November 2017 - Tiger Times

TIGER TIMES

November 2, 2017 • Vol. 57, Issue 2 texas high school

STRINGS OF SOCIAL MEDIA She is controlled by a puppeteer. Confined by the rules and regulations of social media. Every post carefully considered, every caption formulated with care. She will bend over backward to please the world. continued on page 12

Texas High School • 4001 Summerhill Road, Texarkana, TX 75503 • tigertimesonline.com

illustration by k. gordon & c. johnson

2 NEWS

NOVEMBER

2

Seniors will participate in the annual Feast and Follies event in the cafeteria.

3

Seniors will be recognized at senior night before the home football game against Hallsville. They may be escorted by a family member or guardian.

4

The SAT Test will be administered beginning at 8 a.m. Also, THS VIPS will host the Dash 4 Cash 5K Scholarship Run on the track field beginning at 8 a.m.

6

There will be no school and TISD offices will be closed in observance of Columbus Day.

13

The College and Career Readiness Department will host the annual College Night fair from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Students will have opportunity to speak with representatives from colleges and the military.

STAY CONNECTED

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

WHAT’S ON OUR

radar

inside

illustration by v. van

PAGE

3

TIGERS ON THE PROWL

WATCHING OVER THE TIGERS TISD created a new program called Tiger Watch for students to report bullying and incidents.

The link to the program is on the TXKISD website.

Administration forms new anonymous incident report process

BY MADISON BROWN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR TISD officials have created an anonymous website link named Tiger Watch for parents, students and the community to promptly report transgressions that occur on campus. Their motives are to guarantee the safety and security of the TISD family.

“We always try to evaluate year to year to see what’s effective to keep up with the latest things that we can do to keep our

campus safe so we can update and revise,” principal Brad Bailey said. “This was an opportunity we used to report it through Knomi, the bullying site, but having this TXKISD website link gave us more options.”

This website link will allow the community to report any problems that have or may occur.

Information regarding weapons, drugs, bullying and any other concerns that could put students in danger will be directly reviewed by TISD officials. Any false allegations will be taken

seriously to the extent of the law.

“The students can go in and do this since Knomi is starting to phase anyway,” Bailey said. “We feel like this will be a better way to house it, and miraculously, I received [a response] within the first five minutes that I sent the email out to the staff.”

Reports may be submitted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the school year. At any other time, they will be reviewed during the next school day. This system is not for immediate issues.

TOP tweets

madisonbrown@tigertimesonline.com

@jrawkmontana

@gabbyleon15

@THighFootball

@_victoriaserena

“Sunday’s are perfect until i think about Monday...”

snapchat: thspublications instagram: thsstudentmedia twitter: @thsstudentmedia facebook: THS Publications aurasma: thsstudentmedia mobile app: TigerTimesOnline

WHAT’S

“2nd Round of voting has begun! Make sure and vote daily for our @TevailanceHunt9”

@KReid_15

“Today is another day to get better or worse there is no in between.”

SCOUTING NEW PARTICIPANTS National organization makes historic move to allow girls to join

PAGE

8

YOU ARE NOT YOUR PARENTS Junior offers insight into becoming different than her mother

PAGE

16

A RUN AT STATE Two cross country runners to compete in state meet on Saturday

“Cherish every moment you have with someone because you never know when they will go” “good evening to everyone especially the lucky charms marshmallows”

@HartleyAnne “People never really change, they just get better at making you think they have.”

PAGE

19

BLACK KNIGHT Soldier from Mt. Pleasant recalls ambush in Iraq

NOV. 2, 2017 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

NEWS

3

BOY SCOUTS OPENS PROGRAM TO GIRLS National organization changes policy in historic move

BY ABRIL ALVARADO STAFF WRITER The Boy Scouts of America announced Oct. 11 it will soon allow girls to join the organization as Cub Scouts and earn the rank of Eagle Scout, marking a significant policy shift in the organization’s history. The BSA said its historic decision to include girls came after years of receiving requests from families and girls wanting to include them in the program.

“The values of Scouting (trustworthy loyal, helpful, kind, brave and reverent, for example) are important for both young men and women,” Chief Scout Executive Michael Surbaugh said in his statement. “We strive to bring what our organization does best, developing character and leadership for young people, to as many families and youth as possible as we help shape the next generation of leaders.”

READ ONLINE "Who are the Scouts?"

By Hollan Borowitz, staff writer photo by b. cranford

SALUTING IS FOR THE GIRLS TOO Junior Madison Brown gives a three-fingered salute in a Boy Scout uniform after girls are allowed to join the organization.

A statement from the Boy Scouts claimed that the move reflect the changing nature of American life. However, the backlash has not stopped since the announcement surfaced. Not only are the media and nontroop members in disagreement with the decision of the BSA, but members of the Boy Scouts themselves have made

comments about the unanimous vote.

“Personally, I don’t think that this is a good idea,” Eagle Scout Hayden Fant said. “I have been in Scouts since I was little. I have about 100 merit badges and about nine Eagle Palms.

[Girl Scouts] have pushed so hard to get into Boy Scouts, like they have said that Girl Scouts

are so bad, then why not put all that energy to make Girl Scouts better? The BSA was made to make boys into men not to make girls into men.”

The announcement, however, received push-back from the Girl Scouts of the USA, recently criticizing the Boy Scouts for considering opening its doors for girls. The strongly worded letter, obtained by BuzzFeed News, accuses BSA leaders of making “disparaging and untrue remarks” about Girl Scout programming at “family meetings” outlining their proposed programs for girls.

“The need for female leadership has never been clearer or more urgent than it is today, and only Girl Scouts has the expertise to give girls and young women the tools they need for success,” an official statement from the Girl Scouts said. “Girl Scouts is the best girl leadership organization in the world, created with and for girls.

At GS, we are the girl experts, and for more than a century we have provided millions of girls opportunities for adventure, inspiration and valuable mentoring.”

Many girls around the country are ecstatic about them joining forces with BSA, some Girl Scouts have tried to become a member of the Boy Scouts but failed.

“I feel like it is a great idea,” Ambassador Scout Indya Welch said. “I mean, we all do the same stuff so I think it will be better for us to work together. Our troop leader, Ms. Terry, kept fighting for [Girl Scouts to join Boy Scouts] every year, I guess she didn’t want us to feel like outcasts since we do the same things. We don’t receive as much credit as the boys do since they are boys and they do ‘hard’ stuff.

The only thing different about us is our gender, that's all.” abrilalvarado@tigertimesonline. com

Students voice concerns about mandatory pep rally attendance photo illustration by a. jordan

BY AUDREY HASKINS STAFF WRITER Large double doors and a sea of rowdy students make clawing through more difficult.

Finding a space to sit and feel safe is a challenge when that sea begins to swallow him. Looking around, so much is going on– peers are shouting, people are dancing, and his airways begin to shrink. Though he’s being swarmed by others, he feels more alone than ever.

Students who suffer from anxiety have issues with pep rallies. They often experience fear or pain in the loud, crowded area.

“I don’t like going to the pep rallies because it’s too chaotic for me, ” freshman Keenan Thrapp said. “I have sensitive hearing, and most times, I have to sit next to the band and it hurts my ears.”

While pep rally attendance is considered mandatory, principal Brad Bailey said there may be exemptions.

“Everybody goes to pep

A LONELY CROWD Freshman Keenan Thrapp sits alone on bleachers demonstrating the negative feelings many students have toward pep ralllies.

rallies unless there is a special circumstance,” Bailey said. “But for someone who has autism or is documented medically, we evaluate the situation. If they’re in a closed space that creates anxiety for them, then they’ll be in the library with one of our aids. I’m not aware of anything right now.”

Bailey worries that students

will take advantage of an alternative setting.

“If you advertise it too much, then everybody has anxiety all of the sudden and it overshadows the ones that really have it,” Bailey said. “So we address that on a case-by-case basis. Our policy is everyone goes to pep rallies, so we don’t have students doing things they

aren’t supposed to do.”

Sophomore Atlas Hines has had experiences in the pep rallies that spark his anxiety and bring on panic attacks.

“I have anxiety and loud crowded places don’t do well with me. My first time leaving [the pep rally], everyone flooded around me and I tripped and everyone kept coming down and I was stepped on,” Hines said. “Now when I go into pep rallies or if there's a lot of people in the gym it’s a trigger for panic attacks.”

Bailey recognizes Hines’ concern, and shared what he believes to be the best solution.

