Ths sept 26 2014

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volume 54 • no. 1 • sept. 26, 2014 • 4001 summerhill rd • texarkana, tx 75503 • www.tigertimesonline.com

A bucket of ice water.

A pie in the face.

It’s all for good cause, right?

Are challenges for charity causes helping or is the message lost in the fun?

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CHARITY CHALLENGES INSIDE

news 2-4 • viewpoint 6-8 • feature 9-15 • sports 16-19 • entertainment 20-23

news

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tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

As part of a commitment to help eliminate students from texting and driving, the school has joined the “Celebrate My Drive” campaign sponsored by State Farm.

This campaign will award $100,000 grants for the school who has the most people sign up on their website pledging not to text and drive.

The promotion begins at midnight on Oct. 15 and concludes at 11:59 p.m. Oct. 24.

“I know this is a few weeks away, but I wanted everyone to start thinking about this so we can accomplish two things: awareness of texting and driving and receiving the grant for our school,” principal Brad Bailey said.

TOP TWEETS: @THSStudentMedia

@HutchTidwell98: “If any female needs protection tonight from the purge, I’m like 190 pounds of pure muscles so hmu” @SaRawr16: “If you missed the tuba song rebellion, I’m sorry for ya bud”

Visit www.celebratemydrive.com to sign up.

THE HOT SPOT sports series Every sport has them. The athletes who excel beyond the ordinary player. The ones who give their hearts to the game.

We know their faces, and now we learn their stories.

Catch our first story of the series, Faces of the Game, on tigertimesonline.com, and get a closer look into the life of senior athlete Jalissa Trotter.

what’s happening Homecoming Spirit Days Monday: Favorite Team Day Tuesday: Dress As Your Date Wednesday: Nerd Day Thursday: Middle School Day Friday: Orange Out School Pictures–Sept. 29 Pictures will be taken for grades 9-11 during A2. Order forms are available in the front office and must be turned in when photos are made.

Homecoming Court Presentaion CeremonySept. 29 Girls of the homecoming court wiill be presented Sept. 29 at 7:00 a.m. in the Sullivan Center.

Early Release Day–Oct. 2 School will release at 12:45 p.m. for parent-teacher conferences.

Homecoming Tickets–Now to Oct. 3 Tickets for the homecoming dance will be sold for $5 during all lunches.

in this issue surviving the shooting

Page 4

The TISD Crisis Management Plan has undergone some changes in dealing with on-campus shooting situations.

by Robert Hoover

Homecoming Dance–Oct. 4 Tickets for the homecoming dance will be sold ?? The dance will begin at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.

new landings

Senior Panoramic Picture– Oct. 6 The senior class panoramic photo will be taken Oct. 6 at 8:30 a.m. Information to order pictures will be given out when the picture is made.

Page 15

Different country. Different school.

Different people. Submerged in strange culture.

by Grace Hickey

ACT Dates October 25 December 13

how to rock a bow tie

Page 21

Since it’s origin, the bow tie has evolved to be a fashionable gender neutral accessory still capable of upholding the esteem of the original wearers.

by Alex O’Gorman

SAT Dates November 8 December 6

photo by s. pritchard

tigertimes Texas High School 4001 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 75503 (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.

Print Editors in Chief Madeline Hunley and Robert Hoover Online Editor in Chief Caroline Purtle Managing Editor Amanda Hackleman Co-News Editors Tyler Snell & Anna Graves Viewpoint Editor Kristin McCasland

Feature Editor Molly Crouch Sports Editor Jessica Emerson Co-Entertainment Editors Conor Diggs & Brianna O’Shaughnessy Design Editor Caroline May In-Depth/Copy Editor Maggie Coleman

Public Relations Abby Hill Calendar Editor Daniela Correa Advertising Manager Hannah Williams Business Manager Rachel Stuart Photo Editor Savannah Pritchard Staff Writer Anna Cannon

Jillian Cheney Ahja Cherry Leah Crenshaw Katherine Doan Bethany Dowd Matthew Francis Alex Heo Grace Hickey Hannah Higgins Anneliese Hounsel Raga Justin Naveen Malik Lauren Maynard Alex O’Gorman

Karlee Post Lauren Potter Cailey Roberson Ashlyn Sander Luke Smith Photographers Kelsi Brinkmeyer Savannah Pritchard Faith Rhone Sara Rogers Lauren Gibbert Paige Huddleston Alyssa Olade-Glavin

Carli Sharp Ashley Tyson Israel Arias Rachel Lewis Jordan Rowe Michaela Stiger Augusta Welcher Daylan O’Neal Sara Vaughn Kristin McCasland

Augusta Welcher Daylan O’Neal Sara Vaughn

Videographers Ashley Tyson Israel Arias

Members NSPA, CSPA, ILPC

Advisers Rebecca Potter & Clint Smith Principal Brad Bailey

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news

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

Setting the

STAGE

Tiger Theatre Company takes new direction

by ASHLYN SANDER staff writer

one in the spring, and UIL One Act Play.

“The big plan is to get some good shows up,” Thompson said. “I’m hoping This year marks new beginnings to maybe try to do an improv troupe. for the Tiger Theater Company. With We will see if there’s an interest for that.” new director Lindsey Thompson, the In the fall, they will produce “You program has high hopes for where it will Can’t Take It With You.” go in the future.

“This is a family-friendly play,” “I hope this year, there is a sense of professionalism to what we do,” Thomp- Thompson said. “It’s fun; it’s got something in there for everybody. Anyone in son said. “I hope that the students the community that wanted come to theater to to come see it could and actually learn about ELEPHANT MAN would probably have sometheater, not just CAST one to relate to.” because it is a goofThompson is still debating off class.”

Frederick Treves: Chase Watkins about the musical.

So far, ThompCarr Gomm: Catherine Thomas “One Act is already picked son is impressed Ross: Jake Boyles out; that’s ‘The Elephant with what she has John Merrick: Gabe Lohse Man,’” Thompson said. “The seen here.

Pinheads: Olivia Corbett; Madison only thing I am up in the air “Coming in to Sutton; Caroline Parks about is the musical, which apply for the job, I Beligian Policeman: Ahja Cherry will be picked out in the near London Policeman: Reece Griffin was not expecting future.”

Man at fairgrounds: Landon Ryden the facilities y’all Voice: Matt Thibodeaux Working with someone have,” Thompson Conductor: Jessi Chapman new provides the cast with said. “As far as the Bishop Walsham How: Blaire Berry real-world experience. students and the Porter: Kayce Welch “I’m excited because excitement here, I Snork: Sydnee Russ whenever I go to college, I’m was pretty prepped Mrs. Kendal: Grace Hickey going to have to work with for it.”

Duchess: Olivia Parks a new director,” senior Cara Joining her in Countess: Logan Smith Fowler said, “so this is good the department is Princess Alexandra: Bree Barnett practice for working with speech and debate Lord John: Colby Gillespie new people.” teacher Amy Kemp, Nurse, Miss. Sandwich: Cara Fowler Students are confident in who is teaching their new theater program Theater 1. and the direction it is going.

“I look forward “I think we’re only going up from to whatever direction she is going to here,” sophomore Jonathan Rowland take with the new theater classes this said. “We have a lot of new people and year,” Kemp said. a lot of people graduated last year, but I Thompson has planned two main think it’s gonna be great.” stage productions, one in the fall and

STARTING ANEW Freshman Briana Black works with new theater director Lindsey Thompson, who became involved in theater while she was in high school.

New director excited for future of theater

by KRISTIN MCCASLAND viewpoint editor After a year in transition, Lindsey Thompson has taken the lead as the Tiger Theatre Company’s new director.

Thompson’s involvement in theater began in high school.

“I came from a small town, and we didn’t have a theater company,” Thompson said. “I did one act in high school and took theater classes.”

Thompson’s experiences in high school led her to major in performance in college.

“I directed, I acted, I danced– everything,” Thompson said. “I was [at the theater] all the time.”

Her passion for theater inspired her to become a director after helping with a summer program for children at her former school in Center, Texas.

“They wanted to incorporate the arts,” Thompson said. “They knew I was an artistic person, and they asked me, and I did it. I really enjoyed it.”

Thompson views her new position at Texas High with a sense of pride.

“My biggest thing that I hope to bring to Tiger Theatre is a sense of professionalism,” Thompson said. “When you show up at the theater, you come to work, much like football players when they go to practice.”

Thompson’s serious attitude towards rehearsals will help the Tiger Theatre Company achieve their goals.

“I would like us to advance in one act, and I would like to put on professional quality shows,” Thompson said. “I would also like to see more collaboration with students that are in all the classes, not just the few students who do the same things every year.”

news

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tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

Surviving the Shooting School adopts new ALICE policy to increase safety

by ROBERT HOOVER co-editor in chief

limited to sitting in a dark classroom.

