75075 w w w.wildcattales.com @PSHSpub Volume 69 X T , o n a l P Issue 8 School Marc h g i h 19 rH o i n , 20 Se 15 o n Pla
THIRD ANNUAL OPERATION BEAUTIFUL
O
By Emily Perez
peration Beautiful, a day that focuses on the traits that make people beautiful on the inside, will take place on March 20. This will be the third year the event, put together by Student Congress, has taken place on campus. Junior Haley Plenger has close ties to the day, given that her sister Monica Plenger was one of the students who helped start the first Operation Beautiful in 2013. “Operation Beautiful is a day where we focus on all of the characteristics and traits that people have that aren’t material or physical,” Plenger said. “It started a couple of years ago, when we urged people to go without makeup for a day.” In the first few years of Operation Beautiful, emphasis was put on girls going a day without makeup to show their support for the concept of inner beauty. After the first year, this emphasis sparked some controversy in people who felt that girls who did wear makeup would be judged for doing so. “I think the main reason people don’t like the idea is because they’re seeing it as just, ‘Go without makeup because makeup is a bad thing,’” Plenger said. “However, that’s not what we’re saying. Going without makeup is an extra step you can take. We’re just saying, ‘Let’s take a day to focus on what’s on the inside.’” Since social media is one of the largest ways the project is promoted, Plenger said this has played a large role in some of the backlash Operation Beautiful has received. “A lot of the time events like these are spread through social media,” Plenger said. “So it can be hard to get the whole meaning behind it across in 140 characters. I think that when people don’t know what it’s about, the no makeup thing makes them shut down immediately. I think if they tried to understand what it’s really about, then they wouldn’t be as against it.” Senior Chairman of Student Services Hannah Milby and other members of STUCO are working to reiterate the message they have been trying to convey since Operation Beautiful began. “We are making a video this year to
the day gets represented the way they truly want it to be. “I want people to embrace who they are and know that they are unique and special,” Milby said. “I hope they realize that the opinion of others does not define them.” Other schools in the district were invited to participate in the day last year, and Student Congress has opened up the invitation again this year. “What we’re doing this year is encouraging other schools in the district to participate and buy T-shirts from us if they want,” Plenger said.
“
Photo by Sonam Benakatti; Model: Suraiya Ali
clarify the meaning behind Operation Beautiful,” Milby said. “We interviewed several students to hear what they have to say about the day.” Junior Erica Pappas is one of the students who had mixed feelings towards Operation Beautiful in the past. “I think it’s a great concept,” Pappas said. “But to me it almost shames girls for wearing makeup. I think it should be geared more towards individualism and beauty regardless of makeup.” Pappas feels that guiding girls away from wearing makeup on the day can create the
wrong idea about why they wear makeup in the first place. “People also need to realize that girls don’t dress up or do their makeup for anyone but themselves,” Pappas said. In relation to STUCO members focusing less on the no makeup part of the day, Pappas feels it could help decrease the controversy. “I think it’s a great idea to focus more on the things that make everyone unique,” Pappas said. According to Milby, the students in charge of the event are trying to make sure
RECENT ADMISSIONS DISPUTED AT UT AUSTIN
Photo by Sonam Benakatti
Controversy has been ongoing over the alleged admittance of under qualified students of families with connections in high places at The University of Texas. The issue originally arose after a member of the board, Regent Wallace Hall Jr., looked into undocumented forgivable loans. Recently, the controversy came up again because the president of the university, Bill Powers, overruled the admissions office to admit more of these students. English teacher Mandy Arnold, who attended UT Austin for two years, believes this problem has stemmed from increased
By Suhina Chopra
competition in higher education. “I’m sure that it has some bearing on UT,” Arnold said. “I’m sure that competition is affecting every university, private and public. I think the University of Texas system is one of the wealthiest in the entire nation, so money could have played a role too. There are donors out there, and every university wants to make their donors happy. That’s part of playing the game too, in a university, whether that’s public or private.”
Continued on p. 2
Let’s take a day to focus on what’s on the inside.
