Tiger Times - Sept. 2018

TIGER TIMES

TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL TEXARKANA, TEXAS VOL. 58, ISSUE 1 SEPTEMBER, 26 2018

WORK IN PROGRESS These students live a double life, balancing their jobs with school. By working, they learn to manage their time, money and livelihoods: a unique responsibility that works to challenge them, to train them and to build their character.

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photo by c. murry

2 NEWS

Eye

THE TIGER’S

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

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the inside

scoop

Join the TEAMS

BY JOSEPH ASHER staff writer When the district stopped supporting the KnoMi site this summer, it end the ability for students to check their grades.

However, there is a solution through a free app that is both accessible and operational.

Before, everyone had a KnoMi account and could log into KnoMi to look at their grades. KnoMi also came with a Google email account so students had access to Google classroom and additional services.

The TEAMS app is available in the app store for all mobile devices and is free for students to use.

To operate the app, select the school district, then select “student” or “parent” on the screen. It uses the students TXKISD account for the login, and then, students can email teachers and look at grades and attendance.

TEAMS is similar to KnoMi, but without the games and nonschool related widgets that KnoMi included.

“The TEAMS mobile app is really nice because it is convenient and

upcoming dates in

easy to use,” junior Arden Spence said. “I like the fact that it’s on your phone as an app.”

While many students enjoy the new way of keeping up with their grades, some dislike the end of KnoMi, as it was nostalgic to their middle school days, and they find the new app displeasing.

“I preferred KnoMi and really liked the site,” senior Allison Yancey said.

Overall, TEAMS has some mixed reviews, but in the end, it’s the only place where grades can be checked. josephasher@tigertimesonline.com

OCTOBER

1 6 13 21 24 29 Theater auditions for “Freaky Friday” to be held at 4:30 p.m. in the PAC.

The SAT test will be administered in the Math and Science Building at 8 a.m.

Dash 4 Cash Scholarship Run to be held at THS at 9 a.m.

Theater will perform “Metamorphoses” at 2 p.m. in the PAC.

THS senior panoramic picture will be taken behind the library at 8:30 a.m.

Homecoming Court presentation in the PAC at 7:30 p.m., followed by a pep rally in the parking lot behind the PAC.

photo by r. edwards

New platform allows students way to monitor grades

ONE MAN’S TRASH

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TigerVision truck donated to culinary arts

THE LAST STRAW

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Will a ban on plastic straws help protect the environment?

MEET THE TEACHERS

PAGE 12

Get to know a few of the new teachers on the Texas High campus

ORDER ON THE COURT

PAGE 18

Tennis team approaches post-season with high expectations

NEWS

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

From trash to treasure

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Culinary department receives approval for food truck

BY TJ WALL sports editor The head of the culinary arts department, Cory House, has received approval to transform the old TigerVision truck into a food truck. TigerVision obtained an ambulance that they are in the process of remodeling in order to make it suitable for its purpose— a mobile production vehicle. “[TigerVision is] going to be doing some really cool things with [their new ambulance] that they weren't able to do with their old one,” House said. “What we'll have to do is go in after [Charles] Aldridge, move everything out of it and then start working on building it to food code.”

House devised plans for the truck long before the project was approved. He envisions taking the truck, putting the culinary department’s logo on the side and making it a “classroom on wheels.”

Students will be able to manage it, design menus and sell the items in order to see how their ideas will play out in the real world.

“This way, they're dealing with real customers, not a constraint catering setting where everything's already set up and the customer knows what to expect,” House said. “Now we can do a variety of things from selling tacos, burgers, barbecue, I mean everything under the sun, because it's going to be an extension of our classroom.”

Ninety percent of the food that is sold will be prepared in the culinary classroom rather than inside the truck.

With their additional equipment, students will be able to keep the cooked food hot and ready to go. House believes this project will give students additional opportunities to apply what they learn in

class.

“Whether it be assembling tacos, assembling burgers, melting cheese on top of things, toasting tortillas, toasting buns, [it’s] really giving our students a lot more interactive experience with customers,” House said. “It's a just a great way to showcase the awesome things that we have going on here at Texas High School.”

House hopes to utilize this new truck to give his students the opportunity to showcase their talents all over Texarkana.

“I'm going to set up anywhere that I possibly can to showcase the great students that we have,” House said.

“Hopefully one day in the future, we're able to showcase our students here on campus at sporting events such as Dash 4 Cash to showcase the great things that we have going on here [and to show] that our students have ample opportunity to be part of something that they're very interested in.”

The food truck is not technically a part of the culinary class because its funds must come from club money.

“The club has to fund that and so club money will go to purchasing the food to be sold and that money will go back into our club to continue to support the food truck and culinary in those endeavors like that,” House said.

It will cost around $10,000 to do what House has envisioned for the food truck.

This includes extra equipment, doing a vinyl wrap and modifications to adjust the height of the truck. However, the price of this project may not cost as much as originally expected because House has received offers from people who are willing to donate services needed to remodel the truck. The welding department at Texarkana College has said that they would donate the labor of

CULINARY CRUISING Culinary arts instructor Cory House stands in the back of the old TigerVision ambulance showing his excitement about the opportunity to turn the ambulance into a food truck. TigerVision received a new ambulance, and the culinary department hopes to raise $10,000 to covert it to a food truck. photo by h. rainwater

welding as long as House provided the necessary materials.

“Having community support just makes it that much more fun for the community whenever they see it and see our students,” House said. “So far, we have community support. [We] had a couple of people that have mentioned that they were willing to help out, but nothing official yet, so pretty, pretty exciting.”

Culinary students are also excited about the opportunity this new food truck will bring.

“I know that the food truck has been one of Mr. House’s main goals, and I’m excited that we’ll actually get to do it this year,” senior Aniyah Azille said. “I believe the food truck is going to be an

amazing opportunity to not only extend the culinary arts program, but for people to see what the culinary arts program offers and how it allows us to just branch out more.”

House’s goal for the food truck is to provide students with a more realistic view of customer expectations, customer service and to be able to showcase his students’ capabilities and talents.

“I'm a shoot-for-the-stars kind of guy, I want to be the best, and this is another way of showcasing that we have great things going on and we're striving to be the best,” House said. “So really, my main goal out of this is to serve my students and give my students an opportunity to shine.” tjwall@tigertimesonline.com

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NEWS

Restoring the

GLORY

Grim Hotel welcomes new renovations, to become apartment complex

graphic by v. van

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

BY PEYTON SIMS staff writer The grand opening of the Grim Hotel was in 1925. When a person entered the doors, marble flooring lined the ground right underneath their feet and directly above them hung glass chandeliers. Musicians played jazz music outside of the open doors. The rooftop held gardens and could be transformed into a ballroom, where guests could dance the night away. Celebrities were said to have walked the halls and grab a bite to eat at the cafe in the lobby. The Grim holds multiple memories for generations of all ages and Texarkana hopes to renovate to make new memories.

“I remember how beautiful the interior of the Grim was,” Texarkana citizen Bobbie Guilliot said. “Their cafe served the best sundaes, and every week I’d attend a club that was on one of the upper floors. The men would drink at the bar while my child

and I would look out the huge glass window and view the Four States fair parade.

When they renovate this place, I hope they restore the beauty it had before.”

The Grim hosted various events such as wedding receptions, dances and banquets.

“My wedding reception was held on the rooftop in 1957 where I was married to the love of my life,” Grady Doles said. “The moment itself was unforgettable, but the location we settled on made the event even more tremendous.”

The city of Texarkana plans to turn the current hotel into a set of 98 housing units for residents with lower incomes. The idea to renovate the historic location has been discussed for the many years, and the city hopes to begin on the project within the near future. There have been lots of contradictions about the renewing of the hotel because it’s a historic building. Others, however, view the building as an old run down place that teenagers vandalize and try to break into for entertainment.

“The construction should begin in December of this year or the beginning of 2019,” Texarkana’s instructional planner David Orr said.

“We have put over $20 million into this project and hope to improve it in many ways. We will redo the entire interior by adding new floors and increase the area of each of the rooms.

The apartments will be 400-900 square feet. Each apartment will have one to three rooms. The resolution was passed this July, so we hope to start building as soon as possible.” peytonsims@tigertimesonline.com

No note, more problems SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

Students often find it hard to make time to get help in classes they struggle with, so many attempt to find help from teachers before school. However, only with a note from a teacher may a student access assistance in the morning before school.

The note policy has become an area of concern among students and teachers alike because it limits the availability of teachers who are willing to help students in the morning.

“We are responsible for [students’] safety and their whereabouts,” principal Carla Dupree said. “There aren’t people upstairs and around the building monitoring, and so we have to have clear communication that [where they say they’re going] is where they’re going.”

Administration can only stretch itself so far, but many teachers are also willing to lend a helping hand.

“I think students who are coming in for help, for the most part, are legitimately coming in for help,” engineering teacher Julie Suelzer said. “Most of us are up here at 7:30, and anytime I’ve ever seen a kid in the hall in the morning, I ask them what they need, if I can help them, and I invite them in my room to wait for a teacher.”

According to Suelzer, the students coming in before school are students who really

do need assistance.

“The kids we see coming in for help are usually the same kids,” Suelzer said. “We have to make sure we’re giving students the accessibility they need to get to the teachers that are happy to help them and are willing to be here at anytime.”

Students are also frustrated with the system, especially those with after school commitments.

