Sept 20, 2013 by The Oracle

Fall Sports Preview Pg. 9

TSTRATFORD HE Photo by Gil Sanchez

Volume 41, Issue 2

Coast to Coast Pg. 2

Friday September 20, 2013

Think Theta Pg. 4

R A C L E O Photo by Gil Sanchez

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Photo by Elaine Parizot

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1978

Computers Take the Wheel Pg. 11 Photo by Gil Sanchez

1985

1976

@stratfordoracle 1975

1978

DIFFERENT, BUT THE SAME!(1) Senior Men dress in “gangsterette” costumes for the Alief-Hastings pep rally in 1978. The guns and real cigars almost got the students suspended for

Ä]L KH`Z HJJVYKPUN [V [OL Mnemosyne. (2) Associate Principal Danny Gex smiles for his yearbook picture as a Stratford student in 1985. (3) ,UNSPZO [LHJOLY 1\UL /H[ÄLSK WVZLZ MVY OLY `LHYIVVR WPJ[\YL PU /H[ÄLSK OHZ ILLU [LHJOPUN H[ :[YH[MVYK MVY `LHYZ (4) 9V_HUUL :VIVJPUZRP :OHYYVJR YLJLP]LZ H RPZZ MYVT OLY MH[OLY ,ZJVY[LK I` MVV[IHSS WSH`LY 1HTPL )YVVRZ :OHYYVJR ^HZ [OL ÄYZ[ /VTLJVTPUN :^LL[OLHY[ (5) :[YH[MVYK SVVRLK H SV[ KPMMLYLU[ PU [OL Z ;OL L_[LYPVY VM [OL ZJOVVS VU -LYU OHZU»[ HS^H`Z OHK P[Z J\YYLU[ KLZPNU ;OL Z[HPY^H` SLHKZ [V [OL THPU VMÄJL [OLU VU [OL ZLJVUK ÅVVY (6) :[YH[MVYK ^VU [OL :[H[L -VV[IHSS *OHTWPVUZOPW SLK I` Y\UUPUN IHJR *YHPN 1HTLZ

Justin Todes

Ducks roamed the school, and Bob’s Big Boy disappeared from the restaurant on Westheimer and mysteriously appeared on top of Stratford. Senior Men often stole the Memorial Mascot. On one occasion, they brought an old coffin from a funeral home to the “Death of a Wildcat” pep

rally before the Westchester game. When Stratford opened forty years ago, it was a time of camaraderie, community, and friendship. It was a home for everyone. It was the same Stratford we know today, but different. Students had a seven period day, with 50 minute classes. The block schedul-

ing Stratford has now did not come until much later in the school’s history. The campus, when it was built, was open-concept. The math, English, and history halls were not the present hallways until the 1980s, when Westchester closed and merged with Stratford. Classrooms didn’t have doors, and students would

wander in and out of rooms throughout the day. “Everybody just mingled and drifted in and out of rooms,” English teacher June Hatfield said. “Kids would play jokes and hide books and move desks around. It was fun.” Hatfield has been teaching at Stratford since spring of 1975.

Seniors enjoyed the privilege of being able to leave campus for lunch. Pep rallies used to take place on Friday mornings, which led to the entire day becoming a party. The first homecoming took place in 1975, and the first Queen, then called Sweetheart, was Roxanne Sobocinski Sharrock.

Sharrock was very active at Stratford. Cheerleading, band, and science projects were a few of the activities she enjoyed.

THEN AND NOW continues on Page 3

NEWS

Friday September 20, 2013

The Oracle

Coast to Coast

Cultures Collide Through Foreign Exchange Programs Emily Fishman

Lost. Confused. People yelling in a language that is not your own. Excited. Immersed in a culture that is utterly foreign and completely fascinating. For a foreign exchange student, the nerves are expected—they’re about to have the experience of a lifetime. Four Spartans moved to the United States this year from foreign countries for a cultural immersion. These students came from a variety of different programs and places. One student, junior Ana Kerwald, is from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Kerwald lives with senior Laura Mello and her family, who housed Kerwald’s older sister in previous years. “I thought it would be a good experience for me and would allow me to gain cultural perspective,” Kerwald said, regarding her decision to study abroad. Much like Kerwald, junior Caitlin Pretorius from Durban, South Africa, became

interested in going to school in the United States after her father received an e-mail with information about the program. “I found [the program] to be really interesting; something different. It’s an experience,” she said. Pretorius lives with junior Abigail Jackson, whose mother hosted a foreign exchange student when she was in high school. Jackson’s family was put in contact with a local foreign exchange program through the family of junior Jenny Fox, whose family hosted a girl from France last year. “It’s cool to have a sister from another country, and I learned a lot about French culture,” Fox said. “We also taught her a ton.” For the host families, participating in a foreign exchange program is the perfect way to interact with other cultures and provide a home for bright young students.

These students will live in their host’s home for a whole year, sharing meals, helping each other with homework, and carpooling to school.

members of their families. “Caitlin is really cool. There really hasn’t been much adjustment. She’s really laid back, and kind of

Adding another k i d Graphic to the by hous egoes Victoria Shin hold w i t h can pothe flow. tentially be problematic, but We have had to plan ahead both Jackson and Mello are for schedules and things like enthusiastic about the new that, but nothing major,”

Jackson said. For the students themselves, the biggest adjustment is possibly the new school system. Stratford is different from schools in other parts of the world in many ways. “I was very lost. Stratford is big!” said Kerwald of her first day. “My old school is smaller. I have more classes and don’t get to choose my electives. My school day [in Brazil] is only from 7:15 to noon, and all my classes are in the same room. Only the teachers shift classrooms.” Pretorius agrees. “My first day was crazy. I was really lost. I could never find any classroom. It was a bit daunting in the beginning,” she said. “ We had to wear uniforms at my old school. It was actually much stricter than [Stratford].” Texas is very different from

both Brazil and South Africa. “I never thought the humidity would be so crazy.” Pretorius admitted. Kerwald came into the United States with a stereotype about American cuisine, probably gleaned from movies and television. “You don’t eat as much fast food as I expected,” Kerwald laughed. As for the host families, they’re definitely grateful to be participating in a foreign exchange program. Ms. Linda Mello, Laura Mello’s mother, encourages families to host foreign exchange students. “Ana is our fourth foreign exchange student. We can genuinely say that we learned something from each kid and that our family was enriched by the experience,” she said. As a first-timer, Jackson is already enjoying the experience immensely. She loves playing host to a new friend and is excited for this year. “I would absolutely recommend it,” Jackson says. “It’s bunches of fun.”