“We will make a determination so we can see if they have a valid reason. I’ll make a list, and I’ll put it in the library," Bailey said. "They would check in when they went in the library. If that person doesn’t show up, then that person would have to return to the pep rally.”

Though some students have characteristics that set them apart, they still have a desire to

join the rest of their peers and show their school spirit.

“If we know there’s a situation where they still want to go to the pep rally, what we can do is locate them around the first row, closer to a door. That’s giving them a better proximity,” Bailey said.

Bailey said students can come to him to address their concerns.

“If we know in advance, then they can come up here,” Bailey said. “[Ms. Valerie Ray] is next door so that they can just put their name in a note in my tray, and I’ll call them out of class and see what’s going on and go from there.”

Thrapp understands Bailey’s solution but recognizes that other students may not feel the same way.

“Everyone reacts differently.

It’s not just about me," Thrapp said. "There are lots of students who can’t handle the pep rallies well. Students need a safe space to go instead.” audreyhaskins@tigertimesonline. com

4 NEWS

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

RAISING

HOPE

Senior establishes support group for teen parents

illustration by m. debenport

BY PAISLEY ALLEN COPY EDITOR They walk the halls just like the other students. They laugh and joke around with their friends. They find the time in their hectic schedules to write essays and finish math homework. They prepare for college and look to the future. They begin living their own lives. If they’re lucky.

If they’re lucky, the thought of school can still be a luxury that some teen parents can afford to entertain. However, for most, life becomes so off-kilter and awry that it seems like any hope for reconciliation or redemption is futile.

The odds just don’t seem to be in their favor, and according to studies on the correlation between teen pregnancy and high school dropout rates, they aren’t for a substantial amount of teen parents.

Statistics from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy show that only 38 percent of teen girls who have a child before the age of 18 go on to receive their high school diplomas. Additionally, risk factors for teen fathers include low academic performance and early school dropout, according to the Healthy Teen Network.

As the mother of a 1 year old, senior Olivia Parks knows this just as well as anyone, which is why she created a support group for students dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and its aftermath.

“When I originally came up with the idea for this group, I wasn’t really sure what all it was going to be; I just had this idea that I wanted a support system for teen parents,” Parks said. “What I want is a safe place where people feel comfortable going if they have problems.

I want people to know they’re not alone.

If they’re in a crappy situation, there are ways out of it.”

Parks found out she was pregnant near the end of her sophomore year, and the events that followed were the most difficult, yet rewarding, experiences of her life. Knowing and understanding the hopeless feeling of loneliness after finding out she was pregnant, Parks

wants people to have a place to go and be aware of their options. She has partnered with First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center in order to provide instructional seminars regarding prenatal care, parenting advice and information on resources. Through this, she hopes to give other people the opportunities she didn’t have.

“When I first thought I was pregnant, I didn’t know there was anybody I could go to for help, so I automatically just shut down and didn’t even let it become an option for me,” Parks said. “But other people who do accept it, they might not know that stuff like First Choice exists.

I didn’t know it existed until after I had Delilah, and they offer so many options.

They talk you through your options and support, and to me, that’s something important to have.”

Part of the reason Parks saw a need for the support group was the lack of sexual education in school and the stigma surrounding sex and pregnancy in general. Through her group, she is addressing topics and questions that some students may not get answers to anywhere else.

“To me, our school is not very informative on sex education,” Parks said. “They say to practice abstinence, but obviously that’s not a very good solution.

And then when people do have sex, and the girl ends up getting pregnant, they don’t know what’s available. Only some people suffer the repercussions [of sex], and it’s not fair. That’s one of my big things, especially for girls that are pregnant, to not feel the shame that is cast on them, or the stares or the looks when walking around pregnant.”

After weeks of preparation and setup, Parks’ vision finally became a reality.

Raising Hope had their first meeting on Oct. 25 in Room 24. The meeting was small and laid-back, serving primarily as an orientation to the group. First Choice staff member Dee Dee Jones and volunteer Mishal Hemphill led the meeting, starting by asking Parks and senior Kamreon Burns about the personal circumstances that brought

photo by k. gordon

SHARING STORIES Senior Olivia Parks, founder of Raising Hope, and senior Kamreon Burns share similarities between their personal situations at the first meeting of the new club.

them there.

Burns, the only other teen parent to attend the meeting and the only male in the room, opened up about his situation, telling the group that he is expecting a baby boy in November. Though he was initially hesitant about coming to the meeting when he learned about it from environmental science teacher Kelly Rowland, Burns explained afterward that he felt much more comfortable about being there. He’s eager to learn and plans to attend every meeting. “[The group] is really nice,” Burns said. “I feel like it will help me become a better person and overcome my fears when it comes to parenting.”

While it may have been discouraging to some to only have one person show up to their meeting, Parks was optimistic about the group’s potential. She made sure to tell Burns how much she admired and respected him for taking the initiative to come to the meeting, especially considering the negative reputation teen fathers have garnered over the years.

“I felt really good about [the meeting]

just because it finally happened,” Parks said. “And even though only one person showed up, that is still someone whose life can be impacted in an incredible way.

The fact that it was a guy is amazing to me. I respect him so much because of my situation with my daughter’s dad.

Fathers are typically viewed as losers who leave, but he showed us that he’s going to be there for his kid by being at this meeting.”

Parks has been immeasurably encouraged by Raising Hope’s first meeting, and she knows it’s only going to grow from this point. However, she knows that there will still be people who have reservations about joining the group, and she wants those people to know that she genuinely wants to help. “[Raising Hope] is a new thing,” Parks said, “so it needs time to grow.

And to anyone that is hesitant about coming, I will say this: It is worth it. It is worthwhile to go and test this group out. Don’t assume things about it based on first impressions; just give it a chance.

Give me a chance.” paisleyallen@tigertimesonline.com

NOV. 2, 2017 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

NEWS

SPRINTING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

photo by r. sizemore

Annual Dash 4 Cash 5K Run to be held Saturday

BY ANNA GRACE JONES STAFF WRITER The fourth annual Dash 4 Cash will take place Saturday at 9 a.m. at the track. The event is hosted by Volunteers In Public Schools to raise money for a scholarship fund for the graduating class.

In the past, the event has raised approximately $20,000.

This year the event is geared toward sponsorships and donations in contrast to the booths and sponsor promotion of previous years.

“Dash 4 Cash is a wonderful opportunity for our community

to help support THS students further their education at the next level,” race chairman Darrah McGuire said.

The run features the Dash 4 Cash 5K Run at 9 a.m. and the Family Fun Run at 10 a.m., but for those unable to attend there is an opportunity to donate to the fund either under the “TISD Student” or the “Too Tired to Trot” categories. There will not be booths set up.

“The event is going to be a lot different this year because of the changes that were made,” student co-chair Maddie Gerrald said. “It’s

going to be really fun and a great chance to support the class of 2018, so everyone should come.”

Many student organizations will attend including the drill team, cheerleaders and cross country runners.

“Cross country runs at Dash 4 Cash every year because we like to support the seniors,” junior Nabil Kalam said. “It is a tradition that we all partake in.”

To sign up or to find more information go online to txkisd.net or visit the front office. annagracejones@tigertimesonline.com

5

MONETARY MARATHON Along with his mother, Carissa Clack, junior Coltin Clack competes in last year’s Dash 4 Cash. The event will be held again on Saturday at the track.

6 COMMUNITY

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

NOV. 2, 2017 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

EDITORIAL

7

OUR RIGHT TO WRITE Staff explains motivation for covering difficult topics

W

e sit in a circle, squeezing onto over computer screens trying to make couches, disregarding any sense this idea come to life, we distribute the of personal space we might culmination of our blood, sweat and tears to have possessed. There is a the entire campus, eager for your reaction and chatter among us, the sound of loud laughter hopeful for your approval. and people groaning overdramatically as It’s at this moment, this specific point in they are forced to accommodate the arrival time, that something crucial, misses the mark. of one more body on the couch. As one of A new question. “Why is the newspaper so the editors in chief speaks out, sad?” And another. “Why do you addressing the room, the noise keep talking about problems if comes to a lull. you’re not going to do anything to The question is asked. change them?”