“The help is right there, but I still can’t get to it,” junior Shelby Steele said. “It’s frustrating that I know my teachers are willing to help me in the morning, and they want to help me in the morning, but they’re still not able to because I can’t get in.”

Students like Steele struggle to find time in their busy schedules to get help from teachers.

“I’m involved in theater, and as everybody knows, we have a very busy schedule,” Steele said. “A lot of the time we either have an [International Thespian Society] meeting or practice right after school. It gives me less flexibility whenever it comes to getting help from teachers after school. If I have to make up a test, I have to go before school because I need to go straight to [theater] right after school.”

Administration does offer some resolutions to the issue.

“My suggestion, even if [students] say they don’t have an opportunity, is to think ahead,” Dupree said. “If you know you have trouble in a particular course, tell that teacher, ‘I need to come see you regularly in

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photo illustration by h. rainwater

Students must think ahead to get pass for teacher help

BY ADDISON CROSS news editor

NEWS

MORNING FRUSTRATION Students are required to have passes in order to go to a teacher's classroom before school. This requirement limits accessibility to teachers for those students who need help on assignments before school. Administrators encourage students to think ahead and obtain a pass for those classes they have trouble in.

the morning. Can you write me a note that says I’ll be coming back and forth to your class?’

And once that becomes the routine, and that person on duty knows, you can flash that note and keep going. Just think ahead, plan ahead.”

Even teachers are unclear about the guidelines for writing general notes. “[Getting a general note] is a possibility, however, that needs to be communicated very well to the assistant principals patrolling the halls because if students have a note for the whole year, sometimes the person that stops them will tell them that it’s not acceptable, or they’ll have notes taken up, and they’ll have to get another one,”

Suelzer said. “Sometimes it’s been encouraged and sometimes it’s been discouraged.”

Sometimes the protocol has even affected students’ grades.

“I really have [had a difficult time on tests because of this policy]," Steele said. "Freshman year, I had trouble in algebra that I needed help on, and I just didn’t even know how to get help. I didn’t know anybody who could help me, and that was really frustrating. It definitely affected my grade.”

Teachers are typically understanding of students’ circumstances and want to help in any way they can.

“A lot of times, students don’t remember to get a note or don’t see the teacher the day they need

help, and I feel like students need access to teachers as much as possible,” Suelzer said. “There are a lot of times that kids might come in for help and I don’t know they’re coming. They don’t have accessibility to me to get a pass, and they don’t know until the night before that they need help.”

Teachers like Suelzer have their own ideas for a solution to the problem.

“I understand the reasons for [the policy], but there should be a way for them to contact us,” Suelzer said. “We really need to work on accessibility. I have an open door policy, but the only problem is they can’t get to the door.” addisoncross@tigertimesonline.com

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COMMUNITY

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

EDITORIAL

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

THE FUTURE OF YOUR CAREER

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

illustration by v. van

Is career planning useless during high school?

High school is the intersection of a large number of social constructs: cooperative socialization, child development and professional development, among others. Society has come to a consensus that education is the road out of poverty, the road to higher ground. This road, however, does not come without its fair share of bumps and detours.

Many issues plague high schools today, such as a failure to pay its teachers, a failure to prioritize student safety, and a misguided approach to planning student careers and futures. It seems impossible to underplay the importance of education. Our world’s rapidly evolving culture and accompanying economy, as well as politics and society, highlight the need for a smarter, more qualified workforce. For these reasons, an examination of our conditioning and preparation for the workforce is an important step in realizing our potential.

We are expected to know

what we want to be as children, as middle schoolers and as high school students. Despite this ongoing discussion of our careers and futures, a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that only a quarter of college graduates work in a field related to their major and only a little more than half work in a field related to their degree. We are expected in high school to follow our paths religiously, but students need exposure to new and diverse working climates.

Most careers planned during high school are likely to be overturned in the coming years.

In 2013, House Bill 5 changed the graduation requirements for high school students in Texas, obligating them to adopt an endorsement in the ninth grade, which are 26 credit plans in five different areas: multidisciplinary studies, STEM, arts and humanities, public service and business and industry. However, only public universities —which operate under the legislature of

House Bill 5 — must legitimately consider endorsements for the college admissions process.

Private institutions will not consider them beyond the extent they play in, what the Tenney School, a prestigious private school based out of Houston, calls the Big 3: class rank, test rank and course rigor.

The problem with endorsements falls mainly onto the academic advisers, who have to prioritize graduation requirements over other elective classes a student might opt to take. Through these prerequisites, students can be shortchanged of a certification, license or associate’s degree. Most students will end up debating their previous planning and go on to change their schedule. Instead, they will find themselves at a loss.

For instance, a core class might fall on the same class period as another class you want to take for career experience. Depending on how specialized these kinds of classes are, that might be the

only time in the block schedule that class is offered. Instead of taking this career-specific course, you would have to take that core class because of the graduation requirements.

We are expected to know what we want to be too early. Even in middle school, administrators and academic advisers come over annually to help students hash out what they want to work on during high school, maybe even their college or professional careers. Entrusting them to plan their careers at that time seems like a misstep in an inefficient direction.

Almost half of students who enroll in college end up dropping out. In that way, we are expected to fail on our own. What are we supposed to make of all these expectations? The uncertainty is enough to challenge the idea that the careers hashed out during high school translate into skills or knowledge that we can take to college, or to vocational school or to the workforce.

editors in chief-print Lindsey Egger, Jhovany Perez editors in chief-online Joseph Rodgers, Victoria Van managing editors Madison Brown, Craig Crawford news editors Addison Cross, Autumn Golden viewpoint editors April Alvarado, Maddie Anderson feature editors Audrey Haskins, Molly Kyles sports editors John Morgan, TJ Wall entertainment editors Margaret Debenport, Grey Johnson spotlight editors Craig Crawford, Anna Grace Jones, Misty Lopez advertising Jenna Williamson business manager Madison Bowers copy editors Paisley Allen, Greylyn Tidwell photo editor Kaitlyn Gordon video editor Taimoor Malik staff writers Raelyn Albert, Joseph Asher, Logan Diggs, Montevnah Glasgow, Kaitlyn Gordon, Charli Hueter, Zane Johnston, Salem Karr, Maryam Kulaib, Andrea Loredo, Kate Morgan, Nathan Morriss, Cameron Murry, Jonathan Naples, Connor Powell, Caden Rainwater, Peyton Sims, Sophie Spakes, Ashlyn Winters photographers Margaret Debenport, Rivers Edwards, Kaitlyn Gordon, Alyssa Higgins, Grace McGuire, Cameron Murry, Holland Rainwater, Kaitlyn Rodgers, Alexis Runnels, Merideth Stanfill, Jasmine Stark, Oren Smith videographers Cameron Alcorn, Logan Diggs, Kara Jefferies, Misty Lopez, Assad Malik, Oren Smith, Abagail Deleon advisers Rebecca Potter, Clint Smith principal Carla Dupree members ILPC, CSPA, NSPA

8 OPINION

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

Ban on straws will be positive step in creating clean environment

Staw ban does more harm than good, won’t impact marine pollution

BY CATE ROUNDS staff writer People suck. That’s because people use straws.

They have become a staple in today’s society. I go to class and see people using plastic straws with their drinks from breakfast, then again during lunch. They seem quite harmless, being only a thin tube of plastic, but each one used is another dangerous weapon harming marine life. According to the U.S. National Park Service, over 500 million straws are used every day in the U.S. Most end up in the ocean.

The Stop Sucking movement — started by the Lonely Whale Foundation — takes action against plastic pollution, beginning with something as simple as a straw. Together, we can all say this is the last straw.

Smaller plastic items, such as straws, get entangled in the animals, injuring them in the process. A viral video depicted a sea turtle after a straw had gotten lodged in its nose. Endangered species, including sea turtles, are affected severely by a non-necessity.

Many companies have accepted the #stopsucking movement and gave up using straws. Those companies include big names like Starbucks, American Airlines and UK McDonald’s. The city of Seattle even gave up using plastic straws for the entire month of September last year.

Some companies have been creating their own alternatives. Simply Straws, for example, is known for creating reusable glass straws. These straws are durable, recyclable, nontoxic and come with a lifetime guarantee.

Another corporation is FinalStraw, the world’s first collapsible, reusable straw. They are portable, stainless steel and able to fold to fit in a small case made of recycled plastic.

One major concern of banning plastic straws is what people with disabilities will use. People with disabilities need plastic straws if they have muscle weakness or paralysis, swallowing problems, or involuntary movements. There has been a huge debate between disability rights activists and environmentalists over this topic.

Fortunately, there are options of reusable straws for the physically disabled community. One example is silicone straws. These straws are very similar to plastic straws on terms of flexibility, but they are much softer and safer. They can be chewed easily without hurting teeth and last for many years.

Most people would ask, “Why don’t you just recycle plastic straws to reduce pollution?” Most of the time, it’s difficult to recycle straws. Their small size causes them to slip through cracks on trash conveyor belts, sending them to landfills. There also, aren’t many straw-recycling facilities, so most of the time, straws end up in landfills anyway.

Plastic straws are just auxiliary. We do not need them to live, but they are treated as a necessity. They cause pollution and damage to the world we call home. I know that banning straws will not clear entire landfills of plastic and garbage, but it’s a way to open the gates to a beautiful environment. graphic by Maddie Anderson

BY JOSEPH RODGERS online editor-in-chief

the

last

Ever since Seattle was the first major American city to prohibit this item in July, a firestorm of debate has erupted all over the country. The item? Plastic straws.

