75075 Plano, TX l o o Sch High r o i Sen no a l P
w w w.wildcattales.com @PSHSpub Volum e 69
Issue 6 Janua ry 3 0, 2 015
THE DANGER BEHIND THE DOOR t was around 8:45 on a Saturday night. His relatives had come and gone, his brother already back to playing on their Xbox. He had retired to his room to get some homework done. A knock at the door drew him out, and in the next instant junior Kaushik Anantha and his family were duct-taped to chairs while their house was ransacked by thieves. “I heard a knock on the door so I came out, opened it halfway and then three men barged in,” Anantha said. “They pushed me aside and then brought everyone in the house to the hallway.” On Dec. 6, the Anantha family became the second victim in a series of four robberies that began that night. The suspects are also alleged to have robbed homes in Coppell and Flower Mound. After a carjacking in Lewisville, a total of three suspects were apprehended by the police. The final suspect was caught in Houston on Dec. 11. “From what the police told us, the houses that they targeted were planned,” Anantha said. “All of the houses that they’ve targeted have been Asian households – I would say Indians or Pakistanis. The more south you go into Asia, the more jewelry they keep at home. The robbers probably figured they would have a lot of jewelry and cash.” After duct taping each family member’s hands and feet to chairs, two of the robbers went on to search the house while one stayed behind to keep an eye on the captives. “There were two guys who went into the other rooms,” Anantha said. “The guy who was monitoring us kept telling us to shut up and asking us where the safe was.” Anantha, who moved from Maryland three months ago to his new home bordering Allen and Plano, said the intruders
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Inside: Read about the decrease in visitors at Collin Creek Mall.
Learn more about Plano’s twins and triplets.
Check out our Valentine’s Day exculsive.
were upset when his father informed them that they did not keep large sums of money at home. According to the police, robbers often target South Asian homes due to the stereotype that they keep their money in safes at home rather than in American banks. “That’s probably why the robbers came, but we don’t Photo by Sonam Benakatti carry hard cash at home. We don’t have a safe,” Anantha While these thieves had specific targets in mind, anyone’s said. “They got frustrated and household can be victim to a household invasion – so it’s best to play it safe. “People should be aware of what’s going on they took everything else they in their house,” Anantha said. “They should keep their doors could find.” closed and they shouldn’t open them for people they don’t In total the robbers stole know.” head.” five laptops, two of which On Dec. 5, something occurred that were his dad’s work computers, his 13-yearAnantha and the police believe is linked old brother’s phone, a Samsung Tablet and to the robbery. Anantha, his 13-year-old $100 in cash and jewelry. brother and his friend were playing soccer “They weren’t prepared to take laptops, so around 6 p.m. in Russell Creek Park when they found my schoolbag and my brother’s,” a vehicle pulled up. Due to daylight savings Anantha said. “They took everything out time, it was fairly dark, and they were and that’s what they carried everything in.” the only ones in the park aside from the While the other intruders were searching unknown vehicle. the home for valuables, Anantha’s father “The police said the vehicle the suspects complied with the man who was watching used was a black-colored sedan,” Anantha them. His younger brother stayed silent, but said. “On Friday night, there was a black his mother asked of the thief, “Why are you car with no license, tinted windows and no doing this? We all have jobs and we work headlights that parked somewhat close to towards earning money. Why are you guys us. A car door just opened and closed, and coming in and taking the money that we they left the same time we did.” worked for?” Despite the invasion, Anantha said that “My mom kept on talking – she told them the event did not hurt his sense of security not to do anything, so I had to tell her to in his new home. However, it did affect his be quiet or else they would do something,” younger brother. Anantha said. “All of them had guns, and at “It impacted my brother the most,” some point, they had a gun pointed to my Anantha said. “He always wants someone head, to my dad’s head and to my mom’s
Property Crime
in Plano
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By Torie Brannen
Data from Plano Police Department’s Summary and Crime Comparison (Jan. - Nov. 2014)
next to him. For example, if he’s in his room and he’s changing or something, he wants someone there until he’s finished and comes out of the room.” Through this experience, Anantha has learned some tips for others to follow in order to prevent a similar situation from happening. According to him, one of the most important things people should do is keep an eye out for their neighbors. “People should be aware of what’s going on in their house,” Anantha said. “People should be safe and they should be aware of what’s going on because when it happened, our neighbors did nothing.”
HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
By Cameron Dummond With the new year again entering the month of February, the nation pauses once more in recognition of Black History Month to honor America’s rich African-American history. A history featuring a plethora of significant leaders both past and present, who have shaped not only black rights in the United States, but the entire country itself. Even as time moves further away from the creation of Black History Month, junior Effrage Davis maintains a knowledge of its roots. “Carter Woodson and the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History began Black History Month as Negro History Week in 1926,” Davis said. “They declared it on the second week of February because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas were both born that week and were very important to the AfricanAmerican cause. The goal was to get AfricanAmerican history to be taught in schools.” However, this year’s celebration of AfricanAmerican heritage in the United States and Canada comes at a critical time for these nations’ black communities, with violence towards AfricanAmerican males by law enforcement dominating the headlines in recent years. This has caused junior Desire Oduro to develop a new perspective
on race-relations in his country of birth. “I think the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson and the Eric Garner case in New York City have affected every African-American in a very bad way,” Oduro said. “The Eric Garner case especially makes people not have trust in the police and the justice system because there was no legal punishment at all for the officers who committed the crimes.” That lack of a legal punishment for the officers involved led to mass demonstrations by protesters across the nation, with some displays turning violent as buildings were set ablaze and stores looted. “The protests from Ferguson should be a lot more peaceful because using violence isn’t going to get any message across,” Oduro said. “People around the country are going to forget about why the people are protesting and just see the violence.” Junior Joshua Benton interprets the recent protests as ways of highlighting the current climate that African-Americans experience in the United States. “I just feel as an African-American male that I need to be careful and take into account the racial profiling that’s evident in this country,” Benton
said. “Honestly, concerning the Ferguson case, I’m more cautious now when I’m out in the later hours of the day.” Both the Brown and Garner cases also addressed the notion of an inequality between the treatment of white and black citizens on trial in the United States. “The cases were heightened due to the history in America of African-Americans being killed by white men with no repercussions or punishment,” Davis said. “I can promise you, with the treatment I have endured because I am African-American, if the roles were reversed then the outcomes would have been much different.” already progressing gives us unlimited potential concerning our future.”
