Tiger times 5-31-13

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tigertimes

volume 52 no. 5 • may 31, 2013

What’s inside In the Know 2 VIewpoint 7-10 Sports 19-20 Entertainment 21-23

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

67

years since the murders

8

people shot OR TRAUMATIZED

1

killer never found

Another look at Texarkana’s serial killer and the Moonlight Murders >>Page 12

photo illustration by c. prieskorn

in the know

2

Semester Exam Schedule

6/1SAT

6/6Spring Olympiad This will be your last

the

ist

chance to take the SAT before summer.

Be sure you sign up and have a great summer.

6/7 Graduation

Pull out your calenders, sharpen your pencils, write down the dates you need for the upcoming month.

Practice

Seniors will have graduation practice on the last Friday of school.

All seniors must ride the bus to the practice.

tiger times may 31, 2013

Texas High will host the annual Spring Olympiad on Thursday of exam week. Be sure you sign up for a team in Room 23.

6/8 Graduation

The graduation ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church Moores Lane.

Tuesday 8:30-9:50 A1/B1 Exam 12 9:55-11:00 A2 Exam 12 11:05-1:05 A3 Exam 12 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 A4 Exam 12 2:25-3:45 A5/B5 Exam 12

Thursday 8:30-9:50 A2 Exam 9-11 9:55-11:15 A3 Exam 9-11 11:20-12:40 A4 Exam 9-11 Friday 8:30-9:50 B2 Exam 9-11 9:55-11:15 B3 Exam 9-11 11:20-12:40 B4 Exam 9-11 • Students who are exempt from A2 and B2 exams will be required to sign-in at 9:30am in the PAC and attend a presentation. Student who do not attend the presentation will be counted absent.

• Students who are exempt from Exams on Wednesday-1st & 5th are not required to attend that class.

• Seniors will need to sign in during 2nd period on Tuesday and Wednesday at the PAC and attend a graduation presentation if exempt.

• Students who are exempt and remain on campus must report to the cafeteria

Wednesday 8:30-9:50 A1/B1 Exam 9-11 9:55-11:00 B2 Exam 12 11:05-1:05 B3 Exam 12 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 B4 Exam 12 2:25-3:45 A5/B5 Exam 9-11

Theater students to display talents in annual Scene Fest tonight by amanda hackleman staff writer From actors standing in the spotlight to the techies slipping through the shadows, the Tiger Theatre Company will include it all in their annual Scene Fest production tonight at 7 p.m. in the John Thomas Theatre.

All Theater I students are required to perform a dance sequence from a Broadway musical, coordinating their own dances to the songs.

The advance classes have the option to perform a scene or dance. Some scenes are written by the students, while others are pulled from the pages of famous plays.

“I think it’s really stressful,” freshman Logan Smith said.

“But, all in all, it seems fun. I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a good experience to see if I want to do it next year.”

Last year was the first year for theater to host Scene Fest, and theater director Micah McBay is

hoping to accomplish even more this year.

“I think it’s going to be better this year,” McBay said. “Well, for one thing, I’ve had this group of students longer. Now that we’ve already had one, I know what needs to happen.”

The Theater I classes will be supplying new talents, while those in advanced classes are returning to bring their skills back into the spotlight.

“I’m definitely in a lot more than I was last year now that

It’s almost time again for Spring Olympiad, a day filled with fun and games. Student Council will host the event after semester exams end Thursday.

StuCo members have been hard at work preparing for the event.

“It’s very stressful and taxing work making sure each team gets eight rounds of games, and we have all the equipment,” junior Anthony Rhone said. “It takes a lot of time and effort to get volunteers and everything else to make it possible.”

They have created new games and

brought back old favorites.

“Steal the tortilla is a new game to watch out for because it will heat up the tensions between the two teams,” junior Justin Lewis said. “Spring Olympiad is very popular and it is a chance to compete and win and have bragging rights for yourself and team. It is held every year to get the whole school involved in a day of fun.”

Registration is $15 for each team.

Students should see junior StuCo members for more information.

“It’s to show the whole school that you and your team are the best of the best,” Rhone said. “Top dog wins it all.”

I’m in the advanced class,” sophomore Caroline Parks said.

“I’m really excited about it.

There’s a lot more acting than just musical stuff. We have a really cool opening and closing.”

ID NG NG DO CSCOPE is dead!

Spring Olympiad set for Thursday by amanda hackleman staff writer

REHEARSAL TIME Theater I students run through one of their numbers for the Tiger Theatre Company’s annual Scene Fest production tonight at 7 p.m. in the John Thomas Theatre. photo by c. clem

State legislature shuts program down by wynne tidwell co-editor in chief

GO ONLINE

Want to read more in the Tiger Times? Visit us online.Download a QR Code scanner on your cell phone. Then use it to scan this code. It will direct you to additional content on our online site, www. tigertimesonline.com

CSCOPE was announced dead by Texas Senator Dan Patrick May 13. The funeral attendance was low and no eulogy was needed.

CSCOPE has stopped the production of its online lesson plan.

And starting Aug. 31, school districts will no longer be permitted to use any existing CSCOPE lesson plans.

The Texas Education Service Center Collaborative (TESCCC) met May 24 and officially signed off on CSCOPE. “It appears that the lessons will be removed from the CSCOPE website by August 31st,” principal Brad Bailey said. >>For more on the story go to tigertimesonline.com

tiger times may 31, 2013

3

news

New semester test policy eliminates fall exemptions by taylor potter sports editor Due to revisions made to TEA’s attendance policy, the current exemption policy will also be undergoing a change.

Beginning next year, students will have to take all exams for the fall semester. The exam schedule will remain similar to this year’s.

TEA now requires that students be at school for four hours a day in order to meet average daily attendance.

“During the fall semester, students will

be required to take all exams in all courses and will follow semester exam schedule,” principal Brad Bailey said. “We’ll still move up a day for seniors in the spring, like we did this year, so teachers have time to get grades in before graduation.”

Students will be able to exempt tests during the spring semester. The requirements for these exemptions are similar to those in place currently: 85 semester average, 80 fifth six weeks average, no more than two tardies/absences in the class or five total and cannot have been assigned serious disciplinary action.

“The reason we’re implementing the tests in the fall is that there’s been a lot of input regarding college readiness, as well as the four-hour rule for TEA,” Bailey said. “To reward our students, we put our spring exemptions in.”

Freshmen, sophomores and juniors will all receive three exemptions for the spring semester, as well as automatic exemptions from passing the EOC in the corresponding courses. This does not apply to DC classes.

All students, except seniors, who are exempt from tests in the spring semester

must still meet the four-hour rule by going to the cafeteria or PAC to watch a movie.

All students must be in one of those locations or a classroom taking semester tests, Bailey said.

Seniors will meet the attendance requirement by participating in a graduation meeting, senior assembly, Spring Olympiad and graduation practice.

“We wanted to make sure we had exemptions for the spring,” Bailey said. “If the EOC scores do not come back in time, they’ll have to use one of their exemptions for that course.”

PG band director hired to replace Deese by shelby kelley news editor

A new face will be on campus as band director as Buddy Deese leaves his legacy behind to a new predecessor. The newly-hired director is Pleasant Grove band director Arnie Lawson.

Principal Brad Bailey said Lawson was selected for his experience and record of success at Pleasant Grove.

“We found someone who is going to be a good fit and will do a great job and pick up with what Mr. Deese has been doing and take it a bit further,” Bailey said.

Lawson was among several applicants for the position evaluated by the search committee. Bailey said they were seeking someone who would be a good leader for the band, who could relate to students, parents, and be a positive role model.

“We were looking for someone who can lead a quality program, that would keep our students participating and get more people involved, and we wanted to compete at a high level,” Bailey said. “We want to continue what we’re doing.”

Bailey credits Deese with “taking the band to a whole new level,” noting that it will be hard to fill his shoes. Yet, he is excited to see how Lawson develops the program.

“We want to continue doing the things Mr. Deese was doing, along with taking it a step further,” Bailey said. “We look forward to seeing what is in store for the program in the future.”

news

4

tiger times may 31, 2013

Norton begins planning stages for Presidents’ Council by madeline hunley staff writer Now that the campaign posters have been taken down, it’s time for newly-elected student body president Ben Norton to get to work. First on his agenda is creating a Presidents’ Council, an organization Norton hopes will give a greater voice to the student body.

“This is a way to include all organizations on campus,” Norton said. “It would most likely meet once a month and be open to the leader of every school organization who is willing to participate.”

Norton said he plans to meet with principal Brad Bailey soon to work out the details.

“With this being a new idea, we will have to determine how it’s going to work,” Norton said, “but the main idea is to get more input from more organizations around school.”

During the summer, Norton said he will be working on ideas for the upcoming year. In June, he will be attending the National Association of Student Council Conference in Las Vegas.

“There are some things that I want to improve,” Norton said, “but right now, I am working on identifying those areas and determining how we can make the greatest impact on changing those things over the course of this next year. Some other things are definitely in the works, but right now the Presidents’ Council is the main item on my agenda.”

Ultimately, Norton is ready for next year’s challenges.

“I am most looking forward to working with other students and administrators,” Norton said. “I want to make sure that Texas High lives up to its great reputation for yet another year.”

The results of other elections are as follows: Student Body

Ben Norton, president; Anthony Rhone, vice president; Charlie Goins, secretary; Justin Lewis, treasurer; Adam Graves, parliamentarian.

Senior Marissa Johnston, president; Chau Dong, vice president; Whitney Jaynes, secretary; Braden May, treasurer.