”
The push for other schools to participate in Operation Beautiful has been successful and has even sparked some new ideas in celebrating positive personality traits. “Plano West is doing a whole week focusing on mental health awareness,” Plenger said. “So each day has a different theme and they’re doing dress up days for each. It’s all spy themed and leads up to Operation Beautiful as the final day.” Plenger wishes that with Operation Beautiful, people can refocus their attention to the characteristics that make everyone an individual. “I hope they take away that they’re more than what is on the outside,” Plenger said. “Today’s world is largely based on first impressions, but there are so many cool characteristics that each person has. I’d love for everyone to at least find one thing that they love about themselves that isn’t physical.”
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News
2 THE WILDCAT TALES
MARCH 19, 2015
Recent admissions disputed at UT Austin Continued from p.1
By Suhina Chopra
Claims have been made that admissions standards have been lowered for relatives or friends of state legislators, well-todo families or the university’s regents. According to one source, a ‘select handful’ of students that are rejected by the admissions office are admitted every year. English teacher Kimberly Stuber, who graduated from the university in 1994, believes that money may also play a big role in the issue. Stuber said that this problem affected her personally. Her oldest daughter was not admitted as a freshman, but her second daughter was admitted the next year, despite the two’s similar, high test scores. “My eldest daughter had to go through the CAP program to prove herself, and
we’re talking about a stand-up kid here,” Stuber said. “She’s 19, going to finish college when she’s 20, and has a 4.0. Now, why is that type of person rejected? And my ex-husband, he has connections at the school, but I guess it depends what type of connections. Or maybe it depends on how much money they’re getting. It’s just strange, that’s all.” Senior Rachel McCullough will attend UT Austin this fall. She has wanted to go there since she was young, and it was the only place she applied to. However, she admits that the controversy has not changed her opinion about the school. “The school is so big, and every university is going to have these same types of issues,” McCullough said. “If it just got brought to the surface at UT, it
doesn’t make it any less of a school. I’m sure every other school has had issues like this, they just haven’t been brought to light by the media.” Senior Hayley Briggs, also going to attend UT this fall, agrees that the admissions issue is not something new. “I don’t know if I’d expect it from the university, but I would expect it to happen in general, because I know that in business they say connections are what make it happen,” Briggs said. “Even if you’re qualified, connections are going to make it work.”
Science fair students tour Google building after competition By Mohona Aziz
On Feb. 12, science fair students attended the American Junior Academy of Science symposium in San Jose. After competing on the state level against other students throughout Texas, the students qualified to attend a national science conference. Part of that conference included a tour of the Google campus at the company’s headquarters, where presenters introduced a new project they believe will help rural areas. Senior Jessica Hong, one of the qualified students, breaks down the science behind her project that brought her into the competition. “I worked on combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy for improved internal
Photo submitted by Renita Alexander
Pictured above from front to back: Alicia D’Souza, Ria Chhabra, Emilie Willie, Renita Alexander, Jessica Hong and their sponsor Kim Wolff. “The experience was very inspiring,” senior Ria Chhabra said. “It was interesting to hear how they thought about the projects and what roles they played.”
cancer treatment,” Hong said. “I do my research at UTD.” The tour of Google was something the students did as a part of their trip. According to Hong, the headquarters was intriguing. “The campus was so cool, but we didn’t get much of a tour to be honest,” Hong said. “They presented some projects that Google is currently working on to us, we spent most of our time doing that. They were using balloons to provide internet to rural areas, it’s called Project Loon.” Google’s project helps the remote areas with internet access and to the two thirds of the world that doesn’t have the privilege to have the web on their side. Using the wind, stationed balloons give off network services directly to peoples’ devices. The students were asked their opinion on the project and if they had any criticism on it. Senior Renita Alexander was one of the science fair competitors who qualified to go to San Jose. According to her, the headquarters were nice and friendly. “They gave us a presentation about all their different and new projects and ideas,” Alexander said. “Then they answered all our questions and we got to find out about the process their employees go through to discover new ideas and projects. Then we went around outside the Google building. My favorite part was we got to see the Google selfdriving car.” Alexander’s expectation of the tour unfortunately did not follow through to her original excitement because of the lack time spent on the campus. “I was very disappointed that we didn’t get to see more of Google,” Alexander said. “I wanted to walk around and see if all the stuff people said about Google was true. I hear all these things about bikes and the really fun amenities at Google, but I didn’t get to see any of that. Otherwise, it was a great experience.”
McCullough, who plans on majoring in mechanical engineering, shows her spirit for UT. “I don’t think this controversy will affect my time there,” McCullough said. “If it’s just a few students getting admitted over a few others, I don’t think it would make a big difference.”
