Athlete Signing pg. 11
Mobile Munchies pg. 7
Staying Safe pg. 3
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Photo by Katherine Kennedy
Photo by Rebecca Williamson
Stratford High School
THE Volume 40, Issue 7
Photo by Gil Sanchez
14555 Fern Drive, Houston TX 77079
RACLE
Girls Basketball Wraps up Regular Season
Friday, February 15, 2013
Seniors to All-State Choir and Band
Elaine Parizot
Seniors Nick Jones and Eric Lee have made the cut for All-State Mixed Choir and All-State Band. After making it through the cuts after many competitive rounds, Jones and Lee both will be performing in concerts directed by university directors on Sunday, Feb. 17. Jones will be singing as a Bass I and Lee will be playing the clarinet. Both concerts will be a part
of the Texas Music Educators Association convention which takes place at the San Antonio Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center from Feb. 13 through Feb. 16. This will be Jones’ first time making All-State and Lee’s second time to make it into the prestigious group. Jones is choir director Peter Steinmetz’s first student to make it into All-State Mixed Choir.
Coming Soon: Junior Garage Sale
LAY UP • (Top Left) Senior Rachel Rapier goes in for a lay-up to increase the Spartans’ lead against the Fort Bend Willowridge Eagles. The Spartans finished second in their district which means they will be going to the playoffs against Reagan High School at the Don Coleman Coliseum on Feb. 12. JUMP SHOT • (Top Right) Senior Emily Rucker takes a short shot from inside the paint against the Eagles. TAKIN’ A THREE • (Bottom Left) Senior Jaime Hewitt takes a shot from outside the three point line over a defending Eagle. TAKE AWAY • (Bottom Right) Senior Hope Wiggins receives a pass from Hewitt and gets ready to make an attempt at a basket to push the Spartans ahead. Photos by Gil Sanchez.
The junior garage sale will be held at Stratford on Friday, Feb. 22 from 4-7 p.m. for employees, and on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. for the whole community. The garage sale is a fundraiser for the class of 2014 prom, and is held every year. Books, furniture, and sporting equipment are just a few of the types of items for sale, and they will be offered at extremely low prices. All of the items for sale were generously donated by people in the area. “On the Saturday morn-
ings every year, there’s a line stretching longer than a football field to get into the garage sale,” said junior grade level principal Danny Gex. There are many opportunities for students and parents to volunteer and get hours for different organizations such as Student Council and National Honor Society. Each year this fundraiser raises between $15,000 and $20,000 for the junior class prom. Prom alone can cost around $20,000, plus there is the added cost of another $20,000 for Project Prom.
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NEWS
Friday, February 15, 2013
Spotlight on Mrs. Hatfield
English teacher Mrs. Hatfield has been at Stratford since its first year
Sara Boyle
Q A
What do you think makes Stratford unique?
Even though we’re diverse, everyone respects each other. We’re a school of winners in every field and we have such a supportive community. One way the community comes together is when they attend the various productions we put on. People who leave here still talk about Stratford. Everyone gets recognized, and I think that was shown especially through the Lip Dub last year.
Q
most know
A
was a tough year for everybody but we managed it well. There has been more emphasis placed on AP courses. There used to be a cutoff for who could take them, but I like open access because they give everyone a chance.
The State of Texas now assesses every student’s mastery of a core subject by mandating End of Course exams for each class. Starting with the graduating class of 2015, all Texas students will take part in these tests. Currently, the Texas Legislature is in session and is reviewing this mandate, but no changes have been made yet.
March 4
What are some of the funniest things that have happened over the years?
I have sponsored Senior Girls back when we used to do a barn dance. I’ve also sponsored UIL competitions.
April 3
May 8
May 15
A
Q
Have you sponsored any clubs or other organizations during your time at Stratford? Photo by Jordan Comparin
Q
Eng. ll EOC Writing
April 4
Eng. ll EOC Reading
April 23
11th Math TAKS
April 24
11th Science TAKS
April 25
March 5
April 2
Eng. 1 EOC Reading
A
Researchers in Australia recently discovered that when one has not received adequate enough sleep over the course of 24 hours, they are shown to have an impairment level equivalent to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08. Students are considered especially prone to drowsy driving due to the lack of sleep they get each night. According to a recent study, adults between the ages of 1729 are considered the most likely to drive while tired. “I just don’t think about it, I get up in the morning and drive to school,” said senior Matthew Foster. “It doesn’t matter how tired I am.” Sleep has become an afterthought among the population. The priority is not sleep, but rather to stay up late and wake up early. The National Sleep Foundation raises awareness for drowsy driving through their campaign “Drive Alert, Arrive Alive.” The foundation promotes that there is
nothing wrong with pulling over for a short nap when driving gets tiresome. It is also advised to travel in pairs. Long road trips should include at least two people so that one person may rest while the other drives. In order to prevent exposure to the dangers of sleepy driving, it is essential to get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. In addition, while it is advertised that caffeine may decrease the feeling of drowsiness, the effects of caffeine also include delusion and energy crashes. Caffeine fixes the problem for a short while, but when the effects wear off the drowsiness will be exemplified. While the risks will always be prevalent among society, the organizations promoting awareness hope to greatly decrease the accidents that occur due to distracted driving. If you would like to learn more information about safe driving, please visit KeeptheDrive.com.
Spring 2013 Testing Calendar
Biology EOC AP Chemistry AP Env. Science AP Psychology
Eng. 1 EOC Writing
Q
On 9/11, my class was in the auditorium, and when they came back to class we just turned on the TV and watched, nobody could do anything else. Also, the Challenger space shuttle launch was on a school day and we saw it crash.
11th Social Studies TAKS
April 1
Competition used to be intense with Memorial. Some overzealous athletic supporters released chickens into the school. Sometimes teachers have found books in the ceiling, desks turned over, etc. What are some of the saddest things that have happened?
Algebra I Practice EOC Geometry Practice EOC Algebra ll Practice EOC Practice Math TAKS Practice Biology TAKS Practice Physics TAKS Practice Chem. TAKS
Drowsy driving still a growing issue Michelle Evans People fear planes crashing, natural disasters occurring, and ships sinking; but even with over 5 million car accidents per year, people have yet to show hesitation as they get behind the wheel. The world is much more aware of the dangers of impairment while driving a car. White crosses and “don’t text and drive” billboards envelop highways all over the country. Advertisements campaigning “Drink. Drive. Go to Jail” are displayed continuously among different forms of media. Movements for awareness against distracted driving have grown significantly in the past few years, which begs the question: why aren’t people more aware of the dangers of sleeping while driving? When one is drunk, their vision and judgement become impaired. Sleepiness is no different. There is no “Breathalyzer” for sleep-deprived driving.
What is one thing people don’t about Stratford?
