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w w w.wildcattales.com @PSHSpub Volume 69
Issue 5
Janua ry 7,
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REMEMBERING EVAN JOHNSON
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By MaryClare Colombo
Junior Evan Johnson died on Dec. 20. He is remembered by his family and friends as genuine and funny.
unior Evan Johnson was known for his contagious laugh amongst his friends and family. Evan was born on Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 27, 1997 and died in his sleep on Dec. 20, 2014. Evan was the baby of his family as well as the family clown. “We loved to joke and tease each other, especially our parents,” Evan’s brother Skyler said. “He was usually wittier, but I always tried to keep up with his infinite jests. His entire life he was trying to make our family laugh – he always succeeded. His gift of irreverence was remarkable.” According to Evan’s friends, he was very enthusiastic about everything and optimistic. “No matter the situation he was in, he always seemed to have a smile on his face,” junior Ben Heil said. “He was articulate, he was funny, but most importantly he was a down to earth, genuine person.” Evan did well in school and set high goals for his future. “He was very sharp,” Heil said. “I
knew he had set high aspirations for college, and probably could have gone to any major university. He had a very promising future ahead of him and I’m sure he could’ve done great things throughout his career.” Evan loved playing basketball, and played on a team with his friends. “When we hung out, we would play basketball,” junior Mitchell Jackson said. “We’d play in Nathan’s backyard, and we’d play up to four times a week. He played on every sports team I’ve ever been on.” Evan also loved music and shared his passion of music with his brother Skyler. He was listening to music the night Skyler arrived home from Houston. “We would share songs and ask if the other liked this particular track or not,” Skyler said. “I would be at home one break and play a certain song; sure enough he would ask me about it the next time I visited home. I was excited for him to graduate school so that we could attend music festivals together.” Evan will be remembered for his
laugh and happy personality. “If you were hearing Evan laugh, most likely you were laughing, too,” junior Nathan Freeman said. “He was a brother and a guy who could always make people laugh just by his laugh itself. I really enjoyed every moment we got a chance to spend together throughout our lives.” People who knew Evan will miss the fun times that they’ve had with him. “I found that his laugh gave me a certain sense of satisfaction,” Heil said. “The kid could laugh for hours and it was always a fun time. There was never a dull moment with Evan.” Family and friends celebrated Evan’s life on Dec. 23 at Allen Family Funeral. Friends can also share memories at a site set up by the family, RememberEvanJohnson.com. “Evan had a shining personality and brought happiness and smiles to us all,” Skyler said. “He was our baby brother and he was a total goof.” Originally published 12/23/2014 on wildcattales.com
PSYCH CLUB SHEDS LIGHT ON DEPRESSION By Corey Picklesimer
In an effort to raise awareness of depression, Psychology Club is setting up a day to “shine a light on depression.” On Jan. 13, students are encouraged to wear green to show their support for people that are experiencing depression. Psychology Club president William Mao said he thinks that their service project will be a good method to bring awareness to depression and to get people involved.
spread information about being positive and how we can spread awareness.” Psychology Club vice president Avery Connell hopes that this service project can become viral and raise awareness – much like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. “With a mental disorder, it’s easy to feel different,” Connell said. “We’re going to show people that there’s a large amount of supporters that care. I think it’s really important that they’re not alone.”
Photo by Corey Picklesimer
Psychology Club officers meet after to school to discuss upcoming awareness projects.
“We’re going to try to spread awareness for mental illness,” Mao said. “Avery is going to make flyers and pamphlets to
: e d i s In
One student, who was diagnosed with situational depression and who wishes to stay anonymous, feels that this service
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Senior athletes commit to universities.
project may be counterproductive towards people dealing with depression. “It might make people feel better that there are people that are supportive and willing to listen, but you have to develop a trust first,” Anonymous said. “It’s like my friend - I’m trying to figure out where their boundaries are with telling me things, but I don’t really know and I don’t want to ask him either. It’s hard to ask that.” According to the student, the service project has good intentions, but there needs to be more education. “I think it’s a good message, but they need to educate people,” Anonymous said. “I don’t think wearing green shirts is going to educate people. I think they need to make an announcement – they’re raising awareness, but they don’t understand what it is.” According to Mao, he hopes that this service project will help depressed people feel that they belong. “I think that people with these illnesses try to hide it because it’s really hard to let everyone know how you feel and what’s going on,” Mao said. “Be positive. People are out there for you.”
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New year, new you: resolutions & reflections
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Student model discusess career.