Seattle is part of a growing list of major cities that have begun efforts to prohibit the use of plastic straws citing a survey conducted by a nineyear-old showing that Americans use 500 million straws per day. Need I mention again that the survey was conducted by a 9-year-old who based his findings by calling three straw companies and is regarded as highly inaccurate. The real number is closer to 175 million a day, which is still a lot, but it pales in comparison to plastic bags, plastic water bottles and other forms of plastic waste.

Nevertheless, the #stopsucking movement has engulfed many major American cities and companies including Starbucks, who pledged to move away from plastic straws and use sippy cup lids worldwide by 2020.

Specifically for Starbucks, the ban on plastic straws is counterintuitive since using new lids may create even more pollution. The lids are made of polypropylene, or #5 plastic, and the U.S. used to send the plastic to China to recycle. However, China no longer wants American #5 plastic recycled, leaving tons of plastic items idle on ships in the West Coast harbors and warehouses. The Stop Sucking Movement may have good intentions, but will banning plastic straws really help?

Statistics say no, and Bloomberg points out that plastic straws account for 0.03 percent of the eight million metric tons of plastics estimated to enter the oceans annually.

Moreover, America’s plastic at its worst contributes only 1.4 percent to global marine plastic pollution. Five countries alone are responsible for 60 percent of all plastic waste dumped in the ocean: China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Supporters of the Stop Sucking movement claim that there are alternatives to plastic straws, such as those made out of paper or those easily biodegradable, or even stainless steel, glass or silicone straws. However, disability activists have been adamant about how these alternatives would harm those with disabilities who may not have the capability to adjust to weak, inflexible or even hazardous multi-use straws since metal conducts heat and cold.

Plastic straws may be harmful, but overall, they have very little impact on the environment. The Stop Sucking campaign wants to do the best for the environment, but banning plastic straws would do more harm than good. Plastic bottles and sacks, however, may be a better target for the campaign against plastic pollution and ocean conservationists. But sending Californian plastic straw distributors to prison for six months is simply ludicrous.

straw Movement to ban plastic straws goes worldwide

OPINION

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

9

Redefining MASCULINITY Society's expectations on men creates toxic stereotypes over into adult life.

It is by having a mindset such as this in which men have created this collective socialization. A socialization that brings Take a moment and think of what men together under the pretense that “being a man” means to you. Most misogynistic views are what equate masculinity with bind them. Such ideals allow strength or the ability to them to view women not as provide and being able to History may people, but as a conquest. By suppress emotion. This way have created viewing women in this way, of thinking, however, lends men feel free to do whatever itself to creating an array the divide it takes to claim a woman’s of other issues. These rigid between attention, be it by way of societal expectations have the sexes catcalling, harassment or been upheld for centuries assault. and are deeply rooted in centuries ago, physical This, however, isn’t true every aspect of day-to-day but if we strive for all men. Often times life. when a large group of men One aspect of this toxic for change congregates and the topic of masculinity is directly now, it will discussion turns to women, linked to the objectification the conversation mutates and of women. From a young be the future carries a more sexist tone. age, boys are taught to chase that makes us While not every individual after girls, and in turn, girls in the group will agree are taught to believe that if equal. with what is being said, a boy is aggressive toward society pressures men to act them, it is merely a sign "masculine" and refrain from expressing of affection. These teachings lead boys emotions. to believe that this kind of aggressive What society deems a man to be goes behavior is acceptable, and this kind of against what it means to be human. Men attitude will more than likely translate

BY CONNOR POWELL staff writer

who express emotion are seen as weak and feminine, but it is the nature of people to share their burdens and beliefs.

Many men feel as though their sense of masculinity would be compromised if they were to be open with their emotions or to disagree with the beliefs of their peer group.

Those who choose to remain silent may believe that they are still good men because they don’t contribute to the sexist rhetoric or violence toward women. But in fact, it makes them the opposite. Their refusal to speak out against harassment makes them just as culpable as the men who are doing the harassing, and this silence only permits harassment to continue.

Author and women's rights activist Tony Porter made an effective analogy to explain the need for men to speak out against harassment. “In most cases of harassment, there will always be a perpetrator, a bystander and a victim,” Porter said. “The silent man plays the role of the bystander. The perpetrator is going to do whatever he wants to do to the victim and the bystander has no power over the choices of the perpetrator.

However, he does have power over his

graphic by k. gordon

own choices. He can choose to speak up and alter the outcome of the situation.”

If you look all throughout history, the mistreatment of women has played a role in society in some form or fashion.

Change is so desperately needed, but how are women supposed to change a suppressive society that is dominated by men? While it’s true that we are at cultural milestone in terms of rights for minorities, there is still a great need for change. But in order for real change to take place, it is up to all of us, men and women, to band together and use our collective power to alter society.

One group alone can’t succeed without support from another.

History may have created the divide between the sexes centuries ago, but if we strive for change now, it will be the future that makes us equal. Decide now what side of history you’re going to be on. connorpwell@tigertimesonline.com

It doesn't feel like family anymore Junior writes letter to ones left behind in Mexico

photo by r. edwards

BY ANDREA LOREDEO staff writer

Dear Family, Days turn to weeks, weeks turn into months. I still haven't called to see how everything is. It's not that I don't want to, because I do, but I am scared. Scared that you won't want to talk to me because of how much I've changed. Or that you will think that I've forgotten, when I haven't. I can't forget about the people who raised me like I was their own, and honestly, I don't want to.

You live in Mexico, where I was born until we moved to the United States. I was very young and didn’t know much of what was happening, but I understood when my mom told me we were going to live somewhere else.

Everything I had ever known was left behind so that I could start a new life. What I didn't know, was that this new life, with these new people, would cause the memories to start fading.

I have never been one to deal with change in a positive manner, and you knew that, so you told me that it would be like a new adventure, and that I would come back soon. I didn’t. I failed to make friends during my new ‘adventure,’ and when I felt like I needed you the most, you were not there. I know that it was not by choice, but

sometimes a phone call was all I needed.

The less we talk, the more I feel like we don't know each other. We live miles apart and only see each other twice a year, but that should not give us the right to treat each other like strangers. “Family sticks together.” Those were the words you used to raise me, yet it does not feel that way. I hear about everything that happens from my mom or my sister, so how is it that you can’t bother to tell me. I can't even remember the last happy birthday call I received from any of you. I miss our family, and the way we used to get along. All the memories we use to make together, just being a family, talking to one another without judgment.

Times have changed, and I am not the same girl that left almost 10 years ago, and you are not the same people that I remember. It's not like it was back then. We are no longer who we were. We have grown up, and we have changed. “Family sticks together.” I have always believed those words you told me, even when you acted like I was a stranger in our family.

Love, Andrea andrealoredo@tigertimesonline.com

the RED CHAIR campaign

10 FEATURE

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

In a world where men dominate STEM fields, girls are taking on technology one seat at a time

BY KAITLYN GORDON print photo editor

T

hey are around the globe working everyday to make it possible for girls to share their stories and reach their goals. It is their everyday mission to ensure that people recognize the importance of the roles women are playing in technology fields. They invite people everywhere to help validate these roles.

These women are asking others to sit with them. To take a seat in the red chair. To be the support that holds campaigns like the Red Chair together.

“I absolutely notice that there are less girls in my STEM or technology classes. I already knew to begin with that there wouldn’t be many girls in these classes because most girls are not interested in STEM or technology,” sophomore Molly Laird said. “Girls are

most interested in the arts rather than computer science or engineering of any kind. I do believe, however, that this field is full of arts.”

Though they are more common than in the past, women don’t make up the majority in STEM careers.

However, many girls are beginning to believe it’s time for a change.

“The amount of guy voices over girl voices during discussions doesn’t seem to bother me until one the guys starts ‘mansplaining’. They’re talking to you as if you don’t understand just because you’re a girl, or you can be talking and then interrupted half-way through,” junior Margaret Debenport said. “It doesn’t happen often.

They probably aren’t even doing it on purpose, and I guess it doesn’t bother me that much until it turns into a joke on women, as if [a woman] can’t understand or do something just because they’re a woman.”

Computer science teacher Mark Ahrens work to ensure girls can find their place in STEM, technology and computer science classrooms around the campus.

The presence of women in both STEM careers and classrooms is thought to be vital if progress in technology is ever going to be made.

“Girls actually offer a really good perspective in computer science. Boys tend to have a very straight forward approach where girls tend to have a more well-rounded approach to their designing and programming,” Ahrens said. “I do support all students, but I am aware that there’s a shortage of women in

come sit with me in the

the IT field, so I do support them the best that I can whenever they’re in class or in other endeavors or opportunities they experience.”

Students are even making an effort toward further involving girls in these technology areas. As shown on the Red Chair Campaign website, sitwithme.org, there are ways to host an event of your own by downloading the event kit. Students like freshman Caden Jean, however, are thinking of their own ways to make a change.

“Getting girls more involved would have to be a group effort,” Jean said. “We need to start by getting to the younger generations and possibly go to the middle schools to talk to those younger students so we can spark an interest early on. Maybe if we had a free day at the high school, a group of students involved in technology could take a trip to go explain to the girls why women should join computer science and not just men.”

The mission the Red Chair Campaign seeks to accomplish is to make sure that women everywhere know that their voices in technology rooms are welcomed and heard, and that can never happen if students and younger generations don’t start making a change now.