Photo by Taylor Norris
Feature
3
Multiple Motivations Enlisted to assist
MARCH 19, 2015
A caring choice
Volunteers begin project-based club By Vincent Tellez
Classes complete volunteer hours
By Arim Lee
three hours of community service of their choice per six weeks. “I have always enjoyed helping others,” Weber said. “I think it’s great that we can give back to the community. Helping even a little can go a long way.” Weber is a member of the National Charity League, or NCL, as well. The hours she does for the Planoettes is a fraction of the philanthropic work she does overall. “Volunteering helps build the community,” Weber said. “It helps build character and it can really put things into perspective.” Senior Devin Campbell is in PALs and for his required hours he goes to elementary and middle schools around the district with his class. “We mentor kids who need some positive influence and someone to talk to,” Campbell said. “I really enjoy the work we do - the kids we get to interact with at the schools are so fun and full of life.” Campbell thinks the required hours are not necessary, but he still credits finding a routine to volunteer and incorporating it into his schedule to PALs. “Being a PAL is about serving the community and the youth out of the goodness of your heart and volunteering should not be a required act,” Campbell said. “But Photo submitted by Devin Campbell being a PAL has given me PALs folding rally towels for a pep rally. “My experience at Plano, an opportunity to serve thanks to PALs, has made my senior year an unforgettable time the community in ways I in my life,” Campbell said. “I have made so many new friends didn’t know I could.” that I hold dear to me.”
Students spend extra time on volunteering to contribute to the community. Advancement Via Individual Development (AVID), Planoettes and Peer Assistance & Leadership require students to have volunteer hours to be a part of the programs. Junior Nita Kaviani is in AVID and she says volunteer hours can be done inside or out of school. “Outside of school, volunteers can go to nursing homes like I did,” Kaviani said. “Inside, we did the carnation sales and put the orders together.” Despite the pressure of having a required amount of hours, Kaviani said it is a great way to keep her motivated to help the community. “It’s rewarding going to nursing homes, and cleaning up after events feels better than having a janitor do it,” Kaviani said. “It prepares you for the responsibility you need for college.” Senior Karli Weber is on the drill team, which requires its dancers to complete
THE WILDCAT TALES
With all of the clubs and groups that Plano to, rather than just do it so they can put on has to offer, there is a range of volunteer their college applications. You don’t have to groups that suit different students. Picking go through sponsors or through the school one could be difficult for some, especially to get the project approved, you just do it.” with other obligations. The group has recently developed a penCo-president senior Priya Chary founded pal program with feeder schools, known as Plano Cares, a volunteer club which she Munchkin Mail. The goal is for students to said allows students more freedom in the reach out to elementary kids and give them projects they work on. advice. The ongoing project was junior “I found that in all of the Morgan Hinson’s first for Plano Cares. other clubs the officers had “My favorite part was being able to be the power to lead things and a mentor to a child,” Hinson said. “When I see them being executed,” was in fifth grade, I would’ve loved having Chary said. “But as a member a friend from Plano Senior. I’ve written one of a club there’re always letter, and we’re waiting to get responses these members back. I really like that have these it because it’s not ideas, and none about having hours, of us could do it’s really about anything unless wanting to do it.” you were selected However, to be an officer. Munchkin Mail In Plano Cares, was only one of members can the many projects become project Plano Cares has leaders. If they conducted. They have an interest in recently made a particular area of Valentine’s Day community service cards for residents or even school of a local nursing relations we have home. Chary was people that can surprised at the make the project number of people happen.” that agreed to According to make the cards last creative officer minute. senior Allie “The valentines Watson, the were totally last projects are easy minute,” Chary Photo submitted by Priya Chary to participate in. said. “I approached There’s also no Plano Cares members visit a local nursing home people and started celebrate Valentine’s Day. “We distributed required amount of to text messaging the cards to the residents,” Chary said. “There projects for Plano were a lot of really sweet people. They really people frantically enjoyed talking with us.” Cares. three days before. “You can do Wednesday and service and help people and you don’t Thursday we were making valentines, we need it to maintain your membership in the had seventeen people total. Nobody did it club,” Watson said. “You don’t have to go for project credit or hours, or anything like to every single meeting. It’s a good way for that. They came because they wanted to.” people to make a difference if they want
Versus
A club with a kick Martial Arts club revived after four years By Corey Picklesimer