Photo by Lana Hudson
Junior guard Ania Henderson lines up for a free throw during the team’s 50-49 win over Hebron on Dec. 5.
Online Read about Lady Wildcat basketball’s season with their new head coach. www.wildcattales.com
News
2 THE WILDCAT TALES
Committing to the future
JANUARY 7, 2015
Athletes finalize dreams of playing collegiately By Vincent Tellez
Several seniors committed to universities across the region on Nov. 12 as part of Fall Signing Day, cementing their dreams of playing their respective sports at the collegiate level. Senior outfielder Alexis Santos has kept up her passion for softball since she was six years-old and signed with the University of the Incarnate Word after she fell in love with the school. Having practiced every day for either her club or her school team, Santos looks forward to playing at the next level. “Honestly, I just love the game,” Santos said. “Everything about it just attracts me. Every time we go to a tournament or have a home game, it’s always really hyped and fun.” Outfielder senior Kali Bolter plays for the same club team as Santos and her teammates are one of her favorite parts of playing softball. Bolter will be attending the University of Arkansas at Monticello. While she knows it will be different, she looks forward to competing with a team that she believes will be a good fit for her. “I really like the tradition that Plano has to bring,” Bolter said. “Softball has
always been super competitive here so it’s a lot to live up to. But it’s also nice because we’re respected out there. I love playing with the teammates and the spirit and passion that the game brings.” Senior volleyball players Amy Kunz
“ I want to be a part of something
bigger than myself. It means the world to go on the court and put on the Plano jersey. ” and Emily Conard recently signed to the University of Texas at Dallas and Anderson University at South Carolina, respectively. Conard also said she will miss the strong traditions she has found at Plano. “In seventh grade we had this middle school feeder night here,” Conard said. “Ever since I did that I was like, ‘I want to be a part of that. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself.’ It means the world to go on the court and put on the Plano jersey.” Having played since he was only five years old, baseball player senior Cody Farhat signed with Texas Tech. He said that although he knows other students who are going to Texas Tech, he is
going to miss his friends. According to Farhat, varsity coach Rick Robertson has taught him many lessons during his time on the team. “I love that guy to death,” Farhat said. “Ever since my freshman year, he basically made me his own son. He’s just such a good coach and he’ll teach you all the little things you need to compete and to win.” Farhat said he looks forward to playing for a team that shares his love for the sport, and one whose reputation exceed average. “Just the opportunity to succeed at that kind of a level is awesome,” Farhat said. “Not only am I going to play baseball, I’m going to play for a very good program. It’s an awesome feeling. There are so many people that support Texas Tech and I’m excited to support them.”
Graphic by Ariana Leyva
Did you know??? The first ever volleyball game was played at Springfield College on July 7, 1896, but the ball they play with today wasn’t invented until the 1900s.
Photo submitted by Alexis Santos
Senior Alexis Santos finalizes her deal with the University of the Incarnate Word next to her parents, who have supported her alon g the way. “I was deciding which college I wanted to go to,” Santos said. “I just fell in love with the school.”
Clinicals students to present program at feeder schools By Suhina Chopra
By the time many people heard about the Clinicals program, it was too late to prepare for the class. To fix the problem, Clinical Rotations classes are preparing to present information about their program to feeder middle schools on Jan. 6. This course allows students to learn skills necessary to become a registered Certified Nursing Assistant. The program also enables them to visit and shadow professionals of the medical field in local hospitals and private practices
Photo by Suhina Chopra
Seniors Olivia Hoyt and Karli Weber present their project on protective equipment. Hoyt and Weber will be presenting their project at Hendrick Middle School. “It’s not pushing them to join the medical field, but it’s showing them that this is a good opportunity if they want to explore it,” Hoyt said.
during the school day for two class periods. According to junior Anjuli Srivastava, students can see if they actually want to go into the medical field by experiencing it firsthand in this introductory course – rather than waiting until medical school. “Unlike most people, we get to do clinical rounds,” Srivastava said. “Many have to go through college and medical school before they can do rounds, but we’re doing it as high school students.” However, some students are not aware of this option until they reach their junior year and have not fulfilled the
prerequisites to take it. “In order to take Clinicals, you have to take Principles of Health Science first,” Srivastava said. “It’s a year class, so if people want to take clinicals senior year, that means you have to have it on your schedule as a junior. But a lot of people don’t find out about it until junior year.” Each feeder school will have several small groups of three or four people present a specific topic – vital signs, CPR or the program itself. Each group has prepared a presentation board, a poster, a presentation script and plans to bring props and equipment for the middle school students to use.According to Clinical Rotations teacher Kimberly Miller, the students love this project because they are able to go back to their middle schools, visit their old teachers and lead the kids. “I like that the kids get a chance to interact with middle school students and it builds our program,” Miller said. “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the middle
schools about it. A lot of middle school counselors didn’t even know about our program so it gives them more information about it, too. It gets us in the middle schools with them and combines us as feeder schools.”