Junior Nick Richter, president; Katherine Doan and Maggie Coleman, vice president; Madeline Hunley, secretary; Baylee McBride, treasurer; Eron Sonson, parliamentarian.

Sophomore Caroline May, president; Chealsea Slider, vice president; Anna Catherine Boudreaux, secretary; Anna Graves, treasurer; Jessica Emerson, parliamentarian.

Freshman Hutch Tidwell, president; Ricky Cooks, vice president; Marjorie Slimer, secretary; Harli Kilgore, treasurer.

5

news

tiger times may 31, 2013

co-teaching

model

school changes may reduce the number of special education classes

by riley rogers co-viewpoint editor Changes in the special education department will begin next year in preparation to move more special needs students into the general education classrooms.

The state is wanting more special education students to be served in the least-restrictive environment, said Becky Graham, TISD coordinator of special education programs.

“It is all based in the least-restricted environment,” Graham said. “Students are supposed to be educated to the maximum extent possible with their same age peers who are non-disabled.”

In order to make this move, the district has already begun a three-year implementation process that will create co-teaching environments, Graham said. The special education teachers will be trained to give support and extra guidance to the special needs students in another teacher’s classroom; the general education and special education teachers will be trained to work together and coordinate lessons.

Principal Brad Bailey said they plan to implement the co-teaching model during the 2014-2015 school year.

“We have started the input phase where special education teachers will meet with our consultant,” Bailey said.

“Next year will be a training year and 2014-2015 will be an implementation year, followed by how to sustain the co-teaching program effectively for our students and staff.”

Bailey said he realizes this isn’t a “one-size-fits-all approach.”

“We will still have our self-contained classes and some applied classes since mainstreaming into the classroom may not be appropriate for their level of disability,” Bailey said. “However, we do believe it is important to offer more inclusion classes in order to prepare our students.”

Graham said part of the push toward this model is to better prepare special education students for standardized tests.

“The modified test for the special education students

NEW METHODS Teacher James Hawkins reviews a student’s paper. Hawkins will be one of the special education teachers moving to the co-teaching model. photo by h. rushing

is really not that different for the test that the general ed population is taking,” Graham said. “That modified test is the same exact information it is just put in a little bit different format and it has one fewer answer choice.”

One of the problems with the current applied-level classes is that teachers may have students in multiple grade levels in one class, Graham said. Because of this, it makes it difficult for one teacher to ensure that all the respective TEKS are taught for each grade level.

The new school policy will gradually introduce special needs student into the general education learning environment, as well as give them the chance to spend more time with their general ed peers, Graham said.

Bailey knows the process will take time and extensive preparation.

“This will be a process over time that we develop and study carefully so that everyone has an interest in making it work and work well,” Bailey said.

Waldrep

takes over as

activities coordinator by annie tarwater staff writer StuCo adviser and English teacher Susan Waldrep will be taking on a new role next year as the student activities coordinator. Waldrep will continue to sponsor StuCo, but will no longer teach English. Waldrep will also continue to teach leadership.

“The activities coordinator is a position that is over clubs and activities,” Waldrep said. “I would oversee these things and do a lot of positive reinforcement for teachers and students. With this job there is a lot more communication, and I have an open calendar where everyone knows what’s going on.”

Waldrep will also step down as cheer sponsor, and pass the torch to College Recruitment Adviser Alex Williams.

“I’m excited,” Williams said. “I used to cheer at TISD, so I’m looking forward to helping Courtney [Waldrep], the cheer coach, and the girls out next year.”

Principal Brad Bailey is excited for Waldrep’s new position because it will provide more school spirit around campus. With Waldrep being in charge of all of the clubs, she can ensure club involvement.

“The reason behind Mrs. Waldrep being the new activities coordinator is so we can increase more club and organization participation,” Bailey said. “And try to find ways to increase school spirit and fun around the school to get the students involved.”

Bailey said Waldrep will also be working closely with the community.

“She’s going to work with community, work with parents and work with all the different types of things there to try to get things going and improve more,” Bailey said.

Earlier this year, Waldrep resigned as StuCo advisor and many students were worried she would leave.

However, Waldrep will continue to sponsor StuCo and teach leadership much to the relief of many students.

“Waldrep is really personal and everyone loves her,” sophomore Chandler Thomas said. “It would of been really sad to see her go.”

news

6

tiger times may 31, 1013

Top graduates named during awards assembly by katherine doan staff writer The best and brightest of the graduating senior class were honored at the Senior Assembly on May 16. Seniors Heather Lanier and Kelly Burnett were awarded two of the most prestigious and coveted awards: valedictorian and salutatorian.

“I feel very blessed, there was a lot of hard work and I feel like it all paid off,” Lanier said. “I’m very excited, but kind of nervous for the speech. Overall, it was a really rewarding experience.”

Graduating at the top of her class has always been and aspiration for Lanier, despite the sacrifices required to achieve it.

“I’ve lost a lot of sleep, but overall, the sacrifices were all worth it.” Lanier said. “It’s something that has

always been in my heart. My dad always wanted me to be valedictorian because my sister was valedictorian and that really pushed me. I knew that if I didn’t get it, then I had tried my best.”

Burnett was equally relieved knowing that her efforts had paid off.

“When they called my name, I was just freaking out on the inside, and I was so happy it was really the moment I had been waiting for,” Burnett said. “All the stress had been lifted, and all the hard work had paid off.”

Despite all the hours of studying and preparing for this moment, being awarded salutatorian brought with it new lessons.

“I’ve learned that you can’t let instant gratification get to you,” Burnett said. “You can’t have everything, you have to focus on

your goal and what you want and just push everything else to the side until you achieve that.”

Lanier and Burnett also both received top state awards from the Texas Association or Secondary School Principals (TASSP). Burnett was one of five students in the state who received the TASSP Teens Serving Texas Award. Lanier was one of 20 students in the state to become a member of the TASSP All-State Academic Excellence Team.

“I was not expecting to receive the award at all; It was such an honor,” Burnett said. “It was really rewarding to get such a prestigious award for my club.

I’m very proud of our work and I’m really excited.”

After achieving her goal, Lanier plans to continue to pursue excellence in all that she does.

HIGH HONORS Superintendent Paul Norton congratulates senior Kelly Burnett for being named salutatorian during the annual senior awards assembly May 16. photo by j. rostek

“I’ll keep on doing the best in everything that I do and never give up,” Lanier said. “I’ll keep fighting for what I want, but stay humble. Never let it get to you,

never get a big head.”

Lanier plans to attend Baylor University, and Burnett will attend Southern Methodist University.

7

viewpoint

tiger times may 31, 2013 EDITORIAL

the

good the the & bad unforgettable Everyday is a challenge. Within every school day are the struggles brought on by the educational system, but also the little beams of light that help us get through it all. But some days, we’re faced with a situation so disturbing that it will be forever burned into our minds.

The Good: AP Tests: Teachers have been astonished by the large amount of students gearing up for the AP testing period. We saw a 34 percent increase in AP registration, which is on top of a 28 percent increase from the previous year. More students are challenging themselves by striving for the college credits and more are signing up for practice tests to help them get ready. Whether or not these students will pass is beside the point. The point is that AP teachers are instilling enough confidence in their pupils to get them to take this expensive leap of faith.

TYTL: Our campuses has a unique advantage over other school’s: an outdoor atmosphere. Our students are able to enjoy beautiful and (somewhat) serene aura created by the courtyards dispersed throughout the school. The organization Today’s Youth Tomorrow’s Leaders took charge of an effort to revamp one of our less-stellar courtyards near the Special Education classrooms. Seeing students work toward a noble issue helps restore some of the faith in humanity that is often lost in the hallways.

“Into the Woods”: Those who attended the production of this long and complex musical were impressed by the attempt of the theater department to live up to its new environment. The play was wonderfully performed and was an affordable event to add to the Valentine’s Day itinerary.

The Bad: Parking Lot: The chaos caused by the growing mass of student drivers and the administration’s lack of solution to the madness has been a pain in the side for

tiger times 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

a lot of students. For future reference, the school should plan for the influx in student drivers and make convenient arrangements, instead of punishing students who have a heavy pre-school workload. Maybe we open the adjacent teacher parking lot to students and work on relocating the few teachers that actually utilize it. The situation wasn’t helped by the “one-day-only” mass giveaway of parking tickets to unsuspecting teachers.

Our teachers work all day to ensure that students are learning; many don’t have time to run and beg for a new parking pass. Let’s just give them a break.

Independent Research: While the goal of this program is is to push students toward success, it’s execution has been made near-impossible because of the new emphasis on the leadership component. The new interpretation of the leadership requirement has turned independent research into a glorified community service project. Students in athletics or other electives have to scrabble for fresh and difficult projects, while those in classes like Leadership have this component built in. Either make Independent Research fair for all electives or revise the requirement.

Voter Registration: While we understand the necessity, it has become a nuisance. The beginning of the registration period is poorly advertised, and the only real way students notice it is if they happen to be near the table in the cafeteria. For students who don’t venture into the cafeteria during lunch, it’s near impossible to be aware of the registration period. The goal is to create a system similar to the “real world,” so why don’t we? In the adult world, voter registration isn’t done every year, and, if it was, voter turnout would be much lower than it already is. With only about 50 percent of

the student body currently registering, it may be a good idea to have a voter registration table at schedule pick up, as the school already does for parking passes.

The Unforgettable: Newspaper Controversy: Whether you were one of the offended or one of the encouraged, the story on LGBTQ bullying will certainly be remembered.

