texas high texas high school school Vol. 56, Issue 6 MayMay 11, 2017 11, 2017
Vol. 56, Issue 6
tigertimes
THE BRUTAL TRUTH It’s not uncommon to play a violent video game, watch an action movie or get into an argument on Twitter. But what happens when virtual reality turns into reality?
>> page 14 Texas High School • 4001 Summerhill Road, Texarkana, TX 75503 • tigertimesonline.com photo illustration by k. moreland
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WHAT TO
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MAY 15 LifeShare will host a blood drive all day. Sign up in the cafeteria during all lunches. MAY 16 Student Council will host the Orange and White Game and annual Powder Puff at Grim Stadium at 4:30 p.m. MAY 17 All juniors enrolled in English III may attend the Gatsby Celebration in the cafeteria during fifth period. MAY 24 Student Council will hold the annual Spring Olympiad after school on the track field. MAY 27 Graduation will be held at First Baptist Church Moores Lane at 2 p.m.
FOR 12
REELING IN THE MEMORIES
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Senior recalls memories made during his senior year.
TOP TEN MOMENTS Relive the school year as we dive into 20162017’s top ten moments.
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THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD
EVERLASTING ENDURANCE
Junior overcomes eating disorder and offers advice for others still struggling.
Junior finds positivity for future, pursues his dreams after his mother’s passing.
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STAY CONNECTED
TEE TIME
Junior explores the tenets of his sport and how tiring it can actually be.
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KANEING THE COMPETITION
snapchat: thspublications instagram: thsstudentmedia twitter: @thsstudentmedia facebook: THS Publications
Senior makes history being the first female athlete to advance to state.
SPRING SEMESTER EXAM INFORMATION Monday, May 22
Tuesday, May 23
8:25-9:45 A1/B1 Exam (12) 9:52-10:57 A2 Exam (12) 11:04-12:56 A3 Exam (12) 1st Lunch 11:04-11:34 2nd Lunch 11:45-12:15 3rd Lunch 12:26-12:56 1:03-2:23 A4 Exam (12) 2:30-3:50 A5/B5 Exam (12)
8:25-9:45 A1/B1 Exam (9-11) 9:52-10:57 B2 Exam (12) 11:04-12:56 B3 Exam (12) 1st Lunch 11:04-11:34 2nd Lunch 11:45-12:15 3rd Lunch 12:26-12:56 1:03-2:23 B4 Exam (12) 2:30-3:50 A5/B5 Exam (9-11)
Wednesday, May 24
Thursday, May 25
8:25-9:45 A2 Exam (9-11) 9:52-11:12 A3 Exam (9-11) 11:20-12:40 A4 Exam (9-11)
8:25-9:45 B2 Exam (9-11) 9:52-11:12 B3 Exam (9-11) 11:20-12:40 B4 Exam (9-11)
Seniors who qualify for exemptions will follow this schedule: May 22: Graduation Meeting May 23: Senior Assembly May 24: Spring Olympiad May 25: Graduation Practice Seniors will receive eight exemptions excluding DC courses as long as the standard requirements are met and if all state assessments were passed and all 26 credits were received.
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• The following requirements must be met to receive exemptions for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors: • No more than two tardies in the exempted class • No more than two absences in the exempted class • No more than five tardies total for all classes combined
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No more than five absences total for all classes combined 85 average or higher in the class Freshmen, sophomores and juniors will receive three exemptions excluding DC courses Students enrolled in DC courses are required to take a final exam for course credit per Texarkana College policy Students who take a course with an EOC may receive an additional exemption for that course as long as the EOC and the course are passed and that no make-up hours are owed Retakes for the EOC that result in passing may count as an exemption EOC retakes from previous years may not be used for an exemption Exemptions will only be granted for AP classes if the student takes the AP exam and meets the same requirements above
May 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
Some people have all the funds Complexities of school funding lead to some disparities BY RAGA JUSTIN
editor in chief To most of the public, parents and students alike, the concept of public school funding remains submerged in murky mystery–and for good reason. It is a long, complex process that involves federalism in miniature, with both federal and state governments allotted a share of the load. However, unless specific government initiatives are rolled out, states end up shouldering the heavier burden. Yet among states there exists a large disparity. According to the Institute of Education Sciences, a data report compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics shows a low of $6,432 in Utah to a high of $20,530 in the District of Columbia. The numbers vary almost as much in Texas, with Eanes Independent School District in Travis County spending more than $18,000 per student and San Perlita Independent School District in Willacy County hovering around $8,000 per student. In comparison, Texarkana Independent School District spends an average of $8,400 per student. States apportion funding based on two major factors, attendance and property taxes. Average daily attendance (ADA)
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is the sole branch that school districts ostensibly have control over. Conversely, ADA places a higher burden on school officials to increase their rates, and many have responded by incentivizing perfect attendance. “Right now. we’re doing slushees for perfect attendance,” Principal Brad Bailey said. “I’ve also purchased Beats and Chromebooks for rewards, and we’re probably going to implement that next year.” The other component is more complicated. Since certain districts are wealthier than others, those districts have a larger pool of resources–in the form of property taxes–to draw from. “It is an investment taxpayers make into their community,” said TISD chief financial officer Deidra Reeves. “It makes the school system strong and the community strong. [It’s] not discriminatory. If property taxes were received by the state, the state would then allocate them to the schools. This gives the district authority to keep local monies local.” But some opponents staunchly believe in the inequity of the current system. It’s an issue that sparked an infamous court case, San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez. Incensed by the lack of quality they were seeing
in their children’s education, parents from a poor San Antonio school district argued that basing state funding on property taxes was a form of wealthbased discrimination that ultimately violated the Equal Protection Clause. In what was seen as a blow to poorer school districts nationwide, the Supreme Court ruled that there was no federal, and thus state, guarantee to equity in education funding, adding that there was no such thing as a fundamental right to education. But that is not to say Texas education officials are impervious to demands for equality. In what is fancifully referred to as the Robin Hood and “share the wealth” rule, the Chapter 41 statute of the Texas Education code has begun to “recapture” funds from property–wealthy districts to distribute to the property– poor districts, according to the Texas Education Agency. “Texas High is very fortunate in that we have funds to prepare our students to be successful after college,” said Director of College and Career Readiness Bettie Lynn Stark. “Could we use some more money? You bet. We’d love to have more programs, more technology. The more money you have, the bigger you can dream.” ragajustin@tigertimesonline.com
PICTURE
THIS
What skipping school can mean for you
Missing a day could end up costing the school district around $20,000. Here’s what that looks like:
NO NEW CLASSROOM SETS OF COMPUTERS
FEWER FUNDS FOR UNIFORMS
NO AWAY GAME TRANSPORTATION
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may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
ACADEMIC AWARDS
Students recognized for achievements in the classroom at ceremony May 4 English I Rylan Farrar
Precalculus Destini Johnson
Chemistry II AP Celeste Anderson
Computer Maintenance John Powell
Cosmetology II DC Kimora Parker
Drawing III Kadyn Webster
Choir Micayla Harvey
English I Pre-AP Molly Kyles
Precalculus Pre-AP Maryanne Garcia
Chemistry II DC Ashley Wallace
Piano Twila Allen
Precalculus DC Nabil Kalam
Physics I Loridana Braga
Building Maintenance Technology Mikel Murphy
Drawing IV Deonte Williams
English II Mason Jones
Internet Working Technologies Joseph Parmer
Advanced Piano Sydney Stewart
Stat & Risk Management Kaitlyn Barth
AP Physics I Daylan O’Neal
Construction Technooogy Reese Leonard
Drawing PAP Adrianna Barrera
English II Pre-AP Cameron Murry
Video Game Design Aankit Pokhrel Evan Carr
Painting II McKenzie Brown
Heart of the Tiger ELA Ohemaa Barnes, Danielle Batton, Brant Bender, Blake Bergagnini, Brianna Black, Braiden Brown, Jaquesha Collins, Daleon Crawford, Addison Cross, Margaret Debenport, Roland Echols, Jacoya Ellis, Montague Fezell, Justin Franklin, Treykeoun Giles, Autumn Golden, Hannah Harrell, Brookelynn Hatchett, Jordan Hawkins, Allan Hickerson, Kamryn Johnson, Michael Keener, Savannah Kennedy, Sarah King, Samantha King, Shakerria Kirkendall, Hannah Klein, Kaitlyn McKinley, Kingsley Miller, Andrea Munoz, Conor Nichols, Madeline Parish, Janena Reed, Dee Reeves, Catalina Resendiz, Samya Robinson, Emilee Slayton, Ayla Sozen, William Spriggs, John Luke Stroud, Ariana Thompson, Catheryn Tucker, Maria Varela, Marcedes Vaughn, Jaylen Ware, Sarah White, Zachary Willis, Nathan Mooney, Alba Tandazo
English III Elena Rossi English III AP Colton Johnson English IV Kaitlyn Barth English IV AP Ali Richter English IV DC Rylie Power Analysis of Visual Media Joseph Parmer Creative Writing Lois LeFors REACH Peter Azille Reading I Marianna Martinez College Prep SkillsEnglish Lily Maxwell Debate I Nina Winkelmann Debate II Thomas Strutton Debate III Caleb Snow Professional Communications Roland Echols Public Speaking I Jenna Mitchell Leadership Ricky Cooks Journalism Addison Cross Abril Alvarado Photojournalism Margaret Debenport Kaitlyn Gordon ESOL I Axel Diaz ESOL II Eliud Cruz Algebra I Jazzinque Jones Algebra I PAP Lein Do Algebra II Loridana Braga Algebra II Pre-AP Joseph Rodgers Algebra II DC Ariel Hekier Geometry Jaylund Battle Geometry Pre-AP Grey Johnson College Prep Math Savannah Walker Math Models with Applications Alexis Smith AP Calculus AB Kevin Thompson AP Calculus BC Rylie Power Engineering Math Caleb LeGrand
Statistical & Risk Management DC Daylan O’Neal Statistics AP Ali Richter World Geography Samya Robinson World Geography Pre-AP Ariel Hekier Olivia Lower World History Martin Castellani World History Pre-AP Mia Wilson World History AP Griffin Johnson Carson McCarver US History Raven Baker STEM US History Dewitt Fortenberry STEM US History DC Ashley Wallace Cameron Tarpley US History DC Zion Rogers US History AP Celeste Anderson US Government Kaleb Points US Government DC Alex O’Gorman US Government AP Raga Justin World Civilizations DC Kasey Kane Human Geography AP Joseph Rodgers Psychology Oheema Barnes Psychology AP Ali Richter Psychology DC Channing Miller Economics Takeba Dowden Microeconomics AP Tucker Douglass Texas State & Local Government DC Alex O’Gorman Sociology Dewitt Fortenberry African American Studies Ohemaa Barnes Biology I Matthew Martin Biology I Pre-AP Jebin Justin Biology II AP Kevin Thompson Biology II DC Mason Shoalmire Chemistry Aliyah Forte Chemistry I Pre-AP Carson McCarver