A statement on the Red Chair Campaign website reads, “We invite you to validate and recognize the important role women play in creating future technology by taking a small but symbolic action: sit in a red chair and share your story.” kaitlyngordon@tigertimesonline.com

RED CHAIR

Scan this page with the HP Reveal app for a video!

FEATURE

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

CRAFTING THE CLASS

11

Biology teacher implements online game for classroom management

BY JOSEPH RODGERS online editor-in-chief He wears a steampunk watch while lecturing over prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in class. A Justice League poster sits behind him with boxes of DC comic books stacked against the wall. This biology teacher does much more than pass out worksheets and dissect frogs with his class. As nerdy as it may sound, Michael Folse has a unique, yet effective, take on the classroom environment.

“ClassCraft is a classroom management system that is used in some high schools nationwide,” Folse said. “It is more on the premise of a video game where students are given characters that they developed into avatars.”

Folse uses the online game as a medium to reward and punish his students based on what they do in the real world.

“The avatars have health points that can be lost like in a video game,” Folse said. “The game has school and classroom rules, and if a student violates one of those rules, their avatar will lose health points. Say a student is disturbing the class. As a teacher, [I can] use [my] cell phone and push one button and it takes away their health.”

These online avatars battle other virtual avatars with powers acquired by experience points and the amount of health points the avatar has.

“When an avatar’s health reaches zero, it is what we

call fallen battle,” Folse said. “An avatar needs six health points to stay alive as a character. Another teacher or another classmate can revive or protect the avatar in a battle as well. If a student falls in battle, I get to choose their punishment in the real world such as a student has to sing a karaoke song selected by me.”

In addition to health points, students may also receive experience points in and outside of the game to customize their avatars and gain new powers. However, action points give students rewards in the real world in class.

“Powers in ClassCraft are dedicated to using action points and they are real classroom powers that they can use,” Folse said. “It takes a lot to level up to learn this power, but a power called ‘Secret Weapon’ allows the student to use a cheat sheet provided by me on his exam. [The powers system] really is dependent on how the teacher develops the whole system.”

Folse has also added gold coins as a virtual currency in the game for students to use and buy other real world benefits.

“The students are allowed to buy coupons for things such as a ‘Target Pass’ which allows them to turn in an assignment a day late without a penalty,” Folse said.

“Another power is ‘clairvoyance’ which allows the students to get one answer correct on a test or quiz.”

Folse was introduced to ClassCraft while researching gamification during his second year of teaching.

“I wanted to apply the gaming aspect to my

GAME ON Students can play as many avatars in the game Class Craft, including the raindrop featured above.

classroom by using the whole reward system of badges and incremental rewards to keep people on task,” Folse said. “I came about it that way, just doing some research and I’ve used it ever since. It's pretty interesting, new, I guess, around here.”

Folse believes that ClassCraft is both simple for teachers to use and is engaging for students. Teachers can also cooperate so students are under the same system for multiple classes and even parents can reward or punish their children if they choose to do so.

“It really is a good management system for me because again, everything is customized to the teacher,” Folse said. “If I want certain behaviors, all I have to do is add a new behavior [in the game], and students behave because they actually have incentives to do so.

It’s different, and the more [the game] evolves, we’ll see what happens.” josephrodgers@tigertimesonline.com

checking in with

T-HIGH ALUMNI

Paige Oliver, Texas High Class of '13 a place where you’re going to be comfortable, but also one where you can stretch yourself and grow.”

WHAT IS THE COOLEST JOB YOU'VE EVER HAD? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO GO TO A&M? HOW DID YOU PICK THE RIGHT COLLEGE FOR YOU? “I chose A&M because I come from a long line of Aggies and I loved the friendly atmosphere. I was also drawn to how large the school is, because there were plenty of opportunities to branch out and try new things. Ultimately you should pick

"I worked in the protocol department of the United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN - based in NYC) when I first moved to NYC. I helped plan official receptions [and] got to attend all the events I planned and met some extremely cool high-profile people. I’m extremely happy I went out of my comfort zone, took a semester off school to move to NYC and took my

BY MOLLY KYLES

shot, [because] without that initial leap of faith, I wouldn’t have found what I love."

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW IN HIGH SCHOOL? “I thought I had to make all my major life decisions at 18, and I was stuck with whatever path I chose. Life is so much more flexible than that! It’s OK to make mistakes, it’s OK to change your major, it’s OK to be indecisive. Yes, the decisions you make now are important, but if you actively seek out opportunities in areas that interest you, you’ll eventually find your way.” mollykyles@tigertimesonline.com

12 FEATURE

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

THE TEACHERS

BY MOLLY KYLES FEATURE EDITOR

Out with the old and in with the new­—get to know some of the school’s newest teachers EMILY SZYMANSKI AMANDA STRAUSS

1

2

and I’m still about 90 pounds away from that. My goal is to [reach it] by May of 2019. That would be really nice.”

this freshman group–to move forward,” Szymanski said. “Whether that be to an AP class or just to the next level.”

BY CAMERON MURRY Amanda Strauss is from St. Louis, Missouri, and teaches English. She started her weight loss journey in 2017 and has lost 165 pounds. “The biggest thing that inspired me to change was seeing my parents get sick with diabetes,” Strauss said. “I knew that was something that I didn’t want for my life, but that if I didn’t change that would inevitably happen. I have a goal weight in mind,

3

AMANDA CLEVENGER

BY GREY JOHNSON Amanda Clevenger’s shift to Texas High from Texas Middle School makes this her first year teaching high school. She teaches precalculus and can be found on the second level of the Math and Science Building. Though it is her first year to teach the upper level math class, she has been certified to do so for years. “I like teaching that upper level math,” Clevenger said. “I’ve got some kinks to work out just because I haven’t taught it. But, getting the kinks out is just something that I’m going to have to get used to.”

1 photos by a. runnels

2

BY CHARLI HUETER Emily Szymanski has transitioned from Texas Middle School to teach World Geography at Texas High. She was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2016, and recently coached her UIL social studies team to victory. She is eager to begin supporting freshmen as they uncover personal aspirations. “My biggest goal for being in Texas High is just making sure that I’m preparing my students—

4

WHITNEY FARMER

BY CHARLI HUETER Whitney Farmer comes from a 1A school that is four times smaller than Texas High. She teaches Human Geography AP. She is passionate about her career, and looks forward to getting involved in the many opportunities offered here. “I definitely want to become involved in this school,” Farmer said. “The amount of different classes you can take here, the different sports you get to participate in, the different groups you can join—all of that is on a larger level.”

3

4

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

COMMUNITY

13

14

IN-DEPTH

MAKING IT

WORK

BY CRAIG CRAWFORD in-depth editor

There exists a stigmatism around money that warps our ideas about life outside these walls. It is money — the governing ingredient in the global melting pot — that first separates these two spheres of life, one behind school walls and the world beyond it. We find it seeping into our world from all over, from politics to economics to religion.

And the tangent most directly related to one’s wallet is one’s livelihood, the motivation behind working hard during high school.

Texas High offers three main educational opportunities for students’ careers: student-working programs that give students real-life working experience, endorsement career plans required by the state of Texas that promote specialized career fields, and certification and licensure programs that students can use to gain a legitimate document for a certain occupation.

Pam Hamilton oversees the Distributive Education Clubs of America program at Texas High School.

DECA, a career and technical student organization, is a school-integrated work program allowing students to split their day between work and school, leaving school early or getting to school late and then going to their job to work.

Hamilton offers herself as mentor to her students, dispensing practical advice about balancing work and school, managing money and building character, even going as far as to check in with bosses about how her students are doing or to make sure that their boss isn’t overscheduling them.

“Could you handle working 15 hours a week with your school load? Would it fit into your schedule?” Hamilton said.

“If the answer’s no, you shouldn’t be in my class. If the answer is yes, I’ve got to

High school changes one’s economic outlook

work to help support you.”

The need for cash echoes the challenges and responsibility of adult life as high school life welcomes the privileges of the working world: driving a car and the individuality that comes from spending money, among others.

Learning to work and hold a job is an essential career skill that DECA extrapolates in high school.

DECA students are required to work 15 hours to remain in the program, though a lot of students opt for more rigorous schedules.

“I try to advocate for the student and help them realize that there has to be a balance. School is the most important thing, and that’s your number one job,” Hamilton said. “Because if you’re not successful in school, and you don’t graduate, what kind of future are you going to have? So, my goal is for them to be successful here.”

Even though DECA offers students an opportunity to work outside of school.

Hamilton reinforces the need to go to school and get their education.

Texas High currently offers more than 30 certification and/or license programs ranging from horticulture to interior design, but these accolades are accompanied by a caveat of distresses that make them hard to obtain: prerequisite classes that complicate a student’s schedule, age requirements and a $400 to $800 price tag for certification tests.

“If they’re not coming to school, I try to get their boss to help me encourage them that school is important,” Hamilton said, “and that they need to come to school and help support them in that endeavor.”

Though DECA can mitigate the hardships of the working student lifestyle, some students simply make an enterprise out of their pastime or hobby.

Junior Coltin Minter is in TigerVision, but he takes his interest

beyond the studio and runs Texarkana Media Solutions, which he began when he was 12 years old. Texarkana Media Solutions is a business that specializes in graphic design, marketing, photography, videography, website design, smartphone repair and DJ entertainment.

Minter’s passion for technology inspired him to get a leg up on his future career early on.

