THS Dec 14 2012

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tigertimes

volume 52 no. 3 • dec. 14, 2012

What’s inside In the Know 2 VIewpoint 5-7 Sports 15-16 Entertainment 18-21

texas high school • 4001 summerhill rd • texarkana, tx 75503 • www.tigertimesonline.com

PROMOTING

TOLERANCE TO BUILD A BETTER

SCHOOL

It only takes one voice to start a change. One person to stand up against an injustice. It’s time to make our school smarter and more accepting for the LGBTQ community.

>>12 photo illustration by a. mccoy

2 12/14 Rosebuds’ Tea

the

Rosebuds will host their annual teachers’ tea. It will be held in the library for all staff members from 10 a.m to 1:30 p.m.

ist Pull out your calendars and sharpen your pencils. Get ready for this month with movies, releases, and club events.

in the know 12/16 12/14 Christmas The Hobbit

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

Total Recall

At The Perot

Fans have been anxiously waiting for Tolkien’s masterpiece book to hit the silver screen.

12/19 Monsters INC.

12/18

Fun for the whole family at the Perot Theatre at 4 p.m.

Tickets are $10, except for children under 5, which are $5.

3D

In 14 days this movie will be released on DVD and BluRay.

Movie event showing the old Pixar movie revolving around monsters befriending a victim.

12/25 1/12 1/9 12/24-1/7 Les Miserables Rosebud’s Self Christmas Break The much-loved musiEnjoy your break with gifts, food and family during this season. See you next year Tigers.

Defense

cal now comes to the big screen on Christmas Day. You can also buy the album on the 25th.

Rosebuds will learn common self defense techniques. Wear comfy clothes.

Cafeteria from 6-8 p.m.

photo illustration by carlie clem

Star Wars enters the Disney Palace by dj mack staff writer A long time ago in a galaxy far far away..........

We all know the legendary tale of the heroic Jedi knights and their continuous war against the evil Sith lords. Now in our very own galaxy, the dark side of the force has once again resurrected itself under the command of Disney to strike fear into the hearts of Skywalker fans across the world.

The rumors of Disney’s purchase of LucasArts, the multibillion dollar company created by George Lucas, have indeed been confirmed. Disney not only struck gold by adding Star Wars to its arsenal of money machines, but also LucasArts and Skwalker Ranch, the birthplace of Clone Wars, was also gift wrapped and placed under Mickey Mouse’s Christmas tree.

“For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next,” Lucas said at a press release. “It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers.”

Wasting little time, Disney Chairman Roger Iger has already announced the 2015 scheduled release of Star Wars: Episode VII, with more films to follow. Though he is no longer the technical owner of the Star Wars franchise, Lucas says he will maintain his position as the adviser for all future films.

Though he is leaving the franchise he built, Lucas isn’t sad. This is probably because of the $4.05 billion he just put into his wallet, but it’s because he is leaving his creation in capable hands. It may belong to a different company now, but Star Wars will always remain loved in the hearts of fans forever.

To that end, may the force be with you, always...

1/12 Drill Team

Intramural Basketball

Winter Clinic

District wide event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the gym.

Drill team will hold their annual winter clinic in the gym to learn competition dances.

IN A MOMENT Everyone has that one gift. The ugly sweater. The collective amount of embarrassing underwear from your grandmother.

Most people will remember that one gift and the look they had on their face, that spark of complete surprise opening an accidental pair of underwear intended for another.

Students on campus relive their embarrassing Christmas gifts.

“I got a pair of socks from my grandma one year,” junior Ryan Yarberry said.

That’s not the worst case found on campus either. Gifts such as deodorant, new panty hose, and even soap were present among those

collected by students. The weirdest gift was a prank gift from a student’s brother.

“I got a pair of women’s underwear in the mail from my brother,” junior William Harmon said.

Although these gifts might seem like a waste of time, they do make for good laughs. They’re also a reminder that at one moment in time someone thought solely of you. That is the perfect gift for anyone: someone’s time. Embrace your ugly sweaters, and your package of holiday fruit cake because they are reminders that someone cares. All in all, the worst gift to receive is nothing. by shelby kelley

Semester Exam Schedule • Fall 2012 Wednesday, Dec. 19 8:30-9:50 Period A1/B1 Exam 9:55-11:00 Period A2 11:05-1:05 Period A3 1st Lunch 11:05-11:35 2nd Lunch 11:35-12:05 3rd Lunch 12:05-12:35 4th Lunch 12:35-1:05 1:10-2:20 Period A4 2:25-3:45 Period A5/B5 Exam Thursday, Dec. 20 8:30-9:50 Period B2 Exam 9:55-11:15 Period B3 Exam 11:20-12:40 Period B4 Exam

Friday, Dec. 21 8:30-9:50 Period A2 Exam 9:55-11:15 Period A3 Exam 11:20-12:40 Period A4 Exam • Breakfast will be served each morning.

Regular lunches will only be served Wednesday. Students may purchase sack lunches on Thursday and Friday at 12:40.

• Buses will load in the teacher parking lot by the cafeteria.

• Students will remain in class for the entire period.

• Students who are exempts from A2 and B2 exams will be required to sign in and attend a short session in the Performing Arts Center starting at 9:30 a.m. each day.

“I love singing, but it’s a

best of the best

different thing to be in front of a big crowd. ”

Final round of talent show to be Saturday

Cheyanne Jester, 12

by caroline purtle staff writer For the second year, the Tiger Theatre Company will showcase 12 gifted students in the final round of Tigers Got Talent at 7 p.m. Saturday in the John Thomas Theatre.

The final 12 contestants then receive votes from the student body, in addition to votes from the judges, in order to decide who wins the cash prize and the title “The Most Talented Tiger.”

Making the final round are Brianna Sellers and Cheyanne Jester, The Zierre Spencer Project, Lincoln Davis, Devonte Hamilton, Valerie Ward, Peter Garrett, Bailey Gravitt, Colby Gillespie, Destini Gladney, Jasmine Harris, Sara Rogers and Katie Hawkins, and Skyler Hight.

The winner will receive a $300 cash prize, and second place will receive a $50 prize.

Theater teacher Micah McBay said that like the first two rounds, a video segment of each act will be viewable on KnoMi. Each student can vote up to two times on

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tiger times dec. 14, 2012

HE WILL ROCK YOU Junior Peter Garrett gives an energetic performance in one of the first rounds of the Tigers Got Talent competition. photo by s.steed

Monday and Tuesday.

The winners of the final round will be announced on TigerVision Wednesday.

“Last year was our first time to do the show, and I thought we had some pretty talented contestants,” McBay said. “We had 27 people audition to be in the show last year and only had 24 spots available, but this year we had 67 audition for 24 spots.”

McBay praised the talented group.

“Overall, I think this year’s group of

contestants are very talented and both shows should be very good,” McBay said.

The announcement Friday had everyone nervous, wondering if they made the cut.

“I was called late,” Gillespie said. “So I was nervous, but so relieved when I heard my name.”

Some have even made plans for the prize money.

“I like Converses,” Gravitt said. “So if I win, I’ll buy a bunch of different colored

Converses.”

Some of the contestants have no fear of the crowd and the lights, and some find themselves shaking with their mics.

“I’m really nervous,” Jester said. “I love singing, but it’s a different thing to be in front of a big crowd. I’ll just have to calm myself and pretend I’m by myself.”

Some of the contestants have taken special time out to prepare for their debut on the stage of the John Thomas Theatre.

“I have this really funny ritual,” Gillespie said. “I make myself go to the bathroom right before the show. That way I’m not as nervous, and I can let my energy build up.”

Each finalist chooses a new act for the final round.

“I don’t think I have enough time to write a whole new piece,” Spencer said.

“So I might have to perform something that’s already written. Either way, we’re going to do our best at whatever we put out there.”

Tickets are $5 for adults and students and will be sold at the door. Employees get free admission with a TISD badge.

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A day to give back

Junior creates project to help Opportunities by maggie coleman staff writer

people with special needs.

“The mission of my project was to expose students to individuals with special needs,” Norton said. “I wanted For most teenagers helping out in the them to better understand the resicommunity is a way for college acceptance. dents and the struggles they face in For junior Ben Norton, volunteering is pastheir daily lives.” time that he holds close to his heart.

Overall, Norton wanted the Op“My aunt, Marjorie Norton, is one of the portunities clients to have a enjoyable residential clients at Opportunities, but she Saturday afternoon while having fun. just moved in there about 6 months ago,” “We played some games, had pizza Norton said. “She lived across the street and cookies, made some crafts like a from me my whole life until she moved, so I pinecone bird feeder, played basketball, got to see her a lot. She would always come and had a scavenger hunt on the Opportuto my house to watch football games with nities Wellness Trail,” Norton said. “All the my family and go to church with us.” residents, staff, and students I brought had Norton saw his independent research a great time. The residents got a gold medal project as a way to show others a different way of life and an alternate understanding of at the end of the day for being there. I just wanted them to have a special day.”

Norton seemed to be content with the outcome of his project.

“People with mental disabilities are some of the most innocent and compassionate people you will ever meet. I wanted to show that to students at Texas High,” Norton said. “Judging from the response I got from HELPING OUT High school students volunteered to help junior Ben Norton with his indeall of the students at my projpendent research project by hosting activities for residents at Opportunities, Inc. photo by ect, I think I succeeded.” josh rostek

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

invo ved by katherine doan staff writer

One of the most important things you can do in high school is volunteer. It provides experience, community service hours, and is a great way to get involved in the community. Texarkana has many great places to volunteer varying from hospitals to animal shelters.

“Volunteering gives you experience in serving others and allows you to appreciate what you have,” Student Council sponsor Susan Waldrep said. “The best benefit is feeling rewarded from choosing to take time out for someone else.”