“Does anyone have any ideas for Recently, the Tiger Times has this issue’s in-depth story?” endured criticism regarding the Silence. For a moment, we all issues we choose to focus on in our trade glances, surveying each publication. Whether we’re being person in the circle, expectantly told that we should lighten up or TELL US WHAT waiting for someone to speak. It’s shut up, we just can’t seem to get YOU THINK an important question, a necessary it right. We thought it might be Scan the QR code one. The question of choosing a time for us to clarify what it is that to take the reader prevalent issue in today’s society on we aim to accomplish with the survey or find it which to centralize our paper. We newspaper you see passed around online at want it to be relevant and timely; every six weeks. tigertimesonline.com something that will spark interest.

The root of all journalism is to We want it to be something that inform. Journalism is the outlet you, the student body, actually cares about. through which news is disseminated, and And once we feel like we’ve found it, we’re off. what it means to do is spread knowledge. That We research relentlessly, conducting polls much is the same for us and our paper. and interviews with various students and Our purpose is to be a voice for the people. faculty members in an earnest attempt to We mean to honestly and objectively inform, capture the real perspectives of different types and most of all, we mean to be a reflection of of individuals, those affected either directly or this student body. indirectly by the topic in question.

In response to the question on why we Sleepless nights are spent tirelessly writing fixate on controversial or hard-hitting and rewriting articles in order to preserve subjects, we ask this: Why not? and present the honest opinions of you, the We can’t ignore real problems happening students and faculty of this campus, in an in our world when we are the ones affected unbiased and unchanged manner. by them. And even when we aren’t the ones Then finally, after weeks spent agonizing directly involved, it is unacceptable to ignore

Texas High School 4001 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX (903) 794-3891 Fax (903) 792-8971 The Tiger Times is a student-run publication. The contents and view are produced solely by the staff and do not represent the opinions of the faculty, administration or TISD board of directors.

illustration by v. van

the hardships of others. We aren’t given the option to be decent human beings only at times most convenient for us. We here at Tiger Times just want to know what good has ever come from staying silent. What good has it ever done? The answer is, none. None at all.

This has been said many times before, and it may still garner the same scoffs and eyerolls, but know it to be true regardless: We are the future. As young people, we have the power to make change, to make a society worth living in. But we wonder, how can we expect to change anything before we start educating ourselves on the issues plaguing the world we live in? How can we incite progress before we start communicating with one another?

This is what the Tiger Times is trying to do.

By presenting these hard to hear topics, we aim to challenge the mind of every student.

By making an exhibition of issues that some students might not even be aware of, we hope that traditional schools of thought may be tested, and people will be forced to form their own opinions when we don’t offer them one on a silver platter.

We want to make it clear that our goal isn’t to be a depressing dark hole of despair and misery, despite often being interpreted as such. In all honesty, we want to address the matters in society that so many people would rather keep quiet, and by doing so, we hope that you will be inspired to take a stance, whatever it may be, and then take action.

This staff cares, and that is why we write.

Granted, it is a small step, and it won’t be enough to change the world, which is why we’re asking you to meet us halfway. Continue the discussion, ask the hard questions and don’t stop there.

editors in chief-print Colton Johnson, Eleanor Schroeder editors in chief-online Celeste Anderson, Langley Leverett managing editor Jay Williamson news editors Lois LeFors, Joseph Rodgers viewpoint editors Craig Crawford, Lindsey Egger feature editors Misty Lopez, Jhovany Perez sports editors Connor Brooks, John Morgan, Matt Prieskorn entertainment editors Madison Brown, Victoria Van advertising Maddie Anderson copy editors Paisley Allen, Emily McMaster photo editor Kaitlyn Gordon video editor Katie Biggar staff writers April Alvarado, Emma Anderson, Maddie Anderson, Joseph Asher, Katie Biggar, Hollan Borowitz, Jackson Cheney, Addison Cross, Margaret Debenport, Savannah Downs, Amanda Garmon, Maddie Gerrald, Autumn Golden, Jenny Gonzalez, Kaitlyn Gordon, Audrey Haskins, Alyssa Higgins, Grey Johnson, Anna Grace Jones, Molly Kyles, Andrea Loredo, Matthew Martin, Nick Mitchell, Cameron Murry, Connor Powell, Alexis Runnels, Emilee Slayton, Greylyn Tidwell, TJ Wall, Jenna Williamson photographers Breannan Cranford, Rivers Edwards, Alyssa Higgins, Anna Kate Jordan, Dawson Kelley, Alyssa Kift, Grace McGuire, Auryeal Parker, Holland Rainwater, Rachel Sizemore, Angela Valle, Laurel Wakefield videographers Cameron Alcorn, Kara Jefferies, Taimoor Malik, Karson McDonald, John Morgan, Eleanor Schroeder, Emilee Slayton, Sarah Stark, Joseph Rodgers advisers Rebecca Potter, Clint Smith principal Brad Bailey members ILPC, CSPA, NSPA

8 VIEWPOINT

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

I HATE WHEN PEOPLE HATE PEOPLE Sophomore reflects on what it means to be Christian

BY ADDISON CROSS STAFF WRITER Pope Urban II turned the Christian world against the Islamic world in a lament against the schism of Christianity, and for a long time, a history of blasphemy and hypocrisy have crippled the “Christian” ideal with discrimination and self-righteousness.

Christians are often blasted, sometimes rightfully so, for being “bigoted” or “intolerant.” You see images of people holding signs saying that “God hates gay” or “death to infidels” and these people are passing themselves off as followers of Christ, but that’s not who we are. That’s not who we’re called to be.

Westboro Baptist Church is a great example of what not to do. Many people have seen these churchgoers in the news protesting against gay people, picketing

funerals of deceased soldiers and voicing their support for the horrific events of 9/11.

Similarly, President of the Family Research Council, Tony Perkins, has equated homosexuality with pedophelia.

A prime example of Jesus’ nonjudgmental message is John 8:1-11.

After seeing a woman who was about to be stoned for adultery, Jesus asks the men accusing her if any of them have ever sinned, saying, “Let the first one who has never sinned throw the first stone.” When no one threw a stone, Jesus’ point was made. Who were these

YOU ARE NOT YOUR PARENTS

You’re in control of your future

photo by a. kift

“My mother has shaped my views, and for that reason she has been a blessing. She has shown me that I do not have to follow that path in life and I am free to choose who I’m going to be.”

sinners to condemn another?

I see it everyday; the person who goes to church every Sunday and Wednesday also chooses to excommunicate the boy who came out as gay, or talks badly of the girl who likes to party. I’ve made mistakes in my life–too many to count– and that automatically takes away my right to infer or conclude things about other peoples’ lives. The same goes with anyone else, especially people who are supposed to be a model of love to others.

Jesus sat at tables with sinners all the time. In fact, He ate with sinners more than He ate with any religious leaders, and we should follow that example.

Cutting someone off or expelling a friend whose views you don’t agree with is the opposite of what we should be doing because it’s the opposite of what He did.

I’ve made the mistake before; missing

BY CAMERON MURRY STAFF WRITER She peers out from the window excitedly as her father pulls into the driveway, his truck leaving a dusty cloud in its wake.

She gathers her bags and waits by the front door, ready for a weekend of fun. Her mother, on the other hand, waits at the kitchen table, ready for her child support and to see the sadness in her estranged husband’s eyes.

I come from Southern lineage, where we fix things that are broken and grow stronger with every battle. My mother never learned to accept these values.

She took her teenage drug addiction into her adulthood; she let it consume her parenting skills and morals.

Despite her opposing lifestyle to what I believe is right, I am my own person.

Without the struggles that I have been through, I would not have the initiative to work for my successes and stay away from people that drag me down.

But I do not have to be like the woman who tore apart my 5-year-old world with the way she talked about my father, the only man who has ever risked his life to save me.

I do not have to be like the mother who tells her only child that she isn’t loved. She never allowed herself to love anyone, and even admitted that last year. Nobody should allow their children to feel unloved.

I will not be like the woman who went out to bars and clubs every weekend to

photo illustration by h. rainwater

out on an opportunity to talk about my faith with someone because I think I’m worthier of salvation than them or because I don’t want to be associated with that person. If every Christian lived like they were Jesus, we’d never turn our nose or look down on anyone.

Everyone is guilty of judging people, but we should be doing everything we can to love others, not condemn them. addisoncross@tigertimesonline.com

escape the reality of her crumbling marriage and relationship with her daughter.

Children are meant to be cherished and loved, not treated as though their wellbeing is a chore.

I will not be like the woman who told her only daughter that she never wanted her.

Christmases with her are hard enough, but being told that I was never wanted cut deep.

I will not be like the woman who chose methamphetamine over her only child. Her choice has resulted in complete custody loss and the loss of her nursing license. No person should choose that path.