NEWS

Friday September 20, 2013 3 THEN AND NOW: Traditions

The Oracle

and core values still hold true as times have changed CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE “We had the jocks and the hippies and the fine arts and band kids,” Sharrock said. “I did not have a specific group that I was in. I just had a lot of friends.” Friendships were strong, but school spirit may have been even stronger. At some points, school spirit got out of hand. For one of the 1978 pep rallies, Senior Men almost received a five-day suspension for bringing guns and cigars as part of their costumes for the “gangsterette” Alief-Hastings pep rally. It is clear that students once could get away with a lot. Also in the same year, Craig James led the Spartans to a victory in the State Football Championship. School spirit was so great that the community gathered in the practice gym, the only gym at the

time, for a pep rally during the Christmas holiday. The sports teams were great in their early years, and the school spirit was at its peak. It used to be Stratford that

its doors and merged with Stratford. Enrollment increased to the point that most teachers were sharing classrooms, and the school had three lunch periods.

learning.” Community is something that has always been integral to Stratford. Many alumni still live near and send their children to Stratford to have some of the same teachers that taught them. They also continue to attend Stratford football games. Many, including Associate Principal Danny Gex refused to leave their alma mater. Gex played football and baseball, and was active in theatre and choir while at Stratford, before graduating in 1985. After college, Gex returned +,(;/ 6- ( >03+*(; :LUPVY 4LU IYPUN [OL ¸JVMÄU VM [OL in the 1990s to teach and >LZ[JOLZ[LY >PSKJH[Z¹ [V H WLW YHSS` ;OL JVMÄU ^HZ Z[VSLU coach at Stratford before beMYVT H M\ULYHS OVTL HUK [OL QLYZL` VM H >LZ[JOLZ[LY WSH`LY ^HZ coming a grade level princiJHYYPLK HYV\UK PU [OL JVMÄU pal, and now associate prinwas winning the Memorial But despite the larger size, cipal. games. And when Westches- Stratford remained a comSomething else that hasn’t ter High School still existed, munity. Everyone was close- changed is the school’s comthe rivalry between the Spar- knit. mitment to excellence. tans and Wildcats was in“It was crowded, but we had The academic standards credibly strong. fun,” Hatfield said. “And we have always been high, and In 1985, Westchester closed still learned a lot, and enjoyed students continue to enjoy

learning in advanced courses today. Just as students used to participate in academic decathlon events, many students now participate in UIL Academic contests. Technology has become more academically incorporated in recent years, and has changed the way students learn today, but the changes ultimately have been positive. Stratford has grown and changed with the times. The school has changed physically, but the changes have only enhanced the students’ experience, and never distracted from the mission of the Spartans. Without a doubt, school today is different than it was in the 70s and 80s. However, from community to academic excellence, to traditions that have existed since the school’s beginning, Stratford is very much the same today as when it opened forty years ago.

Syria for the Uninformed

U.S. decides to launch air strike on Syrian war zone

Janelle Blackwood

The taboo surrounding American intervention in Syria is coming to a close as Congress finds itself confronted with the decision to pursue military strikes within the country. Americans have been awaiting the decision of Congress ever since President Obama announced he would not move forward with mili-

Political Cartoon by Kali Venable

tary action without Congressional approval. Though it seems as if the conflict in Syria is fairly recent, the origin of the problems currently being debated dates back to 2011. It was around this time that Syrians began peaceful protests against the totalitarian government of Syrian leader Bashar al-Ashad. The protests in Syria were following

the trailblazing example of those in neighboring countries Egypt and Tunisia. The government’s initial response to the protests was a pattern of violent consequences for those seeking to overthrow the dictatorship. Civilians involved in the protest were killed by mass shootings later traced back to the Assad regime. The government did not discern between activists and civilians, and as a result began kidnapping, raping, torturing and killing townspeople who often had no connection to the rebels. Once the activists began using force against the Syrian law enforcement, the contention in Syria, often overlooked by foreign powers, escalated to a full scale. The need for foreign involvement in Syria has been apparent thus far, but Assad’s recent chemical attack against the Syrian people has made Congressional action more

urgent. Since chemical weapons were officially banned at the Geneva Conference in 1954, the United States has served as an outspoken opponent of using chemical force. As the situation in Syria escalated, President Obama stated that if the Syrian government used chemical weapons on its civilians, an immediate reprimand would be given. Now that those conditions have been breached, the United States is faced with either reprimanding Syria (and the unknown consequences of doing so), or forgoing strikes, losing the respect of many Middle Eastern countries. When the Syrian government was first found guilty of using chemical weapons by the United Nations, it seemed as though the U.S. was ready to take action. However, officials from Russia claim that the inspection led by the

United States and France produced inconclusive results. Russia has been a long time ally of Syria. The two countries have signed muti-billion dollar defense contracts, creating a union that could prevent forceful involvement in Syria. With over 100,000 Syrians, killed since the beginning of the war, the major concern of the UN Security Council is the amount of civilians that continue to die everyday under Assad’s regime. Members of the security council are scheduled to meet to find a resolution to Syria’s chemical attacks. However, a means to overthrow Assad or even put an end to the war without ending the lives of even more Syrians is not in sight. There is no way to fully anticipate the final result of involvement in Syria, but for now, Americans, Syrians, and many others worldwide are attempting to find a solution.

How do we know? How do we know what to do with our future? What to major in, what career to pursue? Honestly, how do we know? It seems as though nowadays the weight of these questions is being placed on students at an earlier age. Everyone seems to know what they want to major in, but do they truly know? How are we supposed to know what we truly want to be without even taking courses on real-world jobs? I see myself in multiple occupations and yet I still can’t identify what major I want to put down when it’s time to submit scholarship material. When we were in middle school, there were no real worries about college yet. As a sixth grader, it’s unlikely that you knew you wanted to major in chemical engineering because you liked prealgebra. It’s ridiculous, but it’s becoming a reality that’s creating a young generation of robots. A mom the other day approached me at Office Depot and asked why I have yet to apply to college this late in the game. She proceeded to let me know that her seventh grade son already has a few colleges in mind and a professional essay tutor. My mouth just dropped as I realized that she was serious. I don’t believe that parents should create the black hole of worry and anxiety that is the application process at such an early age. It’s scary to think that whatever we do in our thirties or forties is decided by our seventeen year-old selves. We’re just kind of supposed to assume what we like to do and then execute it hoping we chose the right thing to do for the rest of our lives. Waiting for the answer to my applications, I wonder if I have chosen the right place to spend the next four years.

NEWS

Friday September 20, 2013

The Oracle

NEWS IN 90 SECONDS

£¶É¾ÄÃ¶Á ¢ºÇ¾É ¨ºÂ¾ĲÃ¶Á¾ÈÉÈ

¥¶ÇÀ¾Ã¼ ¨É¾¸ÀºÇÈ Students who drive to school must buy a parking sticker to park in either the junior or senior lot or they will get towed. Stickers are sold for $50 in the third floor grade level office. The $50 covers parking for both semesters. The price drops to $35 for only the second semester. Sophomores are now able to purchase parking stickers. Seniors and Juniors had first dibs on the parking spaces, but space is available in the East Lot for anyone who needs a parking pass. Photo by Gil Sanchez.