Probably all of the structural changes it has undergone. It used to look completely different. The classrooms were open--you would think it would be noisy but it really wasn’t. In the ‘80s, Westchester combined with Stratford and it
A
Wake Up Call
The Oracle
May 6
May 7
World Geo. EOC AP Spanish Lang. AP Art History
World History EOC US History EOC Calculus AB/BC
EOC Make-Ups AP European History
May 9
EOC Make-Ups AP Economics AP World History
May 10
EOC Make-Ups AP Spanish Literature
Chemistry EOC Physics EOC AP English Literature Algebra ll EOC AP English Language AP Statistics AP Studio Art
May 13
May 16
May 17 May 29
Final Review Day
May 30
Geometry EOC AP Biology AP Music Theory AP Physics B/C
Final Review Day
May 14
June 3-5
Algebra l EOC AP US Government AP French Language
May 31 Finals Finals
PRACTICING FOR EXCELLENCE • Students in all classes
prepare for the upcoming exams. The second semester is when most of the standardized testing takes place. Seniors do not have to take state tests, but they still have AP tests. Photo by Jordan Comparin.
The Oracle
Three Lives, One Pint
Students have opportunity to donate blood this month
Layla Shahhosseini
Student Council is putting on a blood drive on Feb. 19. This will be the last one this year. “Every time someone donates blood, they save three lives,” student council sponsor Mary Jackson said. There are a few requirements for actually being able to donate blood. Students must be 17 years or older, and weigh at least 110 pounds to participate in the blood drive. Other factors also determine whether or not someone can donate, and have prevented people from giving blood in the past. “People have had low iron levels, and there are a certain amount of days you have to wait after you get your ears pierced before donating,” senior Abby McMurtry said. There are benefits for the people who decide to give blood. If you donate, you receive a free t-shirt, pizza, and
the chance to get out of class as long as the class is an elective. Student Council is hoping to break their record of the amount of people who donate. “If your parents would like to come, they can donate also,” Jackson said. Sign up will be at Counselor’s Corner during both lunches from Feb. 11-18. The actual date of the blood drive is Feb. 19, which is a B-day. “With this being the season of love, it would be a good way to show it,” Jackson said. Donating blood will be helpful in aiding those that need it the most. Mrs. Jackson has used more than a few pints of blood for prior needs, so blood donation has proved essential for her. Any amount of people donating is considered a success because those people are helping those that need it the most.
Staying Safe
Friday, February 15, 2013
A few reminders and (maybe) some new information Hannah Bevers
Recently, a student was walking home after school and was offered a ride by an older man she didn’t know. The student refused, and the man drove away. She immediately told a nearby police officer about the incident and described the man to the officer. Recent events, such as school shootings and night club explosions have reminded America that safety is imperative. Some think that ‘staying safe’ implies staying at home whenever possible to avoid the outside world. Alternatively, others believe that the risk of staying at home is greater than the outside world. In order to avoid staying indoors at all times, experts
have given the public some simple ideas to be safe while enjoying public spaces. The easiest and most important action one can take is to stay aware. Human instincts have been known to be extremely keen; if you feel uncomfortable, there may be an unsafe activity going on. It doesn’t matter where -the library, the grocery store, or just walking home from school -- almost any environment can be potentially unsafe. Staying safe is not limited to watching out for yourself in public, though. Due to our generation’s online reputation, we have been given guidelines for staying safe online. Tweets, Instagram posts, and Facebook statuses are legally considered public domain unless an account is
made private by the user. Anything that isn’t deemed ‘private’ by the owner of an account can be accessed by anyone with a computer. Additionally, it can be risky to publicly publish anything online that can lead someone to a location. Publishing a phone number online can also be a risk. A website called Spokeo provides ability to search a phone number, and find out where that phone is, along with its owner. It is widely known that putting your address online can be a serious risk. People you do not know should not be aware of where you live. They can and will find you. Humans are active and outgoing, which is important for a functioning world. The Oracle wants students and others to stay as safe as possible.
NEWS 3
S
ara’s pace
Squished in the back seat of a white Cadillac sedan with my family, I gazed straight ahead, figuring out how to kill time on the 45 minute drive to the airport. Out of the corner of my eye, however, I noticed something unsettling. The man from the car service we hired was texting while driving. He was going through the familiar motions of a person texting while driving -- quick look up, quick look down. Not completely careless, but enough to cause an accident? Absolutely. I elbowed my mom and pointed it out to her. We exchanged pained looks. Were we supposed to not say anything? Tell him to stop? Even though it wasn’t the worst thing he could have been doing, I was still shocked. My parents hired him once a year to drive us to the airport for an annual vacation and, in all the years he had been driving us, he hadn’t done this before. I guess his new Blackberry was just too tempting. Most people have sent or received a text from behind the wheel before. However, now that more and more adults are taking up texting, the roads are more dangerous than ever. Rick Perry vetoed a law making texting while driving illegal in Texas. Whatever his reasoning is for the veto, sending the message to Texans that texting while driving is deadly is crucial. Hopefully, he will come to his senses soon, consider the lives of Texans, and pass the law.
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NEWS
Friday, February 15, 2013
The Oracle
POWDER PUFF
Zumbathon
The class of 2013 has two spring fundraisers to help pay for prom. A creative idea that is now set in motion is the hosting of a zumba fitness class. The class will take place on Thursday, Feb. 21, and will be held in the cafeteria. There will be two sessions: session one starts at 3:30 p.m., and the session two at 6 p.m. The classes cost $5 for faculty members, and $10 for students and parents. All students participating will receive service hours and, as an added incentive, boys will receive twice the amount of service hours. Photo by Samantha Vanston
The annual senior vs. junior girls football fundraiser is coming up. Senior girls will be battling junior girls in a friendly football game on Stratford fields. The game will take place on Tuesday, March 7 at 2:15. In order to play in the game, one must be a junior or senior girl, pay $20, and go to two out of four practices. Football players will be hosting the practice and coaching during the game. At half time the senior boys will be performing a choreographed routine. The money made will go towards 2013 prom. Photo by Ariyan Almassi
INFO AND SHORTS
IN THE LEAD
Pass, shoot, score! The boys soccer team is going to district with an undefeated record of 7-0. At the Brenham tournament, the boys played four games in just two days. Franco Timonieri was the lead scorer in the tournament with total of five goals followed by Antonio Fernandez with three goals. Tyler Frost, Chris Vanston, and Alan Aleman also contributed with goals in the tournament. Come support Spartan soccer on Tuesday and Friday. The JV game starts at 5 p.m. and Varsity begins at 7 p.m. Photo by Samantha Vanston
News in Brief
Club Update
Harrison Vaporciyan, Lydia Sweet
Samantha Vanston
For when you don’t feel like reading an entire article
Minami Minegishi, a member of the all-girls Japanese pop (J-pop) band AKB48, recently shaved her head in a tearful YouTube apology for spending the night in a dancer’s apartment. Unlike most American pop bands, AKB48 holds its members to a strict “no dating” rule.
Dell announced a $24.4 billion plan to make the company privately owned. If approved by stockholders, the plan would take it off the stock exchange completely. Red Bull released the scientific data from last October’s Stratos Jump, in which Felix Baumgartner jumped from over 24 miles up. The data confirm that he did break the sound barrier, as well as setting three separate records.