Junior Lindsey Gore volunteered for more than 100 hours this summer at Wadley Regional Medical Center.

“We got patients from their rooms and discharged them, provided baby blankets, and wheeled around the courtesy car,” Gore said. “You can pick up applications at the front desk at Wadley or St. Michael’s. It’s really fun, and I’d definitely recommend it.”

Williams Memorial United Methodist Church has Community Cafe every Monday afternoon from 4-7 p.m.

“I volunteer there with my youth group once a month,” freshman Colleen Russell said. “The people who come in get a free meal and they get to shop in our pantry and get free food for the week. Anyone can just show up to help out with food distribution. It’s a great way to serve the community.”

Some great places to volunteer this holiday season are: Randy Sams: serving meals to the homeless.

Nursing homes: providing friendship to the elderly.

Harvest Texarkana: sort food for distribution.

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tiger times dec. 14, 2012

tiger times

EDITORIAL

stand TOGETHER Southern hospitality should include tolerance for those who don’t share same ideas

Conservative: a word that’s universally recognized as being synonymous with the South. However, this conservatism is not always something to have (Southern) pride about. And as much as the populace tries to leave intolerance and hate crimes in the past, a sad truth remains–it’s in the present.

With character and acceptance becoming questionable, students should realize that although they may not agree with something, they should still respect it.

Bullying is a problem every high school has to address; it’s rampant across America.

The LGBTQ community represents a large faction of the bullied, especially at Southern schools. In fact, 81.9 percent of LGBTQ students have reported verbal bullying.

Discrimination is hate, and hate shouldn’t be tolerated or overlooked. A school’s job is to cater to the needs of students, and this need isn’t being met if a community of students are being overlooked. Fellow classmates shouldn’t be harassed for their personal beliefs or lifestyle. And persecutors and oppressors should be punished–despite the enforcer’s personal beliefs about the subject. There are no univer-

‘till the day is done

sal truths; there are only personal truths. No one should feel uncomfortable or overlooked for their choice. Respect is deserved, and respect should be given.

While Southern states may not always lead in the statistics of hate crimes, it doesn’t mean they aren’t the most apt to commit them. Not all hate crimes are reported, and not all cases are handled with care, especially in the South.

It’s inexcusable. Southern hospitality should extend past offering someone a sweet tea. It should mean that all citizens should respect the decisions and lifestyles their neighbors have chosen. You may not be a personal advocate, but you should be a friend.

There are exceptions to every rule. Not all conservative Southerners are intolerant; it’s only a stereotype. But, it’s also important to remember that the stereotype that comes with being a part of the Bible belt is just that– a stereotype. Not all citizens of the South, or this school, abide by the social norms that’ve been created. And that should be okay; hatred should not. Respect should be associated with Texas High; acceptance should be associated with Texas High; love should be associated

with Texas High. Emit the love you preach.

A solution to the problem of intolerance is fairly simple. The simplest approach would be to continue to employ and instill tolerant values in school personnel. By having a faculty that exudes respect, respect will be exuded by the students. Supportive teachers and administration statistically increase the oppressed’s GPA because they feel more comfortable and inspired.

Another solution is to create a GSA, GayStraight Alliance, for the LGBTQ community at school. According to the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, the LGBTQ community’s sense of homophobia and bullying from the school populace decreased by 15.7 percent– something that should be decreased to emphasize the feeling of community in the school.

Not understanding someone’s situation or not accepting their personal decisions is not an excuse to belittle. Ask questions if you don’t know. Ignorance can quickly turn to knowledge. That’s what all schools strive to do. That’s what Texas High students, and faculty, should be: aware.

Texas High School 4001 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana TX, 75503 ( 903 ) 794 - 3891 F ( 903 ) 792 - 8971 The Tiger Times is a student-run publication. The contents and views are produced solely by the staff and do not represent the opinions of the faculty, administration or TISD board of trustees. editors in chief Brianna Sellers & Wynne Tidwell online editors in chief John David Goins & Autumn Sehy managing editor Jacob Hill advertising Adam Graves news editor Shelby Kelley viewpoint editor Josh Klein, Riley Rogers & Sydney Schoen feature editor Mary Claire Boudreaux & Mackenzie Phillips sports editor Taylor Potter entertainment editors Abigail O’Gorman & Davis Payne photo editor Amy McCoy staff writers Maggie Coleman Katherine Doan Ben Gladney Amanda Hackleman Casey Hitchcock Robert Hoover Madeline Hunley DJ Mack Baylee McBride Caroline Purtle Ashley Tyson photographers Katie Black Carlie Clem Ndidi Duru Casey Hitchcock Sabrina Larson Riley Madlock Claire Norton Mackenzie Phillips Caroline Prieskorn Josh Rostek Haley Rushing Sydney Steed Hailey Woods Bailey Vaughan advisers Rebecca Potter & Clint Smith principal Brad Bailey members ILPC, NSPA, CSPA

A skater, hippy, anarchist, cowboy, professor, robot and a diva sit together at lunch. Follow in their footsteps; slash through stereotypes and respect those outside of the “norm.” Not everyone’s who they appear to be.

The Tiger Times is the official student publication of Texas High School. The primary purpose of the Tiger Times is to inform the students of the school, while practicing the ethical canons of journalism.

Letters to the editor may be dropped off in Room 50. Each letter must be signed and include the student’s grade.

Letters are subject to editing.

The Tiger Times also accepts advertising. Advertising is sold for $5 a column inch. All ads must be received at least two weeks prior to publication.

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tiger times dec. 14, 2012

Christmas: heartaches & memories WORDon

Holiday season the STREET brings sad reminders of grandparents’ death

“As another Christmas approaches, I ready myself for the slew of memories I will receive. But, I have learned that the pain that comes with memories is something I will always live with. But I know that I would take all the pain in the world to just hold one memory of them in my heart.”

Most people look forward to the holidays as a joyful time. There’s Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners when the whole family comes to bring good tiding and love to all.

They gather around the table and eat. They talk and laugh together.

Sometimes they even cry together.

It’s supposed to be a time for togetherness for families that haven’t seen each other during the year.

For me, the holidays always brings bitterness and pain. The grandparents that raised me since I was born both died within a year of each other. I always carry that pain with me. When the holidays roll around each year, my heart breaks.

Christmas will always be the hardest. When they were alive, my family had a tradition of gathering at our house on Christmas Eve. We would eat the food my Nannaw slaved over the stoves to make.

Then we would pack ourselves into the small living room and open the gifts. Everyone would ooh and aah over the presents opened by the little ones and laugh when they saw what they themselves had been given. My grandparents always waited until the end of the night to open presents. Then with happy goodbyes the family would leave, and I would once again be alone with my

AMANDA HACKLEMAN

IN A MOMENT

STAFF WRITER

grandparents and my mom.

We would clean the house then go to bed. I would lay awake, too excited to sleep. When morning finally dawned, I would shoot down the short hallway to our living room and stand in awe at the massive amounts of bows and wrapping paper waiting for me. Then, as my Nannaw held the camera, I would tear into the gifts, a smile stuck on my face for the whole morning. My pawpaw would sit in his chair and occasionally let out his loud, hearty “HO HO HO.” I would spend the rest of the day watching as my grandparents and mother tried to figure out the new “contraptions” they had bought me.

Then my world came to a stand still. Within a year of each other, my grandparents both died. Losing them was the worst experience of my life. Sadness became my only emotion. I could barely get through the days without crying. I silently cried myself to sleep every night.

This went on for months.

By the time Christmas came again, I was all cried out. I didn’t

let it show anymore how much I missed them. I managed to get a few smiles and laughs out. Sometimes I even enjoyed it a bit. But there is and always will be that deep pain that will never leave me. Ever.

Whoever said that pain faded over time either lied to cover up their own pain or had never experienced a real loss. I will always miss my grandparents. The pain is just amplified during the holidays when I have my best memories.

My nannaw’s cherry cheesecake that just can’t be replicated.

My pawpaw’s stories and jokes he would tell each year.

The way they both loved me.

The way I loved them more than anything.

So, as another Christmas approaches, I ready myself for the slew of memories I will receive. But, for the past five years I have learned that the pain that comes with memories is something I will always live with. It’s hard, but I know that I would take all the pain in the world to just hold one memory of them in my heart.

On becoming the crazy cat lady The road to becoming a cat lady has by no means been an easy journey. From the countless kitty battle scars to the never ending cleaning of the litter box, being a cat lady is a job to be respected.

I first realized I was obsessed with the feline when I babysat my sister’s cat, Hoshi. My sister wasn’t allowed to have a cat in her new apartment, so that’s when I took the initiative, as her aunt, to take Hoshi under my wing.

Her never-ending purring consumed my mind at all times. I came home after school to a cat on my bed waiting for my love and affection. I went to sleep with Hoshi on my pillow, snuggling next to me. The weeks with Hoshi made me become conscious of my love for cats.

For the past year, I have begged my parents for cats. Finally, my aunt’s cats decided that they wanted to have children. The moment had come for me to fulfill my purpose in life. I was going to be a cat lady.

I couldn’t fall asleep the night before their arrival. I could feel the kittens pawing at me when they wanted to play. I could hear their purring when I pet them under their chin. I went to cheer that

THE PURRFECT ONE

MAGGIE COLEMAN STAFF WRITER

morning hoping there would be cats when I finished my daily 8 hours of education.

I couldn’t contain my excitement all day.

My mom finally came to pick me up. I got in the car to see a cat carrier in the back. I heard their cries pleading to escape the prison. They were dying to run around their new living quarters.

At last, I was home. I scurried up the stairs with my backpack in one hand and the carrier in another. I opened the cage door as soon as I could. The second I put them down, they ran out. I immediately heard toys being pushed around the room.