The students will reminisce over their feelings (good or bad) toward the issue and whether they felt attacked or defended by its words. Regardless, the writers will remember the feeling of glory over a controversial topic and the rumblings it caused all over town.

Courtyard Brawls: With a long spring semester, it seems as though students have gotten restless, leading to an increase in fights. More concerning than the fights is the swarm of people who rush to witness the aggression. Spectators reach for their cell phones, hoping to get a video or photo, like they were attending the latest Kendrick Lamar concert.

Rushing toward the action does more to instigate brawlers, while others flee to the nearest classrooms hoping that they don’t get a taste of mace that lingers in the air.

End of TAKS: This may not mean much for the sophomores and freshmen, but for the juniors, it’s the end of an era.

It’s the death of a test that dictated our lives during March and April. Granted, these standards were often mundane and unchallenging, but they were still OUR mundane and unchallenging standards.

Now, it’s just time for the juniors to join the seniors and sit back and laugh at everyone else. Even worse, this means the end of the Tier II period. While the other side of the state line starts their summer, we will be here counting down the days.

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 Zac Baker Maggie Coleman Katherine Doan Ben Gladney Amanda Hackleman Casey Hitchcock Robert Hoover Madeline Hunley Dwight Mack Baylee McBride Caroline Purtle Madeleine Russell Annie Tarwater 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 Annie Tarwater Hailey Woods Bailey Vaughan advisers Rebecca Potter & Clint Smith principal Brad Bailey members ILPC, NSPA, CSPA 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.

viewpoint

8

It really is all about us

‘Millennials’ must rise above expectations We are lazy.

We are self-centered.

We are entitled.

We are the future.

Unfortunately.

Time magazine labeled our generation the “Me Me Me Generation.” According to Time, never before has America’s youth seen such high levels of narcissism, low levels of empathy and unwillingness to work.

That didn’t surprise me.

Take this column for instance. I’m writing about my generation, from my perspective and I’m also checking my Twitter between paragraphs. Oh, and I’m writing this a week late. Typical millennial behavior.

Speaking of typical, I’m sure you are thinking how typical this argument is.

How many times have old people griped about how “me” young people are? It’s more a label of youth than generation, really. It’s just now kids have tools like Instagram and Vine to broadcast just how much they impress themselves.

Still, we are a unique generation, adapting to a very unique environment.

We were awarded participation trophies as kids. We grew up watching egomaniacs on reality TV. And now the world wide web is at our fingertips. Technology has made our dreams big and the possibilities limitless. Still, people worry.

The baby boomers agonize over what they created, and teachers shake their heads. They tell us we aren’t creative. Not

TWEET-WORTHY original. We can’t do anything without a computer telling us what to do. Older generations are disappointed, but more than anything, they are afraid.

We are a generation like no other.

We are scary because we are changing the game. It used to simple. Work hard, be nice to your boss, get his coffee, and land a good position in a corporation, firm or newspaper. Now it’s different.

Now, we don’t want to get the boss coffee. We don’t want to start at the bottom. Now we become our own boss, sell our own product and become a self– made entrepreneur by the web alone.

Newspapers? Those are disappearing. We have Twitter. We have blogs. We have unlimited amounts of information. We are disowning the system.

And we aren’t going to change.

We didn’t grow up with during the Depression or WWII; we don’t want security and consistency. We didn’t grow up protesting Vietnam or attending Woodstock; we don’t want rebellion. No, we want success. We want fame, and we want to chase our wildest and craziest dreams to the ends of the world.

Time called us “millennials.” A millennium is a breakthrough year––a moment in time when the world feels young and fresh. A new era begins, and

WYNNE TIDWELL

CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF a 1,000-year stretch sits on the horizon.

Embrace the name, and embrace the sunrise. If we can stop looking down at our phones, we can only look forward.

To look forward, we need to work on a few things. We need to focus less on “Transformation Tuesday,” less about what filter to use, and more about the people around us. The people that make us love and laugh and grow; not the ones on our news feed. Worry less about how many “likes” and “favorites” we’ll get.

Worry more about the war overseas or the hungry across the street. I’m not saying stop. Use the heck out of that Twitter account, but balance the selfies and wit with some intelligence. With some kindness. With some impact.

Studies, data, published authors and professors are gambling against us. We are lazy, entitled egomaniacs. Sadly, the professors are making the wrong bet. As lazy and egotistical as we are, we do have something––faith. We believe in ourselves.

Now we just need everyone else to.

So, teachers, parents, and skeptics, just remember: We have confidence.

We have hope.

We are the future. And there’s nothing unfortunate about it.

Hey, I think that’s tweet-worthy.

So, I guess this is farewell The reason why the newspaper is thicker than usual is because it’s our final issue. And with our final issue, the seniors in publications all write a small goodbye.

So, this one is mine.

Honestly, I toyed around with the idea of doing something gimmicky or witty, but I decided against it. I’d rather my final story for newspaper be as transparent and open as possible. This story will be a pretty good representation of me, or so I hope.

All right, where should we begin? I’m actually not a three-year member of the staff, having joined my junior year instead of the usual sophomore. Instead, I opted to try another class my sophomore year.

The reason was because of my sister. Marian was the editor in chief of newspaper my freshman year, and everyone expected me to follow her footsteps. I guess I didn’t want to just

PRONE TO RAMBLE blindly go with what everyone expected me to do, so I went in the opposite direction. I guess that’s the ironic part.

Most times this is where I should say that I went against what everyone told me to do, and I followed my own unique path to happiness yada yada yada. It actually had the opposite effect.

I discovered that I actually belonged in publications. My sister and I did share the same path.

However, the important thing is that I didn’t just blindly agree. I had to make the wrong decision to see how right the other decision was.

Publications had always been a part of my high school life, if not just indirectly.

JACOB HILL

MANAGING EDITOR However, once I joined, I started to really appreciate the good it held and a lot of things about myself. I realized the importance of asking others for help, helping others when they need it, and that I write “so” way too much.

More importantly, I joined into a family of peers that have helped me through these tumultuous years and helped make connections that will last me a lifetime.

I wish everyone the best in these upcoming years, and I want you all to know that no matter how small it may seem, each and every one of you has made a profound impact on my life. Thank you, and farewell.

tiger times may 31, 2013

WORDon

theSTREET

What do you want to do before you graduate ?

“The one thing I want to do before I leave Texas High is get sent home for wearing short shorts.”

Alex Frederick, 11

“I want to get my wings for being a Victoria Secret model before I leave high school.”

Julia Nations, 9

“I want to own a pet sloth because they are cute, and I can wear it as a backpack.”

Joe Vasquez, 11

“I really want to go on a mission trip to help the Untouchables in India.”

Anneliese Hounsel, 9

“I’d think it be funny to streak down the hallway.

I just have to find a mask, and I’d be all right.”

Leonard Jones, 11

“I’d want to be independent and get my own apartment before graduating.”

Brenesha Watson, 11

9

viewpoint

tiger times may 31, 2013

An ode to my coach

Watson teaches more than tennis, builds responsibility and character I started my senior column wanting to write about things I found annoying about high school, but that list went on and on until it became a ramble. Then I thought about the things that inspire me. Once again, a list that went on for miles. I finally came to the conclusion to write about the person who has inspired me and shaped me most over my high school career.

Coach John Watson has been coaching tennis at Texas High for 30 years. Nobody questions his ways, nobody screams and whines (at least not to his face) about his methods. Watson has a series of rules that you won’t find in a book of tennis etiquette or coaching Tennis 101.

Rule No. 1: Never be late for the bus.

At 6 a.m. the old man pulls his watch up to his face and waits, the time changes to 6:01 am. He looks up and says to the driver, “Okay. Let’s go.” He knows there are kids missing from the bus. He knows that as he is pulling out of the parking lot, two freshman boys are sprinting, bags in hand, down the stairs. He knows exactly who they are and probably why they are late. Everyone else on the bus knows this is routine.

Rule No. 2: Sleeping on the ground next to the court doesn’t trick Coach into thinking you are actually cheering

TENNISCHIK95

MARY CLAIRE BOUDREAUX FEATURE EDITOR

“I learned the ways of team membership, and how to be a good teammate: No prize won for self can compare to the great feeling of accomplishment and pride that’s shared in victory among those who suffered side by side for a common cause.” on your teammate.

The day after a tournament, I’m grabbing my bags to leave practice when my name is called. “Stay if your name is Mary Claire, Braden, Wynne, Kyle or Kirsten.” We were running extra. I ran my extra line drills with a look of pure hatred.

I knew why I was running extra, so did

everyone else. I slept this weekend instead of encouraging my teammates. I curled up into a ball and slept in my nest of pillows and blankets beside the court. I snoozed while my teammates pulled out victories or losses.

Rule No. 3: You must come to practice, whether sick or not, rain or

shine.

A text or call does not suffice for a doctor’s note, but, then again, a doctor’s note doesn’t do anything either. If you aren’t at practice, you better be dead or on your way. Because if you are at home, even puking your guts up, you will not be participating in that week’s tournament.

You have to go sit on the bench, and “be a part of the team” to travel with the team.

We learn a lot at tennis practice.

I honestly think we learn more than any other team. From form to mental toughness, I learned a lot from every rule.

I gained responsibility and character from the rules we hated so much.

I learned the ways of team membership, and how to be a good teammate: No prize won for self can compare to the great feeling of accomplishment and pride that’s shared in victory among those who suffered side by side for a common cause.