The names of the National Merit Semifinalists were announced to the public on Sept. 11. Five Stratford students qualified for this prestigious recognition: Nathaniel Barbour, John Ryan Hormell, Katherine Kennedy, Hannah Lindsey, and Reason Russell. The cutoff score for the 2013 Semifinalists was 219. Many other seniors qualified for the Commended Level. Scores from the 2012 PSAT determined this year’s semifinalists. Photo by Chris Juntti.

Back to School Night

Parents came on Wednesday, Sept. 11 to visit their kids’ teachers and experience the high school atmosphere. Many students from Student Council, NHS, and Yearbook volunteered to help parents find their students’ classrooms. A few organizations sold fund raiser items to the Stratford parents such as reusable bags, Spartanaire calendars, bumper stickers, and mums. Photo by Chris Juntti.

Think Theta Layla Shahhosseini

>9,*2 0; >66+ (Below) For the Green Out game against Memorial, one group used the character Ralph from the movie “Wreck It Ralph” to creatively tie in senior Justin Wood’s name. During the summer, [OPZ NYV\W TL[ HSTVZ[ L]LY` KH` MVY [OYLL ^LLRZ Z[YHPNO[ [V HJJVTWSPZO ÄUishing thirty-eight yard signs, two run-through signs, and two hallway signs. Photo courtesy of Eila Motley.

),(+: 65 )90*, (Above) Mardi Gras beads brightly adorn Brice Stevenson’s creative New Orleansthemed sign for the Sept. 27 Homecoming game. The Homecoming pep rally on Sept. 27 is Mardi Gras. The week of homecoming consists of America, Neon, Christmas, and Stratford color dress-up days. Photo courtesy of Caroline Kelly.

*9<:/ ;/, ,(.3,: (Above) Using tie-dye for the Pink Out game, this group strategically placed the breast cancer logo as the “A” for Christian Osso’s name. Photo courtesy of Claire Allen. LABOMB ;/, :;(5.: (Left) This Green Out sign was painted for Junior Jonathan Labaume and is a play on words using his last name to “bomb” the Memorial High School Mustangs. Photo courtesy of Hayley Day.

BOURBON :; )(9;,33 (Left) This sign designed for the Homecoming pep rally took three hours to paint for Senior David Bartell and it represents a lively street in New Orleans. Photo courtesy of Caroline Hilton.

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MUSE

Friday September 20, 2013

The Oracle

MUSE Backstage Rebecca

But some people have figured of course sees them in concert. out just how to get Williamson has close. Junior Rebecca had the opportuWilliamson has gone nity to meet the to extreme lengths people that most to meet these stars. girls only dream She frequents the about seeing in airport as the stars Williamson (11) with Austin Mahone concert, includarrive to Houston, ing One Direction, goes to the hotel where they are Cody Simpson, and The Wanted. staying, finds to radio stations “The intense feeling of meetwhere they are broadcasting, and ing these stars never gets old.”

Tweets of the Week Meg Mathias @stanky_megg_ Who actually jams out during the 1D movie... Guilty

Terrance Peters @SaintsHead8 Clear eyes full hearts can’t lose #GameTime

Logan Tinkler @logantinkler Making a geoscience club! Following passion, pls join. C/t for more info. Co president w/ @eggandal

Laura Petruzzi @latruzzi Nathan Scott will you go to homecoming with me:/

Caroline Kelly@_carolinekelly ...remember when Senior year was supposed to be a blowoff? Haha me too Tweets compiled by Jackie Velarde and graphic by Victoria Shin

Graphic by Molly Richter

TOP

1.Princeton University

2.Harvard University

COLLEGES

Ashley Karolys Most girls dream of meeting their favorite celebrities. Getting t h o s e c o v eted VIP passes or even seeing them Rebecca Williamson (11) with at the airEd Sheeran port can be next to impossible.

3.Yale University 4.Columbia University 5.Stanford University University of Chicago 7.Duke University, Mass. Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania 10.California Institute of Technology Dartmouth College 12.John Hopkins University Northwestern University

14.Brown University Washington University in St. Louis 16.Cornell University 17.Vanderbilt University 18.Rice University University of Notre Dame 20. EMORY University College ranks according to U.S. News 2013 National Rankings

MUSE

Friday September 20, 2013

The Oracle

anticipating

Austin City Limits

This year’s Austin City Limits will be double the excitement and double the “sick days” with its addition of a second weekend. The first weekend will take place Oct. 5-7, and the second will be Oct. 11-13. Although ACL tickets are usually gone the first day on sale, the second weekend is still available for $225. While some die-hard fans will be headed to the less popular second weekend, the rest of Texas’ eyes will be on the Univeristy of Texas vs. Oklahoma University football game happening in Dallas on Oct. 12. This year’s headliners will be Depeche Mode, Muse, The Cure, Kings of Leon, Atoms for Peace, Lionel Richie, Phoenix, and Wilco. Many consider it to be a ho-hum set compared to the past couple years which featured Red

Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, Coldplay, and Kanye West (just to name a few.) The lineup does have strength around the subheadliners, featuring some big names like Passion Pit, Vampire Weekend, and Arctic Monkeys. For those ACL attendees with a less hipster music taste, Kendrick Lamar, Eric Church, and Fun. will also be in attendance. As usual, some of the major bands will be playing at the same time at different stages. On Friday, Vampire Weekend will be halfway through their show at the AMD Stage when the Arctic Monkeys show starts at the Samsung Galaxy Stage. Saturday has no major overlaps, but be ready for a quick jog between Passion Pit and Kendrick Lamar, then Kendrick Lamar and Kings of Leon. The final evening’s overlaps

will be a hard hit for those who want to see Thom Yorke in Atoms for Peace and Phoenix. Atoms for Peace will also be playing at the same time as the final headliner, Lionel Richie. As thousands of music lovers pour into Zilker Park over the course of a couple weekends, ACL will become a hotbed for heat exhaustion. To make the most of this annual experience, it is important to pack the right stuff. Staying hydrated is the most crucial part of being comfortable at the festival, and ACL provides free water stations to everyone. It is also recommended that fans bring an empty plastic water bottle or Camelbak as well as up to two factorysealed water bottles. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the ACL Eats . Other parts of the festival include Austin Kiddie Limits and the Art Market.

Food

Southside Flying Pizza The Peached Tortilla Woodshed Smokehouse Mmmpanadas

The Peached Tortilla is a MVVK [Y\JR [OH[ Z[HY[LK PU ([SHU[H by a Japanese man who wanted to bring a twist to southern cuisine. Peached Tortilla will be selling barbecue brisket tacos, banh mi pork belly tacos, and salads.

Drinks

Daily Juice Live Soda Kombucha Maine Root Beverages Fresh Squeezed Best lemonade

LIVE Soda sells healthy carbonated beverages that JVTL PU ÅH]VYZ [OH[ [HZ[L SPRL [OL UH[PVU»Z MH]VYP[LZ 0[ \ZLZ H natural ingredient called komI\JOH [V JYLH[L P[Z ÄaaPULZZ

Ice Cream Amy’s Ice Cream Cool Haus Good Pop Snowie

Cool Haus was started in Los Angeles by two girls named Natasha and Freya. Their trucks sell massive cookie ice cream sandwiches made ^P[O JVVRPL ÅH]VYZ MYVT JOVJVSH[L to potatoto chip and butterscotch.

