W TALES
ildcat
Plano Senior High School
Plano, TX 75075
www.wildcattales.com
Open up for Senior Tales
Issue 12
Volume 68
May 28, 2014
Students, ESL teacher reflect on adjusting to American culture By Rachel Zhang
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resident Lyndon B. Johnson once said “the land flourished because it was fed from so many sources – because it was nourished by so many cultures, traditions and peoples.” In 2010, about two-thirds of all states had more than a five percent foreign born population and among those, seven states had more than a 15 percent foreign born population. Senior Ashwini Suresh emigrated from India in her sophomore year due to her father’s job transfer. To move to another country, according to Suresh, was completely unexpected for her. “When my dad first told me that we were going to move, we were really shocked,” Suresh said. “We never really moved a lot when I was growing up. I went to the same school for 10 years, so I was used to being in the same place.” Before moving, Suresh had not been outside of India. There were several drastic changes she had to adjust to, one of which was the nerve-racking class rank. “My class rank kind of dipped because of the different grading system and such,” Suresh said. “That was my biggest struggle.” While the process was difficult, the Americans’ hospitality made Suresh feel welcome. “Getting used to a new place, new people and a new culture is pretty different from what I grew up with,” Suresh said. “What I love most about the United States is that everybody is so accepting and they were so ready to take me in. I didn’t feel awkward when I came here. Maybe initially before I got to know anybody, but once I did, I really liked the people here because they are just so wonderful.” Since Suresh is going to attend college in Texas, her family applied for the Green Card and obtained permanent residency. However, Suresh still identifies herself as Indian,
“I joined National Honor Society and I did so many things, like garage sales and tutoring,” Suresh said. “There are so many ways to connect with the people around me.”
Aguilar in her graduation cap and gown. “I can’t believe it’s finally here,” Aguilar said. “I cannot wait to start a new chapter in my life.” Graphic by Sonam Benakatti
and whether she will stay in the United States or go back to India remains to be decided. “I haven’t thought about it yet,” Suresh said. “India is basically my home. I grew up there for 15 years and I spent the majority of my life there. Also, some of my closest friends live there, so it’s definitely a special place for me.” Unlike Suresh, senior Adrianna Aguilar was very excited to move to the United States from El Salvador when she was in sixth grade. “Politically-wise, and economically-wise, El Salvador is not a very good place to live right now,” Aguilar said. “I was honestly very excited to move. I couldn’t believe that I was
going to try out new things and see new places since I don’t really travel. Later it hit me like, ‘Wow I’m going to leave my country, my family and my friends.’ It was hard, but I was very positive about it.” According to Aguilar, applying for American citizenship is a long and tedious process, and after she moved to the United States, cultural conflicts were inevitable. For example, her schedule changed from a short and strict day in El Salvador to an American middle school schedule with different holidays.
Continued on Page 4
Staff members to retire this spring
By Anna Villano
A
fter devoting years of their time and skills to helping students prepare for their futures, multiple staff members are wrapping up their final semester of service. Retirement is a milestone that ends a milestone – the ultimate close of person’s life’s work. Several teachers, including librarian Sally Ray, have chosen the school year of 2013-2014 to be their last one, finishing their careers in education. After working in the library for 11 years,
Ray has witnessed its development and the growth of students. “I have always thought of our library as a transition library from high school to college,” Ray said. “I have enjoyed seeing how the library serves all students and I love seeing them discover and start to love reading and researching. In the future, I want it to continue to be a place where students continue to learn more and research.” Government teacher Scott Fenney, who is also retiring, was a graduate from Plano Senior before he began teaching. After working here for 25 years, the philosophy he has aimed to teach to his students has remained the same. “A lot of people go to college for that slip of paper they get at the end,” Fenney “It The greatest said. might get them a higher salary when they’re thrill of my career older, but I say that college only was being a Plano isto thedevelop time you’ll have the mind you will be living Wildcat with for the rest of your life. You could focus on the business and making dollars, but you’re going to end up with a much shallower life than you would have had otherwise if you had really taken advantage of the opportunities brought by college.” The staff has not only had an impact on the students, but on the people they work with as well. Library volunteer Colleen Brasier began working when her children went through the school, but ultimately stayed because of the comfortable atmosphere she experienced. “Sally Ray has been a wonderful mentor and guide in showing me how to work in the library – always patient and always upbeat,” Brasier said.
Inside This Issue Satisfy Your Quesadilla Craving Check out Haley Samsel’s review on the brand new restaurant, Dillas. Page 7
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Graphic by Ariana Leyva
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Photo by Gsbe LaBounty
Librarian Sally Ray displays her photo collection from throughout the years. “What I’ll miss most is matching books with people,” Ray said. “It was great to see which books interested which students.”
Continued on Page 3
Meet Next Year’s Editors
Graphic by Ariana Leyva
Turn the page to see what the Baby Editors have to say about next year. Page 2
Ever have an illness threaten your school career? Read “Out Again” to learn about students facing a similiar issue. Page 4
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May 28, 2014
The 2014-2015 Wildcat Tales Editors Torie Brannen Print Editor-in-Chief
My passion for journalism stems from my unrelenting curiosity about everything around me. I participated in yearbook for the past three years and joined the newspaper staff at the start of this year. At first I was unsure of whether the role of writer and interviewer was right for me, but I slowly began to adapt and fully appreciate the work. After progressing through the year, traveling to Boston to hear from professionals and competing in UIL competitions, I have no doubt that this is the job for me. I have absolutely fallen in love with meeting new people and hearing their stories – the fact that I have the privilege to retell their tales to the rest of the school and beyond astounds me. I will never take advantage of such an incredible opportunity, and I hope to always provide factual and interesting information. I am eager to work with my fantastic coeditors and am confident that next year’s volume of the Wildcat Tales will be absolutely fantastic.
Haley Samsel Online Editor-in-Chief
I joined newspaper because I didn’t want to have any regrets on graduation day. I didn’t want to say I never poured my soul out onto a page or went outside of my comfort zone for the sake of a story. I didn’t want to look back on my days at Plano and think “Why did I play it safe?” Newspaper was my leap of faith. I knew it would be challenging, that I could drown in a sea of deadlines and drafts drenched in red ink. What I didn’t expect was how much I would enjoy telling people’s stories – including my own. There’s nothing like the rush of publishing the thoughts you had always wanted to share or putting a student’s journey into words. I joined newspaper for myself, but I’m staying because of you guys – for the student body that never stops creating stories for us to tell. I want to give Plano Senior the best online and print presence I can, because I know our newspaper is capable of bigger and better things. Count on us for the best Wildcat Tales yet.
Sonam Benakatti Managing Editor
If you told me a few years ago that I would be an editor of my school’s newspaper, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. There was no particular reason why I chose to apply to join newspaper as a sophomore, I just did. And it ended up being one of the best choices I’ve made. Believe it or not, newspaper has helped me grow as a person in so many ways, and allowed me to overcome many obstacles. Being a part of a newspaper staff is not just about writing stories - there are a countless number of aspects to it. It’s an experience unlike any other, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Without a doubt, I am ready to be an editor for the 2014-2015 school year. I hope to help the Wildcat Tales reach its fullest potential. This newspaper is a tradition, and everyone knows that Plano Senior traditions run strong. Our job is to cover the stories that matter, and I want to make sure those stories are not only written well, but presented to all our readers in the best way possible. The Wildcat Tales is sure to be better than ever before, so make sure you keep reading.
Ashley Stuber
Arts & Entertainment Editor
I learned to read when I was two, yet no novel could have prepared me for the chaos that is journalism. Nothing has ever caused me more stress, but the challenge is why I love it. Originally, the process did not come easy, but I could feel progress being made every time my drafts came back with less edits. By becoming dedicated to something like writing that was not necessarily my strongest suit, I was able to grow more than I would have in any other area. Next year, I hope to continue progressing as a writer while helping others do the same. As Arts & Entertainment editor, I plan to have fun while I do it. The rest of the paper will focus on the people and what they’re doing, but my section will focus on what the people are interested in. I will do my best as editor and designer to represent our culture.
