TIGER TIMES
TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL TEXARKANA, TEXAS VOL. 59, ISSUE 1 SEPT. 25, 2019
what pulls the trigger? The prevalence of mass shootings leaves many searching for answers on what’s to blame page 12
photo illustration by m. debenport
2 news
CONNECTED
11
the
STAY
@thsstudentmedia
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
Brighter days ahead
rundown
8
Junior Dashanae Criner shares how she found light in dark circumstances in the outskirts of Beverly.
In someone else’s shoes
Tigers with TikTok
21
The fastest growing social media app has infected Texas High, and these students have found fame, flops and fans. See an inside look into the most popular tik-tokers.
Junior shares her experience from a camp simulating a Third World country, from cooking over an open camp fire to intense manual labor.
Shelby Ross in a nutshell
17 A new direction
14
New golf coach Ryan Huntze shares his excitement for his first year at Texas High, and golfers share how they plan to keep Coach Jay Brewer’s memory alive.
Take a peak into the life of part freshman, part model, part cancer survivor Shelby Ross. From Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders to magazine modelling, Ross tells it all.
what’s 26 sept.
up next...
From Homecoming to Halloween, here’s a look at what’s coming up
19
oct.
ACT Prep Session
A prep session for THS students in Rooms 34 and 34 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Theater Freshmen Production Tiger Theatre Freshmen will be putting on the production “Check Please” on Sept. 26 and 28 at 7 p.m.
26
oct.
Financial Aid Workshop THS will be holding a workshop to assist familes in appling for FASFA.
30
sept.
Homecoming Court Presentation of the Homecoming court will be at the Sullivan Center at 7:30 p.m.
23
oct.
Club Picture Day Club pictures will be taken all day in the multipurpose facility. Clubs must register in order to be on the schedule. Contact Mrs. Potter in Room 50B for more information.
5
oct.
Homecoming Dance The Homecoming Dance will be held at the Dan Haskins Center from 7-10 p.m.
25
oct.
‘Night of the Living Dead’ The theater department will present “Night of the Living Dead” on Oct. 25-26 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.
news
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
3
A new place for politics
h
Political clubs merge into one
photo illustration by b. groom
ot topics
What are the primary issues candidates should address?
“Global Warming. It’s the main issue because polar ice caps are melting, water levels are rising and Florida could be underwater in the next 100 years.” Hannah McElhiney, 9 BY DOUG KYLES staff writer
“The National Debt. It’s at $20 trillion right now, and at a certain point, the interest will rise and we are going to be paying half of our national budget to the interest; it is just not sustainable.” Seth Whittington, 10
“Immigration, because first of all, it can be very good for the economy. However, at the same time, you have these non-legal citizens without a social security number, not paying taxes, which is bad for the economy.” Katarina Jordan, 11 Compiled by d. kyles Photos by s. rowe
Two of our school’s most controversial clubs, at odds with each other for years, are no more. The Teenage Republicans and Young Democrats clubs disbanded at the end of last school year. From the ashes, the Texas High Political Society was designated as the new place for politics on campus. An unprecedented move, the objective was to provide a space for all students interested in politics. With one club, students won’t feel pressured to change their views to fit on one side of the political aisle. “It would be better if we didn’t have a divided club setting,” club sponsor Hunter Davis said. “There are people who aren’t Democrat or Republican, and they didn’t have a place to fit. So I thought if I did one sweeping motion, we could get all political ideologies in one place.” Supporters of the merger also believe there is value in the future arguments, an inevitable byproduct of sending those with opposing views to the same meetings. Davis believes that exposure to different beliefs will add to the students’ understanding of today’s political climate. “Kids don’t like being told they are wrong, and they don’t like people disagreeing with them,” Davis said. “So, if they can accept other people’s viewpoints without getting angry, then I think they are going to be just fine.” However, good intentions behind the union weren’t enough to prevent critics; various students from the previous clubs are skeptical of the changes and question
the logic behind combining the clubs. “I don’t like it. I’m not going to lie. I kind of wanted to participate in the Teenage Republicans this year,” former Teenage Republican vice resident Remington Cook said. “But unfortunately, now all we have is the Texas High Political Society.” Cook was looking forward to transforming the Teenage Republicans club from its previous state, quick to cite many flaws from last year, especially in club events like the “Change my Mind” tables. “The ‘Change my Minds’ in theory, were a good idea to open up political discussion,” Cook said. “But at the end of the day [the club’s leadership] used the [events] to incite conflict and invite negative argument. It was provocative.” The merger’s detractors are predominantly former Teenage Republicans, likely because it was their future plans that were cut short by the change. “What my hope for the Teenage Republicans club was to transform it into a volunteer organization. We could get a lot of community work done this year,” Cook said. “And now, it just doesn’t exist.” This isn’t to say the new club is without their own plans, however. Davis envisions an eventful year for the Political Society, with many events revolving around the primaries. “We do debate watching nights. We’ll do that going through the primary season,” Davis said. “Whoever joins next year will get to join the general debates as well.” Those interested in joining or learning more about the THS Political Society, see Mr. Davis in room 93. doug.kyles@tigertimesonline.com
A GREAT DEBATE Senior Remington Cook and government teacher Hunter Davis foresee lively discussions between the two major political parties now that the Teenage Republicans and Young Democrats have combined to form the THS Political Society. Those interested in joining the group should see Davis in Room 93.