Don’t Forget Your...

Bug Spray

CAMERA

BACKPACK

A backpack beats out purses as the top way to carry your gear. This way you can dance without whacking anyone with your cross body.

Sunglasses

Let’s think. Outside in Texas. Bug spray is a must.

You’ll obviously need a camera to prove to your friends that you were at such a cool festival. No detachable lenses though!

Toilet Paper

Camelbak

What to Eat at ACL

Elaine Parizot

Camelbaks are a popular way to carry your water hands free. They double as a backpack but don’t carry as much.

Sunglasses will be your best friend. No one wants to watch their favorite artist through squinted eyes.

It may seem ridiculous but ACL port-a-potties are notorious for running out of toilet paper by the afternoon. You don’t want to go there.

.YHWOPJZ I` ,SHPUL 7HYPaV[

MUSE

Friday September 20, 2013

Graphic by Molly Richter

Graphic by Rachel Torres

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SPORTS Land of the Free, Home of the Bizarre

The Oracle

Friday September 20, 2013

Scottish freshman records his thoughts on the American game Cameron Henkel

Bec ky Palermo

Photo by Rachel Allen

Q: What sport do you coach, and what class do you teach?

A: I coach varsity volleyball teach English, co-teach English 2, and co-teach Government/Economics.

Q: How long have you been coaching? At Stratford?

A: I’ve coached a total of 36 years: 20 years at Northbrook and the last 16 years here at Stratford.

Q: What is your experience in this sport? A: I played both in junior high and high school, and went on to play in college at Texas State for a year, [then] three years at Stephen F. Austin as an outside hitter.

Q: What is your goal for the team this season?

A: My goal for this team is to win district and go to state. This team is certainly good enough to meet all my expectations.

Q: Who do you predict to be your toughest competition?

A: Tomball, Tomball Memorial, and Ridgepoint will be a challenge, but we can win.

Q: Overall, what has been your best memory while coaching at Stratford?

A: The three years we went to state back in 2001 to 2003 was definitely memorable. Story by Elyse’ Stieber

“Pass to the right! Fake to the left! Goal!” This is what I expected to hear when I went to the Stratford vs. Memorial football game. Instead, I watched a brawl between two teams fighting for an oddly shaped ball. I moved to the Houston area just over two months ago from Aberdeen, Scotland, and I completely misunderstood what Americans meant by a “football game.” Football, in my previous experience, is what most Texans call soccer. Over the four years I lived in Scotland, I was surrounded by masses of people that called what the Spartans did on Friday as “American Football.” When I realized the difference in names, I began to understand my mixed perception of America, not just what was happening on the field.

Hotdogs and hamfor my food, I observed burgers and fries, oh that the customer sermy! The concession vice differed vastly stands in Scotland from those I had pale in comparison to known in the U.K. what I saw at the game. Lines or “queues” The Scots serve meat in Scotland were pies and stories, crisps, noticeably chips, and bottles of shorter than Lucozade, a popular those here, energy drink in the but I defiUnited Kingdom. nitely went The concession through the stand at Tully Field latter’s line provided popcorn, faster. candy, soda, and, Back at the most surprisingly, the game, I defamous Chick-Fil-A cided that sandwiches. A me r i c an You would be hard football is pressed to find a quite slow. football stadium Start. that serves food Stop. Start. of any type that Graphic by Rachel Torres Stop. Sitcomes from a ting from restaurant. the bleachWhile waiters, it felt ing in line like I was

watching old geezers desperately trying to move, and, when they finally did decide to budge, someone would blow a whistle and everything would stop abruptly. Between team time outs and penalties, the clock seemed to stop every 10 seconds. Scottish football/soccer, on the other hand, is fast paced and only ever stops for halftime or for a life-threatening injury. All throughout the game the clock is winding down. If the two sports were named after dances then American football would be the “robot” while real football would be the worm-a fluid, ever moving game. The experience I had at the game was definitely new to me, but still exciting. Although I might not agree with the name of the sport, I do plan on attending the next game of “American” football

here at Stratford. School spirit still translates as the same in both countries.

Scottish to American Dictionary: Chips-French Fries Stovie-Stew Crisps-Potato Chips Biscuits-Cookies Wee-Little

Scan the code to see more pictures of varsity football games like the one of sophomore Amir Ashori (left)

THE

SCHEDULE Football:

9/27- vs. Spring Woods @ Tully 7:00 p.m. 10/4- @ Tomball Memorial 7:00 p.m. 10/12- vs. Marshall @ Tully 6:00 10/18- vs. Northbrook @ Tully 7:00 p.m.

Volleyball:

9/20- vs. Marshall @ SHS 6:30 p.m. 9/24- @ Northbrook 6:00 p.m. 9/27- vs. Willowridge @ DCC 4:30 p.m. 10/1- @Tomball 6:00 p.m. 10/4- vs. Ridgepoint @ SHS 6:30 p.m. 10/8- vs. Spring Woods @ SHS 6:30 p.m. 10/11- @ Tomball Memorial 6:30 p.m. 10/15- @ Willowridge 6:30 p.m. 10/18- vs. Northbrook @ SHS 6:00 p.m.

Cross Country:

9/21- SBISD Inv. @ Nottingham Park 8:00 a.m. 10/4-Royal Watermelon Relays @ Katy 10/11- @ Austin Westlake 6:00 p.m. 10/22- District @ Spring Creek Park 9:00 a.m.

Position: Free Safety Favorite TV Show: The Big Bang Theory

Biggest Goal: Playing college football Favorite Food: Fajitas Best Memory: Playing at Reliant Stadium

Favorite Teacher:

Mrs. Jackson

Memorable Quote:

“Hey dude, it ain’t a hard difficult!”