Continued on Pg. 2
Online Interviews with the 2015 Mr. Plano candidates
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News Black History Month
Continued from Pg. 1 By Cameron Drummond
The concept of an impropriety in the court system’s treatment of blacks and whites is primarily due to the high rate at which blacks have been incarcerated in comparison to whites following the Civil Rights era. “When you are of a majority race, you don’t know what it’s like to live the actual life of a minority – you don’t have to go through the experiences that we have to just because of the color of your skin,” Davis said. “You will never truly get us on that level, you will only be able to sympathize with us through national events that take place, which we thank you for.” Despite this current turmoil involving the African-American community, the importance of observing Black History Month is not lost on those impacted by its message. “Our race has produced great men and women that have contributed to America’s history,” Benson said. “I think that having a whole month to give respect to African-Americans and our struggles is admirable.” Senior Irving Arevalo utilizes Black History Month as an opportunity to engage in a dialogue with the community. “Black History Month serves a purpose for both the AfricanAmerican and American people,” Arevalo said. “It allows both to communicate with one another in a respectful manner over the most pressing problems that blacks face.” Oduro, whose parents are both Ghanaian, recognizes the benefits of paying homage to AfricanAmerican history like many other first generation immigrants in the
United States. “We need to recognize and appreciate activists like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.,” Oduro said. “Black History Month is meant to celebrate all the activists who helped blacks become an equal part of society.” The efforts of some of these activists were noted with the December release of the movie “Selma,” which chronicles the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights Marches led by black leaders such as MLK Jr. and James Bevel. “I feel historical AfricanAmerican events like those depicted in ‘Selma’ are discussed adequately in school,” Benson said. “From a societal standpoint, I feel similarly in the sense that it’s in the back of everyone’s mind as the media continues to portray us.” According to Arevalo, the release of “Selma” marks a noteworthy moment for African-Americans as a direct result of the civil rights movement. “I feel that it is something they deserve for the suffering that they were continuously subjugated to by other races,” Arevalo said. “It’s finally their time to step into the forefront of our society.” Now in present times, Black History Month has proved influential in uniting people of all races in the remembrance of great African-American achievements. “I am immensely proud of my race,” Benson said. “There are African-Americans in virtually all facets of our society – we even have the White House covered. I think the way we are already progressing gives us unlimited potential concerning our future.”
Dead mall
2 THE WILDCAT TALES
JANUARY 30, 2015
Debaters advance in IPPF competition By Maggie Cross
A team of debaters has said. “We have a really good up to them a lot, and they were advanced to the Top 32 round of feeling about the response essay amazing debaters. It’s our goal to the International Public Policy we are about to send, but it really live up to that status.” Forum, or IPPF, competition depends on how they respond.” Senior Brady Lu said he is after defeating East Ridge High One of the presidents of excited about making it to the School from Woodbury, Minn. the IPPF team, senior Kishan next round, although he is very The team will now exchange Srikanth, was in charge of serious about how well the team essays with Team Czech Republic dividing up the work and does. The final eight teams will in an attempt to make it through determining his teammates’ compete in Manhattan at New to the Sweet 16, which will be talents. York University for the Bickel & announced on Feb. 21. “Evidence searching is really Brewer Cup and a grand prize of This year’s topic surrounds important for us, so we have a $10,000. whether or not mass surveillance couple of team members doing “Sometimes I feel like I is a justified method of that, and the other couple of should pitch my ideas more,” Lu governmental intelligence team members are working on said. “But at the same time, I’m gathering. Each round uses the our evidence,” Srikanth said. worried that my ideas would be same topic, but once the teams “We are in the neg again, and the what make us lose in the end.” make it to the top 32, they are first thing we do is look up their According to Lu, Team Czech assigned a side of the argument evidence to see if it is actually Republic’s logic is stronger than to take. One of the two juniors legit or not. The disadvantage of East Ridge’s was but he believes on the IPPF competition team, the neg is that we have to wait for they are beatable. Srikanth Shivan Chokski, was glad he was our opponent to send their case – agreed with Lu and Chokski finally able to compete because which takes about a week.” that the competition is a great he did not have the chance to at Plano won the IPPF competition opportunity to interact with Jasper. in 2011, when Srikanth was people around the world. “When I came to Plano, I entering his freshman year. The “You can’t always say that was really excited to have the team members from that year ‘Yeah, I debated against the opportunity because the seniors have become role models to the Czech Republic,’” Srikanth said. are really solid and know exactly current group. “It’d be cool if we beat them and what to do,” Chokski said. “Me “They were like mentors to could say, ‘Yeah, we took them and my partner, Rohan, tried to me,” Srikanth said. “I really look down.’” get Jasper to do the program. We never really had any hopes of advancing to the top tier.” Team Czech Republic has already sent their essay, and the Plano team is currently working on their response. “Right now, we are in the ‘neg’ against Photo by Maggie Cross the Czech Republic, The IPPF team prepares to send its next essay to Team Czech Republic. “I think the more so we are saying that time we have, the better because we are doing this in conjunction with debate and our mass surveillance is school work and all of the other extracurricular activities that we do,” Srikanth said. “It’s a commitment but we enjoy doing it, we weren’t forced.” justified,” Chokski
Do you wa n t to
Decline in shoppers threatens Collin Creek
k now?? Wondering wha t’s going on wit h the Plano Aq Go check out th uatic Center? e status of the PAC on wildcatt ales.com
By MaryClare Colombo
