October 5 issue

ORACLE

the

Stratford High School • Friday, October 5, 2018 • Vol. 46 • Issue 2

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Want to win FREE TICKETS to see Ed Sheeran’s Nov. 3 concert? Find the contest guidelines here.

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Check out the in-depth feature to learn about popular conspiracy theories and what students believe.

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Are you more tennis or swimming? Take our quiz to find out what sport you were meant to play.

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news

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

News in Brief They’ll be There for You in Class

NATIONAL LOCAL STRATFORD

COMPILED BY MCKENNA TANNER • Oct. 8: Spring Branch ISD holds College Night at Spring Woods High School.

• Oct. 10: Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors take the PSAT, and Stratford holds the Blackout Pep Rally.

• Oct. 11: The University of South Carolina, Providence College, Elon University, and Drake University visit Stratford.

• Oct. 12: Stratford plays Memorial in a football game.

• Oct. 15: Boston University, Colorado College, Pepperdine University, and Pennsylvania State University visit Stratford.

• Oct. 16: The University of Houston Engineering Department visit Stratford.

• Oct. 29: Texas Christian University visits Stratford.

• Aug. 28: Texas Children’s Hospital fired a nurse who posted on Facebook about a patient with the first Houston measles case in five years.

• Sept. 9: The H-E-B location on Dairy Ashford closed to be made into an eCommerce fulfillment center.

• Sept. 18: Rice University declared it will make fulland half-tuition scholarships available to undergraduate students from low- and middleincome families.

• Aug. 24: NASA discharged a recently chosen intern after the intern used profanity in a series of Twitter posts that went viral.

• Sept. 7: A Mississippi homecoming queen scored the winning point in the game the same night she was crowned.

• Sept. 14: Hurricane Florence made landfall around Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.

• Sept. 17: SpaceX founder Elon Musk introduced the company’s first private passenger on a flight around the moon, Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa.

Fall is For Football PHOTO BY MADDIE DAWSON

Spartanaires Caroline Dina, Hannah Timmreck and Maddie Suerth are part of Stratford’s organizations that ramp up during fall.

Check out the photo essay on page 16.

Teachers turn to TV show clips to reinforce lessons WRITTEN BY MCKENNA TANNER When it’s time for class, that usually means 90 minutes of tedious note taking with a hand aching like a marathon runner on her last lap. However, some teachers are trying to give those sore hands a break by turning off the Powerpoint and putting on some television clips.

For example, sophomore English teacher Kathryn Suerth turns to clips to improve students’ focus during her lessons.

“I feel like they pay attention a little better when you break up a lesson,” Suerth said. “It brings their attention back to the concept that you’re trying to teach, and so I feel like it kind of keeps them engaged.”

In a reflection of today’s more technology-based world, English teacher Matthew Darroh said he learned to show clips during class while in college.

“When I was taking classes to learn how to teach English, that was one of the things that they stressed, was trying to bring in clips that relate thematically to what we’re studying,” Darroh said.

U.S. History teacher Samantha Morgan appreciates how TV clips can help her drive home her lessons to students.

“I’d say their retention when I show a clip is higher than if I was just talking about something and giving an

example because a lot of students are visual learners, and so, it helps them remember, especially in this tech world that we’re in right now,” Morgan said.

Junior Nathan Shugart, a student in Morgan’s class, said he has experienced those benefits.

“I believe it really enhances learning opportunity,” Shugart said. “Like, for example, Ms. Morgan showed us a clip of Friends when we were learning about SAQs [short answer questions] in history in order to better explain how to give a full, in-depth response, and I think the message stuck with me.”

Darroh said he uses clips more to help his classes form connections, which can be difficult when studying classic literature.

“I think it always helps for students to be able to see links between what we’re doing in class and things they may be already familiar with,” Darroh said. “And I think it just kind of brings, especially when we’re reading old literature, it to life if we can see parallels between that and themes and connections between things that are more current and that students might appreciate.”

When it comes to picking clips to show, Suerth says she draws from her own viewing preferences.

“Usually, when I’m creating my notes

or whatever, sometimes, I’ll think of an episode of Seinfeld, or I’ll think of an episode of Friends, or something that I’ve watched that I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s just like this,’ and so sometimes there’s a connection that way,” Suerth said.

Morgan says her decision to show clips comes from her own experiences as a student.

“I remember what it was like when I was in school, and when I was in college; the times that I saw a clip, it stuck with me more,” Morgan said. “And, I can remember literally every single history class that I had in college that I did well in and learned the most in, I would watch video clips in those.”

Suerth said technology makes showing clips so simple that she enjoys doing it.

“Now, it’s so easy to be able to just find something that relates to what you’re doing that it’s almost fun for me to be able to do it because six years ago, when I first came here, it was like, ‘Wow, this is so exciting! I don’t have to make overheads. I don’t have to check out a TV. It’s just right here,’” Suerth said. “It’s neat that it’s so easy to do.”

Another benefit of showing clips, according to Morgan, is giving students a chance to practice real-life application.

“It shows that you can use historical thinking skills every day,” Morgan said.

Lend Me a Ticket?

Stratford Playhouse Presents “Lend Me a Tenor” WRITTEN BY MCKENNA TANNER PHOTO BY JEANIE SIDLER

The Stratford Playhouse is starting off their 2018-19 season with Lend Me a Tenor, a Tony-award-winning comedy that opened Oct.4.

In the show, Tito Merelli, a worldrenowned tenor, is making his American debut by starring in a Cleveland Grand Opera Company production of Othello in 1934. Nothing goes exactly as planned, and wackiness ensues as identities are mistaken, conclusions are jumped to, and good intentions go wrong.

The show’s characters aren’t the only ones facing challenges. The Playhouse has faced its own, too, including a problem with one of the show’s key plot points.

The play’s opera company uses dark makeup on Merelli’s face, but since this practice is recognized today as racially insensitive, the directors have had to find a way around it. Instead, they are using tan makeup.

“We are approaching the role of Othello in a regal sense and in a way of honoring the character and his background rather than making a joke out of it,” junior Janet Hagedorn, the student director, said. “We want the humor to be in the show, not about who Othello is.”

Another challenge comes for male lead performance. Performances are Friday, Gray Campbell, a senior, not only for the Saturday, Oct. 11, and Oct. 13 at 7:30 number of lines his character, Max, must p.m. and Saturday and Oct. 13 at 2:30 say, but also for the physical comedy p.m. involved.

“Lend Me a Tenor” is performed by “I have to jump on the floor, onto my special arrangement with Samuel French, stomach, and get dragged a couple feet, Inc. so that’s a little difficult,” Campbell said.

Even the crew has had their own obstacles to Trust Me overcome.