I do not have to become the woman who has managed to find herself in a cell every year for the past five years. The lack of responsibility in her actions pushes me to be more of an adult than she ever was.

I refuse to make the same decisions as my mother. I won’t let her actions haunt me.

She has put me through enough, and I don’t have to continue to damage myself.

I am stronger than any addiction, and I will not allow her to drag me down as well.

I can choose to wallow in my misery and self pity, or I can choose to use her actions as motivation for a better life for myself.

My mother has shaped my views, and for that reason she has been a blessing. She has shown me that I do not have to follow that path in life and I am free to choose who I’m going to be. I can be someone who people are proud to know. I can be a mother who doesn’t give up. I am not my mother. cameronmurry@tigertimesonline.com

NOV. 2, 2017 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM CULTURAL APPROPRIATION IS THE ADOPTION OF ELEMENTS IN ONE CULTURE BY ANOTHER CULTURE

VIEWPOINT

9

APPRECIATION OR APPROPRIATION? Heritage should not be stolen photo illustration by l. wakefield

Blending of cultures can enrich society

BY HOLLAN BOROWITZ STAFF WRITER Defined as “the process by which cultures adopt customs and knowledge from other cultures and use them for their own benefit,” cultural appropriation has been a topic of controversy in recent times. Some people believe that the borrowing of culture traits is stealing, but that cultural appropriation is beneficial, necessary and inevitable.

Due to the development of pop culture; diffusion of traditions, ideas, and innovations and an increasingly technology-dependent population, the whole world has turned into a giant melting pot. Every person in every nation will think, at some point in their lives, that an element from another culture is “cool.” They will start to incorporate it into their own culture, appropriating it.

In the old days, this was considered a spectacular phenomenon. Seeing everybody doing what your culture did brought you pride and assimilation, it made you powerful.

More recently, people have begun

“Our society was created by heating the melting pot.”

to disagree. I don’t know if it’s that humanity has forgotten that the world is a giant melting pot or if they just haven’t realized it. If humanity hasn’t, news flash, it is. A technology driven, all inclusive melting pot of cultures worldwide.

I, for one, have experienced society’s distaste for cultural appropriation on an unprecedented scale on social media. On Halloween, bid days and numerous other occasions, people will dress up like American Indians, in traditional fiesta clothing and many other “foreign” outfits. The backlash of these costumes is unreasonable.

I’ve seen “Y’all, we can do better than that.” I’ve seen “Why are we stealing other people’s cultures?” I’ve seen it all. The whole nine yards.

Whoever chooses to dress up like the people they share Earth with is just stirring the melting pot that truly does exist. People react to the sharing of cultures as if it is an abomination to mankind, but in reality, it is just the borrowing of culture, something that makes a culture more powerful and deems it more influential.

Our society was created by heating the melting pot and melting the cultures of the world. So many elements of life here are defined by taking in elements from others and putting it into our demeanor.

I believe that ancient cultures thought like we should now; culture is meant to be spread, and assimilation is powerful. The melting pot is meant to be stirred, and cultural appropriation, contrary to new beliefs, should be the goal, rather than the enemy, of societies across the globe. hollanborowitz@tigertimesonline.com

BY MADISON BROWN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Another day, another culture that gets stripped of their identity in this universe of a melting pot. Pretty soon we will all be unified as one. One appearance, one mind. Normally this would be great. No differences, no discrimination, only harmony and understanding and acceptance.

Only it’s the opposite. This isn’t a good thing if it means we have to sacrifice all of the things that make us unique.

Unfortunately, this happens everyday.

You’d think we’d learn by now. We have been blending together cultures for centuries, taking in bits and pieces while others got lost in translation. It’s not a new problem, only something that has been recently addressed. Now that we’ve addressed it, we face a new problem: how to get people to admit cultural appropriation is real.

The denial that so many people face everyday is astonishing. Many people believe that when they are “borrowing” aspects of another culture, it isn’t appropriation, it’s exchange. Cultural exchange is when two cultures have a mutual understanding between each other so that each culture gives up something.

This doesn’t mean one culture presses their culture on another. It doesn’t mean one culture takes what they want without asking. It’s mutual.

Cultural appropriation is when someone takes an aspect of a culture that isn’t their’s, and passes it off as their own. This is not okay. Your culture is like your identity. It’s who you are, it’s your heritage, and for many people in history, who they were was not accepted.

For people to wake up one day, pass off another culture as a “trend” and then disregard it the next day isn’t only unfair

to anyone who has been oppressed, but also disrespectful.

There are a number of ways you could be participating in cultural appropriation.

Inaccurate costumes are a big one. In the spirit of a recent Halloween, we can talk about why costumes cause so much anger. Many costumes representing race, like Native Americans, have names such as “sweetheart,” “seductress.” and “savage.” Not only are these names offensive, but there are actual people in this world who are apart of this race today. These costumes aren’t of gladiators or vikings who lived centuries ago. Native Americans walk among us. Inaccurate costumes cause heartache to many ethnic groups, something that has been going on for far too long.

Cultures have been oppressed and dragged down for embracing their ethnicity. Someone has constantly told them to change, to blend in with everyone else or find somewhere else to express theirself. It has taken until the 21st century for culture to be free to welcome all of our differences. This is a great accomplishment. It’s too bad some cultures feel the need to embrace our culture with us.

Miley Cyrus and Kylie Jenner have been in the line of fire for using dreads, a popular hairstyle among African Americans, toward their own benefit.

Dreads are worn so that African Americans can have neat, stylish hair.

There have been countless years where certain hairstyles weren’t welcomed in this country. It’s not that African Americans are offended by other people wearing something that is a part of their culture.

It’s the fact that for so long, they weren’t allowed to themselves, but others are still free to do as they pleased.

Cultural appropriation is not just offensive. It’s an attack on the freedom of cultures to embrace their identity.

Everyone in this world is unique and other cultures don’t need to look elsewhere to find their own extraordinary identity. madisonbrown@tigertimesonline.com

10 COMMUNITY

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

NOV. 2, 2017 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

COMMUNITY

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-

TEXARKANA

TM

have you visited campus?

SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY! WWW.TAMUT.EDU | 903.223.3000 7101 UNIVERSITY AVE., TEXARKANA TX SIGN-UP FOR EAGLE OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 4, 2017 • Visit booths for our degree programs and organizations • Visit with faculty, staff and students • Apply for admission and scholarships • Tour housing and labs • DRAWING FOR $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP

11

12 INDEPTH

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

ANOTHER SET OF EYES

stratified random sample of 85 students

Monitoring of social media accounts helps uphold positive image

BY MARGARET DEBENPORT STAFF WRITER

illustration by k. gordon & c. johnson

photo by a. jordan

Displaying memorable moments with friends on social media can bring a wave of anxiety. The fear of not being funny or looking good enough can cause a carefully composed Snapchat story to melt into disregarded memories. Add another pair of eyes that carefully monitor every post, and the fear of perfection grows.

For the HighSteppers, this monitoring is their digital reality.

“It makes us more conscious of what we do. If you wouldn’t post it on social media for your director to see, then it’s probably not something you should be doing,” said senior London Edwards, drill team manager. “It kind of keeps everyone in check.”

Drill team receives a helping hand when it comes to molding a good image on social media. The team is being prepared to put their best foot forward for future employers and colleges to see.

“So there’s two main reasons why we started monitoring social media this year,” HighStepper director Amber Reynolds said.

“We want to put forth a positive image of HighSteppers and what we represent. I simply ask the girls to clean up their posts, not use profanity and of course no drugs or alcohol.”

While making sure to uphold the image of the Highsteppers, Reynolds is also trying to ensure success for them in the future.

“I want to protect their futures. I know of so many girls who were not selected for collegiate dance teams or denied membership to sororities because of poor social media choices, and I would hate for that to be the reason any of my girls aren’t given those opportunities.”

The importance of social media image is growing along with the competitiveness of the national job market. With each post, teens are adding to what their future employer may see.

“I have always been really influenced by my

parents to keep my social media clean because it’s something that is always going to be there even if you delete something from offline,” said senior Sarah Stark, HighStepper captain.

“Someone can find it in some way and can dig it up anyway.”

The Texas Highsteppers perform at every football game and volunteer at many events throughout the community. The white uniforms the officers wear hold great responsibility and are easily spotted in the eyes of the public.