The parking lot of Collin Creek Mall used to be full. People used to drive around the mall in a circle looking for a parking spot because all the space was filled to the edges. Years ago, people hustled about inside the mall and in big stores like Dillard’s and Macy’s that occupied each end. In the past, teens told their friends to meet them at the mall and it was the go-to place for both last minute birthday gifts and a prime lunch destination. Now, the mall’s parking spaces are more readily available because people are looking elsewhere to satisfy their shopping needs. Junior Andrew Darling has worked at the Chick-fil-a in the mall for the past two years. According to Darling, there has been a decline in the mall’s attendance. “Most of the year, it’s pretty slow,” Darling said. “Back just a few years ago, it was busier. During the week when it’s slower, mostly it’s employees that come by. They make up a lot of our customers.” According to Darling, the stores in the mall now change often. Chick-fil-a, by contrast, is an older restaurant in the mall
“People are not as interested in the mall that still remains. “There are always those couple of stores now,” Darling said. “If they’re able to get it from somewhere that are empty,” else easier and nicer, Darling said. “And they will. Online there are stores shopping is a lot more that are there for a convenient.” short time only – Despite this, some even some of the teens, such as senior restaurants around Chris Gabino, still go us. Chick-fil-a only to the mall. seems to do well “I don’t mind how because it’s so wellit looks,” Gabino said. known.” “But it’s not very busy One possible reason for the and I don’t go that often. I do remember decline of the mall that my friend was is online shopping, doing her genius hour which has risen in project there and got popularity in recent kicked out. She was years. Shoppers just giving free hugs.” are turning to their Photo by Ashley Stuber Collin Creek Mall computers to buy products that they While other malls can be difficult to navigate has large spaces for due to large crowds, the few shoppers at used to buy at malls Collin Creek have ample space to walk around. stores on every end – clothes, shoes, toys “Most of the week, it’s pretty empty,” Darling that used to draw in said. business. Now, with and more.
the arrival of newer shopping malls, Collin Creek Mall has started losing some of these stores. Dillard’s left about a year ago. “Compared to places like NorthPark, Willow Bend or Stonebriar, it’s definitely a lot less busy, a lot smaller and not as modern looking,” Darling said. “A lot of the nicer stores aren’t there anymore.” Even though Gabino still goes to the mall, he said he wishes there were more options for customers. “Hopefully they add more stores, better restaurants and other things,” Gabino said. “To be honest, I like the mall at Frisco – they have a movie theater, Panda Express, Dick’s Sporting Goods and more.” Gabino usually only goes to the mall by invitation from friends and family. But even then Gabino does not frequent Collin Creek Mall. “I hope that the mall can improve in what they have,” Gabino said. “They just need better places to shop or people will stop shopping there.”
Feature
3
Dying to express I did to mine, can really mess it up – you have to be careful. Use a lot of conditioner if you dye your hair. It helps keep it from damaging.”
Submitted by Heather Romanski
Junior Heather Romanski shows off her vibrant, blue hair. “I love having the freedom to express myself,” Romanski said. “I wish more people had the same outgoing personality I do.”
Some people alter their hair style because of personality or because they are just looking for a change, but that is not always the case.
Sometimes, people dye their hair because they lost a bet or were dared to– like junior Blakely Kassay. “I got dared into bleaching my hair blond after my friend dyed his black,” Kassay said. “I thought about dying it red once, but my mom would kill me. My friends jokingly call me names and make fun of me sometimes because of my hair, but I like it.” According to junior Heather Romanski, having sea foam-green or bright blue colored hair is fun, but others do not approve of the unnatural colors. Romanski said that when her hair was unnaturally colored, she got awkward stares. “A couple kids just blatantly stared when my hair was blue and sea foam, which I thought was kind of cute,” Romanski said. “I have also gotten negative looks from older people and teachers. People should be less judgmental. Do not judge a book by its cover. Wait to get to know someone before you give them a label of the ‘rebellious teenager.’”
Seeing double
Twins and triplets set themselves apart By Mohona Aziz Most siblings do not need to worry about being confused with each other. But for twins and triplets at Plano, walking through the crowd can be like sharing an identity. Seniors Allyson and Jackie Holman are fraternal twins. According to Allyson, they are not fond of being seen as one person. “One negative thing is a lot of the people act like we’re the same person when we first meet them,” Allyson said. “It gets frustrating when they expect us to like the same things and act similarly.” Jackie’s pet peeve about having a twin was the constant prodding from her peers when she was younger.
Photo submitted by Jackie Holman
Seniors Jackie and Allyson Holman during a cruise in the Bahamas. “I’m older by one minute,” Allyson said. “So I’m always telling my sister things like ‘When I was your age, I was so naive.’”
“It was kind of hard being a twin in school because people always wanted to see if we were telepathic
or not,” Jackie said. “They would pinch one of us to see if the other felt it and stuff like that.” Despite the frustration that can come with being a twin, Jackie said she loves having a sister. “When we were really small and my dad had friends over, we would suddenly jump up from our seats and perform a totally coherent play without ever having talked about it together,” Jackie said. “It was like we had our own language.” According to Allyson, she and her sister share a strong bond. “My favorite part about being a twin is that she’s always there when rooms are separated alphabetically or by age,” Allyson said. “It’s like your best friend is related to you.” Juniors Hunter and Hannah Norstrom are not identical, even with the six minutes between their births. According to her, they used to argue a lot when they were little. “There have never been any negative impacts because of having a twin,” Hannah said. “We used to fight a lot but it slowed down as we have gotten older. Hunter said that being a twin is not as bad as it sounds. “I hated having to share everything with her when we were growing up,” Hunter said. “But I almost forget that I am a twin because we’re not identical, so it’s more like just having a sister. It’s still fun regardless because she’s an amazing sister.” Juniors Jared, Caleb and Brooke Lindsey are fraternal triplets. Brooke said the part they
love most about being triplets is always having someone to rely on, but they hate the intense gawking.