Seniors Kenneth “The set is Cuadra and Gray extremely tedious Campbell rehearse the to build, and the blocking assigned final scene of “Lend to it is even harder,” Me a Tenor.” In the senior Brittany-Anne show, Cuadra plays Bonneté, the stage famous tenor Tito manager, said.

Merelli confiding in Despite its anxious opera comcomplications, pany assistant Max, Hagedorn is still played

by Campbell. glad to be directing Lend Me a Tenor.

“It’s a great opportunity to work with so many great people, and I’m really grateful that I can show my creativity in a new way through directing,” Hagedorn said.

Tickets are sold at shsplayhouse. org and at the box office before each

news

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

With the arrival of October, Americans promote understanding of the disease WRITTEN BY MCKENNA TANNER AND YASMIN TALBI GRAPHIC COURTESY OF KISSPNG.COM When the month of October rolls around, people all over the country show their support for breast cancer awareness. From walking in solidarity with pink ribbons pinned to their clothes proudly to sliding on a pink armband every day, Americans find many ways to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

October was dedicated to promoting breast cancer awareness in the 1980s.

The American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries joined forces to advance early diagnosis, widespread access to treatment, and disease understanding through a month of events and publicizing.

Breast cancer, which begins when cells in the breast begin growing irregularly, is the most common cancer to affect women besides skin cancer, with 266,120 female diagnoses expected in 2018 alone. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), a woman receives a breast cancer diagnosis every two minutes.

This disease is also the second highest cause of death for women, the NBCF website states. Every 13 minutes, a woman dies of breast cancer.

However, the disease is 98% curable if diagnosed early enough, according to the website of The Rose, a southeast Texas charity that provides diagnostic services for women. This charity aims to help people get early diagnoses by encouraging women at risk for breast cancer to get mammograms.

Mammography is a technique that x-rays the breast, and is credited with reducing the breast cancer mortality in the US by forty percent since 1990. Because those most at risk for the disease are older women, the CDC recommends that women between the ages of 50 and 74 get mammograms every two years.

Although awareness campaigns are often directed at and focus on women, breast cancer does not exclusively develop in women; 2,190 men are diagnosed with it each year, according to the NBCF website.

There are a variety of ways to spread awareness of breast cancer during the month of October. Several institutions are holding events such as runs and football games in Houston to show support for those diagnosed. Additionally, organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the NBCF, and The Rose accept donations to further research into a cure and making treatment available to everyone.

Stratford has worked with The Rose in the past. In 2017, the Stratford Playhouse raised $8,695 during performances of Me and My Girl to give to the charity in honor of those involved with it who have received a breast cancer diagnosis.

Even just wearing pink this month— be it a shirt or a bracelet— is a way to promote understanding of breast cancer.

More information on what to do this month to show support can be found on nationalbreastcancer.org and komen.org.

ED SHEERAN CONCERT GIVEAWAY

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The Oracle has two tickets to Ed Sheeran’s concert in Houston on Nov. 3rd. There is a tiny Spartacus hidden on one of the pages in this issue.

If you spot Spartacus, rip out the page, write your name and phone number on it, then bring it down to room 120.

RULES:

• You must be a student at Stratford • No double entries. One entry per student.

• You have from Friday (Oct. 5th) 7:45 AM to Wednesday (Oct. 10) 3 PM to enter. No entries will be accpeted after this time.

Spartacus is this size! Find him hidden in the paper. Good luck Spartans!

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The Oracle • October 5, 2018

October Madness Parlez-vous Francais?

Our obsession with the month of October is understandable when we see all there is to experience in one of our favorite fall months.

WRITTEN BY YASMIN TALBI

PHOTOS BY ALEX NICA

Fall is in the Air

When falls rolls around and the weather starts to cool, out come the decorations!

October comes with the bittersweet relinquishing of summer, the start of the holiday season, endless Halloween movie marathons, and a regretfully recurrent obsession with pumpkin spice lattes. Each year, the month of October presents itself with an array of fun, seasonal events to get involved in and to experience.

Texas Renaissance Festival

Each year, crowds of people in frustratingly long lines of cars find their way to Todd Mission, Texas to experience the “nation’s largest Renaissance theme park.” The surreal portrayal of Renaissance-era Europe attracts people from all over Texas with the festival’s outrageously colorful costumes, the array of events and themes, and their beloved turkey legs.

Once you step onto that 55-acre plot of land, you are enveloped in a haze of European absurdity and the realistic presence of the past. The annual festival boasts 500 costumed actors who work on twenty-five different stages. Each actor and worker dresses up in a costume that reflects the theme Themes range from Barbarian Invasion to All Hallows Eve, all in the month of October and into November.

Houston Cinema Arts Festival

Every year, the Houston Cinema Arts Society holds a festival of movies in different parts of Houston to showcase the year’s best independent movies. Set against the backdrop of the Museum of Fine Arts, the festival draws people towards the Museum district of Houston.

If you are a movie buff or just enjoy watching movies, the festival is presenting movies from emotional, romantic dramas like “Call Me By Your Name” to the gritty, serious “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”

Houston Greek and Italian Festival

Among the array of activities to experience and participate in, there are two major cultural festivals that manage to find themselves on everyone’s calendars.

With dancing, music, cultural activities, and mounds of food, the festivals are paying homage to their cultures by opening them up to the rest of their community.

Whether it’s a pasta eating contest you want to take part in or if you just want to volunteer at the festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Phobia

And last but definitely not least, is Phobia. The haunted house that has managed to scare us without losing its tenacity since 1996.

The haunted house attracts people from all over the city with its eight different haunts and attractions. Even if you don’t want to get scared out of your skin, you can always go for moral support.

WRITTEN BY: YASMIN TALBI PHOTOS BY: YASMIN TALBI

Parlez-vous Francais? Non? Don’t worry about it! The From singing the National Anthem to staying after new French program encourages people of all cultures school to watch French movies, the French Club will be and languages to join. Under the watchful eye of new in full gear to show and celebrate the French culture.

French teacher, Madame Meriem Mason, the new Senior Emma Jowett starts the school year as the new French program is bubbling over with exciting ideas French Club president, along with four other officers. and activities for people to get involved in.

“I’m very excited to lead the new French Club this The most prominent of these ideas for this semester year to spread French speaking culture to everyone is the at Stratford,” celebration Jowett said. of National “It’s our way of French Week. bringing a little This is where French to you.” schools all over To be able to the country speak more than gear up to one language is a delve into the gift, and to learn French culture a new language and language is an adventure. in a more Research immersive way. has shown From eating that learning French food a different to watching language French movies, improves our this week is not memory and only meant for engages a those who can different part of speak French the brain.