News
May 28, 2014
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Natural disasters impact students and their families By Stephanee Smith
Floods. Earthquakes. Wildfires. Droughts. Hurricanes. Powerful or not, natural disasters tend to impact people negatively. These anomalies can cause the passing of a loved one, destruction of a neighborhood or even the demolition of a home. Scientists have recorded that over the years natural disasters have had an increased rate of occurrence, but over the decades death tolls have decreased due to preparedness. Although there have been steps to help survival during natural disasters, they are still emotionally and economically troubling. In October 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit, breaking the levies that had kept rising water from Lake Pontchartrain away from civilians and streets. Since the New Orleans area geographically lies below sea level, when water broke the barriers, the water stayed and flooded the area until people began pumping water out of the city. Junior Kayla Robertson was two miles away from where the levies broke. “It was scary, but at the same time it was funny because I was little and I didn’t understand what was going on,” Ro b e r t s o n said. “The only thing that scared me was that my cousin’s friends “It never crossed across the street got stranded in my mind that I the water. We tried to help her, would get hurt.” but there wasn’t much we could do. She had to hold onto a pole the whole time.” According to Robertson, the flooding in her house started around seven a.m. when her mom heard their fridge fall. Since Robertson and her family lived in a two-story house, the family evacuated to the second story. The water completely flooded the first story, causing Robertson and her family to be stuck on the top floor for two days. “The whole streets were flooded,” Robertson said. “Cornerstones, McDonalds, everything was flooded. The part where I lived was flooded. You had to swim to get
around.” Luckily, Robertson neighbor would bring the family food, and there were no severe losses other than material possessions such as their house, clothing and other housing items. “It never crossed my mind that I would get hurt,” Robertson said. “It’s better to think about the positive things than the negative. One thing I was sad about was that my new backpack was messed up.” On the second day of being confined to upper floor, the family left their home with the help of their neighbor and moved to Texas. “We left mostly because of the hurricane and now because of the education,” Robertson said. “I kind of miss it because my family is down there. The current floods scare me Photo from Wikimedia Commons because my grandmother and aunt are The areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina took several years to erase the damage. However, the memories will last a lifetime. still down there.” On April 29th through May 3rd, an Alabama tornado with strong winds and rain left junior Laura Brasier’s sister Rachel Brasier and Rachel’s friends hiding out “I was really scared for her, especially because of what in her dorm’s basement at the University of Alabama. The happened at the University of Alabama just a few years ago,” Laura said. “They had awful tornadoes that ruined parts of tornados were just ten miles away from the university. “The sirens at her school were sounding and Rachel said the campus. So I was kind of scared because I was thinking she could barely hear it because the wind was so loud,” Laura that same thing was going to happen again.” Laura said that the University did not have any damages, said. “Her roommates were thinking about not going to the but there was a fatality. A student on the university’s swim basement, but their TV started flickering so they did.” According to Laura, Rachel went to the basement of team was killed after a wall in his house collapsed in him due her dorm between four and five in the evening, and was not to the flooding and strong winds. “I think natural disasters are really awful,” Laura said.” allowed to leave the basement area until one a.m. the next morning. While in the basement, Rachel was not able to “When my sister was involved reality struck me because even though nothing happened, it was real and I was really scared contact any of her family due to weak service connection.
Staff members to retire this spring
By Anna Villano
Continued from front page “She made me happy to be there with her and of course, the students,” Brasier said. “I am sure I speak for myself and the other volunteers in that we are saddened by her leaving, but recognize that things change and she has another life outside of school. We wish her all the best in her next phase of.” Retirement is often seen as an ending to a story because it is the ultimate discontinuation of one’s career. Ray, however welcomes what the future outside of the library will bring. “This year just felt like the right year to retire,” Ray said. “I want to be a lot more involved with my family and certainly, there is a lot of interest outside my job. I have a lot of things that I would like to be more involved in such as hobbies and learning more in general. There is definitely more room for learning to do outside of an academic setting.” Despite the relief that comes with finally letting the responsibilities of their careers go, staff such as speech teacher Karen Wilbanks consider their departure from the school spirit and atmosphere to be bittersweet. “The greatest thrill of my career was being a Plano Wildcat,” Wilbanks said. “It is a tremendous family atmosphere. We are not East, we are not West, we are the best.”
Story continued on WildcatTales.com with related video and additional teachers.
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Feature
May 28, 2014
Out again: Patients miss school due to illness By Fabiola Cedeno
With exemptions and graduation coming up, AP students diagnosed with depression, anxiety and anorexia when she During her time in the hospital, Doe suffered from feeling and senior classmen are rustling through old papers and was 15 years old. These illnesses have affected her ability to as if she was not able to still stay connected with her life working hard to get above an 85 – which sometimes means get most school work done or even be able to get enough back home. suffering through allergies in order to not miss any more sleep every night. “When I was in the hospital it was really rough because school. However, some students have to miss school because “When you’re really depressed you can’t function, and having an eating disorder makes you super isolated,” Doe of conditions a lot more serious than allergies. everything just stops,” Doe said. “You want to work really said. “You don’t want people to know that you have a Senior Alexia Garza at age 10 was diagnosed with Crohn’s bad, get stuff done and be productive but you just can’t do disorder because then they’ll try to help you, and you don’t disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that affects any part anything. For me it’s hard to watch TV, read a book or do necessarily want that.” of the gastrointestinal tract. It primarily causes abdominal any of my homework. Usually I just end up creating art or Doe felt as if making friends with people who didn’t pain, diarrhea vomiting and weight loss. This disease also sleeping as much as I can.” know her situation was very different and hard. leads to complications outside the gastrointestinal tract Doe was admitted into the hospital at the end of last “I didn’t talk to people from school or tell them such as anemia, skin rashes, about my problems, because I arthritis, inflammation of wasn’t comfortable with them the eye, tiredness and lack of knowing,” Doe said. “I didn’t concentration. really have any close friends “I would miss up to a week when I went into the hospital so of school at a time,” Garza the friendships I made there were said. “I would be in and out the closest I ever had. When I of the hospital and have a lot came out of the hospital, I had of procedures done, such as to deal with getting close with colonoscopies and EDGs. That’s friends who didn’t know all of how they found ulcerations my problems and who I wasn’t in my intestines and a lot of that close to which was really bleeding.” difficult.” Along with the IV infusion, Due to Garza’s illness she Garza also takes Azathioprine has also had to miss out on a lot – a medication that is given to of social events throughout her cancer patients to shut off their high school experience, including immune system. Since Crohn’s having to leave in the middle of is an autoimmune disorder, the Homecoming her freshman year carrier’s immune system is on as a result of feeling feeble. auto drive and attacks his or “You definitely realize who her intestines. Unfortunately, it your true friends are in these tends to make the infected more kinds of situations,” Garza said. Submitted by Alexia Garza “If you don’t hear from people, susceptible to other illnesses and “I had never realized how crooked and lopsided I was until I looked at the brace I had that was all deformed,” Garza said diseases. that pretty much tells you how regarding the brace that drove her to get surgery. The X-Ray on the left is her spine after the procedure while the image on the right is it before. “The type of medication that much they care or don’t care I am on right now is a form of about you. So while it hurts to chemotherapy that I have to take every four weeks,” Garza April. She was part of a 24-hour program where she was have people who you think are your friends completely said. “I have to go to the hospital and get an IV infusion. surrounded by eight to ten boys and girls with the same forget about you, it’s also a blessing because it’s like, ‘Okay I It’s done on an outpatient basis, and takes about four hours. eating disorder as her. The days consisted of group therapies don’t need to waste my time with you anymore.’” It’s absolutely horrible for my body but it helps my Crohn’s and regulated sleeping and eating schedules. a lot, which has gotten worse than when I was younger, and “We had recreational therapy that would get us to go *Name changed to protect student’s privacy when I’m in a flare it’s so horrible that I can hardly walk or outside and just relax,” Doe said. “It was always something get out of bed.” to strengthen our social skills or keep us busy. One of their Continued on Page 5 Junior Jane Doe* also experiences a medical condition goals was to keep us occupied so that we didn’t have time to that causes her to miss out on a lot of school time. Doe was think about our disorders and we could just move on.”
