tigertimes Oct. 28, 2016 ∙ Vol. 56, Issue 2 texas high school
WHAT US Everyone is different. It’s a concept drilled into us from birth; we look different, have different thoughts, grow up with different families. We should embrace these differences. But all too often, differences turn into division, prompting the question: what divides us? > page 16
Texas High School • 4001 Summerhill Road, Texarkana, TX 75503 • tigertimesonline.com
2 AROUND the
WHAT TO watchFOR
CORNER
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THE FIELD IS A STAGE
NOV. 1 Lifetouch Portraits will be coming to retake yearbook pictures for 9, 10 and 11 graders. NOV. 3 The seniors will have their annual Medival Festival. NOV. 5 The VIPS Dash 4 Cash 5K scholarship run will be held at the track at 9 am. NOV. 15 Mu Alpha Theta will hold their induction ceremony in the Performing Arts Center at 6 p.m.
STAY CONNECTED
Color guard members describe being part of the team and performances.
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A HIGH PRICE TO PAY
Increase in EpiPen cost is accused of being unjust.
MAKE SOME NOISE
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LIFENET HONORS STUDENTS
The volume of the student section makes an impact on the success of football team.
The students who played a crucial role in saving Mayten Lumpkin’s life have been honored with Life Saver Award.
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A DREAM THAT WILL NEVER DIE
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Citizen has protested National Civil Rights Museum for almost 30 years.
FASHION AND FOLLIES
The perfect place to get inspiration for your Middle Age garb and, ultimately, a good grade.
snapchat: thspublications instagram: thsstudentmedia twitter: @thsstudentmedia facebook: THS Publications
Taking home the crown
Brooks announced as Homecoming queen by caleb snow staff writer
photo by m. bonner
REIGNING ROYALTY Principal Brad Bailey crowns Jasmine Grace Brooks as Homecoming queen during the pregame presentation Oct. 21.
After two weeks of nerve-wracking anxiety, the wait was over. Thirteen were nominated to the 2016 Texas High Homecoming court, but only one could be queen. Homecoming queen was crowned on Oct. 21 before Greenville and Texas faced off for the annual Homecoming game at Tiger Stadium at Grim Park. The queen was Jasmine Grace Brooks, and the maid of honor was Kiara Douglas. “[Being Queen] means a lot to me,” Brooks said. “[Oct. 21] is my dad’s birthday, and he passed away a couple of years ago and it’s kind of cool that I won queen on his birthday.” The queen is selected from the court by popular vote of the student body. “It’s an honor,
to know that people in the school like who you are, and they respect who you are,” Brooks said. “It’s a good feeling.” It’s hard to get there on your own, and Brooks was grateful for all the support from her friends and family. “Robin [a family friend] helped me through the whole way, finding dresses and keeping me from being stressed out and everything,” Brooks said. “My mom helped a lot too. She fixed all my dresses if they were too big. She did them pretty quickly. I just had my family help me with a lot.” The few girls who are able to claim the title of queen are chosen because they reflect the values and principles of their fellow students. “All of the girls on court could have been [queen],” senior Raga Justin said. “But I’m so glad it was Grace because she really deserves it.” calebsnow@tigertimesonline.com
oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com archive photo
news
Running for the right reasons
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Annual Dash 4 Cash to be held Nov. 5 BY ELEANOR SCHROEDER news editor
DASHING FOR CASH Senior Lauren Maynard ran in the 2014 Dash 4 Cash event. Last year’s race was canceled because of bad weather.
The third annual Dash 4 Cash Scholarship Run will be held on Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. at the high school track. The run is hosted by Texas High School Volunteers in Public Schools in order to raise a scholarship fund for seniors. Although last year’s race was cancelled due to inclement weather, the fundraiser still raised over $30,000 for scholarships. Fifteen seniors received $1,000 grants, as well as over $2,700 awarded in dual credit scholarships. Co-chairs of Dash 4 Cash, Darrah McGuire and Julie Borowitz, anticipate this year to be equally successful. They also express their gratitude to local sponsors who make the event possible.
“Dash 4 Cash is a fun and exciting event that allows our community, and especially our students, the opportunity to help raise money for scholarships,” McGuire said. “We have raised over $20,000 for this year’s event with the help of local businesses and sponsors.” Student co-chairs Hannah Hayes and Ali Richter have helped organize and advertise the event. “As one of the student co-chairs along with Ali Richter, we are both focused on getting students involved to either run or volunteer for Dash 4 Cash,” senior Hannah Hayes said. “We helped come up with the idea to have a drawing for all the students who signed up to run to win $100 [so that it] hopefully brings more attention to the race.” The Dash 4 Cash consists of a
5K run, a family run and various booths and activities for the entire family. Students who register for the race will have their names entered in a drawing. Students will need to turn in confirmation of their registration and payment to registrar Kim Byerly to be eligible for the drawing. VIPS will also give away $100 to a senior at the last pep rally. “Every dollar raised through the Dash for Cash event goes to senior scholarships that will be awarded in May,” Borowitz said. “The past two years we have helped 30 students to begin their educational endeavors. This is a wonderful way for our Tiger family to support the 2017 graduates and have fun doing it.” For information about registering, visit www.signmeup. com/115611. eleanorschroeder@tigertimesonline.com
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
HILLARY CLINTON
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate, has served as the first lady, a senator, and secretary of state. She is the only first lady to serve in a public office as a senator until 2007 when she made a presidential bid in which she lost to future president Barack Obama. However, thanks to this loss she was appointed secretary of state and went through a four year term based on increasing women’s rights internationally, and using social media to promote the country’s positions.
HILLARY CLINTON 18% DONALD TRUMP 29% OTHER 18% NOT SURE YET 6% I WOULDN’T VOTE 27%
illustrations by colton johnson
DONALD TRUMP
Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, never has held a political position but has been a career real estate mogul, with several hotels and casinos from New York to Los Angeles to his name. He was also heavily involved in the revitalization of the Philadelphia railroad, and creating some of the largest real estate projects that dot the New York skyline. He expanded his family business into a national corporation.
survey of 77 seniors
ON THESE ISSUES The Presidential nominees have different views on issues that are important to the American populace and could help determine the outcome of the election.
ABORTION
GUN CONTROL
GAY MARRIAGE
FOREIGN POLICY
Liberal: Every woman has a right to an abortion. The government shouldn’t regulate what women can and cannot do with their bodies. A fetus doesn’t have its own individual rights because it is not a human being. Conservative: Abortion is murder of an innocent infant. Unborn children have separate rights than that of their mothers. Taxpayers shouldn’t fund abortion.
Liberal: Individual citizens don’t need guns to protect themselves. It is the government’s job to provide protection by way of military and law enforcement. With gun control laws in place, gun violence will diminish. Conservative: The second amendment gives citizens the right to protect and defend themselves with guns. Gun control laws will not stop criminals from obtaining guns.
Liberal: Every person has the right to marry whomever they choose regardless of their sexual orientation. Marriage is between two people with a mutual love for one another. Conservative: Marriage is between one man and one woman.
Liberal: America’s support of global democracy and keenness for war has caused a lot of problems. The government should have less military spending and more diplomacy. Conservative: The US has a leading position in international order and must act to maintain that position for the good of the country. Strong military action is imperative.
“Although Clinton has made mistakes, she acknowledges them and knows the path to take to make up for the losses that have occurred. Not only does she want to make taxes fair for everyone, but she also wants to penalize people that take loopholes to avoid paying taxes. From caveman days until now, women have been deprived of their rights. Hillary wants to fix the trauma that women have been accustomed to. Despite the faults Clinton has made, she is willing to fix and make America the country that dominates freedom and rights. That is why I’m with her.” -Iiyonna Walker, 12
“I can't support either because they are at the extremes of either conservatism or liberalism. Donald Trump was born rich and has conducted questionable business practices, causing his perspective to be ridiculously different from that of a normal person. Hillary Clinton isn't much better. All sorts of underhanded political business has gone on involving her and her husband over the years. It's not about the morally or logically correct stance on the issue, it's just about the platform of the party the candidate is representing. If it's going to get any better we have to get away from this two-party system.” -Luke Carter, 11
“I know it's not popular, especially for our generation, but I still support Donald Trump for president because I see this election as not a personality contest, but as us voting on what direction we want our country to go. Hillary Clinton has campaigned to be Obama's third term, but our nation isn’t better off than it was eight years ago. Our government is doing little to solve our problems, and only Trump is proposing logical solutions that historically have worked. Both candidates are flawed, but only Trump has positions on national issues that can change our country for the better.” -Landon Ryden, 11
TERRORISM Liberal: Terrorism amounted from the current US foreign policy. The use of military force to put a stop to terrorism will only lead to more hatred and induce more terrorism. Conservative: Terrorism is an extremely serious threat to the safety of the US and it’s occupants. Terrorists must be stopped and dispatched of by whatever means necessary.
POLITICAL VIEWS FROM THE 903 Although not all students here are old enough to vote, they still have hopes for the outcome of this election and are aware of the significance and impact this election possesses. Students voice a variety of opinions toward the presidential nominees and their stances on national issues.
page compiled by Lois Lefors, Jay Williamson and Eleanor Schroeder
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
LifeNet honors students for heroic actions BY GRACE HICKEY viewpoint editor Three students were awarded the LifeNet Life Saver Award in honor of their efforts to help senior Mayten Lumpkin at the scene of his recent diving accident. Seniors Connor Anderson and Rachel Sorenson along with junior Jera Davis were presented with the honor on Oct. 13. “The award goes to folks who use their first-aid skills to make a difference. Either they are saving a life or have the potential to save a life,” LifeNet representative David Baumgardner said. “Their actions that afternoon with him obviously did that.” Lumpkin sustained his injury after diving into the pool at Anderson’s home while the four students were together. After floating to the surface, Lumpkin’s friends sought to steady him in order to minimize the damage. “After he dove [into the pool], he came up and told us that he couldn’t move, so I told Rachel and Jera to help me grab him,” Anderson said. “We all three pulled him over into the shallow end where we could stand up and all held different parts of his body to keep him straight and steady. Jera went and got my mom to
call the ambulance, and then she grabbed a raft for him to lay on.” The recipients of the award were not fully aware of the impact their actions had, only thinking that they were helping to keep Lumpkin calm and stable. “I basically was just holding his neck, trying to make sure his head wouldn’t move,” Sorenson said. “It was really scary because the sun was in his eyes, he was laying flat on his back, and he was really freaking out because he couldn’t feel anything. He couldn’t raise his head above the water. I was mainly just trying to keep him calm and comfortable.” Lumpkin’s friends never expected to be recognized for their efforts. “It almost feels like I shouldn’t get [the award],” Davis said. “I just never thought that anything like this would ever happen to me. It’s just really weird.” However, their actions cannot be understated. “They literally saved his life. If they would’ve acted differently, he probably would not have survived,” LifeNet paramedic Bruce Townsend said. “We sugarcoat it a bit saying, ‘Oh, it would’ve been a worse outcome.’ Well, it would have been a worse outcome because of where his injury was. The decisions that they made made all of the difference in
photo by m. bonner
HELPFUL HEROES Junior Jera Davis and seniors Connor Anderson and Rachel Sorenson received the LifeNet Life Saver Award for their actions, which saved the life of fellow friend and student, senior Mayten Lumpkin. MIRACLES FOR MAYTEN Senior Mayten Lumpkin remains in hospital care after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a diving accident. He continues to improve. submitted photo
his life.” Lumpkin’s family is fervently grateful to his friends, overwhelmed by the support that they have received. “[Mayten] is so emotional [at seeing his fellow students’ support],” Mayten’s mother Missy Lumpkin said. “We have never been more proud to be Tigers, and I have been a Tiger for a long time, as has Mayten’s father.” As for Lumpkin’s recovery in physical
therapy, the process is slow but moving forward. His arms have regained mobility and legs are experiencing bouts of movement. “I think [his recovery] is coming along really well,” Sorenson said. “Some things are moving slower than others, but I know without a doubt that he’s going to be walking again. If anyone can pull through this, Mayten can.” gracehickey@tigertimesonline.com
Cut-out substitutes for Lumpkin at Hoco
WE WEAR YELLOW Holding her yellow bouquet, senior Madeline Parish stands beside a lifesize cutout of senior Mayten Lumpkin. Because of injuries he received in a diving accident, Lumpkin was unable to attend the Homecoming dance. His friend, Connor Anderson, ordered the cutout. “We didn’t want Mayten to miss the dance, we wanted him there in spirit.” Anderson said. “He was pretty bummed about missing Homecoming, so it makes him feel good to see the cutout doing fun things.”