Career and Technology teacher Clint Smith, who wrote a master’s It’s something you hope never happens, thesis on school safety, agrees with the but you have to be prepared if it does. implementation of ALICE. The TISD Crisis “The tragedy at Sandy Management Plan has Hook made a very good undergone some changes example of how even “TISD employees (all in dealing with on-campus departments) attended the best plans are going shooting situations. Adding to fall through when onto the current lockdown a TISD Instructor Lead something like [a shooting] Class on ALICE and procedure, a new strategy happens,” Smith said. known as ALICE is “There is a certain degree of are required to do an expected to be beneficial to unpredictability to it, and online class on ALICE. the safety of all students in my research has shown that Campuses will be the district. when people were more “In light of the school doing drills in the next proactive in their defense, shootings over the last and they didn’t just hide, few months practicing two years, we had to look they were more likely to parts of the ALICE at a different approach to survive.” helping secure our students procedures.”

Actions such as in the event of an active jumping out a window and shooter,” principal Brad barricading doors are exactly -Tina Veal-Gooch, Bailey said. “The ALICE what ALICE is allowing Executive Director of Public strategy is another way we Relations now. can help ensure the safety “As a teacher, and of our students and staff.” as someone who has ALICE is an acronym for alert, experienced a school shooting as a student, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate.

I always thought the worst thing to do It permits faculty and students to act with was cower down in a corner,” Smith said. their best judgment, rather than being “That’s basically signing your own death

warrant.”

Smith is not the only person on campus who feels that this new procedure will be beneficial.

“I agree with ALICE because it allows teachers to be flexible with how they respond to crises,” senior Nick Richter said. “I think it’s stupid if we are sitting in a classroom, and the crisis is all the way across campus, we can’t leave. Then, we are just sitting ducks for the bad BARRICADING TO SAVE LIVES Stacking chairs in guys.” front of a door in order to slow down the shooter is TISD Executive Director encouraged as part of the new ALICE policy. photo by k. brinkmeyer of Public Relations Tina VealGooch said that after the Sandy Hook shootings, the district began available to them in the case of a situation looking for assault rifles to be prepared if where needed.” a similar situation were to happen here.

These changes in safety are simply When a grant became available, TISD precautionary ones with a purpose to purchased 12 M-16’s. continue to make the district a safe place.

“Once [the rifles] arrived, they were “Anytime you can improve upon what converted to semi-automatic weapons you have in place and make the school which our officers are trained on. They safer for our students and staff, it is a were then put under lock and key to good thing,” Bailey said. “Having this be used in only dire situations,” Vealextra tool in place will give our school an Gooch said. “They are not on the officers, opportunity that will hopefully save lives not in their vehicles. [They are] only in the event of an active shooter situation.”

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

community

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viewpoint

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

Eat clean, stay active for health

EDITORIAL

School hurts rather than helps with strict cell phone policy A student’s phone beeps, but they ignore it and continue to take notes. There’s a boy sitting in the back of a classroom, making a quick science calculation on his phone’s calculator. A girl looks up a word she does not recognize, using her cell phone.

However, by the handbook rules, all of these actions would be grounds for the removal of the device from the students’ possessions. According to the handbook, cell phones are not to be turned on while on campus during the school day. This seemingly affirms the archaic idea that cell phones are only used for contacting others. It’s time for a change.

Smartphones have the amazing ability to connect to the Internet wirelessly from virtually any location. For this reason, they have many uses within the classroom.

From dictionary.com to masteringphysics.com, there are many useful sites to accomplish school work. Each is accessible from a smartphone. While texting in class is not productive, these websites and many others prove to be a valuable service to students. The school would do well to update its rules to include allowances to access these sites during class.

Outside of class, in the hallways and at lunch students should be allowed to look at their phones. Checking for messages from parents and listening to music shouldn’t be a problem as long as the student is not doing these things in class. In the 7 minutes between classes, students have sufficient time to get to class and check their phones.

This could also help time management since the time is displayed on phones, and could be used to warn a student they’re soon to be late to class. Allowing students to check phones while class is not in session does not harm anyone and could actually prove to discourage the student from using it in class.

Schools should be promoting the use of multiple technological resources that are open to students in order to foster an open and creative environment. With the plethora of tasks smartphones can complete, they should be a welcome change to the normalcy of everyday

Cartoon by Alexander Iveroth

classroom activities. Technology should be embraced for use within the classroom to better the educational experience of students.

Even though the handbook prohibits the action, there are classes in which cell phone use is allowed and even encouraged. However, even though there are such classes, the handbook’s rule is still behind the times. It would seem that, by the handbook’s standards, it is believed that cell phones show no other purpose that to make calls and text.

However, this is simply not the case. These devices have such a wide range of uses, that it simply isn’t common sense to ban them in the fear of them causing a distraction.

Texas High is living in the past when it comes to issues about the use of technology in the classroom. Schools across the country, including others in Texarkana, are adapting their rules to include cell phones in classroom activities and even to allow their use outside of class during the school day. Administration and school board needs to seriously reconsider the handbook’s strict no cell phone policy.

SPEAK OUT

Do you think cell phone use in school should be less restricted?

“Not really because it restricts your learning. If a kid’s on his phone the whole time in some important history class, he’s not going to learn anything and probably fail the class.”

Eamonn Murray, 10 “No. I think it’s fair, because if you get your phone taken up, you shouldn’t have had it in the first place.”

Cha’Alton Campbell, 10

“Not necessarily. I think it’s ok how it is because we have so many people who would use them to cheat.”

Mary Miller, 10

“During class, it’s okay to not have them, but during our free time, I think we should be allowed to have our phones.”

Skyler Hight, 12 “Yes, I do. Because they say if it falls out of your pocket, or if they hear it or if they see it, then they’re going to take it. But if [students are] not on them, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Mondi Cox, 11

The era of french fries and ice cream is quickly transforming into the era of celery sticks and frozen yogurt. The importance and popularity of healthy eating is beginning to become the concern of people all over America.

In large cities, new restaurants and grocery stores that serve clean and organic food are taking the place of McDonald’s’ and Sam’s. The only CAROLINE MAY problem with this is design editor the cost.

Organic, fresh, gluten-free, and locally grown food is much more expensive than their unhealthy competitors.

For this reason, TIPS FOR few new healthy HEALTHY LIVING food establishments are popping up in 1. Eat three meals a Texarkana. However, day. DON’T SKIP the trend of staying BREAKFAST. active and eating right 2. Eat simply. Stop worrying is steadily rising in so much about counting calories, but rather on popularity. People are eating foods with fresh, beginning to realize few ingredients. that when you eat 3. Exercise regularly. better, you feel better.

Staying active will make Not only does you feel better and burn your body feel better, off calories. but being in good 4. Snacking is ok. Eating healthy snacks like fruit condition will make and granola throughout you look better. This the day will keep your is another reason metabolism going and give your body necessary people want to become physically nutrients. fit. Eating well and 5. Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water everyday. exercising daily will dramatically improve 6. Moderation. Cutting yourself completely the appearance of off from your favorite your skin and body. unhealthy foods will Most people in today’s make you crave them time are concerned more. Simply buy less of that food, and treat with their bodily yourself every now and presentation. We all then. want to look and feel 7. Get enough sleep. This good, and healthy will prevent unnecessary living is a vital tool to snacking. achieve that.

It is proven that a healthy meal plan will not only make you look and feel good for the time being, but it can also elongate your life. Eating foods without preservatives and chemicals will increase a person’s ability to fight off diseases.

Counting calories and diet pills may help you drop a few pounds, but the most important part of staying healthy is eating clean and staying active.

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tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

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viewpoint

Dancing from silk

No, I didn’t see the Taj Mahal

Student expresses herself through aerial dancing

I’m suspended upside down, the blood rushing to my head. Dangling 30 feet above the ground, supported by a gleaming red silk and my body position.

I’m an aerial dancer.

Aerial dancing is a type of performance where dancers perform acrobatics while hanging in the air from a special type Bethany Dowd staff writer of fabric called a silk. There are no safety harnesses. There are no support wires. The dancers completely rely on their abilities and strength.

Now, I can’t even begin to tell you how many times someone has asked me, “Aren’t you scared?” And the answer is yes. We’re all scared, every night we perform. It’d be careless to not be frightened. But then we remember the countless hours we spent rehearsing for this moment, how we carefully honed our skills to get to this point. Between the adrenaline and the anticipation, the fear never rears its head.

Another common question I’ve been asked is, “Does it hurt?” And again, my response is most definitely. Contrary to the popular belief, fabric does burn. Sure the fabric is silky and soft, but when you’re sliding down the fabric, it doesn’t exactly feel like cashmere. The burns feel almost like carpet burns, only a bit more severe.

The next order of business in the world of circus freaks is the trapeze. The trapeze is a free-swinging bar attached to two ropes used to perform acrobatic acts.

This is a well-known crowd-pleaser, and it always seems to be the most iconic act of the night.

We practice dual trapeze, where two dancers share one trapeze.

From there, we carefully aid each other in feats not possible with a lone dancer, such as the domino trill.

The domino trill is performed by each of the dancers grabbing each others

ankles with the bar of the trapeze securely wedged in between their torsos.

Slowly at first, they begin revolving around the bar, resembling a falling domino.

I love what I do. I love the late night rehearsals and pushing myself to the absolute limits of what I believe I can do. Everyone has an art. My art is aerial dancing.

Impossible to dress the part Too short. Too tight. Too distracting.

Students at Texas High School have heard these statements regarding dress code for years, and though we begrudgingly followed orders with no small amount of complaints, these rules could not be disputed.