Washington state is looking to hire an adviser on all things marijuana, citing the need for consultants to help them effectively oversee their newest legal industry. The potentially $100,000 job would require at least five years of “workAndre Cassagnes, the ing experience”, and a inventor of the Etch criminal record “would A Sketch, died on Jan. not be an immediate dis16th at age 86. Details of qualifier,” since smoking his death are sketchy. marijuana is technically On Feb. 15th, 2012 still a federal crime in all DA14, an asteroid about 50 states. half the size of a football U.K. lawmakers held a field, will come within vote on same-sex mar17,200 miles of us - closriage, sparking wideer than most satellites, spread rebellion within and only one-thirteenth Prime Minister David the distance between Cameron’s Conservative Earth and the Moon. party. As of the time of North Korea is plan- this writing, the bill has ning yet another nuclear passed through the pretest. The UN has warned liminary round of votthat if North Korea goes ing with strong backing ahead with the weapons from Parliament, but test, there will be serious still has a ways to go before becoming a law. repercussions. A skeleton found under a parking lot in England has been confirmed as King Richard III. Scientists used DNA to confirm “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the remains were, in fact, those of the monarch.
What is happening in SHS organizations
25 students attended the Area finals for Business Professionals of America, and out of those members, 23 of them got an award. State finals will take place in Houston from Feb. 28 to March 2. Junior Katherine Kennedy, freshman Scott Kennedy, senior Anna Chong, senior Michelle Evans, senior Abby McMurtry, senior Cesar Muniz, freshman Ben Riedel, senior Sara Boyle, freshman Zeriba Jahangir, freshman Filipe Rubinstein, junior Kylie Schaper, and senior Rosie Wu all advanced to State. All advancing from State will go to National finals in Orlando, Florida this year. Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Schaper are hoping many members advance to the National level. The Debate team has two more tournaments before their state tournament. So far, two Public Forum Debate teams have qualified for state. The two teams, made up of all juniors, are Fariha Jawed & Nathaniel Barbour, and Aby Brugo & Jenny Payton. Fariha is one point away
from qualifying in both Domestic Extemp and Original Oratory. Junior Public Forum team Zain Ali and Justin Raine has six points, and are halfway to qualifying. Junior Leo Young is halfway to qualifying in International Extemp. Other members with points include sophomore Emily Wissel in Dramatic Interpretation, and juniors Billy Graves; Aby Brugo; Zain Ali; and Justin Raine in Domestic Extemp. They are hoping that in the next two tournaments these students will get the rest of the points they need in order to represent Stratford in March. After State, the point system starts all over again for the UIL and NFL competition. Mrs. Goemmer is very proud of all of her student’s accomplishments this year. She can not wait to see their accomplishments in the upcoming competitions. Academy of Science and Engineering is a two-year program that is open to incoming juniors. If interested in becoming a part of this organization, sophomores have
an opportunity this semester. To become a member, one must enroll in Physics junior year and take an AP science course during junior or senior year. The junior ASE class has been working on various activities, such as a crime lab. The lab started in Jan. and will wrap up within the next two weeks. After this lab, the junior class is going to pick a worldwide problem using www.innocentive.com. Corporations use this website to place questions and open them up to the public for solving. Most of these “problems” require a design or theoretical solution. Some companies offer awards if a proposed solution is used. During their senior year, students work on a year long group project. This project is due around March, and the finished product is represented in a National competition at the end of March. If interested in joining ASE, applications are available from and due to Mr. Barrett prior to Spring Break.
The Oracle
Friday, February 15, 2013
ADS
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PUZZLE PAGE
Friday, February 15, 2013
The Oracle
Graphic by Bronte Ye
Friday, February 15, 2013
The Oracle
USE
10 days ‘til... the Rodeo opens
Photo by Jackie Mask
2013 RODEO LINEUP Feb. 26 Gary Allan
Feb. 25 Toby Keith March 2 Brantley Gilbert
March 1 Mary J. Blige
March 3 Demi Lovato Austin Mahone
March 8 Tim McGraw
March 5 Lady Antebellum
March 13 Jake Owen
March 15 Blake Shelton
Graphic by Caroline Suchman Photo by Jackie Mask
GALVESTON PLEASURE PIER
March 6 Dierks Bentley
March 10 Julion Alvarez Los Invasores de Nuevo
March 9 The Band Perry March 14 Pitbull
Feb. 28 Zac Brown Band
March 4 Styx
March 7 Bruno Mars
Feb. 27 Alan Jackson
DAY TRIP IDEAS
March 11 Jason Aldean
BRENHAM BLUE BELL FACTORY
March 12 Kenny Chesney
March 16 Luke Bryan
March 17 Martina McBride George Strait Randy Rogers Band
AUSTIN CAPITOL BUILDING Graphics by Victoria Shin
MUSE 7
23 days ‘til.. Spring Break
Graphic by Victoria Shin
364 days ‘til.... Valentine’s Day
Grub on the Go
Food trucks growing in popularity
Chandler Callahan Houston’s gourmet food truck industry is growing. Most camp out in downtown, midtown, and in the Heights to catch business men and women during lunch hour, 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Over the past several years, convenience has become a priority, particularly in the food industry. Purchasing meals from food trucks is not only convenient, but also incredibly quick. Many allow customers to simply grab their meals and go. Another perk of the food truck trend is the variety. Patrons can take a traditional route and grab a burger at Bernie’s Burger Bus or a hot dog at Good Dog Hot Dog, or take a stab in the dark with Bare Bowls, an Asian salad bowl truck. Dessert is even available with trucks such as Melange Creperie or The Waffle Bus. “I really enjoy them,” said senior Avery Croley. “There are so many different foods to choose from, and it’s like eating at a real restaurant, not a greasy fast food drive thru.” Both traditional and more contemporary plates have
been made available to the public. Really there is no limit to the amount of choices Houstonians have. Houston, as a city, has copious amounts of stationary restaurants as it is, and adding mobile establishments to the mix creates an overwhelming sense of stress. When headed out to a gourmet food truck, try to narrow down your choices by location, and then type of food. This seems to make the process ever-so-slightly less stressful. Those wanting to visit a food truck can follow them on Twitter to find out their location. Though these trucks tend to be a little out of the way, especially those loyal to West Houston establishments, it is worth the drive and the wait. “Yeah, I went to Bernie’s Burger Bus, it was delicious! I was really surprised at the quality of the burger,” said senior Emma Koydemir. Food critics and foodies alike are praising the innovative creativity shown since food trucks made headlines. Try it for yourself, they won’t disappoint.
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MUSE
Friday, February 15, 2013
The Oracle
Trends of a Southern Belle
Caitlin Hilton
Sororities “Chi-O ‘til I die-O!” Rest assured, this is not the war cry of a slighted Indian tribe, it is actually the sound of millions of sorority girls professing their love for a women’s society that has probably been a part of their family for generations.
Safe driving can be tough for teens. While most learn from first hand experience, there are some circumstances you should never have to endure for yourself.
#1
Riding & Cowboy Boots
Monograms
A Southern Belle’s wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without riding boots. It doesn’t really matter if your last equestrian experience was at the petting zoo at your cousin’s birthday party nine years ago. Cowboy boots are another staple of southern life, and are almost a necessity at football games, dancing halls and the Rodeo.
“If it doesn’t move, monogram it.” seems to be the die-hard mantra of many Southern Belles. Though you might think this phrase seems a little excessive, when girls parade around in monogrammed polos, vests and scarves, it’s obvious that nothing comes between a girl and her love for the swirly script of her own name.
