tiger times
Changing Channels
STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL
TIGER TIMES
TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL TEXARKANA, TEXAS VOL. 59, ISSUE 2 NOV. 5, 2019
Influx of streaming services leaves consumers hoping to hold onto favorite shows page 12
m.stanfill
2 news
Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
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Before the sun
Sharing what it is like waking up at an insanely early time is the cross country team, swim and dive team.
My earliest memory
Cosplaying the Part These Sophmores share their experiences with cosplay and the culture of it.
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Level Up on leadership
All ages can hide something that won’t be seen or heard about from the outside. Everyone struggles with some sort of problem about their bodies.
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up next...
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STUCO is focusing on tackling four main substance abuses: Vaping, Underage Drinking, Perscription and Recreational Drugs.
You’re not alone Senior Colton Smith uses his past experiences to fuel his passion for the well being of others by creating a support group to serve as a safe space for students on campus.
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Nov.
Cut for a Cause
Faculty members share experience in donating hair to a multitude of charities.
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Peter Pan Auditions
Sock Hop
Senior Night
From auditions to Thanksgiving, here’s a look at what’s coming up
Theater is hosting auditions for Peter Pan from 4-9 p.m. in the PAC. Auditions are open for all students and faculty.
STUCO is hosting a sock hop from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Students can either buy socks and wear them as a ticket or pay $10 to get in.
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Seniors will be recognized during Senior Night at the varsity football. The game will begin at 7 p.m.; however, pregame activites will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Colleges recruiters will be located in the student center to offer information to prospective students. This event is open to parents and students. It starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m.
Celebrate the holiday by taking time to spend with family and friends while enjoying good food.
Nov.
Dash For Cash VIPS is hosting the annual Dash for Cash at the track behind the school. Sign up is avaible online at txkisd.net, and the race is from 9-10 a.m.
Nov.
College Night
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Nov.
Dec.
Thanksgiving Break
Career Fair Students will have the opportunity to hear from professionals in a variety of careers at the Dan Haskins Student Center.
news
Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
Warning of the warming
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Teenagers raise awareness about global issues BY PEYTON SIMS culture editor Climate change is leading to the decay of our planet. Endangered species are taking their last breath, rainforests are being cut down and ice caps are melting into the ocean. This year, numerous teenagers have been taking global warming awareness into their own hands by creating world-wide protest in hopes of saving our planet before it’s too late. “I think climate change, especially nowadays, is something that we really need to be paying attention to,” sophomore Max Ruff said. “We only have one Earth and we need to help it because it is dying. We need to cut down emissions and even if we cut down the [emissions], it still won’t be enough to save the planet. We need to have natural solutions like planting trees, protecting the forests and more recycling.” It’s a common debate on why climate change is occuring. Numerous people believe it’s due to humans littering and polluting the environment in their everyday life. Science teachers across campus are making their students aware of the severity of climate change. “Ever since people have came to the planet, the pattern of climate change has been altered. That’s why scientists suspect that humans have had an influence on the global climate change with their emissions of carbon dioxide from the mainland and from the use of fossil fuels,” AP environmental science teacher Kelly Rowland said. “There should not be a debate on is the climate changing on earth. Is it changing? Yes, it is.” Greta Thunberg is a Sweedish 16-year-old who is making sure her voice is heard by leading numerous environmental marches worldwide. She’s spoken at different movements to share her message and has even been featured on “Ted Talk.” She’s one of the many teenagers who claim they’re more environmentally aware of the changes our Earth is undergoing in comparison to the adults in charge of the country. Every year, a typical American emits 4.6 million tons of carbon from their car. These carbon emissions raise global temperatures by trapping solar energy in the atmosphere. The average person harms the environment every day without even realizing it. Whether it’s from using your car to drive to school or throwing trash onto the ground, climate change is happening before everyone’s eyes. However, many people still fail to notice the severity of the change. “I’m not an environmentalist, and I don’t know anything about the environment. I do know that we in America are doing [a lot] to help the environment,” senior Brady Ryden said. “Most third world countries are doing worse than us, and I think us Americans should help them. I don’t think the world is dying because we have new innovations like electric cars.” The ocean is absorbing more heat, which is causing an increase in sea surface temperatures and rising sea levels. Multiple different sea creatures will be unable to sustain the rapid change in the heat and water level of the ocean, resulting in the species dying off. Scientists have predicted that the oceans’ sea creatures will become extinct due to rising ocean temperatures and overfishing by 2050. “I feel like climate change is important for [today’s society],” junior Damon Moore said. “People should keep things clean and pick up trash when you see it on the ground or on the sidewalk because a trashless environment is a good environment. This will help keep trash out of the ocean and rivers and protect the [sea-life].” peyton.sims@tigertimeonline.com
600,000 climate change related deaths occur per year
p. sims
food prices are expected to raise by 50-60% before 2030 acidity of surface level ocean waters has raised 30% since the start of the industrial revolution
4 news
tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019
Level UP
k. rogers
Stuco promotes substance abuse service project BY BROOKLYN WATSON staff writer As the state president school for Texas Association of Student Councils, Leadership students have set into action the promotion of the state service project, Level Up Your Leadership. Level Up Your Leadership tackles four forms of substance abuse (vaping, underage drinking, prescription and recreational drugs) which are prominent issues facing schools and communities in Texas and across the nation. “I’m very excited to be able to make a difference in the substance abuse aspect of today’s society and also very excited to help develop and encourage students to become not only leaders at their high-school but within their community at the state level,” student body president Jenna Williamson said. Williamson, who serves as the TASC state president, said they wanted to include vaping because of its popularity among teens. “We wanted to include the four aspects of substance abuse because we do realize that vaping is an epidemic that has recently come out to be a whole lot worse than it used to be,’’ Williamson said. “We wanted to encompass all these different forms because there’s different problems in different school districts. We saw that vaping may be a big problem in our school while cocaine was a big problem in [other] schools, so we wanted to make sure we were hitting all four spots.” The program is divided into three steps:
educate, advocate and participate. “We have released all of our educational parts on our TASC website,” Williamson said. “We have put together graphics and essays. So that people can see the things they need to educate teachers and students. After that, we focus on advocating with our middle school students to try and teach them how to advocate for something and how to make a difference.” Texas High was elected as the state president school in April at that TASC convention. “The decision to run for state office is made by our students, not the sponsors,” StuCo adviser Susan Waldrep said. “Student members must tell me why they want to run and share with me their ideas for a platform. From there, they campaign, just as you would for any office. The 1,400 student councils along with their 5,000 plus members place their vote and the state officers are announced during the convention. We were thrilled to be chosen.” In her role as state president, Williamson will lead the TASC Mid-Level Conference in November. Additionally, she will serve as a junior counselor for TASC advanced workshops in January and February and speak at the district conference regarding the state service project. “The goal for the leadership project is to bring important information regarding these problems to different school districts, parents, teachers, students and community members,” Williamson said. “By doing that, they are making the community more aware than it was before and performing more positive actions and activities.” brooklyn.watson@tigertimesonline.com
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK Looking through StuCo supplies, student body president Jenna Williamson sorts through materials used at the Texas Association of Student Council’s convention. As the state TASC president, Williamson is responsible for promoting the state service project, Level Up Your Leadership, which focuses on substance abuse education.