Happiness filled my soul as I realized I had received unconditional love from one of the sweetest animals on Earth.

They had forever changed my life.

These cats were now a part of me in ways I didn’t even know. When I cried, they came to lie down with me. When I was angry, they tried to console me with their purrs. No matter my emotion, the cats were there for me.

As I became more attached to my cats, my social life slowly declined. I stopped hanging out with my friends; instead, I stayed at home and cuddled with my cats while we watched Netflix. I only left my room for food and school. The cats became the top of the priority totem pole.

My last hope at a normal life was my boyfriend. I tried to break away from the stereotypical cat lady by not letting my kittens get in the way of our relationship.

The kittens and I hung out with Pat on weekends as a family. I had barely saved myself from becoming the crazy cat lady.

My life was now consumed with the kittens. They were in my mind at all times. They defined me. The cats have helped me find my true self in the fact that I am forever your everyday cat lady.

What’s your weird obsession or quirk that separates you from others?

“Numbers.

Everything has to be even. I was taught by my dad that odd numbers were the devil’s numbers.”

Bruce Sims, 9

“I am scared of ice cream trucks. Every time I hear an ice cream truck, I run away.”

Oralia Basurto-Ruiz, 10

“I have to start everything with the left side of my body.”

Sabrina Larson, 11

“Suits. I wear suits all the time to impress myself.”

Matthew Hodge, 9

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tiger times dec. 14, 2012

Ode to the under-appreciated athlete Texas. Known for the love of football.

Known for the intense rivalries.

Known for the dedicated fans.

This lifestyle is an important part of Southern culture that begins from the day you are born. This tradition has only one fault. The under-appreciation of other athletes.

This is mainly apparent in high schools. The huge focus on the football team, win or lose, is a great way to show school spirit as well as a family-like mentality.

The other sports at this school seem to be stepped on by the football pandemic. When was the last time you heard about of who went to a crosscountry meet, softball game or a volleyball game? And did you even know we have a powerlifting team?

How about this: Did you know that the varsity tennis team has 24 consecutive district championship years as well as being No. 3 in state?

Did you know that the girls’ varsity soccer team has won or

REAL SLIM SHADY tied for district four consecutive years?

Did you know that the swim team has been district and regional champions for over 10 years?

Did you know that the girls’ golf team is currently undefeated in district?

Your stomach is in knots, tossing and turning: nerves. You step onto the field, track, court, course or dive block; you look around. All you see are parents.

Maybe a few friends or StuCo members who are forced to be there.

It’s ok though, you don’t need 300 students to cheer you on to victory. Some recognition would be nice. You never get a pat on the back, no congratulations from your peers, not even a good game because no one would know if it was a good game or not. But you don’t let it be a setback. Looking past the lack of

RILEY ROGERS

CO-VIEWPOINT EDITOR school support is easy because it’s never been there.

Sometimes it gets daunting.

When the game, match, meet, or tournament is in the final minutes, it’s all on the line. Then out of luck, skill, or maybe just more will power you do it. You score the final goal, win the gold medal, finish in first place, ace the final serve. Your team runs to congratulate you and celebrate with you; you get a hug from your mom and a high five from your dad.

Then the next day you have a tiny blurb in the newspaper; one that is so small that you only see if you are really looking for it.

And that’s it. Nothing else.

Why? Why do you work so hard for something that goes unnoticed by everyone? It’s a passion and love that only few are able to understand and appreciate. It’s something that you cannot imagine your life

without. Your teammates are your family and your coaches are your mentors on and off of the field.

It’s what you wake up and go to school for. You may not get the spotlight you deserve or need but that’s not why you play.

You play for your team, for the love of competition, for all the memories, but most importantly you play for you.

The point is that the football players are not the only athletes at this school. So this is for you, the under-appreciated athlete.

The kids who work hard, practice long and play games that no one attends. This is for the kids who get crappy seconds on practice locations and show up anyway. This is for the kids who play the game for themselves, not for the fans.

But most importantly this is for the kids that win and don’t get recognized. This is for the kids who have hope that one day they will get the recognition they deserve.

Here’s your round of applause.

CROSS COUNTRY

Lindsey Gore, 11

“Cross country is definitely under-appreciated. That’s crazy since our sport is most other sport’s punishment.”

GOLF

Russell Thomas, 10

“Most people who think golf is boring haven’t tried it and make opinions too quickly. If people would try the sport, they would change their mind.”

VOLLEYBALL

Abigail Hill, 9

“It’s hard because the turnouts aren’t big. Everyone knows who the football guys are, but not everyone knows the volleyball girls.”

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our

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most inspiring people

These inspiring people were chosen by student nominations. They make us strive to be better people and give us someone to look up to.

feature

photo by j. rostek

malissa pipes

photo by s. larsen

2 joseph cunningham

photo submitted

favor quickly turned into a friendship.

“I open the doors for her,” Cunningham said. “After that I walk her to the office. and we talk about life.”

The relationship he has made with Tellez has grown strong throughout the year.

“I hear a lot about Mackenzie and her family,” Cunningham said. “She hasn’t seen her mom in a while, and I feel like I have gotten pretty close with her.”

Cunningham has learned to be thankful for what he has because people are happy with less.

“It makes me think of everything in a different way; it makes me appreciate what I can do and what I have,” Cunningham said, “I feel like I am a better person now that I have met someone like her.”/by madeleine hunley

photo by n. duru

Almost 2,000 students are enrolled here, many of them considered to be leaders, great influences, but most importantly inspirations. Senior Joseph Cunningham was chosen as the second most inspirational individual at Texas High. Kind, likeable, uplifting and admired are just a few of the many examples he is known for because of his actions.

“I had a friend that was going through some trouble; he wanted to kill himself,” Cunningham said. “I told him that God has a better plan for him.

It just wasn’t worth it to do something like that.”

Cunningham saved his friend and made Joseph even more inspiring to those who surrounded him. Everyday after last period, Cunningham walks freshman Mackenzie Tellez to the office as a favor because of her trouble walking. But this

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Malissa Pipes, a sophomore English teacher, has been chosen as the No. 1 most inspirational person at Texas High. Chosen by students at school, she was nominated at least 14 times.

Pipes has been through tough times in her life, which have helped mold her.

Growing up in foster care molded her in the way she lives.

In and out of more than 80 foster homes, she had a hard life. In most places, the rules were strict as she constantly lived under different people’s standards. But despite these hardships, she knows that without them, she wouldn’t be the inspiring person she is today.

“I was a foster child. I’m not embarrassed because it is what happened,” Pipes said.

“That’s exactly why I am the way I am today.

With everything I’ve learned, there’s no way in the world I would be here today.”

Originally, Pipes didn’t want to be a teacher. She never really thought about it.

“Somebody from a school called me. I didn’t even have a teacher’s license,” Pipes said.

“Now, I think it’s my calling.”

Pipes opens herself up to her students to gain their trust. She wants to help them in any way she can. She tries to prove to students that she can be trusted when they have problems in their lives. She is determined to make a difference in the lives of each of her students.

She recalls something that inspires her to care every single day.

“I remember going to a workshop where a man said, ‘If you’re not in their hearts, you have no right to be in their heads.’ It’s easy to teach if they trust you.”/by amanda hackleman

3anthony rhone

4 natalie copeland On the weekend of Oct. 5, senior Natalie Copeland was looking forward to her vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with her family. Little did she know when she mounted the four wheeler, that the next few minutes would not only be the scariest but also one of the biggest trials she has faced in her life.

Dust in the air prevented Copeland from seeing a hole in her path. She was immediately thrown off the four wheeler and landed in a ditch.

“Unfortunately I was conscious the whole time,” Copeland said. “Obviously, I knew I was going to wreck, but I just thought it would leave a scratch.”

Copeland was then flown to Dal-

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

las to find out she had shattered her eye socket, crushed her cheek bone in three places, fractured her nose in three places, broke her maxillary bone and fractured her wrist.

“My friends and my family were a big push to come back to school,” Copeland said. “Once I found out I made homecoming court, it was a bigger push.”

Copeland won a spot for one of the homecoming queens, she stood on the field with a grown on her head and new look on life. Copeland stands tall with a healed body but her scars are not skin deep; she was left with an appreciation for her family and friends. /by annie tarwater

Hidden behind the helmet and pads, junior Anthony Rhone is a motivation to many people on and off the field. From tackles to homework, Rhone always strives to do his best. Some may even say that Anthony is a prime example of how a real high school football player should be.

“I try my hardest in everything because I want to be the best. I am the type of person who doesn’t want to settle for good, I want to settle for great, not just mediocre,” Rhone said. “I try hard at everything and put forth the time in to everything that I do, because you don’t know what may happen or who is looking at you. I believe that if you put your heart and soul in everything you do, that good things will come out of it.”

Anthony’s team thinks highly of him. They believe that Anthony’s attitude is truly what they all need.

“He shows how to hustle to evetything” junior Cody Hunter said, “and [he] shows everybody how to be a real football player.”

Rhone has showed his leadership and has left an impact on the team. “[A leader is] a person with a good personality,” Rhone said. “Someone who doesn’t let things get them down, knows how to take the lead and is smart.” /by baylee mcbride

9

feature

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

photo by n. duru

stephen 6vaughan

5bj dinsmore

He never saw himself as an inspiration. Soccer coach BJ Dinsmore just wanted the kids to live up to the expectations that he had for them.

“He pushes us and makes us do what we can’t do which makes us better in many ways,” sophomore Luis Moreno said. “In soccer if we do something pretty well, he tells us to do it better. He pushes us more and more. Therefore, we just get better.”

Dinsmore found it heartwarming to know that students had found him an inspiration. It was an honor that people had used such a strong adjective for a man who simply was doing his job by pushing the kids to their limit in soccer.