Physics II AP Rylie Power Integrated Physics & Chemistry Angeliz Perez-Colon Astronomy McKenzie Green Earth and Space Science Jaci Ammons Environmental Science AP Carson Jones French I Angeliz Perez French II Jenna Mitchell French II Pre-AP Madison Bowers French III Pre-AP Jocelynn Villagran French IV AP Elena Rossi
Web Technologies Noah Comer Digital and Interactive Media Madison Powell Anatomy & Physiology of Human Systems Kaitlyn Barth Kenzie Dickson McKenzie Green Forensic Science Pre-AP Jillian Cheney Blaire Berry Food Science Ana Karen Rosas Marketing I Darren Mercer Marketing II Marisol Aguilar Marketing DC Odin Contreras
Construction Technology DC Eduarado Naranjo Aircraft Technology DC Hartley Spaulding Construction Management Trinity Briggs Principles of Architectural Design Jonathan Green Advanced Architectural Design Rylie Powers Kaleb Points Practicum Architectural Design Elicia Bilyeu Engineering Design & Presentation Ariel Hekier Autumn Parrott Small Engine Technology Marco Revilla
Spanish I Sarah Grace Allen
Sports Entertainment & Marketing Teaondrick Wade
Spanish II Maria Varela
Principles of Agriculture Hailey Jefferson
Advanced Culinary Arts Deavyon Ross
Spanish II Pre-AP Olivia Lower
Wildlife & Fisheries Landyn McLeod
Fashion Design Sarah White
Spanish III Pre-AP Carson McCarver
Small Animal Management Haley Greer
Advanced Fashion Design Julieta Rosas
Spanish IV AP Jessica Martinez ASL I Sarah Beth King ASL II Brittany Kile ASL III Langley Leverett Accounting I DC Mason Shoalmire Accounting II DC Daylan O’Neal Banking and Financial Services Martin Castellani Principles of Business, Marketing & Finance Destiny Hunter Business Law Marquez Roach Business Management Paishance Soileau BIM I Sierra Lewis BIM II Mikea Sabble BIM DC Sarah Grace Boudreaux Mary Claire Paddock Principles of Info Tech Garrett Burks Touch Systems Data Entry Shelby Dove Computer Programming Hunter Capps
Veterinary Medical Applications Kaitlyn Barth Livestock Production Rachael Shewmaker Horticulture Taylor Russell Digital Fundamentals Eryn McDonald Audio Video Production Colton Minter Taimoor Malik Audio Video Production DC Grant Rommel
Culinary Arts Seth Yowell
Practicum in Fashion Design Caitlin Shuffield Interior Design Kia Barton Graphic Design & Illustration Indya Welch Advanced Graphic Design & Illustration Makenzie Green Peer Coaching Dalton Underwood Practicum I Graphic Design & Illustration Jaci Ammons
Advanced Audio Video Production Abbott Lawrence
Education & Training Haylea Potts
Advanced Audio Video Production DC Davis Miller
Health Science Megan Brown McKenzie Brown
Child Development Paige Eaton
Principles of Health Science Brittany Kile
Child Development DC Blaire Berry Child Guidance Emily Nixon Commercial Photography Racheal Sizemore Advanced Commercial Photography Lauren Maynard Family & Community Services Courtney Anderson
Computer Science I Noah Addie
Principles of Human Services Tytionna Williams
Computer Science II Cole Platt
Cosmetology I DC Chloe Johnson
Practicum Health Science I Miranda Popwell
Printing III Jessica Martinez Ceramics I Mary Anne Garcia Ceramics II Katie Harper 2D Design AP Rylie Power Art Design DC Anna Grace Jones Art History Alessandra Pena-Rodriquez Art History AP Madeline Anderson One Act Play Brennon Cope Theater Arts I Kaitlyn Barth Theater Arts II Davis Sutton Theater Arts III Perin Creek Theater Arts IV Madison Prince Technical Theater Trinitee Noel Technical Theater II Jaylon Williams Technical Theater DC Katie Dusek Theater Production Mason Higginbotham Theater Production II Austin Crane Band I AJ Reed, Tien Doan Band II Guillermo Pass Craig Crawford Band III Vy Doan, Colin Runnels Band III DC Katherine Stoeckl Band IV Emily Landers Kaleb Points Band IV DC Michelle Moser Jazz Michelle Moser Colin Runnels Orchestra Ian Perez Carson McCarver Brann Ensemble Krysten Collins
Practicum Health Science: Pharmacy Tech Amy Oliver
Percussion Ensemble Matt Allen
Restaurant Management Devin Gray
Woodwind Ensemble Anna Cannon
Principles of Law & Public Safety Grayson Gunter
Music History Hayden Humphrey
Welding II DC Hunter Burt
Music History DC Logan Revalee Ja’Kayla Ferguson
Art I Dibanhi Olalde
Vocal Ensemble Samantha King
Drawing II Connor Allred
Bella Voce Kaitlyn Barth
Math Celeste Anderson, Mya Anderson, Morgan Bonner, Megan Brandon, Sarah Bratcher, Trinity Briggs, Megan Brown, Hope Burks, Russell Bybee, Ashley Careins, Ravon Cornelius, Briley Court, Paige Eaton, Breanna Flatt, Keeley Green, Lemont Griffin, Alyssa Harris, Audrey Haskins, Allan Hickerson, Haley Jefferson, Traniece Jermany, Javell Jones, Nick Kane, Brittany Kile, Tiffany Kindrick, Arlyn Nicholas Leyva, Alexander Mackey, Katelyn Mitchell, Conner Murdock, Joshua Oldham, Jhovany Perez, Maddison Powell, Huy Do, Elena Rossi, Alicia Sa, Hannah Terry, Dayla Thompson, Maria Torres, Maria Isabel Valerio, Maria Varela, Chase Watkins, Jordan Webb, Jay Williamson, Nina Winkelmann, Lauryn Young Social Studies Twila Allen, Kaitlyn Avila, Blake Bergagnini, Alonzo Bradshaw, Austin Crane, Katlin Crossland, Andrew Drew, JaKeith Edwards, Marquan Himilton, Allen Hickerson, Kelly Jack, Traniece Jermany, Tylicia Crutchfield, Shakerria Kirkendall, Alexander Mackey, Cierra McClain, Emily McMaster, Terranae’ Montgomery, Kristen Robers, Joseph Rodgers,Gaganpreet Sohi, Katie Thompson, Juan Torres, Marcedes Vaughn, Jarrod Wade, Chastity Walker, Kevonte Williams, Emma Wolf
Science Tyler Ariniello, Kiah Batton, Morgan Cawthorn, Brandon Conkleton, James Finney, Da’Quavious Franklin, Damien Hamilton, Michayla Hellums, Josue Hernandez, Mikayla Johnson, Molly Kyles Kailie Lyons, Kaitlyn McKinley, Alexia Mendoza, Ana Mendoza-Rodriguez, Ashanti Mitchell, Arlyn Nicholas Leyva, Autumn Parrott, A’Lia Perkins, Jose Garcia Ramirez, Keidrick Reeves, Samaya Robinson, Sid Sandefur, Gabrielle Sardinas, Morgan Sharp, Joshua Somerville, Katherine Stoeckl, Alba Tandazo, Draylon Traylor, D’Andre Wilson, Mia Wilson CTE Desini Alston, Courtney Anderson, Ericka Anthony, Krystal Bond, Jamie Cardenas, Kristen Clayton, Darius Cook, Ravon Cornelius, Yasmine Davis, Trenton Foster, Isaiah Germany, Isaac Guyton, Bryson Harris, Michayla Hellums, Heather Huggins, Kierra Jackson, Colton Johnson, Aston Jones, Arsh Kadiwar, Ketasha Knoble, Joshua Land, Andrea Larry, Reagan Lynn, Joshua Mitchell, Gracie Morehead, Ryan Mowry, Michael Murphy Jr., Ketasha Noble, Carson Phillips, Zion Rogers, Isela Rosas, Jose Sanchez, Felicity Sanders, Sarah Smith, Logan Snell, Lane Son, Ryan Stahl, Gavin Taylor, Catherina Tucker, Braley Turner, Dakota Turner, Chase Walker, Savannah Walker, Timothy James Wall, Caylyn Wallace, Chloe Wycough Fine Arts Tyler Arniniello, Jaylund Battle, Blaire Berry, Ashlyn Cook, Brennon Cope, Breanan Cranford, Craig Crawford, Caleb Dell, Jordan Dickens, Elizabeth Formby, Joseph Gordon, Cody Hambly, Jordan Hawkins, Josue Hernandez, Tiffany Kendrick, Lillian Lovette, Emily McDonald, Jenna Catherne Mitchell, Michelle Moser, Ian Perez, Anthony Pogue, Madison Prince, Colin Runnels, Reed Russell, Brianna Russell, Samuel Sanchez, Darren Simington, Marjorie Slimer, Marcus Smith, Dre Springfield, Sydney Stewart, Davis Sutton, Madison Sutton, Cameron Turner, Kayla Walthall, Indya Welch, D’Andre Wilson, Chloe Wycough LOTE Diana Aguilar, Koby Aldridge, Madeline Anderson, Krystal Bond, Juan Bustamante, Hunter Capps, Madison Crone, Gregg Gessman, Heather Huggins, Dakota King, Molly Kyles, Emma Lindsay, Avery Morrill, Kiasyia Morrison, Bailey Rayburn, Marcus Smith, Lane Son, McKenzie Thomas, Catherine Tucker, Breunta Tucker, Macie Webb
May 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
community
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editorial
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
tiger times
It’s an
UPHILL For those at the top, success is easy. You’ve heard of privilege? It’s the beast nestled into the growing divide between rich and poor, shoving those at the bottom down further into their place and boosting the ones gliding high into the zenith. Unfortunately, there is a palpable difference in the way student advancement between those at the top and those at the bottom is handled. That is not to say students are neglected; in fact, with the amount of success we’ve had here, that’s undeniable. But recently it seems as though those receiving the extra encouragement are the ones who don’t necessarily need it. With that, privilege is brought up once more. Students who are lucky enough to be privileged are those who are also privy to the best perks. For example, applications for programs like the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and Today’s Youth Tomorrow’s Leaders are handed out stringently, often to the same group each time. It’s enough to give the impression that the school, wanting with understandable fervor to garner success and acclaim, purposely choose those they know will bring it. It is the same thing with programs like Boys State and Congressional Student Leadership. The same demographic is targeted, every time, every year. While the school does its best to close gaps in student achievement, often they do it by
YOUR TURN
BATTLE
Students deserve equal opportunities for academic programs
casting wide nets and bringing all students to some satisfactory level that matches accountability expectations. They aim for mass improvement. But the lengthy process of fostering individual student achievement stops at the top 20 percent or so. It is all very well to expect students to take initiative for their future and actively seek opportunities and guidance from the resources we have available. However, when students have never been courted for such programs, they have no idea what is available to them and what is not. Likewise, the same group of students has been wooed since middle school, groomed to be the all-stars, the overachievers. That is a borderline discriminatory, if highly profitable, practice. The issue is the recognition of potential, an understandably difficult task. However, teachers have the upper hand in this area. They see students daily and are able to judge character, dedication, intellectual thirst and natural ability based on daily interactions, unlike administrators and students. Teachers from across the school should have a more active role in promoting students they feel confident and capable of succeeding in programs like the ones listed above and more. Programs and resources should not be exclusively dedicated to one group of people. The entire school will ultimately benefit from equalized opportunities, awarded solely on student potential no matter socioeconomic level or class rank.
llustration by alex o’gorman
to sound off
How should all students be given information about leadership and academic programs?
“College is expensive these days. If you make a certain score, somewhere around 80 or 85, they should send a letter to your house. I don’t think you should be called out of class for that.”
Jeremy Morgan, 10
“I think either it should be actively sent through classrooms so people know about it or sent through Knomi or maybe sent through emails to their parents.”
Kamryn Johnson, 10
“I think the way that they mail things out works really well because it gets to everybody and they should also announce it over announcements.”
