Tiger Times Sept. 2016

tigertimes Sept. 29, 2016 ∙ Vol. 56, Issue 1 texas high school

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hey ignore the flutters in their stomach, the little hints of movement that leave them nauseated and miserable. They lean on cold ceramic tiles and tell themselves that it’s just a bug, that it’ll pass.

But the thing is, it won’t.

And for the next nine months, those girls–the same ones who, before this happened, wanted nothing more than to turn 16, 17, 18, to experience high school with friends–will be forced to confront a world they haven’t been prepared for with any amount of schooling.

It’s happened to your classmates.

Your friends.

It’s no longer a surprise to see a baby bump or two on the way to class. How do students deal with the challenges parenthood brings?

>page 14 Texas High School • 4001 Summerhill Road, Texarkana, TX 75503 • tigertimesonline.com graphic by l. maynard

2 AROUND the

WHAT TO watchFOR

CORNER

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DOLLARS AND SPENCE

TODAY School will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. today for parent/teacher conferences.

TUESDAY Club pictures will be taken in the multipurpose building.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY Goldbeck Company will be selling the senior panoramic pictures during lunches. A large laminated picture will be $25. A large and one medium laminated picture will be $35.

Get to know AP Microeconomics teacher Angela Spence.

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A JOURNEY ALONE

Junior has not lived in a permanent residence since 2009.

MORE THAN JUST A DREAM

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DREAM program gives students opportunities to develop leadership skills.

PRACTICE DRONES ON

Football replaces old practice cameras with drone technology.

OCT. 17 The homecoming court will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

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STAY CONNECTED

WAVE OF THE FUTURE

Virtual Reality is the newest trend in technology.

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LOVING AN ABUSER

Sophomore speaks about how domestic abuse has impacted her and her family.

snapchat: thspublications instagram: thsstudentmedia twitter: @thsstudentmedia facebook: THS Publications

#YellowForMayten

photo by k. moreland

Classmates show support for injured senior

by Ricky Cooks indepth editor No one could have anticipated that this weekend would be different than all the rest. No one could have known what would happen to senior Mayten Lumpkin after he performed a simple dive on a Saturday afternoon.

While swimming at a friend’s house on Sept. 17, Lumpkin dived into the shallow end of the pool, leading to him hitting his head at the bottom, compressing his neck and shattering his vertebrae in three different locations.

“I guess the angle he went in, the water shifted his direction straight down,” senior Connor Anderson said. “Instead of gliding out, he hit straight with the top of his head.”

Lumpkin, unable to move from the neck down, was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Frightened by the unfortunate accident, his friends that witnessed the event were unsure of his status and how bad his condition was.

“Connor [Anderson] was supporting his back and Rachel [Sorenson] was supporting his head,” junior Jera Davis said.

“He couldn’t feel anything from

his collarbones down and we all thought he was going to die with us holding onto him.”

Lumpkin went into an extensive surgery the next day to remove pressure from his spine. He was airlifted to Dallas for the procedure, and it was a general success.

According to a Facebook post Monday from Mayten’s mother, Missy Lumpkin, “Y’all, he’s sitting up! He’s not having too much discomfort. His [blood pressure] is doing good! Those prayers, guys, they are working!”

Lumpkin’s friends and family have showed constant support on social media and on campus.

SHOW OF SUPPORT A group of students pose for a picture wearing yellow to encourage their classmate, Mayten Lumpkin. Lumpkin was injured in a diving accident Sept. 17.

Students decided to wear yellow–the color of Lumpkin’s truck– Sept. 19 to encourage a quick and speedy recovery. “[Mayten and I] have been friends for the longest time, and I just wanted to make sure he knows how much he is loved throughout Texas High,” senior

Karlee Post said. “I wanted to do a huge picture of all of us [wearing yellow] to literally bring light to his situation. supporting him.”

Lumpkin has regained muscle function in his arms and his family remains hopeful for a similar recovery in his legs.

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sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

Projecting Success Student Council introduces class project dynamic

A LOOK BACK Students attended “The Kickback,” a Thirst Project fundraising even held at Skate America during the summer. The dance raised more than $1,500. submitted photos

by RICKY COOKS/indepth editor & JAY WILLIAMSON/sports editor In the eyes of Student Council, volunteer work is necessary to build well-rounded students. Collectively, the group spends over 12,000 hours helping others. This year, however, the club aims to put more student initiative in their work, giving members specific goals to obtain by the end of the year. Thus, the class projects were created. Each grade level has a certain organization or charity that the officers have chosen to support financially.

SENIORS

Carrying over their fundraiser from the previous school year, the senior class is supporting the Thirst Project, a charity aimed at providing clean drinking water to people in underdeveloped countries.

“We took this project under our wing after representatives from the Thirst Project came to one of our StuCo meetings last year,” senior class vice president Ali Richter said. “Millions of people suffer from the lack of a clean water source, and that’s something you don’t usually think about. We want people to be aware of this problem and be proactive to help it not be an issue anymore.”

So far, the seniors have taken on several projects over the past eight months to reach their $12,000 goal to build a well in Swaziland. They have involved the school and the Texarkana community in their fundraiser.

“It started off with a ‘Pledge Day’ where we challenged people to either reduce their water usage for a day or donate $5. We got a lot of donations,” senior class president Raga Justin said. “At the end of the summer, Skate America decided to host a dance for Thirst Project called ‘The Kickback.’ That raised over $1,500, so we’re excited about the future of this fundraiser. We want our class to leave a legacy.”

The seniors have currently raised $5,100 for their goal and have many events planned for the school year.

JUNIORS

The Texas Association of Student Councils tasked schools across the state to support Donate Life Texas, an organization that spreads awareness about organ and tissue donation. The

DROP IN THE BUCKET At a StuCo meeting last year, senior Marjorie Slimer, sophomore Grace McGuire and sophomore Guillermo Pass-Robles donated to Thirst Project. file photo

junior class will be informing students about registering in order to donate their organs.

“I think the junior project is opening the eyes of not only the juniors but everyone around school about how important organ transplants are,” junior class treasurer Morgan Cook said. “We don’t want organ donation to sound so negative, as if it’s only about death. We are able to spread the word of how much of an impact it can have on others’ lives.”

The junior officers have been planning presentations for Donate Life Texas and expect to host a community-wide Registration Drive in the near future.

They have also been organizing a “Speedball” tournament for the school, which is a sport they describe as a combination of football, basketball and soccer. The funds raised from the tournament will go toward their organization.

SOPHOMORES

The Texarkana Humane Society is a local charity that focuses on the wellbeing of pets in the area. The sophomore class officers decided to support this organization through a project called “Tug-A-Tee.” “We’re basically getting everyone to meet up and bring old T-shirts, and then we’ll tie them up into chew toys for dogs in the shelter,” sophomore class copresident Nick Graves said. “We chose

it because that’s a really local issue that everyone could easily help with. It doesn’t take much to donate an old shirt.”

The sophomores plan to begin working by the end of this month and ask that students deliver old T-shirts to Student Council sponsor Susan Waldrep’s room, or Room 23.

“I hope from this project our class can gain understanding of what’s going on with the stray animals in our community,” sophomore class vice president Sarah Jane this, but we plan on trying to contact a company that provides an air conditioner Paddock said. “I also hope this will be a united effort throughout the tenth grade.” and try to make a deal,” Borowitz said.

“It’s opened all of the officers’ eyes to FRESHMEN the huge need that is out there in the Founded in 1993, the Randy Sams’ community.”

Outreach Shelter was founded to serve StuCo members are excited to try Texarkana’s “hungry, poor and homeless.” a new way of impacting others in the Even before entering high school, the community. They look forward to a good freshmen officers were ready to work in year full of positive experiences and order to raise money for the shelter. enlightened viewpoints.

“It was shocking to find out that “Hopefully, all the different projects will [Randy Sams’] didn’t have an air have a great impact on StuCo because conditioning unit,” freshman class it’ll get the freshmen involved, [even president Hollan Borowitz said. though]they don’t get the responsibilities “We want the people in there to be of juniors and seniors,” Waldrep said. comfortable, and since they don’t get that “Having these grade level projects will any other time, we want them to have it make each class accountable for a major there.” event, and hopefully by April or May, The class plans on doing multiple [the projects will be] finished and [the fundraisers throughout the year, a few of students]can see all the hard work that which include coordinating with Dash they’ve accomplished.” for Cash and hosting a community water rickycooks@tigertimesonline.com balloon fight. jaywilliamson@tigertimesonline.com “Really, we just started looking into

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sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

Peering into the future Scheduling issues result in change for peer coaching class

BY ALI RICHTER copy editor The peer coaching program is all about making differences in young childrens’ lives. The peer coaches of Texas High have been acting as mentors for young and impressionable students.

However, scheduling changes among schools has made this goal difficult for the peer coaching class.

The students in the peer coaching class last year were assigned to work with a first- and second- grader from Theron Jones Elementary School, and many were touched by the experience.

“I noticed a definite growth in both of the children I mentored,” alumna Kaitlyn Krause said. “It impacted me so much as a senior that I changed my major from nursing to education.”

Due to the previous year’s test scores at Theron Jones, school officials decided they should focus more closely on improving the students’ scores. Peer coaching

visits would cut into their prime time of learning, as it would take place in their reading and math classes.

“I can completely understand why we can’t pull [students from Theron Jones] out,” senior Piper Spaulding said. “The point of peer coaching is to help the kid, and if we’re pulling them out at a bad time then we’re not helping them.

Our group this year is being flexible and working for the kids instead of getting upset because we can’t go to one specific school.”

Despite the change from last year, peer coaching will still continue, just at different schools.