4 news
Leading to
New program hopes to create leadership potential in all students
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019
SUCCESS
photos by a. elliott
BY PEYTON SIMS culture editor A new leadership program implemented this year is expected to help create a more positive environment throughout the school. Leader in Me, a program based on Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” addresses the areas of academics, culture and leadership by empowering students to be more responsible for their learning and school environment. “Leader in Me’s goal is to show that every person is a leader, and they don’t have to be in a particular organization to be a leader,” Assistant Principal Julius Anderson said. “We want to change the culture at the high school and get kids to realize that everyone has the potential to do something great.” Inspiration to begin the program came from senior Julia Whitehorn’s independent research project last year. “I was looking for a project and remembered being at the elementary schools and them having Leader in Me. I thought it was working really well, so I thought ‘Why don’t we offer that at the high school?’” Whitehorn said. “I proposed my idea to [Principal Carla] Dupree to see if it would be OK, and she was actually already considering [it]. They ended up implementing it for this spring, which was a lot quicker than I had anticipated.” Anderson, who oversees the program, works with a student lead team of 30 to begin implementation. “Everyone has genius, and sometimes hearing it from teachers or adults doesn’t sit well with you,” Anderson said. “That’s why maybe hearing it from your peers and having your peers put you in a position of leadership is something that will change the culture of our campus.” Whitehorn, who is a member of the lead team, said they have set goals for the program with hopes of seeing considerable results in the next three years. The lead team’s current focus is to initiate changes at the school by using the seven habits vocabulary and to figure out how the program will be structured and when lessons will be taught. “We want to be able to know when we are going to do the Leader in Me lessons to teach students interesting ways they can use the seven habits in a job, in the
school place, in relationships with other people, and how they see themselves,” Whitehorn said. “By the end of the year, hopefully, we will see a few changes in the school culture. And over the next three years we will gradually see more changes in academics and in school culture and also in leadership.” Currently, about 30 students have been identified for Leader in Me, which differs from other school leadership programs by focusing more on the individual. “Leader in Me teaches us how to be a leader, not just in school, but in ourselves, like how to make ourselves feel confident, and how to improve in like class work,” senior Tarren Engle said. “We can teach you how to be a good person to yourself and to others and how to respect other people. I think that’s really an important thing to learn.” Engle said one of the first things they did was make the seven habit’s paradigms visible on campus with signs in the hallways and courtyards and made a list of things they hoped to change. “We wrote down what we wanted to see improved and how we would go along with it and see how that could actually happen,” Engle said. “Instead of just saying it, we made a plan as to how to achieve that.” Those in the program hope to see others get involved as well. “I like the people in Leader in Me a lot, I think it’s going to be a great group of people with great chemistry,” junior Graci Henard said. “We plan to do something during school where every student is involved and ask questions about themselves to self-reflect.”
BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND During a Leader in Me meeting in the library, senior Emerald King (left) and sophomore Bobbi Hatchett (right) discuss strategies to get more students involved in school activities and organizations.
Engle said she is looking forward to the changes the program will bring. “[I’m most excited] to see how it improves our school, like the bullying rate to go down a lot. I think that would be really cool,” Engle said. “And even when I’m out next year to go to college, I think it’d be really cool to see it still improves our school.” Whitehorn said other schools have seen improvements in attendance and overall student attitudes toward school. “[Leader in Me] makes students want to come to school,” Whitehorn said. “When students enjoy school, they want to come to school. They want to be here, they feel responsible for their education. Leader in Me helps change the school culture into a positive atmosphere where students want to learn.” To reinforce this change, Anderson’s role as principal was modified to focus on positive behavioral support. “It’s easy to get lost in the mix of the 1,800 kids here,” Anderson said. “Our goal is to have kids realize that the school is an inviting place and that everyone should want to treat it just like their own home.” Anderson said his main objective is to
be in classrooms and to make sure that the relationships between the students and the teachers is going in a positive direction, which corresponds to the Leader in Me objectives. “Instead of kids seeing me always as someone that comes in the room to get someone for something they’ve done wrong, my role now is to come in and form a partnership and to work on what the kids are doing positive in class and give them some kind of kudos for that,” Anderson said. “Maybe they’ll see that it’s OK to lead in the classroom and do things positive, and that will correlate to what Leader in Me is trying to do.” Schools who have implemented the program have seen considerable results, Whitehorn said. She hopes Texas High will follow that trend. “I really think this could be a great thing for Texas High,” Whitehorn said. “We just have to have people who really buy into it and who want to see a change get involved and be active in Leader in Me because this can be a positive thing. There have been huge success stories with Leader in Me. I hope that Texas High can be one of those great success stories.” peyton.sims@tigertimesonline.com
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
community
5
6 editorial
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019
TIGER TIMES Texas High School 4001 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX (903) 794-3891 Fax (903) 792-8971 The Tiger Times is a student-run publication. The contents and view are produced solely by the staff and do not represent the opinions of the faculty, administration or TISD board of directors.
editors in chief Addison Cross Anna Grace Jones Molly Kyles news editors Logan Diggs Sophie Spakes opinion editor Margaret Debenport feature editors Audrey Haskins Kate Morgan sports editors Caden Rainwater TJ Wall entertainment editors Cate Rounds Peyton Sims advertising Jenna Williamson business manager Madison Bowers copy editors Connor Powell photo & social media editors Margaret Debenport & Kaitlyn Rogers assignments editor Bailey Groom video editor Assad Malik staff writers Raelyn Albert, Joseph Asher, Aislyn Echols, Bailey Hawkins, Ruth Heinemann, Stephanie Jumper, Doug Kyles, Emma LeFors, Andrea Loredo, Phoebe Neff, Sydney Rowe, Brooklyn Watson, Mikayla Zverina photographers Abigail Bunch, Cayli Clack, Abigail Elliott, Jonathan Naples, Caden Rainwater, Hollan Reed, Sydney Rowe, Peyton Sims, Allyson Smith, Oren Smith, Sophie Spakes, Merideth Stanfill, Jasmine Stark videographers Cameron Alcorn, Elizabeth Debenport, Logan Diggs, Kara Jefferies, Brooke Knight advisers Rebecca Potter, Clint Smith principal Carla Dupree members ILPC, CSPA, NSPA
Fuel for change
illustration by m. debenport
We can’t live in fear of mass shootings The principal comes over the intercom. This is just a drill. We hide in the darkest corners of rooms, away from doors and windows and under desks. One or two laughs might be heard to break through the anxious air. But there is an overall seriousness to our hiding. We are anxious. We are anxious because we know that at any day, at any time, this could be more than a drill. Our lives could be ended with a single bullet: whether it be at school, a concert, a place of worship, shopping or walking down the street. How do we learn in a classroom without worrying about all the ways to exit the building should the unthinkable occur? How do we say yes to large, public gatherings without wondering if our goodbyes will be our last? How do we stroll casually through the mall without fear that our lives will be over if we wander into the wrong store at the wrong time? How do we live, if not in fear? Last month 29 people died in mass shootings in Texas. Twenty-two died in
a shooting at and El Paso Walmart, and seven died at a shopping center and movie theater in Midland-Odessa. Our fear is justified. Although only two percent of gun deaths were caused by mass shootings, gun violence was the third highest cause of death in 2017. If we allow those who carry out mass violence to force fear into our lives, then we submit to terror before it is carried out among us. However, if we allow the fear to push us to do better, to create change, and explore solutions of ending unnecessary deaths, then we take our fear and turn it into fuel. We can fuel a better tomorrow. We can fuel schools where students focus on classwork and not on the caliber of gun used in last week’s school shooting. We can fuel the protection of the most sacred American freedom, allowing everyone to worship freely without hatred threatening them in the form of bullets. We can fuel fun experiences where anxiety of the unthinkable won’t stop us from stepping
out of our houses. Only if we let it our fear be turned into fuel will we create change. The fear we have can be transformed into a vote for someone who supports better gun laws. The fear we have can be changed into a phone call or meeting with a local representative. The fear we have can be used to support victims of gun violence and their families. We must not and can not allow ourselves to be stuck in a cycle in which we cower in fear, post our thoughts, and wait until the next tragedy to happen. Taking our pain and creating change is the only way we can escape circling the drain of violence. Whatever you think causes or does not cause shooters to take lives does not matter. What does matter is that we have a problem. A problem that we need to solve. Whatever you think we need to fix it, advocate for it. Raise it up. Care. Care before it’s too late for you to do so. Take your fear and make it fuel.