BY CELESTE ANDERSON news editor
submitted photo
With her hair done up and her shoes strapped on for Homecoming, senior Madeline Parish stepped out of her car with a cardboard cut-out of senior Mayten Lumpkin in hand. “Mayten wasn’t able to come, and he was really bummed out about that,” Parish said. “But his best friend, Connor Anderson, ordered a cut-out of him because we all wanted him to be there. We took pictures with him, we brought him to dinner, and at dinner, we facetimed him; he was there, but he wasn’t.” Although Parish and her friends kept communication throughout dinner with Mayten, it was still hard to experience Homecoming
the same way that other couples did. “I’ve tried to stay strong through it, like it bummed me out that he wasn’t going to be there,” Parish said. “Of course, this is my last [homecoming] and his last [homecoming], but as I told his mom, there are other things to worry about. I don’t want him to be sad about it, and I don’t want to dwell on being sad about it. I’d rather just focus on him getting better.” Parish and Mayten’s mom, Missy, were also moved by the support of Mayten’s friends during this difficult time. “I wasn’t planning on ordering flowers, I was going to make my own,” Parish said. “[Mayten’s mom] texted me one day and said that
she was ordering my flowers, and I thought it was super sweet but the last thing she needed to worry about.” Parish told her she wanted yellow flowers since Mayten wouldn’t be there. “She was overwhelmed from that,” Parish said. “We showed up to pictures, and Connor’s mom had a bunch of different yellow roses. When we took pictures, all of the girls had a yellow flower and I was in the middle with all my flowers.” Parish said that Mayten’s progress is the only thing that matters right now, and she’s happy about how far he’s come since his diving accident. “[Mayten] being able to move his arms and his fingers a little bit is all I could ever ask for,” Parish said. celesteanderson@tigertimesonline.com
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In the House
news
oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
Student leaders take action in community by advancing knowledge of government BY KATIE BIGGAR entertainment editor
submitted photo
Local opportunities that increase scholarship capability and enhance academic recognition are difficult to come across in Texarkana. Students with impeccable intellect often don’t get the convenience of an extracurricular activity that boosts their possibilities of becoming involved in government. Finally, a Texas congressman has done something to familiarize students with the current government system. Congressman John Ratcliffe launched the Inaugural Student Leadership Program that is made up of 86 high school students from Texas’ fourth congressional district. Fifteen students from Texas High were selected based on academic achievements, extracurricular involvement and demonstration of leadership within their
schools and community.. “I received an email from [College and Career Readiness Adviser Bettie] Stark and was told to fill out an application form online,” junior Blaire Bledsoe said. “In order to be accepted into this program, we had to have a high GPA and be active leaders in our community.” “It’s important to realize that today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders,” said Ratcliffe on his website. “I’m proud that the Congressional Student Leadership Program will offer young folks in Texas’ 4th District the opportunity to grow the skills they need to make a real impact in their communities- now and in the future.” The Inaugural meeting was held in three locations: Sherman, Rockwall and Texarkana. At the meeting, Ratcliffe, who couldn’t attend, gave the students insight about
LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP Students learn from Congressman John Ratcliffe’s intern in a presentation about Texas government and politics. The presentation took place at Texas A&M–Texarkana on Sept. 21.
the program through a video. “Congressman Ratcliffe is very interested in getting to know our groups while teaching us about problems ranging from a global to a local scale and how we can fix them,” junior Jay Williamson said. The goal of the program is to help students take a look at the federal government as defined by the U.S. Constitution, laying the foundation for in-depth
policy and completing a service project by the end of the school year. “We have to do a capstone project that we are working on in our meetings,” senior Ricky Cooks said. “After picking an issue in our community, we research and then present a solution in front of the class. It’s exciting to think so critically about topics that affect us so directly.”
The service project, expected to be completed in November, is district-wide and aimed at helping local veterans. “I hope to gain a better understanding of how the leaders of our district, state and nation run things,” junior Sarah Stark said. “I hope we learn lessons about leadership and authority that we can take with us wherever we go.” katiebiggar@tigertimesonline.com
A high price to pay: Increase in EpiPen cost worries consumers BY LOIS LEFORS staff writer He became aware of his mistake only seconds after it was too late. In the midst of blaring sirens, assorted syringes, and a rapidly diminishing airway, he was struck with the unanticipated turn of events and realized, with a start, just how close he had been to losing his life. Three years ago, senior Wesley Smith was hospitalized after being subjected to a life-threatening allergic reaction to the peanut residue present in a Hershey’s chocolate bar. “Having eaten [Hershey’s bars] for 14 years, I didn’t think anything of it, but I only had to eat about half of it before I knew something was wrong.” Smith said. “When I realized what had happened, it was probably one of the scariest moments of my life. My heart was beating a thousand beats a minute. I could feel my throat swelling up, my hands started shaking and my legs felt weak. I had to leave school in an ambulance to the ER.” Fortunately, Smith was able to avoid fatality with access to medical help
photo by d. kelley
EPI-PENSIVE: In 2007, EpiPens were $100, compared to $600 in 2016. The price change has angered customers.
and more importantly, an epinephrine injector or EpiPen. However, the prices for these potential life-saving devices have recently reached record highs. In 2007, EpiPens were approximately $100, but over the years, the company that produces them has increased the price for a standard pack of two by 400 percent, leaving the current cost at around $600. “EpiPens are a necessity,” Smith said. “There may have been a chance that I would’ve been okay without one because
the ambulance had extra doses of epinephrine, but who’s to say I’ll always be so close to the nearest hospital? I could have just as easily been eating that Hershey bar on a camping trip an hour from the nearest ambulance.” According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), more than 3 million food-related allergic reactions occur each year in the U.S. alone and about 200,000 of those reactions are anaphylactic, or essentially life threatening. The best and most common way to counteract an anaphylactic reaction is with an EpiPen injector. “An EpiPen is a premeasured shot of epinephrine, which is also called adrenaline. It’s a hormone that your body produces in a fight or flight response,” biology teacher Amy Baker-Kireev said. “It can be used to temporarily counteract the airway constriction in an anaphylactic allergic reaction. [EpiPens] save lots and lots of lives because, many times, when someone goes into a severe allergic reaction, it may be several minutes before emergency responders can get to the scene.” Mylan, the pharmaceutical company
that produces EpiPens, has a patent on the auto injectors, and as a result, has substantially raised the price over the past few years. This is especially a cause for alarm because EpiPens expire every 12-18 months, forcing consumers into buying a new set every year. “For the people who can’t afford [EpiPens], it could literally mean life or death [depending] on whether or not they have one,” Smith said. “The company shouldn’t be using that as leverage to up the prices just so they can put more money in their pockets.” This price inflation is particularly concerning considering the climbing number of people with severe allergic reactions. According to IMS Health data, annual prescriptions for EpiPens have doubled in the past decade. “EpiPens save lots and lots of lives,” Baker-Kireev said. “They’re necessary for people with severe allergic reactions to have. It’s not a luxury or convenience item. If someone can’t afford to get an EpiPen and they need one to carry, people could die. This is a danger that’s not okay.” loislefors@tigertimesonline.com
oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
community
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
tiger times Texas High School 4001 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX (903) 794-3891 Fax (903) 792-8971
The Tiger Times is a student-run publication. The contents and view are produced solely by the staff and do not represent the opinions of the faculty, administration or TISD board of directors.
illustration by a. o’gorman
BRE AK IN DOWN G Staff strives to cover issues important to all students
YOUR TURN
to sound off
Are school organizations inclusive off all people? “There’s a club day and all students are welcome. I’ve noticed most teachers encourage students to join. It should be enough to attract students who are already seeking club membership.”
Kevin Jacobs, 10
“They should have something else to influence more kids to come. Not just certain types of kids, but have something that attracts everybody to do something.”
Aairyon Golette, 10 “The advertisements of clubs is like pretty good at Texas High, but I think that there could be like fliers so that people that are not as involved will know more about them.”