“Right now we’re backing up and trying to see how we can benefit other campuses,” peer coaching adviser Lana Moore said. “Since this is an issue, maybe we can adjust our class period for next year so we can serve more kids. Theron Jones is our target campus, [and] we still want to do something to support them.

That’s where we want to be.”

The class has grown in size,

and more kids across a couple of campuses can be reached through peer coaching.

“With the amount of kids in the class, we will be able to reach about 70 kids this year,” Moore said. “Right now we have Highland Park, Wake Village and Morriss on board if we need them. We are hoping we can work things out with Theron Jones though.”

If anything, Spaulding said peer coaching students provided a support system for the children.

“We act like personal cheerleaders for the kids throughout the year,” Spaulding said. “We have kids who have bad home situations and so we were their encouragement that they weren’t getting at home.

We helped them a lot with schoolwork, but we also did several fun activities to help them get their mind off of what might be going on at home. Whenever there was a problem, they knew they could talk to us about it.” alirichter@tigertimesonline.com

photo by p. spaulding

MENTORING MOMENTS During her peer coaching class this year, junior Mollie White helps student with reading at Wake Village Elementary School. Due to scheduling conflicts, peer coaching students are unable to serve the Theron Jones campus this year.

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

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news

More than Just a DREAM New program readies students for life outside of high school

photo by k. moreland

BY JOHN MORGAN staff writer A new program has been introduced on campus that is like no other. This club, the DREAM program, will give students the opportunity to learn new life skills while preparing them for success in higher education.

Dedication and Responsibility Encourages Ambition and Motivation (DREAM) will provide support and service for students with major emphasis on community service and college and career readiness.

Over the course of the year, members will be molded and crafted into young adults who are ready to tackle the real world. Through service and action, they hope to have a positive influence on campus.

“Our goals are for students to increase academic achievement, increase community involvement and enhance leadership skills,” instructor Brittney Brookes said. “We’re brand new and in our pilot year, but in my opinion, I think DREAM will be an exciting after school program.”

The DREAM program is holding a kickoff celebration on Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. to start off the year.

There will be food, music and games for students to participate in.

“It'll pretty much be one big meet-and-greet and social,” Brookes said. “Members will do the jelly bean challenge, another game called ’Swallow Your Fears’ and other activities that will start off in a fun way.”

Throughout the year, members will use curriculum from the Chick-fil-a Leader Academy. Some of the lessons include servant leadership, financial literacy, time management, and the course, “Is College for Me?” “This program in general will be a chance to better myself,” senior Richard Hunter said. “It’ll help teach myself and others how to handle things in the real world that we couldn't have done before.”

The club also serves as a teen mentorship program.

Community members and local college students will guide a small group with one member from each grade level and serve as a resource for positive solutions and support. Students will benefit from individual and small group relationships with community leaders and those around them.

Community service will be a main focus of DREAM as well. Throughout the year, students will come up with

Getting READY DREAM instructor Brittney Brookes explains to students the goals and benefits of the program. Members will begin to ready themselves for opportunities after they graduate.

many projects that will benefit the community including ‘Do Good December’ and the Impact Project in May. Whether it’s providing blankets for elders at a nursing home or hosting a special prom for senior citizens, the club’s works will be appreciated by many.

“I hope to see students interact with people that they wouldn't normally interact with,” Brookes said. “A lot of the lessons and activities will cause members to connect with people in the school and community that they never would have talked to before.”

The new club took advantage of social media and made some buzz in the summer with its Instagram page, @texashighdream. From contests to daily reminders, the page has played a role in spreading the word about new opportunities.

“I didn’t know what the club was at first,” sophomore Eryn McDonald said, “but then I found out through Instagram that they’re going to help [students] with

many life skills that we’ll need down the road.”

Weekly meetings will occur every Tuesday after Oct. 4 from 4-5 p.m. until May 26. In all, there will be 28 meetings throughout the course of the school year.

Students will eat after the meetings, and transportation will be provided if necessary.

“We’re going to have an exciting time this year,” Brookes said. “This will be a program that will be different than many, but it’ll definitely be a lot of fun.”

To join the DREAM program, one must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, have no disciplinary issues and maintain a 90 percent attendance rate at meetings for the year. The program will accept 120 students in all with 30 from each grade.

“The program itself is nothing more than a dream,” Hunter said, “but we’ll still be working hard and striving to benefit ourselves for the future.” johnmorgan@tigertimesonline.com

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sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

Cheer tryouts spark questions about selection process

by ANNA CANNON editor in chief After the junior varsity cheerleading squad moved up to varsity because of what officials have said was an error in the tryout process, it is uncertain as to how it will impact other school organizations with selection processes. It is likely, however, that entire tryout system will be reviewed.

“The tryout process for any organization will be evaluated and strengthened to ensure that all students who wish to participate will have expectations communicated and actions of the tryout recorded in an accurate and efficient manner,” Principal Brad Bailey said.

Bailey said that after reviewing cheerleading tryouts, there were some flaws discovered in the system that affected which squad some of the cheerleaders were placed on.

Bailey said cheer sponsor Courtney Waldrep recommended moving the JV squad up to varsity to remedy this.

Waldrep did not reply to emails for comment.

Each cheerleader will be required to try out for the pep rally dance.

“Courtney asked us at camp if we wanted to start trying out for pep rallies, and we all thought it would be a good idea,” varsity captain Marley Crawford said. “I think it makes people work harder because they don’t just assume that they’re going to make the dance or the cheer. If you made varsity or JV, you should be confident enough in yourself to make the dance.”

Superintendent Paul Norton said he hopes the team will look at the positive aspects of the situation.

“I think that’s the whole goal, doing what’s best, No. 1 for the girls, and N. 2 for the campus as a whole,” Norton said. “There are just so many positive things going on right now that you don’t want something like this to keep you from enjoying.”

The school is paying for new varsity uniforms for the girls who were formerly on JV. “The cost of the uniforms is being finalized but we are ensuring

all students who are on varsity have a cheerleading uniform,” Bailey said.

Cheer is one of the only sports that restricts students to a team based on grade level.

“As for other sports, they don’t consider grade,” junior Hannah Harrell said. “They just take the best players and stick them on varsity. I see it as being an equal chance just like every other sport.”

However, Bailey said he anticipates the cheer squads to go back to normal next year.

“In the spring, we will have a tryout process as we do each year,” Bailey said, “and will have a freshmen, JV and varsity squad from those tryouts.”

The flaws in the cheer tryouts have caused administration to look harder at tryouts across all sports.

“I do not see this affecting any of our tryout processes across the campus in a negative way,” Bailey said. “As we move forward, this will help us ensure our procedures we have in place are effective and fair for all involved.” annacannon@tigertimesonline.com

UNDER SCRUTINY The change in the teams has caused administrators to look more closely at other tryouts.

photo by e. meinzer

sept. 29, 2015 • tigertimesonline.com

community

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editorial

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

tiger times

Not just a

Texas High School 4001 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX (903) 794-3891 Fax (903) 792-8971

in the road School needs more prevention programs, support for teen parents

YOUR TURN to sound off

How should schools react to instances of teen pregnancy?

Meghan Harris, 11 “I think that they should start a class during enrichment for people who are pregnant or just had a kid because a lot of people don’t know what to do. There could be other options out there for them.”

“Teen pregnancy seems to have a negative impact on education. It stunts educational growth, and schools should really educate students on the importance of learning over getting pregnant.”

Jebin Justin, 9

“I think that they should have sex education programs to help the girls and boys because it’s not just the girls [that are involved].

It’s also the guys.

They should be more informed about [sex] because they just go and try it out. Most of the time they don’t know what’s going on. They don’t protect themselves the right way.”

Isidro Hernandez, 12

illustration by c. johnson

A girl clicking through the channels lands on a scene of a young, happy girl in a white dress standing in front of a young, happy man in a tux with a young, happy toddler giggling between them.

It all seems so glamorous– the flowers, the dress, the child.

With a wide-eyed view of the screen before her, she thinks of how perfect their lives seem.

A girl scurries through the halls, head down, arms crossed over a small bulge.

A bulge that to some seems insignificant– a small weight gain.

But with a watery view of the blurring concrete below her, she knows that little bump will soon be so much more.

On-screen, young girls with baby bumps are viewed as glamorous, cool.

Off-screen, teen pregnancy is condemned and viewed as the end of the mother’s life as she knows it.

These two extremes are plaguing the nation’s youth with either envy and disgust, with no room in the middle for the truth.

Teen pregnancy is now a common occurrence in high schools, including our own. However, even though the amount of children being born to our own classmates is rising, it seems our understanding of the situation itself remains at a standstill.

Having a child in high school is not all fun and games that television shows like Teen Mom make it out to be. It creates an inevitable change in the lives of all involved, whether they realize it or not.

While Instagram often conveys the idea of a “picture-perfect” situation, the thoughts of those scrolling through in relation to the

child stop at “awh.”

They don’t realize that work goes into balancing raising a child and completing high school. They don’t smell the diaper changes or get woken up by crying in the middle of the night.

However, that does not mean that becoming a parent at a young age confines one to a life of regret. Teen parents, with the right support, can continue to pursue successful careers and establish a happy, healthy home for their child.

But this is not the norm.

In reality, 50 percent of teen mothers qualify and receive welfare within the first year after they give birth, and over 50 percent of these mothers fail to graduate high school.

Eighty-nine percent of teenage parents are unmarried, meaning that more often than not, their children grow up in single-parent homes, less financially stable than they would be with a both parental figures present.

Children raised under these conditions are statistically proven to be more susceptible to continuing this cycle.

While there are exceptions to these situations, they are few and far between.

Implementations of a better sex education would inform students of the risks and ways to prevent teen pregnancy.

With that being said, the school should also offer more outlets for teen parents to receive support and counseling for their current situation.