opinion
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
sound on
7
What do you think is to blame for mass shootings? Sin
Media
“Lack of Christ in schools. You know, sin, Satan. That’s just my opinion.” Colton Jackson, 10
“I think that it’s mostly the hate speech and media that’s been going on recently and that’s been the major cause of the mass shootings just exploding out of nowhere. In recent years, It’s like skyrocketed, So probably like hate speech and negativity and stuff in the media now.” Ian Suelzer, 12
Bullies
Mental health
“Kids being bullied and anxiety from it. Because when they’re bullied, they have to lash out in some way, and they might just get up for school.” Lakeyn Smith, 11
“I think it would be more of a combination of mental health issues and how easy it is to access guns.” Micah Rayburn, 10
Depression “For kids, mostly depression, anger and bullying and similar causes. Most of the kids you see who are shooting up schools, they say they were getting bullied constantly before they had shot up the school. And most of them have underlying depression or suicidal thoughts.” Sadie Poole, 11
Evil “I think that humans naturally have some presence of evil in them, but I also believe that there can be good in everybody.” Jaxon Webb, 12
Prejudice
Bullying
“Well, in some cases, it is mental illnesses, but a lot of it is racism and you know being prejudiced and a lot of different issues, like terrorism. Things like that.” Maddie Frost, 10
“People are always messing with people, and like eventually you’re going to get tired of it and you’re going to do something about it.” Jordan Lewis, 11
Bullying & depression “I think bullying and depression is the cause of it. If the person is going through a hard time, like going through depression and bullying and stuff like that, they need to be talked to. If you see a person alone, just talk to them, see how they’re doing.” Fidel Cantu, 10
Compiled & photographed by m. hofert
Bullying “I feel like bullying is one of the problems because they’ll probably be like they’re not wanted and nobody likes them. That’s like the anger gets inside their brain and they just want to do harm to other people.” Vikesh Patel, 9
8 opinion
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019
In someone else’s shoes Junior recounts experience living in simulated Third World BY KATE MORGAN feature editor Rain crashes on the bamboo floor of our Philippine home. The walls quake with the occasional boom of thunder. I can make out the figures of girls who decided that it would be better to stand outside in the pouring rain rather than fight the constant battle of trying to fall asleep. They whisper among themselves about how wonderful it will be when this is over. For the past three years, I have attended the Servants in Faith and Technology Learn and Serve Retreat in Lineville, Alabama. This week-long camp is specifically designed for international missionary training. This is done by entering a 48-hour simulation where you experience the life of someone in a Third World country. After almost 12 hours of a cramped van ride with with seven other teens, singing the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” at the top of their lungs, we make it to the camp, in the middle of nowhere. The place that we are to call home for the next six days. We barely began to unpack when an over enthusiastic swarm of counselors descends on us. We are split amongst ourselves into smaller groups. “This is your family for this week,” the counselor tells us. They shove a singular potato sack in our hands and tell us to pack everything we will need for two days. Some people pack clothes and a toothbrush. Others grab a sleeping bag and bug spray. The counselors lead us into the mass of untamed woods. We walk cautiously on logs over creeks and creaking bridges that we fear will collapse beneath us. We laugh and talk with our “family leaders” about
Counselors at the Servants in Faith and Technology Learn and Serve Retreat in Lineville, Alabama, prepare the group for a simulation of living in Third World country.
As part of the simulation of living in a Third World country, participates are given meager amounts of rice and beans to cook over a fire.
Junior Kate Morgan gathers with members of her “family” to build a fire in their Philippine home.
Texarkana and guilty pleasure Netflix shows. Our first sighting of the global village is customs. Men with machetes taking things out of our potato sack. Taking the very little we had. Treating us like animals. Some people lost everything. Others had nothing taken from them. At the end of the process, everyone was left with nothing more than a sleeping bag, their Bible and a journal. We trek further into the woods and arrive at the heart of the Global Village. Signs point to the different houses, made from bamboo, stone and clay. My leaders lead us to the small building made of bamboo, labeled “The Philippines.” “This is your home now,” the counselor tells us. The rest of the evening is a blur. Collect firewood. Get to know each other. Start a fire after numerous fails. Play truth or dare. Cook the meager beans and rice portion our family was given over the fire. Tell funny stories. The night is restless. After dinner and worship, we are sent to sleep, sleeping bags in hand, on the spiny floor of the Philippines. We awake with a start at the sound of shouts. “The village next to you has burned. You must
They tell us: “We didn’t do this to you to make you feel guilty about what you have. But until you take a walk in someone else’s shoes and have empathy for them, you can’t be inspired to make a difference in this world.”