Jenna Williamson, 9
WALLS
At the beginning of every issue, the newspaper staff goes through the same process. Sit down together. Decide what events need to be covered during the grading period. Decide what issues the student body cares about. Produce the paper. At the beginning of the year, we sat. And we stopped. Somehow, it took our staff this many years to realize that what we wanted to matter to the student body wasn’t always the truth. Out of 51 staff members, only 11 are people of color. Most of us are middle class or above, and everyone is involved elsewhere in school, whether this be in student council, debate, band, theater, Rosebuds, NHS or some other club. We’ve realized that we aren’t a particularly diverse organization. And, yes, we try to be inclusive. We always have. But it’s easy to grab a quote from a friend or someone in a club that you’re in. The stories that we write are only from a certain perspective, and we can’t know what matters to the large percentage of the school that isn’t white and economically advantaged. Our ideas about being inclusive changed, however, when we heard the ideas of presidential candidate Donald Trump. He claimed he wanted to build a wall, and we realized we had been building walls all along. Over the course of many years, we had built a metaphorical wall around the classroom and assumed we knew what was going on outside of it. There are students who have
said they want to be journalists when they graduate college, but aren’t a part of the newspaper staff. Why? They don’t feel welcome here. They feel that we are white and privileged and want to keep it that way. Despite what you might hear from any teachers, friends or parents, this is far from the truth. We don’t want our newspaper to be produced by white kids; we want it to be produced by journalists. You’re more than just a demographic, too. Involved kids and “preps” don’t want to encourage joining just because it looks better to have more diverse members. It just feels unfair to enjoy so much about high school because of extracurriculars and know that there are people who won’t join because they think they’ll be left out. This is our advice to you: if any of the publications programs interest you– if any club from the school interests you– join it. Change the way that others feel about extracurriculars at the school. Tell us what you think about our paper, and the things you care about in the school and in the nation. The e-mails of several staff members are listed throughout this issue, and we can be contacted online. This is our paper, but it’s yours, too. We hope we’ve done an adequate job collecting opinions from different students at the school, and we hope to change the way we report issues in the future. Changing our mindset and actively working to include others is just the beginning of breaking down walls we’ve built.
editors in chief Anna Cannon Jillian Cheney Raga Justin Alex O’Gorman news editors Celeste Anderson Eleanor Schroeder viewpoint editors Maddie Gerrald Grace Hickey feature editors Colton Johnson Langley Leverett profile editor Cailey Roberson indepth editor Lauren Potter online indepth editor Ricky Cooks sports editors Tye Shelton Laurel Wakefield Jay Williamson entertainment editors Katie Biggar Matt Francis advertising editor Robin Cooper business manager Ashlyn Sander copy editors Grace Hickey Ali Richter design editor Lauren Potter photo editor Emily Meinzer video editor Madeline Parish staff writers Paisley Allen, Connor Brooks, Madison Brown, Craig Crawford, Katie Dusek, Lindsey Egger, Thalia Hawkins, Lois LeFors, Misty Lopez, Omar Matos, Emily McMaster, John Morgan, Jhovany Perez, Matt Prieskorn, Joseph Rodgers, Caleb Snow, Victoria Van photographers Morgan Bonner, Dawson Kelley, Alyssa Kift, Lauren Maynard, Emily Meinzer, Kayleigh Moreland,Madeline Parish, Auryeal Parker, Ashlyn Sander, Rachel Sizemore, Piper Spaulding, Angela Valle videographers Katie Biggar, Ricky Cooks, Kara Jefferies, Raga Justin, Taimoor Malik, Lauren Maynard, Madeline Parish, Isabelle Robertson, Ashlyn Sander advisers Rebecca Potter, Clint Smith principal Brad Bailey members ILPC, CSPA, NSPA
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CONTROVERSY
New forms of scientific research cause protests from pro-life individuals Millions of scientists continuously attempt to pioneer the next life changing discovery. Testing methods one after another in hopes of hints of success. Lives are saved every BY EMILY MCMASTER day from these new findings, yet staff writer many also have a price to pay. Millions of individuals are stripped of their lives before they even take their first breath due to scientific research. Researchers cling to hope that someone else will have beneficial results, yet there is no guarantee. Scientists have regarded numerous discoveries developing at a rapid pace over the last several decades. Recently, one favored topic has been human genetics. Daily, new scientific advancements headline newspapers and other forms of media. Despite the fact that new research comes with many conflicts, one issue is consistently troublesome: ethical concerns. Individuals are made up of differentiated beliefs and morals that influence their perspectives, even in the area of scientific research. Stem cells, which have the potential to become multiple kinds of cells, have been found to provide unlimited amounts of human tissue and lifelong treatment for human diseases. One particular debated in today’s society is which stem cells should be used for
“If a group of people killed an innocent population, people would automatically address the issue as wrong.” research; adult or embryonic. The major source for stem cells today is embryos, which are destroyed in the process of deriving these cells to be grown into other cells in laboratories. I do not find that research justifies killing an embryo, a future life. Killing an unborn child, or killing in general, is morally and ethically wrong no matter the situation. However, I had always viewed stem cell research apart from this argument until I learned about the process of finding these new discoveries. An article in “Biomedical Ethics” uses a comparison that made the issue more relatable to other controversial topics. If a group of people killed an innocent population, people would automatically address the issue as wrong. If the killers told everyone that the bodies would go towards organ donation, society would still not pass by the subject. We should not stop new research and technology; however, society needs to place a limit on how far we go in the intervention of human life. An embryo will lead to a fetus and become an
Quick Stats:
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• After days, embryos are considered human beings and cannot be harvested • 122 blind patients were treated through stem cell research and over 77% recovered their normal vision
infant, therefore, extracting an embryonic cell will interfere with life. Stem cell research is a good thing that will someday save multiple lives. However, with the majority of these cells coming from human embryos, saving one life is killing possibly many others. The intentional harm of a human being for the benefit of another is wrong. Searching for mutualistic possibilities can demolish the harm and controversy. Researchers should turn their focus to the pro-life alternatives for stem cells. The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics has found that the better source for stem cells is adult organs, which have shown potential to allow stroke victims to regain movement and senses. Other alternatives include bone marrow and even skin. Not only are these less dangerous, but they are proven to be more stable alternatives than using embryonic stem cells. With this research, more scientists should side with quality over quantity. Embryonic cells, which are more difficult to manage than adult cells, can develop tumors in people. Creating an unstable setting, scientists should choose not only the less harmful path but the more reliable path. Take notice of lives being destroyed. Take notice of alternatives that are pro-life. Although headlines and articles praise these new discoveries and proclaim them to be a win for everyone, we should take notice of the harm they cause. emilymcmaster@tigertimesonline.com
• Embryonic stem cells are derived from eggs fertilized in the laboratory, not in a woman’s body • In 2001, President Bush put a policy into place that slowed the progress of research and the loss of human embryos President Obama overturned the policy in 2009 to expand stem cell research.
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
CONSERVATIVE, Term unjustly CLOSE-MINDED defines members of political party
This election season can easily be characterized by one word: conflict. Every day, it seems like there is a new slew of insults that is thrown between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. This back-and-forth has reached a new high in this election, more than numerous previous ones. However, as with most elections, this conflict transcends the two political opponents and enters the realm of the candidates’ respective parties. One term that has been thrown around a lot, especially towards the Republican Party, is the word “closed-minded.” You will mostly hear this term being used if a liberal voter is talking to a conservative voter. But, my main problem is not with this word itself. No, my problem is with the way that society interprets the meaning of the term. To understand this problem, we first need to understand what the word
actually means. As Merriam-Webster defines it, the term closed-minded means “not willing to consider BY maTT FRANCIS other ideas and entertainment editor opinions.” This, in basic terms, means that if someone completely refuses to see the other side of a conflict, then they are representing the term “closed-minded.” Here is where our problem arises. If you asked most liberal Americans what they think of the Republican party, a term you are most definitely going to hear is closed-minded. It is easy for them to write all conservatives off as such just because it has become a new and popular stereotype. To me, this is not an acceptable action. One thing our society as a whole has a problem with is stereotypes, and I can not stand it. However, while stereotyping is looked down upon in today’s culture, no one
seems to have a problem with this stereotype. But the worst part of all of this is that Democrats act like they could never be closed-minded to anything. Let me go ahead and debunk this for any liberal who still has doubts. If a Democrat refuses to see the other side of the spectrum– in this case a Republican’s ideas– then they too are being closed-minded. Let’s use the growing problem with police in our country as an example. The more liberal perspective of this issue is that the police force has a problem with racism and that they should be held accountable for their actions like the rest of American citizens. While I’m not saying that this idea is wrong in any way, I do disagree with the assumption by most Democratic voters that the Republican idea is completely wrong. Many Republicans believe that the police force is being scrutinized too much and that people cast too much hate on them. Usually, Democrats
illustration by g. hickey
decide to brush off this idea as conservatives refusing to see the other side of the argument. However, what I want to know is why liberals are entitled to their own opinions, but a conservative cannot have theirs. The most common path that most political arguments take now is a liberal voter writing off a conservative idea as being closed-minded, with no actual discussion of politics taking place. This general action does nothing but stagnate the discussion about political issues and only carves a path for more argument. Overall, the general idea of being “closed-minded” cannot be binded to a specific group. The term itself is represented by people in both parties almost equally, paving the way for the conflict that has become this presidential election. mattfrancis@tigertimesonline.com
Volunteering brings unexpected experience for junior By Eleanor Schroeder
submitted photo
news editor
This past summer, I volunteered for a week at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock, Arkansas– a nonprofit dedicated to providing children with a variety of special needs and disabilities a traditional summer camp experience. My week at Camp Aldersgate was the hardest week of my life, but at the same time it was the most rewarding experience. I thought that I was going to Camp Aldersgate to give the kids a normal summer camp adventure, but in reality they taught me more about myself and how I want to be as a person and what I want to do with the rest of my life. I think the kids changed my life more than I was able to change their lives. Seeing the kids battle what they have to everyday inspires me keeps me going.
CAMP CONFLICT Junior Eleanor Schroeder poses for a picture with a camper.
At volunteer training, I was instructed on how to treat people with disabilities and what my role would be for the week. My job, along with the other volunteers in my cabin, would be to keep the campers excited and in good spirit. I was expecting the week to be challenging, but my expectations were surpassed. The pressure to make the entire week fun was intense. I had no idea how the week would unfold.
After getting my cabin assignment “Moss Cabin”- and reading the information packets about each of the preteen girls, I prepared for the arrival of eight excited children. One by one, my fellow counselors, volunteers, and I introduced ourselves to the campers. Most of the campers were enthusiastic when they met us. They chose their beds and said goodbye to their families as we began to welcome them. Following procedure, we began to write detailed inventory of the campers’ trunks so that every camper left with all their belongings. I began to do inventory of one girl’s bag and talk to her. She was 12 years old and 6 feet tall. She was diagnosed with anger management impairment. All my training could not have prepared me for what I found in her bag, for when I opened an inside pocket, I
found a gun. I froze for a few seconds but remained calm externally. I acted normal because the camper was sitting on her bed in front of me. I called our senior counselor over and showed her the startling package. As she calmly instructed me, I took the suitcase with the gun inside and locked it in the closet, and camp went back to normal. Due to the fact that I have never shot a gun in my life, I was extremely shocked by this event. I acted as if everything was fine, but I had so many questions about what happened. Why did she have a gun? Did she know it was in there? How did a 12-year-old girl with disabilities have a deadly weapon? The supervisors pretended like nothing happened. The girl’s parents were never called, and she was allowed to stay at camp. I don’t know if I overreacted
because I am not used to being around guns, but I felt as if I were the only person agitated by what happened. In the midst of a critical election, guns regulations are a major topic of debates between the nominees. Both candidates have very different answers on how to address gun violence. However, most people who hear about stories such as these can agree that something needs to be done about the easy access there is to obtain a gun. We should not take away Americans’ Second Amendment rights, but we should take out loopholes that allow the purchase of guns by people who could possibly hurt others or themselves. The fact that someone who does not know what they are doing could cause harm, especially a 12-year-old girl, is shocking. eleanorschroeder@ tigertimesonline.com
oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
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viewpoint
A DREAM that will never DIE
Hotel evokes sentimental protest While I was wandering through downtown Memphis, Tennessee, and I accidentally stumbled upon the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered. The gravity of the location settled on my chest, and I instantly sobered in acute awareness of my surroundings. Naturally, I immediately began to search the area. I was studiously reading all the outside plaques and memorials, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw a woman. An individual clothed in mournful black, who seemed to be living on the corner across the museum. I noticed a battered sign, pinned to the wooden lamp post behind her; it read “Jacqueline Smith, protesting for 28 years and 250 days.” Incomprehension rang in my mind; I was shocked. No matter how much I tried, my mind couldn’t wrap around the concept of such extremities. With questions still bombarding my mind, I timidly walked up to her and attempted to introduce myself. Although, before the words could escape my mouth, she jumped up and headed over to a wall that was stationed to the left of us, and I followed. Somehow she already knew my intentions; she began to tell her personal testimony, and one by one each of my thoughts were astonishingly answered. Seconds turned into minutes and my astonishment quickly turned into awestruck wonder. This wasn’t just the story of Martin Luther King Jr.’s murder; it was the telling of the near murder of a dream. A dream that advocated for the poor and the needy, an aspiration that reached far beyond any social division. It was in 1988 that Smith was forcibly evicted from the Lorraine Motel, due to the upcoming installation of the National Civil Rights Museum. The memorial would soon encompass the lodge and even an underground portion across the street. It was clearly understood that everyone thought there should be a memorial, however, the location needed to be in a different area, so that the motel could speak for itself.