However, the standard of the dress code’s integrity has begun to be questioned with a few new regulations that, let’s face it, might be taking Grace Hickey staff writer things a bit too far.

It is understandable that administration wants to keep Texas High as appropriate and distraction-free as possible to uphold a high standard of learning and education. Be that as it may, the rules themselves have become more of a distraction than the supposedly inappropriate attire that they try to ban.

For example, when I walk down the hall and see a girl wearing athletic shorts, it is not the actual clothing that is a distraction to me, but rather the rule I know that they are breaking. I don’t think that it’s inappropriate for that girl

to wear her shorts. Instead, I just wonder how on earth she did not get caught for violating dress code.

That’s the image that our dress code policy projects— not something to make learning more efficient, but just a set of rules that is becoming increasingly more hard to follow.

Something that started out as a simple set of guidelines has now morphed into a martial law that is outlawing things like running shorts and headbands. These “distractions” were not causing any trouble before the rules were set in place.

It is completely true that an administrator should monitor students to make sure that they are dressed appropriately for school. It is not, however, beneficial to pick out students who are wearing athletic shorts or headbands that are not distracting simply to enforce a regulation. If that’s the case, our school dress code policy should seriously be revised.

Obviously, it’s hard to reach a fair balance when it comes to how people should dress, but that does not mean that we can’t try as hard as we can to find a resolution that is just for all students without going overboard.

Would school uniforms be a good idea?

“We have enough problems with student disputes over a ‘strict’ dress code. An ‘ultimate’ one would not help the problem.”

-Catherine Thomas, 12 “It would be a better idea.

You could get up in the morning and not worry about what to wear or if people would judge you.”

-Bryan Lovell, 10 “I would not like it because we should be able to wear what we want to.”

-Skyler Bowden, 9 “I would not be happy because I couldn’t wear lime green, and I would look like everyone else.”

-Luke Calhoon, 11 “I would not like it because it would hinder our ability to show our creativity.”

-Brenna Moore, 12

India is not just a country. It’s not just a place on the map, borders outlined and clearly labeled in capital letters, jutting into the Indian Ocean.

It’s the wild beauty and filthy streets; the smell of gutters one minute and spices the next.

It’s the precariousness of shaky buildings that you worry will collapse in a whirl of dust, and the heat that soaks your clothes and burns your eyelids.

It’s the wind that’s blown across both brightly colored slums and luxurious Raga Justin 5-star hotels, and staff writer touched both barefoot street urchins and business moguls- in the same neighborhood.

When I visited India over the summer, it was because I jumped at the chance to travel alone for the first time in my life. And to be honest, after the initial excitement of a strange new world, I began to feel homesick for the neat, orderly ways of America.

In the United States, cars stayed in lanes and honking signified a major breach of road rules. Here, lanes were a waste of paint and the noise was skullcrushing- a wild cacophony of sound as bikes, cars, and buses all tried to go the same way and realized that, contrary to popular belief, it was impossible to enter an alley side-by-side.

But India is a wild, exotic, beautiful place. I was captivated by the kaleidoscope of colors in the jeweltoned sarees of the women, the rows of strange fruits sold in carts on the roads by cheerfully grinning vendors. My alltime favorite thing to do was go places in these little canary-yellow vehicles called “autos” that were three-wheeled, ridiculously cheap, and weaved in and out of traffic at breakneck speeds. We would hurtle down narrow streets and bump over potholes, wind blowing in through the open sides, the driver only pausing in his rapid speech to shout angrily at a bus that came an inch away from pulverizing us.

Each day I spent there was filled with a new sight, a new smell, all unique. India is not for the faint of heart–but for those filled with wanderlust, it’s a magical place.

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viewpoint

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

Living everyday one step at a time Junior searches for answers to rare medical condition It was the first football game of the season. Texas High against Whitehouse. But all I remember was clenching Tye Shelton’s hand as I slowly crumbled to the ground.

My legs couldn’t hold me.

My back tightened up, fighting with my abdominal muscles while they did the same. My arms screamed. Every muscle in my body violently spazzed while voices around me asked, “What’s wrong?” or “Annie, are you okay?”

Between gasps of air and violent shakes, all I could tell them was, “Just make it stop.”

What was wrong? What is wrong? These are questions that I, along with my family, have been asking for 7 months now.

In February, I sat in my A3 class when oddly my hands turned blue. I wouldn’t have noticed if it weren’t for a fellow classmate who pointed it out.

At first, I thought it was from the dye of my jeans, but after washing my hands twice, that didn’t seem to be the case.

I went to the nurse who looked at me with confusion and immediately called my stepmom. Within the 20 minutes,

my hands started flashing in color and webbing out–literally. My fingers extended to their limit, spread out, and you could see every crease my handprint made in my palm. At one point, my hands would change to blue, blueish-purple, then back to blue. Moving them was painful and slow, for when I tried, it was one joint at a time, as if you were breaking a stick one little section at a time. In addition, they were freezing in temperature.

I was taken from the school to Dr. Bryan Bowen to get checked out immediately. After running steaming hot water over my hands trying to warm them up to regain color, he called in his partner Pat Smith, and every doctor and nurse took their turns trying to bend my fingers.

They told us they had never seen anything like it.

All they could do was send me home and suggest that I keep my hands wrapped up, and if I woke up the next day with no positive results, I was to go to the emergency room to Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

As the night progressed, my spasms got worse and spread through my body. By now my

feet had webbed, but only my hands were blue.

My episodes started to look as if I was seizing.

Breathing became a foreign process. At times, I wouldn’t be able to catch my breath.

Every muscle in my body was defined, head to toe, refusing to release the tension.

For eight days I played the role as a lab rat, meeting with neurologists to rheumatologists, answering the same questions over and over again.

For eight nights my parents slept lightly and nurses stayed close because my episodes became gradually worse. I was frustrated, exhausted and beyond scared.

Frustration rose on that Sunday afternoon when the neurologist came in, looked at my parents then over at me, tears streaming down my face from the pain, and said, “Well, I don’t have a clue as to what’s wrong with

ANNIELIESE HOUNSEL staff writer

[Above] Junior Annieliese Hounsel shows the muscles in her hands as they contract. [Below] Hounsel hugs her father to find comfort while in the hospital.

you, so we’re sending you home tomorrow morning.” How could they not know? How could they just give up?

We left the hospital Monday morning only to return with one answer— the discoloration in my hands was Raynaud’s Phenomenon (a common

circulatory disease in women). I returned home with hands still stuck and fear worse than before.

Since my hospital stay in February, I have been hospitalized four other times for my muscle spasms. Each time they seemed to increase in pain and severity.

The recoveries have taken longer, and the physical results still linger days after the episodes.

In July we thought we had an answer. A doctor at ACH called and told us that he believed I had Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease, a disease caused through inherited genetic disorders that affect your touch sensations. That was shot down 12 days later when the test results came back negative.

Every day I find it hard to walk or do any type of physical activity. I used to push myself and deal with the pain, but it’s gotten to the point to where I have to slow down. I’m frustrated and scared, but I refuse to believe that we will never get an answer.

Despite my encounters with the doctors, I know they are doing what they can to help.

I can only be thankful for the medication, prayer and support.

A.L.I.C.E. protocal will make for safer campus It’s many school’s biggest fear: a threat. find us doesn’t work if the shooters already shooting. An armed aggressor coming The previous program used at Texas know where we are. Our lockdowns onto the campus with the sole purpose of High basically consisted of hiding and also restricted communication, meaning causing as much damage as possible. being as quiet as possible. This tactic that none of the teachers had any way After shootings like Columbine and became scary when I realized that nearly of making decisions based on their Newtown, the problem is surroundings. on the front of everyone’s As years progress, this tactic is likely The A.L.I.C.E. system offers mind. Are we preparing a different sort of solution. Alert. to help our school. While the first the right way, or could Lockdown. Inform. Counter.

Texas High be one of the Evacuate. Under A.L.I.C.E., few lockdown drills may be extra tragedies on the news? teachers learn to make real-time, long and sort of annoying, if worst individual decisions. Teachers As of this year, Texas High School has adopted comes to worst, we as a school, will and faculty have the ability to a new security protocol decide to evacuate based on be better prepared. called A.L.I.C.E. The their specific situation. This is LEAH CRENSHAW staff writer program is designed to safer because this lets us go from combat the increasingly being trapped in a dangerous terrifying threat of a school shooting. The all school shootings are perpetrated by school to actively escaping. new system gives teachers the authority present or former students of the school.

A.L.I.C.E. also includes tactics for to make their own decisions based on the Hiding and hoping the shooters won’t distracting and disrupting shooters if

confrontation is unavoidable. For example, if a shooter attempts to enter a classroom, students should throw books and swarm around them. A shooter would have a hard time being a terrifying murderer while 35 literature textbooks are flying at him.

This is just one of the many things that A.L.I.C.E. has attributed to our school in order for us to be more prepared for the worst.

This move to A.L.I.C.E. is, all in all, designed to make everyone on campus safer. There is no doubt that A.L.I.C.E. is a huge improvement over our previous protocol.

As years progress, this tactic is likely to help our school. While the first few lockdown drills may be extra long and sort of annoying, if worst comes to worst, we as a school, will be better prepared.