“It feels good to know that,” Dinsmore said. “It’s nice to know that they actually care and that people actually do pay attention to what’s going on.”

Moreno never once considered Dinsmore’s disease, (cerebral palsy) as the reason for him being an inspiration. His words simply encourages the soccer players to set the highest goals for themselves and one day achieve them.

“You just have to work with them,” Dinsmore said.

“You just have to make them do it to the best of their ability. Hopefully they’ll get a job and have a successful life.”/by maggie coleman

There’s something to be said for Southern hospitality, and senior Stephen Vaughan exemplifies that welcoming attitude to just about everyone he meets.

Vaughn constantly works to be a gentleman in everything he does day to day and it has been noticed by his peers.

“I just try to go into everything I do with a good attitude.”, Vaughn said.

Vaughn, who is an avid golfer, demonstrated this mind set during a round of golf. “It was the worst round of golf I had ever played. I tried to stay positive, but I was doing really horrible. I realized that God has not promised me another day, and that I should work to go through each day with a positive attitude.” Vaughn said. “It is hard to be in a bad mood if you have a good outlook.”

Vaughn has also been noticed for his seemingly boundless school spirit. “I find that it is always more fun if you are into whatever is happening.” Vaughn said.

“Just getting loud and getting pumped.”

Stephen Vaughn has shown the ability to maintain positive thinking through the good and bad times. A quality that has been judged by his fellow students to be truly inspiring./by davis payne photo by b. vaughan

8logan porter

photo by n. duru

She is the girl with the bible falling apart. She is the girl who always has a smile on her face. She is the girl whose random acts of kindness brighten everyone’s day. She is Logan Porter.

“It is just like Paul in the Bible, he goes through all of these terrible things for the Lord and he comes out still shining. I just that I do the same,” Porter said. “As you see him go through these trials and tribulations, he doesn’t lose any light and there are so many people that come to the faith that I just hope I can do the same.”

Logan received a call from her neighbor in a shaky voice telling her that her house was on fire.

With emotions ranging from “I may have lost everything” to “it could be a small little fire.”

“As we approached my house we could see the smoke in the air. It was dark grey and really terrible,” Porter said. “That’s when we both started crying, once we saw the house and there was no second story we completely lost it and were balling.

We saw that there was nothing left.”

And Porter prefers to look at the positive aspects of her situation.

“It was because I have a love for the Lord, and I know he will take care of me,” Porter said. “So, my family wanted to feel that and so they started praying and reading the Bible and now they are on fire for the Lord. We went through these trial and tribulations and now we are better people for it.”/ by john david goins

7 ramsey

anderson

The artistic medium of theatre allows many to express themselves outside of the classroom. It is an escape into another world, into another person. Senior Ramsey Anderson inspires others in theatre with his charisma and personality on stage. His stage presence is like nothing else. The stage is a second home to him.

“When I’m on stage, it allows me to be something I’m not” Anderson said, “I guess theatre is a surreal, inventive experience.”

Originally being shy, Anderson eventually mustered enough courage to venture on stage.

“At first I guess I was uncomfortable” Ramsey said, “But when I finally got on stage, it was amazing.”

Describing himself with a hyperactive imagination, Anderson hides this underneath a mellow personality.

“Theatre allows me to channel all of this creativity somewhere else” Anderson said, ”That’s what’s so neat about acting.”

His ability to push his reserved mentality away and become one of Texas Highs best actors is something truly inspiring./ by josh klein

continued on page 19 photo by c. prieskorn

feature

10

a small reminder

Father’s wedding ring helps keep memories close for senior by wynne tidwell co-editor in chief

O

ccasionally she runs her hand down the chain of her necklace, a simple necklace. Gold with a ring attached to it. The class lecture continues, but Heather Lanier’s mind is somewhere else. She keeps going back to the necklace.

Twisting the chain around her fingers, weaving her fingers in and out of the band. She’s taken to another time- she’s back in the “old days.”

At 7:15 a.m. a white Ford F-150 makes its way to the end of the drive. Inside a sleepy 8-year-old Heather rubs the sleep out of her eye and listens. She listens to her father’s humming, the rhythmic tap of his fingers on the wheel. His hum escalates, and soon he is belting the lyrics to Oh Susanna. She smiles.

She treasured these moments with her dad. It was their time together. In the early hours of the morning, waiting for the bus, Heather learned a two or thing about life. She learned how to carry a tune, the lyrics to Oh Susanna, and more importantly, Heather learned about her father.

Heather is back in the “old days.”

Heather is back in the days where her father was alive.

On the last day of her sophomore year, Heather Lanier’s father died. The cause was unknown, but he had recently been discharged from the hospital, and the family suspects his medication might of caused his heart failure.

The death of Heather’s father left her devastated. Angry. Needing to find an answer.

MEMORIES Looking at her necklace, senior Heather Lanier remembers her father who died at the end of her sophomore year. photo by haley woods

Heather started to find those answers through church.

“I have always been a Christian, but I had never really needed Him before, everything was OK with my life,” Heather said. “Sometimes it takes a tragedy to get closer to the Lord.”

Heather found that she needed something else, a reminder of her father, which came from an unlikely source.

“It started with my sister just playing with my dad’s

tiger times dec. 14, 2012 wedding ring and putting it around a chain,” Heather said of the necklace she now wears. “I thought, ‘Hey, that’s pretty cool.’”

Heather didn’t expect to wear it everyday, but it grew on her, and since, the necklace has stayed around her neck as a reminder of her father.

“I mean, if he was still here, I never would’ve thought about wearing this. It would be on his hand,” Heather said. “But just knowing that was something that he touched everyday, something that he always had on his hand. It’s a little bit of him that I can have.”

And on occasion, it provides her comfort.

“Sometimes it’s hard because I see my friend’s parents, and I know I’ll never have that, but then I realize he’s still with me,” Heather said. “Just holding on to the little things like this really helps me get through things.”

The necklace is a part of her identity. Rarely is she without it and one can always see her with it. However, on first glance not everyone understands its significance. Usually people assume one of two thing: boyfriend or Sauron’s Ring of Power.

“It’s really funny because everyone is always like ‘she has the Ring of Power’ and I never knew what they were talking about,” Heather said. “My friend finally made me watch Lord of the Rings and it really does look like that.”

Heather has changed since her father’s death. Before she was quiet. She sat in the back of the room. She was a wallflower.

But after her father’s death, she was forced to get strong.

She started to live in boldness. She spoke out in class. She became a leader at church. She became her own person.

“I’m not afraid anymore,” Heather said. “When I hear myself speak, it reminds me of him.”

Some may wonder if living with the constant reminder of her father is hard, making it difficult to really let go and always binding her to the past.

“Living in the past is not me at all. I don’t dwell.

There are no ‘what-ifs’ with me,” Heather said. “I use this necklace to move forward. Plus, I will see him again in heaven.”

when that one word is the one that makes someone cringe. That one word that can change a mood, an attitude, and possibly a life in the most negative way possible.

why say it? when the list goes on and on of other words that could go in place of that one word.

gay outdated THE BEST AROUND ABIGAIL O’GORMAN CO-FEATURE EDITOR

“Dude, that’s gay.” Everybody’s heard this phrase, or something similar, whether in the hallways or on the bus or in casual conversation. “Gay” seems to be the go-to word for anything negative among the students of Texas High, and among teenagers in general. It’s used to describe what’s undesirable, what’s lame, what’s stupid.

If you replace “gay” with the name of any other marginalized group, the phrase suddenly sounds offensive. You wouldn’t use “black” or “Muslim” as a derogatory term, would you? It seems, however, that bashing gays is an acceptable form of bigotry. Those kids you hear about on the news who were bullied to the point of suicide for being homosexuals must have deserved it; they were gay. Being born with a different sexual orientation than most people is apparently enough to turn who you are into a slur.

Though some believe that homosexuality is morally wrong, not agreeing with someone’s orientation does not grant the license to bully. After all, it’s highly unlikely that anyone would ever “choose to be gay for attention” considering all the bigotry against homosexuality. Gay kids aren’t harming anyone- they can’t help who they are, so why persecute them, why treat their orientation as if it’s something filthy, something to be ashamed of?

Sometimes it’s easy to injure the feelings of others without realizing it. It’s as simple as letting a few words slip out.

Ending the use of the word “gay” as a pejorative is not a matter of asking people to censor themselves, but instead a matter of combating bigotry and spreading compassion.

why say it?

stop using the word ‘retarded’ I was in fifth grade at Wake Village Elementary school eating my usual pb&j in the always obnoxiously loud cafeteria and I could barely even hear the hot fifth grade gossip about so-andso’s hideous dress she had worn to school that day. However, no matter how hard I tried not to listen, I couldn’t help or stop myself from hearing the words coming out of a cruel mouth across the lunchroom towards Jordan.

Jordan hurriedly ate his food by himself almost every day while trying to avoid the derogatory comments slurred by the so called social “its” of our class. Most of the time, I tried to ignore them, even when I knew I shouldn’t. But I couldn’t tune them out that day. It was the first time I had ever heard the dehumanizing slang, “retarded.”

According to a medical dictionary, it means slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development. According to urban dictionary, it means stupid, messed up, a waste of time, characterless, good-for-nothing, meaningless, worthless. But in reality, all the word is, is demeaning. The “r” word is just like every other minority slur, just a disability version, and should be treated that way. In fact, it’s more than just a slur, it’s a label, whether directed towards a person with a disability or not.

So what does it mean to be “retarded?” Well, I know what it doesn’t mean.

It doesn’t mean ignorant, meaningless, or any of those terms used to describe someone mentally or physically impeded.

In my household, it means other things.

Not ever being able to care for yourself, ever.

Not being able to understand why you are the way you are.