TULIP’S WATCHFUL EYE Drill team mascot scrolls through Instagram feed, looking to make sure the girls are posting modestly.

“Now more than ever, being captain of the drill team, I feel a lot of pressure to be a good influence to people around the school,” Stark said. “I want to be seen on social media and in public as a solid person.”

Many of the girls have a positive response to the monitoring of their pages, and they understand it is out of care that Mrs. Reynolds is doing so.

“My goal is for the girls to realize that what they say and post is not always easy to take back. What they put out there matters, people see it and yes, it can affect their future,” Reynolds said. “I want them to have a fighting chance at whatever they want out of life, not for them to be rejected because of something they posted in high school.” margaretdebenport@tigertimesonline.com

She is graceful, dancing on light feet with confidence. Click. She is beautiful, every girl’s dream image. Click. She is effortless, happy, but her movements are not her own. They are manipulated, forced upon her by a masterful puppeteer, done only to please a stubborn audience–to please the world.

Invisible strings are attached to every camera’s click, composing a story on the screen. The strings direct glistening smiles, flawless makeup and countless filters to make a picturesque profile of a perfect person. But once detached from the strings, there is a story less heard. One of smeared makeup and tough breakups, failed tests and bad days; one that demands an audience.

For many students, this relief from the tyrannical on-screen pressure comes in the form of a “finsta,” or fake Instagram, made in addition to one’s real Instagram account.

“It’s a place where I know I can post as much as I want and post whatever I want,” senior Channing Miller said. “Only the people that I want to see [my posts] will be able to.”

Finsta posts have no limitations. They are not constricted by the taut, oppressive wires which regulate the feeds on their accounts they broadcast to the public. Finsta posts may range from memes to memories, depression to dog pictures, but ultimately finstas are a place for students to be free from normal, unsaid, but understood online restrictions.

“The basic rules and regulations of Instagram are: post only happy or positive things like you and your friends, or you if you accomplished something or the dress up days at school,” Miller said. “Don’t post, ‘I’ve had a bad day.’ Don’t let people see there’s a bottom side to you that’s not-so-great.”

Main Instagram accounts, or “rinstas,” are regulated by these unspoken rules that filter their posts and control their decisions like a puppeteer with a marionette.

“Real instagram is kind of like the Photoshop of my life,” senior Brennon Cope said. “It’s mostly snapshots of really good moments. Finsta takes it a step further because not only could it be the really good moments, like starting a new relationship, but it could also be the really sad moments, like a break up, or angry moments, like failing a test that you need to get off your chest.”

These communities sometimes act as a support group of sorts to students.

“It’s more of a myself thing. I don’t really care if other people see it. It never actually

and gives a person a visible support system they can rely on.”

The importance of face-to-face contact in today’s society has slowly deteriorated as people have become more reliant on communication through social media. It is not a secret. Social media is a crucial part of so many lives, laced and intertwined in

RINSTA VS FINSTA POSTS Emma Daniel 10

of students have no Instagram account

occurs to me that other people see it,” Cope said. “I just kind of feel like if I say it out loud and it’s recognized by at least one person, then it’s a load off of me. It lets me get it off my chest. I don’t want to spam my real Instagram with all that nonsense I have.”

However, while it may seem beneficial to adolescents to use these private accounts as an outlet for emotion, they often times may not truly consider the aftermath of their venting. It is easy to cross boundaries when there seem to be none regulating one’s actions.

“Social media allows teens to put very personal information out to masses of people about themselves or about others that should remain private,” licensed professional therapist Jennifer Aslin said. “I think a lot of teens and even adults are no longer good judges of what should be public information and what should be private information.”

The selectivity users show in who they let follow them varies from person to person.

Each person must decide who is permitted to join their inner circle and who they trust to keep their place of refuge intact. This process is completely subjective and if not taken seriously could be disastrous for their reputation which they obviously so desire to uphold.

“Typically, if I don’t know the person, I don’t let them follow me. If I feel like the person is going to take what I post and run with it like, ‘Oh did you see what so and so put on their finsta?’ ‘Omg I can’t believe she posted this!’ ‘She’s such a child for posting this; she’s just overreacting,” Miller said. “I ask: ‘Does this person really care about me and understand what I’m going through, or are they going to run up to people and say, ‘Wow, Channing posted about being upset. I can’t believe she’s dramatic.’”

However, people often times don’t take into careful consideration that relationships sometimes go awry, and if one is permitted into the gates of their private accounts, a single screenshot could destroy their safe haven. Since most finstas are private, users automatically assume it is not public information.

“If a student is looking for a support group, it is best to find one that they can participate in face to face. Maybe this is a close group of friends, a support group, or parents and family members. Real cries for help can be dismissed or minimized or even completely misinterpreted as an attempt to get attention when they are put out on social media,” Aslin said. “This allows for some accountability, cuts down on false information being put out there, gives opportunity for reality testing and the ability to learn useful coping skills

Channing Miller 12

22.09%

BY MOLLY KYLES & COLTON JOHNSON STAFF WRITER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Hailey Jefferson 10

of students have both a real Instagram and a fake Instagram

High standards of social media lead some teens to create ‘finsta’ in addition to ‘rinsta’

Jera Davis 12

of a POST

BENDING to a 17.44% PUPPETEER of students have a real Instagram account

Brennon Cope 12

THE POWER

60.47%

submitted photos

0

0

13

0

everyday interactions. People bend to the will of social media–a rag doll, limp and submissive.

“Everything’s become surface-level. I think our generation is very judgmental as far as appearance goes,” Miller said. “The way you dress, if you’re a girl, if you wear makeup or not, and how well it’s done, if you’re a boy, then the way you do your hair. I feel like before social media was a big part of our lives, it wasn’t such a thing that you could judge them early on, you had to be there face to face and talk to them, and you would get a better understanding of a person.”

People are judged by how many followers they have and how many likes they get, rather than the measure of their character. It has become it’s own, more acceptable form of social hierarchy.

“Having more likes gives you a feeling of satisfaction,” senior Jera Davis said. “You have the sense, whether it’s true or not, that people care about you.”

Real accounts, as pleasing as they may look to the eye, fall short of reality. It is a place to boast without directly boasting. A place to broadcast the image you want to broadcast–a false reality. This is ironic considering one’s fake Instagram is more truthful than their real one.

“I think people like to live in a sense of false reality where nothing bad happens,” Miller said. “I feel like I’m more to my true self on my finsta because I have my full range of emotions. On my real insta I’m never like ‘I hate myself,’ but on my finsta I can be like ‘You know, today I had a really bad day. It seems like things aren’t really looking up,’ things that I wouldn’t want everyone to know.”

The mere need for existence of a finsta proves that social media is too restrictive.

It proves that people are desperate for a confidant for their emotions and secrets, and by cutting the strings that bind them to a false identity and being themselves, they can develop honest and meaningful friendships showing that finstas, as ridiculous as they may seem, can have a positive impact.

“Sometimes your friends aren’t always there to listen, and sometimes the people you think are going to listen to you don’t,” Miller said.

“For example Molly Crouch, a former senior, came back from college over the summer and she and I went and got snow cones and talked for like three hours, and we’ve had hour long conversations over Snapchat. That never would have happened if I hadn’t made a finsta. Sometimes she’s there for me more than my closer friends are.” mollykyles@tigertimesonline.com coltonjohnson@tigertimesonline.com

14 FEATURE

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

It’s all

photo by k. gordon

THEATER Sophomore finds passion in acting, stage management

BY ADDISON CROSS STAFF WRITER To her, it doesn’t matter if she’s in a costume or a cardigan. To her, it doesn’t matter if she’s in the lights or working them. To her, wearing the microphones and putting them on are equally important. To her, behind the scenes or on the stage, it’s all theater.

Sophomore Shelby Steele has been involved in theater almost her entire life.

She works in both the technical areas and in acting and was the assistant stage manager for “Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play.”

“I used to do little improv and dance shows for my family,” Steele said. “My first experience with an audience other than my family were skits with my church when I was 6-years-old. When I was little, I was really interested in performing because I wanted to be the lead and have everyone think I was amazing.”

For Steele, however, her involvement wasn’t just for fun. It was an avenue for acceptance.

“I never had anything I was great at,” Steele said. “Everyone was playing sports and I was never good at sports. I was okay in school, but I have ADD and I struggle with that, so my grades weren’t that good and I kind of felt dumb. I

kept looking for something I could label myself as and be comfortable with, and I wanted it to be out of the box.”