Zach Miller Story by Elyse’ Stieber

Kylie Schaper

Position: Flyer & Captain )DYRULWH 2XWÀW White Varsity Uniform

Best Peprally:

Superhero Peprally sophomore year Graphic by Scott Kennedy

Favorite Movie: The Little Mermaid

Funniest Memory: Going to Disney World with the Cheer Team

Memorable Quote:

“Let me hear you say Wahoo!” -Will Choice

Photos by Katherine Kennedy

Graphic by Scott Kennedy

SPORTS

Friday September 20, 2013

The Good, the Bad, and the Injured

The Oracle

Football injuries result in major changes for players Kelly Hewitt Elyse’ Stieber

Many things happen in an athlete’s career that result in unforgettable experiences. Whether they’re winning a state championship, making a game winning play, beating a rival, or scoring their first game point; these moments are often never forgotten. Here, however, many athletes have experienced unforgettable moments that did not result in an applause in the stands, screaming fans, or even smiling coaches. Football is a sport known for it’s intense pace, aggressiveness, and immense amount of contact. Running full speed into another person takes an immense toll on the body For many athletes, this contact led to a setback in their athletic career, and for some, it ended it. Senior Jay Harper had his thumb bent completely back-

ward during practice four weeks ago. Harper stops people using his whole body, but first puts his hands up right in front of his chest, so having a dislocated thumb made his job hard and painful.

a game, tearing his lambrum and rotator cuff. Thorne was in great pain, and did not know what had specifically happened. Following his doctor appointment, Thorne was told he couldn’t play football

competitive football for my senior year, but I guess that’s life,” said Thorne. He is expecting a full recovery and is staying positive. When going through the process of regaining strength

injuries. Osso, who has stayed strong and will be able to return to play, severely hurt his hand and tore his ACL. Osso’s hardest obstacle to overcome after tearing his ACL was not being able to

Jay Harper, 12

Tripp Thorne, 12

Christian Osso, 12

Cole Papageorge, 10

Yet, Harper refused to sit out his senior year in hopes of playing in college. Despite the odds, he has continued to persevere and perform well. Not all athletes can physically continue to play after having been injured, and, in senior Tripp Thorne’s case, his athletic career ended. Thorne was hit in his shoulder during

until he received surgery and treatment. With surgery comes a 6-8 week recovery, along with large amounts of physical therapy. Thorne cannot move his shoulder above his head, and his surgery is scheduled over the Christmas break.“I’m disappointed that I can’t play

in your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and everything surrounding your injury, other elements in life become very hard and stressful. However, most athletes will agree that a long recovery process is well worth it in the end. Senior Christian Osso is currently on his second round of

All photos by Rebecca Williamson

be as rigourous physically. Working out became a bigger challenge, as he was not able to run at full speed. His positive attitude, however, has led him to persevere. He will able to return during the season. Sophomore Cole Papageorge, who has also experienced two major injuries, will

most likely not be able to return to the game of football. Papageorge tore his ACL during his freshmen year. Looking forward to a full recovery, he dedicated his time and effort to attending physical therapy, working his ACL daily, and staying in top shape. His hard work proved to himself, his coaches, and his fellow teammates that he would be back in full force for Junior Varsity season as the starting quarterback. His dreams came to a halt at the Stratford versus Memorial game on Aug. 29, when Papageorge tore his ACL yet again. Doctors reported that a full and healthy recovery would be slim, along with his chances of ever playing again. The feeling of being delayed from achieving your goals is never pleasant. Many athletes would argue that “in order to understand it, you must experience it.”

SPORTS

Friday September 20, 2013

The Oracle

Back in the Day with Danny Gex Reliving the glory days from both sides of the desk

1985

2013

Scott Kennedy

He was a spectator when we went to State, a player when Westchester was our rival, and a coach when Katy was considered a “cream puff ” team. Associate Principal Danny Gex has been a part of Stratford in some way for nearly all of his life, and, as the “Blast from the Past” Homecoming nears, he shares an interesting perspective of SHS history. In 1978, a seventh-grade Danny Gex watched in excitement as his soon-to-be high school won the Texas football 4A state championship. “It was exciting to watch those guys win all those games, and eventually go to state,” Gex said. “And then, BLAST FROM THE PAST Gex’s senior yearbook photo from 1985 (above) and a more recent picture (left) show how he’s changed yet is still the same person

knowing I would get to come and play for that same coach [who led them to state] in just a few years, was awesome.” Three years later, Gex’s dream of playing Varsity football under Coach Oscar Cripps was realized. The team won in the first round of the playoffs, but suffered defeat in a different way. “On the Friday of the game, at 5 p.m., we found out that Westbury, who we’d just beaten, was going on to the next round instead of us,” Gex said of the moments before the second round. Stratford’s star linebacker, David Niles, who was living with a friend to finish his senior year, was ruled ineligible after Westbury filed a lawsuit. “We were ready to go to the playoffs, and [when we got the news] we all just started crying.” The parents of the friend Niles was living with had become his legal guard-

ians, and the case was fiercely battled on both sides. In fact, Gex says that the eligibility mandates that are so big in the state today all started with that case. That year also has lots of good memories, though, and Gex said the practices for the playoff games were some of the best times he had in high school. “On Tuesday morning, at 9:00, we got on busses during school and went to the Astrodome to practice all by ourselves,” Gex said. “It was the coolest thing.” Gex finished up high school lettering in football and baseball, and went on to Texas A&M University, where he majored in Kinesiology. While there, Gex also got a unique opportunity to be an umpire for the school’s nonconference baseball games. “I got to umpire a lot of their games for three years,” Gex said. “It was really great, be-

cause you’re around some really great players, and you get to see the game from the perspective of an umpire, and even from that of a coach.” After college, Gex came back to Stratford in ‘91 to teach science and coach football and baseball. Gex says having the experience of being an umpire and seeing the game like a coach was what made the job “so much fun.” Gex, who’s father passed away when he was young, said that Coaches Kary Kimble and Oscar Cripps were an inspiration to him. The way they were like father figures to their players gave Gex an example of the kind of person he wanted to be, as well as showing him the impact he could have as a coach. In ‘96, Gex left to go to Katy, and, afterwards, to Taylor. There, he was an assistant principal with none other than Christopher Juntti. Gex

said “[Juntti] called me up and said ‘Hey, I just got the [Stratford] principal job, would you want to come and join me?’ So I applied, got the job., and the rest is history.” Gex loved coaching, but he said that being an administrator gave him the opportunity to impact more kids’ lives, and that it was an “opportunity he had to take.” His experience working with students outside of the classroom has helped to shape his leadership even today. “I think the best leaders are those who have been in a position like that,” Gex said, “because they’re used to dealing with all kinds of people and making quick decisions.” Over the summer, Gex was promoted from 12th Grade Level Principal to Assistant Principal to Associate Principal, and his history with the school continues to shape his future.