Makenzie Brown, 10
Texas High School 4001 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX (903) 794-3891 Fax (903) 792-8971
The Tiger Times is a student-run publication. The contents and view are produced solely by the staff and do not represent the opinions of the faculty, administration or TISD board of directors. editors in chief Anna Cannon Jillian Cheney Raga Justin Alex O’Gorman news editors Celeste Anderson Eleanor Schroeder viewpoint editors Maddie Gerrald Grace Hickey feature editors Colton Johnson Langley Leverett profile editor Cailey Roberson indepth editor Lauren Potter online indepth editor Ricky Cooks sports editors Tye Shelton Jay Williamson entertainment editors Katie Biggar Matt Francis advertising editor Robin Cooper business manager Ashlyn Sander copy editors Grace Hickey Ali Richter design editor Lauren Potter photo editor Emily Meinzer video editor Madeline Parish staff writers Paisley Allen, Connor Brooks, Madison Brown, Craig Crawford, John Debenport, Katie Dusek, Lindsey Egger, Thalia Hawkins, Lois LeFors, Misty Lopez, Omar Matos, Emily McMaster, John Morgan, Jhovany Perez, Matt Prieskorn, Joseph Rodgers, Caleb Snow, Victoria Van photographers Morgan Bonner, Dawson Kelley, Alyssa Kift, Lauren Maynard, Emily Meinzer, Kayleigh Moreland,Madeline Parish, Auryeal Parker, Ashlyn Sander, Rachel Sizemore, Piper Spaulding, Angela Valle videographers Katie Biggar, Ricky Cooks, Kara Jefferies, Raga Justin, Taimoor Malik, Lauren Maynard, Alex O’Gorman, Madeline Parish, Isabelle Robertson, Ashlyn Sander advisers Rebecca Potter, Clint Smith principal Brad Bailey members ILPC, CSPA, NSPA
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
viewpoint photo by m. parish
It’s time to hit the road BY RAga justin editor-in-chief Someone somewhere once said darkly that the road to hell was paved with good intentions. Hell, in this case? Graduation. Good intentions? Waking up early. Sleeping before the crack of dawn. Eating healthy food. Not Doritos. Doing my homework on time. Not in the morning. Doing yoga. Writing a research paper two weeks in advance. Not the night before. Deleting Instagram. Deleting Snapchat. Deleting Netflix. Kissing my parents goodnight. Organizing my closet. Playing with my dogs more. Picking up a new hobby. Talking less. Being informed. Accepting criticism. Refraining from criticism. I failed on every one of those fronts, several times over. If this is a blueprint of my life for the next few years of college, I’m in for some major potholes. So look, I’m going to level with you youngins. High school is pretty hard. Unless you’re some goddess-among-mere-mortals with Pantenecommercial hair, Misty May Treanor’s body circa 2008, and the intellectual aptitude of those existentialists who dress in black and airily name-drop Nietzsche, you’re going to feel rejection, helplessness and failure. No matter how hard you try- and this is key–no matter how hard you try, sometimes you just can’t do it. Which is, like, the total opposite of what everyone tells you. The honest-to-God truth of high school now and life later is that your best isn’t always good enough. Those chirpy platitudes of your superiority that you’re fed by your mom,
your counselor, the people you meet at the grocery? In the immortal words of President Trump, “WRONG.” Also, there are people better than you. You can hate them, but they exist. But guess what? It’s fine. It’ll be totally fine. I did my part and I paid my dues. Sometimes I tried my absolute hardest, sometimes I didn’t. In exactly .00001 percent of those situations did I come out exactly like I thought I would. I think that in order to stay sane, you have to measure your life in good intentions. Being grounded in reality is important, but it’s so easy to get hung up on the pursuit of success. If there’s one you take from this, it would be to accept the really bitter failures- the ones where you tried and didn’t quite make it- with generous helpings of self-love. You meant well. That’s pretty darn close to doing well. So now I try to make a clean break. I’ve read every senior column published for the past three years. Now, in a bizarre, surreal twist of fate I find myself at the end of my own personal road, writing one too. I don’t know about you, but the road I’ve been on for four years has been one of those long, windy ones that make you sometimes feel like you want to throw up until suddenly you realize there are some people who don’t even get a road, just a dusty footpath with lots of brambles. All of which goes to say that life is always comparatively better. So count your blessings, talk to the people who love you, drink your milk and eat your vegetables, listen to your parents and ride your road, triumphantly, all the way down. ragajustin@tigertimesonline.com
Get ready, get set, oh man
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Everyone told me that senior year was fine. However, they all failed to warn me that people are crappy, grades aren’t everything, there are billions of deadlines and it’s hard at times. So, to the underclassmen reading, here’s how to tackle the mess that is senior year (if mine is any indication).
Go to that party
It’s not what it looks like! But, honestly, it kind of is. Don’t miss out on opportunities because you’re too scared or just have to finish studying. I am definitely not telling you to go crazy and get yourself in trouble, but I am saying to take a breath and do the things you want to do. It doesn’t have to be a party, of course, but those are cool too. Make your senior year about the things you will BY Ricky Cooks remember, not suppressed memories in-depth editor of being at home all day.
Don’t take people so seriously
I wasn’t prepared to face people (students and adults) that are so hell-bent on being a pain in my side. It might just be a part of growing up, but I realized that people just have bitter souls that you can’t fix. My tip for you: remember those people aren’t worth your time. Put on your best smile, give them a wave goodbye and take them out of your life. After so many hits you just start to realize that your sanity is more important that any crappy rules or problems someone tries to put in your way.
It’s OK to be fake (sometimes)
Yes, you read it right. A lesson I had to learn this year: don’t let people know how much you dislike them—it only ends up bad for you. Negative people feed on negative energy, and in a split second you can all of a sudden be the bad guy. Don’t fall into that trap. Keeping your mouth shut is never easy, but it just might be worth it.
Take care of your business (and yourself)
Your senior year is what you make it. Don’t miss college deadlines. Study for that final ACT. Procrastinate only a little. Listen to your parents. Save up some money for a #lit summer. Take a day (or a few days) off from school. Eat lots of chocolate. Read some good books. Take care of your skin and try some whitening toothpaste. Find your passion and pursue it. You won’t have much longer before the time to explore is over, so take care of what you need to.
You’ll know when it’s time to go
The best feeling in the world is knowing when it’s time to go. By May, that’s not hard to do. Leaving is tough, but boy is it exciting. Don’t leave behind any loose ends: thank all of your teachers (even the mean ones), be nice to the underclassmen and reflect on all the good times you had. Oh my goodness, it goes by in a heartbeat. Don’t waste a second. rickycooks@tigertimesonline.com
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may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
You can always find your way back Getting lost doesn’t have to be the end by anna Cannon
editor in chief
“At this point, I’ve got a train to get on. I don’t know if it will take me uptown or downtown, toward my actual destination or a shifty station somewhere I was never supposed to end up. But life has taught me that there’s always a way back, and there will always be people willing to help you get back on your feet.”
The most eventful night of my newspaper career was St. Patrick’s Day 2016, when the publications staff went to see “Wicked” on Broadway. Right after the play, Katie Dusek told me, Jillian Cheney and Rachel Sorensen that we could meet the actors at the stage door right after the performance. We asked Smith if we could stay, and he said it was fine as long as we texted him when we got back to the hotel. We never got to meet the actors because we were directionally challenged and went right instead of left, and they were gone when we got there. Little did we know that this was the least of the evils of our upcoming directionally-challenged night. By this point, it was about 11:45, and we were seven blocks uptown from our hotel on 42nd Street. We knew that we had taken the downtown A train to the theater, but the A train was down for maintenance. Judging from the black-and-white map photocopy map taped to a nearby post, we needed to take the uptown C train until it looped back around to 42nd Street. There were only eight stops listed on the paper, so it would take about 20 minutes right? Shockingly, the loop never happened. As the street numbers got larger, we kept tabs on our journey through a succession of Snapchat geofilters. My personal favorite is the one in Morningside Heights, captioned “we’re trapped on the subway forever.” The
next is “we could die soon” in Harlem. The final one is from when we finally ran off the train in the Bronx at 181st Street; the selfloathing in our eyes is nearly palpable. We found our way back to Times Square thanks to the help of a kindly woman with a glass eye, who told us exactly which train
to take. We finally got back to the hotel around 2 a.m., after Potter came and found us at the subway station and we grouphugged in front of a group of drunk St. Patrick’s Day revelers. So if any of you are attempting to navigate the Big Apple soon, never assume that the city is small. There will never be a subway with only eight stops, and if you’re 139 blocks north of where you should be, vacate the premises and go back the way you came. If we want to get all philosophical, we can relate my subway experience to life itself. The world is a big place with lots of stops, and if you end up going the wrong way, it’s better to get off than to stick it out and hope for the best. It may be pretty scary while you’re in the middle of everything, and you may get catcalled by a drunk Irish guy, but in the end, it’ll be a funny story that you tell at parties and write your senior column about. At this point, I’ve got a train to get on. I don’t know if it will take me uptown or downtown, toward my actual destination or a shifty station somewhere I was never supposed to end up. But life has taught me that there’s always a way back, and there will always be people willing to help you get back on your feet. Even if it’s 2 a.m. in the middle of New York City. annacannon@tigertimesonline.com
Never assume you won’t fit in The first day of freshman journalism, my soon-to-be adviser Rebecca Potter stood at the front of the classroom with the word ‘assume’ written on the board. She told us, pointing to each part of the word individually, never to assume, because to assume makes ‘something’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me.’ I laughed along with the rest of the class, silently amazed that a teacher even implied such a word, which had never happened in my limited middle school experience. I had no idea then that the lesson she just taught would ring true throughout my entire high school career. If I’ve learned anything from newspaper it’s that I am wrong a whole lot. So much so that it’s pretty easy to compile a handy list about the things I’ve made assumptions about that turned out to be wrong. But I won’t subject you to that format.
I joined our prestigious organization thinking I wouldn’t fit in. I thought I wouldn’t be able to interview people because of BY Alex O’Gorman my hearing editor in chief loss, that I should just stick to writing entertainment stories (mostly in list format), that I would remain in quiet irrelevance for all three years. Now I am fully capable of writing every kind of story, both list and not. I have the fancy three word title of editor-
in-chief that goes with my name, even though I occasionally goof off when I’m supposed to be working. I thought that newspaper would be good for getting writing experience, but not much else. I had no idea that I would do as many works of art for the paper as I did write stories. On one memorable occasion I hot glued cigarettes, pill casings and fake weed onto a ‘borrowed’ skull from the art department for our issue about drugs. I assumed that the people in newspaper with me were ‘preps’ that would judge me if I showed any of my quirkiness, so I kept to myself and tried to avoid talking to my peers. Now, I feel no hesitation belting out or badly rapping a “Hamilton” song, sometimes to purposefully annoy the people who have now become my best friends. And now my peers may make fun of me for being
weirdly obsessed with Mark Ruffalo, but not in the way I was afraid of, in a way that I can laugh along to with ease. The lesson I learned by being in newspaper is one anyone can benefit from, hopefully without having to go through the trauma I went through by being a strange mixture of socially awkward and stubborn. You should approach things with an open mind, without any preconceptions of what you will and will not enjoy. When I step out of Room 50 for the last time in a few months, I will be a very different person I was when I first walked in. Being in publications has changed the way I write, the way I talk with people and my attitude about life in general without me even realizing it was happening. Potter was right: I never should have assumed. alexogorman@tigertimesonline.com
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
viewpoint
Seeing the big picture Don’t be afraid to chase your impossible dreams People have certain expectations for things they receive and the way their life plays out. We expect to make an A on a test we studied for, expect to go out on the weekend with friends and whatever else accompanies the life of a high-schooler. Some of our expectations make sense, sure. But there are a lot of things we start wanting–start expecting–that just seriously, seriously can’t happen. And watching movies and TV are a big part of why our expectations can get so outlandish they’re almost funny. Watching as many rom-coms as I have in the last four years (and suffering the expected grade drops because of them), it would be easy for me to think that any day now, I’m going to meet a handsome, young businessman (that maybe looks something like Harrison Ford in his prime) that will fall in love with me and help me rise to the top of the career ladder in the span of a few days. Unfortunately, life isn’t like a rom-com. There’s no way my life could be like “Love, Actually,” because my life is nowhere near as connected or complex: I’m not the secretary-turned-lover of Great
by Jillian Cheney editor in chief
Britain’s Prime Minister, Liam Neeson isn’t my loving single father, I don’t plan on marrying Alan Rickman only to have him cheat on me and I’m not in love with my best friend’s wife. I’m no Julia Roberts in any sense, whether it be a movie star who falls in love with Hugh Grant or a
classy escort who ends up rich. The charming ‘90s romance between Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in “You’ve Got Mail” would make it seem like online dating and relationships always, always work out. Unfortunately, swiping right for somebody on Tinder doesn’t exactly have the same romantic quality. And it’s actually impossible that I somehow went back in time and got F. Scott Fitzgerald to edit this story for mistakes (and in the meantime fall in love), like Owen Wilson in “Midnight in Paris.”