Every other Wednesday in the wrestling mat room, the Martial Arts Club for Enthusiasts (MACE) meets to learn about and appreciate the culture of martial arts. Club goers participate in self-defense workshops and learn techniques from other
martial arts students. MACE president junior Hieuy Nguyen revived MACE from a club his older sister was president of in 2011. He attributes his desire to recreate this club to watching his older sister run her club. “This club originally opened five or six years ago and it survived for two or three years but then it died off,” Nguyen said. “I saw my sister being in the club and I was really interested. So when I came here, I actually found her old sponsor, Mr. Hurtado. I contacted him over the summer and we just got it going again. We’re trying to bring in Photo by Corey Picklesimer a new flare so it Juniors Matan Levy, Beck Russell and Jarvis Celestial stretch before doesn’t die out practice. “Practical self-defense is one of those things that’s applicable,” said MACE vice president junior Matty Barker. “If you’ve learned it, you do again.” it out of reaction. It’s effective and it just takes practice.” Having studied
martial arts for 12 years, Nguyen wishes to expose others to his passion as well as share his experience with those around him. “This isn’t a fight club or anything like that,” Nguyen said. “It’s based around martial arts, but the club itself tries to expose the culture, so to speak. We have somewhat of a small group right now because we’re just starting out, but a lot of us do different styles of martial arts. We’ll teach each other about the origins and the ideas behind them.” Nguyen, who is experienced in several schools of martial arts, believes learning from others is a great way to improve technique. He likes having members with experience in different arts because he can learn from them. “Of course there are a lot of people that only do one martial art, and they’re excellent, but I personally prefer looking at different martial arts styles because I like learning new things and different ideas,” Nguyen said. “I like learning from different places and different people.” MACE vice-president junior Matty Barker said that she feels MACE has given her more opportunities.
“Hieuy and I are closer from founding this club, and it has helped me to meet new people,” Barker said. “We offer fellowship for all of the people in this school that want to learn martial arts.” Public relations officer junior Beck Russell likes MACE because it gives him a place to be a part of martial arts. “One of the reasons I like MACE is because I don’t get the opportunity to go to Taekwondo as much as I used to be able to,” Russell said. “So MACE is a good way for me to practice martial arts at school.” According to Russell, MACE is a learning experience for everyone involved, so those not experienced in a martial art do not have to feel left out. “MACE could be a good club for anyone who has never done a martial art or someone who is a black belt,” Russell said. “We’re all learning. I may be in Taekwondo, but one week we’ll learn about traditional boxing and another week we’ll learn Kung Fu. Literally every week that we’ve been there, it has been a different style. It’s a giant mix of martial arts and it’s pretty fun.”
Arts & Entertainment Scavenger hunt
4 THE WILDCAT TALES
MARCH 19, 2015
By Ashley Stuber and Taylor Norris Each of these pictures is a close-up of an item around the school. From hidden places to iconic scenes, we explored some of the small parts that contribute to the spirit of the campus. If you think you know your way around, prove it. The first person to bring full, wide pictures of every item we did a close-up after 9 a.m. on March 23 will win a $10 gift card to Starbucks. Happy hunting Wildcats!
Texas’s top bassist reflects on success
Photo by Gabriel Martinez
Senior Matthew Frerck rehearses in one of the larger practice rooms. “It can be hard to balance school and playing,” Frerck said. “But it’s all about prioritizing what I need to get done the most.”
The number one Jazz Band bassist in Texas, senior Matthew Frerck, started playing the string bass only three years ago. Already a musician at a young age, Frerck, who originated as a pianist, was able to rediscover his passion for music after picking up the string bass at age fifteen. “I’ve always loved bass – when I was young I would always listen to the bass guitar in songs, whereas everybody else focused on the lead guitars or vocals.” Frerck said. “One of the things I like about the bass is you play a lot more groove-oriented stuff. I like the role of the instrument’s music.” Frerck, a member of the chamber orchestra, also takes part in the school’s jazz band. There,
he met junior Tristan Albers. Despite only knowing Frerck since the beginning of the year, Albers said he has grown to see him not only as a friend but also a mentor. “Mr.Kondrat, the director, asked me to come and shadow Matthew so that I could play next year,” Albers said “I can almost credit him to anything I do now in jazz band. He’s helped me out a ton this year to truly understand how it’s entirely different from orchestra.” In the future, Frerck plans to take into account his music theory background as well as other aspects of the industry, like business, to explore the possibilities in careers involving music.