Seniors named commended scholars BY ADDISON CROSS editor in chief Seniors Hollan Borowitz and Molly Kyles were among only 34,000 other students that were named National Merit Commended Scholars. More than 1.5 million students took the 2018 PSAT, and out of those only 50,000 are eligible for this honor. HOLLAN BOROWITZ MOLLY KYLES “[The amount of scholars named] changes each year. It’s based on state, and and it can potentially earn you a lot of if you’re in the top three or so percent money in going into schools.” of your state then you’re designated a Kyles and Borowitz both prepared National Merit Commended Scholar,” for the test in the years leading up to it, Borowitz said. “This is a pretty big deal whether focusing on practice tests or just because there’s such a limited number absorbing what they learned in school. of students who get this award, and it’s Kyles especially attributes her success to incredibly helpful with applications for teachers. scholarships, applications for colleges,
“I’ve had a lot of really good teachers at Texas High, like Mrs. Rhonda Johnson and Mrs. Mooneyham,” Kyles said. Teachers like that prepared me for the math and English sections on the test, and taught me test taking strategies that I used to get my score.” Another key factor for Kyles was her academic independence granted to her by her parents. By not inserting themselves too much in her school life, she was able to work hard for herself and develop study skills on her own. “My parents have always allowed for me to have some independence in the academic area of my life, and they’ve never really been too pressuring about doing my homework or making me study,” Kyles said. “And so it taught me to just kind of do those things for myself,
and to develop self motivation to do well in school. I’m glad that they weren’t too strict on me, or forced me to do my school work, because then I don’t think I would have had the passion for it that I do now.” For Borowitz this title has been a sought after accomplishment for a while. She has worked since seventh grade to receive the honor. “I was honestly super surprised, but also super excited. National Merit commended scholar has always been a big dream of mine,” Borowitz said. “And I looked up some previous National Merit Commended Scholars like [graduates] Nabil [Kalam] and Craig Crawford, and just seeing that I was a part of a group like that was super neat.” addisoncross@tigertimesonline.com
Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
community
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6 editorial TIGER TIMES 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 Addison Cross Anna Grace Jones Molly Kyles news editors Logan Diggs Sophie Spakes opinion editor Margaret Debenport feature editors Audrey Haskins Kate Morgan sports editors Caden Rainwater TJ Wall entertainment editors Cate Rounds Peyton Sims advertising Jenna Williamson business manager Madison Bowers copy editors Connor Powell photo & social media editors Margaret Debenport & Kaitlyn Rogers assignments editor Bailey Groom video editor Assad Malik staff writers Raelyn Albert, Joseph Asher, Aislyn Echols, Bailey Hawkins, Ruth Heinemann, Stephanie Jumper, Doug Kyles, Emma LeFors, Andrea Loredo, Phoebe Neff, Sydney Rowe, Brooklyn Watson, Mikayla Zverina photographers Abigail Bunch, Cayli Clack, Abigail Elliott, Jonathan Naples, Caden Rainwater, Hollan Reed, Sydney Rowe, Peyton Sims, Allyson Smith, Oren Smith, Sophie Spakes, Merideth Stanfill, Jasmine Stark videographers Cameron Alcorn, Elizabeth Debenport, Logan Diggs, Kara Jefferies, Brooke Knight advisers Rebecca Potter, Clint Smith principal Carla Dupree members ILPC, CSPA, NSPA
tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019
Entertainment overload New streaming services exploit consumers for subscriptions After a long day of school, followed by hours of mind-numbing homework, many students alleviate their stress with their favorite Netflix or Hulu shows. However, over the next few months, students will notice their favorite shows leaving for different destinations, as the streaming giants of today are weakened by new companies. The announcement of streaming services like Disney+, NBC Peacock and Apple TV+ excites many consumers, but threatens their wallets as well. Since each of these services require their own monthly subscriptions, many won’t be able to afford every one of the new services. New choices for entertainment normally wouldn’t be a problem, but since most media companies now have their own services, many shows are being pulled off of other websites to appear exclusively on one. It should be obvious this will hurt consumers, but the corporate entities making these decisions easily forgo consumer opinions in favor of profit. Teens will most likely be forced to make a decision on which shows they will pay for, and which ones they will sacrifice. This exploitation punishes viewers for getting too attached to their favorite shows. With multiple subscriptions, the overall price of streaming will increase. Streaming companies are forgetting why they were created: the idea that people want to only pay for what they actually watch. Consumers shouldn’t be expected to pay more to keep the same amount of content. These companies are taking the chance that viewers are so attached to their shows, that they are willing to pay even more to hold on to what they have. It is likely that once these plans for new services become reality, people will choose
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to have a limited amount of subscriptions. So when shows pitch to only one platform, they are limiting themselves to a small, niche audience. For the past few decades, hit television shows could easily reach anyone who was interested enough to watch. The success of previous series was only possible with a platform that everyone has access to. In addition, the new streaming service craze is now facing similar issues that killed cable TV. The majority of students and adults have little free time, so it is unrealistic to expect them to watch multiple shows and movies at once. Typically, it is one or two hit shows
that attracts audiences, not the entire library. Paying for thousands of programs instead of only the few you enjoy is what eventually spelled the end of cable TV. It is hard to not see that the days are numbered for all of these new streaming services. Their negative impact on consumers is clear. Their business model relies on exploiting customers in the same way cable did while expecting different results. The craze of all new streaming platforms easily made front page news, but it is in the consumer’s best interest that it soon becomes a thing of the past.
opinion
Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
sound on
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What do you think about all the new streaming services? Triggering “People are going to be triggered. Netflix will probably stop being used as much.” Hadley Butcher, 9
Opportunities “I feel like it’s a good thing because it gives people a lot of opportunities to watch what they really want to watch, but it’s also kind of a bad thing for certain businesses because they’re going to be losing a lot of money.” Britney Ankton, 11
Little Impact
Lose Business
“I don’t think there’s going to be much impact because Netflix has been out there for a long time, and they could easily squash these newer people.” Margaret Mutoke, 10
“I think Netflix will end up losing business and the other streaming services will gain it.” Serenity Lovett, 9
Dissappointing “There will be a big impact on little kids because Disney is usually for children. I think they would be dissappointed and lean towards other streaming services.” De’Shon Williams, 9
Interest “I think it’s going to ruin Netflix, and I think Netflix should think about something new to do so people will be more interested.” Mariam Toure, 10
Bogus “I think it’s low-key bogus because that’s forcing people to pay for more streaming services, and eventually people are just gonna decide not to switch from Netflix because they’ve always had Netflix.” Whitney Ankton, 11
Upsetting “A lot of kids nowadays watch movies on Netlfix, so they’ll be upset to see that their shows won’t be there anymore.” Ivan Pena, 10
Lose Customers “I feel like Netflix will definitely lose a lot of customers if streaming services do decide to pull their shows off of Netflix.” Nicholas de Guzman, 11
Compiled & photographed by s. rowe
Changeless “I think the younger people might start using the streaming services, but older people might still use cable, so I really don’t think it’ll impact that much.” Emily Meunier, 11
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tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019
My earliest memory
Mothers should support daughters, set example of confidence
BY AUDREY HASKINS feature editor If someone was to explain their earliest memory, they’d probably go on about how they shoved a fistful of Cheerios into the couch cushions, or how they cut their sisters hair off with safety-scissors. Mine was when I was 4. It was school picture day. I was wearing denim shorts, a lacy white tank top and a large pink bow on top of my head. I can’t remember how I felt before this day, or if I paid any attention to whether or not it was normal, but I remember staring into the camera lens and thinking to myself; “Wow, I actually feel pretty for once.” Body dysmorphia and eating disorders are something you are born with, and I don’t have to research that. I learned this after years of my own hands gripping my thighs and pulling at my waist infected my mind, forcing me to only think about my appearance. I blamed everything on image, and for a while it ruined my life. It began slowly. I wasn’t cutting out food altogether until my friend’s mom made a comment. I’d go to her house and swim a lot, and she had always made a point to make snotty suggestions about my weight and how I was bigger than her own daughter. This wasn’t what fueled me further. What pushed me over the edge was when she came up to me and started exclaiming in shock over my weight loss. I had never in my life felt so validated or accomplished in something, especially because my disordered brain couldn’t see any progress. The confirmation of my success drove me further. My best and only friend had the same problem that I did. She and I snuck away from her grandmother in a Walmart and bought pills that we believed would help us to lose the extra flesh. I began in fourth grade living only on watermelon, diet pills and four hours of cardio a day. It worked until my friend thought that she could handle more than the recommended amount and was hospitalized, exposing our secret. Her mother was scared, concerned and trying to help her. My mother picked me up from school and was nonchalent, and paid it no mind. That year my desperation became a Thanksgiving story my mom felt necessary to be included over our meal. The rest of my family said nothing and ate their holiday dinner without thought, while I cut up tiny pieces of green beans and hid them under a slice of ham. This wouldn’t have gone on for so long had it not been for the uptight Catholic school I was attending. I was horribly excluded and taunted while I was there and no one at home knew. Occasionally, I would mention my unhappiness and would be blown off as if the thought of me being an unhappy kid, a bullied kid, was absurd. At this point, I was 10 pounds underweight.