Feature
3 THE WILDCAT TALES
JANUARY 7, 2015
Teacher juggles college, family and work By Stephanee Smith
As the alarm goes taught in some capacity for what off, she lays exhausted. seems like forever. I just enjoy it, I It is 6 a.m. and there is really love to help.” no time to waste. She From working as a physical trainer manages to leave the to working for Big Brothers and home around 7 a.m. and Big Sisters, she has found herself in immediately begins her professions that have allowed her day thinking six steps to showcase her teaching abilities. ahead of every moment. According to Parker-Beggs, her The day is still young, primary goal is to help others. but the burden of work “I like to stay busy. I like to learn is weighted. Each minute and I love to have my students come comes with its own task, in to tell me what they’re learning, each minute leading her doing and what their hopes and closer to success. dreams are,” Parker-Beggs said. “I Photo by Stephanee Smith Science teacher don’t teach just physics or anatomy. Nicole Parker-Beggs Science teacher Nicole Parker-Beggs walks around her classroom as she helps My hope for my students is that they her third period class with their assignment. has maintained a lifestyle know I’m here for them in whatever dedicated to raising three they need – ask me some questions and another is in Europe,” Parker-Beggs kids on her own, earning her master’s in said. “We’re working with different time so I can share my experiences with you so Industrial Organizational Psychology as zones and trying to do group projects, you know what’s going on. It’s giving those well as teaching several classes – including presentations and research together. It’s coping skills and another perspective so AP and regulars. really interesting to meet the people I’ve they can really make good decisions in life.” “Coordinating is most stressful, I have to interacted with online.” With an average day starting at 6 a.m. make sure I don’t forget anything,” ParkerIndustrial Organization Psychology and ending at 1 a.m. Parker-Beggs’ busy Beggs said. “I have so many moving parts focuses on assessing the work environment schedule has required her to exercise her that I literally make two to-do lists. It gets and employees’ personalities that could later time management abilities, but has also intense in making sure that nothing falls determine where they would be best fit. given her a sense of achievement. through the cracks.” “It is a challenge and it is a struggle,” Although Parker-Beggs is receiving more Parker-Beggs currently attends Sacred college education, teaching has always been Parker-Beggs said. “But it is very Heart University’s online master’s program a passion of hers. empowering. Once I get through this I can that only accepts 12 applicants per year to “I started teaching when I was 13 – I do anything. The hard part is over.” participate. The master’s program is a two- taught ballet,” Parker-Beggs said. “That Junior Kelly Jones joined Parker-Beggs’ year long course that gives its participants was my first experience teaching and I had physics class at the beginning of the year. a break in December for two weeks. The the sweetest little girls. I loved teaching Jones said she was initially intimidated by program also allows its participants to work and working with my clients when I was Parker-Beggs’ previous profession as a with people across the world. a physical trainer. I volunteered with my personal trainer, but she was mistaken. “I have a partner on the east coast church and taught faith formation, so I’ve “I love her and she has a great personality,”
The weight of winning By Anna Villano
Sweating in a sauna for hours. High-intensity cardio. Constantly watching a diet. Through these techniques, wrestlers maintain their weight classes in order to compete fairly in matches. There are multiple weight classes the wrestlers fall into and must remain in throughout the season. Senior Sameer Ahmed is in the 113 weight class, meaning he can weigh at or below 113 pounds. “If a 115-pound guy goes up against a 220-pound guy, it wouldn’t make much sense,” Ahmed said. “They divide us up into classes to make sure it’s fair for everyone.” Before the matches, the referees check the wrestlers’ skin, hair, teeth, and weight. So far, none of the wrestlers have gone over their class.
Unknown consequences from the coach welcome those who do not pass these pre-match tests. “None of us ever want to find out what the punishment is,” Ahmed said. “At the first tournament we went to, I weighed in at 112.9 pounds. It was crazy because I was so close.” To ensure that weight is lost in a healthy manner, wrestlers like senior Gilmar Ortega take a hydration test that determines a practical water weight that can be lost per week. “Cutting water weight is one of the hardest things to do because it usually involves not drinking water at all,” Ortega said. “I work out with like four sweatshirts on and just sweat as much as possible to get all the weight off.” Compared to last year, this season’s
Senior Tanner Douglas prepares to wrestle for a spot on the varsity team in a match against his teammate.