“It was a change from not being good at anything to being in something I excelled at.”

-Shelby Steele, 10 Steele’s younger self felt a home in theater that she never felt anywhere else.

“There was always that ‘what are you going to be when you grow up?’ and I had no idea. I felt like I was pressured by myself to find something,” Steele said. “My grandmother told me artsy things she really liked that would bring out good character in me and make me poised. I enjoyed artistic things but I wasn’t comfortable with them.

Whenever I did skits at my church I was comfortable and even better than some people. It was a change from not being good at anything to being in something I excelled at.”

Steele didn’t just excel, she continued

BEHIND THE SCENES In the tech room of the theater, sophomore Shelby Steele works the light and sound board. Steele plans to pursue a career in performing arts.

to grow as an actress and tech worker.

She used theater as a channel for release and connections.

“I like theater because there are so many ways to discover your personality and others’ personalities,” Steele said.

“You realize how complex yet simple humans are. There’s another language in theater that helps you express yourself.”

Not only does performing give Steele an outlet for interpreting her emotions, but she also finds comfort in knowing that her characters can take over for a while.

“You can be whoever you want to be,” Steele said. “In some ways, I adapt characteristics of my character. When I was Fern in Charlotte’s Web, I became a huge ‘Save the Whales’ gal. I couldn’t even kill a spider without feeling slightly bad. It’s hilarious to me now.”

To Steele, theater isn’t just an emotional release, it’s also a portal into different worlds.

“My favorite musical right now is ‘The Great Comet.’ I know it’s everyone else’s too, but it’s so good. The music is amazing,” Steele said. “It has such a twist on how we view theater right now. The stage is one of my favorite parts because you’re really drawn into it and you’re a part of it. You create the world around you with your imagination.”

Steele enjoys using the arts as a way

to help kids who aspire to be actors and actresses.

“Whenever I was little, there were all these older theater kids that I looked up to so much, and now in one of the companies I work with I’m the oldest,” Steele said. “The little kids are always so excited to see me whenever I walk in and that’s the best thing ever.”

As for her future, Steele doesn’t plan to let go of her dramatic career completely.

“Theater makes me happy, but thinking about where I wanted it to take me, I didn’t really know,” Steele said. “If I decided to be some famous actress, I would be taking a lot of risks; I’m okay with taking risks, but for my life, I don’t want to just struggle for years. I want a plan.”

Steele’s resolutions, while still sensible, fit in with a theatrical agenda.

“My plan B from acting was psychology, so I decided to combine that into an acting career,” Steele said. “I plan on working with children who have disabilities, mentally or physically and to use theater as therapy. I want to do shows with the kids so they feel special; I want everyone to feel equal and not singled out and not alone. I don’t want anyone to feel pitied. I want them to realize they are worth something and have people look at them as a human being.” addisoncross@tigertimesonline.com

NOV. 2, 2017 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

FEATURE

15

submitted photo

RIDDLE ME THIS

MATHATHON Algebra II teacher Nicole Ayers stands with her husband, Brandon, and children, Christopher, 11, Katherine, 9, and Daniel, 8. During the summer, the family competed in Brain Chase, an academic treasure hunt. The family won the competition, which included a $10,000 prize.

Math teacher, family win online academic competition

BY EMMA ANDERSON STAFF WRITER As the minutes droned on, listening to procedures and curriculum standards, a noise pierced the room and captured Algebra II teacher Nicole Ayers’ attention. She exited the meeting room and answered a phone call that would change everything.

Ayers and her family participated in a unique and unconventional academic competition, Brain Chase, a global race for hidden treasure.

“I was actually in a math department meeting when I got a phone call from a number I didn’t recognize, so I stepped outside the meeting and found out that

my daughter won,” Ayers said.

Throughout the course of the competition, participants were asked to complete weekly tasks, such as achieving a certain amount of points on different academic platforms, like Rosetta Stone and Khan Academy. Participants took part in digital adventures and virtual tours, which would unlock Brain Chase episodes. After accomplishing missions and completing these episodes, clues are unlocked leading to the treasure.

“I found out about [Brain Chase] from a friend and then signed up all three of my kids to give them something to do and keep their brain active and learning during the summertime,”Ayers said.

“Last summer they ended up in third

place in the world out of thousands of people competing, so we did it again this summer and they ended up winning.”

Brain Chase doesn’t let age become an obstacle. The program offers multiple different electives for differnt people’s interest like cooking, yoga and engineering.

“It goes up through age 16. They also have an adult version, so if people who are over 16 want to compete, they can,” Ayers said, as she herself participated last January and plans to continue to do so.

Along with its variety of choices and activities, the program offers a reward of a hidden treasure.

“You win a trip to the location of the treasure, and you win the physical

treasure itself. In this case, it was a globe that was made out of real gold, and a $10,000 scholarship.”

Teamwork played a key part in the Ayers’ success. Ayers was not the only STEM teacher to be involved. Jessica Sharp, chemistry and biology teacher, contributed to the their success.

“Mrs. Sharp, the chemistry teacher, helped us figure it out. She thought maybe there was an old tree,” Ayers said. “We started searching trees in the panhandle of Texas and found out it was one of the oldest trees in the state of Texas. The treasure was buried right next to this huge, ancient tree. It was called the Cottonwood.” emmaanderson@tigertimesonline.com

16 SPORTS

Pushing toward

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

VICTORY RUN FOR IT Sophomore Owen Likins and senior Will Harrell will participate in the state cross country meet on Saturday.

SHOVING THROUGH Senior defensive lineman Deidrick Reeves is breaking the Marshall defensive line in an attempt to stop the Mavericks from gaining yardage.

The Tigers are currently 5-3 in the regular season and 3-1 in the district.

“We just need to keep working hard,” Reeves said. “We just have to keep doing what we are required to do in our positions.” The team has changed in several ways since last year. “We have a better coaching staff than last year,” Reeves said. “We just do a lot of things differently.”

Runners qualify for state meet

BY ADDISON CROSS STAFF WRITER

photo by r. sizemore

Tigers strive for triumph in season of ups, downs

BY CONNOR BROOKS SPORTS EDITOR The football team is currently 4-3 overall and 2-1 in district play. After being 10-0 through regular season play last year, they still look to prove themselves.

“I feel like we’ve done pretty well, but at the beginning we struggled to play as a team,” senior Riley Russell said. “We didn’t execute what we needed to do.”

The team has shown improvement as the year has gone on and has the knowledge needed to get better.

“We’ve been doing well and getting better by the week,” junior Chris Sutton said. “We just need to continue learning and working as a team.”

Head coach Gerry Stanford has been working hard with the team and has different tactics he uses to help them improve.

“Coach has been limiting contact and letting us rest,” Sutton said. “But he makes us get after it when we have to.”

While having several different ways to improve the team, persistence

and dedication are also in Stanford’s repertoire of coaching techniques.

“Coach has been on us every single day working us hard,” junior Kendall Reid said. “He isn’t going to let up, and he works with us individually too.”

Football isn’t the only thing that the coaches are focusing on this year; they’re looking to influence the guys’ lives outside the sport.

“I feel like this year we’re more of a family and a unit,” Sutton said. “We do more together like eating family meals at dinner.”

Earlier in the year, the team lost Leonard Parks, a valuable player to the team and also a friend and moral support for many. This tragic event gave the team a reason to get even closer.

“After Leonard passed away, this team came together better than I thought,” senior Elias Thurman said. “I expected us to just fall apart because he was a big asset, but we have really grown together.”

After suffering an injury to his predominate arm, junior starting varsity quarterback Coltin Clack was forced to the sideline for possibly the rest of

the season. Russell, the second string quarterback, has been starting since Clack’s injury.

“I’ve enjoyed playing quarterback the past three games because it has been really fun and a lot different than playing tight end,” Russell said. “Overall, I like it a lot, and I’m going to continue playing it as long as they need me.”

After losing some beneficial assets when seniors graduated last year, the team has had to work toward a new style of play.

“Last year we had a bigger offensive line, but this year we have to accommodate smaller features,” Russell said. “We’ve had to work around this and work with what we have.”

Even after a rough start to the season, the players are still confident that they will do well during the rest of the season and even further.

“I think this team is good this year and that we will be able to take it farther than anyone else has,” Reid said. “I feel like we have more tenacity than other people have had the last couple years.” connorbrooks@tigertimesonline.com

Senior Will Harrell and sophomore Owen Likins will run in the state cross country meet Saturday in Round Rock. The two qualified at the regional meet Oct. 23 in Grand Prairie.