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Movies teach that the impossible, the wildly romantic can happen, but the world shows otherwise. This means I have two options: either hope for the impossible forever, or lower my expectations significantly. I don’t think I’ll do either. I’m not counting on time travel or suddenly becoming British, but there are plenty of “impossible” things that are perfectly within my reach. I can become a successful career woman with hard work; I can move to a big city and make it just like all empowered women do when they’re looking for a big change. I can be happy with myself and my life, and there’s even a chance that I’ll someday find a good match on Tinder. High expectations are acceptable, and can be wonderful, because they encourage us to keep dreaming and working for what really makes us happy and successful people rather than something mediocre. What makes you happy isn’t always as complicated as what characters get in movies, either (and usually won’t involve as much drama and heartbreak). Before you know it, your life will seem better than any movie. So maybe it’s impossible for me to end up with young Harrison Ford and automatically become rich and/ or famous in a few days. But there’s no chance I’ll stop reaching for those goals until I get the best. jilliancheney@tigertimesonline.com
The WRITE way to live
Journaling provides way to relive memories, relieve stress
BY KATIE DUSEK staff writer The feeling is almost indescribable. It is like I can feel all of the unmanageable, jumbled up feelings in my head flowing out of the tip of a pen onto the paper. With each scratch of the pen, my head begins to declutter. I feel an instant relief of pressure. As my fingers leaf through the old pages, a familiar feeling fills my chest. Nostalgia washes over me as I read page after page. The small brown notebook in my hand is filled to the brim with thoughts, memories, paintings, poems, hopes and dreams. I began documenting my life almost daily in a journal toward the beginning of my sophomore year. Before that, I had begun many journals, but my effort into keeping up with them teetered out within a few weeks of having it. I either got bored with it, or felt like I didn’t have anything worth saying. It wasn’t until I forced myself to write in it continously that I realized the true benefits of having a place to “brain dump” at the end of the day. Being able to look back two years, six months, or even one week earlier and seeing how my opinions and beliefs have changed is one of the most rewarding feelings I have ever experienced. I get to go back and recount who I used to be, even if some phases are better left untouched.
One of the best, however, most stressful weekends of my life was last January. I had four tests in AP classes, the opening night of the musical “Emma,” the district swim meet and a project due Monday morning. It was easily one of the most stressful times of life. Before the weekend started, I wrote about five pages about what I was anxious about, and what I needed to get done, and I mapped out a game plan. I loved having a place to write everything down help get me mentally prepared for the upcoming stress. Being able to create a portal into your past mind is the biggest benefit I have received from keeping a journal. By looking back, I can track myself and my emotional response to stressful situations. It has allowed me to monitor the way my feelings work, which isn’t the easiest thing to do, due to my 17-yearold brain. I feel secure when I am writing. Keeping a journal has granted me a free space to write about anything and everything. On nights when my brain feels foggy, I have a place to throw my thoughts, no matter how scattered or odd, and there is no one there to judge me. By writing, it helps take the edge off of intense, complex feelings and allows me to have a deeper understanding of why I am feeling them. Journals don’t have to only be a place where all of the darkest parts of your mind reside. For the most part, my journals are filled with good times, memories that I
photo by l. wakefield
don’t want to forget. Not only does keeping a journal allow me to walk myself through tough decisions, or convoluted feelings, but I get to document the happy memories as well. People think that journals have to be laid out in the rather cheesy, “Dear diary, today I was sad,” format. But in fact, one of the most freeing part of keeping a journal is that there are no rules. It is inexpensive, easy, and the benefits outweigh the time it takes. You can write what you want, when you want, and no one can tell you otherwise. katiedusek@tigertimesonline.com
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TRY NOT TO (DIE)T by matt Francis entertainment editor Disgust. The only emotion that I had when looking at myself in the mirror. I was massive. There was no way around that. I did not like the way I looked; I did not feel comfortable in my body. Overall, I was ashamed. I had felt this way before, but I never had the determination to anything about it. So, I continued to eat more, and continued to get even fatter. However, as I looked at pictures of my friends and I after returning from our publications trip to New York City in March 2016, I knew that sitting around being obese was not the way that I wanted to live my life. The moment that I remember more than anything is standing there, looking at my stomach and saying “you are a horrible human.” That moment started the first real “diet” I had ever participated in. From then on, I started to count
the number of calories that I was eating, as well as exercising through swimming. I hadn’t weighed myself, but I knew that I weighed somewhere close to 260 pounds when I first decided to change. I didn’t know where I wanted to be weight-wise, but I knew I wanted to weigh significantly less than I did. This journey I was embarking on was one of the hardest things that I had ever put myself through. My whole life, I would eat what I wanted and be content with it. Now, I had to control everything that I was putting into my body. I had no specific diet, no goals I had to meet and no plan. It was different, but it had its rewards. The first weeks of this new style of eating was hard. In a diet, you don’t usually see physical changes within the first month or two. This makes eating healthier and keeping junk foods away very difficult. It gives you no purpose to why you are doing this. However, when
the rewards come, they are amazing. After my first two weeks of eating healthier, I had lost 10 pounds. At this point is when I realized that dieting could possibly be a fun experience. Of course it was hard, but I saw the weight I was dropping almost like the points in a game. Whenever I lost more weight, it felt like I was winning in a sense. My weight loss journey has taken me across a span of almost 60 pounds. Through off and on healthy eating, I now sit currently at about 203 pounds. While I still feel like this adventure is not over for me, I do feel like I have made the progress that I was looking for. I’m happier than I was. I used to be a person who thought that dieting was annoying and the people that did it could not possibly last through it. Now, I know that if me, an average kid in high school can lose almost 60 pounds in a year, anyone can do it. mattfrancis@tigertimesonline.com
BEFORE
AFTER
JUMP OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM
Everyone in high school is somehow interconnected by TYE shelton
sports editor BY TYE SHELTON
sports editor
“In my high school experience, my river has been built and flows steady, the end of my river is coming and the mouth of the river is soon to come. I will slowly flow into the ocean of reality and the real world.”
Rivers are one of the most intricate bodies of waters that exist in the natural world. Ranging in size, depth and makeup, there is no river that can match another. Like rivers, there is no same high school experience for two students. Every experience and person is unique. There are rivers who are popular and dominate, becoming a key character in development as has the Mississippi River; there are people who base who they are based on popularity. Reputation and perception of their being is what consumes them at all times. Some rivers are soft and calm, others have dangerous currents that are “enter at your own risk.” Other rivers have a calm flow, but undercurrents can become sly, secretive, lethal risks, just as people encounter during their high school experience.
Like a river, we as people and teens are products of our surroundings and past influences that shape us into what we become. A harsh eroding chemical can act as a key shaping agent toward a river’s banks. Just as a toxic relationship can twist how one person perceives others, ultimately creating the boundaries or “banks” of the person. We have people and activities within our lives that we could not live without, or that we struggle to eliminate as it brings us down. Just as a river’s ecosystem function depends primarily on how said intricate individuals interact with the water, kids in high school can transform themselves into whatever they envision themselves to be, depending on who they surround themselves with. Certain rivers can be tucked away, not to be found on any map or any GPS, and only to be found if one is to truly search for it.
These people can be found in high school, people who do go under the radar not seeking the attention of others. Not needing to have constant affirmation of everything they do, they just keep doing as they have always done. These individuals become special to those who have found the river and have decided to hold onto it, not letting it compare to others. In my high school experience, my river has been built and flows steady, the end of my river is coming and the mouth of the river is soon to come. I will slowly flow into the ocean of reality and the real world. There lies many more challenges and intricacies that my past has prepared me for. My water flows on as I keep going, having used the past four years at Texas High to allow myself to find my identity as a person–a person who is confident in who I have become, ready to take on any disaster life is to throw my way. tyeshelton@tigertimesonline.com
Lead a dog’s life
Dachshund provides valuable lessons to aid in getting through high school k. moreland
by lauren potter in depth and design editor
Don’t Hold Grudges
I am sure mostly everyone is aware that I am the mother to a beautiful, chestnut-haired weenie pup whom the majority of my life revolves around. It’s typical of me to be writing my final story about my dog, Julie. But to me, my dog has been so much more than an animal to greet me at the door when I get home at the end of the day. She has helped me get through everyday I’ve had to endure at Texas High School and taught me the best way to live.
Always Stay Positive
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I’m sure any dog owner has noticed that dogs don’t sit around and wallow in self pity. Julie has had a particularly rough life: she was abused, then paralyzed, got neuritis, started to go into renal failure due to a bladder stone and now has cataracts, but her tail is always wagging (except for when she was paralyzed, duh). No matter what she goes through, she knows it’s going to get better. So, when you fail a test, fail a class, get dumped or the unimaginable happens go pet a pup and smile.
If you’ve heard me talk about Julie at all, you have probably gathered that she’s quite the troublemaker. Since Julie was paralyzed, she now has to wear a diaper 24/7 or else there will be pee everywhere. However, Julie has figured out how to rip these diapers off and shred them. She also likes to shred anything that can be shredded and even tear the stuffing out of her toys and drag it over the house. And then there’s the bark. She barks and barks at anyone, anything and any noise. And of course, anytime Julie does this I scold her. Then she gives me those sad puppy dog eyes, and five seconds later she’s running around with a smile. Dogs don’t stay mad. We leave them all day long to go to school or work and are welcomed back home by being attacked with kisses. In high school, it’s easy to get mad, cut off people and hate them forever. But is that really any way to live? Take it from an always happy dog, holding grudges won’t improve anything.
Do What You Love
Julie has no regrets. If she wants to
inspiring. Participating in something you hate is going to make you miserable. High school is short, and you have so many opportunities to do things you actually want to do. Do what you love, not what your parents want you to do and not what all your friends are doing. These four years are about you, do what you want to make the best of it.
Live in the Moment
eat the whole bowl of food, she’s gonna do it. She wants to rip off her diaper, done. She wants to wake me up at 3 a.m. so I can re-tuck her into her bed, then she’s gonna bark until I get up. She always does what she wants, no matter the consequences. I know this is much easier to do in a dog’s world, but it’s still
Julie puts all of herself in everything she does. If she’s gonna bark at someone, she puts all her energy into that moment, and she’s gonna bark so hard until she poops (I am not at all exaggerating). When she runs, she’s gonna run as fast as she can. She doesn’t lie around dwelling on that food she didn’t eat last night or the rude thing my brother said to her. She’s focused on the now. When they tell you high school goes by fast, they aren’t kidding. So when you’re out with your friends actually be there. Don’t let life’s little worries get in the way of enjoying all the moment, even the bad ones. laurenpotter@tigertimesonline.com
What goes up must come down by GRACE HICKEY
viewpoint and copy editor
“The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another...You give, and you take away.”