I learned all the moral values and how my faith can grow as I grow: What I am is God’s gift to me; what I become is my gift back to God. I have become a better person because of Coach Watson. So, here’s an ode to you Coach for instilling hard work, dedication, moral values, character, stronger faith and appreciation in me. Thank you.

Writing has been my way of coping with life Writing has never helped me as much as it has this year. People have said they’ve noticed me being quieter. Well, it’s because instead of saying everything, I write it.

I can express what I feel and how I see things easier on paper than I ever could through words.

It’s always been a way of escape for me, but I don’t think it’s ever been as important to me as it is now.

If I don’t write every day, it drives me nuts.

Now, I know what everyone thinks: Senior year is the best year of high school.

Your senior year will be less stressful.

Senior year is fun!

While all these things are true, so are a few more.

Senior year is still another year of high school. It’s draining. Your stress level is definitely lower than junior year, but college stress is a whole new kind of pain.

And senior year is fun! But by the end, all you want to do is go home, go to sleep, and scream “I’m done!”

Senior year is like a completely different

WAY OF ESCAPE kind of class. It’s stressful, it’s hard, and you will never be more exhausted in your life, except maybe working three jobs to pay off the loans you’re about to take out to pay for college.

Everyone tells you about the good things. No one tells you how bad senior year can actually be.

But, it’s not impossible. Your grades will be fine if you just grin and bear it. You won’t die if you don’t fill out your FAFSA on time or hit early admissions deadline.

You won’t die, even when you feel like you will.

You have to find an outlet. Something that makes you feel better and will make you want to scream and cry when you can’t do it.

Now, I’ve written about my problems.

I’ve written about the loss of my grandfather. I’ve written about a lot of things that have changed my life.

The one thing they all have in

CASEY HITCHCOCK PHOTOGRAPHER

common?

They’re written.

I’m not the best with words, and honestly, being around people all day long makes me incredibly awkward. There’s not a lot of things I claim as “talents” or “gifts.”

But there’s one thing I’m confident in.

I can write.

I might not be able to tell you what happened, but I promise you I can write it in elaborate detail. I can’t always get my thoughts straight, but if I can write it, I’ll come out. And I won’t always say the right thing, but if you read my word, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

And writing has become a bigger part of my life since I became a part of the newspaper staff. Not just the writing I’ve done for the publication but the amount that I write in general.

I write everyday.

Whether lyrics, poetry, or prose. It doesn’t matter what’s being written.

It’s something that can be an outlet for whoever takes it on.

I am beyond happy I have.

I won’t say that writing things down has made everything about senior year better.

It definitely hasn’t. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t helped me at all.

I have made friends I never would have made otherwise, even if they’re the underdogs no one expects to shine. I’ve learned things about people that I have never known before, and I’ve learned more from their stories than most of my own.

I’ve even gone places I’ve never dreamed of going; like New York.

Although this is my “senior column,” it’s not really the sappy, heart-felt, sentimental story that people expect.

My senior was great and awful and confusing. It was everything I expected and nothing at all.

Writing wasn’t my way of making this year better or what I went to only when I was upset. Writing wasn’t all I did this year nor what I did the least. And writing was definitely not my way of “making it through” this year.

It’s just my way of coping with it.

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Don’t worry about road not taken The road not taken is paved with stupid decisions. Believe me. If you are not dead yet, you have taken all the right roads. Here are some of my paths: I wanted my column to represent the things about myself I love most. In doing this, I feel I must be random, going from subject to subject, in order to show the ADHD side of me. I would also like to show my dyslexic side, but then the cuolnm wuold becum raely hard to understand, although I will highlight on the peek of my dyslexic success.

Here are a few questions I have had about life over the years: Why is the word dyslexia so difficult to spell?

Why are girls allowed into Boy Scouts?

Why did they cancel Boy Meets World?

Why do girls go to the bathroom in pairs?

Why is procrastination so appealing?

Why will Emma Watson and I never get married?

How does someone like Dan Humphries pull off being Gossip Girl?

And lastly, how does Hostess go out of business?

As I have grown older, I’ve learned that the most difficult questions, such as the ones above, go unanswered. It is not because the questions are unanswerable, but because they are better left that way.

Every question has led you down the path you are on now, so why question

DYSLEXIC KID that, and change directions?

As all of you remember, I was a State Officer for the Texas Association of Student Councils, and my job title was Conference Coordinator. Oh wait, no one remembers!

Now, I would like to present everyone with my quotes that will one day be famous: “Basically, life is a series of many disappointments, but every so often you have a superstar moment that makes it all worth living.”

“Setting goals for yourself may help some people, but it also limits human potential. So, by not setting goals, one will never satisfy the human potential, leaving infinite possibilities for success.”

“Stop limiting yourself to human potential because, basically, the human race is a huge let–down.”

“The idea of a world filled with dyslexic people is not something to stray away from, but the idea is something to embrace because dyslexic people make the best of everything.”

“When life gives you dyslexia, congratulations! You are amongst good company.”

To Gia: To sum it all up, you are a pretty granola–type girl. Thanks for all the back scratches and other great

JOHN DAVID GOINS

CO-ONLINE EDITOR IN CHIEF friendship things you do that I never do.

Mrs. Summit, Mrs. Wesley, Mrs. Poe, Mrs. Sun, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Altenbaumer, Mrs. King, Mrs. Stone, Mrs. Griffis, Mrs. Larsen, Mrs. Shoemaker, Mrs. Hawkins, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Simpson, Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Brannon, Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Fruge, Mrs. Nix, Mr. Williams, Mrs. Nicholas, Mrs. Al-Dubais, Mr. Littmann, Mrs. Murry, Coach Gretta, Coach Vogan, Mrs. Dittmore, Mrs. Teeters, Mrs. McBay, and finally Mrs. Waldrep––these are the teachers that I have remembered through the years who have made a difference in my life. I realize that everyone stopped reading after the third name, and they are probably skipping to the next paragraph, but I know that the teachers are reading this, and I hope that the teachers I had in high school understand the impact that they have left on me. It is these teachers that have molded and formed the paths I have taken and helped me choose all the right ones.

Forget about making the right decisions because getting through life involves making mistakes. So as long as you can look back on your life and smile, there is no reason to worry about the road not taken.

High school: the gateway to bad decisions In high school you look forward to the next thing. Freshman year you can’t wait to be a sophomore; as a sophomore, you just want to be an upperclassman; as a junior, you want to be a senior so badly you can hardly stand it. And finally, as a senior, you just want to get out of here. As I sit here and get the chance to look back on my high school career, I have realized one thing: High school is the gateway to all bad decisions.

First bad decision: morphsuit. Why would my friends and I wear a brightly colored, mostly Spandex but all embarrassing morphsuit to school? There were many questions others asked me about my endeavor. Such as, “Are those boys or girls?” Throughout this adventure I learned one important lesson: my friends make just as stupid choices as I do. Big shout out to Wynne Tidwell and Natalie Copeland for that one.

Bad decision number two: taking the “Polar Plunge.” It was the year it snowed a huge amount, like three times. So

THE REAL SLIM SHADY there I was, sitting in the hot tub with Brianna Sellers and John David Goins, when Brianna and I were dared to run barefoot through the snow and jump into the freezing pool. Like all other intelligent sophomores, we did it. Once we were completely underwater we realized this was easily one of the dumbest things we had ever done.

The third bad decision of high school: signing up for Race for the Cure the day of homecoming. Don’t get me wrong; I love leadership, and I don’t know who I would be without it. However, my closest friends know all too well that I am not very fun to be around when I don’t get much sleep. So, to put it nicely, after waking up at 5:30 to volunteer and staying up past midnight for homecoming, I was a bundle of fun.

RILEY ROGERS

CO-VIEWPOINT EDITOR Fourth bad decision: putting ivory soap in a microwave. So, one long day after a few soccer games in a tournament, I was chilling on my motel bed with my teammates casually scrolling through Pinterest. We came across the idea to put a bar of ivory in the microwave because it expands. Just in case you were wondering, it does expand. A lot. However, what Pinterest did not tell us is that it that it smokes and smells horrible. On behalf of Makenzie, Natalie and myself, I sincerely apologize for stinking up the entire motel and almost tripping the fire alarm.

All my choices have led me to where I am today and helped shape me for who I will be tomorrow. They may all have been dumb decisions, but you have to admit it makes for a great story.

tiger times may 31, 2013

School day heroes: the left behind Greetings to all. I pray that you are all delighted with the current ongoings of your lives.

If not, I hope that you find satisfaction, and I offer my deepest condolences. It is time again to bestow honor upon the heroes that exist among our broad student body.

As I am sure most of your realize, the school year is about to come to a close, and, with this, comes the annual exodus of seniors. The seniors have definitely earned this honorary emancipation, that is not to be disputed.

That being said, it is my belief that there is another, much larger group of students who

MY APOLOGIES DAVIS PAYNE

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR should garner some notice. These students include all of those who will soon find their respective friends journeying where they cannot follow. So, I dedicate this article to this group of heroes I have deemed “The Left Behind.”

You heroes are an undoubtedly a large group, being an aggregate sum of freshman, sophomores, and juniors. It is such a shame that there are so many of you that will have to endure such torment. I would wager that each one of you are feeling some of this pain already as the time of the senior sojourn approaches. I bet you have realized that this is an annual struggle that many of you will face more than once, if you haven’t already done so.