WHAT did GEX SAY? Gex’s answers to some additional questions

Sports Played Football - Defensive Back Baseball - 2nd Base Track - Sprinter

4500

favorite memories Calories: the average amount burned in a week of practice by varsity cross country runners

Gallons: the amount of water the trainers set up at football practice every day, with 60 gallons going to the freshmen practice and 240 to the upperclassmen

175

300

Serves: the average number of combined serves over the course of a volleyball match, which can range from three to five games

12 STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL

Touranments: the varsity volleyball team travels to schools like Pearland and Kingwood for these tourneys

-Watching the ‘78 team win state -Practicing in the Astrodome -Bible studies with co-coaches Kary Kimble and Oscar Cripps (left)

favorite Quote “90% of morale is just being there” -slogan on a poster in the locker room when he played and coached

Pump-up song

“Jump” by Van Halen, a high school favorite of his

Favorite Sport to play, other than those he played competitively: Golf

SPORTS

Friday September 20, 2013

The Oracle

Fall Sports Preview

ELAINE EXPLAINED

*the following is 100% sarcastic

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It was Friday. The day of the Stratford versus Memorial football game. I was in creative writing when I realized that I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have my pencil bag. I had to ask the kid behind me to borrow a pen until I found one from a hotel in one of the pockets of my battered backpack. I figured that I had left my pencil bag at home, that I had simply forgotten to put it in my backpack with all my other school stuff. On Monday night, it was time for the pencil bag to be found. I checked my kitchen table, my desk, my backpack, and my car. Then I had my mom check my kitchen table, my desk, my backpack, and my car again. When she came up empty handed, I knew the truth. My pencil bag was somewhere in the deep abysses of Stratford High School. It contained four of those Papermate Cleartip mechanical pencils (retail for $4.99) and two beautiful, streamlined Bic ballpoint pens. All of these items were brand new. Not only were the contents of my pencil bag valuable, but the bag itself had a special place in my heart. My friend had given it to me as part of a birthday present (weird present, I know) my freshman year. It was the perfect size, and had cute little pen and pencil drawings on the outside. Also, it was from Urban Outfitters so it was probably really expensive. My pencil bag may be lost, but our memories together are not. It carried me through three alright years of high school and did a fantastic job of holding onto my writing utensils for me. It may be gone forever, but I will always cherish its memory. If found, please return to Journalism room.

THE

Editors-in-Chief Kali Venable Elaine Parizot Associate Editors Layla Shahhosseini Elyse Stieber News Editor Justin Todes Muse Editor Ashley Karolys Ashleigh Garrett Sports Editors Scott Kennedy Kelly Hewitt Opinions Editors Claire Galbraith Maxine Tran Photo Editors Gil Sanchez Rebecca Williamson Katherine Kennedy Photographers Tara Breen Will Klussmann Cassidy Menard Michael Martin Philip Chen Alex McNees Maggie Vickers Alex Milstead Managing Editor Aldo Martinez Graphics Editor Victoria Shin Reporters Courtney James Emily Adams Emily Fishman Natalie Raley

Friday September 20, 2013

The Oracle

RACLE Titanium Security Staff Artists Molly Richter Claire Pena Ads Editors Katherine Mavergeorge Emily Copeland Allison Rice Sarah Sturgis Ads Staff Harper Jones Emily Brown Lindsey Jenkins Meredith Burch Erin Higginbotham Paige Barber Kendall Marbach Jacob Pennington Phoebe Lamay Copy Editors Amanda Sturm Natasha Eades Philip Chen Online Editors Janelle Blackwood Ben Fairchild Samantha Stazo Online Staff Jack Lin Jackie Velarde Bronwyn Wismer Rachel Torres Daviana Wylie Building Principal Christopher Juntti Advisor Janice Cummons

Local high school installs metal detectors after recent campus stabbing Kali Venable On Sept. 4, a devastating incident occurred at nearby Spring High School that has parents, teachers and administrators at campuses all over Houston concerned for the safety of their students. Early that Wednesday morning, a gang-related fight broke out on the Spring campus just before classes began. Spring student, Luis Alonzo Alfaro, stabbed and killed 17 year old student, Joshua Broussard and wounded three others. As members of today’s technological society, people tend to expect communications at a rapid speed. Ironically, when the violence broke out at Spring, students were prohibited from texting their parents, as a safety precaution. By the time parents saw the news and realized that they hadn’t been able to reach their children, many freaked out and stormed up to the school, fearing the worst. After five hours on lock down, Spring students and faculty were released, and parents were given a grim recollection of what unfold-

ed on campus earlier. weed out those that atWhile the details of what oc- tempt to get away with such curred at Spring are impor- violence, why don’t schools tant and need not go ignored, spend the money educating the real questhese students tion is where about the to go from c o n s e here. As far quences of as safety their acgoes. tions, or When stueven just dents rei mprov i ng turned to their educaschool on tion in genMond ay, eral? there were Although three new schools have shiny metal some reign detectors over student awaiting their b e h a v i o r, arrival. most of it Graphic by Victoria Shin This drastic falls under parsecurity meaents’ supervision. sure has gotten a lot of It’s sad to realize that the peoattention from the media, ple who commit such brutal and as a result, is being con- crimes on campus, more ofsidered by many Houston ten than not, weren’t raised school districts. knowing any better. However, has society really We personally don’t know reached a point in which go- Alfaro, so we cannot teching through airport-like se- nically make assumptions curity every time you enter about his upbringing. Howand exit a school building is ever, his violent behavior and a necessity? gang involvement can lead Instead of spending thou- us to believe he most likely sands of dollars trying to hasn’t been raised in a stable

home. Parent involvement in student life has been emphasized for years, but with so much violence, tit seems that the message doesn’t seem to be sticking. The real issue with metal detectors is that they won’t stop someone who wants to hurt others that badly. If a person is determined to kill or injure others, chances are they will find their way around the system. These observations are troubling, but they merely speak the truth. Guns don’t kill people, just like spoons don’t make people fat and tests don’t earn themselves failing grades—people do it. People make their decisions—good or bad, and by not transforming these violent students’ tendencies, schools are potentially just avoiding the real problem here. Luckily, Spring Branch ISD is not looking to place metal detectors on campuses anytime soon, and if a chaotic or tragic event were to occur there are plans in place to handle it properly.

Marching their Way to Success

Many overlook the hard work that the band members put in throughout the year Jackie Velarde

Many excited students pay for a ticket to go and see the action on the football field at Tully. However, what most people overlook is the large amount of contributors that give our fans the full “football game” experience. The band begins practicing sooner than people would expect. Band puts in 11.5 hours in early June to teach new members how to march and play simultaneously and they also have practice in August. Band officers have a huge commitment and must end their summer earlier than any other activity member to ensure that everything runs smoothly. After the school year starts,

band keeps practicing. Monday through Thursday. You can find the band out in the south parking lot from 4-5:45 practicing for this year’s UIL marching show. Don’t fool yourself, band doesn’t get Friday off after four days of practice. The band is committed to play at most of the Varsity games and does not get home doesn’t get home until around 11 p.m. While being on band requires a lot of dedication and hard work, it comes with great rewards. Members get to make new friends, spend time with their old ones, and be a part of the band “family”. A long standing band tradition is receiving a “Big” or a

“Little” sibling. Upperclassmen are paired with under-

classmen and they alternate gift exchanges on game days,

creating fellowships between all grades. Many students are involved in some combination of marching band, concert band, full orchestra, musical orchestra, jazz band, outside music ensembles are able to balance their musical passion with school and additional extracurricular activities. Although these band members do not get home till around 7 each night during Monday-Thursday practices, :;(5+ ;<5,: In addition to playing during the halftime show, the band goes through a list of stand tunes. The band is expected to play when the other team has the ball. The idea behind this is to distract the other team’s offense.