Physics teaches lessons outside of classroom I hate physics. Seriously. It was the bane of my existence and made junior year my personal living hell. But even though I will never understand the science as well as Mr. Schirmer, I did learn a few things: Get a Chegg account. All of the answers to the MasteringPhysics homework are on there. Find a study group that you can get off track with. Working on diagrams by yourself for three hours will make you literally (read: figuratively) die of boredom. Newton’s Third Law: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Obviously one of these is not like the other (hint: it’s the third one), but it is the only thing that has ever made real sense, that can explain that class– that can explain
high school. I have spent the past four years trying to leave my mark on this school– joining every club, saying yes to every activity, staying at the school into ungodly hours of the night. All that time, I thought that my experience was only externally impactful. But I have come to realize that all my time spent at this place has had an internal impact as well. It was in the exhaustion I felt after yet another late night. It was in the anticipation I felt after every time I turned in a test, religiously refreshing knoMi every five seconds. It was in the swelling pride that engulfed me at the end of a show, or a student council meeting, or when we finally got the newspaper finished, just minutes before deadline. It is in the people that I have encountered here– people that I thought were supposed to be mere stepping stones to the ones you meant in college when it mattered. People that have impacted me with such a force that it seems that they have somehow fused themselves into my memories. The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or
destroyed, only transferred from one form to another. I think that relates to Newton’s third law as well. You give, and you take away. The only thing is, at the end of my four years in these halls, even after feeling as though I had no more energy to give, I find it unfathomable that I could have left half of the impact on this place that high school has had on me. I can’t have possibly given it a fraction of the memories and friends it has given me, but I guess that is why college has to take one of those things away. But that’s okay. It’s how science works. Energy is constantly moving and transferring; the time in which you get to hold it is fleeting. So, to you, the underclassmen: Give your four years everything you have, and cherish the time you have here because once the hard part of high school is over, the good part is too. You have take one impact with the other, and hope that maybe somehow, you can leave an impact too. And you can start with paying more attention in physics than I did. gracehickey@tigertimesonline.com
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may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
Reeling in the memories My hallway
history
By JOHN DEBENPORT staff writer Senior year is not easy. Everyone thinks that you can just slack off and do nothing, which is not true, at all. The year starts off with rushing to get college applications done, with football season, regular school work and every single extracurricular demanding all of your attention. Now just wait until Christmas, everyone is pushing you to decide where you are going to college, and you feel rushed to get everything done. Then in the spring scholarship applications, and college preparations will help the overbearing weight of schoolwork crush you as you prepare for AP tests, and then suddenly you find yourself a month away from graduating. Being busy is not necessarily a bad thing. My senior year has been extremely hectic, but it’s been one of the best years if my life. In order to be successful though, you have to find a release. For some, stress ends when they can be with a girlfriend or boyfriend, play their favorite sport, or do their favorite hobby. For me, however, I found my comfort in fishing with my father. If you saw me walking around school, fishing would not be the first way that you would expect me to spend my Saturdays, but since I could hold a rod, I’ve been itching to get to the nearest lake. Over the past couple years, I
lost interest and I hardly went with my dad when he would ask, I would usually say I had something better to do. Thankfully, at the end of junior year, I got “hooked” after catching the biggest bass of my life at 9 pounds. Since then, every chance I get I beg my dad to load up the boat and go to the closest lake. Out on the lake, nothing else matters besides you and the fish, and of course the people you’re with. For me the biggest blessing is the time that I’ve gotten to spend with my dad. We have always been close, but the past 12 months, getting up at 5 in the morning to go to any lake in the area has made us
closer than ever. The man is not only my father and role model, he is also my best friend. If I could have one wish, it would be that I spent more of my Saturdays on the lake with him. It’s perhaps the most peaceful part of my life, and will no doubt be the part that I miss most about this town. So, my one piece of advice for anyone going into senior year, is to find your peace. Find what takes you away from the stress of the world and take advantage of being able to do that with the people that you love, because before you know it, your time will be up and everything that you loved will be a memory. johndebenport@tigertimesonline.com
If there is one thing I could stress to every underclassman it would be, in the hallways it is every man for himself. If you have not learned this by now, it’s OK, your epiphany about the ways of class transitions will come one day. The hallways have given me many of the memories I hold about my time here. My junior year I was hit with a corn dog at 8:30 a.m., I am still curious as to why and how, and again, why. This, however, I don’t think is an unusual start to the day here. The weird experiences, unfortunately, don’t stop there. This year I have seen a group of girls walking down By Ashlyn Sander the hallway business manager eating pork chops. I wouldn’t have thought of this as out of the ordinary, but it was an hour and a half before lunch. Again, I am still curious as to how and mostly, why? And where do you get pork chops at 9 a.m.? My most traumatic event in the hallways of Texas High was actually in the PAC, but for the sake of my story I am considering this a hallway. I was about to come around a corner when a freshman came running full speed, I dodged him, but in the midst of dodging him another one came out of nowhere. I watched my life flash before my eyes. This freshman knocked me completely off my feet and if someone hadn’t been behind me I would have been knocked flat on my back. I was sore for the next two days. You know who you are freshman boy and I am still bitter. I can’t talk about the hallways without talking about the kids that run through the hallways. First of all, it’s not that serious. I promise you have an adequate amount of time to get to class. However, if you feel the need to run the class for the exercise or you simply enjoy running then more power to you, I genuinely have respect for you and your determinedness. So, thank you Texas High hallways, you have given me memories that I will most likely never forget. It will be a strange experience not preparing to go to battle every class transition next year. However, I must say I will not miss you. ashlynsander@tigertimesonline.com
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community
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
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in-depth
May 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
Glorifying violence in media filters down to everyday lives by jillian cheney
editor in chief Her eyes are bloodshot from staring at the screen for so long. His thumb cramps after hitting the ‘action’ button so many times. But there’s nothing wrong with playing a few hours of video games, or marathoning “The Godfather” trilogy back to back with James Bond and the Avengers. Because his avatar just got the full upgrade– machine guns and knives and the best outfit– and that one scene when he wakes up with a real, bloody horse head is just so gross (and really, really cool.) And the next time someone bumps into him in the hallway, or tweets something rude at her on Twitter, they’ll do what they’ve been taught by the world around them: they’ll fight. Fighting to defend honor, resolve arguments or just simply stay alive isn’t a new concept: historical figures such as Alexander Hamilton and others were killed in duels, a method that dates back almost to the beginning of recorded history. And while duels were usually fatal (and were thankfully outlawed in America over a century ago) the concept of fighting one-on-one to achieve a certain purpose has endured. “It’s a power issue,” local psychologist Andrea Cooper said. “A lot of times, they feel powerless at home, so [fighting] gives them power.” Each person has their own past, and the experiences in it shape the behavior exhibited by teenagers and beyond. Often, these experiences cause behaviors that quickly become harmful. “[Clients] had families that didn’t care for them or weren’t there for them,” Cooper said. “And were using drugs or prostituting. So their rule is: you can go be a prostitute for money, you can go steal for money. For a lot of my clients, if you got them out of that environment they’d do better. It’s why it’s so important to be a nurturing parent.” Though family life and other environmental factors can impact on whether a person develops violent tendencies, sometimes they occur naturally. “Some teenagers are disposed to these antisocial tendencies,” Cooper said. “Antisocial means you don’t go by society’s rules. When you see someone with a pattern of aggression, that’s definitely a red flag. When you get into one fight, that doesn’t mean antisocial. These people are just wired differently.” Regardless of a natural issue or a difficult home environment, social media, video games and movies can have a large impact on violence as well because they’re forms of entertainment commonly consumed by teenagers. “A lot of things play into [fights] like social media, video games and bullying,” Cooper said. “I think we’ve all seen ‘wars’ on Facebook and
social media, and all of that does start there.” When it comes to fights that happen at school, social media usually has a great impact because the fight has been planned out after an altercation on a social networking site. “Our experience has been that it’s something that happened off campus,” principal Brad Bailey said. “Whether it’s on social media, someone looked at them wrong, they didn’t like someone from middle school or they talked to their ex-boyfriend. It can be a number of reasons.” But it is rare for a fight to happen between just two people. For each person involved in the fight, there are friends, significant others and interested bystanders that crowd around to watch or film the entire event, all seeking the entertainment in watching two people fight. And, unfortunately, the use of fighting as a means for public entertainment is nothing new, either. The Roman Colosseum, built around 80 AD, had a grand opening of a 100 day period of “games,” including gladiator duels and animal fights, in which a single man would face off against a lion or another large predator. Although it may come as a surprise, people have enjoyed watching fights and desired to participate in them even before the days of WWE and WorldStar videos. “Wanting to see something that you’re not used to is part of human nature,” Cooper said. “You’re not the one getting punched, hit, kicked or whatever else. Some people think, ‘I’m glad it’s them and not me.’ We just have a fascination with violence.” This fascination doesn’t necessarily mean that anyone wants to witness murder or extreme brutality, it can be just as entertaining if it has any type of shock value, even to the point of glorifying the act over the damage it caused. “You don’t see the end where the kid has got black eyes, or somebody’s in the hospital,” Cooper said. “You’re seeing this exciting event, but the consequences of it are bad. So just know that these kids can get seriously hurt.” Ultimately, not everyone who gets into a fight is doomed to a horrible future, and not everyone who has watched a fight is sick and twisted. But it doesn’t change the fact that violent video games and popular culture can have a harmful impact on reality. “You have to ask: can you handle the difference between life and a game?” Cooper said. “If you’re spending all your hours playing video games, you’re not participating in your life, which is bad. But video games aren’t the root of all evil. It’s like anything else: are you overindulging? Are you looking at the screen and saying: oh, I can steal this car, I can kill this person. I’m good at this game, so maybe I’ll be good with a real gun. That’s just not the way to do it.” jilliancheney@tigertimesonline.com
Texas legislature introduces bill that would limit use of pepper spray in public schools By Anna Cannon editor in chief The Texas state legislature has introduced a bill to restrict the use of pepper spray, tasers and stun guns at school or schoolsponsored events. The bill was sent to the Committee of Public Education in March and has been in committee since, meaning it has yet to be voted on by the whole legislature. Under the bill, OC sprays (which is the chemical that pepper spray is derived from) may only be used during a riot or when three or more students pose an imminent threat to students, teachers or police officers. Tasers or stun guns can only be used if a student has a weapon or poses a threat to someone’s life. None of these can be used as punishment or to prevent property loss. Sprays may only be used in foam or gel form to prevent exposure to anyone besides the intended target.
taking
CONTROL of teen VIOLENCE how does the media ENCOURAGE fighting?
HEAVY PRICE to
of girls who 49% play M-rated video
29%
VICTORIA PEREZ, 11
“People see fights as a form of entertainment because you watch movies and you see gunfights or fist fighting. There are boxing movies. There are wrestling matches broadcasted on TV. People like to see the interaction of people hurting each other. Its dumb but it’s what people see through entertainment.”
“In music, [artists] always ecourage violence. They talk about guns and beating people up, and they make it seem like it’s not a big deal to go to jail. People just like to see and listen to drama because their lives are boring.
AILEEN TRAN, 11
JAKE WEEMS, 11 photos by r. sizemore
“Grand Theft Auto,” which contains themes such as drugs, violence and sexual content, was the video game to gross
fastest $1 billion
PAY
Consequences set in place for violent action on campus
games reported getting in a physical fight, compared to of girls who don’t play M-rated games
“Twitter has fight club accounts that are popular, and the videos make it seem like it’s fun. The people glorify it because they yell and cheer on [the ones] who are fighting in the videos. Aside from violence, a lot of celebrities and other people will egg on drama and rude comments to each other which can also support the idea that rudeness is okay.