evacuate.” We follow the strangely dressed man as he runs through the forest, up hills and across the creek. After running for ages, the rising sunlight welcomes us to our new location. The Slums. Overcrowded and over-polluted, the slums face us with the challenge of finding work, paying for food and finding a place to sleep for the night. If you are a man, you must build roads or work chopping firewood. If you are a woman, you scrounge for money and hope that you are not sold as someone’s property. People dressed as citizens of the slums shun us and refuse us work as we enter. We fight other family groups for jobs and hope that we have enough money to make it to the next day. We work tirelessly for hours on end, but soon, the 48-hour timer is up. Our trip to the slums comes to an end People sigh in relief and laugh with joy now that this horror has come to an end, and we will return to our world with of warm showers and an abundance of food. Before we can return to our cabins, the counselors stop us. They tell us how happy they are that we made it through and how happy we must be now that this is done, but not everyone gets to leave. They tell us that some people in our world will never leave this kind of life. They tell us: “We didn’t do this to you to make you feel guilty about what you have. But until you take a walk in someone else’s shoes and have empathy for them, you can’t be inspired to make a difference in this world.” kate.morgan@tigertimesonline.com
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
community
9
10 feature
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019
A teacher with a plan BY CADEN RAINWATER sports editor She stands tall in her classroom, her eyes gliding along the heads of students anticipating her voice. She doesn’t worry for the safety of her children, or their level of prepardness amongst a present attacker. Instead she feels safe, but most importantly, in control. She remains ready to take on the unthinkable. For the entirety of her years at Texas High, Kelly Rowland has taught multiple science classes. Those who have never been enrolled in Rowland’s classes would most likely believe that she is just an ordinary teacher, following in the footsteps of others before her. However, her appearance does not truly describe her beliefs. An infectious tragedy that has become unnervingly common in the schools of our nation is the killing of students and educators by disturbed past or present students. These tragedies have been occurring for decades; however, the majority of schools are evidently lacking in preparation for sudden attacks. “I have a different plan for each class because I think it is important that each plan is different instead of continuing a basic plan that everyone follows,” Rowland said. “There is no better way to protect your children than to be prepared.” Successful attacks upon schools have been blamed on flaws in the levels of prepardness by the school district or specific lack of awareness by administrators. Although an active shooter on campus is a fear shared by any and every educator, most teachers don’t actually have a plan in mind beyond the typical plan that has been put in place by administrators and school boards. Despite the procedures teachers have already received from the school board, Rowland had a moment in her life where she decided she was tired of sticking to the belief that the odds of it happening to her school were slim, and invested herself in a personal plan. “We all think that it’s never going to happen
here, this is our home campus, we feel safe here, but every campus or facility that an attack has occurred at felt the same way,” Rowland said. “It was probably the Stamps assault that changed my mind.” On Dec.19, 1997, an eighth grader stood outside a high school in Stamps, Arkansas, and shot two of his classmates. Similar to many other school shootings, the targets were not predestined, but the attack had one goal: to cause as much pain as possible. “A place so little and tiny, they certainly thought nothing would happen there,” Rowland said. “When they did have a shooting, it really brought to my attention that you know, it could really happen anywhere.” Although the Stamps assault ignited Rowland’s urge for a plan, her plan has progressively grown more and more detailed as the years have passed. Rowland has come to realize what is truly important in a preparation plan and how best to inform her students on how to stay calm in the case of an active attack to achieve the one primal goal: survival. “My plan is simply for all of us to do whatever we have to do to make it out of here alive,” Rowland said. “We put some measures in place empowering the students, and I think every teacher should make a concerted effort to have a specific plan, answering the question ‘what now?’” The feeling of lack of control that runs over every single person in the presence of an active attacker is the driving force that pushes Rowland to ensure that not only her but her students are in control over each of their own lives, because there is no greater fear than that of total loss. “The plan does make me feel safer, but the biggest benefit of having a plan in place, more important than my feeling of safety, is the reassurance of my students,” Rowland said. “This reassurance tells them that they’re not helpless, and that their fate is not left up to the attackers discretion, but they do have a say in how it turns out.” caden.rainwater@tigertimesonline.com
90%
of schools have written plans in case of shootings
70%
CDC
of those schools conduct drills
35
CDC
people were killed in school shootings in the US in 2018
79
Education Weekly
people were injured in school shootings in the US in 2018 Education Weekly
Science teacher has unconventional plans in response to school shootings
feature
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com A HEART FOR HOME Sitting outside her home in Beverly, junior Dashanae Criner reflects on how she has overcome the time she spent in a homeless shelter and being bullied. “I went from thinking I was worthless in the world to thinking I probably do have a purpose in the world,” Criner said.