Photo submitted by Hannah Norstrom
Junior Hunter and Hannah Norstrom at age 14 sharing a moment at the amusement park in Ohio. “We aren’t identical cause obviously I’m a girl and he’s a boy, but people still ask,” Hannah said.
“Our least favorite part is everyone staring at us, like we are foreign people because we’re triplets,” Brooke said. “Like it’s some weird concept to have siblings the same age as you, when to us, it’s all we know.” Not many people know how it feels to have two older brothers the same age looking out for them, but from Brooke’s perspective, it is not all bad. “There are always two that team up on the other and pick some fights even if it’s where to go for dinner,” Brooke said. “But we really don’t know any different than being a triplet. To us, not having someone our age around is strange. For the most part, we like it.”
JANUARY 30, 2015 Quotes from the Suite Life of Zach and Cody
By Lizzy Ritchie As they walk the halls, some students stand out from the rest of the crowd. Strands of hair ranging from red to blue pop up all over campus. With these and other colors across the spectrum, students express their personalities. Senior Melissa Chen has dyed her hair an estimated 10 times. Chen’s hair has most commonly been different shades of red, but at one point parts were bright blue. Her hair is purple right now and she plans on dying it pink soon. “I have dyed my hair all kinds of colors, but I have never dyed my whole head an unnatural color – just the tips or a few strands,” Chen said. “My parents don’t want me to have a full head of an unnatural hair color.” Dying hair, if done improperly, can damage it. Chen said that when dying hair, the best way to keep from damaging it is to get it professionally done and to not use heat products such as hair straighteners or curling irons. “My purple hair is damaged and I have to take extra good care of it,” Chen said. “Bleaching your hair, like
Graphic by Ariana Leyva
Students use color to stand out in the halls
Sweet life of twins and hair dye:
THE WILDCAT TALES
s h t a p e s t h a T c d l i W f o
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e f i L r e t f a no Pla
To walk or not to walk By Anna Villano
The date June 12 either haunts or excites graduating seniors. Although most students plan on obtaining their high school diploma, the walk across the stage is not as important to those like senior Suraiya Ali. Ali sees June 12 as an ordinary day. Attending the graduation ceremony is not something she sees herself doing. “It kind of feels like a doctor’s appointment to me,” Ali said. “In this country, people think that there are valid reasons not to graduate, so society makes it this huge rite of passage. In my family and in my South-Central Asian culture, we just believe that it’s something you’re supposed to do.” While Ali sympathizes with students who work, she does not believe a job should get in the way of completing his or her education. “I understand the situation in which you have to support yourself and have a job,” Ali said. “I work 35 hours a week. I totally understand economic and financial
circumstances can get in the way, but I still don’t think you have any excuse to not graduate.” After 13 years of schooling, Ali finds the track that Plano ISD students are set on makes it difficult not to finish high school. “We were put on track starting, in some cases, since preschool to finish school,” Ali said. “To follow that for so many years and not finish is just ridiculous.” Sophie Kugelstadt was a senior at Plano this year until she decided to take advantage of the academic opportunities the Special Programs Center, or SPC, provides. “At Plano, everything had to be done in a particular way depending on the teacher and I just got tired of all the routine,” Kugelstadt said. “I just wanted to be on my own and to do my own thing. I needed a change of scenery. SPC gave me the chance to get away from that but still allow me to finish.” According to Kugelstadt, the
environment at SPC allowed her to complete her assignments quickly. By choosing to take this route, she was able to finish at her own pace and to receive her diploma in December. “I basically would go into a library with a textbook and a packet and just teach myself,” Kugelstadt said. “For me, it was a thousand times better in terms of concentration and motivation. I knew I was doing exactly what I needed to do in order to get through the class, rather than having to do piles of busy work.” Unlike Kugelstadt, senior Laura Brasier is choosing to attend the ceremony. After receiving a class ring as her graduation present, Brasier recently purchased her cap and gown. She looks forward to experiencing the ceremony as a graduate. “Well I know it’s going to take a really long time because of how many people we have, but I’m probably going to try to start some fun games in my section like Telephone,” Brasier said. “My parents are obviously excited and my grandma may be
Photo submitted by Sophie Kugelstadt
“At the Special Programs Center I was able to follow my own path,” Kugelstadt said. “I loved being able to study independently.”
coming in to see it. We’re all pretty stoked.” Although the act of walking across a stage is not necessary in Kugelstadt’s eyes, she still sees finishing school as an accomplishment. “I was really close to just dropping out, but I didn’t want all my years of schooling to go to waste,” Kugelstadt said. “I think getting my diploma shows my achievement. The ceremony isn’t necessary.”
Roads less traveled By Ella Hunt
There are tens of thousands of jobs to chose from, but some students are putting away all the typical dreams of becoming a doctor or putting handcuffs on the bad guys while wearing a shiny badge. Instead, they’re paving a different path for themselves. Senior Klaudia Sopas decided just last year that she would become an astrophysicist. After having multiple hobbies and jobs, Sopas said that astronomy has always been the one thing that was interesting to her. “I really just wasn’t interested in school – I mean relatively, I got good grades, but wasn’t particularly interested in a set career path,” Sopas said. “I’d always just thought, ‘Well, I don’t know what I’m going to do with my life and it doesn’t seem like there’s anything for me,’ until I really thought about it.” Sopas said she first became interested in astronomy when she was growing up. After getting a subscription to “Science News” for Christmas from her grandma, astronomy-related articles would be the only thing that she’d ever read. “When I was really young, it was weird to think about everything that was beyond me,” Sopas said. “I wondered about how everything is pulling on each other and really just the mechanics of it.” Sopas said that her first steps on the road towards her dream career will be to first start at Blinn College to get her basic courses done and then transfer to A&M. “I’m more interested in astrophysics rather that just plain astronomy because I’ve always been math oriented,” Sopas said. “I plan on getting a PhD so that I can be a college professor and not only teach astronomy but research it as well.” Even though Sopas has a fear of heights, she still said that visiting space would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that no one could pass up. “I want to know how the sun collapses, I want to know what happens to a planet when it’s eaten,” Sopas said. “I want to know how it feels to be on the edge of a black hole and looking out, because the theory is that you would see the whole universe and the whole past because it’s absorbing light. I could see everything that has ever been.”