Some of you heroes seem to be hurt so much more than others that you can’t help but make it evident to your peers. You go day-to-day crying out about how terrible it will be for you the next year, and how you don’t know how you will ever live. I can’t help but feel a touch of sorrow myself at these announcements of misery.

The fact that this severance from your senior friends threatens your survival is horrifying. I assure you that life will go on, and you have oh-so-much to live for. I want you to consider that maybe this is just your chance to shine in the spotlight. Now that the senior has left, you could be able to spread your wings and fly! If you are one of those who spreads their wings and doesn’t fly, well...

Other members of The Left Behind show some of the most incredible capabilities of self-control. You heroes are truly remarkable in your ability to endure such a loss. You face the coming reaping of those whom you value so highly with a defiant and apathetic exterior. You have a friend figuratively wiped away from your everyday life, and accept it without so much as flinching. I must comment that your ability to construct such a convincing facade is nothing short of amazing. Surely beneath this barrier of apathy, you are burning from the loss of one so dear. I mean, if that is not the case then the only other option is that that facade of apathy isn’t a facade. Still, I am sure that could never be the case; could it?

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HE KILLED. HE CAME. HE’S BACK.

Texarkana has a serial robberies and the murders, killer. policemen and even the The unidentified asTexas Rangers followed the sailant is, for all intents trail to Swinney. Swinand purposes, an alive, old ney’s wife confessed to the man retired from murder officers that her husband but continuing to haunt was responsible for the “the town that dreaded murders, and that she had sundown.” been present. However, Seeking solace, the her inconsistent stories gross number of media and coupled with her resistance too–frightened–to–stay– to testify against her husat–home civilians found band resulted in no arrest comfort in The Grim regarding the murders.

Hotel. The Grim, currently But, due to Swinney’s carinfamous for its supposed jacking and long rap sheet, haunting and being used he was imprisoned for life. as a playground for the Later, he petitioned for homeless, the rebels, habeas corpus (due to lack and the curious at night, of representation) and was lived up to its bleak name granted freedom. Swinney during the media frenzy died in a Dallas nursing of 1946––serving as the home in 1994. But, it intermediary for those, unshould be noted that there successfully, attempting to is no certainty regarding uncover the identity of the his guilt in the killing town’s only serial killer. spree. The lead Ranger The slew of serial murfirmly believed in his inders committed between nocence.

February and May of In 1976--30 years after 1946 set Texarkana ablaze the murders began and with worry, confusion and ended--the heightened unwanted fame. Claiming sense of fear and curiosity five lives and injuring three peaked with Texarkanian more, the town notorious Charles B. Pierce’s adaptafor Southern hospitaltion of the killings in ity now began locking its “The Town That Dreaded doors. Texarkana, only Sundown.” This cult classic known as a depot beforefeatured a grossly dramahand, was now phantized version. It followed tom–ized and publicized a Texas Ranger, a play with the emergence of on real-life Texas Ranger, the Phantom Killer/The Captain Manuel “Lone Texarkana Phantom/The Wolf ” Gonzaullas, in photo by c. norton Moonlight Murderer. pursuit of the Phantom Choosing to only atKiller. However, discreptack couples, the masked ancies occurred in favor murderer targeted lover’s of a more action–packed lane, desolate roads, and film. This is most evident by sydney schoen an occupied farmhouse. The victims--Mary by the infamous scene where the Killer co–viewpoint editor Jeanne Larey, Jimmy Hollis, Richard Griffatally wounds his victim with a trombone. fin, Polly Ann Moore, Betty Jo Booker, Paul Although trivialized, the murders and Martin, and Virgil and Katy Starks--were all killed with either subsequent movie remain a quintessential piece of Texarkana’s, a .22 or .32 caliber gun. The men were killed before their and America’s, history. woman counterpart, so the women, all under 40 years of age, Despite the fright, the confusion, the adaptation, and the could be sexually assaulted. The crimes were heinous, repelmedia attention, Texarkana remains consumed with its past. ling, and gut-wrenching. Quickly immortalized, Texarkana Displayed by the annual showing of “The Town That Dreaded was now a location of fictitious rumors and ghost stories.

Sundown” at Spring Lake Park, the setting for one of the murParallel to the Salem witch trials of the late–1600s, ders, Texarkana enjoys the camaraderie evoked from bonding concerned and panicked townspeople looked to their single over a pivotal time. Despite the (over)glorification, Texarkana and “shady” neighbors as the culprit. More than 400 arrests remains respectfully solemn when the real victims are brought were made in the midst of the mass hysteria. Only one arrest up––a nod to the fact that the Southern hospitality natives stuck––Youell Swinney’s. Noticing a correlation between car anxiously thought we lost, has always remained.

The Phantom Menace

Abigail Hill, 9

“I heard that John Lennon’s glass piano was brought to all these cities with tragedies, and Texarkana was one of them.”

He’s back.

Roberts agreed to give Back in the form of the studio some footage of a remake, the Phantom a documentary he made Killer will be returning with his classes; he also to the big screen. Thirtygave a lecture for them seven years after his first to use. Both of these are tangle with Hollywood, believed to be reference the killer will be the star of material the main character yet another horror film. finds online in the movie.

MGM studios picked Not many details of the up a remake of the Charles remake have been released B. Pierce cult classic, “The yet by MGM studios.

Town That Dreaded SunHowever, Roberts is able down,” under the direction to make some educated of Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. guesses from what the The team began filming filmmakers have told him the week of May 6 in and his experience in the Shreveport, La. The project business. is expected to be finished “I think the plot will near the end of June, but take off from an attack that will not be released until happens after the annual 2014. showing of the original The cast, which movie in the park,” Robincludes actors Veronica erts said. “A high school Cartwright (“The Birds,” girl played by Addison “Alien”), Gary Cole Timlin will survive the (“Office Space,” “Tallaattack and get interested dega Nights”) and Joshua in the case. I’m not sure Leonard (“The Blair Witch of the plot, but I bet it is a Project,” “Humpday”), copycat, hooded killer.” as well as producer Ryan The original movie was Murphy (“Glee”, “Amerifull of blood and gore. can Horror Story”), will be In fact, “The Town That shooting the majority of Dreaded Sundown” was the movie in Shreveport, one of the first slasher but will be getting some movies ever made. Howalternative shots from ever, the directors of the Texarkana. While looking remake want to be historifor some possible locations cally correct. Roberts will for the Texarkana shots, be the factual backbone of the team stumbled the production. photo by h. woods into a Phantom Killer “The Town That Dreadexpert: Casey Roberts. ed Sundown’ is mostly ficRoberts, the media tion,” Roberts said. “The services manager at police were not a bunch Texas A&M Universityof idiots running around Texarakana, has been like the Keystone Cops. by robert hoover teaching documentary classes about the PhanThe real story is more of a Bonnie and Clyde staff writer tom Killer for years. Little did Roberts know tale. An ex- con living in Texarkana hooks up that his lectures would be help push this masked murderer with a girl and they spend time traveling around the area, killback into the limelight more than 60 years after his crimes. ing and robbing people along the way.”

“The Director of the remake and his team were in town The remake will be taking on a more realistic style. It will scouting locations for the movie and dropped by the City have investigations and more believable events. Unlike the Hall on the Arkansas side,” Roberts said. “They met with Eric original, there aren’t going to be any scenes with knives tied to Ethridge. Eric is the TV guy for the city and a former student trombones. of mine. He had taken my documentary class on the Phantom After years of being nothing more than an old memory, Killer and suggested they contact me.”

The Phantom Killer is back in town.

The Town That Anticipated A Remake

photo by m. phillips

Deaths: 5 Injuries: 3 Weapon of choice: .22 or .32 caliber gun

Top Suspect: Youell Swinney, Convicted for burglary, deceased Active: Feb.–May 1946

Josh Rostek, 11

“A remake would be nice as long as they don’t take it over the top. It would be like Michael Myers again.”

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Kyles’Krew

Lance Kyles wakes up in the middle of the night to change a diaper. There is no hesitations, like new parents have. It goes smoothly and Kyles gets back in bed, only to turn around and wake up a few hours later. The routine had not changed much, he still wakes up in Hooks every morning with the drive to Texarkana on the schedule. He still had to get 5 kids off to school, the only difference was one more.

“After five children already, we knew what to expect,” Kyles said about the birth of his sixth child. “Even though it wasn’t the first time, we were both very excited.”

As everyone who has taken Kyles’ class knows of his love for the Cowboys and his sense of humor.

“I’ve always wanted a child for every Super Bowl the Cowboys have won,“ Kyles said. “I was really hoping that they would win last year and make it number six, but it didn’t really work out. So we are hoping for next year with Elizabeth.”

Living in Hooks, the Kyles have to deal with a long commute. However, Kyles isn’t

bothered by it because of his experience driving through Dallas traffic.

“Living in Hooks has so many pluses that it outweighs any negatives. There are great neighbors, open spaces, and I don’t know if you know this, but a really good Dairy Queen,” Kyles said. “It also helps that I have family ties and a strong church community.”

His experience as a father has bled into his life as a teacher.

“Now I’m very used to screaming infants, and that has really prepared me for high school. Just kidding, but it has made me look at teaching from a father’s perspective,” Kyles said. “How would I want a teacher to treat my kids? I think it helps me big time when it comes to girls because I have five of my own. I can sympathize with their plights. It seems harder for girls in high school than with boys.”