I am a healthy weight now, not as tiny as the other girls around me I see parading in cheer uniforms or easily slipping on a homecoming dress in the store, which makes it embarrassing to admit that even now I struggle to not fall back into my old patterns. However, seeing the stigma with eating disorders is tiring. I did not lose and gain the same 30 pounds over and over because I was a little jealous, I did it because I was born with it. Typically, it is expected that an event is required to set the disorder off. Mine was born with me, ready to break my mentality and physicality down. There are many circumstances in which I wish I could go back in time to change my relationship with food. I wish I could change the girls and boys who were cruel to me throughout the earliest years of my childhood. I wish I could’ve changed myself to have thicker skin or a better understanding of what was going on around me. But most of all, I wish I had been blessed to have women who understood the importance of what was going on in my head and who were on my side. In regards to the woman who felt the need to comment on what I looked like consistently, I pray her daughter is content. I pray she is comfortable in her own skin and glows no matter what she is wearing. I pray that the comments never flew into her head as they always had into mine. For my friend who was struggled to push through sit-ups as she layed next to me on her shaggy carpet, I pray that she found happiness and love for her body. I pray that her mother listened to her and did not laugh in her face. For myself, I pray that I never fall back into it and that I form a completely healthy relationship with something that should be easy. I pray that empty calories become OK and that an empty stomach does not. I will try my best to forget that my mother did not react the way I needed her to, and try to live with not knowing why. Admitting to having an eating disorder is terrifying. Watching out for a family member who does have one and helping them to overcome it is crucial. Even if family may not seem important, they are who we see first thing in the morning and before we go to bed. As mostly women are affected by these disorders, it is especially important for a mother to watch out for her daughter. It is important to set an example of confidence and self-love. It is important for them to be supportive and to try and understand their child and to understand that a grown woman is an influence for any young girl around them. Being a woman and showcasing who you are with grace and positivity is what your sisters, nieces or daughters look up to. Do it for them. audreyhaskins@tigertimesonline.com photo illustration by m. debenport
feature
Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
b.groom
No one walks alone
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Senior turns dark experiences into support for others through the HOPE group BY MOLLY KYLES editor in chief
If you have any questions about the support group or would like to get in contact with the counselor, scan the QR code above.
No one walks alone. There is no shortage of hurt in the world; slipping into darkness sometimes seems like the easiest way out. But for every time that it seems best to just let go, there is a hand ready to pull you back up again. A new support group wants to be that helping hand. HOPE, which stands for Helping Other People Always, was founded by senior Colton Smith, a survivor of bullying and a suicide attempt. The group meets every Tuesday from 4 to 4:45 p.m. in the counseling center. “People ignore the problem that is teen suicide,” Smith said. “Kids are really hurting. As someone who went through a lot of stuff, I think I can help guide them to a better future.” Smith’s own experiences with darkness started as a result of his speech impediment. He has faced relentless torment since elementary school. “I’ve been bullied about my lisp since around second grade. And that’s the beginning of everything,” Smith said. “That brought a lot of darkness, to the point where I’d cry myself to sleep. I’d go home and beat things until my knuckles were bruised and bloody.” The cruelty didn’t end there. Again and again, he was told he was worthless through the beatings he endured; his bruises became marks of shame. “In eighth grade,” Smith said. “[I would be] beat to a pulp [in the locker room]. [They] would do it in front of everyone just to make sure I knew that I was worthless.” Midnight of Oct. 13, 2017, it all became too much. Feeling alone, helpless, and worthless, he made a plan to do the unthinkable. But that day,
he came out a survivor instead. “I lost everyone I cared about. I [thought] there was only way out, suicide,” Smith said. “And then the belt ripped. That was the best thing to ever happen to me. There’s a reason why that belt ripped. There’s a reason why I failed. I’m here for a reason: to help people.” Driven by this newfound meaning, Colton formulated a plan for a group to share his story and to show other teens that they are never alone. “If you tell someone your story, they will know they’re worth something. Me sharing my story will open a lot more people up,” Smith said. “They may not open up to me, Mrs. McAdoo, their mom or their dad, but they’ll open up to someone, hopefully after they hear my story. I want to help people. That’s what has kept me going.” Dana McAdoo, the school counselor, is the sponsor of this group. As the sole counselor for the school, she felt the need for a support group like this was apparent. “Counseling and mental health can have such a negative connotation, it can have a negative perception,” McAdoo said. “[When students come to this group,] they’re not forced to talk, they can just come and just listen; that makes them realize that they’re not the only ones.” The first meeting was Oct. 22, and though the groups numbers have started small, McAdoo feels the effort has already paid off. “We only had one student come [to the first meeting], and we are perfectly okay with that. Sometimes connections are best made one on one. It was a good start. We knew it would start off slow and we’re patient. Our goal is not numbers.” mollykyles@tigertimesonline.com
Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
Wiggin’ Out
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Teachers donate hair to people in need
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BY CATE ROUNDS culture editor She walks into the hair salon with a stomach full of nerves. Her hair, long and flowing, sways as she makes her way to the chair. The butterflies fly away as the first 12 inches are cut from her head. Snip. Snip. Snip. Soon the hair that was once down to her hips has shrunk up to her shoulders. Though this seems like a significant loss, the gain is much greater. Since the nonprofit organization Locks of Love was founded in 1997, people from all over the world have been donating their hair to help those with cancer, alopecia, burn trauma and other factors of hair loss. Many people will grow their hair out extremely long, sometimes down to their waist , cut it off and donate it. They then begin the process over again. One of these individuals is science teacher Jessica Sharp. “My first donation was in 2003,” Sharp said. “I had really long hair [while I was] in the military, and I just got sick of it. Because [the military] has specific length requirements, [your hair] either has to be really long to put in a bun or really short above your collar, so if I was going to cut it, it was going to be super short. [After I cut it], I was like, ‘I have all this hair. What am I going to do with it?’ The beautician that cut it said to donate it to Locks of Love.” Lauren Pilgreen, assistant principal for Ross Perot STEM Academy, has also been donating her hair routinely since she was a sophomore in high school.