Sopas said she hopes to be able to primarily research astrophysics, but also teach it on the side. She also said she wants to learn and discover new things about astrophysics and our galaxy. “I don’t feel the need to be like the rock star of astrophysics,” Photos by Ella Hunt Sopas said. “I mostly just want Junior Kaylie Chase hopes to help to be involved. I children the same way she was helped as a child. “I wanna help am perfectly happy people become survivors instead of just learning and victims,” Chase said. being involved in the discoveries.” Another student, junior Alexis Jackson, hopes to attend A&M or a different medical school to become an endocrinologist. As a diabetic, she said she hopes to get the word out about diabetes and how it can really affect someone who has it. “Some people think they know what they’re talking about, but they really don’t,” Jackson said. “Yeah, they have relatives that go through it, but they don’t personally know what goes on in a diabetic’s life or body or what really it’s doing to them.” Jackson said that she hopes that she will not only help diabetics, but also inform others about diabetes. “I have this disease that I can actually talk about and let people know more about it,” Jackson said. “I want to tell people that diabetes is actually something that needs to be watched out for, because some people don’t take it seriously and they treat it like it’s just a joke.” Jackson said because of her condition she always has to do shots, is consistently out of school for doctors’ appointments and constantly stays in the hospital. “I had a friend that passed away because of diabetes and they actually had a campaign for it here that was called ‘Sing for Nicole,’” Jackson said. “She passed away in her sleep because of low blood sugar. People just don’t know how uncontrollable it is sometimes – it can just kill you in seconds.” Junior Kaylie Chase also said she hopes to help others and shape society, the same way she was helped by her child psychologist when she went to a psychiatric hospital when she was younger. “They’re not scary like everyone says and it actually
Making it in medicine
Junior Alexis Jackson with her diabetic pump, which she constantly has to wear and keep track of. “Diabetes may be a disease but it’s a fighting chance every day,” Jackson said.
Senior Klaudia Sopas holding a blue light-saber and wearing her favorite space bandanna around her wrist, to allude to her passion of astronomy. “When it comes to outside of earth, it’s always been how interesting nebulas and galaxies are,” Sopas said. “They’ve always been beautiful.”
helps out a lot,” Chase said. “It made me realize and connect things – it helped me connect my thoughts.” Chase said that she wants to focus on helping children between the ages of 4 and 16 because children are the most difficult to read and they’re the ones that will hide their emotions. “I hope they’ll benefit from me by being able to talk to people, and to not be scared to come out about tragedies that have happened to them,” Chase said. For the past two years, Chase has taken classes that will aid her in her journey towards becoming a child psychologist. This year, she plans to take sociology and psychology classes in addition to other steps towards her career choice. “I’ve already taken a child development class and I am currently a nanny to a two-year-old,” Chase said. “I’m starting to learn the habits and to know when things are off with him. After I graduate, I am going to go to college for as many years as I need to get my basic psychology degree.” Despite discouragement from her mother and stepfather, who are worried her career choice will only bring her down, Chase said she believes that it will make her stronger as a person. “I wouldn’t be the way that I am if it wasn’t for the child psychologist that helped me, and I want to be able to help other people get through their problems like I was able to,” Chase said. “I want them to also know that the things that happened to them aren’t going to control their future – they can write their own future.”
By Arim Lee
From bathing the elderly to mixing sugar and water According to Valdovinos, many students took Clinicals to mock the process of making pharmaceuticals, Clinicals as a prerequisite to a future of helping others. and Pharmacy Tech students are exposed to these practices “We get to visit various sites of hospitals which have to better prepare them for a future in the medical field. lots of different units. Units from cardiology, respiratory, Most students will pursue their desired major within neurology and more,” Valdovinos said. “You get to see real four years of college, but medical students have many patients and real medical problems being treated. From years ahead of them. There is a wide range of careers this, you already have a sense of what the environment is that students like junior Manuel Valdovinos can choose a going to be like and it helps you be more prepared.” specialty from. Junior Suzanne Hill wants to become an optometrist “Clinicals gives me a chance to have real life experience and attributes Clinicals to making her target seem like it with not only patients, but doctors too,” Valdovinos said. could be a reality. “It gives me insight on how hospitals and clinics work.” “I went to an optometry site and really enjoyed it,” Hill According to senior Hannah Pirasteh, health science said. “It was small but there were many patients and lots courses are challenging and inform the students about the of opportunities to interact long way ahead of them in the medical field. “You really have to have a passion for what you’re doing,” Pirasteh said. “If not, you’re not going to be able to provide good healthcare. It would reflect on your work.” Senior Taylor Ritter is well aware of the many years she has ahead of her to achieve her goals, but said she understands why. “You need four years of medical school before you ever get to be a resident,” Ritter said. “These classes Photo submitted by Manuel Valdovinos are like the building blocks. Clinicals students visit Hendrick Middle School to inform incoming freshman about the We need to learn and have Clinicals program. “Clinicals provided me with real life experience and a chance to gain the proper knowledge to insight while working in active hospitals,” Valdovinos said. “I have learned how to react to have the ability to provide certain situations and empathize with patients.” the right care for patients.”