Photo by Maggie Vickers.

they are still some of the most academically successful students at Stratford. Mistakes rarely occur in the band, but when they do the band members have mastered fixing them as fast as possible. For example, when the band show had to be rewritten, they only lost one full day of practice to relearning half of the first movement. So the next time you’re sitting on the stands at football games, take your eyes off the field for a bit and acknowledge these talented students who dedicate a large portion of their time to making the Stratford band as upscale and talented as it is today.

OPINIONS Sweet Sixteen Sadness 14

Friday September 20, 2013

The Oracle

¡¶Ç¼º ÈÄÅ½ÄÂÄÇº ¸Á¶ÈÈ Â¶Î ÄËºÇĳÄÌ É½º ¤ÂÃ¾ ÄÉºÁ É½¾È ¢¶Ç¸½ Anna Bergersen

Though not technically a school-affiliated event, Sweet Sixteen is one of Stratford’s most popular traditions. But this year’s dance is being clouded by rumors of major change to the dance’s guest list. Each year, a group of sophomore girls hosts one of the biggest dances of the year at the Omni Hotel. A $500 hostess fee covers the cost financing the event as well as the tickets for three other girls and their dates. In theory, the sophomore would invite a freshman and senior of their choice, and the junior that invited them the previous year. However, the large number of sophomore girls has increased the number of potential hostesses for Sweet Sixteen. As the number of hostesses and their dates is

quadrupled by the invites, the total guest list would breach the holding capacity of the Omni’s ballroom. Though mothers have searched for alternative venues with a larger capacity, many of these options were deemed too expensive. The best solution that the party planners have come up with is to not invite seniors back to the dance. As sophomores in 2012, the current seniors handed over $500 checks with the expectation that they would be able to return as juniors and seniors. “We paid a lot of money and expected to be able to go for four years,” senior Caroline Kelly said. Many underclassmen even anticipate flaunting short dresses after the burdens that come with hosting. As homecoming buzz

prompted talk about this year’s dances, these rumors reached the seniors who have been expectantly awaiting to participate in their final Sweet Sixteen. This possibility has caused frustration among senior girls and the mothers who

“

I just want one last hoorah!” -Matt Shlimak, 12 wrote those checks two years ago. Many feel that if the seniors are not invited back, they need to at least be refunded a portion of the dues they have already paid. Though the Sweet Sixteen hostess contract does not technically state that seniors

are guaranteed to be invited back, it was expected that the girls would get the full, four year experience when they put down their hefty deposit. While some may view the senior’s complaints as whining, the basis for their irritation is the well established concept of seniority. Many seniors have responded with the idea of excluding the freshmen who would still have three more Sweet Sixteens to look forward to. A benefit of this idea is that the party planning committee could reduce this year’s hostess fee rather than refunding 300 irate seniors. Excluding seniors would not only affect them, but some would say it could take away from the dance’s atmosphere and tradition. Having the chance to experience the

dance with seniors is one of the most positive aspects of Sweet Sixteen. Dances have always been a stress release for upperclassmen who have endured the trials of high school. Sweet Sixteen is one of the last events where seniors have the chance to interact with students both in and outside of their grade. Not being able to attend Sweet Sixteen would cast a disappointing shadow on the seniors’ final year of high school. There really is nothing like it except the homecoming dance. “I think it would stink if we didn’t get invited back this year,” senior Louis Birdsong said. “I need one last place to wear my bow tie!” It should be noted here that this is not a school sponsored dance and the administration is not involved in this decision making process.

Computers Take the Wheel

Self-driven cars are becoming a realistic form of transportation

Claire Galbraith “Look! No hands!” How safe would it feel if someone said that while driving? Well, according to Google, their current work with Virginia Tech has brought more of an in-depth knowledge of how self-driven cars will be able to safely transport people. However, will these cars be completely capable of safely replacing people as drivers, or is it just too soon for this type of technology? The futuristic cars that drive people around have always seemed like they belonged in a cheesy sci-fi movie, but it may not be so uncommon to see them on the road everywhere in the near future. These cars should be able to one day drive on highways, around neighborhoods, they will be able to parallel park, and redirect around traffic all by themselves. Cool right? Sure, it seems that way, but will these cars

be a safe switch or a total road hazard? Some believe self-driven cars are a step in the right direction because they can detect radio and light waves that humans can’t; they also never get drowsy and they can see in all directions at the same time. Google’s self-driven cars, for instance, uses quad-core PCs to process 1.3 million laser measurements and make 20 driving decisions every second. Instead of being directly in control of all the appliances, like the steering wheel, brakes, and accelerator, very small computer systems called micro-controllers will interpret the controls’ mechanical changes and then take the appropriate actions. Apparently, 90 percent of traffic accidents and deaths are caused by human error and these cars are designed to avoid such error because they

contemplate the right course of action to take at a quicker pace. Plus, self driven cars could potentially bring order to clogged highways, reduce emissions by shortening travel times, and give more independence to the elderly and the disabled. Sounds good right? However, how will this car affect the world and how will people react? On one hand you have what sounds like a reliable car, but on the other, self-driven cars will bring forth a lot of questions about driving laws. For example, who will be at fault if there is a wreck? Insurers will have to figure out if it was the drivers or the technology itself. Better yet, do the people who are in the “driver’s” seat need to be licensed? It seems like it is just too much of a hassle to adjusts these laws and that’s without even acknowledging the changes drivers will have to

make. Accommodations must be made on highways for cars without drivers and auto companies will need to be assured that these cars cannot be hacked through the micro-controller’s computer system. One could also argue that relying too much on technology will cause us to become utterly incapable of being independent individuals. Technology could eventually surpass our own knowledge and understanding, ultimately making us completely reliant on the use of computers, phones, self-driven cars, and other gadgets to function in normal society. Is it even possible for these self-driven cars to mimic all the actions humans take while driving, like craning one’s neck to view on-coming traffic or making those lifesaving decisions before one crashes?

It seems like the majority of people will feel uncomfortable with giving their wheels over to a robot that doesn’t seem to be all that safe. What must also be taken into consideration is the price. Will these cars be affordable for all types of people with different incomes, or only the wealthy? The price of just making the car must be costly, so one could imagine the buyer’s price will be too. There is no point in making a revolutionary car if there is only a select few that can afford it. Maybe in the distant future these cars will be up to safety standards, but as of now selfdriven cars seem more like a train wreck or shall I say car wreck than anything. Luckily developers have predicted these cars will not officially be on the market until 2035, so as of now there is no need to worry about such driving hazards.