“I donated over 12 inchs of hair, mind you I cut it into a boy cut, [the first time I donated],” Pilgreen said. “My hair stylist suggested it and had other ponytails she was about to send off. After the fact, it felt good to be able to do something for others that were in a situation in which hair could make them feel worlds better and give them confidence.” When the topic of hair donation is brought up, Locks of Love is usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, Locks of Love has been under fire recently after it was found that they were actually selling the hair they received. Pantene Beautiful Lengths, Wigs for Kids, Hugs-U-Wear, Hair We Share and Children with Hair Loss are other recommended companies to donate to. Pantene Beautiful Lengths makes wigs for adults as well. “Every three years since [I first started], I have donated to Locks of Love,” Sharp said. “Then other programs like Pantene and Wigs for Kids came out. Since 2008, I’ve donated twice to Wigs for Kids and twice to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.” The concept of donating hair has been unnerving for some, especially those who are older. The older the hair is, the longer it takes to grow, and it sometimes doesn’t even grow back with the same color or texture. The prospect of a sick child receiving that wig, though, keeps the nerves at bay. “When I first donated, I was not nervous,” Pilgreen said. “I was young and a bit reckless, and [I] really didn’t care what happened after I cut it all off. Each time since, however, I get more and more nervous. As you age, your hair doesn’t grow back
quite as fast, thick or the same color. So a cut now would make me very nervous. I like trying to keep it healthy so it is strong and grows fast.” A lot of people start donating their hair because they have family members or loved ones who have suffered from diseases that cause hair loss, but this was not the case for Pilgreen and Sharp. They started almost as a “just because” thing to do. As they both got older, more people they knew started undergoing cancer treatments, which caused them to lose their hair. This gave the women a new outlook on the donations. “My favorite aunt actually died of breast cancer,” Sharp said. “When she was going through chemo, all her hair fell out and I actually went wig shopping with her. I thought that was really cool. I had already started donating my hair by the time she was diagnosed, so it felt kind of like destiny.” Women and men from around the world account for the millions of locks of hair donated each year. Each new lock is one more wig for someone who is suffering. That new wig brings smiles to the people who recieve them and the people who donated them. This charitable act can bring a new found hope to those who have lost their hope. “I think donation is important to bring hope into the lives of others,” Pilgreen said. “If by simply cutting your hair that will grow back, you can provide a boost of confidence to someone who is suffering, why would you not? Such a simple, unselfish act, could mean a happy life for a kid that, in all honesty, might not have a lot of life left to live.” cate.rounds@tigertimesonline.com
10 feature
5 QUESTIONS FOR...
Britney
Ankton
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BY KATE MORGAN feature editor
tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019 IN A NUTSHELL Junior Britney Ankton began her sophomore year as the “new girl.” After moving from Bettendorf, Iowa to Texarkana, Ankton began adapting to the new town and new people around her. “It was actually my easiest move because I knew ahead of time that I would be moving,” Ankton said. Ankton quickly adjusted to her new school and immersed herself in the art program. “I’ve been into art since I was a little kid,” Ankton said. “When I was [younger], I would always doodle in my spare time.” Her art classes quickly became the best part of her day, and she continuously uses them to improve her abilities. “I finally have a teacher that can teach me about art, enrich my skills and [help me] become a better artist,” Ankton said.
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My role model in my life is my brother, Kris. Although I do have a twin, my brother is my best friend. He has been there with me through everything. He has always been the person cheering for me throughout my life.
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What do you want to be remembered for? I want to be remembered for my friendliness and willingness to socialize with anyone and be [accepting] to [other people’s] personalities. I’ve moved so many times and experienced so many different cultures that I have been forced to do so. Now, it has become a part of my character, and I apply it to my everyday life.
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Who is your role model?
What is your favorite part of high school?
What is something you are proud of ? Something I am proud of is getting a gold medal last year during my first time [competing] in VASE. It was a big accomplishment for me because it was the first art competition that I have ever been in. Although I didn’t go to state, it was still a huge accomplishment for me as my first [competition].
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What is something you are passionate about?
My favorite part of high school is going to my art classes and spending time with my friends. My friends are my support system, and my art class is a place where I can do something that I love with other people that enjoy it as well. p. sims
I am passionate about embracing natural beauty, that being in myself but also in society in general. There are a lot of people who wear makeup, dress or act a certain way just so they can fit in. It makes me sad when people hide their true selves because your true self is beautiful, and it shouldn’t be hidden because of what other people think. kate.morgan@tigertimesonline.com
12 in-depth
rise in streaming services Switching Acauses unrivaled competition Screens within entertainment industry Declining Dynasty Netflix has been dominating the streaming world since 2007, with its competitors being limited and never quite taking a bite out of them. However, with the introduction of streaming services owned by competing networks and companies, many of Netflix’s consumers are considering dropping the service in place of other services such as Disney+ or Peacock. Netflix’s growth has been slowing down slightly, and there are multiple plausible causes for this. The company partially attributes this to its raised subscription prices, which are now $12.99 as opposed to $10.99. The drop in subscribers may also be attributable to Disney+’s announced rates as low as $6.99. Netflix intends to keep its hold on the streaming service world through Netflix Originals and the remaining titles left unclaimed by the networks, launching their own online streaming platforms. However, this may not be enough to keep some people reigned in. Such a drastic change in the amount of titles it carries may lead current users to be upset or want to make the switch to other services. “Honestly, I’m probably gonna end up getting the Disney+ thing, but I’m kind of upset about that,” sophomore Alison Head said. “I’ve had [Netflix] for so long that I don’t like [other companies] taking off some of my favorite stuff.” Despite suffering losses in titles, not everyone intends on moving on from Netflix. Some people will prefer to continue watching Netflix over anything else for all it remains to have to offer. “I’m going to keep using Netflix, most likely,” senior Haley Smith said. “I have a mixture of [Netflix Originals and other shows] that I continuously watch that are on Netflix that I cannot find anywhere else.” Competition amongst these companies is fierce. The
reclaim game is suspected to lead to instability and saturation in the market as a whole. Some people intend on staying with Netflix, but that is not always the case. Some users of all streaming services have expressed how they feel the introduction of all these new services is making it increasingly difficult and inconvenient to watch shows and movies. Paying for three or more is unreasonable for many, and cutting out Netflix may be something users resort to, causing a long-standing empire of Netflix to crumble.
Familiar Farewell
There’s a variety of shows leaving Netflix due to the newly founded streaming sites and channels. Many of the owners of movies/shows that are associated with a licensing agreement are deciding to pull their content from the production company because they’re forming their own media streaming sites, such as NBC’s Peacock. Media being removed from Netflix consists of the more popular watched shows such as “The Office,” “Friends” and “Jessie” and movies such as “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Casper.” “I’m a little salty because I feel like these shows have already finished their run. I feel like it’s weird [for NBC] to reshow them like they haven’t been aired before,” senior Nadia Fryer said. “Netflix is such an open space where we can rewatch any episode at any point in time. I would not [pay more money to watch ‘Parks and Recreation’ or ‘The Office’] because I already have a Netflix account, so there’s no point.”
Preparing Pirates With the declining use of cable and the rising
For $50 a month, AT&T TV Now’s Plus package includes HBO and 45 channels. At $70 a month, the Max package adds more channels, sports coverage and Cinemax.
quantity and prices of different streaming services, many people are turning to cost-free ways to watch their favorite shows and movies. Streaming services pick and choose certain movies leaving the others for their competition. This forces people to either comply and buy multiple memberships or simply pirate their favorite flicks to save money. Netflix and other services are increasing their rates to access movies and shows they stream. This results in people using websites that allow them to watch anything they want without payment. “If the streaming services cost too much, I believe that more people are going to want to pirate movies,” sophomore Addison Salisbury said. “No one is going to want to pay a lot of money to watch a movie. If [companies] want less people to pirate movies, they should lower the prices.”
Offering Originals
One of the ways these streaming services are planning on attracting and keeping customers are with many “Original Series,” Established platforms like Netflix and Hulu have already found great success with this method, and new platforms are planning on releasing their own. Much of the buzz around Disney+ was due to the original series that they promised are coming soon. Star Wars fans are excited for the reboot of “Star Wars: the Clone Wars” animated series. The Clone Wars animated series was recently taken off Netflix, but it is being revived on Disney+ with new seasons coming soon. However, there is more to Disney+ than rebooting fan favorites and remastering old films: “The Mandalorian” launches Nov. 12 with the Disney Plus streaming service. This new series is live action and long awaited by Star Wars fans. Disney+ is making grounds on more than the “Star
NBC plans to launch its streaming service in April 2020 with originals like “Dr. Death,” based on the popular podcast, as well as hits such as “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.” Cost has not been announced.
Launching Nov. 13 for $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year, Disney+ will include blockbusters from Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and its own studio.