Never knowing how/why people view you the way they do.

But also, loving unconditionally.

People aren’t aware of how that one word impacts others. For one, it’s exclusive- makes those with a disability feel different and even alone. The “r” word equates intellectual disability with being stupid or worthless, whether meant to or not. It isn’t an appropriate way to describe people, with or without a disability.

But more than anything, it’s hateful. Though people don’t realize it, it is a form of hate-speech. It’s dehumanizing, it’s a mockery of them, and absolutely hurtful not only to them, but to their loved ones as well.

There isn’t anything more offensive to me than hearing the “r” word casually thrown around when among my friends. Like, “Guys, stop acting like a retard.” which usually means, “Guys,

word

‘‘ when

you hear the

11

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tiger times dec. 14, 2012

I think it makes absolutely no sense when people describe something as being gay. Gay either means bright, happy or showy. So unless they mean it in that sense, which I doubt they do, then it’s not an appropriate way to use it.

“

madeleine russell, 12

OPINIONATED BRIANNA SELLERS

CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF stop acting so stupid.” My question is, does that mean someone with a disability is stupid? My reply to those that use it, and I always reply to those who do, is: “Imagine your brother/sister.

Imagine them with some sort of speaking, physical or mental impairment. And imagine what society is known to label them as. Now imagine hearing one of your friends loosely use the word without any consideration; without any conscience. Now, please imagine how that would make “It’s is a form of you feel- because I’m in those shoes as hate-speech.

It’s we speak.” dehumanizing, a Do I take more offense to the mockery of them, word than most others do because I am faced with it every day? Probably. and absolutely However, it has never been, nor will hurtful not only to it ever be, okay to use this word; yet, them, but to their justice will never be brought. While loved ones as I know that when some people say well.” “retarded,” they don’t mean it in such a derogatory way, and they don’t stop to think of the emotional damage it causes, this is the very reason disability awareness should be raised. Or, as I call it, “ability awareness.”

People with disabilities have the “ability” to accomplish so many things as they leave an immense impact on the lives of those who spend much time around them. Raising ability awareness has hit home for me, considering my mother has worked with students with disabilities since before I was born, and I’ve lived with a child who has a disability for almost 8 years. Therefore, it’s have been a part of my life since the day I was born.

Raising awareness doesn’t just mean telling people not to say the “r” word; it’s much more than that. It’s giving people a reason not to say it, showing them how words affect everyone around them. It’s accepting and including those with any sort of learning, speaking, mental, or motor impairment. It’s teaching them to understand the beauty in others’ differences.

Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics, once said, “Everyone has a gift and the world would be better off if we recognized it.” Tomorrow is not the time, and five years from now is not the time. Today is the time to end the “r” word and to give the word a new meaning- respect.

‘‘

I feel like the word ‘retarded’ is very offensive because some people actually have mental disabilities. It’s not right to say it jokingly because it offends not only them, but to ones that are close to someone with a mental or physical handicap as well.

“

pat smith, 10

times 12 tiger dec. 14, 2012

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

in-depth

IT ONLY TAKES

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

ONE VOICE TO MAKE A CHANGE

60.4%

597

That’s the number of times derogatory words were used on Twitter during one day. It’s

an epidemic spew of ignorance and hate. It’s the words that are used to specifically demean the LGBTQ community. They’re the words they hate. But they’re words that are easily preventable if you just think about the negative impact they have on people–on your fellow classmates. A website determined to cause the extinction of these words, www.thinkb4youspeak. com, tallies the number of times a day these words are used on social networking sites. They have a goal of getting that large number down to zero. Think before you speak, and you can be a part of history.

“Never, not once, have I actually ever had anybody help with this. We finally get a voice. How could you not be happy about that?”

Senior Heaven North photo by casey hitchcock

H

by wynne tidwell editor in chief

eaven North is angry.

Her small frame and Hello Kitty backpack are misleading.

Heaven is a mover and shaker. A reformer. An angry reformer.

She had just read the first edition of the Tiger Times. She had read it over carefully, blinked hard, read it again, but it was still there.

“If their gender is questionable, don’t associate with them.”

Fuming, she stood up in her English class and asked if someone had read it. A guy agreed that it was pretty sad the staff had printed it.

Nothing else was said.

After school, she got in her car and called a friend. Explaining the situation, she came to a conclusion: Texas High is no different than any other school, and this type of hate will never stop.

She threw the paper on the coffee table and spent the weekend thinking of a way to confront the issue.

She was now a storm of Hello Kitty on a mission.

Monday morning came around, and Heaven decided to talk to an administrator. She prayed for patience and after an apology, she was pointed to Room 50– the Publications Room.

Heaven came into Room 50, sat down, and talked.

She talked about why she was mad. She talked about the kind of hurt the words brought. She talked about what they stood for.

And so began the journey into a matter as sensitive as it is misunderstood. Something uncomfortable. Something often ignored. Not spoken of, there, but hidden.

So began another look at homosexuality. ***

I

’ve pretty much known since I was six or seven,” Heaven said. “But it wasn’t until I was 17 that I came out.”

Even at a young age, Heaven knew she was different, so she did a very natural thing: she buried it, hoping to never look back.

Growing up, she heard gay slurs used in her home. She heard how nasty homosexuals were. Even worse, her own faith seemed to condemn the homosexual community. Raised a traditional Methodist, she understood the church’s view on homosexuality. Once her preacher devoted a whole sermon to gay marriage. He even passed out Bible

verses for the kids. Heaven went home, and she studied them. What she saw scared her. God might hate her. She would go to hell.

“I told myself, OK, I can’t do this. This is really wrong,” Heaven said. “And so I would date guys.”

Until she met Jenn Carrier. Jenn is the Books-A-Million cafe manager. She collects comic books– with a particular fondness to Batman, loves making her customers laugh, and by reputation, she makes really good coffee. Unfortunately for Jenn, most people won’t see that.

They’ll see a petite girl with short-cropped hair, tattoos and baggy pants. They’ll see a girl that looks like a guy.

Jenn deals with prejudice every day. She has been assaulted 37 times. Her house has been vandalized– windows busted, spray painted. Angry customers call her a “dyke.” Sometimes they’ll call her that just for laughs. People have even refused to take her “gay coffee.”

“I shouldn’t have to worry about coming into work and people telling me they don’t want my coffee because I’m gay,” Jenn said. “I make the coffee. I don’t make gay coffee. I make coffee.”

But they agree, it’s not just the name calling; it’s the stares.

“You know what they’re thinking, but they won’t say it,” Heaven said. “You can’t defend yourself from it.”

And defense is everything for them.

“If they call me a name, I can usually come up with something smart alec[y]; that’s funny to retort,” Jenn said. “When they call me a dyke, I can come up with something to say to make myself feel better and to make them look like an idiot. But I can’t do that if they just stare at me. There’s no comeback to that. I mean if there is a comeback to silence, I haven’t figured it out yet. Hopefully, one day I will.”

Once Jenn had a customer at the register call her a dyke. She went home that night, and she sat in her room and called herself a dyke 50 times in the mirror. She put cuss words in front of it, behind it–any way she could to turn dyke into the most derogatory term possible because once she took ownership of the word, it didn’t hurt.

“Yes, I’m a dyke,” Jenn said. “If I didn’t have the rest of my tattoos planned out, I would probably get it as a tattoo somewhere just to be a smart alec. But I’m running out of room.”

Although Jenn takes ownership of the word, she hates what it stands for.

The first time her house was vandalized, someone wrote “dyke” on her dad’s van in whipped cream, and Jenn was the first to see it. She took it down as quickly as possible. She got rid of it. She hated that word. But when she was taking it down, her mom came out. Jenn was

outside crying, ashamed and broken. It tore her up that somebody would do that. Especially to her family.

But her mom came out, sat her down and asked, “Why did you erase it?”

“It said dyke? What was I supposed to do, leave it up there?”

“Yes.” Her mom got a can of whipped cream and put it back. They rode around town with dyke on the window for two days because she refused to let Jenn live in fear of what people would say.

Jenn got her first lesson on how to turn hatred into a coping mechanism.

H ***

eaven doesn't expect everyone to agree with her lifestyle; she wants tolerance.

“Don’t come to school with the hate because nobody benefits from it,” Heaven said. “I think tolerance is about getting educated.”

One of Jenn’s customers is a Baptist preacher. Only on one occasion did he tell her that he disagreed with her lifestyle, and that he would pray for her. But that was all that was said. Now everytime he sees her, he gives her hug and asks how she is doing.

“That’s what I want to say to people. I want to challenge them. I challenge them to spend three hours with a homosexual. Go to the mall, go the bookstore and just sit down and just talk,” Jenn said.

“And you’ll come to one conclusion and one conclusion only– ok, they’re gay. They like the same sex, but that’s a human; that’s still a person. I guarantee they would find at least one thing in common, at least one thing.”

But Jenn and Heaven are hopeful for the future. Gay marriage has been on the ballot for many states and legalized in several states. They see the way the world is turning, and they know it’s their time.

“The women, the blacks... they have had their time,” Heaven said.

“Now it’s our turn.”

What Heaven and Jenn hope for is really as simple as walking through a store and not being stared at. As simple as a quiet acceptance.

“If you would just hang out with me for one day and get to know me, you would know that me being gay is not me,” Heaven said. “I don’t wear a hat saying ‘Hey, I’m gay, that’s who I am... I’m the gay girl.’ I’m a person. I’m Heaven.”

Senior Heaven North and her girlfriend Jenn Carrier are speaking out.

“Everybody does something different.

Whether it’s daily routines, the way you eat food, everybody’s different in some kind of way. I just feel like everybody should be accepted for [his or her] different views.

You should accept everybody because somebody’s having to accept you.”