Spray, Tasers or stun guns can only be used when all other options have been exhausted. Since the bill hasn’t passed, Texas High is still allowed to use pepper spray when administrators deem it necessary to break up a fight. If it does pass, the law will become mandatory starting Sept. 1, making it relevant to the next school year. However, pepper spray is rarely used here, and administrators can usually break up a fight by using physical intervention. “We attempt to [break up fights] by restraint and escorting students to different parts of the campus,” associate principal Richard Stahl said. “I would like to think that students would respond and act correctly out of character and respect, not because we are carrying ‘pepper spray.’ So far, we have used the restraint training, and it has been very successful.” annacannon@tigertimesonline.com
Many people often tend to get caught up in the heat of the moment and find themselves in a situation that turns violent. The school has policies set in place to evaluate the incident and provide a consequence for the action. The mistreatment of others is classified as using profanity or vulgar language. It also may include fighting or threatening a district student, employee or volunteer. Engaging in bullying, harassment, making hit lists or participating in conduct that constitutes sexual or genderbased harassment or sexual abuse will also lead to consideration of punishment. The school has different levels of punishment such as detention, ISS and DAEP. Administration considers various factors when deciding the punishment for the students involved in a fight. This includes self-defense, intent or lack of intent at the time the student engaged in the conduct, the student’s disciplinary history or any disability that substantially impairs the student’s ability to understand their own wrongdoing. These regulations are part of the THS Student Code of Conduct.
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community
May 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
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feature
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
ten
The
most memorable moments from
2017
As the year draws to a close, we take a look at the noteworthy events that made 2016-2017 one for the books
TRIPPIN’ OUT The band, Tiger Theater Company and Texas HighSteppers all took trips to the east coast. From dancing in the snow, making music in the sun and trying to make a name on Broadway, those on the trips agreed that their experiences were unforgettable.
Getting LIT
DODGE FOR DUSTY The school-wide dodgeball tournament, the Dust Bowl, was established not only to honor Dusty Waldrep but to raise scholarship money for a senior who shows outstanding leadership abilities and is also an active community volunteer. Many students came out to show their support and see which team would take home the trophy.
Students laughed, cried, and some even forgot their grade level dance at the playoff bonfire, but the class of ‘17 will always remember this special night. A traditional and nostalgic night, this was one of the first of many times the senior class would have to say goodbye to THS.
KICK OFF THE YEAR The student body and senior class officers set the tone for the year by planning a blackout back-to-school bash. The Kickback raised money for the Thirst Project and brought many schools together to celebrate the year to come.
CHEERS OR JEERS?
SNAPPIN’ PICS
Controversy over tryout scoring resulted in those on the junior varsity cheerleading team being moved to the varsity squad. Sophomores, juniors and seniors merged to form one super squad of 23 cheerleaders. Things will be back to normal with the three squads next year.
Snapchat is a huge staple in the life of a typical teenager. Thanks to freshman Colton Minter, Texas High can finally hop on the geofilter bandwagon and be recognized as a place worthy of its own logo.
STRENGTH IN COLORS
FRIDAY NIGHT FASHION Students spent their Friday nights at football games for a reason other than just to watch the sport. Every home game had a special theme to get students pumped up and ready to support the varsity football players. From neoncolored faces to American flag bandanas, even the other teams remember the memorable student section.
ONE LAST ROUND The varsity football team had a great run this year, claiming the title of District Champs with a 10-0 record. Spirits and expectations high, the Tiger community was devastated when the football team lost 30-27 against West Mesquite in Royce City.
When senior Mayten Lumpkin was involved in a life-threatening diving accident that left him with paralysis, the school banded together and wore yellow to support his recovery. Seven months later, when a Mt. Pleasant track coach was killed and several students injured by a collision with an 18-wheeler, students paid respects by wearing black and gold. In both cases, the student body came together and showed support for all people, especially when the going got rough.
TURN IT UP Sophomore Eryn McDonald made her DJ debut at this year’s Sadie Hawkins dance, and although things started off rocky, the night was a huge success in large part to McDonald’s DJ skills.
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feature
the
WEIGHT of the WORLD
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
Faced with declining health and self-esteem, junior overcomes anorexia
by eleanor schroeder news editor She’s too fat. She’s too skinny. She’s too ugly. She’s too pretty. She walks down the hallway overhearing one of those remarks wondering if they were meant for her. She begins to linger in the mirror for a second longer trying to understand how she can be so imperfect. Her self-confidence plummets as she begins to judge herself for every pinch of skin she labels as fat. She becomes conscious of her appearance to the point of obsession. What started out as harmlessly skipping a meal, soon escalated and before she knew it, she wasn’t getting enough calories to function. The spiral began and she felt trapped. Junior Sara Ottinger’s body begged for nourishment as she counted every calorie until her frame had no energy left. Ottinger suffered an eating disorder that controlled her life. Although she was never considered to be overweight growing up, she began to lose weight after her freshman year following her wisdom teeth surgery. “At the time it seemed like no big deal, but since eating was so difficult and painful I typically did not,” Ottinger said. “This was okay however, because I was being given smoothies or milkshakes whenever I did eat, so even though I didn’t eat much, my food was very calorically dense, making it easy for me to get enough throughout the day.” Yet, as she healed, her unhealthy eating habits remained. “When I got back to following my somewhat normal healthy-eating lifestyle, because my appetite was so little, only a couple pieces of fruit or a few bites of a sandwich would easily fill me up,” Ottinger said. “I began to lose weight like crazy and within the span of one summer I lost 15 pounds. Because I was already skinny to begin with, everyone at school the following August noticed quickly that something was wrong, but that was only the beginning of it all.” Her disorder quickly escalated and became extremely dangerous to her health. “Once I got so skinny, even though I knew that I needed to gain some weight, it was really hard to do,” Ottinger said. “Being so small made being a normal weight ‘fat’ in my eyes, and it was like I couldn’t help myself. Then, because I was depriving myself of the nutrients to eat in addition to running around five miles a day, my muscle started to diminish drastically, causing me to not only lose more weight but to slow down my metabolism as well.” Although she knew that she was destroying her body, she felt more confident and continued to regulate her diet and workout. “With the metabolism slowing and lack of muscle, it made it so much harder to be happy with the person I saw in the mirror, so I ate less,” Ottinger said. “I became obsessed with calories and fats that I almost guarantee
photo by m. bonner
TOO MANY THOUGHTS Junior Sara Ottinger is focused on staying positive about her self-confidence by reminding herself of her self-worth and value. She wants other teenagers to realize that they were made unique and beautiful, and there is no justification for deprivation.
that to this day if someone were to ask the calories in any fruit, I would be able to tell them easily. I was also on such a strict diet schedule that I ate the exact same things every day at 6, after my run, 10:30, noon, 3:00 and 7:30.” Eventually, she realized that her goal of selfconfidence was not in sight, and perhaps she was stretching further from it. Everything she had been trying to change about herself warped into an overwhelming insecurity. “It was a slow and gradual process but eventually, I got down to around 80 pounds and the irony of it all was that I still wasn’t happy,” Ottinger said. “As the old insecurities faded, new ones rose. Insecurity about my stomach, cheeks and legs were replaced with ones about protruding bones, yellowing skin and my hair falling out constantly.” Ottinger began to learn the true pains and realities of an eating disorder. “Eventually, in about April of my sophomore year, I just got tired of feeling sad and sorry for myself and began researching ways to get healthy again,” Ottinger said. “In my research, I not only found certain healthy eating habits that contradicted my own but that I deserve more. I was eating less than half of the calories than what I should and not nearly enough fats or proteins, which was the cause of my hair thinning and weakening muscles. I found that I could be healthy without the constant hunger pangs in my stomach or feeling as if I couldn’t even attend social events in fear of having to watch them eat food that I wasn’t ‘allowed’ to
have.” She began to ignore any feelings of self-consciousness and understand she needed to change her lifestyle if she wanted to live. “My entire vision of what healthy eating was had been so skewed for almost a year, and it was so sad that I couldn’t originally see it,” Ottinger said. “I finally began to actually listen to those who loved and cared about me and made a conscious effort to eat more. Because she is a registered dietitian, my sister even gave me a meal plan to follow until I started to regulate my weight again. Though it was hard, I had to eventually get over being so stubborn in my meal choices and be able to put trust in those who knew what was truly best for me in order to save me from myself.” This challenge gave Ottinger valuable lessons about beauty that every teenager struggles with. “If I had to give any advice to other girls struggling with their body image, I would just tell them that they are worth so much more than what they look like, and that what they are doing right now is just going to make getting over it in the future so much more difficult,” Ottinger said. “The amount of muscle decreases and they eat less, the human body adjusts, which just causes their metabolism to slow down. This means that once someone goes through an eating disorder it just makes it that much longer to be able to eat a normal amount of food again. Also, all that comes with eating less can be very impactful in how well someone does in school, everyday activities and life in general.” eleanorschroeder@tigertimesonline.com
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
feature
RUNNING HER PASSIONS
19
Overcoming fear of unsuccessful career brings forth ambition by omar matos staff writer A frustrated sigh escapes as she takes in the performance of the football team in front of her. She yearns to be on the field, directing the players to victory. With one last glance at the scoreboard, she begrudgingly resumes her position on the sidelines, and cheers on the team. Junior Khyla Lewis dreams about one day becoming a football coach; a goal most would not regard within reach. Lewis believes her sex could possibly hold her back from reaching her aspirations. “I grew up in a football family, pretty much my entire family played football. It’s just always been something really dominant in our house,” Lewis said. “Every Saturday [and] every Sunday it’s always football. It’s always been a really big deal so I’ve always really had a passion for it.” Although arguably the most popular sport in America, classmates and other people tend to doubt that she has a legitimate interest in the sport. “All the time when I tell people that I like football, guys will try to quiz me like ‘Oh you don’t even know what this is, or what that is’ but I mean I really do love it,” Lewis said. “I have always enjoyed it, and over time it has really grown into a passion. I love watching it, I love experiencing it. I like learning about the players,
photo by a. parker
MAKING THE PLAYS Junior Khyla Lewis wishes to be a football coach. Previously, she doubted her abilities to enter such a male-dominated work field, but now she is choosing to chase her passions.
and their life stories. It’s just a really fun thing to get into.” Although she can’t exactly play on the team, she makes up for it with a spot on varsity cheer. “I’m a cheerleader now, so I’m kinda on the field,” Lewis said. “It’s a really good experience right now, but I
want to go further into my love for football.” She used to dismiss her aspirations of becoming a coach because she didn’t think it was realistic; she originally thought she would go to college to study medicine. However, after some personal contemplation, she decided to do what makes her the happiest. “Last year I was thinking about what I really wanted to do, or whether or not to go after my passions, because I really wanted to go into the medical field, but then again, I love sports. So I was kind of conflicted between the two. Recently I just decided that this is really what I want to do.” Lewis believes that sports are typically dominated by men, with coaches and athletic directors constituting mostly as men. “Every time I tell people I want to be a coach they say ‘oh do you have a backup plan?’ And like usually for boys, that is their backup plan,” Lewis said. “But for me, since I’m a girl, they don’t think that I can actually do it. That’s just why I need to work harder because I have to prove myself. I really think it sucks that sports are associated with boys. I mean anybody can like sports; it’s not a boy or girl thing. I just have a passion for sports. In the future, Lewis would like to attend college in Louisiana and pursue a degree in sports administration. “[I want to go to] LSU,” Lewis said. “They have a really good athletic program, and it’s not too far from home.” omarmatos@tigertimesonline.com
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feature
FORGING HER OWN PATH
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com photo by a.k. jordan
Ability to come to terms with family leads to happiness By lindsey egger staff writer She felt secluded–an outsider in her own family. The unbearable tension between her relatives and the lack of friends she had at school left her feeling completely alone. She didn’t see anything left to live for, so that night she made the decision to pack up her belongings and leave her current life. To her, it was the only route of escape, the only supposed “light at the end of the tunnel.” Junior Courtnee Cheek ran away last summer to California, in search of a new future. For her, it was a chance to have a new start. She returned after a month and a half which gave her the life she has today: a life full of acceptance and friends, a life where she is no longer alone. “I didn’t fit in with my family. We
always argued, and I didn’t have many friends at my old school so I felt like I had no reason to stay,” Cheek said. “It felt like everyone hated me for no reason, and all I ever thought about was how I was the ugly girl at Redwater, surrounded by pretty ones.” Her friend had a condo in California and offered her the chance to live there. With the new plan in mind, she dyed her hair bright pink and disguised herself. They were going to get jobs and start over, in an attempt to abandon any last traces of her former life. “When [they] told me their plan, I agreed because I was wanting a better life so I just took off one day,” Cheek said. “[In California] I didn’t feel unwanted. I felt free from judgment, and honestly, it was the only fun I’ve had in awhile and that’s why I still don’t regret it.” However, this feeling of bliss came
RUNAWAY Junior Courtnee Cheek ran away to California because she wanted to escape her unhappy life in Texarkana. After she was found and returned home, her life changed for the better.