However, while we should support and not ostracize those who know the reality of teen pregnancy, the ultimate goal is to prevent it altogether so that we can eliminate the statistics for good.

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. 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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sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

Loving an abuser brings mixed emotions Sophomore moves past family history of abuse My smile on a sunny afternoon in Central Park, Chicago. The tears upon her cheeks as fear drew closer on her face.

The way he would push me on the tire swing as the wind blew through my hair. The way he would push and beat her down until her body was broken and bruised.

He would buy me freshly cut watermelon, Chinese food and pizza. She would be locked in a room for days without food or water.

I would often hear him say, “I love you, daughter.” But my mom never heard those words come out of my father’s mouth directed toward her, not even once. It was hard for me to believe that my father was capable of causing my mother so much hurt and trauma when all he ever showed me was love and concern.

Emotional, physical and verbal abuse has always been a

THE FAMILY I NEVER HAD

by JHOVANY PEREZ staff writer

“I left it all behind to get a better education, jobs for my parents, and overall just a better lifestyle– but the bitter cost was losing my family.

photo by m. bonner

BY MISTY LOPEZ staff writer

main issue for the women in my family. Not only has my mother been abused, but my grandma and my four aunts have been as well.

My grandfather once pulled a knife out on my grandmother when she was pregnant, threatening to kill her and the baby in front of all their other kids, including my mom. He abused my grandma her whole life, until he died in 2001.

That is why I believe that my mother and aunts put up with so much because, when growing

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up, that’s all they ever knew.

Out of all of them, my mother stopped the abuse the quickest.

She lived with my abusive father for 10 years and was abused from the first month they were together. Many nights he would come home drunk and mistreat her. He was never really there for to support her finacially or just in an esteem of love.

When she was pregnant with my oldest brother, my father thought it wasn’t his, and his rage grew. He never treated her right during her pregnancy.

ears streamed down my face as my mom tucked my brother and me in a car. As we drove away uncertainty hit me.

Will I see my mother again?

Why do I have to leave?

Where is my father?

Why is she not getting in the car with us? Why is she crying? Everything was just a surreal blur.

I remember being in the car for hours, sobbing. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to anyone. On that day everything was a puzzle, but now I see why we had to leave everything behind.

I left it all behind to get a better education, jobs for my parents, and overall just a better lifestyle– but the bitter cost was losing my family.

The day before I left, I remember being in the fields herding sheep with my cousins, and we would run around with sticks yelling at the sheep. I would always be the one to herd the least amount of sheep because I was the youngest.

Afterward we would always go for a swim in any river on the way back to my house.

The entire time I was in Mexico with my family feels like a dream; everything felt so free. There wasn’t as much stress, and no one there was materialistic. We all cared for each other and lived in peace

When she finally had the baby, my father took him without her consent to get a DNA test done.

After finding out the baby was his, he took care of my mother and tried to make her love him, but she eventually left him.

Why hadn’t she left him before? When my mother came to America with him, she did so without knowing English, having money or an education.

Escaping him was one of the most difficult, yet brave things she ever did.

She was pregnant with me before she left him, so I never lived with them through the abuse.

My mother tried to hide it from me, but finally at the age of 10 she told me everything.

I remember feeling hopeless and betrayed at the fact that my father didn’t seem like the man she spoke of. So I asked my siblings, and they all said the same thing.

The man that would give me so much love and has never once laid a finger on me treated my mother like she was worth nothing.

People sometimes wonder

with one another.

My whole family lived in the same area, and most of the houses didn’t even have doors; we were all so open with each other, but that all changed the day I left. I have been separated from most of my family for a little less than a decade. I didn’t really pay attention to it when I was younger, but now I notice my life is different compared to my peers.

They see most of their relatives on Christmas, Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July and other major holidays; meanwhile I don’t really have the same big celebrations they do. I never get to see my relatives besides the few that are here.

In a sense, I feel detached from most of my peers since they always come back from breaks saying things like, “Look what my grandparents got me,” “My aunt made this for Christmas dinner,” and all I have to say in response is “Cool.” I having nothing to relate their experiences to. It has impacted my life different ways.

I have never truly been close to anyone until this year, and I have always stayed in my little bubble. I was isolated from the world. I never had contact with any other people outside of my house because I was frightened by people. I wasn’t used to other people besides my dad, mom and

why I feel so strongly about the topic of abuse.

What they don’t know is that even though the abuse is over for almost all of the women in my family, the long term effects still linger.

Some days my mother has mental breakdowns, and other days she is simply unhealthy. I know she tries her best to be as positive as she can be, but there are times where she can’t hide how she really feels.

She and I currently get into many arguments, but I know that we still love each other.

Sometimes I feel like I’m the one to blame for everything that has happened, or that I can fix it, but I can’t.

Some days I want to call my dad and talk to him about making me feel the way I do, but what happened to them shouldn’t get to me.

I will be there for both of my parents no matter what. No matter how much hurt they have caused.

This feeling will last with me forever, but that’s what happens when you love an abuser. mistylopez@tigertimesonline.com

brother.

As a result, I never gained any friends and grew depressed over time. As a kid, I was very suicidal after I left Mexico because I thought no one cared for me.

I remember thinking to myself, “No one would even notice.” I thought I was alone in the world.

I never talked to anyone about it simply due to the fact that I had no one to talk to. My parents would have just shrugged it off and said to think of other things– happier thoughts.

After I faced the fact that I wasn’t going to see my family for a long time, I made friends that became the family I never had growing up.

They are evidence that friends truly become family, especially when you have no one to talk to or relate to.

My family has always been distant, but I have always had this desire deep inside me to get to know them better and to listen to their life story. I grew up completely differently from the rest of my friends. To me, my whole family is a mystery.

I might have not been given the opportunity to ever see them, but they will forever be a memory in the vastness of my life. jhovanyperez@tigertimesonline.com

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sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

FIGHTING THE PHOBIA France makes a splash as it bans swimsuit The word islamophobia gets tossed around, mostly in the form of a political force, more and more as the threat of terrorists groups hover closer over countries like the United States and France.

But this is not just a word; it is real and it BY maddie gerrald has beat down viewpoint editor the doors of Muslims in the form of hate crimes, discrimination and injustice.

Recently in France, 30 different French towns tried to ban a certain type of swimsuit, known as a burkini because it

covers most of the body and is worn in majority by Muslim women. The former French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, threw his full support behind the bans even though most bans were overturned, due to them being unconstitutional.

The people of France saw the swimsuits as a radical form of clothing, especially after the two recent terrorist attacks in France.

This act is one of racial stereotyping, which has been seeping into American soil since the terrorist attack on Sept. 11.

Shortly after, America fell into the Iraq war and the Taliban flooded into Afghanistan. The Iraq war also led into the rise of ISIS, which drew America

back into the picture in the Middle East. These conflicts cost us the lives of thousands of American soldiers, which caused resentment towards the Middle East and its people, specifically Muslims.

With the rise of Islamic driven terrorist groups, the fear of the religion and its people has begun to surge in America as well. Muslims are losing their lives because of the stereotype surrounding their religion and beliefs.

Most Americans are not even sure what they worship or how, only that it’s different from what they are familiar with.

Muslims are being grouped together with the extremists of their religion, but imagine if the

Beyond camouflage It’s important to be true to yourself regardless of parental influences I remember drowning in thick layers of camouflage that engulfed my lanky frame.

I remember the wisps of fog my breath emitted.

I remember the stench of deer urine lingering on my boots.

I remember my father covering my mouth with a scratchy scarf, muffling my words.

The only things left uncovered were my eyes, so that I could watch and mimic.

While hunting, you’re supposed to sit in silence. No questions. No moving around. You sit, you blend in and you listen. The only problem is that I was never very good at blending in.

At 2 years old, a bright-eyed boy with a dimpled smile fumbles around in his father’s enormous shoes- shoes he would someday be expected to fill.

At 5 years old, a bright-eyed boy with a proud, toothy smile brings home his first painting, only to be told that art was something girls did. And then came the baseball caps, and the football jersey and

the tall yellow socks. Layers upon layers of camouflage.

Blend in. Watch. Listen. This is what boys are supposed to do.

At 9 years old, a puffy, red-eyed boy sits, knees to his chest, with the name “quitter” taunting him in the back of his mind. He hated baseball. Before every game, he would say a prayer, pleading to God that his coach would let him just sit the bench.

But his dad told him that you never quit anything– no matter how much you hate it– because quitting one thing means quitting everything for the rest of your life.

At 12 years old, a wide-eyed boy, whose knees bounce nervously, twists the end of his shirt tightly. May 25, 2012.

The day everything could go wrong. The day of grey courthouse walls and grey stairs and grey emotions.

The day of the divorce.

At 13 years old, a bright-eyed boy with a bashful smile on his face listens as his new art teacher gives him praise for his

BAHRAINI WOMEN During the protests in Bahrain, witnesses say riot police have tried to disperse protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets. The clashes took place as officers attempted to stop people gathering for a major rally in the capital, Manama. Protests in Bahrain - Flickr - Al Jazeera English/ CC BY-SA 2.0

rest of America was grouped with ours. Christians could be grouped with Westboro Baptist Church or even the KKK, and political extremist groups such as the Black Panther Party and Communist Party of the United States. Every social, religious and political group have extremists, so why are we blaming all Muslims for theirs?

There are bigger problems in America than those concerning others’ religious practices, but the concept that the country’s biggest threat is Islamic extremism and that Muslims all over the world are potential terrorists makes it difficult to address problems that really matter. maddiegerrald@tigertimesonline.com

“I learned that I am worth more than the words that people say about me.

I know who I am, and I am proud of the person I have become. No one can take that away from me.”

by Colton johnson

feature editor drawing.

No more camouflage. No more hiding.