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feature

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

Little hands, big dreams

submitted photos

Sophomores travel to Zambia with family on mission trip to help area’s children

by RAGA JUSTIN staff writer

O

n the top of a hill, surrounded by a panoramic view of a sprawling African city, more than a hundred volunteers watch breathlessly as great blue buses rumble towards the clearing. As the buses get closer, a thousand grinning faces hang out of open windows. The steady thrum of a thousand pairs of little hands beating on their seats keeps time to lively Zambian folk songs sung by a thousand gleeful voices.

Picked out of a million orphans scraping through life in Zambia, these one thousand children would spend the next week taking in full meals, Bible verses and happiness.

With this in mind, sophomores Cathryn Payne and Mary Claire Paddock packed their bags and headed toward Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, in the hopes

FUTURE BILL GATES New computer science teacher Mark Ahrens works with his class. photo by m. stiger

Q &A with

that they could lend their support and time for a just cause.

“I had a group of 6 to 8 year-old girls,” Payne said.

“I played with them and showed them affection, which is something they don’t really get to see with their life being the way it is.”

This was not their first trip, however. They went last summer to participate in the week-long program that was organized through a Dallasbased charity called Family Legacy, whose mission is to bring hope to Zambian orphans living in devastating conditions.

And devastating they are.

“They’re poor,” Payne said of the children she’s met.

“Like don’t-even-get-to-eatsome-days poor.”

Their home situations are pitiful, too, according to both Payne and Paddock, who were able to experience the heart-wrenching way in which these children lived first-hand.

“Until you’ve been where we went and seen where they live, you can’t really understand what they go through,” Paddock said.

“It’s plain poverty. It’s loud music, dirt roads and shacks, people are living over trash bags–it’s like the worst situations imaginable.”

When the time came to say goodbye, no one was unaffected.

“One of the things that always breaks my heart is sending the kids back home on the bus, and they know they’re not coming back,” Payne said. “It’s one of the

hardest moments.”

Although the end of their journey was bittersweet, both are optimistic about next summer. In any case, the children left an indelible impression on Paddock and Payne.

“All the girls touched my heart, and I learned from them in different ways,” Paddock said. “It’s changed my life, like the way I see things, the way I treat other people.”

Seeing how the other half lived made for an enlightening summer, as well as a newfound appreciation

QA

: What exactly is computer science? : Computer science is just like any other science field, just with computers. There are things that scientists are learning every single that enhances computing power and storage. Computer Science has given people the ability to literally store and reconcile a whole world of this information. I find it fascinating because we have essentially taken purified sand and copper and turn it into something that we cannot go without using on a day-to-day basis. Computer Science also allows anyone with an interest to make substantial changes in everyday life, too. Some examples would be Bill Gates, IBM, Mark Zuckerburg, and Steve Jobs. : What made you join the staff? : The simplest answer was that I was asked to look into it. The position came open, and I was told by several people I should apply. I didn’t really ever consider teaching even though I have several educators in my family. I spent about a week letting it roll around in my head before I made the decision to apply for it. Coming from the technology department, I already had built some professional relationships with many of the staff and administrators. That helped make the decision easier

QA

MARK AHRENS

Sophomore Cathyrn Payne poses with the children she worked with in Zambia.

for the comforts of home.

“I consider the whole experience to be lifechanging,” Payne said. “It’s made me so thankful for everything I’ve been blessed to have.”

Sophomore Mary Claire Paddock stands with African children during her week long mission trip.

In Zambia, sophomore Mary Claire Paddock holds a young child.

because I knew I would get straight answers instead of the canned ones that are sometimes thrown around. All in all, everything has worked out well, and I’m getting a little more adjusted each day. : What do you expect out of your students? : Attentiveness. I understand that the subjects I’m teaching aren’t going to be for everyone. If students will pay attention in class, they will find out pretty quickly if my subjects are something they want to continue learning in the following years. : Do you consider yourself a computer geek? : No, I don’t actually. When I think of geek I usually have images of Big Bang Theory pop up. The reason I don’t is because I’m always learning something technical from someone else. I’ll be the first to tell you I don’t know everything, but I know I can find someone who does. I guess if you think about it, everyone is a geek because everyone uses technology so much. : Do you have a certain limit on how much you use technology a day? : I do actually. There’s a couple different reasons why, too. First, I have to spend time everyday allowing my mind to rest. I don’t spend a lot of time trying to design the next big app, or discovering the next Twitter or Google, or even trying to figure out my phone.

Compiled by Karlee Post/staff writer

QA QA Q A

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feature

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

On the Court

popping the question

Maggie Coleman

Katherine Doan

Chanell Hayes

Madeline Hunley

Baylee McBride

Faith Rhone

Caroline Thomas

Jalissa Trotter

Caroline White

Rachel White

Hot & spicy Sophomores Ricky Cooks and Marley Crawford can’t wait to salsa their way to homecoming. “Ricky is one of my best friends, and I know he’ll make it a homecoming to remember,” Crawford said.

Autumn Jester

On a roll Freshman Anna Morgan enjoyed her tasty treat even more with the delicious date that asked her. “I’m really glad he asked me; I couldn’t think a better way than with my favorite food,” Morgan said.

Chandler Thomas

Homecoming maids announced at pep rally

by ANNELIESE HOUNSEL staff writer

Sweet surprise Juniors Ethan Montez and Chealsea Slider celebrate going to homecoming together over a sugary sweet breakfast. “I was so surprised when it happened because I had no idea he’d ask me, but when I saw the sign, I was so happy,” Slider said.

Nerves started to rise as the girls anxiously waited to get asked to the Homecoming Dance. Then begins the process of finding the perfect dress, making sure your date’s suit matches and planning out the perfect evening weeks in advance. For girls in the senior class, the nerves double as they wait to see who gets the most nominations for the Homecoming Ballot. After that, they wait as the whole student body votes on the 12 lucky girls to earn a spot on Homecoming Court. The final votes are counted and announced at the Homecoming Court Pep Rally, where

the nominees are selected from the crowd to receive their roses on the gym floor in wake of ecstatic cheers.

Twelve senior girls were pulled unexpectedly from the pep rally crowd on Sept. 19 to complete the homecoming court. Each girl is unique in who they are and what they represent in their court position.

“They’re all deserving of what they get even though they’re different in all their talents,” Chanell Hayes said. “I’m really proud of all of them.”

The skit dancers dispersed to grab their assigned nominee while the girls sat anxiously watching the chaos wondering if they’d be chosen. One by one the girls were pulled and taken to receive their orange rose.

“I was super excited and relieved,” Baylee McBride said. “I’m just grateful to share this with these beautiful girls.”

Twenty-five girls were on the ballot and 12 chosen for court.

“Regardless of what happens, even the girls who didn’t make it, I feel like every girl that was on the ballot deserved it,” Jalissa Trotter said.

The girls all wished one another the best as they prepare for the court presentation Monday, and announcement of the queen on Oct. 3, which will be held that night at the varsity football game against Hallsville.

“I just want to wish all the girls the best of luck Friday at the game,” Caroline Thomas said. “Any one of them would make a great queen.”

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

community

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in-depth

tiger times sept. 26, 2014

CHARITY CHALLENGES

@ cbt21 “Well, my challenge was different in the fact that instead of a huge bucket of ice and water I used a bucket with two ice cubes in it. I told my friends not to nominate me, but they did anyway, so I wanted to kind of get back at them by not going full out. I still ended up donating because it was a great cause. It showed me how easy, and in this case fun, it actually was to donate to a charity.”

-Chandler Thomas, 12

@ chanellypooh10 “My ice bucket challenge was different because it wasn’t just a little ice, it was a cooler full. This impacted me because the ALS ice bucket challenge is for a great cause, so why not support, and it just made me feel like I was doing a good deed.”

design by MAGGIE COLEMAN

Feeling the shiver

Ice, Ice Baby This graph depicts the money raised in 2013 before the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and the money raised after the challenge was launched in summer 2014.

$2.7 million 2013

by CAROLINE MAY design editor

$116 million 2014

When things go wrong In Mississippi, a college sophomore decided to join the trend of the Ice Bucket Challenge. In the video, it started out as a normal challenge. As the video progressed and she nominated her friends, her friend prepped the bucket to pour.

The bucket of water was so heavy that her friend dropped the bucket on her head without actually pouring the water on her.

The video ended abruptly, and rumors flew that the girl died.

Contrary to popular belief, the girl did not die. She simply claimed to have the breath knocked out of her, and a few weeks after the incident, she had some back pains.

So, if you decide to do the Ice Bucket Challenge, make sure your bucket isn’t too big, and if you get hurt, make it apparent that you’re alive.

As shivers run down the backs of millions of people across the globe, donations pile up in order to find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease. The ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) ice bucket challenge has blown up on social media and has been extremely effective in making people aware of the fatal disease.

ALS is a disease that progressively degenerates the motor neurons of a person’s brain and spinal cord. The nerves that are affected in this disease provide voluntary movements and muscle power. When these neurons die, the person’s ability to control muscle movement is lost. If the disease continues for long enough, the person can become fully paralyzed or even result in death.

In case you have been living under a rock for the last few months, the ice bucket challenge is a series of dares that are passed from friend to friend summoning them to get a bucket of ice water poured on them.