with the patients. The experience has given me a lot of confidence in what I want to do.” Ritter said the hands-on experience can act as a weeding out process for students who are not as dedicated to a career in medicine. “The things we do in class offer the blunt truth about the tools you need in the future,” Ritter said. “This is the reality of what we will have to go through everyday, there’s a lot of paperwork and it’s just not so simple.” According to Ritter, students in Pharmacy Tech took the course with the intention of jump-starting their careers as pharmacists. “From taking the course I get to learn about the different uses of the drugs and who they’re supposed to be prescribed to,” Ritter said. “I can get certification from an exam at the end of the year and become a Pharmacy Tech which will allow me to make about $30,000 a year while attending college, which will help pay for the many years I have to go to school.” Ritter said the amount of information that has to be absorbed during the course seems overwhelming, but is necessary to do the job well. “You need to know things,” Ritter said. “Like what the drug is called, what it’s going to do to someone and how long it takes to affect you.” Valdovinos said the experience he has gained from Clinicals has allowed him to develop what he wants his future to look like. “I want to be a pediatrician,” Valdovinos said. “As a Hispanic-American that grew up with a single mom, I was happy, but it seemed like all the odds were against me. I want to be able to inspire kids by the way I treat them and interact with them.”
Arts & Entertainment
What are your Super Bowl plans?
THE WILDCAT TALES
6 JANUARY 30, 2015
By Ashley Stuber
Catherine Goff Junior
Jabari Bristow Junior
Yovana Marinkovic Senior
Zachary Rice Senior
We always have a bunch of friends come over for a huge party. My dad, especially, is really excited for it.
I’m just going to stay at home and be a loner. My favorite team, the Bears, isn’t in it, so I have no reason to watch.
I have never been to a Super Bowl party before, but I’m going this year. I’m looking forward to being with new people and seeing what all the hype is about.
I bet on squares. If the end score of the game corresponds with one of my numbers, I could win $1,000.
Couples and singles express V-day views
By Suhina Chopra Heart-shaped chocolate boxes, candy hearts and carnations can be seen in almost every corner. Girls can be seen struggling to find a place for their giant teddy bears and carry all their presents through the hallways. Then, there are those walking empty-handed to their classes who spend the day relationship-free. Seniors Sadie Seal and Sam Tecklenberg have spent one Valentine's Day together so far. Last year, Seal received a rose and a stuffed elephant with a note. "I like the idea of it, that it's kind of a day where you can kick back and just be you two, but I'm not big on it because I spend every day with him," Seal said. "I just think every day you should cherish it. You shouldn't have to have a holiday dedicated to it just so you can go and be with your loved one. You shouldn't have to put a day on it." Tecklenberg, like Seal, said this holiday is important, but not necessary. "It's kind of a light-hearted holiday," Tecklenberg said. "I think it is important, but nothing too serious." Juniors Ashleigh Gray and Kyle Blakely have spent three Valentine's Days together. However, Gray said their views on the holiday differ. "I don't think it's important, it's just another reason to spend time together," Gray said. "I just like the feeling of having someone do something special for me. It's not necessary, but it's nice to have things done for you." However, according to Blakely, this holiday is important because it is dedicated to the fact that you are together, unlike other celebrated days such as Christmas and birthdays where he believes it is mandatory to give a gift. "I love that you can really make their day and light their face up," Blakely said. "It means a lot to your girlfriend
when you do special things for her, take her to dinner and buy her flowers and candy." For senior Madison Exner, this day cannot be celebrated at school because her boyfriend attends Plano West. However, according to Exner, distance isn't a hindrance to their festivities. "It works out fine because I just see him after school," Exner said. "And it's on a weekend this year, so it doesn't really matter." Juniors Sierra Laures and Conley McCabe have celebrated many Valentine's Days together as friends, though they have been dating for about two years. Every year, the two have given each other a stuffed animal. They each have about ten. According to Laures, it is an important day to have set aside Photo submitted by Sierra Laures to just go out Sierra Laures and Conley McCabe laugh while attempting to take photos for of your normal homecoming. “Every day is like Valentine’s routines to do Day with her,” McCabe said. something for
your loved one, but it can be a bit too much at times. "I think Valentine's Day is a fun tradition that we have, and it's a good way for couples and people to show their affection towards others," McCabe said. "But it's overdone for some people. In high school, it can be cute, but overwhelming at times." According to McCabe, the best part of the holiday is the candy and the worst part of is when the candy's aftereffects begin to take place. "Last Valentine's Day, we went through an entire heartshaped box of chocolates he'd given me," Laures said. "He ate half of all of them. It wasn't like I opened it and they were all half gone, but I would take a bite and then he would finish it off, so we would each test every single one." Then, there are those who aren't in a relationship on this day. Single junior Evan Bahner said the day is good for couples, but it can be treated as a normal day for single people. "It's just another holiday," Bahner said. "There's the whole love craziness in the background, but unless I'm in a relationship or looking to get one, it's just another day." Single junior Kevin Nelson said he loves the opportunities to make fun of himself and people like him. "When I was in sixth grade, for instance, I had a little fun with myself by purchasing eight flowers that I had delivered to my first period class with notes written from Anonymous," Nelson said. "I had told some people who it was from, but I enjoyed walking down the halls with this bouquet of flowers because it made people think a little bit. Something was going on that they didn't expect. I am not someone you would expect to have a lot of flowers, but I did."