Story by Samantha Stazo and Janelle Blackwood
The Boys are Back for Tour
The Package North American tour brings nostalgia Sarah Sturgis Jackie Velarde
Thousands of girls are already looking forward to the Boys II Men, New Kids on the Block, and 98 Degrees tour that will be traveling this spring and summer. These breakout 90s bands are coming together for one last shot at the limelight. From “Summertime” to “End of the Road,” these singles will be brought to life as North America goes back in time. Boys II Men is a 90s R&B band featuring Nathan Morris, Wayna Morris, and Shawn Stockman. They are the most successful R&B band of all time selling over 60 million albums worldwide. The group’s first single “End of the Road” came out in 1992, reaching the top of the charts worldwide. The song stayed on the Top 100 for 13 weeks, breaking Elvis Presley’s world record. After their almost instantaneous fame they worked alongside Mari-
ah Carey, Baby Face, Prodigy, Oh No, Bow Wow, and New Kids on the Block. Along with the R&B genre made famous by this group, Boys II Men is known for their soulful, emotional ballads. Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey Mcintyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood formed New Kids on the Block in 1984 with producer Maurice Starr. Ever since then, they have enjoyed success, selling 80 million records worldwide, and winning two American Music awards. Although they dissolved in 1994, the band reunited in 2004 to record a CD and release a new album. The album, entitled The Block, was released on Sept. 2, 2008 and is marked as one of their best works made. At the end of their peak of success, the group went on tour with the Backstreet Boys in 20112012. 98 Degrees is a 90s boy band formed in 1995 when
they sang together at a college party and decided to form a band, starting their career in Los Angelos. After signing with Motown Records, the group was featured in the movie “Mulan” in a duet with Stevie Wonder. With their name out in the music world, members Drew Lachey, Nick Lachey, Justin Jeffre, and Jeff Timmons released their first album “98 Degrees and Rising,” and went 4X platinum in 1998. After their first album the boy band left Motown Records and signed with its mother company, Universal Records. 98 Degrees continued to excel, selling 10 million records, and having eight Top 40 singles and three chart-topping albums. Their tour begins May 31, and continues through the end of the summer. Boys II Men, New Kids On The Block , and 98 Degrees are coming to Houston on June 27. Tickets are available on ticketmaster.com
Photos by Rebecca Williamson and Keeley Flynn
Tweets of the Week Parker Lund @ParkourLund I am locked in the third floor bathroom #help McGregor Dalton @MCGfromthe713 Every girl today: Omg this weather means I can post plenty of outdoor pics either in my bikini, with oasis, in my eno, or in my chacos. Meredith Burch @HOLLERatMERRR If you weren’t up on your feet during that half time show you aren’t human. God bless you @beyonce. Sarah Zschappel @SaruhZee I’m so excited to watch the Super Bowl...commercials Christopher Juntti @ChristopherJunt Congrats to the SHS yearbook staff and their sponsor Mrs. Lynch. The SHS yearbook has been selected as a National Demonstration Publication! Graphic by Isabel Deakins and Harrison Vaporciyan Tweets compiled by Jackie Velarde and Sarah Sturgis
Do: let others merge into your lane if they are desperate to get over Don’t: speed up to make sure they miss their exit... unless it’s your friend... then it’s okay
#2
Do: give a pedestrian the right-of-way in a parking lot Don’t: hit a person with your car and keep driving
#3
Do: listen to your friend who is in the passengers seat if they are telling you you’re about to hit something Don’t: run into the ordering device at Sonic because you’re too busy waving excitedly at a friend in the space next to you
#4
Do: know where you’re going before you leave the house Don’t: hit a median trying to avoid getting on I-10
#5
Do: keep your eyes on the road while driving on Dairy Ashford Don’t: jam out to “Raise Your Glass” and cause a multi-car buildup
#6
Do: make sure your car is in reverse before you try to reverse Don’t: drive into the main support beam of Soho...inside the store *All circumstances come from come from actual experiences
The Oracle
Valentine’s Nightmares (Left) The worst thing about Valentine’s Day in school was that no one asked me to be theirs. The opposite of love is apathy and that was worse than my husband getting me a lawn mower for Valentine’s Day one year.
Tracey Jensen, Teacher of the Year
Hunter Clay, 11 Graphic by Natalie Yoo
(Left) In 7th grade, I really liked this girl that I had never talked to before. She was really nice and I wanted to finally tell her that I liked her, so I went out and bought her a bunch of candy. I was ready to give it to her that next day in English and when I walked into class, I saw that one of her close guy friends had given her a basket that made mine look really bad. I ended up just giving my candy to my friends because I was too embarrassed to give it to her after that.
Friday, February 15, 2013
(Right) When I was in 8th grade last year, my mom thought it would be really funny to pretend to be my “Valentine.” And while I was in class I take out my binder and there are literally tons of cards stuffed into the pockets and my folders all had the heart stickers on them. All my friends started laughing because they thought I had a secret admirer, but I really couldn’t tell them that it was my mom who actually put those in my bag. (Right) Last year, I was with my boyfriend for a year and our year anniversary was a week after Valentine’s Day. I told him that I didn’t want any flowers or chocolates. I told him to take me to a movie or do something cute, but he did the exact opposite. He picked me up and brought take out food from Jus’ Mac. He took me to the park where we first met. It was 50 degrees and I told him I wanted to go home. On our way back we got into a car accident.
MUSE 9
Evan Agha, 9
Fiona Fahey, 11
SPORTS
Friday, February 15, 2013
The Oracle
Swimming
BOYS SOCCER
SWIMMING AND DIVING
2/22 State Prelims @ UT Austin 4:30 p.m. 2/23 State Finals @ UT Austin 3:30 p.m.
TENNIS 2/15-16 Ft. Bend Invitational @ FB Clements HS 7:00 a.m. 2/22-23 Clear Lake Invitational @ Clear Lake HS 7:00 a.m. 3/1-2 Spring Branch ISD Invitational @ SHS 8:00 a.m. 3/22-23 Kemah Boardwalk Invitational @ Clear Creek HS 7:30 a.m.
2/22 @ Cinco Ranch 3 p.m. & 6 p.m. 2/26 @ Memorial 6 p.m. 3/5 @ Spring Woods 7 p.m. 3/7-8 @ DeKaney 7 p.m. 3/9 @ Westfield 10 a.m. 3/12 vs. Tomball Memorial @ SHS 7 p.m. 3/13 vs. Tomball @ SHS 7 p.m. 3/15 @ Marshall 7 p.m. 3/19 vs. Northbrook 7 p.m. 3/22 @ Willowridge 7 p.m. 3/23 vs. Tomball 2 p.m.
Soccer
Coach Tamara Humphrey
GIRLS SOCCER
2/15 vs. Humble @ SHS 7:00 p.m. 2/19 vs. Northbrook Grobe 7:00 p.m. 2/22 vs. Spring Woods @ SHS 7:00 p.m. 2/26 vs. Summer Creek @ SHS 7:00 p.m. 3/1 @ Kingwood Park 7:00 p.m. 3/8 vs. Humble @ SHS 7:00 p.m. 3/19 vs. Northbrook @ SHS 4:00 p.m. 3/22 @ Spring Woods 7:00 p.m.
LACROSSE
2/15 vs. Katy @ Grobe 6:00 p.m. 2/20 vs. Village @ VHS 4:30 p.m. 2/22 vs. Kinkaid @ KHS 7:30 p.m.