A lot of the time life is always more difficult when being surrounded by the enemy. Kyles and his son are outnumbered in a house full of girls.

by josh klein viewpoint editor

CHEAPER BY THE HALF DOZEN History teacher Lance Kyles is surrounded by his six children who pull him in several different directions. photo by c. prieskorn

“A lot of the times when we’re out people will approach him and say stuff like ‘Son, you’re outnumbered,’ and his response is ‘I may be outnumbered but I’m not outsmarted,” Kyles said. “It’s definitely a little different for him but he’s also a lot more spoiled. Whenever the grandparents come by he gets extra attention

since he’s the only boy.”

For now, it seems like the Kyles clan is done growing.

“I think we are maxed out though,” Kyles said. “People like to joke about us driving the minivan with eight people and all. If we get any more, we’ll have to get a church van.”

Gate’s GOLDEN Ticket

Students receive renowned scholarship that pays for all future schooling by maggie coleman staff writer

that pays for any school that you choose to go to. Not only must you be a minority, and have a high GPA, but eight essays are required.

Senior Crystal Murphy first heard of the Bill Gates A total 54,000 applicants. Only 1,000 chosen. Two Scholarship as a freshman in AVID when her teacher saw from Texas High. potential in her from simply looking at her rank.

The burden has been lifted off their shoulders. The Murphy wasn’t exactly sure that she could get the door to their future has been opened to a whole new scholarship since it’s such a rare occurrence for any high world. school student, but she knew she could really use the free The Gates Millennium Scholarship––the scholarship ride.

“At first I didn’t expect myself to get it,” Murphy said.

“The first scholarship I applied for offered to pay for a pretty good portion, but I knew that I still couldn’t afford what was left since my other siblings are still in college. I was just hoping for the full ride to school just like every other student who applied, but after I submitted everything, I just felt lucky.”

Although some kids might see the scholarship as a waste of time with the eight essay requirement and the low GATE’S WINNERS During the senior awards assembly on May 16th seniors Heather Lanier and Crystal Murohy react to being announced percentage of being chosen , as the winners of the Gates Millennium scholarship.

Murphy knew that it would all

pay off.

“For anybody who is even considering applying, just do it,” Murphy said. “It can definitely pay off if you do it correctly. You just have to work hard for it. It can change your life, and it for sure changed mine.”

For fellow classmate, senior Heather Lanier, the experience has also been life changing and something that she will forever be grateful for.

“It definitely provided for me to go to Baylor University,” Lanier said. “Without it I would have had to pay for school on my own and I probably would have found a local school to go to. The scholarship has greatly helped me.”

The long process of writing eight essays wasn’t exactly overwhelming for Lanier as she didn’t procrastinate the writing like most students would have. She began the writing last summer in hopes of getting a full ride.

“I didn’t just sit down and write all the essays at once,” Lanier said. “I started it all at the end of summer. It took about an hour to write just the rough draft for each of them. I didn’t really count the hours, but I know that it took a while.”

The scholarship came not only as a blessing, but also a shock. Lanier didn’t expect two girls from Texarkana to get the scholarship.

“I felt so blessed and honored,” Lanier said. “It was such a relief because I thought that I hadn’t gotten it since Crystal had already received it. When my mom came and told me that I got it, I was flooded with joy.”

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Broken Freshman works to fit in with severe scoliosis

photo by n. duru

by mary claire boudreaux feature editor She walks down an empty hallway looking for her next class.

She has no friends to help her out, no first day of school hugs.

She is alone.

She sneaks into her next class and waits for the previous class to leave.

She hears the bell ring and slowly her classmates pile in.

She is a freshman, who doesn’t want to be different.

She doesn’t want to be known as the girl with the weird back.

She just wants to be Kayce Welch.

Freshman Kayce Welch leaves class early everyday. She isn’t getting special privileges because she is the class favorite, makes the best grades, or kisses up to teachers. Kayce was diagnosed with scoliosis at a young age and a small bump by a rowdy kid in the hall could throw off years of surgeries and the progress made.

“When I was 9, I had the flu,” Welch said. “I was with my grandma and I asked her to scratch my back. She put her hand up the back of my shirt and after a few seconds she asked, ‘Kayce where is your backbone?’ and turns out it wasn’t there.”

What Kayce’s grandmother was feeling was an almost 50 degree curve of the spine. Very few things indicated that much of a curve.

“I used to cheer and I always remember people saying I had the best backbends in the entire league,” Welch said.

“I didn’t really think much of it but now it makes sense.”

As a child, Kayce walked with a hunch, one shoulder in front of the other, as a slight indication of scoliosis, but scoliosis has many other side effects besides just an awkward walk. Scoliosis makes the size of the lungs or stomach shrink and causes lots of back pain.

“We went to the doctor, and I remember him saying, ‘The only way to fix this is surgery.’ I think that was one of the only times I really cried about my problems,” Welch said. “He set up the day for June 21, 2005, and put rods in called shiller rods.”

The entire process was stressful to the family. Robin Hilton, a teacher at Texas Middle School and Kayce Welch’s mom spent hours in doctors’ offices and meetings finding out what would be best for her daughter.

Shiller rods are very different from the traditional way to treat juvenile scoliosis. The traditional way to treat juvenile scoliosis is to put rods lining her spine in and then every 6 months take the rods out and put in longer rods for the patient to grow. Kayce’s shiller rods grew as she grew.

“At the beginning of eighth grade we knew it was time to get the rods taken out, she had stopped growing,” Hilton said. “She had those rods in for four years and she grew two inches just from her back straightening out.”

Last summer Kayce endured another surgery to take out the shiller rods and replace them with permanent rods to continue the growth. It was a six-hour surgery to take metal that had been in her back since she was 9. She had fear going in and scars going out.

She carried a purse instead of a backpack. She left early, she had meetings with teachers before school started.

Kayce and her mom tried really hard to make her first day of high school as normal as possible, sadly it still wasn’t the same.

“They had to take bone from her hip to help fuse the permanent rod to the spine so she has a scar on her hip and a scar all the way down her back,” Hilton said, “The complications came after the surgery. When Kayce was 11, she was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic, so it made the healing process a little bit harder.”

People with diabetes don’t heal as fast as normally, and they are more prone to infections. So, five weeks after the second surgery, to put permanent rods in, a spot appeared.

“It was almost like a pimple on my back, but it wouldn’t go away,” Welch said. “We had to treat it with iodine and change the bandage all the time. It was really gross.”

One Sunday afternoon, Kayce’s mom took off the bandage to put a clean one on. She couldn’t believe what she discovered. It was beyond infected, green, yellow and pus filled. So she called the doctor and they drove to the hospital.There were meetings after meetings, with infectious disease doctors, her doctor and nurses. Finally, they came to the conclusion that Kayce would have another surgery.

“There are two types of staph infection, one is resistant to medication, and the other is sensitive,”Hilton said.

“She has the sensitive kind which means it will respond to antibiotics. Kayce had another surgery where they went in and cleaned out the infected area.”

For two weeks Kayce took a 500 milligram antibiotic.

The spot slowly got smaller, but not fast enough. Welch was called out of theater class this October, walked down

to the attendance office to see her mom waiting for her.

She was checking her out to drive to Little Rock.

“Now, in October the infection came back because the antibiotic did not kill it,” Hilton said. “We had to meet with infectious disease doctors. They said that if the infection came back that meant that the staph infection had reached the rods in her back. So there would have be another surgery to take the permanent rods out.”

This process has lasted from 9 years old to ninth grade, affected her choice in sports and activities, and increased her school absences.

“I feel like this whole experience made me grow up a little bit faster than I would have liked,” Welch said. “I just don’t want people to think I’m getting special privileges or unfair treatment.”

So now they wait. They wait to see if Kayce gets better, or if she will need another surgery. She waits. She waits for the bell to ring so she won’t be alone in the classroom anymore. She waits while her body recovers, and as she waits she tries her best to live as a high school freshman. A normal high school freshman.

X-RAY of Welch’s back before surgery in July of 2005. submitted photo

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feature

tiger times may 31, 2013

DEBBIE

The Incredible by madeleine russell staff writer

September 5, 1986.

It started off as an average school day. Art teacher Debbie Nicholas got up, got ready for school and headed to work in Palestine, Ark. Everything about this day seemed normal to Nicholas.

Little did she know that what was about to happen would change her life forever.

While heading to work, Nicholas rounded a corner and crossed the railroad tracks. But what Nicholas didn’t know, was that there was a train coming extremely fast. As Nicholas was crossing the railroad tracks, her 1986 Ford exp, a little two seater car was hit by a train going around 80 mph.

“My car flew up in the air and spun around and around,” Nicholas said. “Pieces actually flew off the car.

So far that an elementary student in my school district got struck by one.”

Students rushed over to the accident to help, and saw Nicholas hanging half in, half outside of the vehicle, unconscious. Luckily, one of her students had been taking EMT classes and immediately began CPR. While Nicholas’ life was trying to be saved, other students ran down the street to notify a doctor of the accident.

“The doctor was in the shower when the students arrived to tell him about my accident,” Nicholas said. “He put on a towel and ran to come help me. I remember it like it was yesterday.”

When someone has an impact, such as the one Nicholas experienced, the body tends to swell in order to release

some of the pressure.

“My clothes began to shred like ‘The Hulk,’ because my body was literally expanding,” Nicholas said. “So I’m lying there naked, with a doctor wrapped in a towel on the side of a road trying to save my life.”

The doctor finished doing CPR as the ambulance arrived. Nicholas was taken to the local hospital until they could get a helicopter ready to take her to a more advanced hospital.