Moving on to brighter days
11
photo by m. debenport
Junior finds light in dark circumstances
BY RAELYN ALBERT staff writer Weathered brick contains weathered people. Missing door knobs make for missing pride. Tattered appearance expresses the secrets behind the mossy four walls crumbling from within. On the edge of Beverly, sits a run down house of five. The residence maintains an influx of others in and out everyday. Beneath this roof is a room adorned with black floors and white walls, the parallels giving the girl inside a cozy feeling. This room belongs to junior Dashanae Criner. Criner spends most of her day there enjoying her time alone, which she never had up until just a few years ago. After at least six months of living in a homeless shelter, Criner moved into a three bedroom house with her family of six, where she and both of her sisters shared a room. “We had our own room, it had bunk beds and an extra mattress since we had so many people,” Criner said. After leaving the homeless shelter, her family moved into the house in Beverly. “I grew up in a single mother household with my siblings, my grandma and my aunt who needed a place to stay,”
Criner said. “My family was in poverty and my mom was working herself to the bone to provide for everyone’s needs.” Because her family’s former financial situation, Criner couldn’t afford new clothes or dinner some nights. “I thought that how I lived was normal, that everyone’s [home life] was like mine,” Criner said. “I didn’t realize I was poor until kids at school started to bully me.” Criner endured many years of being taunted, the names that people would call her are stuck in her mind forever. “Being a dark skinned girl, I had to deal with people calling me ‘burnt’ or a ‘monkey,’” Criner said. “Even my little sister would call me those names.” Criner’s mother worked all the time and her other family members had their own focuses, so she relied only on herself to make it through the bullying. “I was too afraid to talk about [my problems] at home because my family already had too much on their plate never really paid attention to me, so I kept [everything] to myself,” Criner said. Criner’s self esteem got lower and lower as she grew older. “As the bullying continued, I started to feel more like trash everyday,” Criner
said. “As the years went by, my selfesteem hit rock bottom.” At the end of the day, Criner’s biggest role model is her mother Tanika Criner. “Seeing how hardworking my mom is, I was determined to work hard just like she does,” Criner said. “I worked on my depression and anxiety for her.” Criner’s mother found a new job and a better lifestyle for them. As a higher income came in, Criner was fortunate to trade in her hand me downs and reliance on school lunches for a more conventional household. “After my mom got a new job, I got new clothes,” Criner said. “I didn’t have to worry about not knowing when my next meal was.” Her oldest sister, aunt and grandma moved out which cleared a lot of space in the cramped home. Having her own room meant more time to herself. “Being alone made me look at myself more,” Criner said. “Everyday I would look in the mirror and find something I liked about myself, and I would compliment that area for the rest of the day.” As the bullying faded out, new friendships faded in. “In eighth grade I made friends with
these really great people, they would check up on me all the time,” Criner said. “They made me feel loved and I guess that was the boost I needed.” After living in Beverly for so long, Criner has learned a lot about her future and the people around her. “Being a young black person I have to work harder than others to get a good future, everyone in Beverly does. We have to do good in school or sports if we want to get out, so that’s what I’m doing,” Criner said. “I take DC and AP classes to keep myself at the top, it’s stressful but it’s worth it.” After a decade of living in the house Criner has learned to love where she lives and be thankful for what she has. “I’ve been living in that house for around 10 years, and it feels good. It represents our growth,” Criner said. “Living in Beverly I see that not everybody’s life is perfect and everybody has a story of their own.” Though sometimes her setting still brings her down, she still maintains sentimental feelings towards it. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think of it as home,” Criner said. “I’d rather be there than any other place.” raelyn.albert@tigertimesonline.com
12 in-depth
An average American youth will witness
In 13 states, citizens are not required to have a permit to conceal carry firearms.
m
ia ed
p
licy o
In Alabama, 23 out of 100,000 people will die of gun violence
20,000
violent acts
on television before a
In New York 4 out of 100,000 people will die of gun violence
graphics
40
d
b. groom
photos by
es
ll n
s
the blame game.
Yet only 3–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness.
of domestic terror investigations involve racially motivated extremism, according to e r p the FBI.
percent
17% of school shooters were professionally determined to have a mental illness.
we
2019 may outpace 2016 for the number of mass shootings in the United States. According to a gun research study as of Sept. 3, there have been more mass shootings than days in the year. With these acts of violence increasing, innocent lives continue to be caught in the crosshairs.
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019 mass kill•ing | \ ’mas \ki-luhng \
Dallas Police Ambush
The occurrence of three or more killings in a single incident.
a
POLICY
Sutherland Springs Church
Public criticism of gun laws has seemingly risen as the United States has seen a rise in mass shootings. Critics claim that loose gun laws and easy access to arms increase the potential of people to perpetrate these crimes. However, gun control is an issue that reaches deeper than national legislation. The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects a citizen’s right to “keep and bear arms”, and the Gun Control Act of 1968 requires citizens to be 18 years of age to purchase shotguns or rifles and ammunition and 21 years of age to purchase any other firearm. Federal law restricts ownership of these weapons to fugitives or felons, but besides enforcing ownership laws, the national government leaves other aspects of gun control to be decided on the state level.
Nov. 5, 2017 26 dead, 20 injured
Santa Fe High School May 18, 2018 10 dead, 10 injured
El Paso Walmart
age 18.
July 7, 2016 5 dead, 7 injured
s by m. kyles and a. smith
Aug. 3, 2019 22 dead, 24+ injured
MEDIA
In the age of technology, content, whether or not deemed violent or hateful, is readily available for those even remotely internet savvy. Media coverage of shootings, violence presented as various forms of entertainment, unrestricted social media platforms and unregulated online commerce. On average, minors, during their most impressionable period, will witness 200,000 violent acts on television before entering adulthood. Over 25 of the 50 top-selling video games contain violence, and almost 97% of American adolescence expose themselves to this content. This logic is refuted however by the fact that the U.S. has one of the highest violent gun death rates, but it is not the largest consumer of violent video games.
Odessa-Midland Aug. 31, 2019 8 dead, 22 injured
a history of violence
mass killings (noun)
13
ic e
information collected by a.g. jones, d. kyles, s. jumper, p. neff, m. hofert
om
A popular defense or excuse for the assailants of mass shootings is to claim they are not of sound mind. Their actions are supposedly not their own. Shooters are “crazy” or “sick in the head” according to so many that comment on the matter. The United States Secret Service has found has two out of three perpetrators of mass attacks in 2017 and 2018 suffered from symptoms of mental illness before the incidents. However, a survey of 32,653 Americans from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, revealed that 2.9% of the participants suffering from severe mental disorder(s) had engaged in a violent act in the past year, insinuating violence and mental wellness are not exclusively related.
dj
o b. gr
MENTAL HEALTH
s by
Despite national progress since the civil rights era, America is still plagued with discrimination, racism, sexism and supremacist ideals. Many claim these principles as a reasoning for the acts committed by shooters. This assertion is supported by the white supremacy manifesto of the shooter in the El Paso attack in early August and the homophobic mantra of the Orlando nightclub shooting in June 2016. These negative biases towards certain groups are evident; however, they are not motives behind most shootings. 60% of current domestic terrorism cases do not involve racially motivated extremism.
photo
ud
PREJUDICE
192
people have died in Texas mass shootings since
1996
14 feature
QUESTIONS FOR...