Lacrosse
Quinn Stroube Kyle Davis Davis Beasley Blake Grooms Jared Willis Kaito Soeda Erik Boas Tracy Warren Michael Milstead Will Lavercombe Brandt Belk Larry Coston
Chris Collins John Sanchez Will Woodard Jacob Rielly Kory Casanover Keagan Lawrence Ryobu Ogura Austin Wood Connor Sands Scotty Thomas Jake Whelen Anthony Smith Andrew Kelly Tyler Savoie Cameron Trahan Carter Trahan
Sophomore
Shogo Iwasaki Freddy Price Jake Elston Will Ranger Landon Neumann Matthew Innes Will Bredthauer Ragan Robinson Ross Collins Bradley Bates Scotty Wimberley Kyle Casanover Clyde Harvey Jay Harper
TRACK & FIELD
2/16 Bubba Fife Invitational 2/23 Will Taylor Invitational @ MHS 3/2 Bayshore Olympics @ La Porte HS 3/7-10 Cy- Creek Invitational @ CCHS 3/19 True Team Meet
2013 Spartan Baseball Varsity
Q: What sports do you coach, and which one is your favorite? A: I coach girls JV basketball and track. My favorite sport to coach is probably basketball because I’ve been playing it since fifth grade and through college and have been coaching for seven years. Q: How many hours do you practice a day? A: Around two hours. Q: What is your opinion of this year’s JV team, and how can the team improve? A: This years’ JV team always fights to the end. They never put up an easy battle, and strive to be the best. However, the team can improve by strengthening their communication. Q: What is the JV’s team record? A: The team is 16-6 overall and 13-0 in district. Q: What is your favorite moment from this year? A: My favorite moment would have to be the Tomball Memorial game when we came back and won from being down 12-15 points.
BASEBALL
2/15 vs. Humble @ SHS 7 p.m. 2/19 vs. Northbrook @ SHS 7 p.m. 2/22 @ Spring Woods 7 p.m. 2/26 @ Summer Creek 7 p.m. 3/1 vs. Kingwood Park @ SHS 7 p.m. 3/8 vs. Humble @ Charles St. 7:30 p.m. 3/19 vs. Northbrook @ Tully 7 p.m. 3/22 vs. Spring Woods @ SHS 7:30 p.m.
JuniorVarsity
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Friday, February 15, 2013
The Oracle
Signing Off to a New Future
Six talented athletes commit to their college sports’ team Elyse Stieber
On Wednesday, Feb. 6, six senior athletes officially signed on to their future colleges for the upcoming year. Ricardo Coria signed to Southern Arkansas University for cross country. Coria is among the top three on the team to have the fastest times. This season, he finished 2nd among the team at regionals. At first, he wasn’t sure if this would be the right choice for him, but he visited the campus and really enjoyed it. Lacie Stevens will be known as a Texas Tech Red Raider next year where she will fulfill her softball dreams. She will most likely be playing outfield, third base, or short stop. Next, 6’5” football player Christian Daimler signed with his final choice of the University of Oklahoma to
SPORTS
Swimmer Michael Miller play as an offensive tackle. He ceived an offer from Texas to become a part of Sooner signed with the prestigious was previously committed to A&M and ended up choosing nation. Duke UniArizona versity S t a t e in North UniverCarolina. sity, but After reafter receiving ofceiving fers from the ofschools fer from including OU, he Columbia dropped University his offer in New and deYork City, cided to he visited b e c om e Duke and a Boomwill furer Soonther be er and a known as a part of Blue Devil. the Big Softball 12 footstar Macey ball conSmith will ference. SIGN HERE PLEASE • Pictured from left to right are seniors Ricardo Coria, Lacie Stevens, Christian Daimler, H e Michael Miller, Macey Smith, and Kelly Ann Craig who are happily signing to the colleges that have claimed them for be proving her pitchalso re- their individual sport. Photo by Gil Sanchez.
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ing skills at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as a Ragin’ Cajun. Currently, Lafayette is ranked #11 in the NCAA softball standings. She was originally in talks with University of Illinois, but she decided that the University of Louisiana was the better choice for her. Last but not least, Kelly Ann Craig will be playing at Stephen F. Austin University as a forward on their soccer team. Craig serves as one of three captains on the Stratford team this year. She has already met most of her upcoming teammates, and Craig is excited to be known as a Lumberjack. The Stratford community wishes Coria, Stevens, Daimler, Miller, Smith, and Craig the best of luck as they continue their journey into their NCAA sports’ careers.
THE RUNDOWN J A I M E
B E N
H E W I T T
Photo by Gil Sanchez
Photo courtesy by Ben Riedel
On sale during both lunches March 5-7
March 7th at 2:15
Rank: 3rd Position: Shooting Guard (left side) Favorite Golf Course: TPC Sawgrass Favorite Pro Team: Boston Celtics Best Score: 71 Preferred Shoe Brand: Nike Hyperize Favorite Restaurant: Del Fresco’s in Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans NYC Best Game: Against Willowridge when Favorite Club Brand: Titleist I only had two fouls Best Part of Golf: The focus that is Favorite Moment: Senior Night and needed my last home game as a Spartan Favorite Quote: “Golf is a game that Favorite Quote: “If you judge people, is played on a 6 inch course-the you have no time to love them.” distance between your ears .” -Mother Theresa -Bobby Jones
Student tickets are $5
R I E D E L
Students must have ticket to be released from class
SPORTS Lady Spartan Lacrosse Takes Aggieland 12
Friday, February 15, 2013
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1. STICK CHECK • Before every game the entire team must go through what is called a “stick check“ where the referees make sure each player’s stick is legal to be played within the game. 2. TAKING THE DRAW • Getting ready to start the game and taking the draw is sophomore Christi Gregory. Gregory plays attack for the Spartans. 3. DOWN THE FIELD • Moving the ball towards the goal during a game at the Aggieland Tournament is senior Emily Frazelle. Frazelle plays mid-field and is one of the team’s top scorers. 4. TALK IT OUT • After a great defensive play, seniors Katie Gregory and Bonnie Slattery, along with junior Ashley Wood talk about what they did right to keep the game on track. 5. DEFENSE**DEFENSE**DEFENSE • Attempting to get the ball back for the Spartans is sophomore Marie Davidson. Davidson plays mid-field and has been on the team for two years. The Lady Spartan lacrosse team was very successful at the Aggieland Tournament in College Station. They went 2-1. 1 & 2 by Katherine Kennedy; 3, 4, & 5 by Emily Copeland
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The Oracle
Newton’s Law Alex Newton
Signing day is complete and with it we have confirmed what is already known. The SEC remains dominant. With six SEC teams in the top ten, and ten in the top twenty, according to Rivals, their power remains unmatched. Number one recruit Robert Nkemdiche caps off what is a very impressive class for Ole Miss. Along with the number one overall recruit the Rebels were also able to snag the number one receiver in Laquon Treadwell, and the top offensive lineman in Laremy Tunsil. This marks the greatest recruiting class in school history and according to head coach Hugh Freeze, “We’re doing it the right way.” Hopefully the Rebels are indeed representing the SEC the right way. For the first time since 2005 Texas is trailing Texas A&M in their class ranking. It is also the first time since 2008 Texas has not been in the top five in recruiting. Mack Brown’s most popular trait is that of his excellent recruiting he has produced for nearly the entirety of his career at Texas. Yet with a class ranking at 23rd in the country, Mack needs to produce on the field this year if he wants to retain his current position. Texas shouldn’t worry too much about this year’s recruiting as they are returning nearly their entire team. With only two starters on defense and four on offense, the teams will be replacing very little next year. Whether this means they will be any better has yet to be determined. As for the Aggies, their class brings in a stunning 31 recruits, an impressive class for Kevin Sumlin in his first year for the Aggies. These recruits, complemented with Johnny Manziel, should make for a dangerous team. Another dangerous team is Alabama. A monster class that leads the country, Alabama puts themselves in position to win yet another title and continue the dynasty. Hopefully someone can’t put a stop to it in round three.