Harrell came in eighth place of roughly 180 competitors. The top ten finishers automatically advance.

“I was three seconds off of fifth,” Harrell said. “I thought I had a little bit of a chance to be in the top ten, but I didn’t know how great of a chance.”

Coming in 14th, Likins had to wait until all runners had finished to see if he would be called up.

“Last year at regionals I had a really bad race, so that was disappointing,” Likins said. “This year I wanted to come out with a good race and qualify for state. I ended up running really well.”

Likins views this trip to state as a learning experience.

“I just want to go out and have a good race,” Likins said. “Hopefully, in years to come I will improve and be one of the top guys in the state.”

For Harrell, it’s a dream fulfilled.

“It’s something I always dreamed of doing but never thought I’d have the opportunity to do,” Harrell said. “Being there with my family and coaches, and especially now with Owen, who I consider like a little brother, it’s going to be a big moment. Something my dad told me is, ‘big players shine in big moments.’ This is kind of a big moment.” addisoncross@tigertimesonline.com

NOV. 2, 2017 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

SPORTS

17

TIGER REPORT AUSTIN BROUSSARD, 12

JOHN DAVID CASS, 9

DAMION UNDERWOOD, 9

FEZEKA BARNES, 9

CROSS COUNTRY

SWIM

DIVE

JV VOLLEYBALL

The cross country team has been having a great year, with star runners Will Harrell and Owen Likins putting up impressive performances in the regional race.

Harrell and Likins both advanced to state with 8th and 14th place finishes, respectively. The competition is Saturday in Round Rock, Texas.

The swim team has had a solid year so far as a mix of young and veteran swimmers have complimented each other.

The team won the Tyler invitational in October and looks to perform well at the remaining meets.

Swim is looking to make another competitive run at state.

MATT PRIESKORN, 12

GOLF

The golf team has now competed in three golf tournaments this fall, and has one more remaining at the end of November. The team continues to gain experience and have shown signs of improvement after each golf tournament. The young squad has a commendable work ethic and practices hard. The golfers look forward to a restful winter break and expect to come back strong during the spring season. The Tigers hope to make a run as dristrict approaches. photos by h. rainwater, r. sizemore, a. jordan, a. runnels,

The dive team has started off with a good season so far. New additions to the team this year have really helped. Freshman Eli Lammers has been the most remarkable, already mastering 11 dives. The dive team hopes to fill all spots going to State this year. Overall it’s looking like a good season and the expectations are high.

The JV volleyball team has enjoyed success alongside its varsity counterpart.

Despite experiencing their fair share of ups and downs, team members were able to gain valuable experience as many look to push toward a position on the varsity squad for next season.

Compiled by m. prieskorn

18

COMMUNITY

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

NOV. 2, 2017 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

ENTERTAINMENT

19

WAR ZONE Area

veteran Matt Fisk sits in a tanker while stationed in Baghdad. Fisk’s experience during an attack known as Black Sunday is the topic of a series to begin Nov. 7 on National Geographic.

THE LONG ROAD HOME

Veteran’s war novel leads to show adaptation

BY VICTORIA VAN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Area veteran and author Matt Fisk created the novel, “Black Knights, Dark Days.” His novel is being used as the baseline for a new TV series, “The Long Road Home.” His experience in war combat translates into a masterful piece of literature, giving the reader an inside look of a soldier’s sacrifice in battle.

On April 4, 2004, an ambush in Sadr City, Baghdad occured where eight American soldiers were killed and over 60 were wounded. The fateful day happened on Palm Sunday now known as, “Black Sunday.”

His beginnings in the army stemmed from enlisting in the service in 1997 and seeing his first combat in 2004. His initial reaction to the publicity of the war concern report led him to begin writing the draft of his novel.

“Very shortly after our first combat experience, I noticed that reporters were showing up and it occurred to me that someone was going to write about it,” Fisk said. “Within a few months, I began to do interviews from guys in my platoon.”

The adaptation of Fisk’s novel is mainly based on NBC reporter Martha Raddatz’s famous novel, “The Long Road Home.”

“The book came out in 2006 and it was good. Yet, [Raddatz] wasn’t there to experience it and her book is

more of a bird’s eye view of the event whereas mine is behind the scope of a rifle seeing what’s happening,” Fisk said. “It’s more experiential and it’s more of a narrow perspective on the event.”

Before the draft of Fusk’s novel was finalized, the works of the TV show arose. Fisk’s help from one of the producers led his book ot be implemented in the series.

“I contacted the guy that’s producing the show because a friend of mine recommended that I should get with him,” Fisk said. “Before that, he didn’t have the details he was looking for, so I was able to fill out the missing bits. He gave me a fantastic suggestion and a publisher immediately picked it.”

Filming of the TV series took place at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, where the 1st cavalry Division was originally from. Fisk had the opportunity to meet the cast and was known as the “Godfather” of the series. Fisk was invited to the set of the show to witness the filming.

“I had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for a long time, 10 years. A year and a half ago, I was able to be healed from it,” Fisk said. “Two of my buddies had a nervous breakdown, so the crew was worried about how I’d react. When I got there, they were filming the scene about my buddy Eddie dying. I can say for certain now that I’m better with dealing with those situations because I felt an

appropriate amount of emotion.”

Fisk’s experiences with hiding his emotions and nightmares in the dark taught him the rationale to bring soldier’s hardships into the light, and face the inevitable.

“You’ll start to have nightmares, be irritable, paranoid and maybe battle with different addictions to try to keep the voices quiet, but the only way to truly be whole is to deal with it,” Fisk said. “I was very open about the complexity of combat. I spared nothing when I wrote the book so everyone can understand what combat was like. I wanted them to understand what sacrifices were made on the field of battle and how soldiers deal with it down the road.”

The TV series will focus on how the military families feel, in contrast to many shows where the shift in focus is mainly to the veterans. Fisk believes that the embodiment of his time in war will be displayed.

“The reason why I like the series is because not only does it talk about what the soldiers do, but it focuses also on what the families do,” Fisk said. “They have to deal with their significant other’s PTSD. No one really focuses on it, but the series will. I suppose the big takeaway is it’s not about the politics, war or what happens at the higher levels of strategy; it’s about what you do for your brothers to survive and how that forges a bond that lasts.” victoriavan@tigertimesonline.com

submitted photos

“

It’s not about the politics, war or what happens at the higher levels of strategy; it’s about what you do for your brothers to survive and how that forges a bond that lasts.”

BLACK KNIGHT Actor Ezekiel Swinford plays veteran Matt Fisk in “The Long Road Home.”

ON SET The marketplace in Sadr City, Baghdad, where soldiers were stationed.

-Matt Fisk

REAL LIFE FOOTAGE Citizens from Baghdad gathered to share a meal.

The first two hours of the series will be aired on Nov. 7 9/8 C on National Geographic

20 ENTERTAINMENT

INKTOBER

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

Drawing challenge unleashes artists’creativity to thrive

BY GREY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER Thirty-one days, 31 drawings.

Every day for the month of October. Each artist displays their interpretation of a word prompt into the figment of their imagination. Inktober’s impact has created a large presence in the art community. Artists from the school participated in Inktober to sharpen their inking skills and overall enjoy practicing their art.

“Inktober gives you the ability to express one word in the way that you see it in your mind,” junior McKenzie Brown said. “For example, the first one is swift. So, whatever comes to your mind, you just put it on paper.”

Vague prompts such as poison, shattered, divided and underwater allow the artist to freely create their vision for an art piece without restrictions. Brown, an active participant in the challenge, describes “divided.”

“I like the word [prompt] ‘divided’ because that word comes differently to everybody,” Brown said.

“Especially in the world today, with the word ‘divided’, [you] can think of our current situation in America or you can think of something plain like a broken plate. It could be

something personal or it could be some word to you.”

Students participating in Inktober expressed themselves by how they responded to the seemingly endless one word prompts.

“I think it’s a good way to express your personality and how you comprehend certain things because the prompts are different and they’re simply one word,” junior Jenna Mitchell said.

At the end of October, students witnessed an improvement in their work due to the discipline to continue creating their craft.

“I feel like the more I get into it, the more I’ll have to improve on my drawings, and I feel like that will help me more,” freshman Amelia Stansbury said.

The prompt list is new every year to avoid repetition and give artists new material to work with.

“Even though you can do a whole bunch of pictures for one word, I just feel like if they were changed it would be better,” Brown said.