Students, ESL teacher reflect on adjusting to American culture Continued from front page By Rachel Zhang
“I needed to adjust to normal, everyday things Americans do that I didn’t do,” Aguilar said. “It took me probably a month or two, because when we first moved here I lived with my uncle and cousin. It was nice to have relatives that lived here to help me.” However, it was not as easy for Aguilar’s parents to adjust to the new country. They had to file documents for licenses, find jobs, and send Aguilar and her brother to school in just two weeks. “My dad had to work a different job at first,” Aguilar said.“And my mom had to leave her job, but she was able to go back to her graphic designing career. It was definitely hard for them.” Aguilar’s parents have had an influence on their daughter’s relationship with Hispanic culture. “My parents are very strong people,” Aguilar said. “My mom has the saying that outside of the house, it’s the United States, but inside of the house it’s El Salvador. She constantly reminds me that, ‘you are not like the others, you weren’t raised like this,’ but she has never separated me from American culture.” Aguilar enjoys taking what she has learned from Hispanic culture and sharing it with the world. “I don’t try to be an American over here and a Salvadoran over there,” Aguilar said.“I always try to tell people that I’m a Salvadoran, I’m Hispanic. It’s just awesome to be able to be from somewhere else and you get to share your little piece of culture.” Much like Aguilar, Suresh has also formed a strong attachment to her own culture. “There’s beautiful music, dancing and colorful clothes,” Suresh said.“You call your neighbors uncles and aunties – you don’t even have to be related to people to call them something so personal. All of that is really beautiful and I love that about India.”
English as Second Language teacher Karan Parrack has been teaching foreign-raised students for the past 18 years. She noticed that one commonality in all students is both the excitement and apprehension of studying in an American school. There was one student that particularly impressed Parrack. “We had a girl from Iran who was so intimidated by coming here that she shook,” Parrack said. “She would actually shake with nervousness. When we read together she would be so nervous that she would get tears and cry. But by the next year, she was already a different young lady – she would speak up and sometimes she talked back.” Recently, Parrack heard that the girl was almost finished with law school, which is located out-of-state. Parrack said that this news shocked all the teachers in the ESL department. “Another teacher and I were looking at each other with our mouths hanging open,” Parrack said. “It was just joy, and we were so proud of her. The fact that she is going to argue law with someone in court, in English, is just incredible.” The most rewarding moments for Parrack are when she sees students who were once beginners in English gain confidence, and go on with their education to achieve success. “We’ve had students who came here, and wrote their first essays in English and took their first academic classes in English,” Parrack said. “Now, they are in Medical School, law school, or they have two or three master’s degrees, and that’s just so rewarding. Seeing them starting with difficulty, fear and excitement, and what they choose to do is what makes the difference.”
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Senior Tales 2014
Photo submitted by Taylor Pegram
You know you’re from Plano if... “If you’re afraid of your pond” ~Vivian Nguyen
“You are unaware there is a downtown plano” ~ Sarah Al-Rashed
Photo by Torie Brannen
“If you love blueberry bagels for breakfast” ~Turner Thompson
Photo by Alexis Harris
“As you fill your pages in the coming years, know that a part of us goes with you, and you will always be a part of Plano Senior High.” ~Sarah Watkins
Photo by Alexandria Oguntula
“You know where the dicut room is”~ Simy Sharma
Photo by Tehreem Shahab
Photo by Rijea Donayre
“If you wait for Stay Day every year” ~Sanjana Nayak
Photo by Tehreem Shahab
“You go to Whataburger after every football game” ~Preeti Kumar
Illustration by Rachel Chen
“You go to Arbor Hills to reflect on life, be in nature and clear your mind.” ~ Ambrielle Higgins
Photo by Fabiola Cedeno
SENIORS 2014
May 27,
Hats ofF t 1. Abilene Christian Univ. Erin Sundberg, Myles Solsberry
2. Academy of Contemporary Music at Univ. of Central Oklahoma Alexia Garcia 3. Adams State Univ. Logan Kershaw, Cleestin Hallerd
Note: This is not a complete list of the senior class. We apologize if your name is not included
4. American University Eric Baron 5. Arizona State Univ. Chris Edwards, Aaron Tavarez 6. Armed Forces Paige Ross, Isaac Cruz 7. Art Institute of Dallas Brandon Zeaff 8. Austin Community College Ryan Arnold 9. Baylor Univ. Megan Davis,Aaron Samadzada, Sanjana Nayak, Shannon Mulvey, Alexis Okoro, Andi Fernandez, Arsalaan Arifuddin, Taronish Madeka, Nathan Dule, Peter Huang, Rachel Lau, Chloe Bresnahan, Hannah Damon, Joe Niece, Juhwan Kim, Hannah Walsh, Joseph Carroll, Elizabeth Jiang, Alisha Arakotarm 10. Bradley Univ. Jack Bonin, Aidan Barker 11. Berklee Online College Brenna Phelps
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85
18
32
36 27
12. Blinn College Chris Conrey, Jason McNeely, Mary-Margaret Bishop, Sydney Burton
63 56