The Oracle
THE
ORACLE
Newspaper Staff Editors-in-Chief Sara Boyle Caitlin Hilton Samantha Hicks News Editors Samantha Vargas Samantha Vanston Hannah Bevers Muse Editors Chandler Callahan Layla Shahosseini Kali Venable Sports Editors Alex Newton Elaine Parizot Elyse Stieber Opinions Editors Michelle Evans Lydia Sweet Esther Jeon Reporters Andres Acosta Dua Mazhar Aldo Martinez Photo Editors Katie Gregory Stephen Martinez Katherine Kennedy Photographers Gil Sanchez Emily Copeland Sarah Sturgis Will Klussmann Maggie Vickers Harper Jones Bonnie Slattery Jordan Comparin
Ads Editor Mary Margaret Weaver Ads Staff Emily Brown Jacob Cribbs Kendall Marbach Jacob Pennington Katherine Mavergeorge Allison Rice Design Staff Claire Galbraith Caroline Suchman Harrison Vaporciyan Ben Fairchild Staff Artists Molly Richter Claire Pena Natalie Yoo Victoria Shin
Online Staff Online Editors Janelle Blackwood Isabel Deakins Samantha Stazo Online Photography Editors Jackie Mask Ariyan Almassi Online Photographers Mark Coffman Michael Martin Claire Pena Rebecca Williamson Online Reporters Jackie Velarde Faith Figueroa Building Principal Christopher Juntti Advisor Janice Cummons
The Oracle is a newspaper published every three weeks by the Journalism Department of Stratford High School, 14555 Fern, Houston, Texas 77079, 713-251-3454. The newspaper is a member of Columbia Scholastic Journalism Association, National Scholastic Journalism Association, Texas Association of Journalism Educators, and Interscholastic League Press Conference. The Oracle is open to any and all contributions submitted by the readers. Any material can be submitted by e-mail to thestratfordoracle@gmail.com, brought in person to Room 120, or placed in Janice Cummons’ mailbox. The editorial board reserves the right to determine whether the submitted material will be published depending on the available space. The submitted material may also be edited to remove libelous or defamatory statements. Any material that is submitted must be typewritten and accompanied with the writer’s full name and grade. The opinions expressed are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, the staff, the administration, or the school district. The Oracle staff strives to produce a newspaper that covers the entire Stratford community. They welcome freelance submissions and are eager to hear from their readers regarding story and photo opportunities. The Oracle is also online at spartanoracle.blogspot.com.
War on Lust
Friday, February 15, 2013
OPINIONS 13
In today’s society, double standards dominate Colton Slaughter
Slut shaming is the act of deliberately making someone, usually a woman, feel guilty or inferior for engaging in certain sexual behaviors that violate traditional gender expectations. Depending on culture, these behaviors include having several sexual partners, or dressing in a way that is deemed “excessively sexual.” Basically what that’s saying is that if you wear something revealing, or perform any sexual act that someone else sees as “unethical,” then you deserve to be ridiculed and shamed. Even worse, women are the ones who are most often victimized. Men are hardly ever the target of humiliation simply because they are men. If a woman performs these acts, she is labeled as a lesser individual and is frowned
upon by society, while if a man performs them, he is revered by his peers and is considered superior. This places huge amounts of stress and pressure on women, especially young girls, just trying to fit in. They have to worry about not revealing too much so they aren’t humiliated, but at the same time, they also have to worry about not covering up too much so they’re not called “prude”. They’re forced to know exactly how sexual they need to be in order to please society. People will always disagree on what is appropri-
ate or not, and everyone has their own view of it. Disagreeing on something, like if an outfit is considered inappropriate or not, is pointless. It is disrespecting a person’s beliefs and shows immaturity. Thinking that having sex is bad is fine. Wanting to wait until you’re older to experience it is also fine. However, forcing your beliefs on someone else and shaming them for being themselves, is not. One’s sexual life is their own business and not anyone else’s. We’re not encouraging any sexual activity, or saying whether it’s right or wrong, we’re just say-
Undying Influence
Permanent
Andres Acosta
Hannah Bevers In the 1920s, women cut off all of their hair and wore short skirts. In the 1970s, flower children strummed guitars in tiedye and paisley. Our generation? Maybe we haven’t figured it all out yet. Or maybe our rebellious act involves millions of tiny pieces of colored metal under our skin. One could argue that tattoos are too rebellious because they are permanent. A common question posed by those who disapprove: what will it look like when you’re 80? Tattoos are permanent, yes. But maybe they aren’t pointless. There’s a possibility that this ‘rebellion’ is a way for young people to find solace in something that truly will never go away. We live in a world where over 50% of marriages don’t last and long-term relationships are hard to come by. Social networks have made ending friendships a piece of cake. A mean-spirited com-
Christian influence in African countries A missionary can be defined as a member of a religious organization who is charged with the task of spreading faith and doing humanitarian work which can either take place in the country of residence, or as most probably know it, in a foreign country. Most people who participate in missionary work do so because they are driven by an inner yearning to contribute to the world and make it a better place for everybody. Recently, film director Roger Ross Williams directed and produced a film entitled “God Loves Uganda” in which he takes a close look at evangelical missionary work in Uganda and how it is both socially and politically affecting Uganda, more specifically on the LGBT side of things. Through the Evangelical missionaries and their donations, Christianity has risen as the dominating force of daily life in Uganda. Think of Islamic law in Saudi Arabia, but with Christianity and Uganda.
The profoundness of this influence is deeper and more extreme than one would expect. The Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act, placed into effect in 2009, outlaws homosexuality. Penalty for violating this act carries long prison terms with “repeat offenders” being punished by death. There have also been instances of citizens taking the law into their own hands by torturing people into confessions and then carrying out lynchings against known homosexuals. Surveys on the populations of neighboring countries, including Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya show similar extreme anti-homosexual cultures. This, however, is one specific point to a grander happening. There is no doubt that all these organizations have the intention of bettering the country, but at what point do we stop helping them and start using them as our pawns to spread our ideologies?
ing that the decision between “right and wrong” is one individual’s personal choice, not anyone else’s. Like any other type of bullying, slut-shaming has no benefit and is only used to bring down others. It only forces people to hide and be ashamed of who they are. The continuous use of this would be pointless, if not harmful. In order to live in a safe and friendly society, it needs to stop. We, as a society, tend to judge people on their looks, but not their values. Preference on clothes and sex is totally unrelated to intellectual ability and personality. Unfortunately, that is something we seem to forget.