Smith thoroughly and wholeheartedly advocates that the museum should be relocated, and that the Lorraine BY langley leverett Motel feature editor should be accommodated to house the homeless and shelter those in need. This is believably what Dr. King would have wanted for the community of Memphis. She expresses that the institution does nothing but establish more divisions between the people of the community, and ultimately America. Instead of glorifying the past, she conveys that our country needs to learn to look forward. Americans need to stop fighting against each other and start fighting for each other. Consequently, Smith has devoted roughly 30 years of her life to “establish the Lorraine Hotel as a living testimony to Dr. King’s dream.” Peaceful. Persistent. Committed. This is what protesting should be about; it should embody a voice that carries infinitely more volume than unconfined violence and anger. It should strike the hearts of individuals everywhere and ultimately grant mutual respect for another human being. Not because you personally agree with their opinions, but because they are a living, breathing person. In my small world, I have never been affected by police brutality, racism or even gender inequality. The idea that these social divisions even existed in 2016 remained a far away thought. However, now I realize how so many individuals could turn a blind eye; these issues didn’t directly concern them. So I began to listen; I opened my eyes to other perspectives because that’s the only way to avoid misled vehement anger and emotion. In the end, I realized that the obstacles of today aren’t some unprecedented phenomenon. No, it’s the same recurring civil nightmare that has
submitted photo
LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP Jacqueline Smith stands on a street corner across the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel in protest. Smith has protested at the same spot every day for almost 30 years.
been on repeat for the durance of our country’s lifetime. Alternatively, running into the Civil Rights Museum, speaking with Smith and witnessing such profound courage and obstinacy comforted me with the knowledge that the world isn’t as entirely corrupt as we’ve been conditioned to believe. No, our country hasn’t reached the age of complete cooperation and understanding, but we’re trying. The continual clash of “soul force” meeting “physical force” will forever speak more volumes than unrestrained hatred ever will. Until recently, I was unaware that we were still indeed living and breathing a
perpetual nightmare. This was a dream that had turned foul and rotten, a dream that had gradually lost its attraction due to moderation and downsizing. Ultimately, I’m tired of running through social media and seeing another riot, another shooting. I’m tired of watching the news and reading the paper only to be desensitized to the horrors occurring in our communities. I don’t want to become numb to these things. I don’t want this problem to be swept under the rug, only for the next generation to push it onto the next, and so forth. No, it’s time our country ends this nightmare, before it ends us. langleyleverett@tigertimesonline.com
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MEET THE TEACHER
Rollin’ with Rowland by CAILEY ROBERSON profiles editor
Q: What was high school like for you? A: High school was a lot of fun. I graduated from here. It was a little bit different then. There was a norm. There weren’t so many different personalities that are accepted. There was kind of a general accepted norm. You either fit in or you didn’t. I was a cool kid when I was in school. Q: What made you want to be a teacher? A: I fought it my entire life. I
Q: What past jobs have you had? A: I started a bioremediation business with a gentleman and ended up wanting to buy into the company, but they made it a family business. That is a huge company now, very successful. I went to East Texas State University
and I worked there for a little while. I worked at United Blood Services as a medical lab technician. Then, I went to the Arkansas Department of Health where I was a sanitarian, and basically dealt with anything environmental. Q: What was it like being a sanitarian? A: There was one time that we went to a residence on a complaint of roaches. It was the middle of the day. We did see roaches, so we knew that there was a substantial problem. My partner leaned up against the pole on the porch, and when he did, roaches started engulfing his hand just like a blanket. He got mad and slung his arm to get them off and ended up hitting the pole. Sheets of roaches, tens and hundreds of thousands of roaches, literally fell out. It was awful.
Seasons CHANGE
Q: Do you have any advice to aspiring scientists? A: Don’t try to decide what you want to do too early. Take that love of science [and] take all the other loves that you have and then look for something that blends all of those together.
KELLY ROWLAND
With issues such as climate change and fossil fuel usage being increasingly debated in the political world, environmental science oddly seems to be one of the more overlooked sciences. However, this doesn’t stop science lover and teacher Kelly Rowland from doing and studying what she loves. Rowland, a Texarkana native, has always had a love for science. In addition to teaching environmental science and forensics here, Rowland teaches biology lab and forensics at Texas A&M Texarkana. She has been teaching for 16 years.
substitute taught for a year and swore that I would never go into education. That wasn’t really a fair assumption, because we all know how we treat substitutes. Then, later on, a friend of mine called and said, “We’ve got some science openings. Would you be interested?” I said, “Well, I don’t know. My job is getting really political. I’m not sure.” I just prayed about it. She called me back the next week and said, “Did you ever put in your application?” and I said, “No, I haven’t yet.” She said “We don’t have three science openings anymore,” and I said, “Oh, well, that’s okay.” I just left it in the air to see if it was meant to be or not. And then she said, “We have five.” I said, “Oh, okay, I’ll go put my application in,” and I did. They interviewed me right then in my jeans from the field and work boots and then hired me a couple of days later. I’ve never looked back. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.
photo by d. kelley
Junior discusses hardships after enduring parents’ divorce by KATIE BIGGAR entertainment editor Warm cinnamon and crisp orange walls. Childhood memories that flooded the shelves in thick black frames. Football games and Wii tournaments that consistently hogged the family room television. A place where her family was united and became divided. A place where the impossible became plausible. A place she called home. After junior Kamryn Hamilton experienced the split of her parents, she began to lose touch with her father and eventually the pain of leaving her childhood home left an unforgettable mark on her life. “It was like a place of refuge when everything else was uncertain; it was my constant,” Hamilton said. “I remember every room was painted a shade of orange or a deep neutral, it was fall all year round.” Like the seasons, Hamilton situation changed.
FIGHTING THROUGH Junior Kam Hamilton’s life was changed five years ago when her parents got divorced.
“I remember the day they told me about the divorce,” Hamilton said. “They said that if my dad went back overseas again, my mom and him were going to split.” Two weeks after this nerve wracking news, the girls were sat down and told
that they would no longer have a pair of married parents. “I don’t remember feeling,” Hamilton said. “I was numb and that remained for a very long time.” Like any kid going through a traumatic experience, Hamilton wanted time to adjust to her new reality. She felt as if her parents owed her and her sisters that much. “Twenty minutes after finding out about the divorce I watched dad walk out with his bags,” Hamilton said. “I just didn’t expect everything to happen all at once.” As time went on without being near her father, the distance made the two grow apart. The feeling of loss was more prominent this time around than his previous trips overseas. “I never really lost him because I was used to him always being out of the country, but now it felt permanent,” Hamilton said. “It changed our family financially, caused us to move and everything that I knew normal was gone.”
A few months after the separation, they had to leave their family home and find a more reasonable alternative, leaving behind the autumn memories. The house they moved in after the divorce was the polar opposite of her true home. “I didn’t even know I was moving until I got home from school one day and everything was packed up,” Hamilton said. “Every wall in this new house I was forced into was the same shade of nude and we had to cram my sisters and I into the same small room.” Since the divorce Hamilton and her family have lived in four different houses, constantly trying to make ends meet. Although her life has been a series of adjustments, Hamilton’s one true constant has been her mother. “If it wasn’t for her being as strong as she is, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” Hamilton said “She’s taught me how to not take anything for granted and to live everyday like it will change tomorrow.” katiebiggar@tigertimesonline.com
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Taking Ctrl:)
Maybe building a computer isn’t rocket science after all
by Emily Mcmaster staff writer A vision held precisely in his mind, his hands cautiously place each intricate computer component in the specified position his research directs. The sound of instruction videos repeats perpetually in his ears, while the weight of saving up and researching for the last year lingers on his shoulders. This project could not end in failure. Dedication surpassed frustration, as he triple checks every complicated move. While most people can easily assemble a Lego set, few ordinary people would take on the daunting task of putting together their own computer. However, for junior Casey Williams, the challenge to build his own PC was one he set forth to accomplish. “I decided to build a PC after my friend told me about how he had built one and about all of the benefits that come with it,” Williams said. “I did about a week’s worth of research, and then I saved up my money and was able to buy all of the parts I needed about a year later.” Williams had everything he needed by his freshman year. With his brother’s assistance and the research he had gathered from YouTube videos, Williams was able to begin the process of putting his masterpiece together.