Shelby Ross
BY KATE MORGAN feature editor
Freshman Shelby Ross has immersed herself in an environment of helping others through her personal journey. “I was diagnosed with osteochondroma in my right leg when I was 6,” Ross said. “I am a cancer survivor, and I want to help other kids feel the same way.” Ross now uses her own cancer experience to help support other cancer survivors and raise awareness for pediatric cancer. “I would love to be remembered for raising awareness for my organization, which is a [nonprofit] called #gogold for pediatric cancer, and for using my cancer experience,” Ross said. “I actually created this organization because I wanted to make it evident that children can also get cancer, and most people don’t [notice] it.” Although she faced many tribulations throughout her early years, she has allowed it to transform her into a role model for others. “I couldn’t dance for a year due to rehab and having no leg strength,” Ross said. “It set me back further than I would have liked. But I pushed through that, and that means that I can be successful in anything I do.” kate.morgan@tigertimesonline.com
Shelby did competitive gymnastics for 6 years.
Shelby has
been dancing for 10 years.
Shelby is partnered with Herbal Life, a fitness company .
Shelby models for Debbie A. Brower Photography and ALT magazine.
1
What is your favorite part about high school? My favorite part about high school is probably the diversity between students. You get to see people from all different walks of life and backgrounds, and I think that is really fun.
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019
2
Who inspires you? My TTR director, Donna Berry. She always pushes me to be my best. She motivates me, and she obviously wants to see me successful. She makes it evident how much she cares for me.
3 What is something you have done that you are very proud of ? On Sunday [Sept. 8], [performed] in the Cowboys vs. Giants halftime show with the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders.
4
What is something that you are passionate about? I’m passionate about dancing and the education of others. I believe that you can use that in how you perform.
Shelby was a member of the East Texas Regional Choir.
photo by m. stanfill
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
community
15
16 sports
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019
OLIVIA LOWER
Only senior and returning starter faces challenging season with younger team
b tos pho
.d ym
eb
en
Q
po rt, c
. cl ack
, s.
spa kes
A
How did you get started in volleyball? I started playing when I was in fifth grade because Sophie, my older sister, played. She’s two years older, so she was in seventh grade. She was starting school volleyball, which we didn’t have in fifth and sixth grade, so I played intramural. I started taking lessons with her with a private coach when she was in eighth grade and I was in sixth grade just so that we she wouldn’t be alone. I started playing travel with some people from my church. Their dad was the coach, so it was easy to get started. We went to Dallas and Shreveport. After that, I wasn’t a soccer person anymore, and I loved soccer and wanted to play when I was in middle school and high school, but after I started volleyball I was like, “This is my thing.” It just clicked.
What was it like playing at the high school level? I went to every workout in the summer going into freshman year because I wanted to make a good first impression. Even going into freshman year, I didn’t have a spot on the team. Now my position is outside hitter, but originally I didn’t play there. There was another girl
in my spot, so I started somewhere else. I worked and I fought for that spot. I was like “I want to play here, and I am going to work hard for it.” Eventually, [Coach Hardy] put me over there, and she moved the other girl. A lot of time has gone into volleyball. It is something–I don’t want to sound cliche–but it does make you forget about what’s going on outside of that gym because you’re on the court with those people and you get a point or something like that, and you all come together and you’re energetic and motivated. It’s a really good feeling.
What’s been your most memorable moment? I would probably say last year in the second round of playoffs, and we were playing Midlothian in Tyler at Robert E Lee. It was a really hard game. That was the most energetic and hyped that I’ve seen our team. Every single point we were coming together. We won and we did this cheer that we do every time we win. We got in this huddle and we said, “See if you can hang, because if you can’t, you need to get off our court.” We did that so loud, and we were all screaming and crying after we won. It was amazing. I’ve never felt like that before in my life.
After last year’s historic season, how do you feel about being the only senior and starter on a team that has a lot of improving to do? It’s very discouraging. They all know I wasn’t planning on playing. Honestly, my dad and more adults talked me into it saying how I don’t want to be that person who quit because I’m always going to say, ‘I quit.’ And I don’t want to have that in the back of my head 30 years from now when I think about what could have happened, so I ended up playing. The coaches have talked to me and said, ‘You’re not going to feel the benefits and the joy of the season until years from now when you look back and think of what a leader you were.’ That’s where I am right now. I am just waiting to get there.
How do you want to be remembered by the other players? I hope that they see me as more of a friend and a role model. I want them to say that we knew it was hard for her, but she did it for us. [I] have more of a relationship individually with the other
girls that is deeper than volleyball now, so I don’t want them to think of me [as a teammate], but like she was a fun person and she listened and cared and cared about the relationship and chemistry between all of us. It’s deeper than just what happens on the court. We spend so much time together, so I want them to remember me like that, not just a player or a teammate but as their friend.
How do you think you’ll feel when the season ends? It will be different, definitely. When it hits me that I won’t play volleyball again, ever, in my life, that is when I think I will become grateful for this season. But now, I still have two months, and it feels long.
Where do you see the future of the team? This year’s six sophomores and two freshmen–when they’re old enough, and they’re seniors and they’ve gelled and figured out how to play together and not get mad at each other, I think they will be amazing. But they’re going to have to learn how to do that. There’s definitely potential there from what I can see.