Each person has 24 hours to complete the challenge or donate $100 to the ALS Association.

Many people argue that the challenge has lost meaning because some people don’t donate or don’t even know what ALS is.

However, the videos have become so popular that donations and awareness have hit their peak. Since the challenge has been created, more than $100 million has been given in support of research for a cure.

“I never actually did the challenge, I donated money,” junior Jayci Pettigrew said.

A pie to the face “But I think it was a cool challenge and really funny to see everyone do it. However, I don’t think most people got the real meaning that it was actually for charity.”

Though there are some people who ignore the dare or just fail to give money, the profits are immense. The whole reason in creating the challenge was to raise money in order find a cure for the disease, and that has been more than achieved. The cause is now incredibly publicized and well-known when it may have never gotten this much recognition and support than before the challenge was created.

“I think that the start of it was good,” junior Kyrain Williams said. “People were

2,529,075 #alsicebucketchallenge hashtags on Instagram actually doing it to donate. But with our generation, we see something that everybody does and just want to do it so they can seem like the other people. As time goes on, I think it’s losing meaning. We just do it so we can post on social media and not actually for the real cause.”

In the end, the ALS ice bucket challenge should not be perceived as a negative thing when it has made an insanely positive outcome. Money and awareness raised for the research of Lou Gehrig’s disease have reached an all-time high and will hopefully make a difference in the number of deaths occurred as a result of ALS.

by TYLER SNELL co-news editor In wake of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge, a new challenge was created for a cause that also has lower publicity. This new challenge may not have as much popularity as the former, but it is still for a great cause. This movement is called Pies for Parkinson’s.

The crust, the filling and the whipped cream all combine to make a flavorful masterpiece on someone’s face. Participants in the Pies for Parkinson’s challenge have someone throw a pie in their face. Then, they post a video on Instagram, Facebook or another form of social media.

“It’s great to post about [Parkinson’s] because it raises awareness about the disease,” junior Yuliza Cruz said. “Many don’t even know what they are until [someone] is challenged. But also there are those who do it just to go with the crowd. I think that if you do the challenge, then you should at least look it up if you don’t know what it is.”

Posting a video can spread the amount of people aware of Parkinson’s. The challenged challenges three more people to have a flavorful pie thrown in their face. This creates a wildfire chain of pie throwing in order to spread awareness for Parkinson’s.

“I think it is a great way to spread the word and get donations as long as people are actually going to donate,” freshman Colton Johnson said. “[The ALS Ice Bucket challenge] was not about finding a cure for the disease. I think that people need to do this to find a cure and actually donate instead of making it just something to laugh about.”

Many feel that this challenge can distract from the real problem, finding a cure for Parkinson’s.

This disease is a movement disorder that is worse

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photo illustration by s. pritchard

over time. As people age, they have a higher risk of contracting Parkinson’s. More than one million people in the United States are affected

by Parkinson’s. The symptoms include tremor, slowness of movements, limb stiffness, and also difficulties with gait and balance. The cause of this tragic disease is still unknown, and there is also 139 currently no cure. #piesforparkinsons “The challenge raises the hashtags on Instagram awareness of Parkinson’s just by having it with it’s name,” junior Sidney McGough said. “The awareness of the disease will cause people to what to be involved to help people affected by it.”

Spreading awareness can help find more issues surrounding the disease. Right now, the disease has been linked to genetic and environmental factors, but it varies from person to person.

Families with a relative that has Parkinson’s has a higher risk of also having the disease. Some scientists also suggest that some environmental toxins, such as pesticides, can cause this disease.

Currently there is no direct relation between the disease and toxins.

“I have no idea what [Pies for Parkinson’s] is,” senior Jonathan Asher said. “I think that the ALS Ice Bucket challenge can overshadow these challenges that raise money and awareness. They fund research for a cure and let people know how big a disease actually is.”

Pies for Parkinson’s is a campaign that is underneath the shadow of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge. Both are for worthy causes, but it’s time to tackle a new mountain and raise awareness and money for Parkinson’s Disease.

-Chanell Hays, 12

@ madisonmarie_m3 “Well, I don’t know how different mine was from anyone else’s, but before I did the ice bucket challenge, I had never heard of ALS. So, I researched it and realized what it is and how it impacts people and their families and it gave me a greater awareness of what some people have to go through.”

-Madison Maynard, 11

@ kipwilliams350 “My ice bucket challenge was different because I did it with dry ice. It made me realize that the feeling of freezing water being poured on you is one that people with Lou Gehrig’s shouldn’t have to feel either. So donate!”

-Kip Williams, 11

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community

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

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feature

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

New Landings Foreign exchange students share glimpse into new lifestyles

Different country. Different school.

Different people.

Submerged in strange culture, they make their way through the halls surrounded by a blur of unrecognized faces, non native tongue and orange painted walls. These are some of the unfamliarities that foreign exchange students encountered on their first day.

Jacob Pycha, 11

Prague, Czech Republic

Q: What was your first thought about Texas High when you got here?

A: My first thought about Texas High was, “Wow, it’s exciting to be here, but it is a really big school, enormous compared to what we have in Czech.”

Q: How big was your school in Czech?

A: Our school isn’t so big. I think it has something like 400 or 500 students.

Q: So you went to the football game against Whitehouse. How was that?

A: It was my first time to see American football–your football. It was crazy, especially for me because I play soccer, and it’s the game I love. I’ve been playing for 14 years, and in American football, there’s just fighting.

Q: What is our culture like compared to what you’re used to?

A: It is different, but I think I’m getting used to it. We don’t have sports teams in Czech–just something like physical education, and we don’t have these spirit days either. complied by GRACE

Katya Seskaya, 11

Aktobe, Kazakhstan

Q: Why did you decide to come to America for the year?

A: I took part in a competition called Future Leaders Exchange. It’s a competition for English knowledge, and they check your characteristics whether you can live in the United States for a year without your parents.

HICKEY

Emma Bergman, 11

Sigtuna, Sweden

Q: What made you decide to come here to study?

A: I just made the decision to come to America, then I was put here in Texarkana.

Q: How is everything going at home? Is it awkward or anything?

A: At first I was freaked out. I didn’t know anyone here, and I was living with strangers, but they’re actually really nice, so now everything’s fine.

Q: Is there anything that you absolutely must do in America? A bucket list or anything?

A: I have to go to the rodeo. I figure if I’m in Texas, I need to attend the fair and rodeo here.

Q: What are some of your extracurricular activities?

A: I wanted to play soccer and cross country here, but they told me I couldn’t participate since I was an exchange student.

I do play guitar and write original music though.

Q: Do you think its going to be hard to leave?

A: I do think it will be difficult because even though I’ve only been here for a few weeks I’ve already made so many friends.

Q: Do you ever feel homesick?

A: Not homesick exactly, I just miss a few people.

Q: Do Americans fill any stereotypes you had developed?

A: Sometimes. I expected everyone here to wear cowboy hats and boots all the time, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Also, I’ve noticed that just like in the movies, America is full of cliques. I thought it was a myth, but it appears not. complied by BETHANY DOWD

It was my dream because I was studying English for eight years. I just wanted to move to the United States to improve my English and learn about the culture and people.

Q: How have you adjusted?

A: The first week was hard because it was hard to understand my host parents. Everything was different, the way you live, the way you eat. I’m adjusting to life here, and it’s not that bad. I understand people better, and I can speak better than when I came.

Q: What is your favorite thing about America and Texas High?

A: My favorite thing about Texas High is football games because we don’t have American football; we just have soccer, and it was fun for me to get to come to the first football game and watch it. And America, the food.

How can I say? A wide choice of food

especially in the stores. When I first went to Wal-mart, my host family couldn’t find me because I was just like, “Cereal, drinks, yes!”

Q: What do you miss most about your home country?

A: My cat. I talk to my mom once a week on Skype, but I miss my cat.

We have a cat at home, but this cat is really angry, and she doesn’t play with me, but my cat likes to come to me and sleep with me.

Q: What was your biggest surprise when you moved to Texas?

A: The weather because in my country, it isn’t that hot. I mean it’s hot, but it’s humid here, and we have a dry climate. The first few days I went outside, and I couldn’t breathe because it was really hard for me to adjust to the humidity here. compiled by ANNA CANNON

Q: What do you like about Texas?

A: Well, I like the heat. It’s much warmer here. In my country, it’s very cold. But it can be too hot here sometimes. Like especially at soccer practice. It’s awful. But other than that I like it.

Q: What do you like better about Norway than Texas?

A: The food. I like the food. But Bodø, Norway that’s probably because that’s what I’m used to.

Q: What made you move to Texas?

Q: What do you like and dislike A: Well I did not have a choice. It about being a foreign exchange was just a coincidence. My host family student? chooses.

A: I like how much experience I Q: How different is Texas from get, and getting to know new people.

Norway?