to an end just a month and a half after moving in with her friend. She got into a car wreck and was identified by the police as a runaway, resulting in her being sent home. As her parents had been divorced since they were seven years old, she moved in with her mom and moved from Redwater to Texas High. “When the cops pulled up behind me it was scary at first, but I mean who wouldn’t be scared of that. After a while it got better when I realized they just wanted to get me home,” Cheek said. “I don’t regret it because I love life at Texas High, and my mom and I get along better, so I think it was meant to happen because I’m happy now.” The change of schools, along with living with her mom sent her life moving
in a positive direction. Of course, there were punishments and regulations as consequence for running away. After having her personal belongings taken away, she realized that being obedient towards her parents would initiate good incentives, such as the keys to her car after six months of suitable behavior and high grades. “I had shelter [and] somewhere to sleep, food and water. Even though the food was sandwiches, it’s all I needed so I was okay with it,” Cheek said. “I got used to the punishments because I understood them. I just didn’t dwell on them too much.” Switching from her father’s home to her mother’s was difficult. Her mother’s financial struggles influenced her, but Cheek adapted in her own way, and the support she had while adjusting to her new life allowed her to excel. “We were struggling a lot but my friends helped me a lot with rides and letting me stay over,” Cheek said. “My mom always felt bad but I knew she was trying, so I tried not to complain. I mean I had what I needed, just not a lot that I wanted.” After a couple months, she realized she wasn’t alone in life and was able to come to the conclusion that everything works out in the end. “Being with my mom made me realize our lives weren’t that awful and I knew it was going to be hard, but everything was going to get better,” Cheek said. “It was just our way of life.” lindseyegger@tigertimesonline.com
Positive outlook allows freshman to live life to the fullest By JOHN MORGAN staff writer He listens to the common lectures that all freshmen hear in the classroom. He engages in conversation with your typical group of high school students. He cheers on the sidelines as the Tigers score in the heart of the student section. But his story goes beyond the average teenage scenario. Freshman TJ Wall is someone who is able to see beyond his hindrances and live his life to his fullest extent. Born with spinal muscular atrophy type 2, which inhibits him to stand or walk, he chooses to look past this to keep a positive outlook on life. “I haven’t let my disease affect me too much,” Wall said. “I can’t do everything that everyone else does, but it isn’t the end of the world.” At the age of 18 months, Wall’s parents noticed that he couldn’t do as many things as most kids his age. When taken to a doctor, he was diagnosed with a case of muscular deterioration.
“People with type 1 muscular atrophy typically die,” Wall said. “The doctors thought I’d be dead by the age of 2. I’m still here, so I guess they’re wrong. I got my first chair when I was 3. [Despite that], I still go to school, do homework and hang out with family like most people do.” Wall’s muscular disease has made him prone to pneumonia and other illnesses over the years. When he was 12, his lung suddenly collapsed, and he wound up in a hospital bed in Little Rock. “At the time, I tried not to think too much about it,” Wall said. “I just had to go with the flow even though it sucked sometimes. I was able to miss school, though, so that was a plus.” Despite his differences, Wall has been surprised by the reception he has had from his peers. Instead of judging or negating him, his friends have given him the utmost acceptance. “I had felt as if being out in public that I would receive different treatment from people,” Wall said. “The people around
me have made me extremely happy over time. I wouldn’t wish to be treated any way else.” Outside of his school life, Wall is an aspiring lyricist on the side. He records rap music that contains uplifting messages which he derives from personal experiences and those of others. “I got in a rap battle against some people in fifth grade one time, and several people enjoyed it,” Wall said. “After that, I decided to write a Christian rap song. It got a good reaction, so I’ve continued making music ever since.” Wall acclaims his optimism to his faith and the support of his friends and family. He has devotedly attended a local church during the highs and lows that have marked his life. “God put me here for a reason,” Wall said. “I believe this is all a part of his plan. I have learned not to worry too much about life and let Him do what he does.” As he has gone about life, he has stayed determined to find a bright spot in every situation where darkness may loom.
photo by a. kift
STAY POSITIVE Born with type 2 muscular atrophy, freshman TJ Wall shares his optimism and faith.
“While you’re alive, go ahead and live life to the fullest,” Wall said. “Make the most of what you have, and have as much fun as you can along the way.” johnmorgan@tigertimesonline.com
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
feature
Living in memory
Son lives life to pay tribute to mom by victoria van staff writer Numbness overcame his body and his senses spiraled out of reach. He tried to feel for the emotion but the disconnect severed his feelings. The most important person in his life had been reduced to an absence in this world. As he’s waited for the realization to stop lingering and settle into reality, happy memories flashed from before she was ill, the times where he learned to be who he is today. With this, he firmly straightened and stood strong, for his mother. During fall of last year, junior DaShawn Hill’s mother developed health problems that left many doctors confused. Consequently, she was given prescriptions not tailored to her needs, and the family wasn’t sure how to make light of the situation. “I wanted to keep thinking she’ll be OK when she started getting sick,” Hill said. “The illness crept in suddenly without much of a warning. The doctors didn’t think her condition was too serious, but soon her sickness progressed to heart and breathing problems.” Hill has been supporting his family since his mother’s sickness inhibited her ability to work. As the backbone of the family, the long hours were
necessary to take care of the house. “When my mom started getting sick, I decided to get a job to help pay the bills my mom was slowly starting to get behind in,” Hill said. “I knew I had school but any extra money was to help our family. I worked for hours on end, trying to earn as much as I could.” Daily reminders by Hill’s mother encouraged him to take care of his family at an early age. To this day, he remembers the importance of his mother’s words. “My mom would tell me all the time ‘don’t depend on other people’ because she knew that being dependent on others is something that won’t help you in life,” Hill said. “She wanted me to be independent and be successful on my own and take care of my family.” To counteract the negative circumstances surrounding his mother, he was able to find positivity within others and within himself. Hill found the good within his loss to portray a positive attitude and to set an example for others. His beliefs have also played a crucial part in allowing Hill to express his feelings and know there’s always someone to aid him. “People give me advice on how to stay positive, so I try and use those tips in person, referring to scriptures in the Bible to keep me going during
21 photo by a. kift
MOVING FORWARD Junior DaShawn Hill cherishes the words and memories his mother left him. He is now pursuing a successful education in hopes of fulfilling his mother’s wishes.
“In the end, my mom let go, but I still haven’t let go of the way she made my family happy in our lives. I want her to know that her joy will still be with us, and I’ll be sure to impact everyone around me like she did.” DaShawn Hill, 11 hard times,” Hill said. “My beliefs have helped me in all parts of my life, and my mom wanted me to continue looking up to the Lord. I believe my community has been a large part in helping me get over her loss.” As his mother’s illness progressed, visitations to the hospitals increased. However, despite the separation, their
connection still remained strong even through long distance. Yet, their daily conversations suddenly came to a halt when his mother was no longer physically with the family. The phone call he received was expected, but the shock wasn’t short of powerful. “She got sent off to Dallas and we FaceTimed on her
birthday, and we told each other how much we loved each other,” Hill said. “The day after that at church, I was planning on talking to her but I soon found out that she passed. I knew the call was going to come, but I still wanted her to be with my family and me.” Reflecting on her influence, his hopes remain in continuing with his education. His mother started college at a later age, yet her dedication and determination carried her onward. Hill finds his mother to be his primary encouragement in succeeding in life. “I’m focused on pursuing my education into college just like my mom,” Hill said. “I’ve always wanted to go but she has given me the
extra motivation to stay in school for my best interests. She’s not with me anymore, but I know she’s still taking care of me.” His mother was a symbol for what he strived to be as an adult: strong, inspiring and a persevering soul. Despite the tribulations his family has experienced, Hill is determined to continue being a role model to his sisters and work diligently. “In the end, my mom let go, but I still haven’t let go of the way she made my family happy in our lives,” Hill said. “I want her to know that her joy will still be with us, and I’ll be sure to impact everyone around me like she did.” victoriavan@ tigertimesonline.com
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community
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
SENIORS MAKE WAY TO STATE
sports
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photo by m. bonner
SWINGING FOR THE CUP Senior Kasey Kane looks on as her shot approaches the hole. Kane will compete in the UIL 5A state golf at the Wolfdancer Golf Club in Bastrop. PERFECT RElease Senior Hannah Higgins launches her discus during a track meet held at Liberty-Eylau High School. Higgins qualified for the UIL 5A track and field state meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin.
Three-time state competitor hopes to finish strong
Golfer looks to make history in Austin
by Jhovany Perez staff writer She walks into the wide open field ready for anything. Excitement builds within her like pressure in a shook soda can as she prepares to throw her disc as far as she can. She focuses, spins and hurls the disc. Senior Hannah Higgins will be making her third trip to state in the discus throw. She placed second last year. All track and field state events will be held May 11-13 in Austin. “I feel good about going to state and that my hard work is paying off,” Higgins said. “I expect myself to go out and do the best I can and that I’ll know how to throw depending on the conditions.” As the competition rapidly approaches, she reflects on the other students that will also be competing and how well they performed at the last meets. “Our 5A school students are a little tougher this year than it has the past two years,” Higgins said. ”I expect more competition than the past two years.” From Higgins’ previous trips to state, she knows the competition is high and other people can throw further than her. “The girl with the furthest throw from regionals throws 145m and is pretty good for high school,” Higgins said. “I’m pretty consistent, so I feel like I know what I could do, I just got to go out there and just try the best I can.” Higgins hopes that all the preparations she has made this year will help her performance at the state level. “I hope to do the best I can,” Higgins said. “But again, I don’t know what the conditions are going to be. I feel ready because I put in so much work and practiced so much in perfecting my technique. I’m just ready to see what I can do with it.” jhovanyperez@tigertimesonline.com
BY MATT PRIESKORN staff writer Kasey Kane, a senior on the girls varsity golf team, is headed to the UIL state golf tournament May 15-16 after qualifying as an individual in regionals. Her road to state started at the district golf tournament in Rockwall, Texas where she placed first after shooting rounds of 72 and 76. The girls golf team also advanced as a team after earning first place as well. Regionals, however, would prove to be much more of a test as the competition became more difficult against schools such as Highland Park competing for the top spots. Kane shot rounds of 76 and 85 to finish in a threeway tie for first. Although the team did not advance, Kane’s tie for first was good enough to make it to the state golf tournament as an individual. “I’m so excited and at the same time really nervous,” Kane said. “I want to do well just because I am so competitive, but I am trying to be mindful of the fact that I play best when I am playing for fun. I’ve worked hard to get to where I’m at, so I’m just going to keep working hard and see where it gets me.” Kane is looking forward to playing with some of the best players in the state of Texas, and one could imagine that many are looking forward to playing with her as she looks to win the state golf tournament for the first time in Tiger history. “Kasey deserves the opportunity to play at state because she has an amazing work ethic and works hard,” golf coach Jay Brewer said. “The golf course at state is a very long golf course which should fit her game well since she hits it really long. I’m very proud of her.” mattprieskorn@tigertimesonline.com photo by l. maynard
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sports
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
what’s in the
BAG DRIVER
Referred to as the big stick, this club’s primary goal is for distance and accuracy. Used mainly for the first shot, the goal is to hit the driver as far and straight as you can to make the hole easier. This club also requires to be teed up.