New Beginnings or are learning However, French club members gather in Room 104 for their first meeting to speak National French of the year. Filled with laughter and Cheez-Its, the meeting French.

Week symbolizes The benefits something far introduced the new members to the French Club. of learning more important another language or learning of another culture allow than just some fun activities and an opportunity to eat one to live more than just one life. The old saying food. It symbolizes the unification of a community. The “When you speak two languages, you have lived two francophone community around the world is much like lives,” holds true to this day. our own: diverse and supportive. Allowing yourself National French Week, which will take place in to delve into a new language and culture increases November, is full of opportunities to celebrate the understanding of the world. Only when we venture out French culture and language. The French Club will be of the comfort of familiarity and explore different ways celebrating and participating in numerous events that of thinking can we become true citizens of the world. promote the learning of the language and culture.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

How Can I Celebrate the French Culture?

Watch French Movies

Even if you don’t like reading subtitles, or abstract themes, or even foreign films in general, watching French movies is the best way to completely delve into the culture and understand its intricacies. Even watching Ratatouille in class can help you understand a different culture.

Eat French Food

Whoever said food was the way into someone’s heart was correct. Eating food from another culture allows you to experience that culture in a hands-on way. And no, eating snails or frogs is not a requirement for delving into French cuisine.

Listen to French Music

When listening to music in a different language, we don’t think that we’re actually retaining any of the words.

However, when we do this, it’s like we’re given a backstage pass to the culture of that language.

We learn about its smallest nuances and details that others don’t notice because of different dialects and personalities.

Attend a French Club Meeting

French Club meetings are filled with laughs and fun as they delve more into French culture and language. Prior French knowledge is not a requirement, as the French Club is more geared towards the culture of Francophone countries.

During the meetings, fun French language activities and games allow students to become more versed in the French language. However, the cultural aspect of the club is probably the most important since it opens our eyes to another way of thinking.

life

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

Taking A Look Into Deadboy’s Closet

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Inside the world of a young entreprenuer.

WRITTEN BY AMORA FLORES PHOTOS BY DADRIAN STARKS GRAPHICS COURTESY OF DEADBOYSCLOSET.BIGCARTEL.COM Stratford is overflowing with creative and talented students. They roam these crowded hallways, bumping shoulders with you, and sharing the same outlook on the school’s lunch and the unpredictable temperatures that seem to change from classroom to classroom. You yourself might be one of these creative students. However, I’m speaking about the ones who indulge in the world of fashion and

cosmetics, the ones who draw out their pain or write about it instead. Just recently I became acquainted with a student who is in the process of starting his own business, one that needs a constant flow of new ideas and imagination. At only 16, Junior Dadrian Starks is in the process of making his own clothing brand, in which he has already given a name: Deadboy’s Closet.

With a myriad of designs and shirts being made by him and only him, Starks’ aesthetic is riveting and intriguing. With many of his friends, family and followers on Instagram buying his shirts that range from $20 to $30, Starks never dissapoints. His style unique and it all stems from his own hands and creative mind. This new endeavor might just catipult this young man in to a successful future.

Using his resources, Starks has an app on his phone called Adobe Draw. This allows him to draw out each of his designs, and get an idea of what he might put on to a shirt. The designs he creates flow with his brand name, as they form a dark but playful style.

Rocking his Merchandise Transfering them to a machine Junior Dadrian Starks casually poses in his yard wearing one of his

many Deadboy shirts

Deadly Designs

Two of Starks’ popular designs that he decided to show his followers on Instagram as a sneak peek of more shirts to come.

that prints his inked material out onto blank shirts and layering the material on to the fabric each color at a time.

Starks has always enjoyed drawing since he was little, so the fact that he took to social media to post some of his favorite drawings on Instagram was no surprise.

“People have always liked my drawings, so I just figured I’d put them on a shirt and see if they would buy them,” Starks said with a nonchalant shrug. “And people have been buying them, especially females. I don’t know why, though.”

Starks had always had the thought of making shirts with his own unique designs; the kind of designs that he would like to wear and see other people enjoy wearing, as well.

“I was thinking for a minute that I wanted to do it, actually, but I never had the money to pay someone to make them, let alone buy a machine and make them myself,” Starks admits.

“Once I got a job and started working for a few months, I was like, okay, i’m going to start putting money towards something that I actually want to do,” Starks said.

And in this case, he wanted to make his own clothing and start his own unique brand.

Houston from the Outside In Three exchange students share their perspective on life in Houston.

WRITTEN BY AMALIA KNOTTEN More and more students around the world are choosing to spend a year of their education going on a ‘cultural exchange’. They choose to leave their home country and travel somewhere new, where they will start at a new school and live with an unfamiliar family. Each year, students from every continent choose to travel to the US, while American students pack their bags and leave for new adventures in other countries. The school year is just getting started, which means that heaps of exchange students have just arrived in Houston, ready to start their year as Americans. I sat down with three of these exchange students to discuss their experiences in Houston so far, the ups and downs, and what they’re looking forward to doing the next few months.

Life in Houston might not seem very thrilling if you’ve lived here your whole life, but take it from an exchange student: From an outsider’s perspective, even the smallest things feel new and exciting.

Emma Jung and Luana Milueck are exchange students from Germany. They are currently attending Memorial High School. Mike Davydov is an exchange student from Russia and Central Asia,

attending Stratford.

Why did you want to go on a cultural

exchange?

EMMA “I wanted to learn about another culture, and another country. And so I can become a tiny part of America! And bring a tiny bit of my country into America as well.”

So you’ve been here for about a month.

What’s been the most difficult thing to get used to?

LUANA “For me it was really hard to understand how the school works. And there are a lot of small differences in the way you do everything. Like how some people say they have to use the restroom and some people say bathroom. I thought the restroom was a place you could stop and maybe chill for a while. And I thought ‘Why would you be allowed to go to the restroom during class?’”

What’s something you find weird about America?

MARK “Is it insensitive if I say ‘the pledge of allegiance’?“ What’s been the most fun so far?

LUANA “I like my host family. And I like the school too. It’s so different. You’re all together.

You have a football team, and you all root for it! You all go to pep rallies together and support them with other people.

Every teacher has the logo of the school in their classrooms and on their shirts.”

MARK “Joining the props team at the theatre. It seems like that’s going to be a lot of fun this year.”

Do you have anything on your bucket list?

EMMA “The natural science museum, and the open theatre. Maybe the ballet.”

What’s one thing you’d like to bring

from your country to the US right now?

LUANA “Schnitzels. And my brother. And maybe that the boy and girl thing, (in Germany) it’s not so serious. American dating seems too serious at a too young an age.“ Something you’d like to bring from the US to your country?