Also, learning English better. I would A: Oh it’s so different. Not say like, the negative thing is that I only like, in Texas, but the culture miss my family and friends. That’s in America. And the food is really what’s hard. But I’m just trying to stay different. I’m trying to keep like, the positive, and I’m just looking forward healthy thing. But it’s very much like, to everything in my future here. cheese. Yeah, it’s quite different. complied by ANNA GRAVES

Iselin Jenson, 11

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community

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

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sports

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

Jarion Anderson, 12

KJ Reid, 12

photo illustration by k. brinkmeyer

Javon Thomas, 12

Will Brown, 12

SEASON VETERANS

by LUKE SMITH staff writer

The lights, the crowd, the band and everything that goes with Friday nights will soon come to an end for the senior football players. This is the last season for this group of guys, and they plan on making the most of every moment.

“It came quick,” Whitehouse 38-35 senior Will Brown said.

“All the memories, Arkansas 20-14 some good, some bad, Kilgore 19-13 but overall, I enjoyed 9/26 Sulphur Springs it all.”

10/3 Hallsville After four or more years of football, the 10/10 Pine Tree players are being forced 10/17 Longview to accept that this is the 10/24 Marshall last chance they have to 10/31 Greenville play together.

“It’s bittersweet, 11/7 Mt. Pleasant especially playing with the guys you grew up with,” senior wide reciever Jarion Anderson said. “It’s kind of sad, but we all just have to come together and have fun and make the best of it.”

For many seniors, it’s more than just a game. It has become a large part of their lives

COMING UP

SENIOR PLAYERS PREPARE FOR FINAL SEASON and even the small things will be missed.

“Running out of the tiger, pre-game meals, playing on Fridays, the pep rallies–it’s just fun,” senior running back Javon Thomas said.

When they storm the field on game day, they are more than teammates, they are family. Having Texas across the front of the jersey is like having the same last name.

“Just being at practice, or before the games or on the bus with my brothers,” senior linebacker KJ Reid said. “We’re laughing, making fun of each other, just enjoying our time together.”

The Tigers have had a rough start, including a 38-35 loss to Whitehouse and a heart-wrenching loss to Arkansas High in overtime, 20-14, but soon bounced back with a 19-13 victory against Kilgore in triple overtime. Many players think their comeback from the rocky start is thanks to Coach Barry Norton taking them on a trip to the movies.

“Last week we saw a movie called ‘When the Game Stands Tall,’ and it tells the tale of a team who has a 150 [game] winning streak,” Reid said. “But then they broke it, and it’s just like us being broken, and they

came back and finished the whole season undefeated, and that’s what we plan on doing. No more losses.”

From the beginning of the bye week before the Kilgore game until kickoff that Friday night, the movie, the determination and the hard work in practice led to the triple overtime win and brought back some school spirit just in time for district play.

“It builds up momentum,” Thomas said.

“We kept fighting and fighting and finally came out with the win.”

This new attitude to do whatever it takes to win has become apparent, not only on game day but in practice as well.

“I’m starting to have better practice habits and working hard and thats what it’s all about,” Anderson said. “We are working hard in practice, getting better and just dominating this season, winning a district title, and going far in playoffs.”

The team opens district play on the road today against Sulphur Springs. The guys are excited about the remainder of the season and have high hopes about what is to come.

“I feel like our team improvement is great,” Reid said. “It’s only going forward from here.”

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sports

Running life away Cross country begins with a positive outook on the upcoming season

MORE THAN A STROLL Senior Laken Edwards and freshman Ryann Williams pick up their pace during the Dash for Cash 5K. photo by s. pritchard

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

by LAUREN MAYNARD staff writer

I

nhale. Exhale. Legs are burning. And this is just the beginning. One foot in front of the other. They’re a different breed. Nothing can stop them. This is miles of agony. Not a jog in the park. To most, it’s punishment, but to this handful of athletes it’s an everyday thing. The cross country team’s season has started with a “ready, set, bang.”

“It was our first meet, it was an early meet, so we weren’t really prepared, but we’ve gotten much better since,” junior Carley Wallace said. “The team placed third overall and over half the runners individually.”

Although the Trinity Invitational wasn’t quite what the team had hoped it to be, they picked up the pace in Redwater that following weekend.

“The Redwater meet has been my favorite so far,” sophomore Grant Jarvis said. “It had a great course that was pretty flat and accurate.”

Not only was the Redwater course a team favorite, but also one for the record books.

“I did decent at Redwater, I got 46 out of roughly 115 runners,” freshman Brett Denson said. “My boy Grant got so far ahead, he passed the lead four wheeler.”

Whereas Redwater was successful, the most recent meet in Hallsville was precisely the opposite.

“That day we were running a little late getting to the race site and ended up lost and stretching in the middle of the National Anthem, then running to the starting line almost missing

the race as a whole,” senior Laken Edwards said. “Overall, we did bad, but Hallsville is a big meet and their runners are tough competition; we get a little salsy when the Hallsville meet rolls around.”

Even though the beginning of the season started out rough, there’s plenty of time to improve before regionals.

“I honestly don’t know if the team will qualify this year for regionals. I’m confident in Grant and Lauren Gibbert though,” Edwards said. “Lauren pushed hard last year and missed it by only 2 seconds, so I really believe she’ll push it into gear and take us there.”

Not only are these runners a cross country team here, but they’re more like a family.

“Being in the cross country family is fun because it’s close knit and we’re there for each other constantly,” Denson said. “We wake up early together, run together, and die together.”

This family has taken in a record number of freshman this year.

“I love the team,” freshman Ryann Williams said.

“They’ve been so sweet and have taken me under their wings and helped me out with everything.

Not only did they gain some newcomers, but they’ll be losing some old favorites this upcoming spring.

“The fact that I’m a senior has hit me really hard because I love my team so much; these guys and girls are family; leaving them will be like leaving behind a piece of myself,” senior Lauren Gibbert said. “We’re always laughing, they bring out the best in me, and I couldn’t imagine spending the past four years with anyone else.”

With dedicated hearts, set minds, and pure passion, these athletes will continue this year’s season.

“I run because it takes my mind off everything else happening around me. It clears my mind and I love it,” Gibbert said. “Also, I can eat anything and everything I want without the worry of gaining any weight.”

Why I refuse to quit volleyball Hard work always pays off, except when it doesn’t. I haven’t missed a single practice, not since freshman year. I’m a junior.

But on the other hand, I’ve never played in a single game.

Having three years worth of volleyball practice under my belt, but no game experience can give a girl her fair share of heartache.

Possessing a long list of reasons to quit, but never giving in to the temptation to do it, puts my relationship status with volleyball as: It’s complicated.

If I had a nickel for every time someone told me I should quit, well, let’s just say I could finally get that pair of Miss Me jeans I’ve always wanted. As a person who doesn’t believe in giving up, I can’t seem to decide when I cross the line between not giving up and wasting my time.

Contrary to common belief, it is much harder to be the worst at something than the best. Yes, it

is challenging to be the best, but it’s balanced out by rewards and glory. If you are the worst, you are challenged and get none of the rewards. Despite that, I continue to go to volleyball faithfully.

Every summer, usually only a week after school ends, workouts start. Every morning I hop on my bike and peddle the 2.4 miles to the school multipurpose building from my home. After the intense workout, I ride my bike back home.

It is suggested that I go to 10 workouts. I more than double it by not missing one and hit the 25 mark. No one else went to as many as me. Yet, all my hard work and dedication means absolutely nothing. On the day at the end of the summer when they pass out uniforms, all I’m left with is my tears and more determination to try even harder.

I don’t believe that athletic ability is the only thing holding

me back from getting on the court.

Though admittedly, I do have room for improvement. One of the reasons may be that I’m shy.

I know what you’re thinking.

What about being effective at hitting or passing the ball has to do with my ability to talk to others? My theory is that volleyball is an aggressive sport, and I still lack the bravery to make my own coach pronounce my name correctly. My name has been Ahja since the first day of freshman year, yet somehow, I am called Asha.

My incapacity to stand up for myself doesn’t put me in the most becoming light.

I love volleyball; there is no question in that. I couldn’t imagine starting my day without morning practice. It has been my routine for years now. I also unfailingly believe in myself. It can seem a bit ridiculous. Normally, if I put my effort into something, or sometimes it even comes naturally,

I can dominate academically without even trying. Anything that has to do with creativity, I handle just fine.

I accept that I’m not superhuman, but believing in myself is my superpower. I won’t be able to face any other challenges in life if I don’t conquer volleyball.

And I understand that “life isn’t fair.”

Some people are born athletes, and some like me, are not. But my drive for a position has nothing to do with how high I jump or if I was born with Fast Twitch muscles or not.

If I want something, why should I not have it? Hard work is supposed to pay off. I will keep working hard until I get something out of this. Ahja Tamu Cherry is a lot of things. A quitter is not one of them. The possibility of getting a uniform and actually being a part of the team is reason enough to keep trying.

AHJA CHERRY staff writer

“Some people are born athletes, and some like me, are not. But my drive for a position has nothing to do with how high I jump or if I was born with Fast Twitch muscles or not. I will keep working hard until I get something out of this.”

by ROBERT HOOVER co-editor in chief One set complete. He grabs the bar, this time aiming to do more. Pushing and pushing. Air rushing in and out of his lungs trying to keep up.

Up and down, up and down. His breath slows and the griping pain begins, crushing and strangling him. This is no unfamiliar feeling.

Nine months after junior Dylan Gray experienced a lung collapse, it reoccurred, forcing him back into the ER and out of the pool.