Having launched Friday, Apple TV Plus is one of the cheaper streaming services at $4.99 a month and will feature Apple’s original TV shows and movies. Some new Apple device purchases qualify for a free year’s subscription.
tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019
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Cut the cable Wars” universe. The platform will have the most to offer Marvel fans. A Hawkeye original series will premiere in January, and it is likely the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will receive more original series in the future. “I think the new Hawkeye series is going to be pretty good because Hawkeye is not as used in the MCU as all the other characters,” said senior Abraham Vasquez. “There’s a lot of Hawkeye fans out there and this will actually show them a new life of Hawkeye that people haven’t seen.” Most new platforms are using original series to attract audiences. NBC Peacock is introducing a “Battlestar Galactica” reboot, original series based on a true crime podcast called “Dr. Death”, and an adaptation of the book “One of Us is Lying.” Author Tom Clancy introduced the character of Jack Ryan in a series of books before Ryan headed to the big screen. Now the former U.S. Marine is featured in an episodic series for the first time on Amazon Prime video. Amazon is also continuing “The Man in the High Castle” with a fourth season. All of these original series aspire to reach the success that Netflix’s own shows have seen. The most successful original series are largely on Netflix: “Stranger Things,” “Orange is the New Black,” “House of Cards” and “Ozark.” “Big Mouth” has found huge success on Netflix, going to show that while the platform may struggle to keep up with others, Netflix still has hit originals of their own. “I wish [Netflix] wasn’t losing shows, but I guess it is what it is. I feel like [Netflix’s focus on original series] is a mistake,” freshman Ellie Maneth said. “They’re losing all of the really good shows they offer that aren’t from them, and it just isn’t working.” Compiled by Anna Grace Jones, Doug Kyles, Phoebe Neff, Makenzie Hofert and Mikayla Zverina/photo by Allyson Smith
At $5.99 a month, Hulu continues to be a student favorite that offers full seasons of hit TV series on ABC, Fox and NBC and originals such as “The Handmaid’s Tale.” For $44.99 a month, add Live TV.
Referred to as the “king of binge,” Netflix’s large library of movies, TV shows and original shows like “Stranger Things” make it the frontrunner of streaming services. Plans range from $8.99 to $15.99.
The Prime Video service comes with Amazon Prime for $12.99 a month or $119 a year. The video-only membership is $8.99 a month. Prime includes exclusive series and original shows.
BY AISLYN ECHOLS staff writer
“I think one of the reasons people like Netflix so much is the diversity of it. [Only having Disney media] wouldn’t necessarily hurt [Disney+], but people wouldn’t like it as much because it’s just the Disney stuff. I don’t think people would be as compelled to pay for it.” -Sarah Lingle, 12
For the hardcore sports fan, ESPN Plus offers a variety of extra sports coverage for $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year. Disney announced that it will offer a $12.99 bundle that includes Hulu and ESPN Plus.
Sling is for those wishing to cut the cord on cable. Instead of shows, Sling is based on channels with some on-demand movies and shows. Prices start at $25 up to $40, though introductory offers slash 40% for the first month.
For hit shows such as “Game of Thrones,” HBO Now is available for $14.99 a month. HBO Now will be included in AT&T’s WarnerMedia HBO Max, which will include some shows pulled from Netflix, like “Friends.”
Recently, streaming services have began to become more popular with some people and could possibly be threatening the cable business, but there might be hope for cable yet: sports. Sports and live game coverage have kept people signing cable contracts for years. America’s love of sports and dedication to their favorite teams could be the only thing keeping cable alive. Sports fans have been devout to cable television for years in order to to watch their favorite sports teams, but in the recent years streaming services have been able to match cable when it comes to sports. Cable might end up losing the last of their viewers to streaming afterall. “I would rather [stream] than keep cable to watch football,” said sophomore Kaden Conley. “[I think that sports channels] are all gonna eventually leave cable because I’m pretty sure that’s where the most money is being made.” Cable used to be the best way for people to watch their favorite shows and teams, but now cable has met its match. Some people have started to move on to newer forms of receiving their favorite sport coverage. “Cable is kind of old now, and it’s really expensive too,” said Conley. “Streaming is cheaper than cable to livestream sports.” Some streaming services have started to offer live streams and game coverage that used to be exclusive to cable channels. Despite popular demand for streaming, some people still hold on to their faith in cable and defend the service. “With cable you get more [for the price],” said sophomore Trent Chishlom. “[Some perks of cable are that] sometimes there’s four different channels playing the same thing and they’re all spread out. So, it’s just easier to find what your trying to watch.” Even though cable might seem old and outdated, cable has actually been changing with the times without people noticing. Although most people are siding with streaming providers, whether there is still a future cable has mixed opinions. “Eventually cable is not going to be a thing,” said Conley. “Most people won’t watch TV anymore in the future. Everybody is starting to watch sports and TV on Netflix, so it’s a faster way of life.” Though there are many negative views on the future of cable, there are some opinions that give those believers hope for the future. Sports may not be what will eventually save cable, but some cable providers have found ways possibly save their businesses. “[Cable providers] are shifting over to more towards providing the internet,” said Chisholm. “[Cable] is still going to be a thing, but probably not like the cable we know, now. My dad works for the cable company and he said that it has started to go in that direction.” aislyn.echols@tigertimesonline.com
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tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019
More than dress-up Students find self-expression within cosplay
BY PHOEBE NEFF staff writer
C
osplaying is a phenomenon that is best described as playing the role of ones’ favorite characters. There are many aspects to it and its popularity. Typically a cosplayer dons a costume they often pour their heart and soul into. What a cosplayer does when they get into costume varies. Some compete in cosplay competitions at conventions, some do photoshoots and others do it because they enjoy making people smile. Sophomores Parker Johnson and Alex Hines are engrossed in the world of cosplay. They get in costume, do photoshoots and attend conventions all while still being in school and extracurriculars. While they have differing experiences and thoughts on it, they both share a love for the art of pretend.
Q&A with Parker Johnson Around the age of 10, Johnson began cosplaying. Since then, Johnson has amassed over a thousand followers on Instagram, which features cosplay photoshoots and other cosplayrelated content. Cosplaying is one of Johnson’s most favored hobbies and has put a plethora of time and effort into the work. What was your first cosplay? I saw a cosplay tutorial on YouTube on how to do makeup for the Marionette from “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” and I said, “That looks cool. I wanna try that.” And I did it for Halloween. That was what I consider the first cosplay. I can’t believe it was the Marionette. Why do you cosplay now? It’s fun and I get to be the characters that I like, and I go to the conventions and find other people who cosplay the same thing or have
the same interests as me. I can get away from everything else and just chill and not think about homework. Are there downsides to being a cosplayer? Sometimes when a cosplay doesn’t work out and just falls apart in your hands, [it gives] a bad feeling. And also being preyed upon. I don’t really experience that, but people go out of their way to be inappropriate and just overall creepy to cosplayers. What’s your favorite memory from cosplaying? I remember when I was in seventh grade, I dressed as Dave Strider from “Homestuck” and went to the mall with my boyfriend at the time. We went as Dave and Dirk Strider. This one lady came up to me [and] told me “I like your hair,” and then I realized my wig looked like her hair. It was just funny to me and my boyfriend.