“I hate seeing young adults who struggle to make ends meet and are not pursuing their real passion,” Minter said. “I thought, ‘What better way to ensure a positive start into the real world than to start doing what I love?’”

Both DECA students and students like Minter get a chance to take their careers into their own hands, but students are trained to think about their career aspirations at an early age, seeds planted during primary education that are cultivated throughout middle school and high school. But according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, only about 30 percent of college grads end up in a job in the field of their college major. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 80 percent of college students change their major during their college career.

While the majority of work done by the faculty at our high school is directed toward growth of career aspirations, it makes one wonder whether the focus of high school is lost in the uncertainties of our futures, academically and professionally.

Holding a job can help direct and train these aspects of one’s training, but high school is merely the fulcrum for a number of tradeoffs where our actions can be felt in the effects of the world around us, allowing students to feel pride in their work, honor in the way they treat people, and dignity in the way they carry themselves. craigcrawford@tigertimesonline.com

Jordan Heard, 12 “I am a student teller for Red River Federal Credit Union, and I work with money handling. I work in the cafeteria, and after school, I’ll go to the regular branch. I have learned time management skills. It takes a lot to have a job and go to school. I’ve also learned really good communication skills.”

Zaria Brown, 12 “I do good customer service [at Walmart.] I help people find things, greet customers and hope that they have a good visit. I was thinking about how to further my education, so I decided to get a job and save money. I try to help pay bills, and I pay my own phone bill. I work about 30 hours a week.”

Hailey Woodberry, 12 “I work at Cooper’s Paint and Body.

I work in the office as a secretary. I handle money, talk to customers, go pick up parts and answer the phone.

DECA helps me save up money before I graduate and go to college.”

Bryce McNeely, 12 “I work at Discount Tire. When somebody pulls in, we can do anything from a flat repair, rotations and rebalance your tires. The job was recommended to me, and the hours aren’t difficult. Our boss is flexible with our schedule and that helps out.” illustrations by v. van

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

Miss

Senior endures hardships of balancing adulthood, adolescence

INDEPENDENT

BY VICTORIA VAN editor in chief

As her shift ends, she removes her apron, escaping the pressures of being an employee and submerges herself into the pressures of being a high school student. She returns home to an empty apartment, exhausted after a 16 hour day, and begins her assignments to prepare for the next day. She goes to sleep before repeating it all over again the next morning at 6 a.m.

School. Work. Homework. Bills.

Everything in between.

Senior Miracle Watson is in the Distributed Education Clubs of America program where she splits her school day between classes in the morning and working her job at Golden Corral in the afternoon. Watson’s job as a cashier ensures that customers are accommodated to the best of her ability. She found out about the job opportunity through job hunting and discovered the benefits of working in a restaurant environment.

“I am responsible for customer service needs at my job. I also make sure that our cups and straws are stocked. My main responsibility is cash handling,” Watson said. “I knew I wanted to challenge myself in a fast paced working environment. The restaurant is pretty busy all the time. So, it’s a way to challenge myself to get stuff done in a fast atmosphere.”

The DECA program fit Watson’s current schedule.

Her main concern is finding a balance between school and work but being part of the program has taught her about more than how to handle work a working life.

“In the practice marketing class, we learn about

15

professionalism. The class has taught me how to be more professional, what not to do in interviews or at my job. My advice to the underclassman is to not get into DECA because you get a chance to leave school early and to start making mature life decisions,” Watson said. “DECA is a great program that allows you to leave school early but also make sure to get your other responsibilities done as well. It may not be when you graduate that those responsibilities come because it came really early for me.”

Since Watson’s work requires daily transportation, she currently relies on her coworkers or grandmother for rides. Yet, Watson is working on obtaining her license to ease the stress of driving to work every day with help from her DECA teacher, Pam Hamilton.

“I didn’t have anyone to influence me to get a license or find out how to get it, so I feel like Mrs. Hamilton has really helped me out not only within school, but within my personal life,” Watson said. “She’s trying to help me get my license. That’s my main goal for this year.”

As the youngest of the family, Watson wasn’t prepared for the weight and responsibility of taking care of herself. However, her employers aid with any problems that arise and give her advice about work and her personal life.

“I’m really glad that I did get the job because it has taught me to work with other people and ask for help. It’s not like bosses or excessively strict or anything,” Watson said. “They won’t hold it against you because you do have problems of your own at home.

They don’t fire you because of personal problems because they’re understanding people.”

photo by m. stanfill

POURING IT While working at Golden Corral, senior Miracle Watson refills the sweet tea container.

In addition to working and attending school, Watson pays her own bills in the apartment she rents on her own. The plan to move out of her house was unexpected, but the influence of DECA helped align her responsibilities.

“I have my own apartment, so getting a chance to leave school early to accommodate more hours at my job has helped align with personal responsibilities in my life,” Watson said. “I moved out for personal reasons at a young age. Having an apartment and taking care of yourself is difficult and stressful, but I’m just making sure that I’m focusing on not just work but the responsibilities at school.”

Growing up with her parents who were entrepreneurs, Watson is familiar with the mechanics of handling a business as her

mother was owner of a clothing store, and Watson aspires to work in business as well.

“My family was all about business management and getting your business license,” Watson said. “They want to have something of their own and bring a new product to the world. I feel like I’ll probably be managing my own business.

I’d most likely go into women’s apparel or the makeup industry.”

Watson’s relationship with her mother has sustained through tough obstacles in life, and Watson has learned vital life lessons about vulnerability and remembering to be thankful for her blessings even if a situation seems stressful.

“My mom is often stressed, and so a lot of pressure has been placed on me because I have to fend for myself now,” Watson

said. “With taking care of that, I’m not worried about if I’m good— if I’m really OK. I break down sometimes because it really is hard. I remind myself that even if stuff is going on bad at your house, just make sure you respect your parents.”

Watson’s experience as a worker and maturing at an early age have manifested into learning more about herself and the path she desires to go down in order to succeed in life after high school.

“Do not just try to wait for someone to tell you to go and be successful. Be successful because you want to be successful and when you turn the right age to start planning for jobs, go apply.

It’s about trying to become a young adult, and it’ll help a lot in the future.” victoriavan@tigertimesonline.com

16 FEATURE photo by h. rainwater

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

HANDLING THE

HEAT BE YOUR OWN SPARK Student worker Eduardo Garcia lights fire at On The Border while working long hours to make sure that his family is financially stable.

Senior finds purpose in providing for family

BY MISTY LOPEZ AND VICTORIA VAN in depth editor and editor in chief He watches the steam rise from the crisply charred rib-eye steak as he stirs the pot of bright orange rice next to it.

He’s physically there, quickly moving to make their meals perfection, but his mind is somewhere else. Images of his hometown fog his concentration — images of his sister, still in Mexico.

Images of his father’s struggles. The flashbacks remind him of his difficult childhood full of labor. That’s all he’s ever known, and it’s the only thing that’s gotten him and his family through the hardships.

Senior Eduardo Garcia moved to the United States at the age of 13, and immediately went to work, whether it was mowing lawns or carpentry. He currently works at On The Border in order to support his family.

“I’m a cook at On the Border because four years ago my dad had an incident where half his body became paralyzed, and so he isn’t able to work like he used to,” Garcia said. “The primary reason for my job is to help my parents out.”

When Garcia first received the news, it wasn’t an instant shock because he didn’t comprehend the severity of his dad’s condition. Over time, Garcia began to realize the changing roles in his family and has been working to provide an adequate life for not only himself, but for his father as well.

“Around the time it happened, I didn’t really understand the condition my dad had. I only understood that my mother told me he was sick, but she didn’t specifically give me a motive, a reason as to why he was sick. I really started to understand his condition about two years ago,” Garcia said. “My dad is important to me. Sometimes I may not show it, but he’s very important to me. No matter how mad he gets at me, I will continue loving him.”

Yet, Garcia’s determination is a quality that he developed when he was young.

Unlike most teenagers, he has spent most of his life working, which has affected his feelings toward school.

“If it was up to me, I would only work, because honestly, school has never been for me,” Garcia said. “For as long as I can remember, I have always worked.

In Mexico, they had me working in the cornfield, and to be completely sincere, I wake up happier going to work than going to school.”

Despite the fact that he doesn’t have a passion for school, Garcia still places equal emphasis on his job and the completion of his schoolwork. Though at times, it can be challenging due to the restrictions that his schedule places on him.

“Balancing school and work is difficult because I have pressure from work, and then I have homework. I sometimes close the restaurant, and we usually don’t leave until 12 a.m.,” Garcia said. “I leave

work tired and don’t have time to do my homework. I get to school late at times or to work late because I try to do both.”

Even with Garcia’s busy schedule and his dad’s condition, they still manage to find time to spend together even if that only means a few hours. Garcia also spends his time trying to fix the situation involving his sister.

“If I get home early from work, I’ll cook food, so my dad can eat when he comes home from working. Right now, I can adjust my schedule how I would like, so I have three days off,” Garcia said. “I use these days to do personal things for my dad or to work on helping my sister, since she wants to come to the United States. My sister is still in Mexico because when we all got our papers fixed, she was overage and didn’t have the same benefits we did.”

Garcia’s decision about his postsecondary education is unclear at the moment. Garcia would rather work and earn money than spend his time doing something he doesn’t feel as passionate about after he graduates.

“I don’t think I want to go to college.

I’m hoping that I can work two jobs like I did over the summer, which was construction and at the restaurant,” Garcia said. “I would go to my construction job at 5:30 a.m., and I would go to work at the restaurant until 12 a.m.”