“It only took me focusing on assembling the computer for one afternoon during a weekend,” Williams said. “I think it came easier to me. I’ve always been familiar with computers and other technology since I was 5, plus I took plenty of precautions and was prepared in order to prevent anything from going wrong.” Purchasing separate parts off of Newegg and Amazon for a total cost of $700, the computer costs less than a store bought one with similar features. The final product ended up just as Williams had wished. “The only difference between [my PC] and a [store bought PC] is that mine was cheaper, more customizable and has a better performance for the final price,” Williams said. “It even runs on Windows like many other computers do.” Not only was Williams able to say he had
accomplished his goal, but the functioning device could now be used for his own convenience. “At first I planned on building the computer for playing games, but now I use it for everything from school work to browsing the internet,” Williams said. “I’m not necessarily interested in computer science, like programming, but I did gain a new passion for technology when it comes to computers and their hardware.” As many students and adults may take the easy access of technology, such as computers, for granted, Williams has learned to appreciate the effort behind these advances. “If there is anyone who would like to build a computer, it’s easier than it sounds,” Williams said. “All you need to do is do a bit of research, order parts and then from there it is as easy as putting together Legos.” Through his experience of constructing his own personal computer, he not only learned more about technological software, but also found an appreciation for hard work and determination. “We use technology every day,” Williams said. “If people know more about the devices they are using, then they will be able to do more, and fix problems they could possibly come by while using [technology].” emilymcmaster@tigertimesonline.com
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of Difference A DEGREE
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RACE POLICE
BRUTALITY
LABELS STEM POLITICS EQUALITY
CLUBS RESPON -SIBILTY
“It’s really neat that at Texas High we can experience the real world and get to know the other societies, but in the end, we do crawl into our different corners. White people go into their neighborhood and Latinos in theirs and blacks in theirs, and I think that’s a big problem in the United States. Not only is that a race thing, but it’s becoming an economic divide.” -LANDON RYDEN
“Since I’m Latino, they may think ‘oh you crossed the border.’ I did not, trust me, I did not. And it’s not just something in school that happens; it happens nationally. Everybody looks different, acts different, believes in something way different, but in the end, everyone is just the same.” -BRYAN RANGEL
“We’ve spent so much time hating each other, and now we’re in some sort of calm, like it’s not calm, but it’s better than it was, and now I think it’s subconsciously ‘maybe I shouldn’t go over there. They’re going to sit on this side and I’ll sit on this side.’ It’s just a subconscious movement we do. I don’t think it’s right; it’s just a habit we’ve inherited from our parents.” -BRENNON COPE
“I understand if you have to protect yourself, but the first thing you go for shouldn’t be a gun. I mean you have a Taser, and that’s okay, but don’t just shoot them down dead for no apparent reason.” -DANIELLE BATTON
“In some cases, it’s a racial issue, but I’m not saying all cops are bad. There are just some who are racist, and they think that because they have a badge and a gun, they’re untouchable.” -REGINALD STEWART
“There needs to be a renewed sense of trust between police and citizens of all races. There needs to be a renewed sense of trust between government and citizens of all nations. There should be retraining of police officers, because at this point, it’s so crazy that officers are honestly scared just like civilians.” -KEELEY GREEN
“When you take a census and you think about the black population, the Asian population–they’re all still people. The first step is do away with the labels and see each other as humans.” -WILL NORTON
“If we all just accept the fact that we’re all equal, we can come together as people, change society for the better, change the world. Stop with all this segregation, racism, or getting mad for things, saying, ‘oh, you’re not my race, so I don’t like you. How do you judge someone without even knowing them?” -REGINALD STEWART
“I think it’s important not to stereotype kids who aren’t in STEM. For example, some kids say they can’t be friends with kids who aren’t in STEM, which isn’t right because it doesn’t matter how smart the person is; it just matters the character of the person to be friends with them.” -JENNA WILLIAMSON
“When it comes to STEM and non-STEM kids, everyone thinks, ‘oh you’re in STEM, you must be so smart.’ I’m smart and I’m not in STEM. I feel that they kind of separate us on colors, on how smart we are, what classes we take.” -DANIELLE BATTON
“When you look at the STEM program, you don’t see a lot of black kids. You see a mixture of people, but you don’t see predominantly black or white. We don’t have other programs in school, so they do divide us. [At lunch], you see the cheerleaders sitting with different people and they’re a team, so it makes you think, where does this start? And it starts within the home.”-IIYONNA WALKER
“At graduation, you’re going to graduate in STEM, or you’re going to graduate not in STEM. I feel like STEM is just a label, like junior, senior, whatever. You can be the smartest kid, you can be the top person in your class, but you don’t have to be in STEM. I feel lile STEM is just a label. It doesnt mean anything.”-JACOYA ELLIS
“In the end, the president can only do so much. He can’t change the Constitution. That’s up to the Supreme Court. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a big deal who becomes president; it’s important. But it’s also important who gets elected to the Senate, who gets elected to the House of Representatives, because in the end, they’re also tthe ones who are passing the laws.” -BRENNON COPE
“I like how Hillary goes for the youth community, like poor people. She tries to get those folks, tries to help them out, but she’s really not fit for it. Donald trump, he’ll lie to you, and she’ll lie, but they’re both immature at the debates, back and forth arguing. If I could vote, I probably wouldn’t vote this time. It’s really crazy.”-REGINALD STEWART
“My fear is, if [Trump] was to become president, would women be treated different? As slaves? Will we be seen as provocative? The comments that he makes scare me. It scares me for my little cousins and all of the girls around me. So it makes me nervous. -IIYONNA WALKER
“The divide is lessening but not fast enough to make a difference. When you go to take a test, you have to sign am I white, am I Asian, am I Latino. What do I identify [as]? That goes into college as if it actually matters to them. But I think the beginning of us coming together as a society of people is when we stop thinking demographics and just start thinking of people.” -WILL NORTON
“You get asked questions [on race] for applications. What does that matter? If I just go in there and take the test, why does it matter? If I’m a white person and I score good on this test, but I’m a black person and I score high, what does it matter? Why do you care about my race? If we all just accept the fact that we’re all equal, we can just come together as people.” -REGINALD STEWART
“Not only is [separation] a race thing, but it’s becoming an economic divide. That’s really the problem with jobs in the United States. There’s not enough for everyone at the moment, and racism does perhaps play a role in deciding who gets the job.”-LANDON RYDEN
“I think bringing up the word division, you have to be careful with using that word, because when you think about it, it’s a pretty big school, and it’s hard to meet everybody. But when you go enroll in these clubs, it’s because you have these interests and strengths that other people might not have in common.” -WILL NORTON
“I love leadership and student council; it’s my favorite thing that I’m a part of, hands down. But I’ve noticed moving in that the people who did stuff freshman year are the same people doing stuff senior year. I don’t feel like other people have a chance. If you look at it, it’s the same people who have done everything.”-KEELEY GREEN
“There have been times when I’ve picked band, and there have been times when I’ve picked StuCo. And the times I pick StuCo, theyre like ‘oh my goodness you’re hanging out with the preps and you like them more than us.’ Luckily, it’s changed over the years, but there’s still that stigma there.”-LANDON RYDEN
“Sometimes, it’s time equals grade. Some teachers think that you have all the time in the world to get this project done. Me, I’m in football and then I have cheer, so I’m not getting home until 9:30 at night. Then I have a project to do, and that takes about an hour, and sometimes, I wouldn’t have time to finish it, and then I get a bad grade.” -TRESTON GREEN
“If I have homework on the weekend, sometimes I can’t do it because I have work, so I have to do it in the morning or I have to stay up really late. That is really stressing because I want to actually have time, but I need to have my own things for school.” -BRYAN RANGEL
“So I think [not working] presents its own challenge as well, because if you don’t work, your parents are having to pay for all of their stuff and all of their own bills, and on top of it you’re having to ask for more money. Now that we’re seniors and we’re going to college, we’re going to have to ask them to pay extreme tuitions.”-KEELEY GREEN
“ ”
“If we all just accept the fact that we’re all equal, we can just come together as people, change society for the better, change the world.” -REGINALD STEWART
OUR VOICES WILL BE HEARD
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FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS Students provide input on national, local issues BY ANNA CANNON editor in chief 2016 is a year of division. The presidential election has done more than divide us by party; it has divided us by race, gender, belief and socioeconomic status. As tensions continue to escalate, the divisions continue to grow. Brick by brick, we’re building back the walls between us– the very ones we’ve been trying to tear down for years. As the nation focuses on divisive issues, people have begun to notice the friction in their own communities and ask, “What divides us?” To get a new perspective, we created a focus group of students who mirror the demographics of the school. The members of this group were selected based on four categories: grade, race, gender and whether or not they qualified as economically disadvantaged. In the end, the group consisted of 20 people who met to discuss issues in school and in the United States. “I like how we talked about all the different problems that we have in school, not just in school but going nationally and economically,” sophomore Bryan Rangel said. “I think if nobody had done it now, then nobody would
have ever done it.” The most prominently discussed issue was racism, and how the school and the country have dealt with it. Those who voiced their opinions were in agreement that racism is still real and were grateful that representatives from all demographics were present. “It was a variety of ethnicities, and everyone kind of had the same topic,” sophomore Aukievah Vaughn said. “Nobody bashed anyone else’s ideas and everyone’s ideas were accepted.” Students reacted positively to the opportunity, agreeing that the random assignment brought together students who wouldn’t normally be asked about their viewpoints. “I think the focus group is really beneficial for newspaper because they’re getting opinions from people who they might not have gotten opinions from before, who maybe feel voiceless in the school,” senior Keeley Green said. “The majority of people I didn’t even know, so I got to be around people with different families and different backgrounds and different races, and I think that was really beautiful for everyone involved.”
GROUP DEMOGRAPHICS AFRICAN AMERICAN
CAUCASIAN
HISPANIC
ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED
MIXED
ASIAN
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com photo by a. sander
Being the youngest on team has its ups, downs
MOVIN’ ON UP: Freshman Kingsley Miller dances with the color guard during a halftime perfomance. She is the only freshman on the team. “I was already in band. When I heard the offer of being in color guard and working with a small group who I could call family, I was intrigued,” Miller said.
by MISTY LOPEZ staff writer
SOMETHING NEW: Color guard captain Cody Hambly performs during the pep rally. Currently, he is the only male on color guard. Having been on the team for four years, Hambly said he’s adjusted to being the only male. “It’s not seen as too different, at least for me it isn’t, because I am with them everyday. It might be for people that see us perform because it’s just all of the sudden me: front and center.” photo by l. maynard
THE FIELD IS A STAGE Color guard captain adjusts to leadership role by ashlyn sander business manager As the bright lights beam onto the field, the band and color guard march onto the field in perfect unison. His mind reviews the elaborate choreography one last time as he prepares for the performance. Months of practice have led to a few short minutes of bodies weaving in and out of the band members, spinning flags and marching feet. Color guard has practiced all year for the current football and contest season under the leadership of their captain, senior Cody Hambly. “We never really stopped practicing. We started practicing for this year before last school year got out, then we had a week long clinic where we practiced a lot this then had a short break,” Hambly said. “We started back up July 1 and we’ve been practicing ever since.” Each year in May, color guard holds tryouts and juniors have the opportunity to try out for captain for the following year. “It’s a lot of fun,” Hambly said. “I’ve learned a lot more through teaching than I ever would have learned just from listening to someone else teaching me. We are a bigger team now and since Ms. Lawson has come we’ve had a lot more technical routines and those are harder.” Although the team has grown this year, it has also lost
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a few members since the year started. “We did start out this year with 20 people and now we’re down to 17 because three have quit,” Hambly said. “This is the first time someone has quit since my sophomore year and that was very different.” Last year color guard lost one of their directors, leaving more responsibility on the captain. “It’s been really stressful since Ms. Edmonds left,” Hambly said. “I’m used to asking her what to do, but now there is a lot of things I just have to decide really quickly, like what we’re going to do with our flags or whether we’re going to roll them or strip them during a routine.” Hambly struggles with communicating with the entire team. “I remember Morgan Williams, the old captain, used to yell and we would all just know to listen to her right then,” Hambly said. “If I do that now, since there are so many of us, I don’t know if I’m getting to everybody or if everybody can hear me, and that becomes a real problem when we’re on the field.” Even though the team is bigger this year, they are still like a family. “We spend a lot of time together,” Hambly said. “We have our ups and downs, and there are days where we really can’t stand each other, but color guard always brings us together and I love that.” ashlynsander@tigertimesonline.com
“Remember to smile,” she would chant to herself. “You’ll do great,” she would say to feel better. “Everything will be okay,” she thought. She enters the audition room with sweat on her hands and a knot in her stomach, but in her head she knows how much she has prepared for this moment. Kingsley Miller is currently the only freshman member of the color guard team. She has always aspired to be a part of a compact team, which is what led her to take a step into the world of guard. “The thought of collaborating with people who were also interested in color guard sounded perfect for me,” Miller said. She had started off roughly, but after a few more weeks of practice, she made friends who assured her she would do well when the audition day came. “Being one of the youngest people there terrified me.” Miller said. “When I started making some older friends, I started feeling more secure. I came to realize that everyone is really nice and helpful.” During her weeks of practice, Miller became confident with the routine and fundamentals that were going to be set for the audition. She would take her flag and rifle home as often as possible and would seek help from her older friends. “I practiced a lot, so it was kind of to the point where it was like second nature. I accidentally tossed my clarinet at one point and used it to do my routine,” Miller said. “I knew that the routine had been implanted in my memory even though during the audition I was pretty nervous.” The team had to wait for results for a long time. Miller was initially surprised by the results. “I was really excited. My mom was more excited than I was; she screamed, and I was just jumping up and down silently,” Miller said. “It was a surprise, I didn’t think I was going to make it, but I did.” She is no longer anxious during practice, and being the only freshmen doesn’t terrify her anymore. “I don’t feel like I need the older members’ approval, but I do need their help,” Miller said. “Whenever they compliment me or give me approval in the sense that I’m doing well, it makes me feel a sense of accomplishment.” Miller plans to supplement her practice routine with help from upperclassmen. “My mom always told me that practice makes perfect; however, I don’t think that’s true. It just makes repetition,” Miller said. “My way of improving is to seek help from the vets and other new members who are more experienced.” In the future, she knows there will be ups and downs, but the guard can overcome any obstacle if they stick together as a whole. “Being in color guard is like family, but I feel like we’re closer than a family. If something happens, it doesn’t break us down, it builds us up as a team.” Miller said. “To any freshmen who want to try out, be confident. Just because you’re one of the youngest people on the team doesn’t hold you back from doing so, and if you feel like it does, that gives you an even better reason to work twice as hard.” mistylopez@tigertimesonline.com
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
BRING HOME THE DOUGH SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANYONE
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LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS
AXA SCHOLARSHIPS This award is achievement-based, designed for leaders headed to college. 52 state winners earn $10,000, and 10 of these will be chosen for earnings of $25,000. This opportunity is not one to pass up on. Hurry up if you’re interested, though–only 10,000 entries are considered.