“The first time it happened I was at swim practice one morning, and I felt some pain in my chest and shortness of breath,” Gray said. “I thought it was a pulled muscle or something, so I got in and started swimming. After a couple of laps, I got out and realized I couldn’t do it. I went to the ER, and they told me I had a collapsed lung.”

Throughout the summer, Gray practiced in the pool and visited the gym to improve cardio for swim season, while also trying to prevent further injuries. Unfortunately, after all the hard work his lung still couldn’t get strong enough to endure the stress.

“I had just got to the gym, and about 15 minutes

Catching ON THE MEND Junior Dylan Gray recovers from surgery to repair a collapsed lung at the beginning of the year. This is the second time his lung has collapsed. Once he is able, Gray hopes to get back to practicing for the upcoming swim season. photo by k. brinkmeyer

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his

breath

“It’s going to be very hard to catch back up, but I know I can do it. I’m always practicing hard; this time I’m going to have to try twice as hard. I just can’t give up.”

in, it started hurting,” Gray said. “I caught it a little earlier this time and didn’t do as much activity.”

During his first visit to the ER, the doctors simply used a tube to drain fluid from Gray’s lung and reinflate it. This procedure was not the most extensive option, but was chosen to avoid serious surgery.

“I was really in some pain. They x-rayed and just stuck the tube in,” Gray said. “There was a 30 to 40 percent chance of it recurring. I was a little unlucky.”

The second time around no one was willing to take chances. Gray went into surgery, almost ensuring that this problem would be put to rest.

“This time they did thoracoscopic surgery,” Gray said. “They went in and stapled the hole and any other possible future holes. There is only a 3 to 4 percent chance it will happen again.”

Gray has been released from the hospital and is currently waiting to get back into his swim routine; however, his recovery time will be an obstacle.

“I have to wait like six weeks into the season,” Gray said. “Then I’ll just gradually work up from there.”

While the rest of the team competes and practices, Gray will have to wait. Despite this disadvantage, he feels confident in his abilities.

“It’s going to be very hard to catch back up, but I know I can do it,” Gray said. “I’m always practicing hard; this time I’m going to have to try twice as hard. I just can’t give up.”

Volleyball team gets set for playoffs

by ALEX HEO staff writer The win-or-go-home mentality. The intense pressure. Representing your school across the entire state. The Lady Tigers volleyball team is once again looking forward to a successful season, attempting to make it back to playoffs and go even further than before.

The girls have a 16-5 record. They also finished first place at the Willspoint Tournament on Aug. 23 as well as the Mount St. Mary Tournament on Sept.

6. The team’s effort is evident from their recent success, but the team still has loose ends to tie up.

“I think the girls played hard,” Coach Melissa Hardy said. “We still have several areas that we need to work on before

district starts in order to be as successful as we need to be.”

Last year’s team won district and made it to the playoffs while Chanell Hayes, one of the team’s two setters, was sidelined with an injury. This year, she is back and could make the team even stronger.

“The difference from last year’s team and this year is that the players are more experienced, and Chanell Hayes returned from an ACL injury,” Hardy said.

After the recovery of this player, another was lost. The team setter, Chealsea Slider, is benched due to a knee injury.

This has forced the Tigers to adapt once more, but will not limit them.

“They’re playing and they’re winning,” Slider said. “They won a tournament last weekend, so they adjusted really well without me.”

The players dedicate much of their time outside of school to the sport. Ever since school was out, each girl has worked on her craft in order to help the team be the best it can.

“They have attended camps and clinics to improve their knowledge and skill level,” Hardy said. “They also attended summer training camps to get stronger, quicker, and in shape.”

The Tigers have set aspirations to be second to none. Since the summer, the girls have worked hard in order to reach the summit in November.

“We want to get past the first round in the playoffs and have a 10-0 record in district,” junior Jessica Bilimek said. “We want to be champions this year.”

The burden to carry the team will fall on everyone equally. The players will need

to rely on each other to play at a high level.

“I think that we need to play as a team,” Bilimek said. “Sometimes, we play as individuals, and that’s not going to get us anywhere. We need to work as a team.”

Learning from last year, the girls realize that communication is key. Not only during games, but off the court too.

“We bond a lot more,” senior Tytianna Jones said. “We had some problems with that last year, but everybody is getting along. We’re really close.”

Even though the goals are set high for the team this year, the players understand that they need to keep their heads high through the season.

“If one person gets down, everybody else gets down,” Jones said. “If we all just stay up, then we’ll be good.”

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Alumni chase dreams of stage careers

by LAUREN POTTER staff writer Nerves fill their bodies. Sweat drips from their cheeks as the bright stage lights shine on them. Thousands of eyes stare at them. Two alumni, Amelie Karam and Chris Martin, are finally fulfilling their passions of being on the stage.

At a young age, their love for music and theater began to take place above everything else. Karam, a 2009 graduate, started to seriously pursue her dream when she became a freshman in high school.

“I have always loved telling a story and being an outlet for people,” Karam said.

“When I started high school, I realized that this could be a profession I could chase.”

Like Karam, Martin ignited his passion for entertainment in high school. He auditioned for “Hello, Dolly” at Texarkana Repertory Theatre and performed with them throughout high school, as well as at Texas High.

“I got cast in the ensemble,” said Martin, who graduated in 2007. “I guess it’s history from there.”

Although Martin has found a love for being on stage, he hasn’t always being in front of the crowd.

“Believe it or not, I was kind of a shy kid when I was little,” Martin said, “But as I grew up, I found the spotlight, and since then, I have not shied away from it.”

Moving to Nashville, Tenn., Karam is working with songwriter, Jim McCormick, to launch her country music career. After recording a demo, she is trying to network and get to know the city and industry.

“I had never thought of coming to Nashville,” Karam said. “I have loved the journey thus far. I’m excited to see what’s in store.”

While she’s been on this journey, Karam has learned to be open to changes.

“I think that a dream is something so specific to you,” Karam said. “Everyone has different goals and dreams and that’s what makes the world such a wonderful and diverse place. By chasing your dreams, it’s allowing you to be open to something that feeds and motivates you. If your dream changes along the way, that’s okay. Being flexible and open to change is the best way to live a full and exciting life.”

Unlike Karam, Martin has pointed his focus more toward Broadway and musical theater after visiting New York city on a class trip his sophomore year.

“After I experienced all that is in the

Amelie Karam Chris Martin

IN CHARACTER 2007 graduate Chris Martin performs in “The Diary of a Spider Worm and a Fly.” Martin is living in New York City pursing his musical theater career. submitted photo

“Follow your dreams so you never have to regret not trying.

That’s so important to me. I will feel like I failed if I never at least tried. What comes from that, however, is the exciting part.”

-Amelie Karam

city, I knew I wanted to be a part of this community,” Martin said. “I just needed to get there any way I could.”

Martin graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2011 with a B.F.A. in musical theater. Since then, he has participated in various productions in Houston and New York City.

“As of now I am just auditioning,” Martin said, “Back to the daily grind working toward the next job.”

Taking every opportunity to sing, dance or act while in high school is what Martin recommends for any aspiring actor.

“Texarkana is thriving with artistic

opportunities; you just have to take them,” Martin said. “If you have a dream follow it and don’t let people discourage you from doing it. Acting can be a career. Trust me it is a tough job, and there are high and low times, but never give up.”

Even though the entertainment industry comes with a lot of negative feedback, Karam said it is often gratifying.

“Rejection is a big obstacle,” Karam said. “The majority of what you hear in the entertainment industry is no. But all the no’s make that one yes so much better. It’s a tough field but so rewarding.

Being surrounded by people with a similar passion is wonderful feeling.”

For Martin, his big obstacle has been losing weight.

“In this business, you aren’t only judged on your talent, but also on your look,” Martin said. “It’s a tough business for sure, and I am still working on my goal of becoming a better me. People always ask me how I lost 80 pounds or more since high school, and all I really did was find my form of exercise, which was dance class in college, and I performed outdoor with TEXAS outdoor musical drama all summer. It helped me drop the weight.”

In a business where he’s often asked about his back-up plan, Martin knows he’s

not giving up.

“I know my back-up is not another job,” Martin said. “It is the friends and family that care about me and love me and back me up in following my dream.”

While in high school, being active in student organizations helped Karam with networking and working with different people.

“It’s all about relationships, and Texas High helped start that foundation for me,” Karam said. “Also, Texas High has so many different options when it comes to electives. All these choices help me be wellversed in many different fields.”

Martin said it is important to cultivate this support early on in achieving dreams.

“If you want something in life, you should go for it,” Martin said. “Your dreams are achievable. Surround yourself with people that can love and support you in whatever you want to do, and things will happen for you.”

And the worst thing that could happen is nothing.

“Don’t let fear control your passion” Karam said. “Let your passion drive you.

Work hard, always be open to learning new things, and enjoy the journey. You never know where life will lead you. It can be scary, but it’s so worth it.”

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The Southern Prep movement Classy style offers down-home comfort

by NAVEEN MALIK staff writer

“I like them better than regular T-shirts,” senior Keely Johnson said. “They’re super comfy, way better quality, and they look good with just about Walking down the busy hallways of Texas High, everything.” brightly colored T-shirts and button downs might catch The T-shirts are known for being highly priced, your eye. “Classic Prep” style is becoming increasingly which is not a budget priority for some. popular amongst teens in the South.