Photo by Taylor Norris
competitions are more frequent. According to Ortega, the shorter periods of time in between present pros and cons. “It’s easier to keep up with my weight, but I feel worse off,” Ortega said. “You just really start to miss food.” Ahmed, who only competed in five matches last season, uses the packed schedule to his advantage. He claimed it is a productive opportunity, no matter how painful. “At our first tournament I had five matches back to back and I learned a lot from it,” Ahmed said. “My shoulder hurt really bad halfway through, but the extra mat time gave me a lot more experience compared to last year.” With this being Ortega’s third and final year in wrestling, he has grown more accustomed to the routine diet. Despite the comfort he has established, there are still obstacles. “I’m in the same weight class as I was in last year,” Ortega said. “Because I’ve grown and put on more weight, it’s a little bit harder to maintain.” According to Ahmed, the wrestlers’ physical state is not the only determining factor for their performance – a certain mindset is also essential. “Six minutes might not seem like a lot, but when you’re on the mats it feels like forever,” Ahmed said. “Wrestling leaves you exhausted both physically and mentally. You really have to push yourself.”
Jones said. “She’s really funny with her small physics jokes that she thinks are funny. I think she just laughs at her own jokes, that’s what makes her interesting.” According to Jones, Parker-Beggs’ outside life has not affected her teaching. “She’s not very easily offended or anything, so she takes everything well,” Jones said. “When she talks about her kids they seem very collected and she has everything set. I think her school life outside of being a teacher affects her more than her family does.” After the first week of school, senior Jossa McKimmey was put into Parker-Beggs anatomy class. According to McKimmey, Parker-Beggs teaching was completely different from her previous anatomy class. “She acts like a science mom, always asking if I need help or anything,” McKimmey said. “Ms. Parker treats the class like a college class. She takes care of us and makes sure we understand even though there is some hard material. It feels like having a personal tutor – she is there for all questions.” McKimmey said that Parker-Beggs keeps her teaching professional at all times. She also said that Parker-Beggs will be honest about things such as how her day has been when asked by a student. “In front of the class she’s always very professional and calm – she makes sure she knows what she’s talking about,” McKimmey said. “She knows her stuff before she walks in the class and she can recite a textbook page number for an example. So she’s always 110% prepared. She’s both professional, and personal.”
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W E N R U O Y S I WHAT RESOLUTION? S ’ R A E Y By Piper Nowlin
Taurai Zengeni Senior
Bella Evans Senior “I want to be a better person next year. I’ve had great grades this year, but I should have tried harder last year. Junior year, I didn’t do anything. Senior year, I finally got my act together.”
Mitchel Jackson Junior “My New Year’s resolution is to finally fix up my sailboat and take it on to the great Lake Erie. Next semester, I am looking forward to my great challenges in Sociology.”
Nicole Melendez Senior “My New Year’s resolution is to get a job. This is my first year here and it’s my senior year. I just transferred here from California and it’s very different here. I want straight A’s, but I’m pretty much just waiting for graduation.”
NOT YOUR 1. Keep your memories AVERAGE RESOLUTIONS By Sonam Benakatti
Every new year, thousands of us make the infamous “eat healthier and exercise more” resolution. But if we’re being truthful, most of us will drink a vegetable packed, weird-tasting green juice and do one or two push-ups before giving up and eating leftover holiday cake. We promise ourselves that we will sleep more, but find ourselves laughing at this promise around 3 a.m. the following week. If this sounds like you, take a moment to consider some slightly less cliché resolutions.
“I want to be more focused next semester. It’s so cliche, but I also want to get in better shape.”
Marcus Beavers Senior “My New Year’s Resolution is to meet new people and explore different cultures. I want to explore the world in general, because there are lots of fascinating things all around the world and we just don’t take the time to notice. I also want to see what goes on in other people’s lives.”
Nia McDonald Senior “My New Year’s Resolution is to go to college and meet a lot of people. I’ve moved many times and I’m ready to settle down and get to know a few people that I can have a relationship with for the rest of my life.”
In a jar, keep the things that matter most to you in 2015 – your favorite concert or movie tickets, quotes, photos, recipes or anything else worth remembering. Additionally, you can write down what you did or how you feel every day in 2015 on a post-it note, then put it in your jar. It will only take about 30 seconds each day. At the end of the year, you will be able to read each note and reminisce on the events and emotions of the past 365 days.