15. Carnegie Mellon Univ. Sally Sohn, Amy Lin 16. Cleveland Institute of Music Matthew Geise 17. Collin College Abby Moore, Abdul Kohn, Adam Saldivar, Alex Brinson, Alex James, Alexis Cole, Tiffany Kane, Tory Kraatz, Amanda Palmer, Kaitlyn Palmer, Zack Palmer, Vivi Johnson, Wesley Costello, Amber Maxwell, Xamur Lisnedes, Yvette Argote, Sarah Karani, Anais Ramiro, Savana King, Sarah Verwers, Andrew Brittan, Sommer Champion, Stephen Tsoop, Andy Levo, Tandye Williams, Taylor Dregger, Axel Vellanueva, Rarshita Adair, Rida Kaleem, Robert Eden, Rosemary Padilla, Ryan Cooper, Rylee Curtis, Bita Mottie, Brianna Lipovetsky, Kyle James, Brittany Pearce, Kyle Lopez, Fabiola Cedeno, Lacee Ackeuman, Brooke Stene, Landon Yoonkman, Larry Sanders, Brooke Stene, Lexie Lally, Calle Iverson, Madison Hailey, Madison Palma, Cameron Sigel, Carlos Rubic, Cayli Fowler, Cesar Ortega, Chelsea Baker, Chris Johnson, Chris Wright, Christian Mendez, Matthew Devoil, Cody Ganze, Mengying Zhao, Michael Hawk, Michael Hodge, James Tsai, Michelle Ortiz, Miles Chrietzberg, Collin Kent,Moheed Hussain, Morgan Linn, De’Maiya Dubose, Navid Berenhi, Kelsey Mossolle, Kelsie Forson, Khlan Maru, Kourosh Houshidari, Kris Burns, Krunal Sheth, Jan Marie Reyes, Jesus de la Cruz, Norman Forster, Ozan Ethem, Parashar Amin, Rachel Bourdeaux, Juan Mendoza, Jon Syper, Jordan Brandel, Josh Dixon, Ian Wilson, Victoria Roberts, Kanishk Chaurasia, Mike Davis, Elizabeth Hitchcock, Emily Grant, Elizabeth Sandoval, Tehreem Shahab, Erin Finlayson, Danielle Castro, Evan Dugas, Evgeni Bulatov, Wania Uddin, Gabriella Unger, Gabrielle Collins, Hannah Healy, Hayden Conklin, Iman Boutaleb, Rijea Donayre, Ivan Hrgaznor, Jackie Link, Rachel Thomas
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109
107
75
18. Colorado State Univ. Ben Goodwin
30. Hofstra Univ. Alex Patterson
19. Concordia Univ. Kelsey Manning
31. Howard Univ. Ambrienhl Higgins
20. Dallas Baptist University Rachel Thomas
32. Hutchinson Junior College 43. Midwestern State Univ. Rigo Guerrero Drew Thompson
21. Dartmouth College Helen He
33. Iowa State Univ. Kofi Oduro-Nsemicyire Will Abney
23. Elon Univ. Alexandria Welgehausen
35 ITT Technical Institute Bryce Vaughn, Claudio Reyes
24. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ. 36. Irvine Valley College Adaeze Okwesa, Sarah Kraman Ericka Redding 25. Fashion Institute of Technology Madie Moore 26. Florida Atlantic Univ. Daniel Carvalho 27. Golden West Community College Angelea Cucurullo 28. Harding Univ. Haley Shearer
37. John Hopkins Univ. Jessica Wu 38. Judson Univ. Edwin Galindo 39. New York Univ. Asmita Singh 40. Kent State Univ. Samuel Hersh 41. The King’s College Kaitlin Humphrey
99 2
54
104
Jacquelyn Mazzarella, Jake Zatkos, Karla Rendon, Kat DeVaney, Katie Collins, Emily Williams, Kelsey Cook, Marcos Rivera, Max 29. Cantu, Stefano Sprvopoulos, Lara Hawaii Pacific Univ. Honeck, Peter Buhler Anivat Chanachanchai
34. Indianna Univ. Madea Neyor
86
113
5
22. Duke Univ. Dhara Patel
96
91
103
13. Brookhaven College Martin Lopez 14. Cambridge Univ. Skylar Dickerson
3
42. Mary Baldwin College Ivette Barrenada
44. Missouri Baptist Univ. Bryson Barres 45. Mount Holyoke College Namrata Ahuja 46. Millikin Univ. Sarah Connell 48. Northeastern State Univ. Jonathan Adams 49. Northwestern Univ. Joann Lee, Stephanie Lee 50. Northwestern State Univ. Aubrey Davis 51. Northern Arizona Univ. Anna Harris 52. Oberlin College Louisa Liles, Shelagh Haney 53. Ohio State Univ. Avery Williams, Thomas Oliver
78 97 79 69 35 1 80 70 60 43 76 73 71 65 102 74 59
81
17 68 13 7 20 8 89
82
9 62 12 72
54.
77
59. Rice Un Angela Zhang
Oklahoma State Univ. Jennifer Puchala, John Poeckes, Alex Cannon, Ana Gleibs, Austin Beaver, Chandler Hunter, Chris Durdin, Cole Basham,Gloria Berry, Haley LaCoome, Katherine Valentine, Katie Nelle, Kevin Moseni, Natalie Pena, Nathan Coffey, Ryan Shahan, Taylor Johnson, Taylor Knowber, Tianna Anderson, Travis Higgins, Kyle Kramer, Leah Anderson, McKenna Bradley, Stuart Parfrey, Taveet Tabarian, Katelyn Avery
60. Richland Comm Lizbeth Marincruz
58. Purdue Univ. Eashvar Venkatraman
67. St. Edwards Un Carlyn Hinojosa
61. Rose Hulm Technology Michael Balistreri
62. Sam Houston S Reed Goodwin, Ryan Brown, Taylor Corne
63. San Diego State Daniella Dedelteh 64. St. Johns Univ. Malaika Sadik
65. Stephen F. Aust 55. Pace Univ. Rachel Krayenhagen, Nolan Denny, Charles Kinder Alexa McGhee, Caro Duong, Tori Hoffma 56. Pepperdine Univ. Lawrence, Chelsea R Alexandria Oguntula Brand, Connor O’Le Teague 57. Pratt Institute 66. St. Mary’s Colle Joseph Li Ethan Waller
SENIORS 2014
, 2014
to seniors 96. University of Missouri Leslie Parker, Kendra Kieser, Allison Scott, Ashlyn West, Jessica Luu, Turner Thompson
97. University of North Texas Rohan Varma, Rebecca Descgber, Amanda Pavel, Randolph Wang, Sam Gable, Jim Andrews, Evan Rutledge, Amelia Mock, Megan Nguyen, James Allen, Kristy Hughes, Brendan Smith, Lauren Vanderslice, Elizabeth Lyle 98. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Shelby Johnson, Jonathan Caroll
19 55 30 94
93
21 57
64 25
112 39
41
15
46 90
58
10 114 38
40 61
34
16
87 52
37
42
49 44
4
31
53
108
111
23
22
98 110
28 84 95
83
50 24 88 26 92
73.
niversity
munity College
man Institute of
State Univ. n Brown, Blake elius
e Univ.
68. Southern Methodist Univ. Jessica Ma, Jiayi Li, Justin Tseng, Colton Gier, Jacob Camp, Ryan Grambow, Lily Li 69. Southwestern College Marquis Hodge 70. Southwestern Adventist Univ. Genesis Villanueva 71. Tarleton State Univ. Maddie McNarma, Paul Oliger
72. Texas A&M Univ. College Station Claire Mitchell, Alexis Harris, Rachel Imwalle, Andrew Barnard, Mary Casillas, Mason Weis, Michael Luu, Laura Jenkins, Miranda Neifach, Logan Weinert, Benoit de Torcy, tin Univ. Bailey Baker, Lora Moore, Brandi Bryant, , Alex Brown, Alex Niketas, Jessica Stark, Alan Vicars, oline Koch, Katy Sklyler Smith, Sravar Singuluri, Stephen an, Hannah Robicheanx, Julie Pi, Danielle Rutherford, Roberson, Rocky Justin Nguyen, Diana Kim, Dil Naqi, Justin eary, Margaret Snowden, Teresa Martin, Kirsten Walker, Varshini Seshadri, Kevin Schara, Victor Ma, ege of California Haley Hagler, Ray Viswaprabakaran, Hannah Shaw, Hunter Coleman, Cole Phillips, Jack Lee, Cooper Thompson, Corinne Kowald, niv. Courtney Loveland, Cassie Bub, Eric Yang
Texas A&M Univ. Commerce Laruen Meyers 74. Texas A&M Univ. Galveston Rachel Ozlowski 75. Texas Academy for Animal Conrol Officers Michelle Dye 76. Texas Christian Univ. Becca Wilson, Reilly Masterson, Erin Kiel 76. Texas State Univ. Anna Villacampa, Austin Evans, Macey Potyraj, Beandra Manglona, Brat Metzer, Adriana Aguilar, Caroline McKissack, Rachel Ban Duyne, Kelsey Maxfield, Kristina Veit, Harrod Brown 77. Texas State Technical College Caleb Steele 78. Texas Tech Univ.