Although Garcia is paid more than the average minimum wage of $7.25 an hour,

he still has to work around 165 hours a month to make a sufficient amount of money to take care of the house and to fend for himself and his siblings when his parents are away.

“The amount I get paid really depends on the days I work, but I get paid $12 an hour. I help my family take care of the bills. At the moment, my mom and dad are in Mexico, so all of the bills that are coming in, I pay for. I pay for my phone, car and everything else,” Garcia said. “I’m not gonna lie, every month I have to earn at least $2,000 to pay for all my utilities and such, and it becomes difficult.”

Even though Garcia has chosen a different path, he’s doing it because it feels fitting for him. He doesn’t want to encourage anyone to leave school solely because of a desire for money. His plans do include finishing high school and working hard for the things he needs in life while also providing a better life for his family.

“It seems easier for teens nowadays to say that they don’t want to go to school anymore and that they would rather work because they like money. But that’s not a motive to leave school,” Garcia said.

“What I would suggest, is to graduate from high school because once you have that diploma, you have more open doors.

My mom and dad always tell me to finish high school because I’ll regret it later in life if I don’t.” mistylopez@tigertimesonline.com victoriavan@tigertimesonline.com

COMMUNITY

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

STUDENT CENTER

Opening in the fall of 2018

experience your

SPIRIT.

Student Center

6 sports

Opening in the fall of 2018, the $11 million Student Center will be the place to be seen on campus.

Featuring regulation sized basketball and volleyball courts with seating for more than 1200 people, a dance/ group fitness studio, fitness center, a game room, plenty of space to relax and study, Ace’s Place, the café featuring Starbucks coffee and Smooth Sailing smoothies, Kinesiology and Biomechanics Labs, two multipurpose classrooms and offices for faculty, coaches, and staff!

TEAMS

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL MEN’S & WOMEN’S TENNIS MEN’S & WOMEN’S SOCCER

40+ STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND GREEKS

THE BIG EVENT 280 A&M-TEXARKANA STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND ALUMNI PARTICIPATED IN THE 2018 BIG EVENT, A DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

375 ACRE

CAMPUS WITH HIKING TRAILS, FISHING, AND MANY MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-TEXARKANA

TM

7101 UNIVERSITY AVE.

|

TEXARKANA, TX

|

WWW.TAMUT.EDU

|

903.223.3000

17

ORDER ON 18 SPORTS

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

Reagan Potts, 10

Tirzah Bailey, 12

Connor Elliot, 12

Quinn Sanders, 11

Griffin Johnson, 12

THE COURT Walker Trippe, 11

Tiger tennis teams find success early on, prepare to ace this season’s competition

BY JONATHAN NAPLES staff writer Their court – pristine and blue. Their spirit – vibrant and orange. Their record – promising and untarnished.

After a long summer, the Tiger tennis team is ready to continue their domiant ways on the court. The team has already defeated Frisco Liberty, Tyler Lee, Evangel and has their sights set on a state championship.

“So far, we have won every match we have played,” senior Conner Elliott said.

“Last year we lost our first match, but now, we are doing much better.”

Last season, the team raced through district until they fell against Frisco Liberty in the playoffs. Since then, the players have intensified their practice and conditioning to prepare for regionals this season.

“We’re making a more conscious effort to play good non-district matches every fall season,” tennis coach Toby Watson said. “This year, we tried to do a better job with the fall schedule to try to push our kids a little further this season with our district schedule not being extremely tough.”

With 10 girls and 12 boys, the team has already caught fire this season. They continue to gain confidence as the team

looks to prove how competitive they can be with other schools and themselves.

“This year, I am expecting a better overall outcome in our matches,” Elliot said. “Last year, we had five or so guys that were playing their very first year of varsity.

Now, our overall experience gives us a great advantage.”

Along with the physical aspects of tennis, the team hopes to focus on the mental side of the game as well to prepare for real-game scenarios.

“One thing Coach Watson has always told us is to keep up the ‘high intensity,’ ” senior Tirzah Bailey said. “It’s clear now more than ever that it helps us make it through the tough matches.”

The team is storming toward district with only one thing in mind: to show their might. Only time and practice will tell whether they will rise to the top or leave people waiting for the next season.

“I hope that we continue to play strong and keep it known that Texas High doesn’t give up even when we’re down,” Bailey said. “I want us to make it to the regional finals both in the fall and spring, while growing closer in our friendships throughout the year.”

The tennis team’s next matches are against Midlothian and Corsicana at the Cascades Country Club in Tyler on Friday. jonathannaples@tigertimesonline.com

photos by k. gordon, a. runnels, and c. murry

MATCH POINT Junior Jebin Justin prepares to return a shot against Evangel. The tennis team won this match and has found early season success.

CAUSING A RACQUET Sophomore Jonathan Naples serves to his opponent in a junior varsity match.

The team has it sights set on making a run at a state title in College Station in November.

LOT TO LOVE Junior Jackson Cheney watches as he admires his forehand shot. Cheney is one of the few members of the tennis team who made the leap to varsity this season.

SPORTS

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

19 photo by k. gordon

GRIDIRONS ELSEWHERE New football district poses challenges both on and off field

BY JOHN MORGAN sports editor

Offensive Statistics Coltin Clack, 12

C

A

41

Yards

Chris Sutton, 12 Collius Zachery, 12 Coltin Clack, 12 Tracy Cooper, 11

44 14 31 17

157 90 90 79

Receiving

Rec

Kobe Webster, 11 Myles Washington, 12 Kendall Reid, 12 Mason Jones, 12 Chris Sutton, 11

6 6 7 12 9

FAMILIAR WATERS

TISD to lease, renovate TC Pinkerton Center

The Texarkana Independent School District authorized the lease of

587

77

A

Rushing

photo by h. rainwater

BY ANNA GRACE JONES AND CONNOR POWELL in-depth editor and staff writer

Yards

Texarkana College’s Pinkerton Center during the School Board meeting on Sept 18.

The 30-year lease agreement will begin Jan. 1, 2019, and end Dec. 31, 2048, for the amount of $10 a year. TISD is

Sophomore Rian Cellers

TD 8

Int

photo by a. higgins

Passing

Seniors Chris Sutton and Coltin Clack photo by k. gordon

161. 155. 171. These numbers may seem random, but for the football team, they will play an important role in determining the course of their season.

Each number represents the mileage of the Tigers’ three remaining away games as they prepare to tackle their new district. With tougher opposition and potentially grueling travel, the rest of the season will pose challenges both on and off the field.

Led by 6A dropdown John Tyler, strong contenders in McKinney North, Mesquite Poteet and West Mesquite, along with Sherman and Wylie East, the Tigers will have their hands full in this new alignment. Many of these teams possess unique talent and have garnered experience from playing in the Dallas area.

The Tigers are used to rolling over their competition on their way to a playoff spot, but this season, each game will wind up as a battle that could go down to the last minute.

"Being more physical is the most important thing," senior linebacker Nick Graves said. "As far as execution, we just need to stay focused and start making tackles."

The Tigers have had an up and down start to their season as they opened with a big loss to Pflugerville Hendrickson but rebounded with crosstown victories over Arkansas High and Liberty Eylau.

"It's all about momentum," senior running back Chris Sutton said. "We've got three games under our wing now. It will be important to get better week by week."

The offense has begun to find their rhythm as senior quarterback Coltin Clack and Sutton have established themselves as viable weapons. A more consistent rushing

attack has allowed for the passing game to open up in the secondary.

"Recently, we have benefitted off of our defense," Sutton said. "When they force three-and-outs, we can rally off that [on offense.]"

The defense has their fair share of initial struggles as early on, they were prone to let up big plays to fast-paced offenses. However, they have begun to tighten up these holes and look to continue progressing as district play approaches.

"We just need to quit with a lot of the silly mistakes we've made," Graves said. "We played pretty smart against Arkansas High and Liberty Eylau, but we just missed too many tackles."

The Tigers look to start strong in their new district as they face off against John Tyler at Tiger Stadium on Friday night at 7 p.m. johnmorgan@tigertimesonline.com

1

Avg

TD

3.6 6.4 2.9 4.6

1 0 3 0

Yards

Avg

TD

150 138 121 118 46

25.0 23.0 17.3 9.8 5.1

3 2 1 2 0 Senior Coltin Clack

planning a $2 million renovation.

“Texarkana College has made the decision to close their aquatic center due to facility conditions and renovation costs,“ superintendent Paul Norton said.

“Knowing the importance of the pool to the TISD swim program, TC trustees offered TISD the opportunity to lease the facility and absorb renovation costs.”

In a review of the plan of financing the aquatic center renovations, Doug Whitt, Senior Managing Director for SAMCO Capital Markets, shared with the Board the funding options for the estimated $2 million project. Costs for the renovation can be funded through Time Warrant financing up to $1 million with the remaining funds covered through a Maintenance Tax Note.

“The renovations are way past due.

Everything is pretty old and run-down, so I think it’ll be really cool to see how they change it,” junior Max Young said.

“I can’t wait to spend my senior year swimming in a brand new pool.”

With TISD trustees anticipated approval of funding during the October 16, 2018, regular session, renovation

would begin in January 2019 and be completed by late summer 2019. The TISD swim program would find an alternative facility for practice sessions during the construction time period.

“I have mixed feelings about [swimming at St. Michael’s] this summer.