2. Try new food
We are extremely fortunate to live in the melting pot that is Plano. There are so many varieties of food to taste, from Korean barbecue to gourmet pizza. Although Chick-fil-A five times a week sounds incredibly ideal, branch out and try new places. Use an app on your phone such as Yelp to search for food close to you. Sometimes, the app even provides you with deals such as “buy one, get one free” if you check in at a restaurant. Make a resolution to visit one unknown place a only fun, but it will make you a more o
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A REFLECTIO N ON 2014 By Mohona Aziz
Mariela Montero Junior “I became an officer of the Avid Club as Vice President. My responsibilities include shadowing the president, attending all the meetings and helping to plan all the avidsponsored events.”
Bryan Gray Junior "I started a club this year. It was my idea and I was joking at first, but my amigos said it was a good idea. Later, we decided we should do something productive, therefore we created HPA, Helping Providers Association. I am responsible for providing the food, finding community service opportunities, advertising and basically organizing everything."
Brandon Shen Senior "I got C category in the academic decathlon. The academic decathlon is separated into three sections: A, B and C, with A being the highest and C being the lowest. It started off being a class with 20 or so students, but by the end of the first semester it ends up being 12 students left. I was able to get in. I found out two weeks ago that I'll be competing in the competition."
a month. Trying new food is not open and cultured person.
Sarah Wilson Senior "I got accepted into a college – UNT. I had automatic acceptance with my class rank and my SAT scores. I still don't know what I want to major in. I went up to the school and registered. I'm super excited."
Ryder Reed Senior "My senior year was really good. Next semester, I want to keep the relationship with my friends as strong as it has been this semester. Looking back, I wonder what would have happened if I had thought more about the decisions I made this year."
3. Get outside more
4. Cut the complaints
Walking to your mailbox and back does not count. We spend hours inside every day at school, only to return home and study past sunset in our rooms. Try spending more time outside – breathe in fresh air, clear your head and get some Vitamin D from the sun. You don’t have to travel too far to feel like you are in the woods. Visit Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, only a 15 minute drive from school, where you can hike trails and walk along creeks. You might even walk your dog around the neighborhood – just remember that there is more to see out there than just the brick walls of your home.
When we compare the complaints we make every day to all the actual problems in the world, they almost sound ridiculous. “I had to park all the way in the back of the parking lot and walk,” “my selfie sent to the wrong person,” or “my phone is being so slow.” While complaining about little things may not seem harmful, it wastes both your time and energy. Not to say that your problems are irrelevant, but there are many out there who deal with much more significant issues every day. We should all make a conscious effort to complain less and t h i n k positively.
Arts & Entertainment
6
THE WILDCAT TALES
Wildcat Favorites Favorite Star
Favorite Musician
By Abigail Werner Photos by Taylor Norris
Mariana Ramirez, Junior
Favorite Restaurant
My favorite band is Local Natives because their music is very upbeat. It’s something I can really rock out to. This is the band I listen to most when I’m driving.
Hannah Snyder, Senior
Brooke Lindsey, Junior
My favorite star, especially on Instagram, would probably have to be Ellie Goulding. She seems to always be with other celebrities so I get the best of both worlds when she takes pictures with them.
I’m a big fan of Panera. Although it’s pretty popular among teenagers, it still has a relaxed atmosphere that I like. Especially with finals coming up, I’m looking forward to be able to study there and not have many distractions.
Favorite Pastime
Favorite Show
Favorite Drink
My favorite holiday pastime is Netflix because there are unlimited amounts of shows and movies to watch. Whenever I’m done with homework, or just have nothing to do, Netflix is always on my watch.
I love “The Walking Dead,” because it’s a tradition that I watch it with my family every Sunday night. It may only be a regular TV show, but to me it’s the one night a week I can relax with my family.
I love eggnog but Starbucks only makes eggnog drinks as lattes. Sometimes if they’re really nice they will make me a Frappuccino, which is definitely my favorite.
Samantha Nash, Junior
Alyssa Moreno, Junior
JANUARY 7, 2015
Alex Ramirez, Senior
Saying hello to Theatre’s “Hello Dolly” By MaryClare Colombo The theatre department will perform the musical “Hello Dolly” from Jan. 22 through Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Doyle Dean Performing Arts Center. The musical is packed with misadventures and comedy revolving around a lonely, rich man in the late 1800s. Senior Jason Head plays the male lead, Horace, who lives in Yonkers, New York and is seeking a wife. “Two of his employees go on an adventure and cause some problems,” Head said. “It’s very entertaining and comedic. My favorite part of any musical process is being able to put a story together and stand in front of an audience and share that story. We want to show what we’ve been working hard on for months and months and have had a great time doing.”