Senior Jess Lott

munity doesn’t feel safe or well protected. And most of the unease lies with the guys. “[Faculty] tell me, ‘Your hair is too high,’” Matt* said. “‘You need to take off your lip gloss. You need to take off your mascara or your eyeliner.’ They told me I couldn’t wear it because it was a ‘distraction.’” Senior Jess Lott notices the discrepancies too.

“They make too much of a deal about a guy being [gay],” Lott said. “Because it’s the same as us, [lesbians], walking around in sweats all the time and doing the same thing a straight guy would do. And, they’re not saying anything to us or picking on us. They don’t really look at it as equal.” *name has been changed

36%

out of

That’s the fraction of LGBT students that feel unsafe at school due to their sexual preference. For Lizzie*, it

started when she “came out.”

“Tenth grade year, when I came out, in all of my classes, there were notes,” Lizzie said. “[They said things] like ‘Being gay is wrong’ taped to my desk.

And I would have kids throw paper and stuff at me.” When prodded, she admitted that it was for an entire week. Every class period. That same year she also admitted she almost committed suicide, mostly due to the bullying related to her sexuality. And while she’s in a better place now, the bullying continues. Her first period class is now unbearable–a situation easily avoided if people thought before they spoke.*name has been changed

photo by mackenzie phillips

That’s the percentage of LGBTQ students that never reported bullying to school faculty. Most of the com-

6 10

13

The percentage of students afraid to “come out” at school.

Another common misconception is that if you do “come out,” you’ll be unhappy.

Based on interviews, that claim holds no truth. All of the students interviewed agreed they were more confident and relieved to have “come out.”

“Ever since I learned I was pansexual, I have become a lot more mature than I used to be,” Joanne* said. “It has made me realize that you really do need to live your life to the fullest ‘cause this is the only life you’re sure you will have. Live as happy as you can be, and don’t worry about what people think.”*name has been changed

by sydney schoen viewpoint editor The stares are daily.

Icy eyes look her up and down, evaluating Scrunched noses– as if her sexuality has a scent Pursed lips– as if they can catch it All synonymous with condemnation, bigotry, prejudice, and hatred.

People have heard. They belittle her with their eyes, too ignorant to say anything to her face. They only know her sexuality. They don’t even know her.

She’s good at basketball. She loves music. She’s easygoing. She’s happy.

And she’s a lesbian. Senior Siera Nelson is a lesbian.

It’s out there; she’s out there. She’s open. She’s ready to have her voice heard. She’s willing to be one of the voices for this long awaited evolution. The voice inside is finally speaking out.

story continued on pg. 15 BE YOU. “Do what makes you happy,” senior Siera Nelson said. “If liking the same sex makes you happy, go for it. There’s plenty of us out there that do. There’s plenty of us out there that have [gone] through way worse than being looked at, being talked about. And they still live their life liking the same sex.

We’re going to march for this.”

77%

of the LGBTQ community believe it will get better.

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community

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

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tiger times dec. 14, 2012

Q&A

continued from page 13

photo by m. phillips

photo by m. phillips

SIERA NELSON’S STORY

with

Preston Reed

by madeline hunley staff writer

A

rt has been in his blood since he first picked up a pencil and started a drawing. He remembers collecting his crayons and decorating the walls around his house like he was an actual artist. Art turned into an everyday passion for junior Preston Reed. While others played football or baseball, Reed found that art was something he could put hard work toward and use in his future.

1

How long have you been interested in art and drawing?

A: Since I was little, I have been interested in drawing for a long time. It’s always been something that I enjoy and can relate to.

2

What got you started into drawing?

A: My cousin used to teach me how to draw dragons. I would enter my drawings into the fair contests and lose which made me mad, so I continued to improve in order to win.

Do you plan on pursuing art in the future?

A: Yes, I want to be a graphic designer. This job incorporates business and art which is what I look for in my future job.

3 4

Do you do anything else besides drawing?

A: I love to hunt and work around the house, but art is something that I always come back to because of how much I enjoy it.

5

Do you have a specific type of art or drawing that you like?

A: I like shock art where you can do what you want and mess with people.

by sydney schoen co-viewpoint editor

I met Siera the day I interviewed her.

We talked so much that she didn’t even know my name until she left to go back to class.

Talk.

We talked a lot about words: the words that hurt, the words that seclude, the words that motivate.

Motivation.

She smiles as she pops her shirt in “Poppin’ My Collar” fashion, which emphasizes the enlarged face of John Cena on it.

“I’m reppin’ John Cena,” Siera said.

“He’s really awesome to me, and his motto is ‘never give up.’ Never give up on anything. Anything. On what you like, on what you can do, on what you wish you could do. Never give up. Live your life.”

“Live your life.”

She mentions that phrase more than once. It’s a motivator itself, a motto to live by, a way to cope.

“People are going to judge you all day everyday,” Siera said. “That’s the struggle of when people first want to ‘come out.’

They’re afraid because of the people and the judgment. I know when I go to college, I’m going to be looked at crazy. But I don’t care; I’m happy.”

Happy.

She is happy. But she’s happy because she’s confident. She knows who she is.

Siera wants this same happiness, this same empowerment to those struggling with the decision to “come out.”

“You’re going to live your life, and they aren’t,” Siera said. “Do what makes you happy. If liking the same sex makes you happy, go for it. There’s plenty of us out there that do. There’s plenty of us out there that have [gone] through way worse than being looked at, being talked about. And they still live their life liking the same sex.

We’re going to march for this.”

March.

Because it is a revolution. It’s a revolution that needs to happen: a revolution of tolerance.

“Accept me for who I am; not who I like,” Siera said. “I’m not some thing. I go through struggles just like you do. I just don’t like the same thing you do.”

When I was interviewing Siera, I asked her if she had a quote that she lived by. She pulled out her phone, and read me a quote authored by herself. I laughed after she told me, realizing the similarity it had with one of my favorite Shel Silverstein poems, “The Voice.”

“If you choose to be different at a young age, just make sure by the time you take your last breath, people will remember you as someone special.”

Her quote makes me smile every time.

She is not defined by her sexual preference. Nor does she want to be defined by it. She wants to be known for her greater accomplishments, her self-proclaimed “crazy, outgoing” personality, her love for those who love her back, and her respect for everyone.

Respect.

Be an ally to the LGBTQ community.

Talk to them, motivate them, understand that it’s their life to live, be happy for their happiness, march alongside them during this fight against hate, and, if nothing else, respect their right to do so.

Remember: there is a person behind every prejudice and a call-to-action behind every revolution.

Join Siera, and be a voice.

There is a voice inside of you.

That whispers all day long, ‘I feel this is right for me, I know that this is wrong.’

No teacher, preacher, parent, friend Or wise man can decide What’s right for you--just listen to The voice that speaks inside.

- Shel Silverstein

Have a great Christmas break Tigers!

School’s out Dec. 24 - Jan. 4

sports

16 GOLF

MADELINE HUNLEY /submitted photo

GIRLS DOMINATE FALL The Tiger girls ended the fall season with an undefeated record, beating teams from Highland Park and Rockwall. They are currently preparing for their spring season. “The whole team played really well this fall,” sophomore Madeline Hunley said. “I think we are going to do even better in the spring.”

CLINIC

KATIE JOHNSTON/c.clem photo

B-BALL AND CHEER The basketball and cheer teams are holding a clinic to learn the techniques of both sports. It is held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to everyone 4 years to sixth grade. The cost is $25 and will include a pizza lunch. T-shirts will also be available.

SWIM

DAVIS PAYNE/c.clem photo

TISCA THIS WEEKEND Today and Saturday, the Tigersharks will be in Frisco, Texas, to participate in the TISCA invitational meet. Last year, the boys placed first. “We are looking at improving our times,” senior Zach Derrick said. “We are trying to get faster and looking to sweep the relays and take the meet.”

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

Basketball boys prepare for district competition

Varsity Tiger boys v.

Longview Lobos at Longview High School at 7:30 p.m.

by ben gladney staff writer A brand new season of Texas High hoops has begun with head coach Jacob Skinner, who inherited the program last season. His squad of veteran and new players are preparing to face the Lobos tonight in Longview.

“Longview is always one of the biggest rival games for us, other than Arkansas,” senior Aaron Jones said. “We always give it our all on the court. We always want to beat them.”

The team has high hopes of becoming a better team than last year. Goals have been set to help them produce the results that they want.

“Improving off of last year,” senior Kevin Paxton said. “Getting better everyday is the key to our success [and] to become district champs and make playoffs.”

With a new year comes new changes to the roster and schedule. One change is that Arkansas will not included in the schedule.

photo by c. hitchcock

“I feel like that’s not fair,” senior Chad Pollins said.

“But it gives us a chance to play LE and other teams.”

Jones said the decision to remove them from the schedule stemmed from past

conflicts.

“Because of safety, they canceled the Arkansas games,” Jones said. “The game doesn’t produce enough revenue to keep it in the schedule.”

Basketball is not as easy as it seems, especially with the conditioning that comes with preparing for a game.

“I’m basically conditioning for the purpose to win,” junior Taylor Jackson said.

“But it’s taking me some time to get my legs back.”

Win or lose, there is always a coach who makes a difference in the game with his different coaching style.

“His coaching methods are good,” senior Chris Hart said. “We just have to buy into them to have a successful season.”

With a season so far roughly divided between wins and losses, the team is using the time to determine areas to strengthen.

“We have lost some stupid games, but through those games we were learning,” Jones said. “They were games that we needed to lose so that we would know what we needed to improve on in our defense and offense.”

As they continue to play out of district games, the team has a positive outlook for their season.

“Once we truly do what we are supposed to do, give all our effort on the court, every single play instead of taking plays off, we will have a great season,” Jones said.

“We will be hard to beat.”