No more staying silent.

At 14 years old, a sleepy-eyed boy hugs his mom tight. He had stayed up all night painting to surprise her on her birthday. It was bright yellow and luminous, and she hung it proudly on the wall, among his other artworks, in her sunlit bedroom.

The darkness in that house had been replaced with golden petals, bright walls and breathable air.

At 16 years old, a boy paints four words on a canvas, “Better things to come”- not only for his future, but for his 12 year old self who asked the judge to live only with his mom. The judge ruled in his favor.

The day I started pursuing my own goals in life was the day my father and I started drifting apart. He wanted a hunter to wear his camouflage, and that was not who I was or ever wanted to be.

After the divorce, my father quit talking to me. I’m not sure if he gave up

or lost interest, but I do know that he broke his “golden rule” of never quitting.

After my father stopped talking to me, however, I started gaining confidence in myself. I worked on improving my art. I broke out of the quiet shell I had lived in for so long, which allowed me to befriend all the amazing people I have come to know. I learned that I am worth more than the words that people say about me.

I know who I am, and I am proud of the person I have become. No one can take that away from me.

After being separated from that negativity, I realized that this is my life.

It is the only life that I will get here on Earth, and I decided a long time ago, that I would choose the future I wanted for myself. I will do what makes me happy until the day that I die, and I will surround myself with people who make me happy as well.

In four years of silence, I have filled my life with every noise, every bright person and every color imaginable. coltonjohnson@tigertimesonline.com

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

community

11

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A

Courage, hope keep junior going on road to finding peace

by LOIS LEFORS staff writer With her head held high and forced composure strained across her rigid features, she makes her way down the aisle and shakily settles into a vacant seat at the back. The bus hums with life, yet she feels nothing but an overwhelming sense of emptiness at the pit of her stomach. She stretches herself precariously across the coarse blue cotton and tried not to think about the long trek ahead. “They’re just kidding,” she tells herself. “They’ll come back to get me soon.” But in her heart, she knows it isn’t true. This is a journey she’ll be making alone.

Junior Paige Eaton and her two younger sisters have been passed around to assorted relatives and family friends in search of a home ever since their parents relinquished custody of them in 2009.

“My parents are druggies,” Eaton said.

“My dad is currently in prison and I don’t know where my mom is. They never really grew up. Having to take care of us was hard on them. They weren’t stable and wanted to be able to live their lives, so they gave us away.”

In 2014, Eaton and her sisters wound up residing with their grandfather and his new wife in Austin, Texas.

Unfortunately, life with them wasn’t exactly what she had anticipated.

“I was having a really hard time,”

feature

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com photo by k. moreland

MOVING FORWARD Junior Paige Eaton holds mementos of her past. Eaton has struggled with a dysfunctional family life for years.

alone

Eaton said. “My grandfather and I didn’t have a very good connection, especially after he got remarried. His new wife and I didn’t get along very well, and her sons were very perverted and always making sexual jokes and acting inappropriately towards me. It was hard for me to talk to people about what I was going through.

In eighth grade and my freshman year I started hanging out with the wrong crowd and getting into drugs. My grandpa was always telling me that I was just like my mom, so I got into all that stuff to be rebellious. At that point, I didn’t really expect much of my life.”

One short year later, Eaton found herself kicked out of the house and staring into the face of a 1,300 mile journey from Texas to West Virginia with nothing to keep her company but $50, a drawstring bag and a bus itinerary.

“My grandparents found my journal in my bedroom and read it,” Eaton said.

“The things that I wrote made them really mad. My grandpa had threatened to send me to West Virginia to live with his brother before, and I didn’t believe him. But he was serious this time. He told me to pack all of my things up and put it in one bag. My grandpa’s wife drove me to the bus station the following night. Before I left, she told me ‘If you think we’re mean here, wait ‘til you get to West Virginia.’ The last thing she said to me was, ‘Here’s 50 bucks, hopefully you don’t miss your bus.’ I was glad I was leaving, but it was really hard leaving my

“I just want people to know that there are other people that have been through things like this and that no one’s life is perfect. You can always find happiness in any darkness.

There’s always hope. Just don’t give up.” sisters with them. That was the hardest part of everything; I was scared I would never see them again.”

The more Eaton thought about it as she sat at the back of various buses trying not to attract unwanted attention, the more she came to realize just how much she did not want to travel across the entire country to live with a total stranger.

“My grandfather didn’t even know his brother very well,” Eaton said. “I decided I was not getting off that bus in West Virginia. I spent eight or nine hours on a bus, then I got off in Nashville, Tenn.

When I got off the bus, it was like a wake up call from God. He was giving

me a chance to get my life together.”

After making a few phone calls, Eaton’s former foster parent, Jessica Snow, arranged to come pick her up from the bus station.

“Jessica came right away,” Eaton said.

“She dropped everything to come and get me. Thank God for that because if I had been left in Tennessee, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

Eaton has lived happily in the Snow residence for the past year. With a new roof over her head and the re-emergence of her sisters in her life last March, Eaton has finally found peace. She wholeheartedly believes the tranquility now present in her life is all because of God’s watchful eye.

“God gave me the courage to get off the bus and cope with not being with my sisters,” Eaton said. “He kept me from jumping off the deep end. I don’t want people to feel bad for me; this isn’t a pity party. I just want people to know that there are other people that have been through things like this and that no one’s life is perfect. You can always find happiness in any darkness. There’s always hope. Just don’t give up.” loislefors@tigertimesonline.com

community

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

Experience

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Dealing with the unexpected

first choice

Kristie Wright and Robin Kahey from Texarkana’s First Choice Pregnancy Center offer advice for pregnant teenagers

Students describe teen pregnancy experience

Q: What services do you provide at the First Choice Pregnancy Center?

A: We provide free services, such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and peer counseling from volunteers. We have baby classes, baby care taught by a pediatrician, and more. If clients come in and take classes, we give them mommy bucks, which can be used in our store to buy diapers, wipes, clothes, formula–­­whatever they need.

Q: Why are people afraid of visiting the center?

A: A lot of people say that if their test is positive, their parents will kick them out, but we’ll find them a maternity home to go to. Most people have abortions because they’re afraid of financial problems, or disappointing parents or a boyfriend. If girls can get past those fears and realize that they’re not alone, they feel stronger to make a decision that benefits themselves and the child.

Q: Why do you recommend adoption if the client can’t parent their child?

A: A lot of times teenagers won’t make an adoption plan because of peer pressure. Their friends say, “How could you give your baby up?” It’s really looked down on to put a baby up for adoption, and girls are seen as failing. We want to change those misconceptions. It’s not easy, but it sometimes is the best option for everybody.

In 2014,

A BC

249,078 babies were born in the U.S. to 15-19 year-old girls Last year More than

50%

32

of teen moms never graduate from high school

Statistics from Center for Disease Control and Prevention

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in-depth

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

pregnancies were reported at Texas High

BY JILLIAN CHENEY editor in chief

About 77 percent of teen pregnancies occurred “too soon,” according to a national survey of adolescents. When a pregnancy comes unplanned in the middle of high school, teenagers are forced to make the most important choice they may ever make.

Unplanned Parenthood

Junior Olivia Parks sits in the hospital waiting room, staring at the white tile floor. She dreads the news to come. It’s impossible, right? She can’t be pregnant.

It’s impossible.

Right?

“My mom was the one who told me we were going to the doctor,” Parks said. “When they measured my stomach and ran tests, I found out I was 37 weeks pregnant.”

A typical pregnancy lasts for approximately 40 weeks, so there was little time left until it was time to deliver the baby.

After two weeks, doctors induced a state of labor because of pre­eclampsia, a condition that gave Parks an abnormally high blood pressure.

“I could only come to school for 30 minutes to take a test,” Parks said, “or otherwise I’d start seizing on the way to another class because of how high [my blood pressure] was.”

In these few weeks, Parks was given a difficult task: to decide whether or not she was going to keep and raise her child.

“I just thought, ‘Did I want normal for her?

Did I want her to have a mom in school her whole childhood, or give her two parents that would worship her?’” Parks said. “It just tore me up thinking about not getting to watch her walk.”

There were many things to consider while weighing her options. She had to figure out her future plans, whether or not she was ready to be a mother and how much she would have to sacrifice for everyone to be happy.

“Don’t be embarrassed to have a kid,” Parks said. “Once you decide that you’re willing to give up the time it takes to raise your child, you should show [him/her] off.”

Ultimately, Parks decided to keep the child, but is now faced with the challenge of raising her daughter alone.

“The dad of my kid didn’t care, and he wasn’t there for me even though I cared about him,” Parks said. “If you decide to keep your child, don’t factor in the dad. He can leave, and you can’t.”

Parks now plans to finish high school, and is looking into colleges– such as Southern Arkansas University– that provide dorms for students raising children. She is enjoying her time with her 3-month-­old daughter, and hopes to have a successful life with her.

“I mean, it was my choice to keep her. Now I just have to keep my grades up and become something so she’ll have a good life,” Parks said. “I may have lost some of my freedom, but I’ve gained a happiness. I want to go home after school and I want to be with her.”

A Dad’s Motivation

His face lights up as he tells the group about his daughter.

“Oh, yeah. Her name’s Aubree Mechelle.” She’s a year old, and he gushes about her every chance he gets.

Junior Kaveone Ragland has been a father for over a year, and he has developed his relationship with her as much as he can.

“When I first found out, [my girlfriend] told me, but I didn’t believe her,” Ragland said. “She went to the hospital one day with her mom and texted me during class, and that’s when I realized it was real.”

For the duration of the pregnancy, Ragland wanted to support his girlfriend and their child. He attended doctor’s appointments and spent time preparing for the birth of his daughter.