99. Univ. of Oklahoma Paige Tiffee, Sara Rasor, Ashley Truong, Rohan Asuivdi,Ashtyn Clymer, Joe Light, Ronak Tapiavala, Kimerly Cycon, Elise Oliver, Christian Bevil, Lindsey Storey, Maddie Cartwright, Will Polk, Rachel Farley
45
48
115
100. University of Pennsylvania Ximei Li 101. Univ. of Southern California Tiara Conley
102. Univ. of Texas @ Austin Austin Davis, Rylie Johnson, Hannah Leung, Aaron Comen, Harrideep Yevva, Irene Jiang, Tim Kye McKinzie, Thomas Eppler, Mackenzie Mitchell, Tristian Dsyrit, Yoder, Tina Le, Afshan Irani, Alex Zou, Alice Shi, Varun Scridhar, Danny Nolte, Emily Tucker, Julia Veronica Sun, Alyssa Miller, Andrew Bramlett, Vinit Nagaich, Shannon Jones, Stephen Sayegh, Hayden Chen, Yosha Singh, Erica Chen, Lily Qian, Lio Vansteenkiste, Sriram Dunagan, Taelor Melvin, Caitlin Ravula, Macy Huang. Avery McCuistion, Steven He, Ben Lee, Ben Ramirez, Cassidy Betts, Rachel Rosslet, Steven Yen, Brooks Ruhman, Caroline Lee, Maya Josiam, Megan O’Leary, Chad Trim, Meghan Moghe, Christian Phan, Cindy Daniels, Ashley Schreiber, Dalton Knight, Curtis Peters, Wu, Claire Gong, Melissa Chen, Clarence Tso, Molly Huser, Jane Zeng, Jeffry Key, Jerry Lam, Jessie Chan, Justin Thai, Kartik Sridhar, Jonathan Courtney Mills, Ashley Peck Li, Eric Li, Kirtana Moorthy Kevin Ho, Eric Nguyen, Ramya Akkala, Ethan Head, Rishabh Bapha, Felipe Gomez, Roy Falik, Ryan Shu, Amy 79. Texas Women’s Univ. Ekiriwang, Sai Kondrakunta, Amy Xin, Sam Robbins, Samuel Tallent, Janel Lin Zach Read, Ankita Nayak, Rachel Whittmore, Nick Pattie, Neil Vyas, Patrick Liu, Phillip Moeller, Jennifer Shin, Julia Chiang, Ethan Head, 80. Texas Westen Univ. Stephanie Su Delunas Kirmuu 81. Trinity University Michael Davis
103. University of Texas @ Dallas Rachel Won, Rachel Zhang, Rosemary Campbell, Ami Patel, Saachi Minocha, Amulya Yedlapalli, Safwaan Rahman, Anantta Kaur, Samuel 82. Trinity Valley Community CollegeChan, Aneri Pandya, Andrew Lee, Kayle Cox, Andrew Palet, Asad Kazi, Willem Walls Ashmini Suresh, Chadi Chammout, Emma DeVine, Emily Huynh, Fatima Moon, Daniel Hwu, Ashwini Suresh, John Tunstall, Joseph 83. University of Alabama Smith, Jesse Grant, Maria Muhammad, Marcela Mejia, Mehana Vellaturo, Stephanie Register, Kate Prindle, Jamelia Michael Arivazhagen, Maisha Razzaque, Michael Hankin, Michael Harris, Cassidy Clark, Aaron Adams Leung, Miro Are, Sara Janzarli, Sebastion Fonseka, Sejal Mali, Simran Sharma, Nick Reina, Ola Alshhar, Natalie Warne, Patrica Baker, Paran 84. University of Arkansas Duddqzudi, Priyanka Hardikar, Abarnaa VS, Abdul Rashid, Ahsun Emily Ping, Chandler Miller, Ralph Asad, Alex Yeh, Alex Yi, Alyssa Shahrestani, Amanda Huling, Hunter Anand, Jared Bronnenberg, Chloe Guevara, Esther Shim, Sanaa Tejani, Nicole Dion, Azzah Imtiaz, Laila Fruge, Joshua Hiatt, Shelby Butler, Abbas, Logan Bartel, Lucy Teng, Mahitha Roy, Tyler Dimon, Vivian Courtney Leonhart, Ogo Obinabo, Nguyen,Winson Hsien, Yousuf Jiwani, Hannah Popal, Gabrielle Truong, Keri Lager, Hannah Colomina, Luke Iza Gomez, Jackie Cai, Rabab Naqvi, Thuy-Mi Le, Azrit Aravapalli, Strumrell, Zachary Tripp, Laura Jones, Claire Fuoss, Megan Tracy, Ryan 104. University of Texas @ Arlington Heidrick Maria Chu, Megan Danjul, Sherman Leung, Yunus Mufti, Macy Morrow, Fares Stanbouly 85. Univ. of California @ Berkeley Evan Katz, Catherine Lee 105. University of Texas @ San Antonio Namair Rashid 86. University of Central Oklahoma Morgan Flanagan 106. University of Toronto Jenny Huang, Rachel Chen, 87. Univ. of Dayton Michael Brezovsky 107. Univ. of Tulsa Madison Cheney, Thomas Kerwin 88. Univ. of Florida Rayana Watson, Evanne Bracklein 108. Virginia Tech Univ. Erin Halliday 89. University of Houston Obinna Nnaji, Rachel Oh, Saad Ahmel, 109. Wade College Stephen Carroll Sandra Quintero 90. University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign Andrew Chin, Alison Wen, David Rubrecht
110. Wake Forest Univ. Kylie Long 111. Washington Univ. St. Louis Evelyn Shen
91. University of Kansas Greer Martin, Jewell Cox, Lindsey Etter 112. West Point Jonathan Lara, Taylor Chambers 92. Univ. of Miami Claire Sheldon 113. West Texas A&M Univ. Annemarie Rossato, Zakeijia Wright 93. Univ. of Michigan @Ann Arbor Jason Shiau 114. Wheaton College Hayley Rost 94. Univ. of Minnesota @ Twin Cities 115. Yale University Yaroslav Pochinka Katherine Xiu
Senior Section ADVICE FROM ALUMNI
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May 28, 2014
Whether you are heading to community college, the Armed Forces, an in state or out of state university, a private college or even going out of the countr y, Plano Senior alumni have your back. PSHS Class
Jordan Miculka Serving in the U.S. Army
First and foremost, I would like to thank those for even considering doing the job that less than one percent of Americans volunteer for. It is by far one of the toughest and most demanding jobs out there, but it is also one of the most rewarding jobs out there. The biggest piece of advice that I wish someone Submitted by Jordan Miculka Jordan Miculka stands at the French base in gave me before I joined would be that no the Kapisa province of Afghanistan. matter what happens, you must always remember why you signed on the dotted turn my life around, so I used that as line in the first place. I signed up to prove motivation to help push me through even to my brother and sister that I could the toughest of times.
Daniela Levi
2010
Went to Franklin University Switzerland
Submitted by Daniela Levi
Daniela Levi acts as an orientation mentor on a freshman day trip.
Having just graduated from university and looking back at the wonderful four years I had living in Switzerland, I only have two pieces of advice. One, do everything. There are so many opportunities in college and as someone who got fairly involved and still wishes she did more, I can assay that
some of the most rewarding moments in college are meeting people and going places outside the classroom. School in not just about the education. It is also taking risks, meeting new people, doing things you maybe wouldn’t normally do just to try it – all open new doors for you. Also, networking. That’s a big thing. Two, travel. Whether it’s just to nearby cities of if it’s traveling abroad. I have learned so much from traveling the world, and I’ve realized the most rewarding situations have been the ones where I’ve left my comfort zone and taken a risk. All in all, college is where you beginning to shape who you will be in the future. You are beginning to establish yourself as a true adult. You can be whatever you want to be, but you have to start now.
Nicholas Kao
Went to Collin College, transferring to the University of Texas at Austin
Went to Texas A&M University
2008
Seek out new experiences with new people. Cliché I suppose, but important.
Submitted by Josh Kelfer
2009
Josh Kelfer stands in his parent’s home in Plano.
Jeremy Ying
Went to Harvard University and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Two things – when you head off to college, you’re prone to fall into the trap of signing up for everything. That is FOMO syndrome – fear of missing out. One lesson I learned my senior year was to devote myself to a couple of things outside of schoolwork. There’s much less stress. You actually enjoy the time you spend doing extracurriculars. That being said, the second lesson is to do what you want. Don’t ever use the word “should” in your rationalization like, “I should skip dance practice and study tonight” or “I should find a job.” Using the
2011
Submitted by Joshua Ying
Jeremy Ying performs stand up comedy at Columbia University.
word “should” puts a burden on you. You’re not doing something for gain as much as evading a loss. You WANT to find a job because you want to pay off your loans. You WANT to study because you want to do well in school. Know what you want and do it. No regrets. Good luck graduating seniors.