Photo by MaryClare Colombo The cast of “Hello Dolly” rehearses after school. “If everyone is dedicated and they have every detail down, it really creates a magical show,” senior Jason Head said.
Senior Taylor Stammen plays the female lead, Dolly. According to Stammen, Dolly arrives in Yonkers with many talents and hobbies and likes to help people. “The joke in the whole show is that she gives a business card for everything,” Stammen said. “She’s a widower and she realizes that she wants to marry again – but she wants to marry Horace for his money, really. That’s her overall job, but she has all these other jobs on the side. She’s a jack of all trades, you could say.” Another major part of the cast is the ensemble, where most of the cast is located. “Ensemble is equally as important as the primary characters,” Stammen said. “I’ve been in ensemble before and honestly, that’s the more fun part. You have more leeway and you can make up your own character. They definitely carry the show. Without them, it’d just be actors acting on stage and no one to be the ambiance around them. They provide a significant part of the production.” A third aspect of each musical is Technical Theatre. They design the set, lighting, costumes and everything else the audience sees on the stage. “Without Tech Theatre, there would be no pictures painted,” Stammen said. “It would just be a blank slate and no costumes, no sets, no sound. They do all the glamorous stuff. There’d be no ‘show’ part of the musical.” Senior Tate Jones is on the set production crew. Creating the set is the first step in the technical part of the play. “The set takes the longest because we have to build it all, paint it all and if it doesn’t work, we have to take it apart and do it again,” Jones said. “Then we have to bring it on to the stage. Some of the props are on wheels, but sometimes it takes four people to carry them on.”
After working on the set, technicians work on props, costumes, makeup and finally lights and sound. “Since it’s a musical, finding all the music and sounds is a lot easier because we already have all the songs picked out and we just have to record them and fit them in,” Jones said. “If Morse, the teacher, says, ‘My dancers are going to be here and we need this to be lit and this to be a certain sound and we need certain drops here,’ Tech Theatre does it.” Head said he has enjoyed the experiences that each play has given him, starting with his first musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.” “I’ve always liked to speak in front of people,” Head said. “I like to tell a story with my point of view, and I think it’s awesome to have a voice and speak up for what you believe in. Acting gives a medium for doing that. You take a story and a message and show it to an audience.” Stammen said her favorite part of theater is the audience, which is the reason she keeps performing. “The audience aspect of theater is why it’s such a rush,” Stammen said. “Feeding off the audience – say it’s a funny show, and they laugh – it makes you want to keep on going and get another laugh, and it’s this whole continuous build. I think the audience is a huge part of theater and I’m really glad they’re there because they feed the fire.” Stammen will try to interact with the audience in this musical. According to Stammen, if she’s not performing for the audience, there’s no real point. “In ‘Hello Dolly,’ I’ll try to feed off their reactions,” Stammen said. “It’s fun to know if they’re really into it and if they like a joke you make. It motivates you to keep going.”
Reflections from the runway By Kelsey Campbell As the lights dim, she hears the audience's anxious chit chat stop abruptly. Her fellow models' excited squeals come to a nervous hush. She feels her heart beating in her chest as she thinks of all the possibilities for failure. In sync, the music blares and the fluorescent spotlight warms her skin – a sensory overload. These are the thoughts flooding through junior Madeline Johnson seconds before she steps foot on the runway. "I have a natural runway walk," Johnson said. "So with a few pointers, I was good to go." Johnson has been modeling since the summer after eighth grade and joined the Campbell Agency during ninth grade. "Signing a contract with the Campbell Agency just felt right," Johnson said. "They were positive and really wanted me to get a lot of activity. I could tell it wasn't
a sham." There are three types of modeling: editorial, catalog and runway. Johnson has participated in a number of runway shows, including Tony & Guy's three-day prep show. "I get really excited for the clothes," Johnson said. "If I could wear them without being judged or dress coded, I would wear them to school." The amount Johnson gets paid depends on the event. On average, she receives $120 per hour. Johnson said she is not sure how long she will model due to her other passion, volleyball. "Volleyball makes you muscular and gives you a figure, but a different one than modeling wants," Johnson said. "I do yoga to help keep myself in modeling shape." Johnson said her volleyball career
overall has made her a better model. "Volleyball helped me with my nerves when I model because I'm nervous before games also," Johnson said. "As soon as I'm out there, I'm calm. I think, 'I've done this before.'" Johnson decided to become a model after multiple strangers came up to her in the mall and offered her a job or told her she could be a model. "I love modeling as a job," Johnson said. "Whenever I'm out there on the runway, I feel the most confident." Johnson has made many friends in the modeling world, all of which have given her advice to help her along the way. "My advice to other models or future models is that there is no reason to get nervous," Johnson said. "It's just like anything else you do. Be yourself, be confident and just walk."