“I knew I had to step up, then,” Ragland said. “I knew I had to get a job and get ready to stand up for them.”

Once his girlfriend went into labor, Ragland spent two nights with her in the hospital to support her and assist in the process. It was of the utmost importance to him to be present at the birth, so he rarely left her side.

“You ought to talk to her during the labor,” Ragland said.

“Try to stay in the room the whole time–like, I stayed in the room the whole time. I watched everything, and I cut the cord.”

Since Ragland played such a large role in his girlfriend’s pregnancy and the birth, he experiences an unconditional love for his daughter that has changed the way he lives.

“I got somebody who’s always going to be there,” Ragland said. “I always go play with her. I got somebody I can attend to instead of going to parties. I got someone.”

After the birth of his child, Ragland has devoted much of his time and dedication to raising her. He knows that not a lot of teen dads take responsibility for their children, but he is determined to make her a part of his life.

“Oh, [my life] changed a lot. She’s my motivation; she motivated me harder. You know, I go out and play sports

for her,” Ragland said. “It’s only hard when you can’t get her crying under control, and that’s just because she wants her momma.”

Despite the challenges it has posed, Ragland plans to be an active part of his daughter’s life and help his girlfriend raise her. He encourages all other teen fathers to do the same.

“Don’t leave them. Be there through the labor. Try to stay in the room the whole time,” Ragland said. “You got her pregnant, so you should stay in the room, watch the baby come out. Hold her hand. Do everything.”

A New Family

Her clothes don’t fit. People stare in the hallways. She can hear their whispers: “Is that girl pregnant, or just fat?”

Senior Jordyn Zymbroy gave birth to Nathan in May 2016.

“I freaked out because I didn’t know how I was going to tell my mom,” Zymbroy said. “That’s what happens with a lot of teenagers, I think.”

After visiting First Choice Pregnancy Center, Zymbroy decided that adoption was the best choice for herself and her child.

“I chose adoption for my child because I wanted him to have a better life than I could give him right now,” Zymbroy said, “and I wanted to be a part of his life even if I couldn’t provide for him.”

Zymbroy worked with a Christian adoption center called Bethany, an organization based in Little Rock. With this organization, she was able to meet with a coordinator once a week to choose the adoptive parents.

“In the end, I had about 100 sets of parents to choose between,” Zymbroy said. “There was one couple that was pretty normal, but there was something that kept drawing me back to them–I feel like it was God showing them to me. The first time I met them, I knew they were the ones.”

Zymbroy has developed a strong relationship with his adoptive parents. She sees him at least twice a week, the family often attends football games and he will know that she is his mother from the early stages of his childhood.

“It’s like having a bigger family than just my own,” Zymbroy said. “Instead of just having my mom, I have the adoptive parents and my son, so it’s really cool.”

Based on the choices she made and the resulting relationship she has built with the adoptive family, Zymbroy recommends the same course of action for anyone who is unable to keep their child.

“If it comes down to being pregnant, don’t think there’s only one option,” Zymbroy said, “and know you don’t have to get an abortion. You’ll regret it. I think every day about what would have happened if I had, and all the questions that would have been unanswered: was it a boy or a girl, what would he/she look like. There are options out there for you.” page design by Lauren Potter

graphic by l. maynard

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community

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

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sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

Fasts of faith

feature

Sophomore shares his Ramadan experience

by JOHN MORGAN staff writer The first month of summer for an average teenager usually serves as a time to relax and reduce mental and physical stress, typically by sleeping in, taking a vacation and snacking away to a heart’s content.

This is all true, unless you are sophomore Zuhayer Kalam. If you are Kalam, you wake up before sunrise during summer, your vacations are pushed back and you’re not allowed to snack all day. You push your body to its limit physically and mentally.

The hardships, however, are for a worthy purpose.

From June 6 to July 5 of this past summer, Kalam fasted from sunrise to sunset in recognition of the Islamic holiday Ramadan.

This month long period is considered a celebration of the Muslim culture.

“In this holiday, we typically will eat when most people are waking up or going to sleep,” Kalam said. “We also try to

maintain good ethics along the way, but other than that, we still live normal summers.”

During Ramadan, Muslims are also not supposed to have impure thoughts or practice immoral behavior. The holiday’s purpose is to teach discipline and restraint while allowing one to sympathize with those who are less fortunate.

“Ramadan can stress you out both physically and mentally,” Kalam said. “But if you stay focused and determined, Ramadan is not too difficult to participate in.”

Muslims rise early during Ramadan, giving them a chance to eat before the day starts.

“Some days, I woke up as early as 4 in the morning to eat,” Kalam said. “If I didn’t get enough breakfast, I wouldn’t get enough energy to last the day.”

In the daily period when they are fasting, Muslims stick to their normal daily routines while simultaneously keeping a good behaviors throughout the day.

“Most of my time during the

fast was spent doing what most teens do in their summers,” Kalam said. “I stayed home and played video games. I tried to play outside some days, but it made me really thirsty.”

Later in the day, temptations to eat begin to appear, but it can be overcome by directing attention toward their day instead of their appetite. Over the course of a month, one is able to become more disciplined and less prone to giving in.

“Many times I would get hungry in the afternoon, but I forced myself to wait for the evening to eat,” Kalam said.

“The hunger typically left if I ignored it or focused on something else.”

Kalam explains that his experiences of Ramadan in Texarkana have been different than those in his previous residences.

“We didn’t have a mosque in my old town, but there is one here,” Kalam said. “We went there most evenings during Ramadan to pray and give

RESIST TEMPTATION Sophomore Zuhayer Kalam participates in Ramadan during the summer. Ramadan is a time for the practice of fasting, prayer and good ethics for Muslims.

17

photo by d. kelley

praise.”

Although Kalam has only recently began to participate in Ramadan, he made it a mission to push himself to meet personal goals he sets each year. This past Ramadan was the first of which he fasted for the entire month.

“When I started to participate, I eased myself into it,” Kalam said, “but over the years, I’ve tried to set streaks of how many days I could fast.

I’m proud to see how much I’ve grown over the years.”

Kalam is originally from the country of Bangladesh; his parents were raised there.

However, he moved to America

at a young age and has little memory of his birth nation.

“The United States is the only home that I’ve ever known,” Kalam said. “In my mind, I’m just as American as anyone.”

Ramadan has had a profound impact on Kalam’s life, for it has provided him with the values of self-discipline and self-restraint.

“Ramadan is a big part of my identity,” Kalam said. “In my mind, it has taught me that it’s hard to keep morals in the real world with all that goes on. You just have to be know that you can get through it all despite all of life’s hardships.” johnmorgan@tigertimesonline.com

18

feature

MEET THE TEACHER

All about dollars and $pence

BY CAILEY ROBERSON profile editor Economics: whether it’s micro or macro, it’s a asset to high school graduation. Everyone’s economics experience depends on the teacher, and Angela Spence is one of the best. Spence, hailing from the small town Marietta, Texas, began teaching economics by chance. Spence has been a teacher for 26 years and graduated from East Texas State University, majoring in history.

angela spence

Q: What was high school like for you?

A: I was the first black cheerleader at Atlanta High when we integrated in 1970. I didn’t even have to try out for it. The homemaking teacher went around the school and picked out about 15 black girls to come to [a] meeting. I was one of the girls. Before the meeting was over, we had gone down to about three girls who were willing to be a cheerleader. Later on that semester, we started getting the requirements for being a cheerleader: the kind of grades we gotta keep, how much money for uniforms, money for cheerleading camp.

The the other girls dropped out because they could not afford it. There were only a few on the squad that were new, but they were all juniors and seniors. I was the only freshman and I was black. I really didn’t see the real racism until we got to Nacogdoches. No one wanted

photo by a. sander

to be my roommate so, of course, I had my room by myself. The day before competition, I had just gotten out of the shower and there was a knock at my door. When I went to the door, there were 15 white girls staring at me. [The] head cheerleader and a senior‒ came in the room and said that we needed to talk.

[She] said, “We’ve been talking and we’ve decided that we want you to tell our sponsor that you’re sick and that you can’t compete because we don’t want you to keep us from getting blue ribbons.” That was my first experience [with racism].

My mom and dad, especially my mom, said, “Don’t ever let anybody see you cry,” so I looked at them and I said, “Well, okay,” because I really didn’t know what to say. I called my daddy. I said, “Daddy, I don’t want to be here. I want you to come and get me.” He came to the dorm and picked me up, and I came home. The next day, we went to the superintendent and we told him what happened. I was just a little freshman. I wanted to quit.

Word spread to the football team. You have to remember that we were all blacks and whites coming together. The black football players were just now, for the first time, playing with the white football players. The black boys looked upon me as the only one that was representing them. When they found out that they didn’t want me to be a cheerleader, the black boys did not want to play football there. It got a little messy, but I had them behind me.

When the girls came back at the end of the week, we had a big meeting with the principal, the superintendent and some of the parents. They were made to apologize and they did. It got a little bit better after that. It wasn’t the best year, but I made it.

Q: Do you feel that representation is important?

A: Yes, I do. My tax dollars are paying for this school just like your dollars are. We should have black people on the football team, the band, black Highsteppers and black cheerleaders, because we’re all in this together. I grew up knowing that you’re black, you’re wonderful, you’re smart.

Q: Why did you major in history?

A: I didn’t know what I wanted to be.

I used to be a reporter for the Dallas Morning News. I realized that I could not continue working at that newspaper because I had crazy hours, and I had little bitty kids. I went back to school and took a couple of classes. I happened to take a history class and that professor was so awesome. I remember after class one day I went up to him and said, “I want to be a history teacher like you.”

Q: Do you like kids?