Young Masters’ art to be displayed at DMA By Vincent Tellez Due to their success in the DMA Young Masters competition, six students are getting the chance to have their pieces displayed at the Dallas Museum of Art. The contest, which accepts entries that range from 3D sculptures to composed musical pieces, will feature the art pieces from winners around the area. The exhibit will be shown from Feb. 28 to April 26. Following the entry process, only 100 entries are picked to go past the first round. During the second round, the remaining
pieces are appraised by judges and about 40 pieces are picked for the final exhibit. Junior Sara Beitelspacher said she was happy to hear that her 3D piece, “Suspension,” was picked from over 500 other entries. "Art is the only class I look forward to every day," Beitelspacher said. "I really get to be myself in art. I like 3D because it gives you a wide range of things you can use." Senior Odelia Cheng created a multi-medium piece for the Young Masters competition, titled "Bon Appetit." Comprised of oil paint on wood rather than canvas, Cheng's artwork uses both 2D painting and a wooden slab in order to give the impression of a serving platter. "I was really happy," Cheng said. "I wanted to make it really badly. Last year, I didn't like my pieces because I felt like they were boring. I'm Photo submitted by Sara Beitelspacher excited that my work is ‘Suspension,’ junior Sara Beitelspacher’s 3D piece. “I ended up doing almost my entire being put out because I project outside of class,” Beitelspacher said. really like my work. And
I want other people to like it, too. There's always that feeling of pride, like, 'I created this, and I want you to see it because it's cool.'" Cheng said that it's hard to pick her favorite art style because she enjoys trying many different forms inspired by different artists. She said she's more comfortable working in 2D than 3D. "I don't think I'm as good at 3D as I am at 2D," Cheng said. "I feel like, for 3D, you have to think more 'structure.' In 2D you have more liberty in choosing what you want to do with it. 3D also has a functional element to it. There's a lot more thinking." “Suspension” was not the only 3D piece that made its way into the final exhibit. Senior Allison Smith was also honored for her 3D entry. She said her family is artistic and was a part of the reason that she decided to experiment with her abilities. "AP 3D design is my first AP art class," Smith said. "We do a lot more in AP. But I've always done art and my dad is artistic. It's just relaxing. I feel good doing it." Smith entered “Scorched
River,'’ a carved wooden river classes, ranging from 2D to 3D. made with acrylic paint and gloss She said her favorite material to to make it appear wet. She took a work with is clay because it can be blowtorch to the paint, inspiring manipulated into anything. the title. "A lot of people entered really "I didn't think I'd make it to good pieces," Muskara said. "I the first cut," Smith said. "It was was kind of scared and a little really hard because a lot of people nervous. When I went in one day had entered. I haven't won any and my teacher told me that I was art competition before. I couldn't chosen, I did a happy dance. That believe it. I didn't think they had was my one goal this year – I was the right Allison Smith." going to make it to the DMA." Junior Lauren Muskara entered a 3D piece as well. Muskara said her ceramic piece, titled “Lapsed,” is supposed to represent her imagination as a child. Outside of school, Muskara also dances competitively and recently performed in a production of "The Nutcracker." She said art and medicine are two things she's looking forward to in the future. "I like abstract, nonconcrete art," Muskara Photo submitted by Odelia Cheng said. "Anybody can interpret it any way they Senior Odelia Cheng’s artwork, titled “Bon Appetit.” “The assignment was to take want to." something and deconstruct it,” Cheng said. “I Unlike Smith, Muskara chose what I wanted to deconstruct, and how has been in several art I deconstructed it.”
Opinion
7
All “men” are created equal
Staff Editorial The controversial Equal Rights Ordinance for the city was passed Anything promoting or allowing unequal treatment of a person or group on Dec. 8 by the Plano City Council. The amendment to the 1989 anti- is a violation of basic human rights. America has become a melting pot discrimination policy extends those same rules to places of public housing, of culture, background and religion. It has also been built on the idea of employment and public accommodation on the basis of gender identity and everyone being created equal. And while Christian ideals were undeniably a sexual orientation. Simply stated, you can’t be denied a job or anything else building block of America, things have changed. due to how you identify yourself or your sexuality. As the diversity of America continues to grow, the more necessary the Mayor of Plano Harry LaRosiliere has been a full supporter of the separation of religion and government is. ordinance. Identifying Plano as a “City of Excellence,” he has stated various This is a country where the system of slavery was also thought to times that the city needs to be progressive in respecting the rights of be acceptable and was not questioned, or eliminated, for a very long time. everyone. LaRosiliere promotes the ordinance as being The fight for equal rights on other grounds has been fair, legal and constitutional. a long way coming, and is still not over yet. As society However, the Plano Citizens United group has not continues to change and new conflicts arise, it is our been so supportive. The group had to obtain around job as citizens to keep fighting for that equality on all 3,000 signatures to have the ordinance placed on a levels – not just some. ballot and re-voted for. On Dec. 16, they reached that The opposing groups have made this a battle goal. The ordinance could be readdressed on the city between sexual freedom and religious freedom. council’s agenda as early as Feb. 9. Representatives from Plano’s Prestonwood Community and religious leaders joined in opposition Baptist Church have repeatedly said that the of the ordinance on the basis of what they believe to be ordinance does not allow them to practice the a religious freedom issue. One of their main arguments religious rights they feel entitled to. Since when is that it prevents businesses with a religious background is discrimination in the workplace a religious from carrying out their beliefs. right? They have started a battle between two This argument does not make sense. Religion cannot very different things that should not be grouped be an excuse to justify unfair treatment towards together when it comes to a work environment. Photo by Torie Brannen anyone. Someone’s sexual preferences or how they Pictured is the first page of the Plano Equal Rights It is hard to believe that something is identify themselves should not make them any less Ordinance that has garnered many responses from not already in place to prevent this kind of those in Plano and in neighboring cities. entitled to their pursuit of happiness, whether it be exclusion in 2015. It is worrisome that a bill in the workplace or anywhere else. has to be passed in order for people to be treated equally and that there The group states that they believe the ordinance is being created to has been such a backlash for trying to instill the same opportunities for “criminalize” people of faith. In reality, by making the discrimination of everyone in our city. people based on sexual identity a crime by law, the ordinance itself simply Although some of us may not be able to vote, we can still make our sets up a punishment for an act that deserves one. Businesses who do not opinions on what is going on in our city known. For those of us who can follow the law will be charged with a misdemeanor and be subject to fines. vote, get involved. Do not let the generation before us dictate how we If an establishment cannot refuse to hire you based on your age, ethnicity, have to live in the future. Move forward knowing that while everyone has race, gender or disability then surely it should not be legal to do so based different backgrounds, we are all humans. No matter who we are, or how we on anything else that pertains to how someone was born or their personal, present ourselves, we are each entitled to those unalienable rights. completely non-business related preferences. Do not allow them be taken away from yourself or those around you.