Photo submitted by Madeline Johnson
Junior Madeline Johnson poses during a photoshoot. “Everyone thinks models don’t eat,” Johnson said. “But we get so hungry from working that when they bring food backstage, we eat it all.”
Opinion
Not a puppet
By Mari Brown
A people-pleaser. That’s how I’ve always viewed myself – afraid to let people down or say the wrong thing. I became self-conscious of how people saw me. For so long, this made me miss out on many opportunities until I finally decided to stand up for what I wanted to do and not what others expected of me. I had played volleyball since second grade, and it is even where I met my best friend. I played on the middle school team and was expected to play throughout high school as well. I felt compelled to play since my siblings and I all played sports and were expected to be extremely athletic. My sister was a good runner while my oldest brother Jake was about to join the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M. My younger older brother, Matt, was doing a little bit of lacrosse, soccer, and basketball here and there. And then there was me, tall and a good server, expected to play for high school. It’s weird how my height always seems to mark me as a volleyball player. People would come up to me after noticing my height and say, “Let me guess. You play volleyball.” During eighth grade and the summer after, I began to take interest in dance. I really wanted to join the drill team my sophomore year at Clark and after learning that there was a drill team prep class for freshmen, I got so excited at possibly being able to do something new and different. My dream was crushed a little as my counselor told me that I couldn’t do volleyball and take the drill team prep class. I reluctantly decided to put down volleyball and Dance 1 for my ninth grade schedule. Volleyball tryouts were happening and I just wasn’t feeling it – it made me want to take the drill team class so much more. I remember during one of our drills for the tryouts that I began to sabotage myself, missing passes and trying to make myself look bad so that I wouldn’t make the team and could pursue drill team instead. Even then, I couldn’t let myself do that for too long because then I got afraid of people thinking I was a bad volleyball player. After the last day of tryouts, the results were posted and I had made the high school team and I couldn’t smile or get excited like the other girls who made it. I realized what I had to do but I called my parents first to tell them that I would be
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Return of the Namuh By Kelsey Campbell
Between Venus and Mars lies a planet. This planet is home to the Namuh race. Within the past 50 years the Namuh people have changed dramatically. They are no longer hard working and dedicated. They have become careless and lazy. Much of the Namuh population accepts that their life is out of their control. They are only a little more than lifeless bodies wandering on the tracks set out for them, nothing but empty space occupying what was once a golden light. Their lives consist of days and nights harshly equivalent to the last. From the first song bird’s morning chirp to the lonely stillness of the late night, they carry with them emptiness. Not the type of empty where something is lacking, but an emptiness that takes up space, that demands to be felt. This emptiness is neither
hereditary nor contagious, yet so many are affected by this epidemic. This emptiness is caused by lack of originality – with every decision that is made for them, with every expectation they are required
a living object can fully own – is all the Namuh are guaranteed, and to waste any second of it would be unintelligent, to say the very least. One thing the Namuhs have missed during their comas is their ability to recognize they are not Namuhs at all. They are actually humans. This is why we as humans need to make the conscious decision to improve. We need to wake up from the deep slumber we have fallen into. With every morning song bird’s chirp comes the promise of Graphic by Ariana Leyva more time, time that cannot to meet, with every question be gained back nor relived – it they are forbidden to ask, a is priceless. chunk of golden light is taken With the year having just out only to be left gaping and come to an end, there is no empty. better time to break away from The average life span of the beaten path. Take in the a Namuh person is 78 years. world around you. Use it as They are born, survive for 78 inspiration. Let it move you to years, and then they die. Those do something. Do not waste 78 years, 28,470 days, 683,280 the time you are given. Make hours are all they are allowed. your mark. Time – arguably the only thing
quitting the team before the season even started. They didn’t pick up, but I didn’t have time to waste. I went to the coaches and told them that I would like to quit the team in order to take the drill team class. Thankfully, they were very understanding and I went to the counselor’s office to change my schedule from volleyball to drill team prep. I was so excited for the school year to start and to begin pursuing my new passion. But then my parents Graphic by Ariana Leyva called, with my dad sounding unhappy about my decision. I felt alone and terrified that I had made the wrong choice until I remembered the words of a worship song that we sing in church. The lyrics that calmed my anxiety were, “You make all things work together for my good.”