MARK “The chocolate. I really love the chocolate

here - Like Hersey’s.”

EMMA “Maybe how strangers can talk to each other here. It’s not like that in Europe.”

(For Mark) How are you liking Stratford so far?

MARK “Stratford is such a friendly place, people are so open and inviting. I’m really enjoying it so far!”

• • • • •

Being an exchange student can be difficult, in the way all new experiences can be difficult. There’s a lot to get used to all at once, but it certainly brings upon a new perspective to what your life consists of and what you want to do with it. You get a much better understanding of your daily routines once they have been turned upside down. More often than not, the small changes feel the biggest.

The size of cars, amount of plastic bags, friendly smalltalk, and school spirit may be things Americans don’t see as especially significant, but to an outsider, it seems that those are the things that stand out the most. So enjoy your Hersey’s when you have it. Chocolate might not taste the same anywhere else in the world.

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life

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

Passing Above a New Level

How many of these unique hall passes can you match to the teacher they belong to?

WRITTEN BY BLAKE TODES AND AMORA FLORES PHOTOS BY DAN TATULESCU, RACHEL DIETERT, CAROLINE DINA, AND KYLA LYLES

The Weight to Bear

Students lug this “backpack” of a hall pass to travel through the halls.

It’s A Girl!

This hall pass is a creepy baby that almost makes you not want to use the bathroom at all.

Strike!

This teacher knocks down all of the pins with their hall pass.

Touchdown for the Teachers

Behind the scenes of the teacher fantasy football league

WRITTEN BY BLAKE TODES AND AMORA FLORES PHOTOS BY DAN TATULESCU GRAPHICS BY EAMONN FITZPATRICK

Believe it or not, Stratford teachers are some of the most competitive people alive. Twelve of them are part of a fantasy football league organized by the science department, including teachers like Mrs. April Glover, Coach Mark Wallace, and Mr. Nathan Mesler. Teachers compete head-to-head against one another each NFL week from Thursday to Monday. The other nine players in the league are Coach Tim Johnson, Mrs. Shelby Slay, Mr. Ryan Cozad, Mr. Sam Nguyen, Mr. Sean Plake, Mrs. Sarah Russo, Coach Josh Hall, Ms. Cathlene Webb and Coach Austin Kent.

Fantasy football works by using an actual players statistics, such as yardage, touchdowns, and fieldgoals that they make in order to assign points.

Each position has a different point value for certain stats. For example, a quarterback would get four points for a touchdown, but other players, such as running backs, would get six points for a touchdown.

Glover, Wallace, and Mesler came up with the idea of creating a teacher fantasy football league from playing fantasy football in college and talking

about the idea at lunch. The teachers held a draft night, where they picked their players in random order. The entire competition is online, using the Yahoo Fantasy Football app.

The teachers say everyone is competitive in the league, but the organizing teachers say Ms. Slay is the most competitive and everyone wants to beat Coach Johnson. The physics teachers also are competitive with each other. In the beginning of September, Coach Wallace competed against Mr. Nguyen, Mrs. Glover against Mrs. Russo and Mr. Mesler is competing against Coach Hall.

The competition is a combination of luck and skill, according to Glover, Mesler, and Wallace. They say you can’t predict injuries or weather, giving the game that extra edge.

Everyone wanted Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley, but surprisingly not Tom Brady, who Ms. Webb has.

We will see who will prevail as the winner of the teacher fantasy football league in weeks to come.

Tiki, Do You Love Me

This hall pass never leaves the student’s side on their paradise trek away from class.

Checking her stats, Mrs. Glover looks at the Yahoo Fantasy app to see who is winning this week.

Birdie Birdie

Student fly away from their class when they take this bird house hall pass.

Hoppin’ Around the Halls

Students jump for joy when they take this hall pass. Do not give this hall pass any carrots.

For the Win

League Wars As the

competititon heats up, Coach Wallace, checks his stats frequently to check his weekly standing.

Squad Cubed Tick Tock

This teacher times how long students stay in the bathroom by setting a timer and locking it in the box.

Find the owners of these hall passes at shsoracle.org.

Anticipation Anxiety Feeling

the heat of the competition, Mr. Mesler stresses over his weekly ranking.

WRITTEN BY BLAKE TODES PHOTO BY DAN TATULESCU

Math teachers Karl Poetzl, Christian Marquez, and Sam Nguyen sometimes hang out together after school, doing things like going out to eat and seeing movies. However, Marquez said that it’s really just the students who call them the math squad.

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The Oracle • October 5, 2018

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The Oracle • October 5, 2018

The Oracle •October 5, 2018

We asked SHS...

CONSPIRACY THEORIES COMPILED BY MADDIE SUERTH AND CHARLOTTE BENES

The Oracle does not claim to believe any of these theories. All information is presented according to these sources: WatchMojo.com youtube video (Top 5 Apollo 11 Moon Landing Conspiracies), BuzzFeedBlue youtube video (I Don’t Believe The Moon Landing Happened) thrillist.com, The Washington Post, popularmechanics. com, howstuffworks.com, time.com, theweek.co.uk, Alltime Conspiracies youtube video (10 Greatest Illuminati Conspiracies), Shane Dawson youtube video (MIND BLOWING CONSPIRACY THEORIES), BuzzFeedBlue youtube video (The Secret Society of the Illuminati from the series BuzzFeed Unsolved)

THE MOON LANDING

WAS FAKED Why do people believe it?

Part of the reason people are skeptical of the moon landing’s existence is that they were not around when it occurred. Those that believe this theory tend to be younger and less likely to have experienced this event. Without seeing the broadcast with their own eyes they didn’t feel the rush of triumph. Another part of the reason that people are skeptical is because they aren’t aware of the science behind it. Most of the evidence below has logical explanations, but the people who believe these theories think these explanations are phony or aren’t aware that they exist.

What is their “evidence”?

• There was no exhaust flame when the rocket departed to the moon, so people believe it was actually a model pulled by a string in a film studio.

• There was no crater at the landing site after the landing.

• There were multiple shadows in the pictures of astronauts on the moon, so people believe that there must have been an alternate light source.

• There was no solar radiation poisoning when the astronauts passed through the van allen belt. Russia couldn’t point out that we didn’t know how to get through the belt because they didn’t want to say that they didn’t know either.

• The American flag appears to be waving, but there is no wind on the moon.

• The cross hairs of the camera lie behind the equipment in the photos, so they must have photoshopped the equipment in.

• There was a lack of artifacts left behind after the landing and we don’t have telescopes big enough to see the things we left on the moon.