We are all contagious
Unchained melody
By Ella Hunt
You remember that person is out there old saying on your reading my words, kindergarten teacher’s just knowing that my wall, “Attitude is words have brought contagious, is yours tears to someone’s eyes worth catching”? or laughs from their When I was little, mouths, is enough. I had no idea what Every single one that meant. I once of us has their own asked my teacher. She way of spreading their told me it meant that feelings, even if we the way you feel can don’t even know that spread to other people. we are sharing them. If you’re happy, people The need to share around you will become happy, if you’re sad, other people will also become sad. That blew my little mind. To think, that the slightest Graphic by Ariana Levya emotion I had our feelings is could influence others strong, and sometimes so much, that they uncontrollable. It can would feel exactly how become an obsession, I felt. like you just have to We may not know it, make someone know but we are constantly the way you feel. wanting to spread our As a writer, it’s emotions. The way important to me we feel is vital to us, how my work makes and we can’t help but other people feel. want to share those And sometimes when feelings with others. I feel it’s not good In fact, this is the enough, they don’t get whole reason why I goosebumps or burst write. It doesn’t matter into tears when they to me if every single read it, I compulsively
try to improve it until it does. Everything else suddenly becomes unimportant. On this fixated path, we often end up doing the opposite of what we wanted. We end up hurting people, or conveying the wrong message we wanted to share. And it’s almost always irreversible. However, most of the time, it can be a good thing. Most of the time when we share things, we want other people to be able to relate. And the feeling you get when someone can do that, it’s indescribable. We feel like we’re not alone, and that the way feel is actually important. Not only to us, but to other people as well. Attitudes, emotions, life lessons – they spread faster than our eyes can see, and unlike other contagious things, there’s no need to try and run from them.
By Maggle Cross When I put my headphones in, when his new album came out. that’s when I’m most myself. It He would quiz me and our friend may be an introverted concept – Emily on all of his songs, but enjoying being alone – but music we could only name about two defines who I am. It’s perfect for of them. Now it’s hard not to when I am happy. It’s perfect for be reminded of Evan Johnson when I am angry at the when I listen to them. world. It’s perfect for Concerts have reliving old memories. become a new hobby Music brings light to a of mine. I’ve been dark, dark world. to so many random If I can’t feel the shows – all the way beat pounding through from Radio Disney’s my chest, it’s not loud Tenth Anniversary enough. I can literally with Hannah Montana lie in my bed, stare to How the Edge Stole at the ceiling and Christmas. When you listen to Bad Suns see your favorite band and feel insane and play live, I can guarantee at ease all at once. you that there is not Weird remixes on a better feeling in the Graphic by Ariana Levya SoundCloud are my world. It’s also really cool go to for getting pumped for going to a concert for a band you games. Listening to classics by have never heard of – it causes Simon and Garfunkel or Bruce you to focus more on the actual Springsteen give me a good band than your own mediocre sense of nostalgia when my dad singing. would sing them to me before Music brings relief to everyday bed. life. When life gets you down, Even Childish Gambino Pharrell brings you back up. and Kid Cudi bring back some Some music is pointless words memories. Last year, one of and a catchy beat – looking at my friends introduced me to you, Carly Rae Jepson – but Childish. 3005 became my the best music tells a story and favorite song. My friend referred teaches you a lesson. to Childish Gambino as Young So much can go wrong, so Gambino, and then started to many things can ruin your day, put Young in front of everything. but music separates you from I was eventually known as Young your problems. It makes the Mags to him. He would also talk impact you want it to. plenty about Kid Cudi, especially
January 30, 2015 Volume 69 Issue 6
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 Cameron Drummond Ella Hunt Gabe LaBounty Gabrielle Lammons Arim Lee Jameriya Owens Emily Perez Corey Picklesimer Rose Rana Lizzy Ritchie Lydia Sebany Stephanee Smith Vincent Tellez 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
Student Life
Build for a change
8
By Taylor Norris
Habitat for Humanity begins house construction
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1 Junior Emily Huang measures out the length of the floor plan with a supervisor. 2 Junior Sujana Nelakanti lines up the floor material very carefully, making sure everything comes together. 3 Members of the South Collin County chapter work together as they hold the walls up, creating a foundation for the house.
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4 Junior Sujana Nelakanti hammers wood into the base of the building. 5 Senior Alec Bancroft takes a moment to catch his breath after putting the bottom layer together.
6 Junior Mariam Farahmad works with a Plano East student, learning from the instructor how to hammer the wooden panels together. 7 To hold the wall up, instructors place a wood plate into the ground and through the wall. 8 Senior officers Katherine Wu and Taylor Ritter work with students from a different school. They are starting a build for one of the rooms inside the house.
9 Junior Emily Huang helps a student from another school by making sure the panels are lined up correctly.
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10 One of the intructors guides the students as they move the wall left and right, placing the wall evenly so there is not any excess wood at the end.
Guess who? By Taylor Norris
Teachers pose to be destorted, warped and stretched. See if you can tell who’s who in each picture. The first person who brings a completed, correct copy to room B208 will receive a $10 gift card to Starbucks. After a week, readers can find the answers online at wildcattales.com
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