Graphic by Bronwyn Wismer
Why our generation gets inked
ment or tweet can have two best friends facing off in a battle before you can press ‘retweet’. Even the promise of higher education isn’t solidified into our destinies. Getting into college is more and more difficult every year, while less and less college graduates are getting jobs. Young people just want to find something that they can claim as theirs for the rest of their lives, something that won’t say goodbye. Society above the age of 40 doesn’t generally approve of tattoos. Nevertheless, our generation continues to get inked. Tattoos do not have to be visible, and most aren’t. Does it really matter what a tattoo will look like in four decades if no one can see it anyway? Americans spend an annual $1.45 billion on tattoos, and 36% of adults 18-24 already have a tattoo. The tattoo trend isn’t going away anytime soon. And tattoos aren’t going away at all, ever.
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OPINIONS
Featured Writers
Gun control reform must take place Davy Barrett
With the recent events in the news, the issue of gun control has come to the forefront. Let me begin by stating that I am a Texan and a gun owner for hunting purposes. I don’t believe hand guns should be owned by the general public, nor assault weapons. I have been shot at once, and had a gun to my head once. If I had been armed in either case, I would not be here. Quick thinking saved me in both cases. I have had several family members that were the victim of violent crime, all of which would have escalated to greater violence if they had
been armed. I don’t have a simple answer- there is no simple answer to gun control. What I do know is that if it is legal to own something, many will own it; if it is illegal, then few will own it. Although the constitution provides for many basic rights, there are limits within these rights. There is also a responsibility to manage these rights in a way that benefits the masses. While it is true that guns do not kill people, people kill the people, the fact remains that assault weapons are intended to kill people at an efficient and high rate.
Kali Venable Why do we “need” assault weapons; why should they be legal? We are not going to be able to stop gun violence, but we can certainly curtail it. Although stricter gun limits may have not completely prevented the tragedy in Connecticut, I believe without a doubt that it would have lessened the death toll. I realize we live in a society that deals in large part with mental illness as a component of violent crime. But I would suggest that we mistakenly go about our lives in fear of harm to ourselves or others in hopes of protection that is at its core, an illusion.
Why the school’s facial hair policy is backwards Cullen Moore
Let me open by saying I am not arguing for the sake of my beard. I am arguing for the sake of beards everywhere. The fact is, the district’s current policy on facial hair is absurd. I’m not so much talking about the ban on beards as I am the allowance of mustaches. I understand that many male teenagers desperately want to showcase their masculinity through facial hair, many times without the ability to actually grow pleasant-looking facial hair -- so why on earth would you restrict them to growing only the least pleasant-looking variety? This is equivalent to a ban on all leggy clothing except bikini bottoms, or a small weapons ban on everything except
The Oracle
Friday, February 15, 2013
acid-spewing hand-grenades that stink. It ignores one of the most extreme examples of the problem. I’m not saying there aren’t people who can pull off a mustache; I’m just saying the good majority of those people have graduated from high school. And let’s be honest -- the people that are most excited by the sudden onset of thin, gristly hairs growing from their face aren’t going to be deterred by a restriction to the upper lip. Now, beards, on the other hand, are a completely different matter. Many male students -- granted, not all of them -- can sport some variety of a beard with success, be it a soul patch, chinstrap, or just a five-o’-clock shadow. Maybe not a full-on lumber jack beard, but very few Strat-
ford students are lumberjacks anyway. I understand that some students’ attempts at beards are not attractive -- but are mustaches really the answer? Do you fix a student’s procrastination issue by taking away all his video games except for Skyrim and Call of Duty? Do you fix that same student’s Call of Duty addiction by only letting him play Modern Warfare 3? The answer to all these questions, except the last one, is a resounding no. And yet, here we are, deprived of beard, plagued with attempted mustache. Something needs to be done. There are two options- either give us the beards, or take away the mustaches. But this middle state -- it’s no good. No good at all.
Do you want an article in the newspaper without being on staff? Contact any staff member or email thestratfordoracle@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you!
The room glistens with the reflection of sleek cabinets accented in stainless steel handles. An owner waits patiently for the drawers to open and tiny important and unimportant comments appear, all colorfully decorated with pictorial representations of one’s current state. Would you call me crazy if I told you this room was not a room at all, but instead the iMessage system that resides in the software of an Apple iPhone? That these cabinets were not cabinets at all, but instead individual conversations with other people who hold futuristic cabinets of their own? Such a comparison does not serve to confuse, but instead help one understand what the iMessage system looks like to an outsider, to a person who has yet to experience such a wonderful piece of technology. In the past ten years, Apple’s iPhone has stolen the cellphone market from beneath the feet of long-standing corporations who have developed hundreds of cellular devices in a series of shapes and sizes. To understand why people have chosen Apple’s product over all others, one must first take a closer look at the features that set the iPhone apart, most importantly the iMessage network. iMessage is a platform that allows users to create and send messages to other iPhone users in both group and individual texts. Unlike any other phone, the iPhone gives users the opportunity to see if their correspondent is typing or has read a sent message. iMessage sends messages to other iPhones at high speed and is free of charge to iPhone users. Through group messaging, one can hear not only what others have to say regarding a conversation, but also have the opportunity to view comments and conversation
between friends. Group messaging allows people to connect on a level that feels more like a real-life conversation rather then an electronic social system. In the most mild use of the term, group messaging
Another feature of iMessage that has become popular is the iPhone emojis. Emojis are little pictures that are sent as a symbol or punctuation mark in text messages. While one can technically receive emojis on a nonApple product, they can’t see anything more than a black or white box filled with a question mark. Compared to mid-19th century big businesses such as John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Co. which controlled the entire oral industry, Apple is well on its way to putting vendors out of business. The proposed problem here is whether regulations need to be placed on the technology head or not. Apple already ran Research In Motion (RIM), the maker of the infamous Blackberry to near bankruptcy. While RIM is launching a Blackberry 10 in the future, chances of recovering from major debt are slim to none. The only phone that still seems to hold weight against the iPhone is the Samsung Galaxy S3, Apple’s largest competitor. However, even then, does the Galaxy stand a chance? Perhaps the reviews are good today, but will the company be innovative enough to lead the race in technology tomorrow? While the Galaxy may have some cool features, it does not provide the same visual allusion as the toy-ish iPhone that is a novelty to the hands of any beholder. In order for any maker to compete with the Apple iPhone, something new and revolutionary must be created. Rather than adapting to keep pace with the iPhone, companies need to be finding new ways to lead the industry.
The Ap ple Monop oly
iMessage poses as a way to have deep, intellectual conversations with multiple persons. The more people involved in a conversation, the higher intelligence level to which a conversation has the capability to ascend. While some other phones offer group texts, no phone creates a care-free experience like the one provided by Apple.