Simple prompts are the beauty of the challenge that provide one word which then sparks an idea for a piece of art. The essence behind the challenge offers a unique perspective to each individual who participates in the project. greyjohnson@tigertimesonline.com

“Unleash” Grace Comer, 11

“Swift” Anolyn Keenum, 10

“Poison” Amelia Stansbury, 9

“Long” Jenna Mitchell, 11

“Shy” McKenzie Brown, 11

“Nature” Xander Lewis, 10

“Legend” Anolyn Keenum, 10

NOV. 2, 2017 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

ENTERTAINMENT

FALL into

21

FASHION Tips for staying stylish in sweater weather

BY COLTON JOHNSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

W

e have all felt the cool air in the mornings and been teased by the bipolar, fluctuating temperature of Texas.

However, soon enough, with any hope, the weather will make up its mind and fall will be upon us in full throttle: colorful leaves, campfires and, most importantly, consistently cold air.

There is almost a nostalgia about fall that never seems to change.

photo illustration by v. van

Not only this, but every year it comes around, it seems that everything you wore last year is still in style. Same colors, same sweaters, same boots. However, one must first build this luxurious wardrobe in order to stay styling throughout the years to come, because let me tell you, my freshman year self did not get the fall fashionable memo.

It seems that guys are stigmatized to be unfashionable, so when

BLACK JEANS: If you don’t have a

pair of black skinny jeans, invest. They are a staple to the fashion community.

They are the one thing you can get away with wearing five days in a row without being questioned. Black pants literally go with anything, whether you want to rock a daunting, all black outfit or pair them up with a bright yellow sweater. Black pants will harmonize with anything for which you are in the mood. They have not failed me yet.

LAYERS: Flannels, bomber jackets and basically anything that can button down will work perfectly with a plain shirt if you unzip or unbutton them. I usually tuck a plain or striped undershirt in and wear an oversized long sleeve with rolled up sleeves to complete my look.

It’s simple and easy, but still pulls an outfit together.

one does go out of their way to look nice, the world seems to skip a beat and take notice. And here’s the beauty in it, being fashionable really isn’t all that difficult.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am by no means in any position to give fashion advice because it is, after all, completely subjective. However, I am here to relay some of my personal favorites because I undeniably take pride in the clothes that I wear.

COLOR SCHEME: Fall colors are a real thing; they usually are on the darker end of the color spectrum such as maroons, navy blues, forest greens and my all time favorite, black. It is a time to let your emo colors shine without being ostracized. However, do not be afraid to spice things up with mustard yellow or vibrant red.

HEAD WEAR: Beanies are fashionable and functional accessories that can boost the autumnal factor of any look. Even though they will be snatched from your head if you’re on campus, beanies are a great way to keep your ears toasty while making you look like every 12 year old’s dream boy fictional character.

SWEATERS: Sweaters will never, ever go out of style.

Any arguments against this claim are invalid. Not only are they comfortable, but they are a great substitute for a hoodie and acceptable for every occasion whether it be cuddling around a fire, or going out to dinner with friends. One could also add some class to a plain sweater by wearing a button up shirt underneath, giving people the impression that you put a lot of time and effort into your appearance.

BOOTS: A good pair of trusty combat boots are a necessity. They will make you feel much cooler than you actually are, or at least that’s the effect they have on me. They will bring together an all black outfit, making you look like the most intimidating, trendy person in the room.

THRIFTING: Don’t be afraid to thrift. You don’t have to break your budget to look good. Almost half of my wardrobe is from Goodwill. I get more compliments on my $5 sweater than my $40 one. coltonjohnson@tigertimesonline.com photos by a.higgins

22 ENTERTAINMENT

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

WHAT’S

WHAT TO KNOW

NOW

photos by a.higgins and a. runnels

TO LISTEN TO “Eminem dissed Donald Trump [at the BET Awards] severely. I feel like it’s good on certain levels, but he didn’t do the best at dissing Trump. I felt like he held back a bit.”

[75]

TO PLAY

“To me, the game ‘Seven Days To Die’ makes me feel like I’m actually in the game whenever I’m playing with my friends. When it’s like that, I actually feel like I’m surviving.”

-COLT SNIDER, 10

-NADIA FRYER, 11

TO WEAR “The C.C. beanies are very popular, and I feel like a lot of people are going to be wearing those. I shop at Luna [Boutique], so I think a lot of people are going to be wearing that because they just came in with their fall line, which is a lot of big sweaters.”

-TATUM HAUGH, 9

TO READ

“Perfect Chemistry: it’s a love between two people, and they end up succeeding and not killing themselves like Romeo and Juliet.”

TO GO

TO WATCH

“Natural Bridge Cavern is a really cool place in San Antonio where you can see different types of caverns and rock formations underground. Plus, there are bats and underground rivers.”

“I’m excited to see the new ‘Jigsaw’ movie coming out.

I’ve watched all the ‘Saw’ movies with my cousins, and we like them. They’re not your typical horror movie with supernatural stuff.

It’s more realistic.”

-JILLIAN ROSS, 12

-NHALA CUSTODIO, 11

PERCENT of 30 students surveyed haven’t been keeping up with the latest season of “American Horror Story”

DID YOU KNOW? The most liked picture on Instagram is Beyonce with her twins at 1 month old. It has

10,256,214 likes ASPEN, COLORADO is the top rated, prettiest place to go in the FALL

20% Of 30 students actively watch

“Rick and Morty”

-MARIAH JONES, 12 compiled by Connor Powell

30 students surveyed

NOV. 2, 2017 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

PHOTO ESSAY

photo by a.valle

DRUM SQUAD Members of the THS Drumline strut their stuff in the Pink Out pep rally before the homecoming game against Mount Pleasant. Junior Marquez Roach (middle) performed a solo during their special routine. photo by k. gordon

shook

23

I was

Senior Morgan Cook turned to look at her mother, the suprise evident on her face, after her name blared over the speaker announcing her as homecoming queen on Oct. 20.

"I am very shook right now and like very excited," Cook said after being crowned. "It's crazy, and I'm emotional about it."

Cook was glad to be among so many of her friends.

"I get sad a lot because I am just thinking about how we are all going to be in different places next year," Cook said. "Always enjoy every moment because it goes by very quickly."

Maid of honor Kamryn Hamilton agreed.

"It's nostalgic. It makes you realize that you're about to go off to college," Hamilton said. "Cherish every moment.

Don't think too much about anything and just go with the flow."

CROWNING GRACE Senior Morgan Cook reacts after being named the homecoming queen during the pregame ceremony Oct. 20.

IT'S AN HONOR On the field at the Oct. 20 pregame ceremony, senior Kamryn Hamilton stands with her escort Dusty Hickerson.

Hamilton was named the homecoming maid of honor.

CHEERED OUT Junior Davis Sutton performs the cheer routine with enthusiasm at the Pink Out pep rally on Oct. 20. Cheerleaders used pink poms and recognized some of cancer survivors and those battling cancer.

CROWN THE KING Senior Riley Russel participates in the Dressing of the Escorts pep rally skit. Each member of the court gowned their escort in toilet paper and just about anything else before letting the students decide the king. photo by a.kift

photo by a.kift

members of the court JILLIAN ROSS with MASON SHOALMIRE EMMA WOLF with DESHAWN HILL SARAH STARK with JAYLIN FRANKLIN SOPHIE LOWER with ELIAN BUSTOS KAMRYN HAMILTON with JAYLON MATLOCK CRISSTAL COOKS with KAVEONE RAGLAND MADDIE GERRALD with LOGAN SNELL CLAIRE DOAN with RILEY RUSSELL MORGAN COOK with KAMERON BURNS KATIE BIGGAR with ELIAS THURMAN photo by l. wakefield

photo by k.gordon

24 COMMUNITY

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • NOV. 2, 2017

A great place to ACADEMIC ASSOCIATE DEGREES THAT TRANSFER

START Small class sizes. Highly qualified professors who care. Affordable, well-established programs that lead to great jobs. There are a million reasons why Texarkana College is a great place. Come see for yourself.

Schedule your campus tour at texarkanacollege.edu/TCUpClose STATE-OF-THE-ART NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES PROGRAMS

HANDS-ON CAREER TRAINING & CERTIFICATION

texarkanacollege.edu | (903) 823-3012 2500 N. Robison Rd. | Texarkana, TX 75599

VIBRANT CAMPUS LIFE & COMMUNITY