THREE WOOD AND HYBRID
These two clubs are similar to the driver, but go slightly shorter and can be hit without using a tee. These clubs are the gap between the irons and the driver and are hit many times off the tee because they usually go straighter.
IRONS
Irons usually range from 3 iron to a 9 iron. The lower the number, the farther the shot should go. Usually the higher the number, the easier and more precise the shot will be.
WEDGES
Wedges are unique as they are measured in the degree the club is set on. For example, many players will have a 60, 54, and 50 degree wedge. The 54 is called the sand wedge and the 50 can be called the pitching wedge. These clubs are typically used around the green and for shorter and higher shots.
PUTTER
This is possibly the most well- known club in the bag. The putter is used when the ball is on the green and the player is attempting to roll the ball in the hole. Although the shortest shot, this is usually the hardest part of the golf game due to the many slopes the green has to offer.
NO PUTTS ABOUT IT
Golf provides mental, physical workout
BY MATT PRIESKORN staff writer The grueling walks after a shot, the mental warfare of six-hour rounds, the inability to keep a good round going are all components of the mental stresses that golf brings. People realize this and understand that the mental side of golf is what makes it so challenging. However, golf is not merely mental. The physical aspect of the game is actually more difficult than it seems. The reputation of golf being the “fat, beer-drinkers” sport is not 100 percent inaccurate, but for many, it is just as physically challenging as mentally. Let’s talk about the mental aspect first, as this is where many people recognize the strains of golf. Golf is arguably the most grueling mental sport. Basketball, football, soccer and others have rarely any time to think about what you are doing. In a game winning basketball shot, you simply catch the ball and shoot it based on instincts and not on any analytics. This does not take away the pressure of the situation, but the reaction time is much quicker in basketball and a decision must be made quicker, resulting in less mental stress. In golf, the strain on the mind can be quite severe. Each shot takes
ALWAYS FOCUSED Junior Mattt Prieskorn
walks down the fairway as he competes in the Tiger Classic. The Classic is a fall tournament hosted by Texas High.
anywhere from 30 to 45 seconds in preparation, leaving plenty of time for doubt to sneak in. Additionally, it takes around 2 minutes to walk between shots, allowing the player the opportunity to question each decision and has the potential to multiply the nerves already felt by the player. No other sport compares to the mental stresses that golf brings, making it one of the hardest sports in the world. The other side of this deals with the physical side of golf. You may be thinking… golf is for the weak, the fat, the people who can’t play any other sports. However, stereotypes are not reality. Walking 18 holes on a golf course is actually difficult. To start, an average golf course is about 6 miles to walk. Additionally, the
golf bag itself usually weighs around 30 pounds. The two factors added together can actually make for a grueling walk. This also does not take into account the outside forces that mother nature brings. Every golf course usually has hills, uneven terrain, and wind that makes it more physically demanding. After 18 holes, the average golfer will burn nearly 3,000 calories, comparable to sports such as basketball and football. All in all, golf might not be the most physically demanding sport, but after stresses on the mind and a 6 mile walk with 30 pounds on your back, it could make for a pretty exhausting day. mattprieskorn@tigertimesonline.com
WHERE TO PLAY IN TEXARKANA TEXARKANA COUNTRY CLUB- Located on the Arkansas side, the 103 year old golf course is arguably the best course in town. The lush, green grass, great customer service, and beautiful scenery make playing this golf course very enjoyable. To become a member of this private club, one must pay an initiation fee of $1500 and then a monthly fee of around $400, but there are many special deals for juniors and seniors. NORTHRIDGE COUNTRY CLUB- Located very near to Texas High, Northridge is another great course that Texarkana has to offer. Accompanied by a new owner, this course has had many changes for the better.
The initiation fee and monthly fees are cheaper than Texarkana Country Club. OAK GROVE GOLF CLUB- Located in Hooks, Oak Grove has been voted “Best Public Golf Course” by the Four States Magazine. This course is designed for golfers of all skill types and is a fun, family-oriented golf course. 18 holes at this course is only $30 with a cart, a very acceptable price. NEW HAVEN GOLF COURSE- Located on the Arkansas side, this public golf course is the second oldest course in town, behind TCC. Many renovations and money
have been put into improving this golf course. One can play 18 holes with a cart for $30, which, just like Oak Grove, makes this golf course very appealing to many people. THE GOLF RANCH- Located across the street from Texas A&M- Texarkana, this golf course, designed by famous golf instructor Hank Haney, is without a doubt a great place to play. Arguably the most challenging course in Texarkana, the Golf Ranch forces players to be precise. The rates for this course are also very appealing, charging only $32 for 18 holes, not including the cart. compiled by Matt Prieskorn
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
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sports
ORANGE and White Spring game brings back old tradition
photo by Alyssa Kift
BY Ricky Cooks in-depth editor The Orange vs. White Spring Football Game is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16 at 6 p.m. Playing at Tiger Stadium at Grim Park, the Tigers will be split into two teams and play against each other. “We have a new coach, and we want to see how competitive we’ll be,” sophomore Reginald Stewart said. “You can expect good football, some tackles and a lot of energy on the field.” Once a beloved tradition at school, the game was an exciting event to attend until it ended when UIL regulations rearranged practice schedules for Texas schools. “We used to always have an Orange/ White game–we had them when I was in high school, decades ago,” student activities coordinator Susan Waldrep said. “It was like a practice time: the team got practice, the cheerleaders, drill team and everyone else.” Along with the Tiger football game,
WHAT to EXPECT • Carnival events (games, food and activities) • Powder Puff • Orange/White Football Game • Powder Puff Court Announcement • Kona Ice sno-cones • Dunking booth • Face painting • Bounce houses
PRACTICING FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON The football team is practicing with their new coach, Gerry Stanford, and hope to play well next year and in the upcoming spring game.
the annual Powder Puff game will be at 5 p.m. “It’s a great opportunity to actually get to play football against the junior
girls,” senior Meagan Harris said. “It gets competitive, but at the end of the day you just have to remember that we’re all friends and want to have a good time.”
The REAL offseason BY John Morgan staff writer Sweat pours from their brows as they push through another round of sprints. Their muscles ache as they lift another set of weights. Sports drinks and water refuel them after yet another tough workout. While many students gear up to head out for the summer, certain athletes will spend their days back in practice in order to stay at top physical condition to excel against the competition. June and July can act as dead months as many high school athletes nationwide leave for vacation or various camps that see them stray away from their daily routines. This lack of energy makes for an extremely tough transition when athletes get back into their sports in August. “In the summer, you don’t want to get up early and you want to eat unhealthy,“ freshman Owen Likins said. “Staying in shape over the summer not only makes
me stronger but the entire team better.” While UIL prohibits athletic teams holding summer practices, Texas High specifically holds strength and conditioning programs for those wanting to maintain their peak physical condition. Even outside of these sessions, local gyms and neighborhoods can find teenagers running a few laps or squatting a few weights on most days. “It helps a lot in the summer to keep working out, stay in the weight room and stay hydrated,” junior Tevailance Hunt said. “When the season starts, I hope to use this training to break a few records this fall.” Other forms of athletic training in this prolonged “offseason” are summer leagues and fitness programs that are not school-affiliated, such as XLR8. Many players also engage with select teams in their respective teams which play year round and help to keep up stamina. “During the summer with XLR8, we run speed drills and do things that can translate onto the field,” sophomore
Kylee Spriggs said. “They help to keep up our agility and work on our speed.” The primary goals for summer workouts are to keep eyes on the prize and build confidence heading into the season. The continuous effort and will to succeed help to put these athletes ahead of the pack. “Teams we go up against may have guys who are bigger and stronger,” sophomore Chris Lyles said. “Training in the summer helps us to stay mentally and physically strong to go out and compete.” Staying active not only helps athletes to get prepared for when their season starts, but it allows for them stay active during a time when many lose interest and go into a hibernation from activity. “If you sit around the house all summer, you begin to get lazy,” Spriggs said. “What we do in these summer workouts will show up during games on the field. When the ball comes off the bat, we’ll be ready and faster than ever.” johnmorgan@tigertimesonline.com
To get the community excited for the football season, there will be a “carnival” event with food, drinks, games and activities. “This is the first time we’re doing the carnival-like atmosphere with the Powder Puff game–that was Coach Stanford’s idea,” Waldrep said. “Different clubs around school are doing activities and running games for everyone to enjoy.” Entry to the event is free of charge. Carnival tickets are $1 each, and refreshments are also being sold. “It’s just something different, we haven’t done it since [I’ve been in high school],” senior Ryan Hall said. “There’s a lot of talent on the team, and I want to see everything they’ll do with the team.” rickycooks@tigertimesonline.com
Teams, individuals train during summer to stay in shape KEEPING IN PRACTICE Senior Cullen Schoen returns a shot. The tennis team practices during the offseason to ensure that they are at the top of their game when next year’s season begins.
photo by a. kift
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entertainment
EAT IT
“It’s been a while since I’ve been excited about a Call of Duty game, but I think this one would definitely be worth checking out.” -Carson Dial, 12
The months leading up to summer vacation seem to drag on forever, especially for those people who diet to try to get that summer bod. However, for those who can’t give up sweets but still want to achieve that summer goal, Halo Top is the perfect solution. Halo Top is a low calorie, all-natural ice cream that tastes just as good–if not better–than any other ice cream brand. With less sugar and more protein than the regular, it’s a great alternative to ice cream for anyone whose craving a frozen treat.
the
“I love Halo Top. It’s healthy but tastes better than most other ice cream brands. I’d say my favorite is birthday cake.” -Julia Whitehorn, 9
list
photo from halotop.com
LISTEN TO IT Hip-hop has come a long way from its origins in the 1970s. However, the past couple years of hip-hop has given rise to many new artists, especially through the internet. One of these artists who has figuratively turned the rap world upside down is Lil Yachty. At just 19 years old, Yachty’s particular brand of up-beat, mumbling rap has taken younger people by storm. Whether you like his style or not, the self-branded “King of the Teens” has a new album coming out,titled “Teenage Emotions.” The album releases May 26, so form you own opinion on Yachty by listening.
SEE IT
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
“I love Lil Yachty. His style of music is very upbeat and contagious. I’m really looking forward to this album.” -D.C. Fortenberry, 11
photo from @lilyachty at twitter.com
PLAY IT
For gamers, the summer brings an exciting array of new games as well as game reveals. One staple of the gaming franchise that most people have heard of is the Call of Duty franchise. The games started out with a more simplistic, boots on the ground game play but gradually formed into modern and future warfare with later titles. However, Call of Duty: WW2, the newest announcement of the franchise, promises to bring back the era of simplicity that fans fell in love with along with the graphics of newer consoles. With a release date set for Nov. 3, make sure watch for more news on this exciting game.
photo from callofduty.com
TRY IT
There are many typical things to do during the summer, such as swimming or going on a vacation. However, for those people who just want to chill out in town, hammocking is the way to go. Most people hammock using the popular brand, Eno, but there are several other types to try. All that is needed are two places to tie the hammock to, so the possibilities relaxing, comfortable locations are endless. Whether you find two trees in a park or another quiet location, hammocking is a great way to forget about the stress of the school year.
“In our stressful lives we need a way to relax. I think hammocking and listening to nature is the best way to do so. It is just a different way to disconnect from the world.” -Carlee Phillips, 12 photo from eaglenestoutfitters.com
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 / 14% Baywatch / 14% All Eyez on Me / 19%
“I think I’m most looking forward to “Guardians of the Galaxy,” mostly because I like the features used in the movie and because the character Groot is adorable.” -Ashley Careins, 11
Pirates of the Caribbean / 23% Cars 3 / 31% compiled by m.francis and k.biggar
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
community
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community
may 11, 2017 • tigertimesonline.com
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