Andrea Oguntula
Pepperdine University
Stay focused, don’t eat late because you will gain weight, and enjoy it because it goes by fast. Talk to your family frequently too, because it keeps you sane.
201 2
Before I graduated PSHS, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do for a future career. Without a major set in stone, I was unsure on which college or university to attend. I ended up going to Collin for the first two years due to financial struggles. This saved me tons of money and allowed me to discover what I wanted to do with my life. This fall, I will be transferring to UT Austin to pursue a BFA in Dance. Although I didn’t experience the freshman year like all my friends did, I still learned a lot, met new friends and made tons of connections through my two years at Collin. You can also receive your associate’s degree before you transfer if you decide to stay two years. I would strongly recommend
Josh Kelfer
2005
Submitted by Andrea Oguntula
Andrea Oguntula sits in the newsroom at Pepperdine.
201 3
Weston Grant University of Arkansas
Leaving home to go somewhere entirely new is one of the most exciting things you can do. Going to college in a different state hours away from home takes some getting used to, but if you can find a great group of people (you will meet hundreds and hundreds of new people freshman year) and call home often, your freshman year will be one for the books. It goes by quick, so don’t blink.
Christina Qiu
Submitted by Nicholas Kao
Nicholas Kao dances with the Collin Dance Ensemble.
this path to anyone with financial struggles or uncertainties about what you want to major in or where you would like to go.
Maddie Patton
201 3
Dallas Baptist University
Don’t rush through life. Enjoy the simple pleasures of today. You’re all excited to get out of Plano and into the freedom of college, but take advantage of every day because the next thing you know, your freshman year is gone. So enjoy it! Submitted by Maddie Patton
University of Pennsylvania If you’re going to the East Coast is to pack a lot of warm clothes. If you’ve been living in Texas your whole life like me, you don’t really understand the definition of cold until you get there. Always be kind to service people – they’ll be the ones who help you out the most when you get lost in some foreign city with no car and a low phone battery, etc. Most importantly, stay true to your roots. It’s easy to forget who you are and where you came from when you’re surrounded by people from Submitted Christina Qiu Christina Qiu sits by artist Robert Indiana’s exotic places with interesting lives, but remember “The Love Statue” on the UPenn campus. that you deserve to be there as much as anyone else and you came from one of the best high schools in the world. Even when you feel like you don’t belong and home is a million miles away, Texas is always home. Be sure to rep Wildcat Nation wherever you go!
Cristina Seanez
Maddie Patton hangs out with friends at Klyde Warren Park.
Catherine LaMendola
Collin College
McGill University
My best advice to those going out of the country for college would be to take care of all paperwork (study permits, etc.) as soon as you possibly can, and to Skype with the people you love back in the states often.
Submitted by Weston Grant
Weston Grant looks at the scenery at Devil’s Den National State Park in Yellow Rock, 20 minutes away from the University of Arkansas campus.
Submitted by Catherine LaMendola
Catherine LaMendola stands in the snow during a Quebec winter.
Try to take full advantage of your classes. Set a goal and stay focused to achieve it. It is time for you to build a foundation for your life, fun can come but remember everything has to have a limit. Your future depends on the decisions you make now, so make all the effort you are about to put into your classes worth it.
Submitted by Cristina Seanez
Cristina Seanez celebrates with friends at a graduation party.
F eat u re Patients miss school due to illness
5
May 28, 2014 By Fabiola Cedeno
Continued from page 4
Every time Garza is admitted into the hospital she will get between one to three blood transfusions, resulting in already having a total of over 30 transfusions in her life. “There are nurses and doctors that are constantly coming in and checking on me,” Garza said. “I’ll be like ‘I’m still sick, you can leave me alone’. I’m usually hospitalized over the summer, which is good because I don’t have to miss that part of school, but I would much rather be hanging out with my friends or doing something fun instead of spending time in the hospital.” Along with having to deal with all the symptoms that Crohn’s has caused Garza, she has also had scoliosis correction surgery. After her surgery, she got an infection due to the medication she was on that made her not able to fight off infections. They had to redo the surgery and she ended up missing the whole first semester of her sophomore year. “I found out I had scoliosis when I was in fifth grade,” Garza said. “My spine was like a backwards S, the top curve was at 19 degrees and my bottom curve was at 25 degrees. They basically broke my spine in the places the curves were, put the rods in and hammered it in with nooks and pins. Then they fused it straight and now my spine is almost completely straight.” On many occasions Garza has been told that she was going to die due to all of her medical conditions. Through her family and prayer, she has been able to have support and become content with the idea of dying someday. “When I had my scoliosis surgery at 15, the doctors had told me that I was going to die because I have so many medical complications,” Garza said. “I had to make peace with my death. With all my medical complications, tomorrow isn’t a guarantee especially with the medications that I’m on. So I try to never take anything for granted
and stay positive.” Because of the certain situation that Garza is in, she has something similar to a medical license on her file that allows her to miss as many schools days as she may need to without being penalized for it. “Having that definitely makes it difficult to keep up with school,” Garza said. “When I would miss all of a semester I would usually end up on home bound. I try to do really well and stay on top of everything because I need to graduate and I need those good grades to get into college. Even though it’s a struggle, I make sure to keep my grades up.” For Doe, she has lost all exemptions in her AP classes and is in danger of going to court because of having missed 124 class periods this year. Even with having missed so much school, she has very high grades and does well in all of her assessments, primarily from teaching herself the material. “When I miss something I’m really good about making it up, just not in a timely matter,” Doe said. “For me, I can learn more at home than at school. Currently I’m at risk of losing credit for classes because even though I have good grades, I don’t show up for 90 percent of the class periods.” Doe does not have the same medical license on her file as Garza does due to the fact that it is not as serious and is a more manageable illness. “My absences are excusable and a lot of them are unavoidable,” Doe said. “They understand but only to a certain degree. I’m working with my sub school principal to do everything we can to prevent from going to court because even though it is an illness, and it is presented in the Americans with Disabilities, I would still have to present that and talk about that in court. I can’t just get away with it.” With being diagnosed, both Garza and Doe have had to adjust to their conditions and learn to live with them and remain
positive. “I have had to grow up at a much faster rate than most people,” Garza said. “With these
kinds of situations you can’t be immature, you have to be knowledgeable and educated about what’s going on with you.”
Photo by Haley Samsel
AP Overload
Test-takers complete a multitude of exams
The Advanced Placement Program, courtesy of the College Board, enables students to complete college level courses. Originating in the 1950s, the AP Test has brought anxiety and multiple all-nighters for students typically dreading to take the exam. College Board allows any student to take any examination, regardless of participation in its respective course. Senior Ninad Munshi has made the most of this opportunity during his high school career. “I took as much as I could just because I could,” Munshi said. “There was really no reason not to, my parents were willing pay for it.” Munshi has taken 22 AP exams this year, only seven of which he has prepared for in a classroom setting. “I typically just buy the necessary prep books, and read them throughout the year,” Munshi said. “Whenever I was interested, I would crack open a prep book to learn something new.” According to College Board, there has been an increase in the number of students taking AP Test over the past few years. A number of factors, including the increasing competition for students to be admitted to elite universities, have resulted in this increase. The test ranks students on a scale ranging from one to five, with five being the top score representing a well-qualified student. Policies vary by institution, but most schools require a score of three or higher on any given exam for credit to be granted or course prerequisites to be waived. This is senior Rishabh Bapna’s motivation for taking these courses and tests. “I want to get these classes out of the way and be able to focus on my major,” Bapna said. “I want to study either economics or finance with a with a minor in biology,”
By Madea Neyor
Bapna, who describes himself as an ambitious person, is attending the University of Texas next year. Senior Jeffery Key, who also plans to attend the University of Texas next year, has taken 10 AP classes. From this he has learned some tricks to help him do well. “If it’s a math class or an English class just pay attention and do the homework and you will do well,” Key said. “But when it comes to a history class, then you have to study outside of the classroom to do well.” Munshi expressed a benefit of learning a surplus of information outside the classroom. “I have learned more about myself and my learning style,” Munshi said. “Certain learning styles work better for me depending on the subject.” Munshi is a sporadic learner who enjoys learning Physics. He plans to study this at the University of CaliforniaBerkley in the fall. “Regardless of what you like to do, education and learning is as much as you put into it,” Munshi said.
arts & entertainment
6
May 28, 2014
Sizzling accessories you need this summer By Madea Neyor
runway shows in Paris Cross your fingers toFrom your local Forever 21, the body bag’s notoriety (for lust-worthy bags) cross is rising faster than the
The link you’ve been missing Body chains and chain headpieces aren’t just for Coachella anymore. Usually only considered a bohemian look, these chains can now be incorporated into any summer attire. Easily found on Etsy and in Forever 21, these are the missing links from your wardrobe.