$17,423,331
AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP MONEY THE 2016 GRADUATING CLASS RECEIVED
$9,000-$18,000 $10,000
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY This program acts as a competition in which high school students can express their democratic ideas. Applicants submit recorded speeches that are then judged on originality, delivery and content. This year’s theme is, “My Responsibility to America.” There are various prizes up to $30,000 available. The contest is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and has a deadline of Nov. 1.
$500-$5,000
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CREATE-A-GREETING CARD Submit a greeting card design for a chance to win this scholarship. Judges will put 100 entries for voting on their site monthly. The 10 entries with the most votes advance to the finalist round. DUCK TAPE PROM SCHOLARSHIP For this scholarship, applicants must make their prom attire using Duck brand duct tape. Contestants will be graded on workmanship, originality, use of colors, accessories and use of the duct tape.
$2,500
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CORPORATION SCHOLARSHIPS COCA COLA SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship is for high school seniors who are attending four-year colleges/ universities. After being interviewed by a selection committee, students have a chance to receive one of 50 $20,000 awards or one of 200 $10,000 awards.
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HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO Students can apply for scholarships ranging from $9,000 to $18,000. Those eligible to apply must be Texas residents and planning to attend a Texas college or university.
$2,000
ST. MICHAELS The Christus St. Michael Nursing Scholarship will provide $1,000 per semester for four nursing students who maintain a 3.0 GPA in the Texarkana College nursing program.
$1,500
COOPER TIRE Children of Cooper Tire employees can apply for this scholarship. Preference will be given to students majoring in manufacturing.
WEIRD SCHOLARSHIPS
UIL This $250 scholarship is awarded to the Texas High competitors who place highest in their event.
$1,500
DASH 4 CASH Any senior can qualify for this event as long as they turn in their forms to Kim Byerly. Last year, 15 seniors were awarded $1000 each.
This $1,000 award is available to students who exemplify Bruce Lee’s passion for education as well as qualities of assertiveness and selfdiscipline. Applicants must write an essay on one of four principles practiced by Lee, such as “to change with change is the changeless state.”
$1,500
Named after hiphop mogul Jay-Z, the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund gives out many oneyear scholarships to students in need of financial aid. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0, show great leadership skills, and can attend any two-year, four-year, or trade school.
$1,000
The John Lennon Scholarship competition is for student songwriters and composers of contemporary musical genres. It is available for all college students age 17-24 in the U.S. Every year, the foundation awards three scholarships of $20,000 to the students who submit the best original songs.
$1,000
CELEBRITIES WHO AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS
SUPERPOWER Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No; it’s $2,500 that you can win by writing a 250-word response over which superhero you would want to be for a day. ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE With the world taken over by zombies, a high school student must write a 250word short answer over the strategies to survive the zombies and top-five things that one must have to survive. NUMBER FIVE Yep, that’s right, the applicant must write a 250-word response over why the number five is an important number.
MAKE US LAUGH To take a break from the boredom of regular applications, recount a funny incident in your life and submit it to unigo.com by August 31, 2017. STARFLEET Star Trek superfans, this one is for you. Applicants must be members of Starfleet and have been for over a year.
CME BEEF INDUSTRY This scholarship is for students pursuing careers in the beef industry. 10 scholarships of $1,500 are awarded annually. TALL CLUBS INTERNATIONAL Have people ever asked you, “How’s the weather up there?” If you’re a boy over 6’2” or a girl over 5’10”, this one is for you. Applicants must be college freshmen under 21 years of age.
oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
community
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com photos by l. maynard
ON THE RIGHT PATH
LEADER OF THE PACK Freshman Owen Likins competes in the district cross country meet Oct. 19 in Mt. Pleasant. Likins placed first in the meet and will compete at regionals Saturday in Arlington.
Freshman leads cross country into regional meet by craig crawford staff writer The gun sounds, and he’s off. Shortly after, the crowd is out of view, and he’s racing through an expanse of winding trails. Next the competition fades from sight and he’s unaccompanied, competing against himself, anxious to bust through the finish line first. It’s been a long road for cross country freshman Owen Likins but his journey is a long way from finished. Likins, along with junior Will Harrell and sophomore Anna Cree, will compete in the regional cross country meet Saturday in Arlington. At the district 5A meet in Mt. Pleasant, Likins placed first, Harrell placed eighth and Cree placed tenth. “I felt strong and comfortable. I wasn’t dying out there,” Likins said. “I was confident going in because I had the fastest time before district. I was having a good time.” Smashing his 17:00.00 record, Likins crossed the finish line at 15:56.00. “At the beginning of the season, I never expected to win,” Likins said. “As we got closer to district, I got
on the run Members of the girls cross country team begin their race during district.
more confident. There’s nothing like having a strong lead on second and approaching the finish line with time less than your record.” Likins is humble about his ability and doesn’t lead on to his tenacity. “It’s definitely made a harder worker. Cross country is tough,” Likins said. “You’ve got to be mentally tough to run.” Harrell recently recovered from an injury that has limited his ability to run, but through intense training, he has recovered to the point where he was able to compete at district.
“I’m out of shape, so I knew it was going to take everything I had,” Harrell said. “I went last year, and I knew for sure that this was a big year for me, then after getting hurt and coming back, I knew I couldn’t take advantage of my chance.” In order to practice this season, Harrell has had to push above and beyond to get back into shape, knowing he can’t waste the opportunity he has been given to compete at regionals again. Even though Harrell qualified for regionals at the district meet,
the competition has become narrow and it will take more speed and endurance if he seeks to perform better at regionals. “It’s close. I ran 16:34 and two other people ran 16.34,” Harrell said. “So three of us had to be evaluated and ranked just by seconds.” Cree joined the cross country team this year, having come from Trinity Christian School. Cree was ambiguous about her rank going into district, but the consensus for a qualifying race is perform one’s best, meaning it was impossible for Cree to expect other girls to perform under par. “I didn’t know what to expect because most girls go all the way out to qualify for regionals,” Cree said. “It was a lot faster.” Likins and Cree both expressed uncertainty about regionals. They are concerned with their performance on Saturday but do not know how to prepare. “We’re going to follow our normal routine,” Cree said. “We’re not sure what the coaches will have us do, but we are going to keep practicing and finish the season strong.” craigcrawford@tigertimesonline.com
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
Volleyball moves to playoff round BY COLTON JOHNSON feature editor Every point on the scoreboard mattered. Every sore muscle, every bruise and every desperate dive to save the ball advanced the team to where they are now. After a hard fought season, the girls volleyball team finished third in district and will continue on to the playoffs. This season has been a learning experience for the team as a whole, and while the girls struggled to get on their feet, at first, they managed to pull through in the end. “I think the season has been a growing process for the team,” Coach Melissa Hardy said. “We have improved considerably since the beginning of season.” Although there were mistakes made throughout the season, the girls were able to take those mistakes and learn how to be better teammates as well as players on the court. “We struggled a little in the beginning, but we came together
and just took it one game at a time, sophomore Kaitlyn Cross said. “We definitely were able to grow as a team and improve a lot.” While they have improved significantly since the start of the season, there is always room for improvement. The team hopes to focus on eliminating minor errors in order to try and perfect their performance on the court to advance in the playoffs. “We need to play to our full potential and avoid making little mistakes,” Cross said. “We have to make sure to stay focused the entire game, and if we do this, then I think we will do good in playoffs.” However, attention to detail in their performance is not the only element of improvement necessary to ensuring success on the court in playoffs. They must focus on having a positive attitude as well as continuing to communicate effectively as a team. “I think if we go into playoffs with a good mindset then we will make it far,” sophomore
Photo by Alyssa Kift
Kill Shot Takeeba Dowden, Treyanna Rush and Vicki Wills of the volleyball team celebrate scoring after a hard fought set against the opposing team.
Treyanna Rush said. “We could still improve a lot if we continue to talk and work together to better one another.” Overall, the most important aspect of the game is the passion
that each player has for the game. It is important for each and everyone to have their heart in the game if they want to succeed. “We just have to be more
disciplined as a whole and play with heart if we want to do good in the playoffs,” senior Takeba Dowden said. The season has indeed had its ups and downs, but the girls are not finished yet, and they are ready to reap what they have been sowing in all their practice and preparation. “I believe the girls will fight hard and play some of their best volleyball in the playoffs knowing they have worked really hard to make it this far.” Hardy said. If they walk in believing they have a chance in the playoffs, then they have already won half the battle. It is important not only to believe in the team as a whole, but to believe in their own abilities as well to realize that the amount of effort put in can make or break them. “I have faith in my team, and I know we will succeed in playoffs,” Rush said. “We didn’t come this far to go home so soon, so I expect to come back as champs.” coltonjohnson@tigertimesonline. com
Sophomore participates in prestigious soccer program Archive Photo
BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM Sophomore Sarah Rogers focuses on the ball during a match. Rogers plays on the Lady Tiger soccer as well as teams outside of school, and was selected to partici[ate in the Olympic Development Program.