A: Yes, I do. I like to see the potential in kids. One of the downsides to teaching is when I do see potential and the student doesn’t care or when a student could be so much more if they put down that crowd. That is a very frustrating thing to me. I want to be able to pull something out of somebody when I know it’s there. It’s so rewarding to run into somebody 20 years later and they go, “Oh, my god, Ms. Spence, you were awesome.”

Q: What is your philosophy toward work?

A: You get out what you put in. You should always give [people] the best you have. Even if I’m having a bad day, I try not to show it to my kids because that’s not what they want to see. They want me to make their day better. You’re going to get out of them what you give them. I try my best.

Q: What is your teaching style?

A: I had a principal tell me, “Ms. Spence, you talk too hard.” He told me that I’m too loud. When he said that, I said, “Yes, I am, and I’ll be that way tomorrow. I will be that way next year. I will be that way until I retire.” That’s my teaching style. I’m not going to tell you that it’s okay. It’s going to be OK when you make it OK.

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

be heard

Do you think that minority groups are well-represented in student organizations?

“No. [Take] student council, for instance.

I think the minority groups don’t come or don’t participate because they are not encouraged to come and show up. They might be scared of what the other people in student council would think.”

Houston Hart, 11

“I don’t see a lot of minorities in the yearbook or on TigerVision or just in general in school.

I think we don’t want to participate because we feel less than everybody else.”

Catalina Resendiz, 12

“Yeah, I think so, especially in swim.

Recently we’ve gotten a lot more minorities, so there’s a lot more diversity.”

Dewitt Fortenberry, 11

“I feel like people feel like they aren’t in their element or they aren’t comfortable because other minorities aren’t joining. It’s just more of the other race that is joining. On the Highsteppers, there’s on average like three or four black girls, so other black girls don’t want to join because there are just more whites than blacks.”

Destiny Scott, 11

photos by p. spaulding

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

feature

NOT A DIFFERENT SPECIES

19

Transgender student speaks out about his experience

by ANNA CANNON editor in chief For a long time, he knew he was different. He knew that somehow, he wasn’t what they thought he was. He didn’t like being grouped in with the girls.

He didn’t like being called pretty. It was a long time before he had the courage to tell the world that he was different.

But sometimes, being different is what it takes to be happy. Freshman Jase McKinley* was born with a girl’s body, but he has identified as a boy for his entire life. This year, he has come out to his friends and family and hopes to be seen as the gender he is.

“I’ve never really viewed myself as a girl,” McKinley said. “I first noticed around fourth grade, because that’s when everything started being separated more. Like girls do this, guys do this. And it always made me uncomfortable.

Whenever I was given a compliment that was typically feminine, it didn’t really click with me as much as something like ‘handsome.’”

McKinley was apprehensive to tell his friends and family the truth about his gender identity.

Even though he has been out to his family for a while, some still have trouble accepting him for who he is.

“I was out to my friends way before I was out to my family. Some of them don’t really understand and they’re like, “okay you changed your name, that’s cool.” But for the most part the small circle of friends that I have respects my pronouns,” McKinley said.

“This year I told my mom and [my parents] are not too great on the idea. I told them that I just didn’t feel comfortable in the body I was in. My mom understands a little bit better, but I don’t talk to my dad a whole lot.”

McKinley changed his name only recently. He is still known by his birth name on official records, so teachers and other faculty sometimes refer to him

by the name he wants to give up.

“I thought about it for six months and then I changed it in the middle of last year,” McKinley said. “Legally it is not changed yet. My mom said when I’m 16 if nothing changes then I might get my name changed.”

Last May, the Obama Administration directed public schools to allow transgender students to use the restroom of their gender identity. This legislation, as well as the wellpublicized decisions of some businesses to allow transgender patrons to use the restroom they choose, created a storm of backlash. McKinley was unsure of the school’s policies.

“I went to the counselor and I asked, and they said it was still going through the court so until they figured everything out I would still have to use the girls’ bathroom,” McKinley said. “I think it’s a bathroom, and everybody’s doing the same thing. The whole “don’t let old men in with my little girls” thing makes no sense to me. One, poor old men, people always assuming that they’re rapey. Two, people are going to use the bathroom anyway, so I mean I don’t understand the opposition.”

Many people assume that gender specidic clothing determines gender. However, McKinley asserts that this is not the case.

“Clothing and makeup do not define gender,” McKinley said. “If [a girl] wore a suit, that wouldn’t make her male and if I wore a dress, that wouldn’t make me any less male. The length of someone’s hair also doesn’t define what someone identifies as. I was trans before the haircut.”

McKinley believes that gender is private, so he isn’t usually forward about his gender identity. The reactions are often more trouble than they’re worth.

“To me, gender is a personal thing,” McKinley said. “I threw someone off in biology because they said something and I was like, “actually, I’m a boy.” And

The clinical diagnosis given to transgender people is gender dysphoria. According to the SUGGESTIONS “Clothing and Diagnostic and Statistical FROM THE makeup do not Manual, gender dysphoria is a DEPARTMENT define gender. marked difference between the OF EDUCATION individual’s expressed/experienced If [a girl] wore gender and their apparent a suit, that Schools must gender at birth. The condition use identification wouldn’t make causes “clinically significant documents, names distress or impairment in social, her male and if and pronouns occupational, or other important I wore a dress, that agree with a areas of functioning.” students gender that wouldn’t “Questions like ‘so have you identity. had the surgery?” and stuff, those make me any are dysphoria loaded questions,” less male.

McKinley said. “If you say things The length of Schools must like “so when did you decide to a allow transgender someone’s hair boy?”, to someone, that’s not one students to access of the things you choose. Most also doesn’t bathrooms and people who identify as something define what locker rooms that other than what they were born as someone coincide with their don’t even register that they were gender identities. identifies as. I born as something other than the gender they identify as until was trans before reminded.” the haircut.”

On trips that Many people are unclear about require overnight etiquette involving transgender lodging, schools people. However, McKinley says may not assign a that it’s simple: just don’t ask transgender stuthem something you wouldn’t ask dent to the room anyone else. of their assigned “We’re not a different species,” gender at birth, but McKinley said. “Don’t say they also cannot anything that you wouldn’t say assign them to a to any other person. It’s their room by thempersonal body. Don’t ask questions selves if students like, “what’s in your pants,” typically share because you wouldn’t ask that to someone who identified as a girl who was born a girl. Try to refrain from singling them out. It’s just From the that they identify as something Texas Bar Journal else, they’re not an ‘it.’ Just respect photo by e. meinzer people in general. Don’t treat them differently than you’d like to they were like “ahh, great, now anyone who’s different, there’s be treated.”

I have to deal with that for the nothing new. Mainly they just After coming out to his friends rest of the year.” Usually it’s stress that I’m a girl. In my and family, McKinley has seen a mix [of reactions]. At this child development class two positive changes in himself and school, compared to my last days ago, they were asking me the people around him. one, there have been a lot more super personal questions, like, “A bunch of my friends are positive reactions. And when it’s “what’s in your pants?” kind of like, “you seem so much happier negative, it’s not so much that questions. That is a question that now,”’ McKinley said. “I’ve kind it’s negative, it’s just ignorant. you should never ask anyone, of noticed that. I feel a lot more They don’t know.” by the way. There is a lot of confident. I get a lot of my friends Even though the situation is misgendering, but that could telling me they’re proud of me better than it was at his former just be because I look like a and stuff, and that’s always nice school, McKinley is still subject lesbian. I make fun of myself, it’s because I’m a little proud of me to some harassment. no big deal, but there are times too.” *name has been changed to “I get a lot of really sexist when it’s like ‘I identify as this protect identity jokes,” McKinley said. “There’s because I am this, I’m not trying annacannon@tigertimesonline.com a lot of teasing. It happens with to be something I’m not.”’

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photos by m. parish

LEADING BETWEEN THe LINES

Quan Hampton, 12

by TYE SHELTON sports editor On any given Sunday during a NFL football game each team has a 53 man roster, allowing only 46 players to dress out. Ultimately it is the goal of every player from pee-wee leagues to the collegiate level to be able to be one of those 46 players one day.

The first step? Acquire a scholarship or walk on to a collegiate football program to further your play to the next level. Two standout players from the Tiger roster this year are playmakers Cade Pearson and Quan Hampton.

Senior quarterback Cade Pearson has over 10 division 1 offers, including the likes of the University of Wyoming; the University of North Texas; and Mcneese State University. Over the summer Pearson decided to further his academic and athletic career,

Explosive combination of senior quarterback and wide receiver manage to direct team while balancing division one recruitment as he plans to spend the next four years in Denton, Texas, playing underneath Seth Litrell at the university of North Texas.

“Everyone wants to play division 1 football, but no one understands the work that comes with it,” Pearson said. “Texas High football is not a handout, everything you see is hard work from every single one of us.”

Every great quarterback has his go-to wideout, and Pearson has his in the form of senior Quan Hampton. What Hampton lacks in size he makes up for on the field, featuring more than nine touchdowns in the first five games of the 2016 season. Over the summer Hampton racked up two major division 1 offers from both Sam Houston State and Texas State University.

Through three games this season Hampton is on a record breaking path, working to gain more offers through the season. Hampton has

not let the decision making process intervene in his on-field play, as he will make his decision some time after the conclusion of this season.

“Being division 1 is a lot to me, but what it means to me doesn’t compare to what it means to my family,” Hampton said. “Having this opportunity coming from where I am from is a true blessing.”

But the connection between the two does not stop just at their ability level or their dependency on one another on the field. Both players have an understanding and certain level of respect for the other.

“Having a talented guy like Cade [Pearson], he is the dude you want in charge,” Hampton said. “He is very helpful and a leader amongst all of us...a guy you can come to about anything and he knows everything about football, which is the type of quarterback you want.”

As highly as Hampton speaks of Pearson, the feelings are returned in

Cade Pearson, 12

the same manner for the wideout.