UV index. Tribal prints, studs and pastel shades keep this look from sizzling out this summer while still adding cool personal touches. Worn either across the body or hanging over a shoulder, the styling opportunities for these must-have bags are endless.
When in Rome...
The updated gladiator sandal featured in blogs, boutiques and department stores alike posses a chic vibe that would make the trendiest of ancient Romans jealous. Don’t be afraid to rock a knee-high pair with a skirt or dress for an authentic B.C. look. This trend will have all of those around you rushing out to buy their own pair faster than you can say, “Et tu, Brute?”
Fun in the sun A classic yet underappreciated accessory is making a comeback stronger than Britney’s in 2009. Aviator, cateye or wayfarer, you can always count on a good pair of glasses to elevate your ensemble. Tip: try a pastel or textured frame for an eclectic yet high fashion look.
Stack it!
Gather up your dainty rings, bracelets and necklaces, because in this case, the more the merrier! Focus your attention on one area and don’t be afraid to mix metals. Extra creativity points for coordinating gemstones, patterns and colors for an effortless summer look.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons
Jetpack Joyride
Friends score jobs operating ‘flyboards’ By Gabe LaBounty
Photo submitted by Kevin Beck
Junior Kevin Beck uses a jetski to push water into a flyboard, allowing his customer to operate it. “Not everyone gets a chance to do something fun and exciting for a job,” Beck said.
The contraption begins strapped to the wearer’s back as he or she enters the water, jets propelling the rider up to the amazing heights. This new technology has reached the DFW area, and anyone with a few bucks and a thirst for adventure can sign up. NTX Flyboard allows anyone to go in the water, get strapped in and learn the basics, then start flying above Lake Lewisville. There are many similar companies around the United States. The invention itself is relatively new, only coming into use in 2012. Franky Zapada, a Jet Ski champion from France, came up with the idea. In a convention held in DFW last year, Zapada was flown in and saw 42 people flyboarding above Lake Hubbard. There are two locations in the area, one on Lake Lewisville and another on Lake Hubbard. Juniors Kevin Beck and Christian Alexander started working at the Lake Lewisville location just over a month ago. Alexander originally found out about the job when his family
was going to buy a new car. One of the co-owners of the jetpack company works at the car dealership and invited him down to the lake. Alexander had never seen it before and Beck had only seen videos, but they went down and got the job.. “I was excited that there was a chance that I would be able to work with the equipment,” Beck said. “Whereas when I saw the video I thought that I would never be able to have the opportunity to use it.” While they have only been working there for a short time, they are already enjoying it. Alexander said they only work weekends now, but this will expand to possibly five days a week in the summer. “The hours are incredibly reasonable,” Alexander said. “It’s not some job you wake up for in the morning to get to at the crack of dawn. It’s nothing that you need an hour and a half through traffic to commute to.” When there are no customers, Alexander said some of the experienced workers try stunts. One of their co-workers, Marcus, recently tried a back flip. “He was trying this back flip and the pack hit him in the helmet,” Alexander said. “His pristine helmet fell into the water but when we got it out there were all these scratches on it. It was funny when he came back down to the dock.” Beck and Alexander agree that while there is a learning curve, operating the pack is easy. The odds of getting injured are zero to none and the craziest thing they have ever done was dive into the water. “You don’t necessarily know what is under the water,” Beck said. “Yet people who have been there enough know that there is nothing that is going to hit you. To us it is still scary to say, ‘well there might be a tree under there’.” While some customers usually worry about the level of difficulty when they start, even with the shortest package which is 20 minutes, there is a guarantee the user will glide. “It’s all in the balance,” Beck said. “If you can stand up, you can fly.”
A glance into Green’s literary works By
Gabrielle
Lammons
I’m the first person to admit I haven’t been a fan of John Green or his books for long. I didn’t even know he existed until December, and even after I bought “The Fault in Our Stars,” it sat on my floor for a month before I decided it was time to see what all the fuss was about. After reading TFiOS, I was thrust into Green’s world. Green’s books are very raw, and they touch on very real things in life. Green’s presentation is what makes his novels great, as his ideas are very ordinary. His writing and how he tells the story is what makes him extraordinary.
Looking for Alaska
Green’s first book was published in 2005. It features a boy named Miles ‘Pudge’ who has recently transferred to Culver Creek Boarding School. Pudge quickly becomes friends with Chip ‘The Colonel’ and wild, passionate Alaska Young. LFA has been a source of controversy in English classrooms, as it has many adult themes, like alcohol, cigarettes and sex. While reading it I was struck with its roughness. LFA is the least refined of Green’s books, as it is less elegant. It’s very blunt, which I think was done purposefully because of the material it covers. It is an amazing book, despite its ambiguous ending, and did a fantastic job of showcasing who Green is as an author.
Paper Towns
This the first time I heard about Green’s writing was after “Paper Towns” came out. While I personally didn’t read it until after ‘The Fault in Our Stars”, “Paper Towns” brought Green into the public eye because of his unique take on a mystery. Quentin ‘Q’ Jacobsen is desperately in love with his childhood best friend Margo Roth Spiegelman. After a night of vicious pranks, Margo disappears without a trace. Driven by determination and all the things he thinks he know about Margo, Q seeks to find her. The constant plot twists leave the readers wondering what Green is going to do next. This book is vastly different than LFA because it covers a completely different genre. Despite the different focus of “Paper Towns,” it is easy to draw comparisons between Alaska and Margo. “Paper Towns” is my least favorite of Green’s works.
The Fault in Our Stars
Green’s latest book caused his popularity to skyrocket and introduced many readers to his writing. It was the top of the New York Bestseller’s list on release and love for it has only grown. The hype surrounding the movie has become huge as it prepares to come out on June 6. Hazel Grace Lancaster, the main character, has thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs and at her mother’s request attends a cancer support group. It is there she meets Augustus Waters and subsequently falls in love with him. TFiOS is my favorite of Green’s books because it’s simply beautiful. It’s sad, happy and all the in-between feelings. TFiOS focuses on a sensitive story and presents it in a way that shows how extraordinary it really is.
opinion
May 28, 2014
Lost Potential I am an extremely logical person when it comes down to it. You can talk to me all day about how people are suffering, and I wouldn’t hear a word of it unless it was happening to me. For example, hundreds of animals die in city shelters every day, but I never imagined the magnitude until I saw it myself. For me, seeing is believing. I think to a degree we are all like that. This morning I found out that 18 journalists have been killed this year. It’s not an extreme number, and I am sure more will die. We live in a violent world, and people who go into those situations don’t always come out. These people were out in violent areas of the world trying to capture the truth in a vain attempt to make the rest of the world see it. The number touched me in a way, because these lives did something with their life. I have never done anything as noble as that, and I never will. They all went into situations where they knew death was a possibility, and they went
By Gabrielle Lammons
anyway. I cannot pretend to understand why anyone would go. I think they just wanted to capture sufferings in order to bring them into the light. Everyone has the potential to become extraordinary, but very few people can actually do it. When you think about the seven billion people in the world, it’s hard to imagine everything that is happening. All the suffering and happiness that goes by without anyone seeing it because no one is looking. These 18 journalists were people almost no one knew about because their lives and their work didn’t directly affect us. I cannot care about every little thing that happens in the world, because so much death happens every day. It’s impossible to prevent but I think we can all make an effort to care more about what’s going on around us. As students we are all in our own little, self-centered worlds. Many of us don’t really care what is going on because we feel that it doesn’t affect us in a direct way. Nevertheless, it does, because people and ideas are leaving the world. People are dying every day without reaching their potential, and that takes away from our worlds’ potential. People are dying in places like Syria and Ukraine, but most of us aren’t even taking notice. These lives are something we should all care about. There are so many horrible things in the world - the least we can do is see the beauty in the bad.