sports
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
17
A new direction
“I think Coach Huntze is the right fit and what we need for the team. He engages with us and pushes us and isn’t afraid to make us laugh.” -GRACI HENARD, 11
Golf team adjusts to changes, remembers Brewer BY PEYTON SIMS culture editor The golf team has a lot to look forward to this season. They’ve got the talent, the drive and a new indoor facility that should be completed in December. But they also have a lot to overcome. In June, they found themselves needing a new coach and filling a void left from the death of Coach Jay Brewer, who died unexpectedly from a heart-related condition. Ryan Huntze, the former Northridge Clubhouse Manager, has taken over as coach, teaching both the middle schoolers as well as the varsity and junior varsity teams. “Both teams are very talented,” Huntze said. “And I think we can definitely make a run for state this year. We’re going to be a very goaloriented team all year.” Huntze has been assisting the varsity team at practice by introducing new drills, including some 6 a.m. workouts. “I feel like our new coach is doing all the right things to make us as great as we could be,” sophomore Jack Wilson said. “I feel like over the summer, the entire team has gotten better. I think that we’re going to be better than last year.” Senior Will Patterson said the boys team has the talent, but they are young. “If we make it to state, the lack of experience
photos by p. sims
could hold us back,” Patterson said. In addition to drills, Huntze has them focusing on specific parts of their game. “We’re really going to work on short game all year long,” Huntze said. “Both teams hit with the best of anybody, we’ve just got to be able to make putts.” While they are focused on making this year a success, they can’t forget the coach that got them started. The golf team customized their uniforms to honor Brewer by having “JB” and “Brew’s Crew” embroidered on them. Additionally, the Tiger Classic held Oct. 11-12 will become the Jay Brewer Memorial Tiger Classic. “We monogrammed our golf uniforms so that it’d feel like Brewer was always there with us,” junior Kenzie Parker said. “I know that when tournament season starts up, there’s going to be a lot going on. Having him be there with us is a really big deal.” They also plan to have something in the new indoor facility, like a bench, in his memory. The facility, which rivals those of college
programs, will include three hitting bays and a TrackMan, professional technology that can analyze a golfer’s swing. “It’s what’s going to bring good golfers to Texas High, and we’re hopefully going to build this golf program to where it’s top notch,” junior Graci Henard said. Henard, one of the returning players to the girls team, said they have the drive, but they need to work on prioritizing. She feels Huntze is moving them in the right direction. “I think Coach Huntze is the right fit and what we need for the team. He engages with us and pushes us and isn’t afraid to make us laugh,” Henard said. “I think the team will grow closer and our season will be an improvement of last year’s. I think he’s going to be the calm to my storm, and he will pump me up when I need it.” peyton.sims@tigertimesonline.com
18 sports
BREAKING THROUGH THE PAST
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019
COAT’S DEATH INSPIRES FOOTBALL TEAM TO GREATNESS “We’re family. This year we lost one of our own, a brother, Damian Coats. Every Friday night and every hot day of practice isn’t just for us or myself, it’s for him as well. The sweat and tears we shed are for him to know that we did this for him. Even though he won’t be there physically on the field, he’s there spiritually, and this whole season will be for him.”
photo by h. reed
Tracy Cooper Running Back
Kobe Webster Wide Receiver
“We have to be the team that works Monday through Thursday, not just Friday night. We’re motivated by the idea that Damian Coats would want us to be winners for him, so we’re going to go all out for him”
Clayton Smith Defensive End
“We have harder practices than last year, way more intense, the coaches expectations are higher this year. [Damian] Coats dying made us realize that any of us could be gone anyday, and it made us start playing like every game could be our last.”
community
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
19
? P U D E N G I S E YOU
HAV
DASH 4 CASH SCHOLARSHIP RUN SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2019 9:00 a.m.
Texas High School Track
4001 Summerhill Road ~ Texarkana, Texas 75503
FOR EASY AND SECURE ONLINE REGISTRATION, GO TO
www.runsignup.com/Race/TX/Texarkana/Dash4Cash
20 culture
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019
THE CULTURE 10 @anamongeau
Music
Food
graphic by k. rogers
Scandals
Artist Taylor Swift released her seventh studio album, “Lover,” on Aug. 23. The release of this album allowed for her have the most No. 1 album debuts in a row. It features the hit songs such as “Me!,” “You Need to Calm Down” and “Lover.”
Real? Fake? The world may never know. The YouTube pair Jake Paul and Tana Mongeau have recently announced their marriage through Instagram. Multiple fans think that the marriage was for publicity, but we will leave that up to you to decide.
photo by p. sims
Marvel and Sony are caught up in a hot debate over the rights to the popular character “Spider-Man”, currently played by Tom Holland. Fans are worried that there may not be a follow up to “Spider-Man: Far From Home” due to the botched negotiations.
There has been a lot of beef on Twitter, well chicken in this case, between Popeyes and Chick- fil-A. This controversy started after Popeyes came out with a chicken sandwich. Lines at all locations were out the door. Popeyes even sold out at all stores.
Apps
photo by p. sims
The new HBO TV show “Euphoria” became the new show of the summer. Because of its star, Zendaya, and the intricate makeup designs, the show has been put on the map. “Euphoria” deals with sensitive topics such as drug addiction, sexuality and more. The show is praised for its realistic outlook on the teen experience.
Trends
The plot follows the life Boris and the trials he faces from childhood through adulthood. This novel has been adapted to a live action film with actors Finn Wolfhard and Ansel Elgort.
Movies
graphic by k. rogers
“‘It Chapter Two” was released on Sept. 6 and has since reached the top of the box office. Over $91 million was made in the first weekend from ticket sales worldwide. “It Chapter 2” is a sequel to the 2017 “It” that’s based off of Stephen King’s best selling novel.
Video Games
Tik Tok is a fast growing app used by a majority of teenagers to share and create comical short videos. There’s over 500 million active users worldwide. This app is popular among numerous students, including those at Texas High.
TV Series
Books
Celebrities
photo by p. sims
Sksksk and I oop! The so-called “VSCO” girls have been taking over the internet one Tik Tok at a time. They are characterized by their infinite amount of scrunchies, Hydroflasks, metal straws and oversized T-shirts.
Many people remember Minecraft from playing the game until the early hours of the morning while in middle school. Recently, Minecraft has made a comeback. Get your pickaxe ready to start playing.
culture
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com
Tigers with
TikTok TikTok
21
The fastest growing social media app has infected Texas High, and these students have found fame, flops and fans
photos by o. smith
@ik.ash
@schoollunchtray
@too.turnt.tatum
Fans: 114k Likes: 2.6 M Type of Content: Comedy and sometimes dancing What does TikTok mean to you? Despite the growing crowd on my platform, I still see TikTok as a place to make funny videos because of boredom, not as a business platform to make me “famous.”