o.smith
instagram: @mikacos tiktok: @vanillabeankid
Q&A with Alex Hines
o.smith
instagram: @_clown_kiddo___.exe tiktok: @_rat__clown_
Hines has been cosplaying for five years now and cosplays a number of characters on Instagram. Since the age of 10, cosplaying has grown to be important to Hines and has become a passion used for self-expression. Why do you cosplay? I’ve always been interested in it. It’s a whole confidence thing to do it, to go out in public dressed as specific characters. My sister was doing it so I was like, “Hey that looks cool! I’m gonna try it.” I kept doing it and [I have] been ever since. You can do any type of makeup you want, you can make your costumes by hand, you can put your own specific trademark details into your costumes or your makeup or how you style wigs if you do that. It makes me feel a lot more confident because I don’t feel as though it’s just me. It’s something I like to do for fun, I don’t do it to get a reaction from people. It’s something I genuinely find interesting, and I genuinely enjoy doing. What do your friends and family think about it? My friends are pretty cool with it, and for the most part, they support it. I cosplay with a lot of my friends and my family loves it. Anytime I do a cosplay they’re like, “Yes. I like that.” What’s your favorite thing about cosplaying? The community is really good. Everyone supports each other for the most part. There are specific people that are not very nice to each other, but for the most part, everyone is very supportive
of each other and it’s just nice and friendly. What do you do when you’re in costume? I go to local conventions. I really like cosplaying in a group with friends because it helps me feel more confident, but I also like cosplaying by myself. Most of the time I take pictures and sometimes I just kind of chill, lay there for a while and be like, “Yeah, I did this.” What’s your favorite memory from when you were in cosplay? Probably at Texarkanime last year. I went as Nikki from “Camp Camp,” and I did a karaoke thing with a person who was dressed as a character from “Durarara!!” We sang “First Burn” from the “The Hamilton Mixtape,” and it was great. I didn’t know the person, we just met at the con and hit it off. Do you have a message to people wanting to cosplay but aren’t sure? If there’s people that want to do it they should try it. Because it’s something fun. You never know, you might be into it, you might not. At first, that’s how I was. I thought I [wasn’t] gonna be able to do this, but now, five years later, I love it. Don’t worry about what other people think because at the end of the day it’s something you want to do, so why should other people’s opinions matter? phoebe.neff@tigertimesonline.com
Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
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tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019
Beating the sun out of bed
Swim, cross country athletes rise for early workouts Once the students are finally out of bed and on their way to their designated sites, the two sports split in direction. Cross country athletes report to the Spring Lake Park trail on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or Bringle Lake Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays. “We have to be at Spring Lake [Park] at 6 o’clock, and then we start our warm-up which bleeds into either a long run which will be four or five miles, or it will be a speed day,” junior cross country runner Ian Childs said. “It’s kind of funny that as we’re running our warm-up lap we can’t see the trail in front of us, we just follow the person in front of us.” On the other hand, swim athletes arrive at the TISD Aquatic Center and are told to be in the water at 6:15. The workouts for swimmers consist of a 500 to 1000 meter warm-up followed by drills that train the swimmers in each category of swimming. “Swim workouts have a positive effect on me even though I’m awake and working so early in the morning,” junior Corbin Osborne said. “Deep down I know I want to stay in bed, but our workouts are very motivating, knowing that the team as a whole is getting faster and better prepared.”
c.rainwater
“GOING TO PRACTICE IS THE ORIGINAL STRUGGLE, BUT LOOKING ON THE SEASON AS A WHOLE, I HAVE NO IDEA HOW ELSE WE COULD BE AS EFFICIENT AND AS STRONG OF A TEAM AS WE ARE NOW.” -Evan Likins, 10
Getting up early comes as a pleasure to few people. To some, the 7 a.m. alarm seems like the devil reincarnate, and after a long night’s sleep, students dread the idea of having to roll out from under their majestically warm covers to attend their school. While the idea of being forced to leave the comfort of one’s bed is seen in a negative light, most people forget to acknowledge that as they hit snooze on their alarm clock, athletes enrolled in swim and cross country are finishing their last lap or clock in their last mile for the morning. These early laps and miles repeated by the cross country and swim teams provide the athletes with an advantage compared to teams that stick to practicing at regular times such as during or after school. “I’ve always believed that getting up early and working has a very positive impact on a swimmer’s mental state for the rest of the day,” swim coach Eric Vogan said. “When they work they release endorphins that get them ready for the school day.” For an athlete to maintain their circadian rhythm, they are forced to go through disciplinary measures to stay strong as athletes and as students. As the season progresses, rhythms are created and the students realize their abilities rather than the number of hours of sleep they got the night before. “When you have to get up at 5:15 a.m you don’t want to stay up until midnight the night before,” Vogan said. “My athletes have to go to sleep much earlier than normal teenagers.” Although these early practices give the cross country and swim athletes more time to work out and get better at their respective sports, some drawbacks have the potential to set athletes behind. “I’ve found myself more stressed out and tired throughout the day because I have so much homework that going to sleep early sometimes isn’t an option,” sophomore cross country runner Gavin Mitchell said. “But participating in early morning workouts has taught me how to be a disciplined runner, as well as a student.”
b.groom
BY CADEN RAINWATER sports editor
Accounting the numerous advantages that working out early has on your mental and physical state, these two sports compete at a high-level year after year compared to most other sports at Texas High. The highest level of competition for a high school sport to participate in is the UIL state championship, and almost every year, the two sports have athletes sent to the championship. “For the past couple years our captain Owen Likins has gone to state for cross country, as well as for swim,” Mitchell said. “It’s cool to watch him as he goes up against the best runners in the state.” All of the early hours poured into the two programs illustrates the sheer competitive edge shared among the athletes, and the undeniably strong work ethic is evidence of the disciplined students. “At the end of the day, being in a sport takes a strong work ethic, but to be an athlete in a sport that takes so much time and energy like cross country, sacrifices become ordinary,” Childs said. “But any athlete that puts in the work can tell you without a doubt that the sacrifice is worth it.” caden.rainwater@tigertimesonline.com
DIVE IN Sophomore Dane Bullock dives into a pool during a Tigersharks swim meet. Bullock and the swim team competed against many different 5A schools during the Ranger Relays. The swim team has to be in the pool by 6:15 a.m. in order to be competitive.
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Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
OWEN LIKINS Cross country and track star prepares to return to state competition for his senior year. He faces the challeges of balancing academics with athletics as he prepares mentally for races.
anfill
BY DOUG KYLES staff writer When did you start running? What in your life made you start cross country and track? I got into running in elementary school. I did the “Kids Run the Line” event and enjoyed it. So then I signed up for a 5K with my dad. It’s a funny story we tell because I ended up beating my dad in our first 5K ever, and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be a runner. I got involved in track and cross country in middle school, and I’ve been doing it ever since. What was your motivation to stick with running? The motivation behind it has always been I loved it from the second I started. My mom would always ask me, “Owen, why do you run?” I would always just think about how good [competing] makes me feel. What achievements have you made in cross country so far and how far have you advanced in the past? I’ve advanced to the state cross country meet. If I qualify, hopefully, this will be my third year in a row to go to state in cross country. I just won district for the third time. Last year, I was sixth at regionals. On the track side of things, I’ve been regional champion twice. I won the 1600 meter and 800 meter this year. Last year was the first time I’ve qualified
m.st
for state in track being second in the 100 and fourth in the 1600.
What achievement are you most proud of ? I am most proud of being second in the 800 at state. Either that, or breaking the school record for the mile. Are you more inclined to cross country or track? For me, I’ve had more success at the state level on the track side. I’ve always loved track. Cross country is fun, but it has always been track for me. In cross country, you are just going out and running alone. In track, there is no hiding; there is no escaping. When you’re on the track, it gets really competitive and tactical.
What is the most difficult part about racing and training? I am training at a higher level than most high schoolers because I want to compete at the next level. Having to go to that next level, a lot of times on long runs or workouts you are by yourself. It is tough to motivate yourself when there aren’t people around you. It’s definitely a mental game. When someone passes you, it is hard to not give up and stay strong. How do you see your chances at state this year? I feel pretty good about this year. I was six at regionals last year, and you have to
be top 10 for state, so I feel pretty solid in the top 10. Also, the runner who won regionals last year I have beat both times this year. The goal for regionals is to win, and for state I’d like to be in the top seven.