Graphic by Anna Villano
High Hill
By Fabiola Cedeno June 6th, 2014. The day that I’ve been waiting for since the first time I walked through the green and white hallways of Wilson Middle School. The day that it’s all supposed to end. The last day that I will ever see the strangers I have been going to school with for 12 years. As I sit in the room that took care of me for the past four years, I reminisce about all of the precious moments each and every year brought. I remember my freshman year and how I was ridiculed and embarrassed by a male teacher because I simply didn’t understand the material as quickly as my peers did. I remember doubting myself and giving up at the time I was supposed to fight and keep strong. Then there was sophomore year, and the fresh and new relationship I had formed. I relive the perilous action of letting Aaron in, and being terrified of whether or not it was the right decision. How I learned about myself while I studied the makings of someone else. How fortunate I was to have met someone who understood all the imperfections that made up the type of person I was that year. I look at the tinted burgundy drawer where
Photo by Fabiola Cedeno
Cedeno received her beloved record player, Medusa, from her boyfriend senior Aaron Tavarez.
were a bad influence on her son, how it was all our fault that he was “not the way he was
Alexis Harris
Copy editor
Rachel Chen
Volume 68
ONline editor Priyanka Hardikar
Editor of Multimedia Leslie Parker
Alexandria Oguntula
Adviser
Terry Quinn
every corner. Staying up until five in the morning on weekends and procrastinating like never before. Looking at the photo booth strip of Aaron and me and smiling at the celebration of our three years together. Finding a genuinely kind and sane girl who would ultimately become the best friend that I could have ever asked for. Dedicating every Saturday to the only six people who made getting through the week worth it. My smile grows as I recall the moment when I was recognized for my writing by the Dallas Morning News. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend these past four years any differently. I grew and learned a lot not only about myself, but about how cruel and beautiful life can be. I will be attending community college for two years before transferring over to a four year university to study journalism. Even though I won’t have a fresh start in a new place, I’ll still be opening a new chapter of my life. And as much as I fear the outcome, I anticipate it more and more with every second that passes by. If high school has taught me anything, it’s to not take anything for granted. I never did, and I am leaving happier than I ever thought I would.
Mission Statement:
TALES
Layout Editor Business Manager Tehreem Shahab
supposed to be.” To the right rests the record player Aaron gave me – Medusa. I recall the countless times I placed a record on her, gently picking up the needle and placing it ever so lightly on the correct line. I would turn her up as loud as she allowed me to. I would turn the lights off, kneel down, plunge myself onto the carpet and lie straight on my back. I would close my eyes and escape from everything and everyone, allowing myself to be completely taken over and intoxicated by each beautiful note and sound that came out of her. I think about junior year and all the close-knit friendships that blossomed and eventually deteriorated all throughout the year. I notice the pile of English papers stuffed in the bottom drawer of my black desk. An immense smirk creeps up on my face when I think of my AP English teacher telling me that I didn’t quite comprehend what a complete sentence was. Moments like those are the ones I will cherish the most. They are the moments that pushed me to sign up for newspaper my senior year. My final year of high school brought a disease of laziness and demotivation from
ildcat
May 28, 2014
By Haley Samsel
Even before the comedy film “Napoleon “Dilla” was approximately half the size of a Dynamite” popularized the mispronunciation standard restaurant quesadilla but was in the of its name, the quesadilla captured the hearts same price range. Although the “Prima Dillas of food lovers with its simple yet delicious Combo” includes two sides and a drink, the ingredients. A tantalizing concoction of grilled amount of food placed in front of me did not meat covered in melted cheese, the quesadilla feel as if it matched how much I paid for the seemed unquestionably Mexican inspired in the meal. As one of the employees informed my past. A new quesadilla-only restaurant in west table later on in the evening, forking over an Plano offers an Americanized take on the Tex- extra two dollars for the larger “Gorilla Style” Mex favorite, featuring portion makes more sense if creative fillings ranging you’re feeling extra hungry. from buffalo chicken to In addition, Mexican food smoked brisket. lovers will find themselves Dillas, which opened disappointed by the lack of its doors at 2008 Midway Mexican-influenced items Rd. back in December, offered at Dillas. While makes already Texan the entire intention of the influenced food even restaurant is to Americanize more approachable to a Tex-Mex concept, I felt the casual customer. The myself searching for a menu hosts a variety of standard Mexican style choices meant to appeal quesadilla to counteract all to everyone, including the of the American options. Photo by Haley Samsel options to “Build a Dilla” Dillas, located at 2008 Midway Rd., offers a new The “Hot Hatch” was the or to substitute tortillas take on a Mexican favorite. closest thing I could find on or cheese with healthier the menu, and even then the ingredients. With catchy combo names, family sides offered with the quesadilla felt misplaced. friendly décor and a drive-thru window to French fries with Mexican food? I could almost boot, the restaurant has the feel of a slightly hear my Hispanic grandfather chuckling in the more upscale fast food joint. background. Thinking I would take a baby step outside To its credit, Dillas is offering up a of my quesadilla comfort zone, I ordered the completely different perspective on Mexican “Hot Hatch,” a tortilla filled with a choice food. No one else is doing what Dillas is trying of chicken, ground beef or steak along with to do – franchise an Americanized version cheese, hatch green peppers and bacon. The of a Mexican concept – with nearly as much quesadilla itself was tasty, featuring a number creativity or ambition. As long as the restaurant of fresh ingredients, and paired nicely with comes to embrace its Mexican roots, Dillas will the restaurant’s jalapeno ranch dipping sauce. succeed in its efforts to reach out to the DallasYet the portioning felt off, as the regular-sized Fort Worth community.
my television and other devices rest. I look at all that it holds up. Next to the Blu-ray player I spot the pink frilly crown given to me on my 17th birthday, from friends past, on the same day that my best friend’s mother barged into my home. There she stood, howling at my whole family about how we
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Print Editor
Dillas does it right
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Issue 12
Staff writers
Sonam Benakatti Victoria Brannen Fabiola Cedeno Gabriel LaBounty Gabrielle Lammons
Madea Neyor Haley Samsel Stephanee Smith Ashley Stuber Anna Villano Rachel Zhang
Wildcat Tales is a student produced publication that serves to educate, inform and entertain the student body in a professional manner which will provoke thought while upholding the principles of a free press. The publication is a forum for the students of Plano Senior High School. Any opinions expressed in Wildcat Tales are the opinion of the writer and of the writer only.
Policy:
Students and faculty are encouraged to send in any questions, comments, concerns or criticisms to be published. Letters to the editors can be put in the envelope in room B208 or emailed to The Wildcat Tales at pshs.pub@pisd.edu. The staff reserves the right to edit a letter for grammatical errors and space issues. Any errors found in the publication will be rescinded in the following issue. Additional and daily updates can be found at our website www.wildcattales.com. Past issues can be viewed at www. issuu.com/wildcattalesonline. Businesses wishing to advertise in Wildcat Tales can email us at pshs.pub@pisd.edu. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisements deemed to be inappropriate.
Wildcat Tales is the official student publication of Plano Senior High School 2200 Independence Pkw y Plano, TX 75075 469.752.9300
May 28, 2014
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