Kali Venable

HOW TO EAL D

1:30 p.m. ; Aug. 9, 2013 Syracuse, NY The campus is like Hogwarts, set on a giant hill in the center of downtown. Buildings stand covered in ivy as if they grew up right up from the ground. I can’t help but stare in awe at so much beauty. I’ve been day dreaming about this place for the past four years, and now that I am finally here on campus, I can’t help but feel at home. The Syracuse University S. I. Newhouse School of Publications, is everything I could ever want in a college, which is probably why I am so terrified of getting rejected. I’d like to think that I could be Summer on “The O.C.” who gets into Brown with no problem, but this is real life and things don’t always go as you want them to. I think I speak for a lot of seniors when I say that being turned down from my dream school is a re-occurring nightmare that keeps me up into the grey hours of the morning. I’ve worked so hard for four years, and to think that it could all be for nothing feels a bit like shattering glass. But here is the deal: not getting what you want in life happens. Everyday we find ourselves faced with new disappointments that we never thought would land on our plates. As senior year continues to fly by, I’m constantly reminding myself that we’re all going to end up where we were meant to be—dream school or not. Perhaps in a few months I will be able to proudly wear my new school colors of orange and navy blue, and if that ends up not happening —so be it.

OPINIONS

Friday September 20, 2013

The Oracle

Fallen Stars: Where they went Wrong The pressure is just too much

They should know better Layla Shahhosseini

Miley Cyrus’s new video, “Wrecking Ball” has created many questions about the former Disney star’s motives for fame. Our generation of teenagers grew up with innocent Hannah Montana who we now see has developed a strange vulgarity. But Miley is only one of the few stars who have done a complete 180 since their career on Disney or Nickelodeon channels. Sweet and innocent Lindsey Lohan in “The Parent Trap” now has a track record for partaking in multiple rehabilitation centers. Seeing her on TV with blond hair crowding her bloodshot eyes was a shock. Starting an acting career at such a young age is just expecting the stars to fall into the trend that everyone else previous has set. There’s virtually no way that their parents didn’t know what they were getting themselves into. Obviously if you were robbing your daughter or son of a normal childhood, then you can expect them to turn out differently when they’re used to the spotlight all the time. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are an example to the early exposure to the limelight and turned out as one of the first cases of star-fame-gonewrong. Scandals poured out about the twins being involved with drugs as they entered the adult years. They are probably some of the earliest child stars that started out in an acting career, and continued to pursue it after barely starting out at one year old in “Full House”. Flashing lights from the paparazzi’s cameras surround the young child stars, forcing them to get used to being the center of attention. So when their role for their movie or

show ends, they don’t receive the same attention that was once so eminent for such a long time. They crave the attention and do practically anything to have another fifteen minutes of fame. This is where the trouble starts. Fame is an addiction and when you have so much and become deprived so quickly, like all addicting things, the outcome of withdrawal proves to be catastrophic. When the 90’s teen idol Britney Spears showed off her completely shaved head in ‘07 many jaws dropped. Maybe if she had sold as many albums as her rise to fame days, there wouldn’t have been a bald Britney. The bad press that all these stars receive does have an effect on them. Wether they choose to continue them or not depends on how badly they want to hold onto every last ounce of fame. But is it really worth it to trash a reputation for a negative spotlight? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of an acting or singing career? In the case of some, the attention received from the crowd of flashing cameras causes a mentally abused state of mind. Young child star Demi Lovato developed an eating disorder because of the negative criticism she was receiving. But in every situation when there is success, there will always be degrading comments. She should have known that the steps to glory would result in people hating on her public achievements. As young as they were, these celebrities were put through a disadvantage living in a showered spotlight. Parents

should also have known that such terrible consequences would shine through their kids. One of the most prominent stars this generation was familiar with in the younger years is Amanda Bynes. Right now her record ranges from several DUIs to throwing substances out of her apartment window. Most of these cases happen during the later teenage years when something seems to snap inside them, but Drew Barr y more

cracked at age 12 with a cocaine addiction. Most people agree, middle school is the worst time of their lives because hormones take rapid control over your body during that time. The choices usually made during those times can affect people for the rest their lives. Imagining stars handling those times with a completely different lifestyle is scarring. There parents went through this stage before, so they should have been aware of the troubles they would have later on in they’re young adult lives. flaw to their glo-

Kali Venable

We’ve seen their scandals splattered on the front page of tabloids, their mistakes blasted on “E! News” and roasted on “Tosh.0,” but can we really blame them for their lash outs? A few weeks ago, America watched in horror as former Disney Channel child-star, Miley Cyrus, gave a risky performance at the Music Television (MTV) Awards in Brooklyn, NY. Her performance brought in thousands of tweets per a minute that were as far from complimentary as they come. Parents, children, and even teenagers were outraged at her behavior, as were the tabloids who butchered her reputation on full page spreads the follow- i n g

Graphic by Molly Richter

morning. While Cyrus’s performance was in fact uncomfortably sexual and a bit “off the edge”, can we really blame her for it? Any adult can vouch for going through phases they weren’t proud of when they were younger—big or small, so how can one judge a childstar because they happen to be in the spotlight for their mistakes? Many say that kids know what they are getting them-

selves into when they begin careers in show business, but such an assumption is ridiculous when you take into account that two-year-olds or seven-year-olds can barely talk for themselves, let alone think for themselves. The truth of the matter is that majority of these children are shoved into the industry by their parents without even being asked if it is what they want. The worst part is that when these children that had their debut in youth TV shows or movies try to distance themselves from such a reputation, it often is interpreted as an extreme out lash in the opposite direction by the public. Take Lindsey Lohan for example, who was pushed into stardom by her two moneycrazed parents as a toddler. Lohan began her career as a child fashion model at only three-years-old, and at age 11 reached total stardom with her leading role in Disney’s remake of “The Parent Trap.” Could she really have known what she was getting herself into at three? Today, Lohan’s household name has gone from A m e r i c a’s sweetheart to Hollywood’s most famous fallen star. In the past few years, Lohan has struggled with cocaine usage, excessive drinking, theft, and driving under the influence. In and out of jail and rehab, no consequence seems to be leaving a lasting impact on this once talented actress. It is quite sad to realize that many of these children would give up everything to just spend a single day lead-

ing a normal life, and even sadder to realize they won’t ever get that chance, just like they never had the chance at a normal childhood. Of course we can’t blame Lohan’s parents for all of her mistakes, but we can at least acknowledge that the unstable environment she was raised in was a huge contributing factor to her downfall. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why child-stars fall victim to such bad choices is because temptation seems to be in every direction they turn. Hollywood parties are sparkly and opulent, people dress to impress and late nights on the town become almost everyday occurrences. Temptations for young adults that grow up in this lifestyle are higher than most, because virtually anything that can be damaging is readily available. So if it isn’t the child-stars fault, than whose is it? Society constantly wants to blame things on specific people, rather than accepting that perhaps multiple people and events or surroundings contributed to really poor choices or really great ones. Although, through a quick evaluation one can see that parents are at fault here majority of the time. They pressure their children into too many rehearsals, too many shows, too many movies and too many songs, until the kids can’t take it anymore. Without a good role model to inspire and jump start proper behavior, it is no wonder that so many spiral out of control and get caught up in the Hollywood partying life. Next time we see Miley Cyrus, Lindsey Lohan or perhaps a new starlit fall into a dim light, we should point fingers at the parents who chose to raise them in such a toxic environment.

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