“Having a player like Quan [Hampton] is awesome; he is a great football player,” Pearson said.

“The coaching staff along with myself can always count on him to make the big play when it is needed, he has great hands and is a good wide-receiver.”

So far the two have combined to equal numbers from all of last season in just five games this year. Records have the potential to not only be broken, but to be completely shattered. The Tigers have played only one district game and this duo of Pearson and Hampton is already being touted as one of the best in the state of Texas.

“Cade and I are close on and off the field and the work we put in when no one is around shows on Friday nights,” Hampton said. “You don’t have to come to a game to hear about the connection between me and my guy: We are the duo.” tyeshelton@tigertimesonline.com

PRACTICE DRONES ON New technology influences revolutionary way of practicing

COACH SURRATT flies a drone during football practice.

Drones are a new addition for the football team. photo by a. parker

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BY CALEB SNOW staff writer

A low whir, barely audible above the field as the players practice below, can be heard during football practices, as it watches the team’s every move.

The use of drones revolutionized collegiate football programs when they became a better alternative to the older, fixed camera system. Now, a plethora of high school football programs have been jumping on the bandwagon to upgrade their practice camera system with drones.

Athletic director Barry Norton said the athletic department began using drones to film football practices this fall.

“We’ve always videotaped every practice with the end zone cameras and side cameras,” Norton said. “We always try to get two angles, [but] oftentimes we’re stuck with one,” Norton said. “It makes it so much easier to get better angles, and you don’t have to move a lot of things. It’s been great. I’m really impressed with it.”

Before drones, camera crews had to reposition cameras for different plays in order to get the right angle, causing small delays. Even still, the fixed cameras weren’t able to cover the field from the third floor balcony at all angles, leaving some gaps in the after-action tapes.

“The ability to move them around from drill to drill has been very beneficial to us,” offensive coordinator Clint Toon said.

“You don’t even have to bring the drone down. They can just fly to the next drill and [start filming] it. You can even plug in a GPS on somebody and the drone will follow them around.”

The football team operates two drones, each with a battery life of 20 minutes, so when one is on the verge of dying, the other is launched to seamlessly cover the entire practice. After practice, the drone footage is downloaded onto a computer, reviewed by the coaches, and then shared with the team the following day.

“The drones help out with making [the practice tapes] clearer and [are] a good way to practice getting [plays] the way we want [them],” quarterback Cade Pearson said.

UIL prohibits drone use at games while players are on the field. So, until drones are cleared to fly at games, the team will use skycams (cameras mounted on an extendable pole) to record actual game footage. In spite of this, the clarity and efficiency of drones are second to none.

“It’s [definitely] better than the [older] cameras,” wide receiver Eric Sutton said.

[The tapes] look really clear, like it’s way better than the cameras we used to use.” calebsnow@tigertimesonline.com

Replenish knowledge of sports drinks by thalia hawkins staff writer Whether it’s football or golf, all athletes are gearing up for their intensive sports year by practicing and getting in shape. To aid them in their exercise, sports drinks are used to help athletes replenish vitamins and minerals lost from sweating. According to The Top Ten List, the sports drinks Gatorade, Powerade and Vitaminwater are the top three that most athletes prefer. But which one proves to be best for health?

The main purpose for any sports drink is to be an easy way to replace vitamins, minerals and electrolytes designed to maintain healthy muscular responses and energy distribution. All three seem to measure up to the expectation, but maybe there is one that does the best job.

To start, the most vital part of sports drinks are the electrolytes, especially potassium and sodium.

A bottle of Gatorade has more potassium and sodium

HOW THEY COMPARE 25 athletes were asked which of the leading sports drinks tasted best

20%

32%

120 calories 31g of sugar/0mg of sodium/0mg of potassium

130 calories 34 g of sugar/270mg of sodium/75mg of potassium

Vitaminwater

Gatorade

than Powerade but they both have considerable amounts. On the opposite side, in Vitaminwater these electrolytes are either not present or isn’t a significant amount. In an intensive workout, Gatorade is slightly superior for replacing these electrolytes. “[I prefer] Gatorade

48%

Powerade

130 calories 34 g of sugar/250mg of sodium/60mg of potassium

because it gives you electrolytes which refills your energy afterwards,” sophomore D’andre Wilson said. “Even though you’re tired, electrolytes come back in and you feel really good.”

Gatorade and Powerade have 34 grams of sugar and Vitaminwater has 31 grams.

It may not seem like much

of a difference, but Gatorade has sucrose (aka table sugar), Powerade contains highfructose corn syrup and Vitaminwater has crystalline fructose and cane sugar. It’s not proven that one sugar is better, but the sugars in Powerade and Vitaminwater are linked with health risks.

Which sports drink leads to the best performance comes down to personal preference. However, take into consideration that these substances are only truly needed if a person is working out 60 minutes or more.

Any less than that while consuming these beverages could cause health issues like failing kidneys or high blood pressure. If all else fails, just drink water. “[I recommend] anything [that] the kids can get electrolytes back into them,” Coach James Hawkins said.

“If any exercise [is] over 45 minutes and makes your heart rate double that calls to have something to give you energy.” thaliahawkins@ tigertimesonline.com

AN ACE FOR LIFE

Lessons learned from sport prove invaluable

For most beginning golfers, the sport is just a game.

Go play nine holes. Go home. Go to bed. Maybe do it again if they showed a tiny bit of promise.

For me, however, this sport is a teaching ground, developing me BY matt Prieskorn into the man staff writer I want to be.

What does that man look like? How does he act? The attributes that golf has equipped me with have propelled me into an understanding of how life is meant to be lived.

Being unique Golf embraces individuality. Most sports have the same uniforms where everyone seems to blend together. In golf, I am able to express myself in any way that I feel shows who I am. This is important because in a world where it can be so hard to be different, golf has given me the opportunity to stand out amongst my peers.

Integrity This is the most important aspect of golf. Golf is one of the only, if not the only, sport that I can call a penalty on myself. Most other sports you would be arguing against the call, but in golf, you are the one making the call.

Integrity is a basic concept that golf has taught me that is crucial in life. I have experienced tough situations in my life, and a simple act of just telling the truth have made those situations not quite as tough.

Respect Even for those with little knowledge of golf, most people would credit it with being the “gentleman’s sport.”

Ever since I was young, golf has instilled in me principles of respect. It’s a quality that takes time to develop.

Golf has shown me what respect looks like. No matter the circumstances, I always try to respect the people I play with.

I am confident that golf has equipped me with some important qualities that will stay with me for the rest of my life. My hope is that people get past the fact that golf is “boring” and realize the importance of how golf can prepare you for the real world. mattprieskorn@tigertimesonline.com

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SEPTEMBER STANDOUTS CROSS COUNTRY

Cross country looks to have a breakout season, as a strong group of juniors have improved after a long summer of practice. New freshmen talent, such as Owen Likins, will help cross country establish itself as the dominant power in the district and in the state.

Volleyball enters the season with extremely high expectations. The majority of last year’s varsity team is returning and appears to have grown significantly closer in team chemistry and overall competitiveness.

At the same time,

a talented group of freshmen will be joining.

The underclassmen will further develop for multiple seasons to come.

Overall, the team believes that they will be very successful in district play, with a very high chance at clinching the district title.

VOLLEYBALL

JV Football

JV and Freshmen football So far, JV has not lost a game thanks to their strong defense, making their record 3-0. To maintain this winning streak they’ll need to become more consistent on offense. On the other hand, the freshmen team has struggled as they have yet to chalk up a single win in their first three games.

Demarquis Vaughn, 10

Austin Broussard, 11

Swim

Cathryn Payne, 12

Tennis has won almost every single match they have played thus far and have dominated the competition despite losing their best player from last year. However, the team will face a significant amount of adversity on the regional level, with rival Highland Park.

Swim has only had one meet, which was just a team competition; however, it’s apparent that the team’s new freshmen will most likely be able to fill the void of the departed seniors.

Golf

TENNIS

Compiled by Jay Williamson

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

Baylie Graves, 10

Zack Moore, 12

Alex Davis, 12

Golf lost the majority of its top players over the past two years.

However, veteran golfer, junior Matt Prieskorn, has made it to state and regional tournaments and will be able to provide leadership for the rest of the team.

sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

community

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sept. 29, 2016 • tigertimesonline.com

of the future Playstation- $499

For those who want a VR headset that is compatible with many video games, the Playstation VR is the perfect choice. Being the pioneer in console VR technology, there are a few bugs and kinks that could be worked out with further development. Overall, the Playstation VR is a fun, new way to experience video games.

Google Cardboard-$15

For VR enthusiasts, Google Cardboard is a cheap and simple way to view the immersive digital world. Due to needed development and the lack of apps for this experience, it may have a long way to come before it can enter daily technological life. However, it is still a fun and cheap way to get the full VR effect.

Makerbot Replicator 2X- $1699.99

Known as one the premier makers of 3-D printers, Makerbot made another phenomenal printer with the Replicator 2X. It is one of the pioneer dual extruder printers which allows one to construct items in two colors. Repairs might be strenuous, but this machine will produce top-notch prints at a high quality.

M3D Micro- $439.99

For those with smaller price ranges, the M3D micro printer will still get the job done.

Although it lacks a heated print bed and has to use weaker materials, this machine still pleases the amateur who wants to use the technology for leisure.

Even with its relatively small size, it takes advantage of what it has to create neat objects that still leave people amazed.

virtual reality

photo by l. maynard

by JOSEPH RODGERS staff writer

Display technology has evolved over the years, going from a flat, black and white television screen to a full color, 3D flat screen.

However, new technology can now make you feel like you are in that environment, and it has one name: Virtual Reality (VR).