I haven’t swam much in outdoor pools other than at swim camps, so it’ll be a new experience,” junior Haley Wood said. “I’m excited to see how it’ll be.

Maybe it’ll make me more excited to get up at 5:30 a.m.”

Other aspects of the agreement allow TISD to terminate the lease with a 12-month written notice and gives naming opportunity on the exterior as TISD Aquatic Center.

“I think [all the changes] are going to be a motivator for us to take more pride in our swim team. I’m grateful for the Pinkerton Center,” Wood said. “I’m thankful that TC lets us use it, and I think the renovations will help a lot with the atmosphere and helping us reach our best potential.” annagracejones@tigertimesonline.com connorpowell@tigertimesonline.com

20

SPORTS OPINION

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

SPORTING CULTURE

BY JOHN MORGAN sports editor Nike is a brand that has become synonymous with athletic prowess. The swoosh is a captivating image in worldwide society that has become instantly recognizable. Most importantly, Nike is what Nike is today because in the history of their climb to economic prosperity, they have done what many profitable businesses have done.

They have taken risks.

They trusted Sonny Vaccaro when he presented the idea of making a basketball shoe and marketing an unproven shooting guard out of North Carolina by the name of Michael Jordan. They decided to pay

Recent business decision from Nike differs little from their past

universities to wear their products rather than dole them out for a price. They acquired other competitors to strengthen their brand and diversify their interests.

Each of these moves resulted in immense profits for Nike and pioneered the way that athletic apparel companies go about their business today. For all of their commercial decisions, Phil Knight and Co. have been sure to reap some sort of benefit in the deal.

This is what makes their most recent endeavor not as unexpected as others seem to think. Nike made waves everywhere when they announced Colin Kaepernick, currently one of the most divisive figures in sports, as the new face of their 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign. This caused a public outcry that was based more in politics than reason.

Kaepernick made headlines when he kneeled in protest during the national anthem in the 2016 NFL preseason. Since then, he has been a free agent and recently filed a collusion case against the NFL because he feels other professional football teams aren’t giving him a fair chance or opportunity to prove himself.

His actions caused the league to enforce new rules surrounding the anthem.

It’s not hard to understand why a figure like this could be divisive in today’s society. Those who stand on the left and right sides of the political line in the sand have either praised the motion or ridiculed the quarterback.

After leading the 49ers to back-to-back NFC Championship games, he has been at the center of

political debate due to his act of protest. He was then not given a chance by other professional football teams and will always be defined by his actions on the sidelines.

This would make it seem as if the decision was a cautious one for Nike to make, but they have never been one to shy away from controversy like this.

Over the years, they have supported various polarizing figures in sports during their rough patches, such as Tiger Woods, Maria Sharapova and Lance Armstrong.

They also sponsor athletes like LeBron James and Serena Williams, who speak up often on certain worldly topics much to the chagrin of others it seems. These might pale in comparison, though, when looking at Kaepernick’s divisiveness in this country and even abroad.

Political opinions aside, what this boils down to is the fact that Nike ended up a financial winner is this decision rather than a loser. Their company shares reached an all-time high while their online sales rose 31 percent after the announcement of the campaign, according to Fox Business. Regardless of criticism they had received from many including President Donald Trump, universities with Nike contracts and others who stood against what Kaepernick represented, the only important aspect that matters is that Nike made money.

A company founded on risk just did what they’re best at again, and it worked. Why this comes as any surprise to a public that rocks this brand up and down the streets of cities all over the nation is a conundrum. johnmorgan@tigertimesonline.com

SPORTS

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

21

OFF THE NET Senior Treyaunna Rush talks about current season, scholarship offer Q

Q A

How do you feel about the volleyball season this year?

I feel like we started out a little shaky, but I feel like we’ll progress the way that we actually want to.

Q

You have received various offers to play volleyball in college and have decided to play for Texas A&M next season. What does that mean to you?

It means everything to me. When I was growing up, I always wanted to be the girl on TV that another girl wanted to be when she got older, and I feel like when I get there, I will be able to dominate and show everybody that a girl from a small town can make it.

Q A

photo by h. rainwater

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file photo

SERVE UP SUCCESS In a scrimmage against Atlanta, senior Treyaunna Rush looks to her teammates before starting the point. Rush looks to continue her volleyball career at the next level and plans to sign with Texas A&M in November.

You guys were a game away from being district champions last year. What has the team improved on since then?

We have improved mentally to get here, because it was challenging. We had already played [Sulphur Springs] before and lost to them. It was mentally hard for us to compete and actually win, but I feel like mentally we have gotten better this year.

How far do you think your team is going to go this year and what are your expectations for this year?

I feel like we can win district and make it past the first round of playoffs with the level of talent that we have.

ON THE FRONT LINE Senior Treyaunna ush looks on as she returns the ball over the net in a game against Hallsville last year. The volleyball team is looking to build on a second place finish in the district last year.

DIGGING IT UP Against Pleasant Grove, senior Treyaunna Rush saves the ball from hitting the ground and allows her team to continue fighting for the point. Despite losing talent from the previous season, Rush is one of many who return with a district title on their minds.

22 COMMUNITY

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM

COMMUNITY

23

24 CULTURE

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

Mappen is not for making friends

on Locati 5 12 5 2 33.4 7688 -94.04

Popular app that shares location can put students in danger illustration by M. Debenport

BY LINDSEY EGGER print editor-in-chief

T

he notification “What are you doing?” pops up on your phone constantly. It’s not from your curious friends, but from an app sharing your location. Mappen is an app “for staying close with friends, having real experiences, and making memories,” as their website states, but it is more of a danger than a fun app for friends.

Using Mappen gives the app the right to your location, contacts and email. The app uses your personal information for targeted advertising and shows other’s where you live, work

and go to school. People are willing to give so much personal information to this app in order to only see where their friends are.

Sex trafficking incidents are becoming more frequent. Today is a time to be worried about walking alone to your car or going to check the mail. With Mappen you are advertising your location to others. It is better to be cautious than to be risky when it comes to safety.

The app has a 4 and up age rating which means it is suggested for anyone above the age of 4. A 5-year-old is suggested to use an app where they give away their location, update others

on what they are currently doing and “finalize plans” with others. For children this app increases the risk of being kidnapped, sex trafficked and taken advantage of.

One thing the app does include is a feature where you can let others know you are OK. It doesn’t alert people that you were ever in danger, but they now know you are safe. If you are concerned about safety there are apps specifically designed for alerting family, friends or even the authorities at a press of a button. One of the most highly rated safety apps is Noonlight, formerly known as SafeTrek.

If you wanted to spend time with

your friends then you would ask. If they aren’t asking you to hang out, then knowing their location isn’t going to “make something happen” like Mappen’s website states. It only makes you more antisocial compared to calling or texting someone to hang out with you. And if you have stayed home for the past two weeks, everyone will know how much of a couch potato you’re actually being. Mappen doesn’t seem to have many advantages to connecting you with friends.

If you have or are considering getting Mappen, then are you are willing to give up your safety? lindseyegger@tigertimesonline.com

Who’s Tracking You?

Watch out for these apps that may be using your location

SNAPCHAT

Snapchat’s “Snapmap” feature shares your location with your friends on Snapchat. Although you have the option to turn the sharing of your location with friends off, Snapchat constantly tracks your location to find filters and weather information based on where you are.

LIFE 360 Life 360 uses a GPS tracker to share

your location with your family. Many students locations are monitored through this app by their parents, however, if the login information falls into the wrong hands, you could be tracked by a stranger.

MAPPEN

Once a friend has been added on Mappen, you can constantly see their location. If you happen to be near a friend, the app sends a notification to let you know.

Even when the app isn’t open, your location is being tracked in the background.

POKEMON GO

Upon opening, the app’s loading screen reminds users to beware of their surroundings. Users can gather at gyms to battle each other, but there is not always reassurance that the other users aren’t there with intent to harm you. It’s OK to catch em all, but just don’t be the one that gets caught in a dangerous situation.

CULTURE

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM IMPROV ACTING Theater students practice improv movement pieces while auditioning for the play "Metamorphoses." Auditions were held on Aug. 20.

Performances begin Oct. 15.

25

ANDREW DAVIS “My favorite part of theater is, surprisingly, the hours of rehearsal we get to spend after school with each other learning and getting better every minute along the way.”

RACHEL JOHNSON “The best part of theater in general is acting with all your friends and building a real connection with all of them and really learning new skills through other people that you haven’t developed yet, and building yourself as a person and actor or actress.”

Scene-iors

photo by a. higgins

SAM SANCHEZ "I’m most excited for the water that is going to be on the stage. It’s never been done before at Texas High. I’m also excited for how close up the audience is going to be to us. They’re going to be sitting on the stage with us.”

'Metamorphoses' signifies beginning of end for seniors To some students, theater is just its literal definition: a building or outdoor area in which plays and other dramatic performances are given. To others, it’s a area to exhaust their blood, sweat and tears. The Tiger Theatre Company is a place to belong for many students, a place that some seniors have put their heart and soul in for years.

With their last first audition in high school having been for "Metamorphoses" on Aug. 20, the memories of their last year and auditions in theater have already begun.

"Metamorphoses" is a play based on the works of Ovid composed of many separate Greek stories. The play will feature a pool on stage and a talented cast of students. The many Grecian tales include, but are not limited to, the stories of Midas, Orpheus, Aphrodite and Eros. The play will be interactive and the audience will sit on the stage.