I began to breathe easier until my parents came home and I remembered the conversation over the phone. Bracing for a lecture, I was shocked to hear my parents supporting my decision and saying they were proud of me for standing up for myself. I have a feeling that my mom talked to him about my decision before coming home and they decided to approve it. The drill team tryouts came in March. In my mind, I had to make the team, otherwise everything I did would have been worthless. Thankfully, I did. I remember seeing the results and smiling with glee as I realized that I did it – I stood up for myself and got what I wanted through determination. As a people-pleaser we tend to put other people’s happiness before ours. It’s important to chase your pursuit of happiness as well – not to keep them buried in the back of your mind as a long lost dream. Do not be afraid to say no to what others may expect of you. You are not a puppet on strings who follows the orders of the puppet master. You live and move how you want to.
Leaving puppy love behind It hits you like a friend hitting you in the face with a fluffy pillow. Soft but yet somewhat painful and extremely surprising. It leaves you in a temporary state of “What the heck just happened?” and lifts you from the harsh reality. That’s what love is. We as teenagers don’t truly know what love is and have never experienced it. We have experienced “puppy love” which is essentially one tiny step up the mountain called love. We like to act like we know what it is, because hey, we are teenagers. We obviously know everything. But, honestly, we have no clue what we’re talking about. I admit I did not know what love was and I was subjected to playing fetch like everyone else. But that soon changed. In middle school I met who I still call “the love of my life,” and we spent more than two amazing years together. We acted just like every other teenage couple, holding hands in the hallways, and being yelled at by teachers after kissing. Most often I would be the one my friends came to for relationship advice, and it really opened my eyes
to what love actually is. Love is not some word that should just be thrown around like a spitball. It’s not something that you should just give away for free because you feel like it. It’s one of the most valuable things you can give someone for free. This is our hearts we’re talking about, not a wadded up piece of paper.
Love is being there for someone no matter what they put you through. It is going through intense pain just to see that other person happy, it’s looking at that person and saying, “I will do anything for you,” and meaning it. Every day I would tell my boyfriend that “I can’t live without you” or “I’m only happy when I’m with you,” even though we both knew that wasn’t really true. Love is not relying on someone else to make you happy, or for anything for that matter, it’s an equal partnership. And not a partnership you can
By Ella Hunt
just pull out of a hat in seconds. Therefore, I don’t believe in “love at first sight” or at least not the common perception of it. When we say that, we really mean we fell in love with the look of that person, and how they made us feel. It takes time to love someone, to be able to support that person no matter what, you have to have a reason, a cause, or even a belief, to be there for them through thick and thin. Yes, unfortunately love is not always a hop down the bunny trail. I won’t sugar coat it for you, it can be brutal. We can end up with a broken heart and eventually say we will never love again. But I am here to tell you, from one broken heart to another, that that’s not true. No, I’m not saying you need to be in love with someone, but you cannot stop human nature any more than human nature can stop you. We all feel something for others, and nothing we can do or say will change that. So when you start talking to him or her and you feel sick to your stomach and like your head is about to explode, just remember this – the puppy love is over.
January 7, 2015 Volume 69 Issue 5
Torie Brannen
Print Editor-in-Chief
Haley Samsel
Online Editor-in-Chief
Sonam Benakatti Managing Editor
Ashley Stuber
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Taylor Norris Photo Editor
Anna Villano
Assistant Graphic Editor
Terry Quinn Adviser
Staffers Nathan Allen Mohona Aziz Mari Brown Kelsey Campbell Suhina Chopra MaryClare Colombo Maggie Cross Nina Dillon Cameron Drummond Ella Hunt Tashy Hunter Min Ji Kim Gabe LaBounty Bethany LaMastus Gabrielle Lammons Arim Lee Piper Nowlin Jameriya Owens Emily Perez Corey Picklesimer Rose Rana Lizzy Ritchie Lydia Sebany Stephanee Smith Vincent Tellez Falyn Traina Erienne Terpak Zane Vakser Abigail Werner
Mission Statement: 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/wildcattales. 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 Pkwy Plano, TX 75075 469.752.9336
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