How do you prepared for your races mentally and physically? Mentally, I try to put all the distractions away. I don’t use social media or anything like that the day of a race. The night before, I lay down and visualize the race in my head. Physically, I start my training really early and try to peek around regionals. Then I taper off and rest so I am in good shape for the state meet. Do you plan on continuing cross country and track in the future? Yes. I haven’t decided where I will go to college yet. I am taking official visits to colleges often, and hopefully, I’ll be committed in November and be able to sign some time in December.
What separates you from your competition that allows you to consistently do well? I’ve always had a really strong, competitive drive. That has always been there for me. So, if somebody passes me, I am not going to let that happen. I will compete with them. I think that helps that when some people feel defeated, I just keep pushing. Part of it is my
preparation and constant training.
How do you balance school work with athletics? It’s really tough. They are both really big time investments, so you have to get really good at time management. I have to come in before and after school, and I keep a planner so I don’t forget assignments.
Do you have a favorite sports hero, someone that inspires you? My favorite runner would be Ryan Hall. He is the American record-holder in the half marathon. He said one of my favorite quotes: “I used to be a runner who happens to be a Christian, and I needed to become a Christian who happens to be a runner.” He has really good priorities and has always been someone I look to for inspiration. How does being an athlete help you become a better person? It taught me valuable lessons like sportsmanship and perseverance. I need those things to be mentally strong enough for distance running. Also, it improved my time management. What is your advice for other athletes on how to improve? I would say listen to your coaches. They know what they are doing. Other than that, it is all work ethic.
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tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019
TALES OF THE TIGERS BY TJ WALL sports editor
Tennis continues winning legacy “Our guys’ side of the team, with the exception of three players, were all seniors, and the girls’ side of the team, with the exception of two players, were all freshmen,” senior Nick Mitchell said. “We had a lot of older leadership with a lot of experience, and we also had a lot of young people who were inexperienced, so I think it was an interesting combination that worked out in the end because we didn’t lose a single match until we got to Highland Park. We put up a good fight like we do every year, and one of these years we’re going to get them. Overall, our fall season went pretty well. We’re going to practice lightly, rest up and then, beginning in January, start practicing in preparation for the spring season.”
Inexperience plagues young volleyball team “Our record ended up being 3-7. I feel like we didn’t do well, honestly, because of the maturity of the group as a whole, like mentally, not necessarily age because anyone can be immature. It was just
While some seasons are coming to an end, others are just beginning. With such an array of sports available to keep track of, here’s an update on the status of each active team from the players themselves. little stuff, like we didn’t focus when we needed to or we joked around when it was inappropriate,” senior Olivia Lower said. “If we had just applied ourselves more in every situation and worked, I know that we could have done a lot better. I think we did well sometimes because there were spurts of really good times, and we capitalized on those for the games that we won because we liked that energy. I think that if [next year’s team] learns to play more as a team instead of getting down on themselves or catching attitudes with the coaches or each other that they will do well.”
Football team hopes for spot in playoffs
“We plan on making a good run once we get to the playoffs. We have to practice hard if we want to win out; we have the chance to win out, we just have to capitalize,” senior Eric Poe said. “It’s gonna take everyone coming together as one to make it happen. This year everyone is one; we’re all acting like a team, better yet a family, and the
coaching has forced us to become mature enough to take tough coaching. Without that, none of this would be possible.”
Golf team focuses on mental game ”This season is going pretty good; we are at our third tournament of the fall and our season ends in the spring,” junior Kenzie Parker said. “I feel like we have a lot of potential to be really good, we just need to keep grinding. Strengthening our mental game is going to be the key to getting better scores and finishing stronger. We need to work on getting over bad rounds and working towards the ultimate goal: state.”
Swim starts making splash early in season “This season just got into full swing and we have a long way to go,” junior Eli Lammers said. “I am very proud of the team. So far we’ve done very well, and I think we will do well for the rest
of the season. Last year the guys’ team did extremely well, and I hope we do even better this season. Coach Vogan is getting us to push ourselves and strive for our best season yet, and I really appreciate that. I think that this season will be a great one.”
Likins to make run at state meet “The cross country season is going really well. The team had a good year, everyone ran personal bests this season,” senior Owen Likens said. “My goal all season has been to be top seven at the state meet, which would earn me first team all-state honor, but I think I have a chance to be in the mix for a state championship. I’m really just taking things one step at a time. Regionals was a little bit disappointing. I [started off well], but then I just fell off. It wasn’t really my day. I ended up in seventh, but I qualified for the state meet, so I’ll get another chance. I’m going to make some adjustments, refocus and go in with the same goal in mind: to get first team allstate. I’m going to really spend these next two weeks focusing on that and seeing what I can improve from my regional race and we’ll see what happens. tj.wall@tigertimesonline.com
Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
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tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019
THE CULTURE 10 Apps
Books
Memes
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@kyliejenner
p. sims
Movies
graphic by s. rowe
Kylie Jenner is back in the spotlight again with the new Rise and Shine meme. The meme originated after Jenner woke up her daughter Stormi in her latest YouTube video while “singing” to her. The meme has since inspired many Tik-Toks and even an official song and music video.
The movie, The Joker, tells the origin story of the iconic DC villian. The movie took box offices by surprise, bringing in almost $1 billion. The Joker is now the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.
The new Gradient photo editor app takes your picture and shows the user what celebrity they look like. Whether the comparison is totally accurate or not even close, this app is fun and brings a lot of laughs.
Posty Fest came to the AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Nov. 2. The annual music festival started by Post Malone brought in big names such as Pharrell Williams, Meek Mill, Jaden Smith and so many more.
Music
A sequel of the New York Times best selling novels “One of Us is Lying” has been set to release on Jan. 7. Go ahead and pre-order this book as you anticipate the next mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Video Games Mario Kart is officially accessible from not only your Wii, but on your mobile device. People worldwide are racing to the finish line in hope of claiming first place.
Celebrities
@jenniferaniston
Jennifer Aniston broke Instagram after she infamously joined the social network. Her first post consisted of a selfie with the cast of “Friends” reunited. So many people started following her in such a short amount of time that Instagram actually shut down.
Trends
Google Play
TV Series The new TV series, “The Politician,” recently came out on Netflix in October. The show follows Payton Hobart as he takes his first steps to becoming President of the United States. First, he has to become student body president. This satirical series pokes fun at the real world of politics while also taking on real issues, such as gun control.
Love is in the air. There are signs everywhere. The newest sign includes boys wearing scrunchies as bracelets. If you want to know if a boy is single or not, just look at his wrist.
Food
When Burger King came out with the Impossible Whopper on Aug. 8, fast food chains came out with multiple vegan items. One of those chains include KFC with their new vegan chicken bucket.
culture
Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
Listen Up
s.ro
we
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The rise in podcast popularity BY CATE ROUNDS & MAKENZIE HOFERT culture editor/staff writer
Radio shows and podcasts have always been popular with older generations. Kids can probably still hear the scarring sound of NPR news playing in the car on the way to school. But in recent years, podcasts have become more and more popular with the younger generations. The rise in popularity may be due to teenagers’ favorite celebrities starting their own podcasts. It may also be due to the interesting stories told on each episode that keep the listener as entertained as they would be watching a TVshow. Either way, the podcast craze has never been more prevalent.
“Views” is one of the most popular comedic podcasts among teenagers. It is hosted by David Dobrik and Jason Nash, both major members of the Vlog Squad. They discuss their own opinions, life experiences, popculture, relationships and take the listener into the life of a YouTuber, all while maintaining hilarious character. “The ‘Views’ podcast is the best podcast ever,” junior Perla Hernadez said. “It’s super funny and relatable. The whole time you’re listening to it, you can picture yourself there with the Vlog Squad.”
“Crime Junkie” is the most popular true crime podcast on Spotify taking, the No. 3 spot on podcast charts. In each episode, host Ashley Flowers tells the audience about the crime she’s obsessed with that week. The show makes the listener feel like they’re talking about crime with their best friends. The most popular episodes include “MURDERED: Laci Peterson” and“WANTED: Robert Fischer” “I love ‘Crime Junkie’. It’s so short that I can listen to a whole story in a drive,” English teacher Anne Granado said. “The only thing bad about it is that I want more.”