The theme is centered around change.

It features both classical and modern theatrical and Grecian elements.

The play features interpretive movement and comedic scenes, demonstrating the Tiger Theatre Company’s wide range of talent. The student actors will be performing the first showing of "Metamorphoses" in mid-October.

“This is the best I’ve ever done,”

senior Samuel Sanchez said. “It’s kind of nostalgic in a way. When you’re on stage, you remember your freshman play. You knew it was going to be over one day, and here you are, a senior. It's kind of sad, but exciting.”

The responsibility of senior year affects most students, especially current seniors in theater attempting to fulfill their new leadership positions within the company.

Since the class of 2018, there have been many opportunities for this year’s seniors to step up and showcase their leadership skills.

“I am really looking forward to this year,” senior Andrew Davis said. “This is my second year. It's going to be great, but I’m trying to fill the role of the leader in theater and to me that's the best, most challenging part.”

Theater is something special to most students involved, especially when it comes to looking back on previous experiences. For some, like senior Audrey Mohon, it’s an opportunity to learn.

“Even though this was my last audition for the first show, it will be the best because I'll be making memories the whole time,” Mohon said. “It's been really fun. I’ve loved every second, and I’ve learned so much.”

Missing out on memories made by fellow students can lead to frustration.

For some seniors, like Grant Rommel, this year is about making up for the

past.

“I missed out on two years of theater here,” Rommel said. “I’m getting back into the swing of it. I’m excited about the season and how things are gonna go.”

Like most organizations in high school, theater has become a sort of home for some of its members.

“I'm really upset that it’s my last year at Tiger Theatre Company,” senior Rachel Johnson said. “Mrs. Newton has been my person I've looked up to the last four years, and I’ve made so many friends and memories and seen so many people grow from the company and do great things. I'm not ready to leave.”

The pressure of being a senior is felt by most students in their final year at Texas High, especially those involved in an extracurricular as intense and demanding as theatre.

“It’s sad, but I’m happy because it's my year to shine,” senior Jose Velasquez said. “It’s overwhelming because I have to audition and apply for college, and I’m going through it step by step.”

Senior year is a time to leave a mark and make memories. With their countless hours of practice and hard work, these students hope to leave an impact on the Tiger Theatre Company.

Their practice hours have already began, and the first showing of "Metamorphoses" will be on Oct. 15. cameronmurry@tigertimesonline.com

AUDREY MOHON "The most surprising thing is that the audience will actually be on the stage with us, and I'm excited to see how they'll react."

JOSE VALASQUEZ "I get to sing an opera song. It's going to be difficult, but I can do it, you know. Having to be there in front of everybody doing that is kind of nerve wrecking, but I'm also really excited for the pool. It's going to be awsome."

photos by C. Murry

BY CAMERON MURRY staff writer

GRANT ROMMEL "I'm just exited to be back in the theater. The environment itself is something that's really welcoming and hardworking but fun to do. Really the environment is the most exciting thing for me and being around the people there is also really exciting."

A WARDROBEClothing FROM THE PAST from previous eras makes comeback

26 CULTURE

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

BY PEYTON SIMS staff writer

T

he halls vary in styles as different seasons come and go. Mom jeans, overalls, denim on denim, scrunchies and many other fashion trends are making a reappearance in today’s society. Certain trends that were popular in the past are skyrocketing back into style.

Teenagers today are becoming intrigued by clothing from the '70s, '80s and '90s. It has become the social norm to see a student wearing a Beatles shirt with a denim jacket and mom jeans. A majority of today’s throwback styles are inspired by television shows or movies that teens watch, such as “Stranger Things,” with its mom jeans and classic rock band tees from the '80s or “Grease,” laden with leather jackets and hair gel from the '50s. “The Breakfast Club," another '80s classic, features Molly Ringwald, who has resurfaced as a source of style inspiration for teens today. The quintessential '90s outfits donned by Rachel Green, a character from the popular sitcom "Friends," also serve as current fashion trends. By emulating these movies and shows, teenagers replicate outfits they see while also adding their own twists to them.

If someone wants to discover some one-of-a-kind vintage clothing, thrifting is the best

opportunity. The possible combinations that can be created are endless. Not only will the clothes be unique, but you will also save money by purchasing a comfy knit sweater for only $8 rather than finding a similar one at American Eagle for $40. Along with clothing, other items like record players, Polaroid cameras and music genres are making a reappearance.

Each era has designated clothing trends whether we notice it or not. Our generation includes free and comfortable styles consisting of sweatpants, hoodies, skinny jeans, name brands and clothing from the past. The clothing itself hasn’t changed too much over the years, but the way we combine the different pieces has. In the '50s, women were forced to be more modest, but now, the term "modest" seems nonexistent.

For adults, especially, seeing certain styles and trends go back and forth between generations is confusing.

Since there’s no way for sure to determine why fashion trends resurface, it’s best to continue to wear what you enjoy — whether it be inspired by a celebrity icon or an original design. Who knows, maybe a new trend could be created by stepping out of a comfort zone. Keep in mind that fashion is a choice, and everyone has their own definition of it. peytonsims@tigertimesonline.com

'90s The grunge looks were created in the '90s.

Dark lipstick,black nail polish, worn out overalls, and a dark colored sweater will bring you to the emo era you desire.

'70s

The '80s are mostly known for their music taste which ties into band tees which go well with some mom jeans and an oversized denim jacket for the denim on denim look.

photos by m. debenport

upcoming entertainment news

L I S T E N U P

TWENTY ONE PILOTS After a three year hiatus, the duo returns with the album "Trench," out on Oct. 5.

BROCKHAMPTON

Set to release Sept. 21, "Iridescence" is the boyband's first full length album since the end of the "Saturation" trilogy during the summer of 2017.

CHER

Set to release on Sept. 28, "Dancing Queen" will be Cher's 26th studio album full of covers originally recorded by pop band "Abba."

Venom

“Venom,” the standalone movie for Venom, one of the many villains of Spider-Man, is scheduled for Oct. 5. The movie, produced by Sony Pictures, will follow the origin story of Venom in his second live action appearance, his first being in “Spider-Man 3.”

bad times in the el royale

'80s

The '70s were a time when collared shirts and skirts were in style. Today many people mix and match trends from this era.

WHAT'S UP

Set in 1960s California, seven strangers meet up at a hotel, each bearing their own dark secret. They have one last shot at redemption, until everything goes wrong. “Bad Times at the El Royale” is a thriller, mystery movie set to release on Oct. 5.

Bohemian rhapsody

Named after one of Queen’s hit songs,“Bohemian Rhapsody” follows the band in the events leading up to their concert “Live Aid.” Rami Malek plays as the band’s lead singer, Freddie Mercury, in the film which is set to release Nov. 2.

L O O K U P

PHOTO STORY

SEPT. 26, 2018 • TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM photo by h. rainwater

b at t l e AXE

AXE IS BACK Senior Sarah Jane Paddock cheers for the Texas Tigers while holding a handmade axe.

Texas High won the axe back from Arkansas High by defeating them in the football game. "This hometown rivalry has been one of the most memorable events of my high school experience," Paddock said. "Winning the game my senior year made the experience even more exciting." photo by a. higgins

of the

By KAITLYN GORDON print photo editor Tigers stole the axe back from Razorbacks with a 43 - 35 win on Friday, Sept. 7. The gmae was a constant battle from beginning to end with both sides giving their all to win.

"It felt really good to come back from last year's one point game loss with a win," senior running back Logen Clopp said "Knowing that I went out my senior year winning that game felt great."

The morning before the game seniors hosted the annual bacon fry.

Seniors also released balloons during senior sunrise in memory of classmates who recently died, DeQuavion Lewis and Grace Comer.

"The bacon fry was bittersweet because it was my first and last time setting up for it," student body secretary and senior Kendall Reid said.

"I enjoyed being with my graduation class from senior sunrise to the bacon fry."

The senior class is beginning to experience their lasts and realize the little time they have left.

"I was over the moon about the win, but after winning, I realized some things," HighStepper captain and senior Sarah Grace Boudreaux said. "It hit me that next time I watch a Texas versus Arkansas game I won't be with my girls." photo by m. debenport

WHIPPIN' Senior Gabby Leon performs the HighStepper hip hop routine. The dance was both a surprise and huge hit with students.

"The team worked really hard that week because the dance was so fun and exciting," Leon said. "It really got people's attention and made the dance even more fun."

SHOOK Senior Isabelle Robertson is left with her mouth wide open at unfavorable call from referees.

Robertson was seen during the game game with constant emotion. "I was super mad at the beginning of the game, yelling stuff like 'get him' and 'score already,'" Robertson said. "But by the end of the game, I was super proud because they stepped up and beat the Razorbacks. I couldn't be more proud to be a Tiger."

CLACK ATTACK Quarterback Colton Clack high steps into the end zone with Razorbacks trailing behind him. Clack lead the Tigers in a comefrom-behind victory against the Razorbacks.

CRISPY Bacon sizzles as grease pops off of the grill while a patient pair of tongs waits to grab it at peak crispiness. Seniors awoke early Friday morning to fry bacon for the annual Bacon Fry.

HOGETTES Senior guys mock the Arkansas High Redline in a skit during the pep rally. Kiss the Pig and this hilarious dance routine are traditional ways to tease Arkansas High.

photo by a. runnels

photos by k. gordon

27

28 COMMUNITY

TIGERTIMESONLINE.COM • SEPT. 26, 2018

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