BY RAGA JUSTIN editor in chief This is it, she tells herself. Time to prove herself. The goal hovers at the edge of her vision even when she closes her eyes, and her breath comes in even spurts as she jogs down the field. Steady, she mentally cautions. Don’t overcorrect. She kicks- the sound when her foot hits the ball with a solid, satisfying thwack music to her ears- and watches as it soars, sailing cleanly into the net. Sophomore Sarah Rogers was selected to participate in the prestigious U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP), a nationwide organization that aims to “identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis”, according to usyouthsoccer.org. To be accepted into the program, there is an extensive tryout process, during which players are made to play one-on-one games and do drills targeting areas such as footwork, shooting, and defense. “I was a little nervous going in [to tryouts] because of how many other girls were trying out and their skill level,” Rogers said. “But once I got on the field, I just played my game because I knew that was all I could do.” After two weeks, Rogers was sent a letter saying she had made it into the program, and that she would begin training in October. “During training sessions, it’s the same process as the
tryouts,” Rogers said. “You’re trying to impress them going against the other girls. From this group they will pick 18 girls who will play on a select team for the North Texas ODP at a showcase tournament. At the tournament will be many top college coaches looking for girls to recruit and take their soccer to a much higher level.” Rogers, who herself hopes to catch the eyes of college coaches, had her first–out of five–training sessions Oct. 23 in Dallas. Already, the rigor of these sessions and the skill of those around her have enriched her playing and performance level. “The coaches at ODP, are very hard, but really good coaches,” Rogers said. “They push you to a limit that you can get around here and to a limit where it is very very hard. So far, just from tryouts, my training level has been the highest it has ever been. Although it is super tough, it is worth it.” The exposure to a different level of aptitude and dedication has made clear to Rogers the commitment necessary to continue playing soccer competitively, both in high school and beyond. “ODP shows you how good the people are outside of our town,” Rogers said. “The girls I have played against are incredible and it shows you how hard you have to start training if you want to go further than high school soccer.” ragajustin@tigertimesonline.com
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
WE’RE MAKING SOME NOISE
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FIRED UP Senior class officers have introduced different themes for the student section at every home game. The Liberty Eylau game had an American theme in honor of Sept. 11. a. kift
Student section energizes team by Tye Shelton sports editor Down by 14 points, heading into the second half of a football game at Grim Stadium where the Tigers play, a team that has many things to worry about. Defensive schemes, play calling and communication are key to winning a football game on the road. One factor that has not been a major aspect of football games at Texas High in a while is the student section; however, this year, there is a new tune coming from the students. Themed sections, over-exuberant fans and synchronized cheers have proven to be a deciding factor for opposing teams who have stepped into Grim stadium this year. The roar of the students has caused coaches to fling their headsets off in disgust as untimely time outs have meant less room to fail late in the game. “I was heading out in for a simple play after a long pass play and all I hear is “Cade Football”,” senior quarterback Cade Pearson said. “That was really awesome, to hear the whole school over there chanting my name.” The game against Liberty Eylau featured a short comeback by the Leopards met by the
gnarling teeth of the Tiger defense. However the small charge made by the Leopard offense was also halted by the student section led by senior student body president Ricky Cooks; his chant started with “Hey student section, just start screaming.” “I can remember the game against LE; we were so loud that they had to call a timeout late in the game,” senior student Kasey Kane said. Even those not involved at the games for the players still recognize the momentum and impact they make. “It is one of the greatest experiences of my high school so far,” senior Alex Davis said. The noise and the confusion caused by the students of Texas High has correlated along well with the success of the Tigers on the field. Featuring a 6-0 record, with a 2-0 record in district play the Tigers look to move forward in the season one loud and obnoxious game at a time. “The student section carries each game, whether home or away,” senior Slyder Welch said. “The football team may be the ones carrying out the plays, but without the roar of encouragement, no games could be won.”
TO THE BEAT OF THE DRUM As a member of the spirit squad, senior John Debenport helps keep the student section going by organizing chants during the Texas vs. Arkansas game. Let’s Win With megaphone in hand, seniors Ricky Cooks and Slyder Welch lead the student section in the change “I believe we will win.” Student leaders have tried to get more involvement in the games on Friday nights. “I’ve seen student sections as an opportunity to really change the way a game is going,” Cooks said. “I’m really proud of the work put in to making them so great this year.”
tyeshelton@tigertimesonline.com
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Sports highlights from the second grading period
OCTOBER STANDOUTS
Tennis is having a great year so far. They haven’t lost a district match and have only lost once in general which was against a 6A school. The seniors Ali Richter, Cullen Schoen and Zack Moore have done a phenomenal job leading
Golf
the team with all of the coaching changes. A lot of talent was lost when the seniors left last year but the new freshmen have been able to fill the shoes of the previous players sufficiently. They won their first two matches in their previous tournament.
Tennis
`Quentin Green, 12
Cross Country The team had their district meet on Oct. 19. Freshmen Owen Likins, Sophomore Anna Cree and junior Will Harrell are all both advancing to regionals with district finshes of first place, tenth place and eighth place respectively.
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Varsity has been struggling as of late because of their loss of top players from last year. Also, veteran golfer, junior Matt Prieskorn, hasn’t been doing as hot recently, but senior Zayne Madden has stepped up his game and is now the occupant of the No. 1 spot on varsity. Prieskorn is hoping to improve his game before the season ends.
Varsity Football
Varsity football continued their winning streak and are now 8-0 in district. Football hasn’t went past first round of playoffs for a few years, however, Devuntay Walker, 12 this team has massive potential.
Owen Likins, 9
Swim
Volleyball JV volleyball played Mt. Pleasant Oct. 14. Their overall record is 7-4 in district and varsity will be advancing into the playoffs. JV has finished off a successful season this year and will continue to work hard in offseason.
Cullen Schoen, 12
Haley Smith, 10 Compiled by Connor Brooks
Swim always has a phenomenal team every year and won their last meet in district. However, they recently competed against 6A schools in a different meet and didn’t rank in the top 10 places.
Cathryn Payne, 12
Photos by l. maynard, k. moreland, m. parish, r. sizemore and a. parker.
JV talent with varsity potential by Matt Prieskorn staff writer In a world where people are so focused on their reputations, the question becomes what are they willing to give up to get the title they want. In reality, the quest for the top job never stops, while the competition to get that job gets even more difficult. The same can be said for sports, where many star athletes shine for their respective sports. The chance to play on a varsity sport is an honor. However, with the competition so fierce, JV sports give kids the opportunity to prove themselves in hopes of one day making varsity. Many kids are put in the situation where they finally make varsity, but do not get to play as much as they hope. Does the varsity title and the perks that come with that trump the fact that playing time is minimal, or would that athlete rather be on JV and be able to keep competitive juices flowing in a real game? “I would probably rather play on JV
because I would not want to sit on the bench and watch my teammates play but be out on the court proving to my coach what I can do,” said junior Ben Goesl. “Sitting on the bench would make me lose energy and I would want to spend more time putting in hard work on the court. As the coach sees me play more, it gives him more opportunities to give me advice and help me improve as a player.” Another important perspective to figure out is one of a freshman, as most of the time he/she make the freshman team and have no experience on JV or varsity. “I would choose JV because I would get to play a lot and be with my close friends,” freshman Cayden Bennett said. “It would be really cool to be on varsity but not getting to play as much takes the fun away from baseball.” Taking advantage of the most playing time is important for young athletes. They want their chance to shine on the biggest stage, but in the meantime, many are content with being on JV if it gives them the
opportunity to prove what they are made of. “I want to be out there playing as much as I can, being an asset to my team,” sophomore Garrett Burks said. “Playing on JV gives me the chance to prove myself, and coaches see more of what I can do.” Although many athletes make varsity and have little amounts of playing time, some try to make the most of it. “Being on varsity is great,” junior Mason Shoalmire said. “I have to put in a lot of work, and even though I do not get much playing time on the field, I find ways to contribute. I play scout team for defense to help the starters know what they are up against. I think being on varsity is much more beneficial for me than JV.” Even though not playing as much on varsity may turn away some, many athletes, like Shoalmire, take advantage of every chance they have to contribute to the team and make sure preparations for each game are as successful as possible. mattprieskorn@tigertimesonline.com
k. moreland
HEAVY HITTER Mason Shoalmire blocks defenders to keep his quaterback from being sacked.
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
entertainment
Fashion and Follies
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Every senior has looked forward to this day since they first walked the halls of high school. As freshmen, they dreamt of what hilarious costume they would wear for the Feast and Follies tradition. Now, it’s less than a week away and you have no idea what you want to wear. This is the perfect place to get inspiration for your Middle Age garb and, ultimately, a good grade. compiled by Ricky Cooks/in-depth editor
The Nun Okay, sure–she’s not the most holy character in Canterbury Tales (ironically), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress as her. The Nun is fun, interesting and sure to get some attention. Tunic: A green t-shirt Pants: Black leggings or khakis Shoes: Brown boots Accessories: Bow and arrows, a brown belt
The Jester Although he’s not from Canterbury Tales, he’s funny, fallible and everything in between–the Jester is a great character to spread some joy and and good times.
Dress: Grab a large sheet, get some scissors and maybe even some sewing needles. Look up an easy DIY tutorial and get your dress. Alternatively, it’s an easy purchase from stores that sells costumes. Shoes: Flats (nothing too scandalous, of course) Accessories: Hairband, bling
Black robe: Black sheet, long-sleeved black shirt Habit: White bandana and black pillow case Accessories: Feel free to add a black belt, black boots or even some jewelry to reflect the Nun’s materialistic ways in the story.
The Yeoman This green-clad outdoorsman is valiant, skilled and overall a simple character to dress up as. He’s a little prided on his accomplishments, but he’s easy to emulate for the big celebration. Fool’s Hat: Jester hat (purchase from a store or make from foam) Shirt/Tunic: Oversized sweater with crazy designs Pants: Khakis or leggings
TIP: It might be best to purchase this costume from a store, but it’s definitely worth wearing.
The Lady My fair lady is a simpler medieval character to dress up as. She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s Miss–you get the point. Show your elegance and status as this wealthy maid. photos by m. bonner
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oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
AN UNETHNICAL DILEMMA Cultural appropriation is societal problem BY RAGA JUSTIN editor in chief So you’re a diehard Katy Perry fan. You’ve got tickets to the upcoming American Music Awards, where Perry will open with a new song, and of course you’re psyched because this is Katy Perry, and you’ve loved her with a fervor bordering on worship for a long time. This song, in particular, is called “Unconditionally”, a lovesick plea from a woman to her beloved, vowing to take him/her exactly as they are, no questions asked. Which is all well and good, until you factor in the accompanying get-up: a Japanese-inspired, geisha-like ensemble, and lots and lots of submissive bowing.