Is D’Antoni the right coach for Lakers?

The additions that the Lakers made this offseason were enough to make any coach tremble. The acquisitions of center Dwight Howard and point guard Steve Nash made LA look like they were sure to win the championship. But here we are, a few weeks in, and they’re already on their second coach.

After starting 1-4, the Laker administration decided that a change was necessary. A couple of weeks into the season, LA dismissed head coach Mike Brown after the miserable start.

There was little doubt in anyone’s mind that this was the right decision.

But who would be the new coach?

The ideal candidate would be Phil Jackson. Jackson, who has served with LA previously, may have been

TIGHT COVERAGE TAYLOR POTTER SPORTS EDITOR

interested in returning to the NBA in order to coach this heavy-loaded team. Having a team coached by Jackson, who has more championship rings than he does fingers, is an owner’s dream. Why would anyone turn down the guidance of this legendary coach?

Your guess is as good as mine.

The Lakers instead opted for former Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni.

D’Antoni, while he is a great offensive schemer, believes that defense is optional. Whether he is ignorant

or more enthused with offense is really not important. The fact is that, while the offensive weapons will be dominant, the defense will be similar to a middle school’s.

The only reason to choose D’Antoni over Jackson would be the future. Jackson is retired and would be hesitant to take a role that would last more than a couple of years.

D’Antoni, however, can be convinced to stay a while. That is, if the Lakers choose to invite him back.

I understand the lure to D’Antoni. He’s not a bad coach. He runs teams that can score 100 points a game. The only problem is that his defense has a tendency to allow 100 points a game as well. But his ability to remain for a long period is allur-

ing. While D’antoni has his advantages, I just think he’s a mistake.

Regardless of public opinion, the Lakers have improved since Brown’s firing. Whether it is due to D’Antoni’s coaching expertise is not necessarily important. The fact that the team is making progress is the only note worth mentioning.

Many people, myself included, believed that the firing Brown after a mere five games may have been harsh. However, it’s difficult to argue with success.

So, while the Lakers have ground to make up, they are back in it. But one can’t help but wonder, with all the talent on that team, why aren’t they better? Or, better yet, how good would they be with Phil Jackson?

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tiger times dec. 14, 2012

Cream of the Crop Junior receiver Taylor Jackson and junior linebacker Anthony Rhone were invited to the annual Rivals. com Underclassmen Challenge, which features the top underclassmen football players in the nation. The contest, sponsored by the recruiting database Rivals.com, was held in DeSoto, Texas, in July.

Taylor Jackson I was on Facebook one day, and I saw that I had a new message. I saw that it was from a recruiter. He told me that he wanted me to go to DeSoto, Texas, with about 200 other juniors and sophomores across the nation. I didn’t think it was serious. I thought it was fake.

There was a lot of competition at my position. It was good to see how well you stack up against other good receivers across the nation.

I got top 5 receiver out of about 80 receivers . I did pretty good.

I’m looking at Arkansas, SMU, Baylor, Arkansas State and Houston.

& How did you react when you were invited?

What was the challenge like?

How do you think you performed?

What colleges are you looking at for football?

Anthony Rhone It was amazing. It was an honor to be invited to Rivals Underclassmen Challenge because it’s a chance for you to compete with the best and for your name to be thrown in there with the top recruits in the country. It was a great experience.

It was fun. Competing with them helps you both mentally and physically. It showed me where I need to go and how I need to get there.

I performed very well. I got MVP for the linebackers out of the whole Rivals Challenge. Out of all the linebackers there from all over the country, I was the one picked for Most Valuable Player.

The colleges I’m looking at are Arkansas, Texas Tech, LSU, Mississippi State, TCU, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.

DIY Christmas

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doChristmas ityourself Style compiled by Mary Claire Boudreaux

Strawberry Lights

Glowing Christmas Words

Take strawberries and cover in Herseys Shell Chocolate. Roll ends in colorful sprinkles.

Wrap in cellophane and decorate with ribbon.

Give these delicious treats to those friends who deserve a little something.

“Joy to the World,” “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”: all sayings that put a smile on faces. But imagine those sayings light up on your wall at home. What a great way to spread the cheer. Cut out letters and wrap them in green, red or white string. Then wrap each letter in Christmas lights as well. Place next to a wall plug and watch as your guests faces light up as well.

For more information on this visit, blogs.glam.com

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

Why D.I.Y?

With the seasons rolling around, so do the awkward moments.

The awkward moments when you have to choose which friends are more important and deserve more expensive gifts. Instead, Do It Yourself! Save money and give it a more heartfelt gift.

For more information on this visit, curbly.com

Initial Ornaments

Walkway Marbles

Ornaments can be expensive, especially custom ornaments. What a way to impress your friends and family. Take a clear glass ball ornaments. Place a cardboard initial inside the glass ball.

Finish off by filling the ball with glitter, feathers or beads.

Coal Popcorn

For more information on this visit etsy.com

A true Christmas fanatic knows that when visiting friends houses during the season, the first thing you judge is the lights, but the next is the decorations. Fill balloons with water and all different colors of food coloring. Place along your walkway over night. The next morning go outside and cut the balloon off. You have giant glass marbles.

For more information on this visit, queenvannacreations.wordpress.com

Cinnamon Almonds

Nothing is better than something that should be healthy but is coated in sugar and spice.

Combine 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon and 1/4 cup of water in pot on medium heat. Add 3 cups of pure almonds stir until think syrup forms. Pour almonds onto wax paper to cool. Enjoy! for more information on this visit, onecharmingparty.com

Give all your friends coal for Christmas. Pour 2 bags of popped microwave popcorn into a large bowl. Crush one 6 oz box of candy canes and crush one pack of Oreo cookies. Then melt one a one half packs Almond Bark. Mix one and one half teaspoon of peppermint extract with the melted almond bark.

Then pour mixed almond bark and peppermint extract over the popcorn oreo candy cane mixture. Pour onto wax paper to cool and watch their faces light up when they see the treat! for more information on this visit, plainchicken.com

The showflakes will reign

Senior students hope to start caroling clan to spread love of the holidays by brianna sellers and mary claire boudreax editors “Christmas caroling in the snow, watch me crank it, watch me roll. Watch me crank that Christmas carol, now Santa Claus, ho ho... Now watch me, YOU.....”

These are the lyrics to our remixed version of “Crank that,” by the one and only, Soulja Boy boy band.

The song was written by us, Brianna Sellers and Mary Claire Boudreaux, during our prime. Our duck-face givin’, myspace lovin’, top friend drama 8th grade year. It’s time to relive the glory days.

It just so happens, as the season rolls around every year, we drink our hot cocoa as we reminisce on the days of “Christmas Caroling in the snow..” But recently we realized that this doesn’t have to be just a memory- we can channel our inner Santa’s

Helper and spread the holiday cheer once again.

Starting in September, the holiday pandora station became the favorite in Mary Claire’s car. Everywhere we went, the windows were rolled down in the 90 degree weather as we blasted out to “Baby It’s Cold Outside;” it really began to look a lot like Christmas in our hearts. But how were we to sing these alone? How could we be so selfish to only sing to ourselves? By keeping the Christmas cheer ONLY in our hearts, we realized we were being our very own Ebenezer Scrooge.

We recognized our American Idol-like talent and that Christmas caroling would not only be a great way to spread holiday cheer, but also a road to fame.

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” This simple quote shouldn't only be our life

motto, but others life mottos as well. It was time to start our very own caroling crew... the Showflakes. And believe us, they will reign.

Yes, we are serious. This is us, reaching out to YOU; to all those who-villians, those post heart-growing grinches, and those elves who just want to be a dentist (you will only get that if you are a true Christmas fanatic. If so, this next message is for you).

We, Mary Claire and Brianna, will be hosting caroling auditions upon request until Dec.17. THIS IS NOT A JOKE NOR A TIME OR PLACE FOR YOU TO PRACTICE YOUR COMEDY. This is an actual advertisement, asking you to contact either of us for a shot at reaching full potential holiday spirit. Join the Showflakes, we WILL be rocking around the Christmas tree.

photo by h. rushing

feature

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

so, you think you know duck dynasty...

Take the quiz and find out if you’re by mackenzie phillips co-feature editor worthy of the dynasty 1. Who is the CEO of Duck Commander? a. Phil b. Jase c. Willie d. Kay

a. 2 b. 3 c. 4 d. 8

2. Who ate more than 30 donuts to win a bet and eventually win a camper? a. Jase b. Willie c. Jep d. Si

3. Who is Phil’s wife? a. Korie b. Kay c. Jessica d. Missy

6. How many children do Willie and Korie have?

7. What is another term, often used by Phil, for the Robertsons? a. grubby b. bumpy c. lumpy d. yuppy

8. Who is Alan Robertson? a. The oldest son. b. The boys’ long lost cousin c. Phil’s father. d. Willie’s youngest son.

9. Who says “hey” more than 4. Who once skinned a deer in his front yard while anyone else on the show, and then some? a bus of small children a. Si passed by? a. Jase b. Si c. Phil d. Jep

b. Willie c. Jep d. Phil

b. Willie c. Jep d. Alan

a. When Nature Calls b. The Mountain Man Show c. Duck Huntin’ Lovin’ d. Sweet Home Louisiana

10. What is the name of the 5. Who is the youngest and radio show that the guys most babied brother? often listen to while at a. Jase work at Duck Commander?

As StuCo, cheer and Leadership sponsor, students often think of Susan Waldrep as a mom, a comrade and a go-to girl for all things volunteer work and college applications. Her husband Roger, also known as Roge, is considered the StuCo dad, who’s often seen behind the grill and as Susan Waldrep’s sidekick to saving the world.