Fans: 24.7k Fans: 4.1k Fans: 34.8k Likes: 284.5k Likes: 105.9k Likes: 618.8k Type of Content: Lip syncing Type of Content: Soccer videos Type of Content: Comedy Why did you join TikTok? Is TikTok the new Vine? YES. What do you use TikTok for? TikTok is a really good way to I didn’t join to make videos, I just How TikTok has impacted express yourself in ways. If I’m wanted to see my friends videos. you? I have grown up with a speech going through something then it’s What’s your most famous impediment. I’ve always been really helped me get out of that. video? I did a bicycle kick, which really insecure about it, but making Worst part of Tik Tok? is a type of soccer kick, and put it in videos about it and having people Negativity and hate comments. reverse, and it went viral. support me has really boosted my confidence.
Tray Taylor, 12
Tatum Haugh, 11
Ashlyn Foster, 10
@austinmiller.22 Austin Miller, 10
22 culture
?
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019
DIET OR DENY IT
photo illustration by p. sims
Good nutrition may be the best option BY BAILEY HAWKINS staff writer When it comes to weight loss, there is no shortage of pills, detoxes and teas advertised to help shed the extra pounds. But do weight loss pills work, and are they healthy? “I think [diet pills] may work temporarily, but it’s not a permanent solution,” junior Payton Smith said. “If you just want to take [supplements] for a month and assume they are going to help you the rest of your life, that’s not possible.” On some level, we know that there is no quick fix to our struggles with weight; there’s no product that will melt away our fat while we sleep.
Despite our questions and concerns, we are constantly drawn to the latest and most promising weight loss methods. With the help of social media, diet product advertisements easily reach millions of people. World-renowned TV personality, Kim Kardashian, currently has over 147 million fans and followers, each of which have probably come across a Fit Tea or diet supplement ad on her feed. However, achieving her famous figure simply cannot be done with just the help of a dietary supplement. “If a product sounds too good
In 2015, 23,000 people were sent to the ER due to health issues caused by diet pills Washington Post
VS.
to be true, then it probably is,” said National Heath Service director, Professor Stephen Powi, in an article on the National Health Service website. “The risk of quick fix weightloss outweighs the benefits, and advertising these without a health warning is dangerous.” Many dietary supplements are harmless, and some may even create a sense of fullness, burning of fat or a boosting metabolism. Some of the popular ingredients in weight loss products have been banned by
the FDA because of harmful side effects like liver damage, kidney problems, increased heart rate and high blood pressure. “I’ve never tried [dietary supplements] but from what I’ve heard, they do have a lot of negative effects,” junior Gabby Reed said. “That seems to be the most commoning review.” In some cases, a weight loss drug may be a useful part of an eating disorder rehab program. Binge eating disorder, for instance, can leave patients
CC 2.0
overweight. But in many cases, these products are being abused by teens or adults who have no medical need to lose weight. According to pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Dr. Stephen R. Daniels, in a Time Magazine article, the best weight-loss method is “to eat a healthful diet and to engage in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.” bailey.hawkins@tigertimesonline.com
photo story
Sept. 25, 2019 • tigertimesonline.com photo by h. reed
AXE IN HAND Senior Kobe Webster grips the Battle Axe with the rest of the team as they gather to receive their trophy. This was the first year that Wells Fargo presented the hometown rivalry trophy.
photo by m. debenport
photo by k. rogers
SIZZLIN’ Senior Madison Bowers and her dad, Doug Bowers, cook bacon for the student body. “It was a really nice bonding experience for the two of us,” Madison Bowers said. “We just had a lot of fun while we were doing it.”
23
PUCKER UP Senior Haley Wood holds the pig as teacher Alejandra Hernandez kisses it during the pep rally. Students voted on which teacher they wanted to kiss the pig by donating money to the THS remembers 9/11 project.
Bacon fried
Tigers reign supreme over Razorbacks
BY MARGARET DEBENPORT photo editor They did it again. The Tigers held onto the axe after defeating the Razorbacks 28-7 Sept. 6 in the 105th annual Battle of the Axe. The traditions, however, started long before kickoff. At 6 a.m. Friday, seniors started the day with Senior Sunrise, remembering classmate Damian Coats who died during the summer. Grills started to sizzle afterward as seniors cooked bacon, doughnuts and eggs for the student body. "I think everything went according to plan," senior Madison Bowers said. "We didn't run out of anything, so [bacon fry] went really good." As the school day progressed, long CHEER ON Freshman Dominic West and sophomore Josten Ramirez show their tiger spirit during the annual battle of the axe. “The energy was very high,” West said. “There was a lot of yelling.”
standing traditions such as kiss the pig and an impression of Arkansas' drill team, kept students laughing during the pep rally. "The pig was actually kind of cute, so it wasn't that bad," teacher Alejandra Hernandez said. "It made kissing it a little easier." Within three minutes of the game starting, senior Tracy Cooper scored a touchdown for the Tigers, setting precedent for the rest of the game. “I thought most of our effort was great," Athletic Director Gerry Stanford said. "Defensively, we played outstanding. I thought our run game up front with our offensive line and our backs just was phenomenal. And I think those are things we've got to continue to build upon.” margaretdebenport@tigertimesonline.com
photo by p. sims
IN THE AIR Senior Devaughante Jack and junior Jaylen Green react to a fumble by the Arkansas Razorbacks No. 3 junior Blair Torie. The Tiger won 28-7 in their second consecutive win. “I was excited that our defense was making plays, doing what we are supposed to do,” Green said.
photo by m. stanfill
HEAVY METAL Senior Bryson Harris hits a trash can lid to make extra noise in the student section. This was the first game of the season in which a student section was present.
photo by s. spakes
24 community
tigertimesonline.com • Sept. 25, 2019
Congratulations! Thanks to the Texarkana College Foundation and its generous donors, these Texas High graduates have been awarded the prestigious Texarkana College Presidential Scholarship. 2019 TC Presidential Scholars from Texas High include Seth Yowell, Jose Marquez, and Edith Hernandez. This scholarship is awarded to top high school seniors in the Texarkana College service area and covers the full cost of tuition, fees and books for up to two years. Applications are accepted in the spring of each year. For more information, visit texarkanacollege.edu/presidential
texarkanacollege.edu // (903) 823-3456 // 2500 N. Robison Rd. // Texarkana, Texas TC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs or activities. The following person is designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Human Resources Director, 2500 N. Robison Rd., Texarkana, TX, 75599 or (903) 823-3017 human.resources@texarkanacollege.edu