Nicholas was then taken to the Elvis Presley Trauma center in Memphis, Tenn., where she stayed for three weeks. The first three days she was unconscious and doctors performed many experimental procedures. Nicholas had a couple of strokes, no broken bones, but many scars.

“There wasn’t a treatment for what I had at the time,” Nicholas said. “I was diagnosed with bilateral carotid dissection which meant that both my carotid arteries were damaged.”

Nicholas was at the trauma center for three weeks and then was off work for another three weeks. The doctors determined that she was still having seizures, and therefore, wasn’t allowed to drive for a long time.

“I can remember the first time I could drive and actually run across my yard,” Nicholas said. “It was basically like a huge celebration because I couldn’t do much of anything.”

The toughest part for Nicholas, and especially her family, was that the police department couldn’t locate them right after the accident. The emergency information on Nicholas’ record at school wasn’t up to date.

“My mother had gotten married and moved away, so they tried to call and couldn’t get her,” Nicholas said.

Art teacher shares story of survival after collision with train

DEVASTATING DAMAGE Art teacher Debbie Nicholas’ car is shown after being hit by a train on Sept. 5, 1986. According to doctors, Nicholas should not have survived the accident. submitted photo

“They ended up calling my high school and the lady who answered the phone personally knew my family and was finally able to reach them.”

Even though she made almost a full recovery, there are still effects from the accident that may never go away. She at times stutters, drools and also gets frequent headaches.

Every 10 years on Sep. 5, Nicholas has an “I’m Alive” party.

“I usually take cookies and cakes to the local hospital as a thank you since I’m not around Memphis anymore to deliver the goods to them,” Nicholas said. “According to my medical chart, I was supposed to die that day. For some reason, God decided to save me. The reason I seem to always be running around doing this or that is because I don’t want to miss out on what I was saved to do or be.”

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tiger times may 31, 2013

sports

tiger times may 31, 2013

O

ne foot.

DISTRICT MEET Just after the hand-off, junior Kevin Harris edges out an opponent in the 4x100 during the district track meet held here. The team won this event at the state track meet earlier this month. However, they were disqualified after a late exchange in the 4x200 at the state meet. photo by c. prieskorn

One foot separated them from history. Twelve inches was the difference between victory and failure. One foot was all that stood between them and a championship.

HAND-OFF HEARTBREAK by dj mack staff writer Juniors Marquan Daniels, Kevin Harris, Trevon Walker, and seniors Darrius Crowell and Carlos Rachal visualized this moment all season with only one thing in mind––bringing the title of State Champion back home.

With that goal within their grasp, they competed to the best of their abilities, only to walk away with disqualification.

The knock–out event for the team came from a mishap during the exchange between Rachal and Walker in the 4x200. Before Carlos could hand off the baton, Walker began running and exited the exchange zone resulting in an automatic disqualification.

“We could have protested it because in the video, it said that we barely made it out of the exchange zone,” Harris said.

“But the officials said we had made it completely out of the exchange zone, so it’s a big mystery.”

Despite this being the last chance for the two senior members of the team to bring home the gold, the season’s ending

“I was ecstatic [to win the 4x100]. It was the best feeling that I had all day.

Winning the event was a sort of shot in the arm for me.”

Kevin Harris, 11

was equally difficult for everyone.

“Coach was upset, and the whole team was upset,” Harris said. “At the end of the day we are a team, and we cannot do anything about it. Stuff happens.”

“The mood back was pretty rough,” Walker said. “We just went back to the hotel and went to sleep.”

Although their spirits were low due, the team was able to turn their misfortunes around and win the 4x100.

“I was ecstatic,” Harris said. “It was the best feeling that I had all day.

Winning the event was a sort of shot in the arm for me.”

Even though Summer Creek barely

edged them out in the 4x200, the Tigers were thankful for the opportunity to face stiff competition.

“I was actually kind of inspired to run against them at State,” Walker said.

“We have some of the fastest guys in the state, and most of the teams who were there we have ran against before, so we know they were good.”

Despite the disqualification, the senior members of the team remained confident about who is truly the best in Texas.

“I know where we are. We are at the top. We are number one right now,” Crowell said. “There is no other team that can mess with us.”

BRING IT ON: athletes join collegiate cheer squads by baylee mcbride staff writer From swinging a golf club to oneman stunting, senior Chris Courson has made a huge transition in sports this year.

The transition from golfer to trying out for the University of Arkansas cheer squad took some convincing from cheer coach Courtney Waldrep and current Arkansas cheerleader Patience Beard, a 2012 graduate.

“They all kind of talked me into it,” Courson said. “Patience said they needed guys and that it was a lot of fun.”

In order to prepare, Courson

attended a stunting camp at Louisiana Tech, along with fellow senior Michael Stanley. The notion of cheering took a while to get used to.

“I always like to try new things, but it felt weird because I never thought I would be stunting collegiately,” Courson said. “Once we got there and started doing it, I really liked it. At first it was really tense since Michael and I were the only high school guys there. Once we got the hang of it though, we felt more welcomed.”

In order to tryout, Courson spent months working with a trainer, along with senior Cheyenne Jester, who see CHEER on page 20

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UNPOPULAR SPORTS OPINIONS

When it comes to high school sports, we tend to believe every bit of information we hear about our teams. But for some us, we break free of the fanbase disillusionment and have opinions that go against the masses.

TIGHT COVERAGE

TAYLOR POTTER SPORTS EDITOR

1

Our student section is lame.

A small portion of the stadium is reserved for students for a reason, so why don’t students sit there? The lack of participation in sporting events is a little appalling. Students get mad when Arkansas or PG disses their team but doesn’t support them enough to go watch. Then again, maybe students would sit there if it wasn’t cramped and grasshopper infested, not even mentioning the suppression of over-enthusiastic cheers from the biggest support group-- the swim team. Just an idea.

2

Our school DOES play basketball

Basketball is probably our most lacking sport, in terms of fan support. It’s not that the team is never good (they’re actually fun to watch), basketball just tends to take a backseat to football. The fact of the matter is that between football and baseball, we do have an interesting sport going on. It’ll probably be well worth your time.

3

Girls’ sports are better than guys

Over recent years, the tide has turned.

No longer is the girls’ side of athletics the small stepchild of sports. Girls basketball, volleyball and golf have been amongst our most productive athletic programs, but we still have those jerks who claim, “Aww. That’s cute.” The point is, girls basketball, soccer, golf and softball deserve more credit than they get.

4

Beating Arkansas High doesn’t make you a good team

Winning this rivalry game and continuing this tradition is a great accomplishment, but it’s not necessarily hard.

Just because you trounce the Razorbacks doesn’t mean you can beat some of the best teams in the area (ahem, Evangel). They’re not a great football team. It’s like beating up your younger cousin: it makes you feel strong, but it probably shouldn’t.

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Our pep rallies are boring

GO HOGS GO Seniors Cheyanne Jester and Chris Courson, who made the University of Arkansas cheer squad, stand with 2012 graduate Patience beard. submitted photo

It starts with the show. Those in charge may think that the “flash” and “creative” routines hold the interest of the crowd, but they’re kinda mundane. The cheers and dances are usually outdated and boring. The content, along with the fact that many students are crammed in the steps of the bleachers, causes our pep rallies to get real old, real fast.

sports

20 CHEER from page 19

DAYS OF DEDICATION 82

162 140

102 100

101 71 65

79 81 78

66

78 78 VOLLEYBALL

GIRLS TRACK

BOYS TRACK

TENNIS

SWIMMING

SOFTBALL

GIRLS SOCCER

BOYS SOCCER

POWERLIFTING

52 GIRLS GOLF

BOYS GOLF

FOOTBALL

GIRLS BASKETBALL

BOYS BASKETBALL

BASEBALL

also planned to tryout. He also had to learn how to do a back tuck, a skill that would usually take a person several months to acquire.

“Tucks aren’t as bad as they look,” Courson said.

“Although I did land on my head once. I was told that it is easier for a guy to learn to throw a tuck rather than a girl.”

While spending much of his time preparing for tryouts, Courson managed to keep his decision of trying out a secret from everyone, including his close friends.

“I didn’t tell anybody before tryouts,” Courson said.

“I was afraid that if I didn’t make it then I would have to tell people. I wanted to make sure that I was 100 percent positive that I was going to do it before I told anyone.”

Word quickly spread about Courson’s latest achievement.

Some thought it was weird, while others were impressed.

“Some people in high school don’t understand the college perception on cheer,” Courson said. “In college people think that cheer is cool because you can get scholarships from it and you get to be on the field during the game.”

Courson has heard many harsh comments made about his decision to cheer, but he has learned that it doesn’t really matter what others think, and it is best just to keep working hard.

“I was really excited when I found out I made it.”

Courson said. “From now until the beginning of football season I will continue to work with Cheyanne. I am really excited to be a part of the University of Arkansas Athletics.”

Jester will be joining Courson on the sidelines, having made the squad herself.

“I can’t really describe the feeling I felt when I made Arkansas cheer,” Jester said. “I had been preparing for so long that when I found out I just started crying. It was a feeling of accomplishment, dedication and relief.”

These aren’t the only cheerleaders here to make the jump to collegiate cheering. Senior Hailey Harris will be a member of the Louisiana Tech cheer team.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to cheer for LA Tech,” Harris said. “I have worked long and hard for this over the past few months. I am so happy that I get to cheer in college, considering that I have also cheered all throughout middle school and high school.”

tiger times may 31, 2013

GRAPHIC BASED ON LENGTH OF SEASON, FROM FIRST GAME TO LAST, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE DAY OF PRACTICE PRIOR TO OPENING COMPETITION/BY ZACH BAKER

Lengthy seasons keep athletes active The length of the sporting seasons has a lot to do with how many sports a student can participate in.