“Serial Killers” is hosted by Greg Polcyn and Vanessa Richardson. Unlike normal true crime podcasts, they do a deep psychological analysis into each serial killer. They even take it back to the killer’s childhood. Some of the most popular episodes include “The Lady Killer - Neville Heath” and “The Killer Clown - John Wayne Gacy.”
UFC commentator, comedian and TV host Joe Rogan has something for everyone in his own comedy podcast. He talks about everything from the world of sports to the world of science and everything in between. Fan favorite episodes include “#1169 - Elon Musk,” “#1330 - Bernie Sanders” and “#1255 - Alex Jones Returns.” “I really like the podcast because it gives different perspectives and ideas to the things I agree and disagree with in a forum where 2 people have a nice conversation even if they disagree,” senior Reed Russel said.
YouTubers and comedians Cody Ko and Noel Miller take the listener into their daily conversations. They live their lives as they normally do, hoping to make you laugh in the process. The best episodes include “World Ending Fart,” “Hot Minecraft Tips” and “Caught Red-handed.” “They are just real and I love their humor,” senior Nadia Fryer said. “I also have a bunch of useless information about pasta thanks to them. They are such an iconic duo.”
From the same people who brought you “Serial Killers”, “Today in True Crime” is a daily podcast show that examines real life cases from the past. They go back to the calendar and discuss a true crime event that happened the same day years ago. They cover anniversaries of important cases, critical trials and even serial killers’ birthdays.
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tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019
From old to new Thrifting not only saves money, but benefits people, environment in variety of ways
BY MAKENZIE HOFERT staff writer Shopping for trendy clothes tends to be more expensive than anybody predicts. If you’re wanting name brand items with good material, it’s going to cost you a fortune, but luckily, there is an alternative. Thrifting could be both a fun and money saving alternative for kids in need of new “fits.” Teens could save twice as much money and have twice as many outfits rather than spending a large amount of money on a small amount of clothes. The money that these kids spend on clothes is outrageous. For instance, a pair of Nike tights at your local sports store ranges from $35-$50 while you could spend $4-$6 on the same tights at your local Goodwill. There are so many benefits that come along with thrifting, other than the financial benefits. Teens usually have a specific style of clothing they are drawn to, and most stores don’t usually have a wide range of options outside their preferred style. Secondhand stores are a different story because of donations, which consists of many different styles. There’s more of a variety to choose from when it comes to shopping at nonmainstream shopping centers. Buying clothes from secondhand stores reduces the pollution and the amount of waste thrown back into the environment all over again. When you buy a thrifted piece, there is no new production of clothing since it’s already been produced and is being re-sold. The production of synthetic fibers,
such as polyester, has a negative impact on the environment due to the large amount of energy it requires. There are so many more benefits to thrifting that are never noticed or mentioned. Roughly 26 billion pounds of clothing end up in landfills each year, when in reality, most could be recycled or donated. The clothing industry uses up many natural resources beyond the need and produces more pollution than most industries in the world. Recycling or donating these clothes rather than throwing them away benefits both the planet and our communities. What good comes from trashing potentially good clothing that could be reused? Some thrift stores are even classified as non-profit organizations that use the money earned to help those in need. Goodwill, particularly, sends over half of each dollar made to other local services and programs that specifically help those who are not financially stable. Another example would include the Salvation Army. They feed, house and provide some clothing to people who are incapable of affording food and shelter. All in all, thrifting can be both beneficial to the customer and to the planet. The clothing you prefer could be easily found at any secondhand store if you take the time to browse rather than wasting money at first hand stores. All it requires is the mentality of wanting to help the environment and the realization of what is harmful and favorable to the citizens and the planet. makenzie.hofert@tigertimesonline.com
Thrift vs brand Southern Marsh Sherpa $40 at Plato’s Closet
True Grit Pullover $130 at truegrit.com
$5.50 at Goodwill American Eagle Ripped Jeans $42.50 at American Eagle
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Creativity gives original spin to ordinary outfits BY PEYTON SIMS culture editor
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Painting You can take a trip to your local thrift store and purchase inexpensive pieces such as plain T-shirts, jeans, denim jackets and more. If you’re struggling deciding what to paint on the clothing, you can get inspiration from Pinterest, your favorite cartoon characters or other artwork. Acrylic paint is the best paint type to use because it will not washout.
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Cutting When revamping thrifted clothes, a pair of scissors is your new best friend. From oversized sweaters to collared shirts, a simple way to modernize your vintage finds is to crop them. Also, if you find a pair of jeans you like, you can make them your own by fraying or ripping them.
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Tie Dye A majority of secondhand stores organize their clothing based on color, so it should be easy to locate white T-shirts. You can also tie dye other clothing articles such as pants, socks and more. Take a trip to your local craft store and purchase a tie dye kit and you’re ready to get started.
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Sewing If you’re a person who has experience in fashion design, this is the craft for you. All you have to do is simply find an inexpensive clothing item, such as a $5 dress at your local Goodwill, and revamp it to your taste. You can add lace, patches or cloth from other tops to design it to your own vision. p. sims
photo story
Nov. 5, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com NURTURE NATURE Junior Heaven Chavez assists during the gardening enrichment at Theron Jones. The AP Ambassadors helped teachers during enrichment clusters at Theron Jones.
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Look to the future
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EYES ON THE BALL “It was an amazing experience to be able to be there with the kids, having fun with them and seeing them with a smile on their face meant everything,” junior Alan Olvera said. Olvera oversaw safety at the sports enrichment cluster.
Club travels to elementary schools BY MARGARET DEBENPORT print photo editor AP Ambassadors travelled to elementary schools across the district on Oct. 18. The club volunteered in classrooms at Theron Jones Early Literacy Center and Nash Elementary School. “Our students are provided an opportunity to be an extra set of hands in the classroom and it gives them a way to be a leader in the group,” assistant principal Angie Raney, said. The club focuses on facilitating a positive atmosphere between AP students and encourage people to partake in difficult classes. “Our goal is to reach out to all students and form bonds
like other clubs do, and for the ambassadors to be able to encourage each other,” Raney said. For their most recent service activity, the ambassadors spent time with elementary students. The goal of this activity was to be an extra hand for teachers during enrichment periods. “My favorite part of interacting with the kids is to talk to them and just ask how their day was because you never know what a child could be going through,” junior Alan Olvera said. “Putting a smile on their face when they need it, it’s just everything to do stuff to guide them in the right direction.” margaretdebenport@ tigertimesonline.com m.debenport
ALL SMILES Junior Julyanna Arechiga helps a student draw at Nash Elementary as a part of the AP Ambassador program. “I think the kids will be able to achieve more with the help of mentors,” Arechiga said. “Being connected with children was a good experience for me.” NAIL IT At Theron Jones Early Literature Center, Kandee Arnett applies a nail sticker to a student during their enrichment. “My favorite part is just helping the kids,” Arnett said. “There’s a lot of pressure on teachers, so it’s nice to help them.” m.debenport
DESIGN DREAMS Junior Gizele Osman sits to help design T-shirts at Theron Jones Early Literacy Center. Each ambassador was assigned to a different enrichment cluster.
PLAY THE ROLE Senior Raven Ivory assists in a classroom at Nash. “Everyone in AP Ambassadors are in an advanced classes, so I think we are really good role models for the kids,” Ivory said. “Maybe one day when they’re in middle school or high school they will want to be in those advanced classes too.”
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HAND OF HELP Junior Gabby Ard plays bingo at Nash. “One of the kids gave me his Dr Pepper because he had so much candy and drinks,” Ard said. “Going to Nash was an experience I won’t forget.”
24 community
tigertimesonline.com • Nov. 5, 2019
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