Graphic by Kali Venable
The Oracle
Prevention is Possible
Despite increase in suicide rate, there is still hope Dua Mazhar
The first thought that will cross your mind as you come across this article is, “Oh, this is going to be depressing, no thanks.” Yes, this article is going to be depressing, because it will talk about the reality of teen suicide and the source, depression. On a more positive note, it will also offer hope to those who are suffering from these situations. At its worst, depression can lead to thoughts of suicide. Thus, informing our community about the reality of depression is critical to understanding suicide. Adolescents, from the moment that they hit their growth spurt, either girl or boy, become targets to stress and depression. They have to deal with competition in school, social problems with friends, parental pressure, peer pressure, and self identity issues. Unfortunately, these stress-
ors pile up so much that teens can unknowingly become subject to depression. Teens are unable to handle so many stressors simult a n e o u s l y, so instead of seeking help they turn to al-
cohol or drug abuse to cope. “The worst thing you can do is alcohol,” says crisis counselor D’Ann Franklin. Alcohol is a depressant, only making the symptoms of depression even worse. Two million teenagers in America alone suffer from depression, according to an
Understanding Others
article published by the Associated Press. Teens refuse to admit and get help for their depression; eventually, suicide may seem to be the only solution to end all the stress in their life. Depressed teens may talk about suicide because they want or they need someone to notice and get them out of depression. If a depressed teen shows aggression, you shouldn’t show anger as your reaction, in fact that is the last thing anyone should be doing while dealing with a depressed and suicidal teen. The best thing anyone can do for someone who is suffering from suicidal or depressing thoughts is to offer their support, show patience, take time to spend with them to show them you care. There are positive coping strategies that help to express the anxiety and aggression that depressed teens often
Give others the opportunity to understand you Esther Jeon
“North or South?” I don’t expect it every time, but I hear the question asked a good number of times when I tell people I’m from Korea. At first, I thought it was a little ridiculous. I had peers who thought it was ridiculous- how could I be from North Korea when the country’s as tightly sealed as a lid on a pickle jar? I regretfully admit that I couldn’t understand how those people didn’t know- and that I couldn’t help but to see them from another perspective (a not-sogreat perspective). Most of us will feel the same way; we look down on others when they don’t know the same things. My question is, why do we do it? Why is it that when people ask others questions about things they don’t know, there are those who’ll see those people differently? After all, we’re an incredibly unique and eclectic bunch of people. We’ve all had our own unique experiences (I think I can safely say that my break-
ing the bathroom sink with a jawbreaker is a one-of-akind experience) and we all love different things. There’s bound to be things we don’t know about and things we can’t ever expect to understand about each other. I’m part of a fantastic group I fondly like to refer to as the Questieswe all met through this scholarship program called Questbridge, and although most of us live states away from each other, Facebook keeps us close in thought and soul. We come from a variety of backgrounds and love a variety of different things, but we do identify in one way: nearly all of us are considered low-income students by colleges. So a few months back when the election was all that ever covered the news, the Questbridge group was electrified by the tense debates and campaign coverage. When the pictures of Paul Ryan washing dishes were released, the group had a good laugh. Who
15 OPIN IONS The Grade Game
Friday, February 15, 2013
was this man and who did he think he was? Did he honestly think that pictures of him washi n g dishes
would help the lower class to feel they identified with him? I won’t lie; I honestly thought it was all a bit ridiculous. Surely he could
feel such as meditating, writing, exercising, listening to music, and even talking to a trusted adult. The increase of suicidal thoughts and self harm in a teen should be treated immediately. Stratford is re-implementing the LifeSaver program that seeks to help students that might be suffering through bullying, depression, or anxiety . The process is quite simple. If you are worried about a friend, there are 2 LifeSaver mailboxes located in front of the clinic and in front of the library, along with a form you can fill out anonymously, stating the concern you have about your friend or even yourself. The boxes will be checked daily and help will be immediately offered. Teen suicide and depression is a reality. How hard can it be to give some assurance to your loved ones, to let them know and have a peace of mind that there is someone out there who cares for them? There is still hope. Graphic by Bronte Ye
come up with a better way of reaching out to those who had less than him. But even before I’d clicked on the title of the article to read it, I was already predisposed to thinking that people like Paul Ryan would never understand. (Washing dishes was not going to cut it.) I think back on that memory and I wish I could’ve realized what I’ve thought about now. Why do we dismiss the attempts of others to help us because we think they couldn’t understand? Why is it that we beg for others to understand us, but when people make the effort to, we dismiss their efforts because they haven’t experienced it themselves? Now, I think I’m a little ridiculous. I ought to get off my high horse- I’m not so knowledgeable about the affairs of the world to be able to turn around and whisper with my friends about how ridiculous the North/South Korea question is. Graphic by Molly Richter
High school turning into competition
Claire Galbraith
The competition in high school seems to be taking a turn for the worse. Students are constantly comparing themselves to their classmates. Whether it’s a homework grade or a test grade, they always want to know where they stand. If they are not among the best, they try to put others below them to make themselves feel superior. As competition rises, so do the insecurities, and unbearable stress is created by the aggression shown between agitated teenagers. The feeling of lagging behind because others are ahead can be very frustrating for a kid, and people who boast about their grades are not helping. Competing to be the best and brightest student should be a good thing as long as no one is being hurt in the process. When one receives a good grade on a piece of work, it is natural to want to tell friends and others. However, if one is doing it merely to show off how they are smarter than others, it is a very malicious thing to do. Just because someone did extremely well doesn’t impugn another’s work. Declaring yourself to be the best does not actually mean one is the best. A person who brags about their grades is usually insecure, so this person must show they are better than what they think others perceive them to be. And if they don’t stop the habit, it will spread into other parts of life. The competition between students is like a contagious virus that only gets worse over time. It tears friendships apart and classmates become inimical towards each other. Competition doesn’t stop after high school, it branches out. By building up the habit of trying to be better than everybody, a bog of hate and insecurity can grow between coworkers. When applying for a job one must be competitive to get the position, but the continuation of aggression and combativeness in the work place is inappropriate. By being competitive towards colleagues or friends, one can seem pretentious or arrogant, and it becomes easy to make enemies. Who would
want to be with a person who puts people down and believes they are above everyone? Nobody wants to look at the great qualities they have when there’s another person to challenge them. What does it mean if they aren’t outstanding students? Nowadays, it seems like grades dictate who people are. Yet, people aren’t their grades and they have to focus on finding a way to be secure about themselves. Eleanor Roosevelt once said “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,” and this is true. Due to the gross amount of competition around them, students are allowing others to make them feel inadequate in comparison. People often fail to see that there will always be a person who may be better and it shouldn’t make anyone feel less than who they are. Instead of focusing on who is the best, one should reflect on how well they believe they did. By building confidence and using self motivators to do better, people avoid using others as stepping stones. Another way a student could strive to do better is by knowing what they want. If one wants an “A,” ask questions, work harder, and go the extra mile, because that’s what is desired by themselves, not what is expected from other class mates. Also, one could keep track of their progress to see how much they have improved. This builds confidence and makes them believe they can do better in school. Taking the high ground is the best way to become successful in life. There is no need for aggression when trying to be a top student; one just needs to be willing to work hard and also be respectful to others. Yes, there will still be people who try to hoist themselves up by putting others down. The appropriate response to that would be to ignore them and continue working to the best of one’s ability. Being competitive is not a bad thing, it’s an effective motivator for some. Nevertheless, there is excessive amount of competition in school and it’s the leading cause of unhappiness for many young teens.
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Friday, February 15, 2013
The Oracle