“If there’s the exact same T-shirt with Boat shoes, bowties, and button downs a different logo for a lower price, I see no “It’s really expressing reason to purchase the more expensive shirt,” are back.

“It’s really expressing how you want how you want to be senior Raven Morris said. “But, I think if to be viewed. I want to be viewed as a you feel that the shirt you’re buying is higher viewed.

I want to be classy, good looking individual. Dress to quality and looks better, then it’s fine.” impress,” sophomore John Debenport viewed as a classy, Others believe that the classic style is said. “The better you dress, the worse good looking individual. worth the money. you can behave.”

“I think the clothes are worth it,” Dress to impress.”

There are many brands that fit the freshman Parker Ellyn Madlock said. style, offering options that range from “Preppy style is classy, timeless, clean and -John Debenport, 10 cute and colorful to nautical navies. well put together. It always makes a good “I really love Lilly Pulitzer, Vera first impression.”

Bradley, Lauren James, Sperry TopMost people don’t want to spend money on a Sider, Southern Marsh, J. Crew and Frat Collection,” certain style of clothes when trends go in and out of sophomore Kayleigh Moreland said. “They’re all so style so quickly, but some believe that if it looks good pretty and classy.” and feels good, it is worth it.

The most popular Southern Prep trend is the “I just really genuinely like the style,” sophomore Comfort Colors T-shirt. These are typically designed Tucker Douglass said. “Even when it’s less popular, I with a brand logo or unique design on the back. am going to keep preppin’ it out.”

TREND SETTING Sophomore Marley Crawford and junior Carson Rommel show some of the popular fashion trends. photo by f. rhone

Perfection outshines depression

by JILLIAN CHENEY staff writer Social media feeds mourned the loss of Robin Williams. There were endless pictures and quotes featuring this comedian and actor, which centered more around his role voicing the Genie in Aladdin than his suicide or previous depression. It goes to show how easily the death of a celebrity can be glamorized in order to make another headline.

“They put a lot more emphasis on the death of a celebrity, kind of make it bigger and more important, I guess, as far as news coverage,” junior Alex Markham said.

“They wouldn’t just cover some Average Joe, but when a celebrity commits suicide or dies, they’re definitely going to cover it and talk about how sad it was.”

Movie stars and artists are the same as everyone else, but somehow people seem to develop the idea that their favorite comedians and actors never feel sorrow or experience tough times. This gives people a twisted image of those they look up to in the entertainment industry, and

these idolized stars are forced to adhere to unrealistic behavior constantly. Thus, it comes as shocking news to everyone when they read that this celebrity was not the perfect image they projected.

“At first when I found out about Robin Williams’ death, a suicide in fact, I was shocked because I had always seen him as such a happy, fun guy,” sophomore Katie Dusek said. “I guess you never really know what’s going on in someone’s life.”

Fans talk about celebrities as if they

were close friends. All they can describe is the personality seen on screen: not what he, or she, experienced out of the media’s sight. Yes, Robin Williams was a great entertainer, but he struggled with depression for years leading up to his death. If people acknowledged this, they might feel more strongly about helping those they know with depression. There are a surprising number of teens and adults who struggle with the same problem as many well-known celebrities, and all of it

is ignored until it is too late.

“It’s really sad and personal when you lose a friend to suicide because you’re so close to them - you’ve known them for so long, and then they die,” sophomore Rachael Shewmaker said. “It’s a big difference from a celebrity suicide because you don’t know them personally at all.”

The suicide and death of Robin Williams and other great entertainers like him should not be taken lightly, or as a chance to write a review of Mrs. Doubtfire on Facebook for friends to see. It needs to be recognized that celebrities are not the only ones who struggle, but keep it secret.

However, it might take more than the loss of a comedian for eyes to be opened.

“From personal experience, it’s not a good feeling at all to lose someone close to you because you always wonder what you could’ve done to make it not happen, because small things or people that aren’t really close can make a huge difference in someone’s life,” sophomore Ricky Cooks said. “So, since then, I’ve been trying to say, ‘Hi,’ to more people and be nicer because you just never know what affects others.”

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Fun & fancy free

Bow tie or die

The ultimate guide on how to rock a bow tie

by ALEX O’GORMAN staff writer Fashion trends throughout the decades have emerged quickly and died out just as fast. Since its origin, the bow tie has evolved to be a fashionable gender neutral accessory still capable of upholding the esteem of the original wearers.

Pair it with suspenders: Although this look may have originated in the 19th century, it can still look modern. The best way to achieve that is to wear a shirt style that wasn’t worn back in ‘ye old days, such as plaid. An outfit such as this has all the class of the 1800’s without the carriages or telegraphs.

Patterns: Is a simple shirt and bowtie too plain? Try fun and colorful patterns to give your outfit the flare you need.

On online stores such as eBay and Etsy, there are bow ties with every pattern imaginable for sale.

Glasses : The bow tie and glasses look has gotten flack for being the stereotypical geek look for ages. However, with the right accessories, the glasses and bow tie look can go from geek to nerd chic. Just stay away from white, short-sleeve button ups at all costs.

Feminine: Although bow ties are typically worn by men, theres no reason it can’t be a cute look for women.

Wearing one with a skirt or a high collared dress. Bow ties can also be paired with other feminine articles such as jewelry, hair items and sequins.

Go Bold or Go Home: Dont’ be afraid to pull out all the stops. Different materials, styles and colors mixing together often creates a unique style. Wearing something unusual is really refreshing and is guaranteed to get a lot of double takes (and not the negative kind.)

Texas High

Horticulture Department Poinsettias ~ Live Christmas ~ Wreaths Pansies ~ Houseplants ~ Garden Plants Mums ~ Homecoming Arrangements Please contact: Kim Spaulding (903) 794-3891 @ext. 2241/2254, email: spauldingk@txkisd.net or Kaye Ramirez (903) 794-3891@ext. 2241, email: ramirezk@txkisd.net

tigertimes sept. 26, 2014

Students should participate in spirit days

by BRIANNA O’SHAUGHNESSY co-entertainment editor

Juniors Anna Graves and Zack Phillips illustrate the ideal outfit for Dress Up as Your Date. Join in this spirit day on Tuesday. photo by l. gibbert

Senior Luis Moreno dresses in all orange to support the tigers. photo by k. brinkmeyer

Homecoming Week is next week.

Start Monday right by dressing for success. Get our your nice clothes and smile for school pictures.. Liven up Tuesday, dressing up like your date can be a funny thought, but think it through. Have fun with it. Wednesday is all about being the ultimate nerd, it is inside all of us. We all try to forget middle school, but bring it back for Thursday. Friday is the classic, Orange Out. Show your tiger spirit to the max.

Disney Day on Oct. 8: With what seems to be an infinite list of characters, it is hard to choose just one. If you don’t want buy a costume, but still dress up look for inspiration on Disney Bound. http://disneybound.tumblr.com Pink Out on Oct. 15: Pretty in Pink is more than just a movie.

Bring awareness to breast cancer, the week of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, by wearing pink the same way you poured ice on yourself for ALS. Super Hero Day on Oct. 22: Go beyond Superman, with a group friends become the Avengers. Bring out your inner kid dress up as your childhood favorite Power Ranger or Powerpuff Girl.

Halloween Day on Oct. 29: Ghost, goblins and ghouls can be scary, but mythical beings can be fun too. From Jason and Freddy to cartoons and animals; find your own inspiration like Tim Burton.

Twin Day on Nov. 5: Find your best friend and match your hearts out. Go all out from head to toe or simply wear matching tee’s. Make Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum proud.

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it

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wear it, use it, buy it, taste it, do it, get it, be it.

LIST

[

SEE IT!

On Oct. 16, Texarkana will be put on the map with the remake of the 1976 film “The Town That Dreaded Sundown.” This thrilling new movie shows the horror that struck Texarkana in the ‘60s. It is being produced by Ryan Murphy, producer of “American Horror Story, “and Jason Blum, producer of “Paranormal Activity” and “Insidious.”

WATCH IT!

DRINK IT!

Adapted from Alan Snow’s “Here be Monsters,” “The Boxtrolls” is a wonderful, family-friendly adventure that will redefine the meaning of family. It follows a boy named Eggs who teams up with a spunky girl named Winnie to save his family of quirky creatures that live under the streets of Cheesetown. “The Boxtrolls” will be released today.

Thanks to the work of a group known as the SURGE movement, Coca Cola’s ‘90s flop is available once again. The beverage, Surge, can be bought in 12 packs for $14.

“Once Upon a Time,” a show where the fairy tale characters we all know and love have been dragged into the “real world” by an evil curse, will return to ABC on Sunday. Their daring adventures will once again paint our screens, offering entertainment suitable for the whole family.

WATCH IT!

PLAY IT!

]

Nintendo will release its new game, Super Smash Brothers on Oct. 3. The game allows you to play as any of the major Nintendo protaganist. It will be available for the 3DS and Wii U.

With the imminent cold weather, it’s time to stock closets with fall styles. Target has a wide selection of new boots to complete the perfect cold weather look.

WEAR IT!

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