• Gus Grissom was supposed to be the first man on the moon, but he was critical of NASA’s success and ability of reaching it.

Conspirists believe that NASA murdered him because they wanted to keep him quiet, in order to prevent suspicion from the public.

15% YES

85% NO

AREA

THE

ILLUMINATI Why do people believe it?

The illuminati was a real organization from 1776 to around the 1780s. In 1776 Germany Adam Weishaupt created an organization called the order of the illuminati on the basis of protecting the beliefs of secularism and rational thought. The church thought this was a threat to their religious beliefs, so eventually the organization disappeared around the 1780s. People believe that this was the original core group, but overtime it has evolved into the illuminati. There are many conspiracies within the speculation of the illuminati that do not all coexist together.

Some of these include cloning, reptilian alien possession, and satanic rituals. The most popular one however, is that people believe that the entertainment industry has been taken over by illuminati members to brainwash the public. This organization’s supposed goal is to create a “New Order” of government in which there is a totalitarian world government (a centralized dictatorship). Some of these celebrities include: Beyonce, Jay Z, Katy Perry, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Madonna, and many more.

What evidence do they have?

• Many celebrities’ clothing choices or hand gestures “give away”the fact that they are a part of the illuminati, an example of this is making a triangle with their hands referencing the all seeing eye, which also located on the dollar bill.

• Some people believe that celebrities are being cloned or hypnotised. They point to interviews where famous celebrities have brief moments when their faces freeze up for a couple seconds, usually with a strange look on their faces. Some of these interview videos include Beyonce, Cardi B, and Eminem.

• Some celebrities that are supposedly a part of the illuminati have been photographed with a black left eye. People claim that this is part of an initiation ritual. Some of these celebrities include Elizabeth Hurley and Robert Downey Jr.

FIFTY ONE

Do you believe the moon landing was faked?

Why do people believe it?

Area 51, also known as Dreamland or Groom Lake, is a top secret air force base located about 85 miles outside of Las Vegas and has been subject to wild speculation over the years concerning the existence and captivity of extraterrestrial beings within the ominous chain link fence. People who believe the conspiracy seem to think that aliens and the remains of unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, are being hidden there. Some speculate that these extraterrestrials are being subjected to lab tests and worked with or forced to help create new technology.

Others believe that UFO crash remains are being studied with hopes of engineering new technology similar to that of the aliens themselves. A select few believe that the government studies time travel at Area 51 as well. Then, of course, there are those who seem to believe that the whole thing is just a bunch of baloney. But despite the disbelief of skeptics, recent discoveries and government revelations have given some credibility to the claims of extraterrestrial enthusiasts, and caused some to revisit the mystery of area 51, asking the question once again, what truly lies beyond those fences?

43% NO

57% YES

Do you believe the illuminati is real?

What evidence do they have?

• In July of 1947, a rancher named Mac Brazel discovered strange debris just outside of Roswell, New Mexico with an unidentified origin. This debris was later thought to be the remains of a crashed alien spacecraft and that the U.S. government confiscated the debris to study it in depth in labs at Area 51.

• Airspace restrictions prevent even air force pilots from flying over the land designated for Area 51.

• The government didn’t publicly acknowledge the base’s existence until July 2013 with the release of declassified CIA reports.

• A retired Army colonel swears he was given access to extraterrestrial materials gathered from the alien spacecraft speculated to have crashed in Roswell.

55% NO

45% YES

Do you believe the government is keeping aliens in area 51?

10

sports

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

S T R A T F O R D vs M E M O R I A L

Year

Winner

2003

Stratford

2004

Memorial

2005

Memorial

2006

Stratford

2007

Memorial

2008

Memorial

2009

Memorial

2010

Memorial

2011

Memorial

2012

Memorial

2013

Memorial

2014

Memorial

DOWN, SET, HUT!

Senior Grayson Pendergraft runs the ball down the field during the Homecoming game. He scored for the Spartans, to add to their already dominating lead against Spring Woods.

immersed in the idea of playing as a team while 2015 Stratford working alongside one another in school. They learn 2016 Stratford basic virtues such as responsibility, 2017 ownership, Stratford honesty, and integrity. Students For years, Stratford and Memorial play on teams together at have been one of the strongest Memorial Middle, until they rivalries in the district. This has are separated into their high ignited a drive to win each schools. The rivalry, that competition that has been the two schools sparked at participate middle school, in. These continues into competitions high school.

Do students prefer occur yearPlayers put the Homecoming round and are their past game or the immensely important to Memorial game? each school.

The teams always bicker back and forth on which school holds the higher title in an assortment of categories.

These competitions range from volleyball to basketball to soccer and friendships even into the fine arts category. One aside and of the biggest of these competitions, tap into their is the Stratford versus Memorial competitive nature. football game.

When asked about the Football is the most friendliness of the game, popular sport in the senior varsity football player state of Texas, and in Alejandro Bueno says that the city of Houston. it is “very competitive” and that Kids can start playing as early as five “everybody wants to win and will do years old, and continue on into their anything to win”. middle and high school years. It is at Leading up to the game, posters places like Memorial Middle School are typically hung around the school where the rivalry begins. and t-shirts are sold to pump up the In middle school, the students are community. The pep-rally before the

WRITTEN BY ISABELLA WALTZ AND CAROLINE DINA PHOTO BY JACKSON ALLRED AND MADDIE DAWSON

game is probably one of the most highly attended by parents and students. As for the game, it is one of the most attended games all

season.

The whole community makes sure to come out and support their side.

Each year, both teams express their assurance of their team winning as well as their hatred of the other side. These various phrases are said and put all over social media to create a buzz about the game.

One popular catchphrase at Stratford is “beat the ponies”, referring to Memorial’s mascot, the mustang.

When asked if Stratford will win, sophomore Carson Gentil says “of course Stratford is going to win and destroy Memorial.”

Both football teams are always full of anticipation leading up to the game.

The team always makes sure to create excitement around the school leading up to it.

“I’m really excited, it’s the most anticipated game of the year,” said junior varsity football player, Thomas Fitzpatrick.

The game is exciting for everyone in the school. Students meet up before the game and to put on face paint and glitter. Staff members decorate their hall and some even goes as far as to spray paint their hair green. Once the game begins, the stadium is insane. Junior Dani Bloching describes that it’s “electric and full of Spartan pride.”

The game is approaching fast and the rivalry is already getting heated.

Make sure you come out the game on Oct. 12 to support your Stratford Spartans!

sports LATE START

Favorite subject?

ENGLISH/ HISTORY

Are you better with your hands or your feet?

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

WHAT STRATFORD SPORT SHOULD YOU PLAY?

EARLY END

(START HERE)

Late start, or early dismissal?