“I’m a gofer–they tell me

9the waldreps

to do something, and I go for it,” Roger Waldrep said. “I do whatever they ask me to do, from setting up and cleaning up, to supplying drinks. She averages about 13 hours a day at the school most days, I average about five hours a day.”

It’s the special bond they form with the students that keep them coming back.

“It’s like they will wake up at 3 o’clock in the morning with an idea to improve the school or the student body. They are so dedicated.” senior class president Madeleine Russell said, “They really have bettered the school, if it weren’t for the Waldrep’s, I don’t know what this school would be.”

Because of their dedication to community service, the Waldrep’s have received numerous awards.

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“We have won the sweepstakes award for 25 years, we have National Gold Council of Excellence and we are one of 18 schools in Texas that get it and we have gotten it for four years in a row,” Susan Waldrep said.

“We get awards or recognition from Boy Scouts for help with community service. Sometimes we get awards from the elementary schools for our volunteer work there. But sweepstakes and National Gold Council of Excellence are the biggest ones.”

Even though this is Susan Waldrep’s last year to sponsor StuCo and Leadership, they have been examples for numerous students of how to give their time and assistance to others.

They have helped build better teenagers who will one day become better adults./by mary claire boudreaux

10 chuck zach

AP U.S. history teacher Chuck Zach has been inspiring and building relationships with his students for the past 19 years.

“History is a part of who we are as a country and as people, and everyday we talk about decisions people have made that still affect us today” Zach said, “Everyday that we’re having these conversations we’re bringing them back to things that are happening today.”

Although his class is stressful for most students, Mr. Zach’s knack for building personal relationships with his students makes him a favorite teacher to most students.

“When someone walks in, having a bad day, and I can tell something isn’t right, I can’t just let it go,” Zach said. “I usually ask them about it, and that opens up the door for us to talk about it. I think that people want to know that other people care about them.”/by katherine doan

correct answers: 1.c, 2.d, 3.b, 4.a, 5.c, 6.c, 7.d, 8.a, 9.a, 10.b

entertainment

20 Under the Mistletoe

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

The Christmas Album

It’s the end of the world! Oh, wait, it’s just Justin Bieber’s Christmas album. No Christmas is complete without your typical teen pop sensation, so be sure and pick up “Under the Mistletoe” and sing your heart out with Justin this season. Our personal favorite is “Mistletoe.” But not really.

Glee is experimenting with genetics this season by making a hybrid (better known as a mashup) to “Deck the Halls” and Up On the Rooftop” called “Deck the Rooftop.” Many popular songs on the CD are “Deck the Rooftop,” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Angels We are Heard on High.” This is the type of CD that you and your friends can sit around the tree and enjoy together.

Christmas

It would be a sad holiday season without Michael Buble’s album “Christmas.”

Every true Buble fan will add this to their collection if they haven’t already.

Some of the top hits from the CD are “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “Blue Christmas” and “Santa Baby.”

A Jolly Christmas

Nothing else will put you in a better mood to drink expensive eggnog and wear a blazer than Frank Sinatra’s Christmas album. The album includes many old Sinatra favorites, “Come Fly With Me,” “New York, New York,” and many more.

This Christmas

Everyone knows Sandy and Danny from Grease. This lovable pair is reunited for a Christmas CD. As good as their singing in Grease was, the album should be great for you and fellow Grease fanatics to listen to. The top tracks on the album are, “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Silent Night” and many more excellent songs.

rockin’ around the

CHRISTMAS

tree

compiled by Annie Tarwater & Amanda Hackleman

Noel

Josh Groban is one of the top Christmas singers who everyone enjoys listening to around the holidays. The album has been out since 2007, but it’s still one of the best albums out. The CD includes “Silent Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Ave Maria” and so many more.

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

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entertainment

From J-Bros to J-Biebs: terrible pop music throughout the ages

M

ost teenage girls have at some point in their early adolescence gone through an unfortunate phase in which they become frighteningly obsessed with effeminate chart-toppers who all have identical haircuts and, for reasons unknown, wear sparkly purple pants unironically.

That’s right. I’m talking about the teen pop stars.

Before we set out on our mystical journey of bad music nostalgia, let me make something abundantly clear: if you’re over the age of 14 and you still think Justin Bieber or the Jonas Brothers or any of their skinny jeansbedecked brethren are cute, you need to turn your TV off Disney Channel and take a long hard look at your life and your priorities. And for heaven’s sake, take down those ridiculous posters and stop talking about how Justin and Selena are “ment 2 b!”

Okay, now that the crazies are gone, let’s get down to the bizniss. In order to truly understand the teen pop phenomenon, we must journey back to the arcane ethers of its earliest beginnings: The Era of the Boy Bands.

This epoch commenced in the late nineties, when music executives first realized that 12-year-old girls are capable of buying CDs. They quickly threw together a few MC Hammer pants-wearing rainbow brigades of marginally talented dandies and, lo, the boy band was born.

To this day, it is still possible to instigate fist fights among college-age women by bringing up the old debate of whether *N-Sync is better than the Backstreet Boys. I refuse to involve myself in such trivial debates, but if you won’t admit that Nick Carter could trounce Justin Timberlake any day, I’ll fight you.

Though the first generation of teen pop stars have popped, locked and dropped it into the sunset, their heavily autotuned spirit lives on in the boy bands of today.

Who among the most hard-hearted of us can say that watching Joe Jonas dance to “Single Ladies” did not coax a tear from their eye? Though the JoBros are nearing the end

by abigail o’gorman entertainment editor

photo by c. hitchcock

of their moment in the spotlight, they will be immortalized in the vaunted halls of pop music history as The Cute One, The Weird One, and The Emo-Looking One. Closely related to the Jonas Brothers is that oftlambasted Canadian, the Right Honorable Justin Bieber.

Though Biebs’ signature style is his boyish charm and Donald Trump-like (Trumpian?) hairdo rather than the

JoBros’ purity rings and general smarminess, these two giants of the bubblegum pop genre pander to nearly identical markets: romantically suggestible preteen girls with somewhat lax musical standards.

Bieber has caught downright enormous amounts of flak for his girlish appearance and annoyingly sugary oeuvre, but nevertheless he sits upon his throne of millions of (Canadian) dollars and laughs at the bitter plebes who dare to post mean comments on his Youtube channel. JBiebs may be an underdeveloped wannabe lothario, but he certainly knows how to play the market, the crafty scamp.

Even the present moment, the Lovecraftian entity that is The Boy Band is emerging in a new, terrifying form.

It comes, this time, from across the Atlantic Ocean.

After a group of teenage British boys caught the hawkish eyes of record company executives when performing on XFactor, these starry-eyed musical neophytes were molded into a lean, mean, money-making machine: they became a deplorably wholesome multiracial boy band. They were named “One Direction” by some unknown marketing exec, a moniker which sounds more fitting as a name for one of those angsty Christian groups than a band whose members all look like twinks who go to the posh clubs.

As someone whose sister is obsessed with One Direction to the point of writing fanfiction about them, I am privy to more information about these plastic-y Englanders than anyone could ever possibly desire to know. As a result, I really, really hate One Direction.

I would buy cardboard cutouts of all the members just to punch holes through their faces while screaming, “Who lights up your world like nobody else now? MY FIST!” I normally regard passing fads with a sort of amused condescension, but if you ask me, the sooner One Direction breaks up in a Lance Bass-esque fashion, the better. Boy bands have gone to the dogs.

Man, I really miss Nick Carter.

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MATTHEW RAY energy drink cans

feature

for goodness keepsake confessions of three hoarders When you ask someone what means a lot to them, you’re bound to get diverse answers.

Some choose family or religion, while others may say something with a monetary value like their expensive car.

If you ask a hoarder what is special to them, chances are you’re going to get a list. Hoarders are those who put a sentimental value behind

JOLENE THEOBALD greeting cards

riley madlock

TRISTEN COLLINS baby hair

things that can seem like garbage to others.

Some people think hoarding is a taboo that doesn’t relate to them or anyone they know.

The truth of the matter is almost everyone has something special to themselves, and only themselves. Hoarders live their lives by the phrase “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

josh rostek

sydney steed

Sophomore Matthew Ray holds on to several of the energy drink cans he buys after he finishes drinking them.

“I’ve been collecting them for four years,” Ray said. “ I have about 31 cans now.”

While some people see cans as scrap metal Matt sees them as something more.

“I love art,” Ray said. “Some of the cans have some really unique designs.”

He is proud of his collection, and keeps them displayed.

“I keep all the cans displayed on a wooden shelf in my room,” Ray said.

Most people throw away their cans without giving a second thought, while Matt uses them to decorate his room./BY ROBERT HOOVER

Sophomore Tristen Collins has held onto hair from her first haircut when she was about 3 years old.

Collins hasn’t looked at it in years and had to think for a while just to remember having it.

“I keep it buried in my closet somewhere,” she said.

To some people, this is an extremely strange thing.

“Yeah, it’s kind of weird when you think about it,” Collins said.

Even though she barely remembered having the hair, and thinks it’s weird, she’s glad her parents gave it to her.

“It’s sentimental to me,” Collins said. “It’s a piece of my childhood.”/BY ROBERT HOOVER

Sophomore Jolene Theobald collects for the sake of sentimentality.

“I collect birthday cards, greeting cards,” Theobald said. “Basically any card that someone gives me.”

Her addiction is not a new thing. It has been a part of her for basically her whole life.

“I have been collecting since like the first grade,” she said.

Even though her amount exceeds three digits, she loves each and every one. She doesn’t love them for weird reasons, or odd motivations.

“They are sentimental,” she said. “And they are sometimes from people that I don’t get to see much.”

Even with her excessive amount, it is clear why they mean so much to her. For her, memories and love start with cards./BY SHELBY KELLY

tiger times dec. 14, 2012

community

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tiger times dec. 14, 2012