lacking. Teachers fail to animate students, or more importantly students stop motivating themselves.

“The lack of motivation is contagious,” history teacher Patti Cornelius said. “It takes a special class to not be affected by the one or two unmotivated students.”

This in fact seems to be the biggest issue with a lack of student motivation.

The contagiousness Cornelius referred to originates in the act of students copying bad behavior.

Whenever students sleep or talk in class, others easily get the impression they can do the same.

This phenomenon than spreads though the class like a contagious disease.

There are a bunch

Seniors Jorge Molina (above) and Trevor Holzbog work in their senior classes to make sure all of their work is turned in so they may meet the required number of credits for graduation. Photos by Brie Osmon of signs for teachers and fellow students to read concerning a kid’s motivation. These can be positive ones such as eye contact with the teacher, the asking of questions, the striving for a higher grade and completed work. However, a bent down head, closed eyes, the inability to answer

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questions, and the accepting of very low and failing grades can be signals for a lack of motivation.

“Some students sleep, some draw. Others just don’t show interest. They sit there with their arms crossed,” junior Ashley Craig said. “People who are motivated, on the

other hand, take notes and ask questions.”

Even when the unmotivated students are outnumbered, they have a better chance of pulling the whole class down, rather than the others re-motivating them, because once motivation is lost it can’t be forced back on a person, rather the person has to gain it back.

“I think the students themselves have to decide if they want to do more and that something is important to them, because somebody can force you to do something, but nobody can force you to be motivated to do it,” junior Lukas Evers said.

Nevertheless, there are several opinions on how to nudge students in the right direction and restore their motivation.

“The problem with motivating students is that many of them are just interested in being entertained. If the teachers don’t do fun stuff or play games students won’t even listen,” dance teacher Christi Mitchell said.

“It’s the attitude of the students that has to change.”

Students that just see the fun miss the point of learning and there are other ideas to be heard and considered.

“In my opinion, students need to be allowed to work – in a job- to see what it is really like. It would be valuable to help them evaluate if education provided through the school is profitable,” Cornelius said.

She too has a traceable argumentation.

An action like that could give the students a new perspective and fire their desire for education, but in the end it’s the student’s own attitude and mindset that decides over failure or success. As the former American president Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it”.

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DHS Students United By Artistic Talent The Art Club

gives

DHS

students an oppurtunity to expand artistic ability and show their work outside of school

Kayla Robinson Staff Writer Art Club. Two words symbolize a medium for the expansion of artistic talents.

Students in the art club find friends with similar interests: expressing their feelings through drawing, painting, and sketching. The art club is a place to get involved in, polish, and show off the artistic side hidden in regular curriculum. Through the art teachers, students’ talents are refined as they explore the elective’s opportunities.

“Mr. Holder and Mrs. Stephens are amazing teachers.

With their guidance I’ve learned how to work on different mediums and use different techniques,” sophomore Taylor Holley said.

Some students were introduced to art when they entered high school, but for some, art was ingrained in their memories many years before.

“I got involved in art when I was in 3rd grade, when my parents put me into an art class,” sophomore Devin Wible said.

Most students in the art club would agree that the best thing about being in the club is spending time with others who have the same interests.

Apart from the beloved meetings and parties of the club, some members are given opportunities to exhibit their art outside of school.

“One of my favorite things of being in art club is getting to draw what I feel and showing my art around Denison,” sophomore Travis Knapp said.

The art club affects even those who are not members by inspiring them to become better artists from seeing displays of students’ art on the walls of the high school to watching friends

use new techniques.

“When I start to draw, I don’t plan to draw anime.

It’s just all I can do right now.

I’m working on getting my art to look more realistic like the drawings by the art club.

I want to be able to draw what I see,” sophomore Samantha McMillan said.

Whatever the medium, whatever the type, or whatever the person’s abilities, being in the art club motivates students to keep drawing and painting whatever their obstacles may be.

Expressing themselves in art is a way for members to let off steam, create works of merit, and paint the pictures in their mind’s eye.

“Art is such a beautiful thing. It gives you the power to create from your mind.

Dreams, emotions, and life itself can be conveyed through art,” Holley said.

Photos by: Brie Osmon, Courtney Clapp, and Brooklynn Allen

Denison Stingerettes Travel To Disney World CONTINUED FROM P1

There is so much to do at Disney World and with so many different places to go to at Disney and so many things to do Stingerettes were put in different groups that they stayed in all weekend to go ride rides, do different things from the other groups and just hang out. The “Mousin’ Around” group which were the group who liked to casually walk around, not really ride any roller coaters. The “Princesses” who rode few rides but mostly shopped and leisured.

The “Mad Hatters” they tried to go on any roller coater ride they could but also stop to have fun. And then there was the “Pirates of the Caribbean” and they

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showed no mercy in those who liked to walk, they made it to every ride, roller coaster, and didn’t stop for anyone.

“I was in the Mad Hatters and we had a blast!

It was so much fun. And Disney is such a magical place. I’m glad I was able to spend my last year of high school as a Stingerette and at Disney World,” senior and

first year Rookie Stingerette, Tia Hogan said.

Walt Disney World is a very magical place to be. Even the song says a dream is a wish your heart makes.

“I’m kind of jealous, I think that they should have had the idea to invite a friend; like Lamonica,” junior Lamonica Finley said.

Stingerettes won’t

be Disney Bound for at least two more years, but the memories made will last much longer than that. Fun filled times and pictures to document it all will surely last a forever for these girls and will never be forgotten.

“When we were performing, you could feel the emotion of the audience just radiating and

it made us more stoked than nervous to perform. It was an exhilarating rush and I loved it,” senior and Captain of the Stingerettes Danielle Stovall said.

Dancing in front of a different crowd and a bigger amount of people is bound to give these girls an adrenalin rush to where they outperform to their high-

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est. One would doubt even the slightest thing would keep these devoted girls from the stage. Once a dancer, always a dancer.

Dancing to these girls is like the love bees have for honey, natural.

“It was a very thrilling experience to say that I performed at Disney World! How many people get to say that?” senior, 2 year veteran Stingerette and Spirit Officer Mackenzie Garling said.

Like sisters do we grow indeed to kick our hats our only need, across the field do we prance, in our hearts the love of dance. This is the infamous chant that the lovely Stingerettes use in for words or encouragement and for loving memory in the future.

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