MATH/ SCIENCE

YES

Which season is your favorite?

Do you take naps?

WINTER

NO

SPRING

Do you like to run?

YOU GOT...

BASKETBALL!

YOU GOT...

BASEBALL! SUMMER

FALL

NO YES

FEET HANDS

YOU GOT...

VOLLEYBALL!

YOU GOT...

SWIMMING! YOU GOT...

SOCCER!

YOU GOT...

TENNIS!

YOU GOT...

FOOTBALL!

11

YOU GOT...

TRACK / CROSS COUNTRY!

12

sports

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

ith Spartans of the MAC w From bench-press to racquetball w e i v r e t n I h Reed c a o C

Athlete of the Week

PHOTOS & STORY BY JOHN PAUL GRAHAM

KSO

TEN

IT WR

JAC BY

RED

LL NA

Coach Reed walks down the sideline, preparing for the next defensive series.

Q: How has the transition into becoming the varsity team’s defensive coordinator been thus far?

A: The transition has been a fun one.

Coach Rankin did a GREAT job of surrounding me with a group of guys who work hard and challenge me and the kids, every day. But to be honest the biggest thing has been the kids! I inherited 7 returners, guys who started last year. The vocal leadership, from the kids, and the “want” to be great helps the transition be seamless. I came in selling a Championship attitude and effort and the kids have taken it and run with it.

Q: How would you describe your energy

and excitement level as well as the team’s excitement level as we further into the football season?

A: My excitement level – just watch!

HAHAHA but seriously I am a high energy guy. I bounce around a lot and I celebrate when we (as a unit) do something well, or I’m chest bumping when an individual does something well. The season is a grind, it takes a lot of hours and also takes a toll on the body. If we don’t remember that this is a game we get to play, and don’t have fun with it, it can turn into a drag and not so fun. I try to bring the “Juice” every day!

Q: What are some of your hopes/

aspirations/predictions for the football team’s season?

A: Hope and aspirations for the team

is to continue to add to the legacy of Stratford football. We need to take the season one week at a time and make sure we Earn The Right To Win every day at practice.

Q: What exactly is the turnover bucket, its

Every morning senior Jake so interested in music and Makiyama starts by running on movies, it hasn’t stopped me the treadmill. He doesn’t have from going to the gym. The gym enough time to wipe off the offers more than just a place beading sweat from his face to workout, but a place to see before coming to school. That’s improvement in yourself because because he has been working out the progress you make can be at the MAC. visibly seen. Making it worth the The MAC, also known as time and effort I put in.”

Memorial Athletic Club, is located Not only do the types of just around the students corner from us. vary but Throughout the things the building, they do at students can the MAC find pools, vary as spinning classes, well. Their treadmills and activities range a nutrition from working out recovery to intense games program. For of racquetball.

The Grind many students, Some pretty Seniors Austin Britt and Tyler it is much more intense games than just a gym, Egger on bench-press at the can do go down it is a refuge for Memorial Athletic Club. because it’s such those who like an energetic and to pursue a more active lifestyle. fast paced game.

To senior Austin Britt, “The MAC The MAC is more than a gym, but offers a great place to lift, play rather a community or refuge for basketball, swim and work out those who enjoy active and fun with friends.” lifestyles. It seems as though On the average day there a lot of students enjoy taking are anywhere from five to ten the time out of their day to students, some more often than either hang out with their others. This includes athletes, friends or working out, a lot more musicians, and a variety of other than anticipated. You never know, students. maybe you could find your niche According to senior Jake at the MAC, as there are plenty of Makiyama, “ Although I’m not guest passes to around. involved in any sports and more

WRITTEN BY ANA SOFIA MEYER Grace Custer is a well-known name around Stratford High School.

“My favorite parts about running Cross Country are my teammates and racing.” Custer said, “I’ve met some of my best friends in cross country, and I love the feeling after a good race when you see all your hard work has paid off.”

And paid off it has, Custer currently holds the Sam Houston State high school girls course record and the records for the 3200m and 5K at Stratford.

“My best memory from a race is from my freshman year at track and field regionals in the 3200m. The top two finishers qualify for state, so I was nervous but excited.” Custer explained, “I remember Coach Brillon yelling at me at the start of the last lap ‘show them what you got!’ I started to kick and left the third runner behind.

It was an awesome feeling when I crossed the finish line.”

Custer finished second in that race and qualified for State as just a freshman. Since then, she’s blazed a trail of records, wins, and tons of hard work.

Grace Custer plans on running in college but is currently undecided.

Killin’ the Competition Varsity volleyball wins in style PHOTOS & CAPTIONS BY ANA SOFIA MEYER

Slammin’ Serve

Senior, Sterling Spinks serves against CyCreek, closing out the second set for a win, giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead after the

origin, and what it means to the football team?

A: The Turnover Bucket is slowly taking on a life of its own. First the origin: Coach Cantu came up with this idea and we ran with it. It has been a team effort to make this happen: Cantu’s idea, Cheerleaders painting it and Ben Miller being the “Juice Man” with the bucket at games. What it means to the team is an opportunity to celebrate a small victory (getting the ball back for the offense) with your teammates and also with the fans. I’m hoping the Turnover Bucket continues to build some steam (#TurnoverBucket) on social media and brings more school spirit to the games.

Grace Custer breaks course record at Sam Houston State race

Solid Blocks

Sophomore Marjani Stanfill and senior Micah Briscoe block Cy-Creek for a match point in the fourth set. The Spartans came from behind and took the Cougars by surprise.

Another Kill

Sophomore Natalie Winn slams it down past CyCreek blockers for another point against the Cougars.

Can’t Hold Us

Servin’ Aces

Senior Lindsay Winkler serves an ace against Cy-Creek for another Spartan point, giving us the lead in the fourth set.

Sophomore Mar Jani Stanfill hits around the block for another spartan point versus CyCreek. The Spartans finished out the first set 25-22.

games

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

Head the shoracle.org for the solutions

Sudoku

13

Spooky Word Search j b l x u q n u a z h a y r i d e a u n y f s c a r e n t o k f d n a c w e u t o s y i u o o t m e o t w k p s l h n l p s n p q t l g v e s o a m x u a i p k f h i u f m h r z s i g f p n e w f v l autumn costume frighten

ghosts halloween hayride

pumpkin scare skeleton

spooky

14

perspectives

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

Fortnite All Night

How video games have impacted my life WRITTEN BY ANTHONY SALVA PHOTO BY ELEANORE WILLIAMS

time and priorities. However, not everyone from people I know who have gotten in I still prioritize school and homework From Fortnite to Candy Crush to Wii trouble with school, their family, and even has their priorities set the same way. I’ve before touching my computer although I Sports, everyone has their favorite game. legally due to their devotion to gaming. heard multiple stories both online and do sometimes find myself losing track of But for some people, their favorite game Many, including myself, have made can become an obsession. beneficial gains while playing their According to the Entertainment favorite video games. A hobby such Software Association, 60% of Amerias video games might not seem like cans play video games daily, yet only something you can make money off of 18% of students polled said they have at first, at least not until you’ve made a a gaming addiction. Some people name for yourself, however, this is not don’t care about facts like these, while always the case. others go as far as to label an entire I’ve made over $250 in the past 3 generation “lazy” because of them. months alone competing in tournaBeing considered lazy can be seen as ments for different games I play. Many an insult to everyone who plays, from others are making money through recreational to competitive. live-streaming on platforms such as I’ve been playing video games since Twitch and Youtube.