COMMONLY MISUSED SYMBOLS Zia Sun Symbol- A sacred symbol used by the Zia tribe of New Mexico to welcome newborns Hasma Hand- A symbol of Arabic decent that is used for magical protection from evil
The performance was ordinary, the backlash anything but. Angry viewers accused Perry of basically playing up the idea of the “typical” docile, sexually submissive Asian, and, right on its heels, cultural appropriation–a weighty word at a time when the conceptual overhaul of political correctness has everyone rethinking what they say and the way in which they say it. Cultural appropriation, for those of you woefully in the dark, is an idea composed of two definitions. The first is the most basic: the “taking”, without consent, of certain aspects of a culture. But that shouldn’t be a problem, right? After all, globalization works both ways, and everyone’s culture is bound to get flung around by someone not inherently of that group at some point. Our increasing interconnectivity has made that the unavoidable outcome–which is not necessarily a bad thing. The problem
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arises when the culture being stolen from, so to speak, is one that has been historically oppressed, and the thieves the group that did the oppressing. Perry isn’t the only entertainer to come under fire for cultural appropriation, either. Miley Cyrus, with her infamous twerking at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, was heavily criticized for what was deemed an insensitive emulation of black women, something the Guardian’s Hadley Freeman summed up as “a young wealthy woman from the south doing a garish imitation of black music and reducing black dancers to background fodder and black women to exaggerated sex objects.” Black culture, intertwined with America in the way that it is, has arguably fallen victim to appropriation more so than other cultures, starting from Elvis and continuing on to the Kardashians. Before the “King of Rock
of the 23 people who responded on Twitter said it was offensive for people who did not know what a religious symbol meant to wear it
& Roll” found fame with a single cover of Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right”, he listened to predominantly black artists, which heavily influenced his music and yet never received attribution. Now, the Kardashians sport cornrows and grills, and are lauded for their fullfigured bodies and big lips–physical traits that black women have been looked down upon for years. Plenty more examples abound, from Karlie Kloss’s Native American headdress at the 2012 Victoria’s Secret fashion show to Selena Gomez’s fascination with bindis. The thing is, entertainment is enriched by the use of deeply-rooted cultural traditions, which give art meaning beyond the pure superficial. But the important thing for artists to remember is that the line between homage and disrespect is a fine one– and they tread accordingly. ragajustin@tigertimesonline. com
82%
of the 23 people who responded on Twitter said it was not offensive for someone who knows what a religious symbol means to wear it
APPROPRIATION VS. APPRECIATION Religious symbols should not be part of today’s fashion trends BY KATIE DUSEK staff writer Bracelets. Necklaces. Shirts. Rings. Posters. House decorations. It’s everywhere. Recently there has been a fad sweeping the newer generation: people using religious symbols as fashion statements rather than their actual purpose. People use symbols from Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist cultures because they are aesthetically pleasing. It is not uncommon to see a person wearing a Hamsa shirt or Yin Yang earrings, and when asked about what they are wearing the usual response is “I don’t know,” or “I just liked the way it looked.” It is not that people are purposefully trying to make fun of any religion or mean any disrespect when wearing
their symbols. It’s that they are usually uneducated about what they have on their bodies. The problem with this way of thinking is that each religious symbol holds significance for that certain religion. As much as people hate to admit it, symbols have weight. The people who bear these symbols blindly do not understand the implications of appropriating a whole culture of people. One common emblem people often sport is a Hamsa or Hamesh. It is depicted as an open right hand palm with an eye in the middle. It originated as an ancient Muslim symbol of protection from the evil eye. Today, people wear it in all types of ways without knowing its true meaning. Recently on social media, Kylie Jenner posted pictures of herself wearing a
Muslim hijab as a decorative headpiece. When someone who has millions of followers does something like this, it perpetuates that it is okay to steal cultural and religious symbols from other people and use them to “look cute.” In many parts of the world, people are judged or even harmed for wearing hijabs. However, when a wealthy, white person wears it, it suddenly becomes “trendy.” Buddha has been used for many years as a symbol for peace and harmony. Although Buddhism is not recognized as a religion, it is still a culture of people that uses Buddha as a spiritual leader to base their lives around. Using Buddha to decorate houses has swept the nation. Statues of him can be found in fountains, wall art is plastered with his face, he is even used as a candle holder.
It’s not only non-Christian symbols that people misuse on a daily basis. Rosary beads are also commonly worn around the neck as an establishment of Christianity. However, each bead on the rosary represents a particular prayer. In the Catholic community, rosaries are a strong symbol of reflection and dedication to their faith. By wearing these beads as jewelry, it demeans those of the Catholic faith who are devoted to their practice. Religious symbols hold weight to the group of people who believe in them. They should not be used as a way to be “eye catching” or “cute.” Religious symbols should be used as a way to unite the people of that faith and show the religious traditions the people hold close to their hearts. They aren’t fashion. katiedusek@tigertimesonline.com
oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
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entertainment
Pumpkin up the partynow BY Colton Johnson feature editor
It’s that time of the year again. Despite the bipolar Texas weather, fall is in the air. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back on the menu, leaves are beginning to fall and, if we’re lucky, a chill is on its way. But what truly defines the fall season? Halloween, and nothing screams Halloween like a spooky pumpkin on your doorstep. This is your year to impress your neighbors and scare the little trick-or-treaters. Just follow these simple steps to carve the perfect pumpkin. coltonjohnson@tigertimesonline.com
STEP 1: Picking the Perfect Pumpkin
The best pumpkins are usually not the ones on display at your local Albertson’s. No, grocery stores hide the top notch pumpkins just out of reach in those tall crates which seem to be a bottomless pit of pumpkins. One must be willing to put in the work, and quite possibly subject themselves to public humiliation in order to snatch up the flawless pumpkins with sturdy stems and a hard outer shell.
Tip: If you thump the pumpkin and it makes a
hollow sound, that means it is ripe and ready for use. Also, don’t turn down a pumpkin just because it has a little dirt on it. You must be able to see past the dirt because it can easily be wiped off. That ugly duckling will become a goose when you are finished with it, so give it a chance.
STEP 4: Designing
If you are a beginner, it would probably be easier to carve the traditional jacko’-lantern (two triangle eyes, a spooky mouth, and if you’re really feeling like going all out, give it a nose). For those of you who don’t trust yourself to make it perfect on the first try, make life easier and just draw your designs on the pumpkin with a Sharpie or a washable marker. For those who are not artistically inclined, there are many websites (www.pumpkinlady.com) that have pumpkin carving templates that you can print off, paste on your pumpkin, and then easily carve around.
Tip: Before you begin carving and gutting, it is
important to know that pumpkins usually begin rotting about a week and a half after carving, so if you want them to be picture perfect for Halloween, keep your time frame in mind. I have seen and smelled a rotten pumpkin before, and it is enough to scare away any possible trick-or-treaters you are trying to attract.
STEP 2: Cut out
a Lid to Prepare for Operation
This is tricky so be careful or you and your pumpkin could suffer from a mild panic attack. Using a black sharpie, draw a circle with a 2 inch radius around the stem of your pumpkin. Pick a sharp knife from your kitchen to cut around the circle you just made. Make sure not to cut vertically, but instead cut at an angle with the knife pointed toward the center of the pumpkin. This will ensure that your lid does not fall through.
STEP 3: Operation
Spread newspapers on the sidewalk so you can dispose of the pumpkin guts easily, leaving no trace of evidence. Grab a spoon, or if you are really looking to get the full pumpkin carving experience, get your hands dirty, and pretend you are Meredith Grey doing surgery on a patient if you want to spice up your pumpkin gutting gore fest.
Tip: If you want to take the time to separate the guts
would gladly steal them if you leave them outside.
and the seeds, you can roast them. Douse a cup and a half of pumpkin seeds in 2 tablespoons of melted butter and mix in a pinch of salt in a bowl. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees then bake the seeds for 45 minutes or until they turn golden brown. (Would recommend washing the seeds first... that might taste weird if you don’t).
STEP 5: Carving
STEP 6: Put a little
Tip: Be careful– knives are sharp, and killer clowns
Take your handy dandy knife and carefully cut on the lines that you made to design your pumpkin. Slow and steady wins the race on this one to avoid unfortunate events such as stabbing yourself, or more importantly, ruining your pumpkin. Silhouette carvings make for show-stopping pumpkins. For instance, if you drew the silhouette of a cat on your pumpkin, you would carve around the cat so that the light would illuminate around your spooky feline. Even though it is pretty simple, your neighbors will think you’re an expert just because it is something different.
candle in the center of your pumpkin and let your masterpiece shine for the world. Tip: If one candle isn’t enough, don’t be afraid to
put more in there so they may all shine together. You could also purchase lights if the candles are not putting out enough light for you. Another cool idea would be to fill your pumpkin with Christmas lights and cut out a small hole in the back to feed the lights through so you could plug it in.
Tip: If you are doing a detailed design and cut
too close to a section you have already carved or accidentally cut too far, pieces may fall off your pumpkin. If this happens don’t panic, you can try and fix this by sticking toothpicks into the broken pieces and salvaging them. Do not give up on that pumpkin.
Compiled by Katie Biggar and Colton Johnson Illustrations by Colton Johnson
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35
oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
WHAT’S TRENDING FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
PERCENT of the 40 students surveyed watched the season premiere of The Walkng Dead on Oct. 23.
READ IT “‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.’ I think it’s popular because it has very intriguing characters, and they constantly switch attitudes. You can never really expect what’s coming next. It’s also about a home for peculiar children that aren’t human, like an invisible boy or the girl who can conjure up fire from her hands. The book has an interesting character development and it’s very new to the block.”
TRY IT
“I think people should try to listen to more classical music. Studies have shown that if you listen to classical music, you can focus better and it helps your brain overall. What attracts me to classical music is the peace that comes over me while I listen to it. It’s comfort music for me.” DAKOTA KING, 10
BREANNA FLATT, 9
WEAR IT “A popular item to wear that I think everyone likes is Converse. They go with everything, and Converse come in different neutral colors. Plus, they’re really easy to slip on in the morning.” SHAE REID, 12
“‘American Horror Story’ is entertaining and every season is different. You never know what to expect on each season. Plus, it gives you a chilling vibe.” -Oli Lewis, 9
WATCH IT
“‘Heathens’ by Twenty one pilots. I really like the song ‘Heathens’ and how it starts out and there are several different points where the tempo changes. I also have watched the movie the song was made for.”
“I have a favorite TV show called ‘Big Brother.’ It’s a competition where people go into a big house and compete for half a million dollars. Each week somebody gets evicted and a jury ultimately decides who wins. I like the thought of not knowing because the contestants don’t know if they’re being lied to. They don’t know who to trust, so the element of surprise within the show I enjoy.”
HOUSTON HART, 11
BRAIDEN BROWN, 10
LISTEN TO IT
50
PERCENT of the 60 students surveyed have heard of the TV show “American Horror Story.” photos by m. bonner compiled by Thalia Hawkins and Victoria Van
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community
oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
Need a
Weekend Getaway? Vacation Rentals in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
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community
oct. 28, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com
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