Virtual reality is a segment of reality that is in a digital realm and allows you to roleplay and supplant yourself in that environment. It works by a headset going over your eyes and producing a three-dimensional model to allow you to feel part of that world.

“First of all, it makes technology more interactive,” Computer Science and Programming teacher Mark Ahrens said. “It gives you an experience without doing the real thing with the example of Driver’s Ed. With the headset, you can feel like you are driving without having to actually go out onto the roads and drive. This will help students and young drivers

FUN AND GAMES Virtual reality has become an exciting new way to experience the world. Inexpensive headsets like this one are available online on sites like amazon.com.

feel more comfortable when they begin real driving.”

Not only does VR enhance experiences, but it can also be used as a communications device to have more immersive and lifelike conversations.

“Most social media is done from a computer screen. This is the first step from leaving the keyboard and the desk to having more interactive conversations with a video conference room, for example,” Ahrens said. “It also creates a new job sector in the field of technology which benefits the economy.”

Gaming has taken flight since the first video game consoles and devices after the invention of the Internet. Gamers have started a new trend of recording their gameplay and uploading it to YouTube or live streaming it on video hosts.

“The gaming experience with VR is unlike anything the industry has ever seen,” Ahrens said. “Video spectators can watch gameplay of games from any electronic device or from their own VR headset. Basically, it just revolutionizes the way we view entertainment and it turns it into photo by m. bonner

Printing the future

by JOHN MORGAN staff writer

Ever since the first prototype was crafted in 1984, 3-D printing has begun to emerge in the 21st century. Not only is it being used for more and more purposes, but it also is becoming more mainstream.

Today, the printers are mainly used for recreational reasons. They work by binding together granular fibers into a shape and size the product needs to be. The results are typically mind-blowing. From little trinkets to nifty contraptions, the items are fun to show off to family and friends.

“With 3-D printing, you can create almost any object for whatever ends you need it to meet,” middle school teacher Michael Friesen said. “People recently have been able make usable parts like tracheas and heart valves.

These machines can make amazing things.”

Advances of the technology behind the

TECH REVOLUTION New technology has the potential to change lives across all fields. 3D printers, in particular, bring with them a score of new opportunities.

printers will make them both cheaper and faster in the future. A lower price tag will provide more common day uses and tasks that they can accomplish. More materials such as metal and cloth are being experimented with to enhance the technology even more. You could wake up years from now and put on a 3-D printed outfit from a 3-D printed hanger that was on a 3-D printed clothes rack.

The evolution of the printers will take time,

a more immersive and interactive experience.”

Despite all the positives about virtual reality, there are a few negatives such as safety concerns, shortage of attention spans and distortion between reality and the digital realm.

“Apps and games such as Pokemon Go did raise up some safety and attention span issues, but in that respect, that is augmented reality. In virtual reality, which is different from augmented reality, the user usually sits or stands still. The only concern with VR is that users distort reality by becoming so entranced in the digital realm, they lose personal relationships and physical interactions by overusing VR.” Despite these problems, there are real-world benefits to the integration of VR. “Businesses can use this technology to have meetings, conferences and to handle finance matters. This is also creates jobs, gives users an unique experience and creates more interest in the technology field,” Ahrens said. “I truly feel the pros outweigh the cons.” josephrodgers@tigertimesonline.com

but the outcomes will be phenomenal. They have the potential to become an integral part of daily life.

“The revolution is starting,” Friesen said. “I wouldn’t give it ten years before they become more common. It might take a while, but even where it is now, it’s still fascinating.”

The relatively new machinery has caught the eye of many people in the world of technology.

This caused even President Barack Obama to show his admiration for the machines in his state of the union speech in 2013.

Obama said in the address, “A onceshuttered warehouse is now a state-of-the art lab where new workers are mastering the 3-D printing that has the potential to revolutionize the way we make almost everything.”

Even though the technology is still coming along, the possibilities of these incredible machines has the potential to change our daily lives in the future. As they make their way into society and become more reliable, 3-D printers will be the common answer to many problems sooner than we may think. johnmorgan@tigertimesonline.com

How long does your makeup last?

Cosmetic products and helpful hints to spruce up your makeup habits Kat Von D x Too Faced palette Eye shadow palette collaboration from Too Faced and Kat Von D Makeup, featuring six shadows from each brand and two full-size products of the Better Than Sex mascara and the Tattoo Liner. It will be available at Sephora by December.

Mascara ABH foundation sticks A medium to full coverage foundation from Anastasia Beverly Hills that offers a natural, matte finish. This product is available in stores at Sephora and Ulta.

Colour pop shock shadows Single eyeshadows that come in powder form, but apply like a cream. They’re long lasting, vibrant shades that come in different finishes and are available online on the ColourPop website.

Makeup geek x Kathleenlights highlighting palette Collaborating with the popular beauty vlogger, Kathleenlights, Makeup Geek has produced a highlighting palette featuring three different shades, friendly for every skin tone. This palette is available online on Makeup Geek’s website.

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Urban Decay All Nighter foundation Claiming to last for up to 12 hours, this foundation is a full coverage product from Urban Decay. It’s a waterproof formula that leaves a matte finish and is offered in a wide variety of shades. It is available in store at Sephora or Ulta.

Too Faced Sweet Peach glow highlighting palette The coveted Sweet Peach palette from Too Faced offers 28 shades of warm toned colors. Though it is difficult to get a hold of because of it almost always sold out in both stores and online, it is available at higher prices on both Ebay and Amazon.

Blush Kylie Cosmetics Kyshadows This palette comes with nine pressed shades that can be used to create many of Kylie’s signature looks and it’s currently available on Kylie’s website.

A trick to end up saving a lot of time is to always start with eye makeup. This makes for an easy clean up if the eyeliner gets out of hand or if there is eyeshadow fallout.

A trick that never fails is using tape to carve out the winged eyeliner. This also helps if you are looking for a sharp cut edge with eye shadow. It will also help you achieve an even and balanced look for both eyes.

Eyeshadows that are affordable and easy to work with are hard to come by, but Makeup Geek provides everything in an eye shadow that is essential for lazy mornings.

Clumpy mascara is something that can’t be

12 to 18 months Lipstick

Tips to make the mornings run smoother

With a test in every class and an essay due at midnight, waking up 30 minutes earlier to put on some mascara and lip gloss seems almost impossible. Finding the right tools and products to make the lazy mornings achievable is the most important factor in looking your best before the bell. Thankfully there are a few tricks and products that can make this process flow quicker so you can save some crunch time.

3 to 4 months

avoided when dealing with a tube of mascara for a long period of time. Adding a few drops of Visine into the tube, and then rubbing the wand around inside makes it apply as if it were a brand new tube.

When you go in with foundation it’s essential to color match your neck and not your face. Color matching the face instead of the neck would make your foundation way too light and would wash you out.

Beauty Blenders are sponges that help to evenly distribute the product all over the desired area. What most people don’t realize is that using the Beauty Blender dry just soaks up the product, using a damp beauty blender is much more effective.

The easiest way to get a chiseled contour and bronzed look is to use a matte bronzer.

Using a bronzer with shimmer in it can make the face look rounder and not as sculpted. An affordable bronzer that works like a high end product is the NYC Sunny bronzer.

Compiled by Katie Biggar and Maddie Gerrald

12 to 18 months

Foundation 6 to 12 months

Eyeliner 18 months

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38 EAT IT

“I tried Off the Fire a few months ago, and I think it’s pretty good, but not many people have heard of it. I would describe what they serve as soul food. You can get things like ribs, dressing, and my personal favorite, chicken spaghetti.”

ERIONA JEFFERSON, 11

LISTEN TO IT “‘The Devine Feminine’ is an album

by Mac Miller that’s all about love. I feel like not enough rap artists these days truly express themselves because it’ll hurt their reputation as being a big hard mean rapper, but Mac doesn’t mind expressing his feelings with this project.”

SAM SANCHEZ, 10

sept. 29, 2015 • tigertimesonline.com

WHAT’S TRENDING FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER PERCENT of the 45 students surveyed have heard Travis Scott’s new album Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight

BUY IT TRY IT

“I’m a Goodwill shopper. It’s cheap, and plus everybody tries to go for ‘80s and ‘90s looks, so at Goodwill, it’s authentic from that time instead of copying it.”

MEGAN BRANDON, 12

“ The Lenovo Yoga Book is a new tablet similar to the Windows Surface Pro, and it lets you take notes on a piece of paper and it transfers what you’re writing to the computer so your handwriting shows up on the screen right beside it. I haven’t bought it yet, but I’m hoping to really soon because it seems really cool.”

BLAIRE BERRY, 11

WATCH IT “Stranger Things is set in the 80’s, and it’s about this kid who goes missing.

When his friends start looking for him they find out about these secret experiments that the government has been conducting. It’s one of those shows that’s so captivating you binge watch it all in one night.”

“What I like about iOS 10 is the lock screen. I think that it is much more useful than any previous version.”

-Max Young, 9

60

PERCENT of the 45 students surveyed do not enjoy iOS 10.

YVONNE ARIAS, 12 compiled by Matt Francis and Tye Shelton

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Hard work pays off.

Your former Texas High classmates are attending their first two years of college totally

free thanks

to the Texarkana College Presidential Scholarship.

Reserved for students in the top 15% of their class who meet high academic standards, this scholarship pays full tuition, books and fees for two years and guarantees you admission to the TC Honors College. Learn more about TC scholarship opportunities at

www.texarkanacollege.edu/scholarships TEXAS HIGH’S 2016 TC PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS Monic Estrada | Paola Gabriel | Paige Gibbert | Alexandra Harrell | Alexzandria Hart | Wade Johnston Victoria Miller | Misty Morris | Stormy Roberts | Carley Wallace | DeJianna King

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