I was five, and, while it started as just There is a fine line between a hobby, something to do if I had no better and an addiction, especially when option, it quickly became my favorite it comes to technology and video hobby. games. To some, a hobby like this I personally play roughly 5 hours of might seem pointless or even harmful, video games on an average school but to those people I argue that there day. While this might sound like a lot, are much worse hobbies and addicand it is admittedly a large amount of tions one could take up. As long as time devoted to staring at a screen, I gaming doesn’t become an obsession, would not call it an addiction. and with the ability to money through Gaming can easily become an streaming and online tournaments, addiction. Playing with friends and the video games have more benefits than The Fortnite Phenomenon Sophomore Charlie Williams is just one of many rush of adrenaline with each win, kill, or students who have hopped on the Fortnite train. The game has become increasingly many are led to believe. point is what has people stuck to their popular in recent months. Twitch viewership for Fortnite saw a drastic increase screens. But that isn’t necessarily a bad around Jan. 2018. thing.

The French Fry Report Card

A definitive ranking of french fries found in the greater Stratford area WRITTEN BY ALEXIS GARZA

GRAPHICS BY EAMONN FITZPATRICK

Stratford sits right in the middle of almost any fast food restaurant you can think of. I began to wonder... how do these restaurants measure up against each other? The true test of a fast food restaurant is how good their french fries are. Fries from seven different places were evaluated. Each fry was tasted and judged on a five point scale. The fries were scored based on their temperature, crispiness, flavor (seasoning or salt), size/ shape, greasiness, texture, interior fluff, color, and their ability to stand alone without ketchup. Each category’s score was added up and averaged to find the overall score for each fry.

Restaurant

Score

McDonald’s Chick-Fil-A Whataburger Cane’s Freddy’s Sonic Wendy’s

4.6/5 4.5/5 4.3/5 3.9/5 3.1/5 3.0/5 1.6/5

#1- McDonald’s

The big winner! McDonald’s fries did almost everything perfectly. When I think of fast food, McDonald’s is a classic.

They came in with a perfect 5 for their temperature, crispiness, flavor, size/ shape, texture, and color. On top of these impressive stats, they can also stand alone without ketchup. In my opinion, they left a little too much grease on my fingers and weren’t fluffy enough. Overall, they scored a 4.6 which is as close to perfect as we got from all the fries. Well done, McDonald’s.

#2- Chick-Fil-A

It was a close competition between Chick-Fil-A and McDonald’s. They were only separated by one-tenth of a point.

CFA fell short of McDonald’s in flavor and size/shape because they tasted a little bland and some fries were too big to eat in one bite. However, the waffle fry cut makes for a more interesting fry experience. At the end of the day, ChickFil-A offers a very solid fry.

#3- Whataburger

The fries from Whataburger were pretty solid. They were nice and hot with plenty of flavor. However, they were soggy.

These french fries reminded me of McDonald’s in their size, color, and flavor.

The sogginess of the fries did hurt them in their final score but otherwise they are good french fries. I would order them again.

#4- Cane’s

In my opinion, Cane’s had pretty good fries but their lack of crispiness and salt ultimately hurt them. On the other hand, they stayed hot for a long time because of the container they were served in which was really nice. My favorite part of eating Cane’s french fries was their crinkle cut shape and the fact that they did not get gross and cold. There was a divide between the fries that were obviously good and the ones that were average and I think Cane’s marks this divide.

Cane’s still offers a tasty, fluffy french fry that stays true to what you would expect from fast food, and the crinkle makes it unique. However, the sogginess of the fry was a real deal breaker.

#5- Freddy’s

The french fries from Freddy’s had the most unique seasoning out of all the fries. They were flavored with Freddy’s classic seasoning mix instead of plain salt like most fries, which was nice.

However, they came out of the drive-thru at room temperature which was disappointing.

They were the smallest, skinniest fries out of all the fries we tasted. I personally liked the size but it was bad for temperature-retention and sauce-dipping. In terms of taste, Freddy’s nailed it but their awkward size and texture put them lower on the list.

#6- Sonic

The only thing memorable about Sonic’s fries was their temperature. I was impressed with how hot they were without burning my mouth. However, that was it.

They were incredibly average and not that memorable, which earned them a score of 3.

#7- Wendy’s These fries were a huge disappointment.

Huge. Wendy’s did not earn above a 3 in any of the categories. They were cold, tasteless, and felt like chewing plastic. I waited in the drive-thru for what felt like forever and was rewarded with the most painfully average fast food I had ever consumed. I have never encountered a french fry that was so unsatisfying.

perspectives

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

Conspiracy Controversy

A behind the scenes look at what went into the making of this edition of the Oracle WRITTEN BY CHARLOTTE BENES Looking at the spread on pages 8 and 9, one may never guess all of the behind the scenes work and conversations that had to go into not even writing those stories but simply deciding upon what conspiracies should be featured. There were discussions about perception, journalistic and generational sensitivity, newsworthiness, appeal to a high school audience, and even the limitations of high school journalism as opposed to journalism in the real world. We on the Oracle staff have experienced frustration with the implicit limitations of societal expectations of the level of depth and controversy that high school journalists are capable of or even allowed to cover, as well as limitations on how particular coverage of controversial topics will be received by the community.

Another issue we encountered was how to cover events that are still painful to the general public even years after their occurrence in a sensitive manner, considering our generational removedness from the pain and trauma of such events.

For instance, one of the topics that was

initially being seriously considered for inclusion in the main spread was a story over the conspiracy theory surrounding the attacks of September 11, 2001, commonly referred to by the use of the widely circulated hashtag #BushDid911.

One might think that it goes without saying that the 43rd president of the United States never intentionally plotted this act of terrorism against his own country, but some concerns were raised about the way that the story would be received, particularly by teachers and administrators and those who remember more clearly the terror and trauma of 911, especially considering our tendency towards generational insensitivity, having been so young (or in some cases not yet born) when the tragedy took place.