Freshman Kip Williams stays busy in three sports: football, basketball and baseball.

“I like to compete, and I wanted to try a whole bunch of different things,” said Williams, who started playing many of these sports in middle school, though he had to drop swim.

The amount of dedication required for these sports often makes late nights necessary in order to balance athletics with academics.

“You have to spend a lot of time,” Williams said.

“You go home late and stay up late a lot. You’ve got to do your homework even if it means staying up until one in the morning.”

A successful soccer season made balancing soccer and golf difficult for sophomore Hannah Brantley.

“It was really hard in January, February and March to balance them both,” Brantley said. “I missed a [golf ] tournament because we played our biggest [soccer] game of the year against PG. It was harder than I expected it to be to balance both of them.”

Sports with longer seasons, make it even more difficult for athletes to participate in more than one sport.

Swim has the longest season of any of the sports.

“It makes it so you can’t concentrate on just your other sports,” senior swimmer Nick Sehy said, “and you’re mentally and physically exhausted lots of the time.”

-compiled from staff reports

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entertainment

tiger times may 31, 2013

Oompa Loompa takeover

Alternatives to tanning beds prove healthier choice by maggie coleman staff writer The creatures famously known as Oompa Loompas seen in Willy Wonka were only believed to be real by children that believed every part of the magical candy world was true. But fear not children, Oompa Loompas are now very much alive and well in society.

The look of the Jersey Shore clan and Oompa Loompas are now envied by many high school students, and most kids who envy that appearance of just being tossed in a Dorito bag, quickly get a tanning membership to achieve that image. So, hail to the the tanning beds for making our childhood dreams come true.

“I don’t tan in beds,” freshman Aubree Cramer said. “If you go more than three times a week, you can even get red dots all over your body like my friend did.”

Considering tanning beds are in Group One in a list of most dangerous cancer-causing substances, along with plutonium and arsenic, many people would consider it to be a dangerous action that could easily be avoided. Basically, tanning beds are the equivalent of a human George Foreman grill.

People who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75 percent. The sensible side in people would rather wait until the weather is warm enough to tan outside with

sunscreen than risk getting melanoma just to be tan in the winter.

Tanning beds are an unnecessary luxury in life that causes more harm than good to your skin regardless of how tan you actually get.

So what are the actual alternatives? Sunscreen and the sun that God gave us, my dears. Tanning outside with sunscreen can be done all summer long with your friends while drinking sweet tea and listening to Luke Bryan telling you to shake it for him, as opposed to lying down in an isolated room in silence “I love tanning outdoors,” sophomore Chandler Thomas said. “It feels more natural and refreshing to be outside in nature as opposed to a tube by myself, claustrophobic, and naked.”

If you insist on a temporary tan that you must have in order for your dress to look perfect, simply start applying Jergens or even go get a spray tan. Although, if you get a spray tan, make sure your employee that applies it on you actually knows what she’s doing and doesn’t make you look like a cheetah.

The best for you but the most slightly photo illustration by c. norton awkward alternative? Stay pale. Rock the awkward absence of pigment in your skin. At least your skin won’t look like a snake when you’re 60 or older. You might look like you just stepped off the set of the Walking Dead, but hey, at least you’re all natural.

“I used to really want to be tan,” sophomore Haylee Garner said.

“Then I just accepted my paleness and decided to just go with it. It’s just more me.”

photo by c. norton

The Big G Few survive, fewer triumph and all are full Seniors Davis Payne and Jacob Hill recently attempted Gusano’s 30 inch pizza challenge.

Attempted being the key word.

However, they had a few good laughs about it, and to give you the play-by-play, we are going to give you the exact transcript of what went down eating the The Big G. >>For the full story check out tigertimesonline.com

entertainment

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tiger times may 31, 2013 photo illustration by n.duru

a classic debate

Should newer books replace old literary favorites?

by amanda hackleman staff writer In our society today, there is an argument that has disrupted the peace in classrooms all across the country. Students fend off reasonable attacks from their English teachers while also fighting with their peers. This disturbance has even found its way to the halls here. This long-run battle is simply the question of whether schools should continue to read the older classic novels or the more modern books of today.

Most teachers, and even a few students, are strong supporters of the classics. They don’t want to abandon the traditional stories that have served countless generations and lasted many years after their original publication. There are several reasons why the older books should be kept part of the curriculum.

time, but now they’re giving way to new books that are better for these students.

Every new generation is different, so it will be hard to find common ground. Reading a few books won’t solve the issue.

3 3

The plots held within these older bindings are several times better than the stories of today. Older stories are deeper.

Their characters can reach out of the pages and drag you inside, even though the authors are long dead.

The language in the book allows the reader to experience the past unlike the books of today. Even modern novels set in the far away past are written with the voice of today’s authors. Certain words and phrases used during that time are long dead and no longer present in our literature. Reading a sentence written in Shakespearean English offers a wholly different feeling than one in modern American English. This causes the reader to expand the mind and actually think through what they’re reading. In this way, people can fully immerse themselves in the story and the time period in which it was written.

These books have entertained generation upon generation of people. With new technologies and innovations, the gap between the generations keeps widening.

Loving the same books as your parents, grandparents, or even great grandparents can create a strong bond. The stories span across the years to connect the young and old.

Older novels are a great source of education into the lives of people long ago.

A book written in a specific time period is more accurate than one written about that time period. You can see the way the world used to be through the writings of someone who was actually alive during that time. People can learn about the old world through these novels. They can experience

1 2

4

The language in the older books are too hard to understand. Since language has greatly changed over the generations, the books read should also change. Schools shouldn’t remain stagnant in the older language when the student’s don’t really gain anything from reading it. the past all while never moving off their couch or getting up from the desks.

Just as there are many that support the classics, there is also a rising tide to start implementing more recent novels into the schools. They have countered the arguments of the supporters with some reasons of why they should not be read.

1

The themes in most classic novels are outdated and unrelatable. They hold no true meaning for the current generation.

There is no significance in a story that can’t be applied to the modern world. A book written in Elizabethan Era England is hard to connect to the present day. Students cannot fully grasp the meaning the author intended if they have nothing to apply it to in the real world.

2

The current generation has been bashed countless times for not understanding the past or their heritage when they don’t embrace old traditions like the classic novels. The classics were good in their

4

With most students having packed schedules, there is no time to work through a cryptic, old book. It would take precious time that could be used for a number of other tasks. Because of the language and uninteresting theme, it usually takes a teenager twice as much time and to read through the whole book. It would not take as much time to read modern novels.

5

Some people seem to think that the authors of modern literature are less scholarly than their sartorial predecessors. This notion is misguided; the pool of talent available in modern literature is as large as it was in the olden days, as more people than ever have the opportunity to make their voices heard and showcase their skill with the pen. Both sides are passionate in their struggle to prove which is better. The argument still rages. It will continue on until the now modern novels become old and the classics remain the classics. Then, a new generation will arise and rebel starting the cycle over again.

tiger times may 31, 2013

Justchill out,man High school has taught me quite a few lessons. I’ve learned that Texas High bathrooms are actually portals to some sort of smelly netherworld, that when a bunch of people start running really fast in the same direction it doesn’t mean that they’re all in a hurry to get to class on time, and that Mace kind of tastes like curried chicken that’s been doused in gasoline and set ablaze.

Most importantly, however, I’ve learned that actually caring about and putting effort into stuff is a complete waste of time and we should all just stay at home and watch Netflix in our underwear.

I didn’t always feel this way. When I first set foot in the hallowed halls of our proud institution as a clueless freshman, I was a member of the group that I now derisively refer to as “try-hards.”

Try-hards are unfortunate individuals who believe putting hard work into their endeavors in order to succeed rather than just weaseling by with a combination of minimal effort and casual intellectualism.

abigail’s corner

23

The perks of being a lazy waste of space

Ugh. Try-hards just don’t get that there’s no point in being alive if you spend almost every second of your miserable existence buried under a gigantic mountain of work. Sure, they may prattle on about hard work and determination paying off in the long run, but we all know they just say that to make themselves feel better about being horrid wet blankets.

I had my moment of epiphany about mid-way through sophomore year, when I suddenly saw my future laid out before me while struggling to read and take notes on the nightly 20 pages for AP World History. I saw never-ending years of toil, from college to graduate school to decades of working nine to five. At that moment, I realized that high school was my last opportunity until retirement to cruise through life uninhibited by cares without incurring serious adverse consequences.

It was like God had come down from Heaven and told me to just chill out, man.

I am not one to go against divine will, so

I vowed at that moment to take it easy for the rest of my high school career.

At this point in time, my feelings on life have numbed to more or less complete indifference. Maybe it’s a result of spending the past four years of having my individuality slowly chipped away in the dark pit of torment known as high school, but I really just don’t care anymore.

I’ve done just enough work to graduate and get into the college of my choice, but there’s no way in this world, or any other, that I was going to turn my life into an

awful torment of eternal suffering to be valedictorian or class president or whatever. I don’t need empty lauds to feel good about myself, dude.

Doubtlessly, many of you don’t agree with my philosophy of apathy. In fact, you probably think I’m a lazy teenage goodfor-nothing, filled with wasted potential and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. In response to that criticism, allow me to quote one of the great heroes of our time, a man known simply as The Dude: “Well that’s just, like, your opinion, man.”

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tiger times may 31, 2013