We kept coming back to the realization that no matter how objectively we wrote, no matter how much we emphasized that the Oracle does not endorse the rather farfetched conspiracy that George Bush orchestrated the attacks of 911, no matter how many times we checked and

double checked our facts, we would still be a bit out of our league. It was simply too hard to get accurate perspective about something so traumatic that we never lived through, and ultimately we decided to include that feature in a smaller scale, online companion piece to the spread.

But it’s a topic that warrants a serious conversation. What exactly are the limits of high school journalism? Is our general lack of experience with the greater world reason enough to limit the scope of topics we are allowed to explore? Is a story over a controversial topic that is written in as objective a manner as is possible, based purely on fact and measures of public opinion, still too contentious to cover in such delicate political times? Will the pain of an old wound ever be able to heal if we continue to shelter it from the scrutiny of public discussion? We don’t ask these questions out of frustration but rather out of curiosity, we think they’re worth the possibly uncomfortable conversation they may inspire, and we want to know what you think.

WRITTEN BY AMANDA YOUNGJOHN GRAPHICS BY EAMONN FITZPATRICK INFORMATION COURTESY OF PUBLICSCHOOLREVIEW.COM

Number one: Everyone does drugs?

While it is true that there may be people at Memorial who do drugs, it is

not true that EVERYONE is partaking.

Some of the stories that I heard while attending Memorial were that there were students taking LSD in the rest room. However, I never saw that with my own eyes. In my experience, marijuana was the more common drug. Most of the people I knew had tried it once or were using it consistently. It seemed to me that alcohol was more prevalent in the Memorial community. Similar things could be said of Stratford.

Number Two: Everyone is rich?

I won’t lie on this one, most of the people at Memorial were rather affluent.

However, there was a fair amount of middle class students attending as well.

There was a much smaller amount of low income families at Memorial, but this was due to the school’s zoning. The school is also very competitive in nature.

I believe this competitive nature is what led to a greater emphasis being placed on material goods in the culture. It is my opinion that the notion that Memorial is full of only rich children is false, and this idea derives from our culture placing a greater emphasis on material goods.

Number Three: Everyone is white?

According to Public School Review, there are 2,650 students at Memorial High School. While it is true that 63 percent of the student body is white, Stratford’s statistics weren’t all that

staff

Editors-in-Chief *Charlotte Benes *Maddie Suerth

Associate Editors *Isabella Waltz *Rachel Dietert

Photo Editors *Dan Tatulescu *Maddie Dawson

News Editors Yasmin Talbi McKenna Tanner

Life Editors Blake Todes Amora Flores

Sports Editors Ana Sofia Meyer Jackson Allred

Perspectives Editors Alexis Garza Libby Grizzell

Reporter Amaris Smith Ashley Calahan Eamonn Fitzpatrick Bowen Jackson Meghan Martinez Makowski Alex Nica

Debunking myths about our rival school

Many of you probably have friends who go to the “enemy” school, but not many of you have attended the school for yourselves. We’ve all heard the rumors and are familiar with the stereotypes about Memorial High School, but are they really true? After attending Memorial for two years myself, I’m here to debunk the mysteries of our rival campus. I asked students at Stratford what they had heard about Memorial and these were the most common things I was told.

ORACLE

the

Photographers

Memorial For Dummies

different. What students did not mention was that Memorial has twice as many Asian students than Stratford and that Stratford and Memorial both had the same amount of biracial students.

In reality, the schools aren’t extremely different racially.

As the Breakfast Club’s Brian Johnson once said, “you see us as you want to see us - in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions.” Many of my friends at Memorial will tell you that all these stereotypes are true. However, I believe that the only reason they believe this is because that is the only thing they hear about their school. We have forced Memorial and its students into a box by encouraging these stereotypes. Stereotypes that also fit Stratford. Perhaps our two schools are more similar than we choose to believe.

15

The Oracle newspaper is the official, schoolsponsored student media of Stratford High School, 14555 Fern, Houston, Texas 77079, 713-2513454. The Oracle is published monthly by the Journalism Department and is also available online at shsoracle. org. The newspaper is a member of Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Interscholastic League Press Conference.

The Oracle serves as a public forum of student expression

Ivy Martinez Miles Harper Becca Dawson Nathan Siciliano Jeanie Sidler Eleanore Williams Ally Weidman

Photography Managers Caroline Dina Lauren White

Ads Editors Samantha Wagner Joy Meyers

Ads Staff Hagen Bach Sara Duvall Isabella Moreno Hannah Timmreck Hannah Tyler Mary Claire Vatterott Kaitlyn White

Design Editors Andrew Tyler Benjamin Siciliano

Building Principal Chad Crowson

Advisor Janice Cummons *Editorial Board

Members

and is open to contributions submitted by the readers.

Readers may submit material via e-mail to info@ shsoracle.org.

All letters to the editors must be typed and contain the author’s full name, grade and signature.

Submitted material is subject to editing based on space and/ or content.

The opinions expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, the staff, the administration or the school district.

Publication costs are covered through advertisements.

For more information, contact thestratfordoracle@gmail.com OR call at 713-251-3454

16

photos

The Oracle • October 5, 2018

Fall is for Football

Stratford’s telltale signs that fall is on its way PHOTOS BY BECCA DAWSON, ASHLEY CAHALAN, KAITLYN WHITE

Let’s Hear it Spartans!

Our cheerleaders cheer on the varsity football players as they play against Spring Woods. They perform cheers to keep up the spirit of the crowd and the players. The cheerleaders have many tricks and cheers to show as sports continue.

The Sparkling Sparties

The drill team, the Spartanaires, work hard to perfect their routines for the football games. Afterwards, they cheer on the varsity football team against the Spring Woods Tigers.

Hey Band!

The drum major, senior Connor Donihoo, leads the band in a song during the football game. They have lots of fun getting to play their instruments all game.

Friday Night Lights

Hard Work Leads to Success

The varsity football games are not just for the students. Kids, parents, faculty and families gather at the games to spend time together while supporting their community’s school pride. It makes the kids’ day when they get a high five from Spartacus.

The JV football team pushes for a victory, no matter what it takes. In between daily practices and school work, they strive to achieve excellence.

school

spirit great tastes

James Coney Island

701 Town and Country Way #1700, 77024 4320 W. Sam Houston Parkway N, 77043 2020 Hwy 6 South 77077

supports the stratford spartans

coneyman.com

1/4

Coaches Know Best As the JV football team huddles up, their coaches give them a pep talk. After, they were able to come back and win the game for the Spartans!