“I do plan on studying orchestral music in college, but my goal isn’t to land a spot in a major symphony orchestra,” Frerck said “I do other things with music. Jazz is my favorite thing to play, but I’m also into hiphop music and blue-grass. I want to figure out what I can do with all of those skill sets to become a sort of entrepreneurial musician.” Orchestra director Brian
By Jameriya Owens
Coatney said Frerck’s talent has not gone unnoticed. “Matt is an incredible musician and a hard-worker,” Coatney said. “When you put those two together, that’s what you get – the best bass player in the state of Texas. That’s what makes him so successful.”
Art ability tested with concluding themes By Elizabeth Ritchie
Artists have the ability to create a piece that can represent different aspects of their minds, from personality to emotion. For centuries, different forms of art have been used to express thousands of ideas. The works of AP Art students are taking these forms and more as the artists create something of their own for their final project of the year. Junior Mia Simonetti has been in art class since students were first allowed to choose their school electives. She said she was inspired to join because she wanted to be able to create something out of the ordinary from just her imagination. "It's a great way to express yourself," Simonetti said. "It is also a fun way to show my creativity. I can express that creativity with a paintbrush or pencil in ways not many others can." Recently, the AP Art program students have begun selecting their concentrations, or themes, which their final project for the year is based on. Simonetti said she chose her concentration based on her love for giraffes. "Giraffes are my favorite animal," Simonetti said. "Besides that, I find that giraffes are easy to incorporate into my designs and truly show my personality in my art. I feel like that aspect makes my artwork stronger as a whole." Junior Ythan Ponio became interested in art because as a child he drew often. While taking the
Art 1 elective last year, Ponio said he fell in love with art all over again. According to him, the art program has changed his outlook on life. "I always loved drawing as a kid but people always warned me about the whole artist-in-poverty stereotype," Ponio said. "So I decided that I would be a doctor. However, last year when I took art I decided I want to take it up as a career. It is what I love, so I believed AP art was the next step to take." The concentration is shown in twelve parts that in the end will all tie together for a larger final piece. Not only will the students be working on this project for the rest of the semester, they have specific deadlines for each part over this period of time. "It is a lot of stress making sure you can paint everything on time," Ponio said. "With every deadline we have, we are presented with the task of developing an idea, sketching out the plans and working hard to finish it in time with quality. It is really fun seeing the pieces of my colleagues develop throughout time due to learning from each project." Ponio said he believes that his art directly reflects him and his personality. According to him, he is passionate about art and wants to inspire other students and peers to try it. "It definitely has the potential to give a person the power in deciding a path," Ponio said. "It
truly gives me the most freedom. I've learned that people may not like what you choose to portray in your art. However, it ultimately shows you who you are. That aspect makes art so engaging." According to Ponio, he tries to be out of the ordinary by thinking outside the box. In an attempt to bring his art to a new level, he has been bringing in new ideas. "It has been fun getting to bring my ideas to life," Ponio said. "I love the reactions I get from my work in this project. My real aim is to shock people and bring them out of their comfort zones. A strong reaction means you have done something significant."
Dancers prepare By Abigail Werner
Photo by Taylor Norris
Junior Annika Crandall’s focus is on the 1950s, the Korean War and the Americans’ perspective of what was going on. “Since my theme is the 50’s, I have tried to really define that time period through the subject matter,” Annika said. “I picked Elvis, coke, beauty and other ideas that were major parts of that culture and are now recognizable as something that came out of the 50’s. I want people to recognize how it had a huge effect on the Americans.”
Getting one last finishing touch on makeup, like," Bireley said. "I can't feeling the rush while coming closer to the stage due to the fact that we wan and walking out and seeing everyone waiting everyone that's coming to for them gets the heartbeats of performers group is doing more of a ja Bireley said that there is going. These are the feelings that dancers will be experiencing on March 31 as they put on their put into the dance and s will be a big turnout at the performance. Junior Emily Bireley said that the dancers Bireley, although drill team are dedicating most of their daily class time to the attention she wants th work towards the dance. In addition, the students dancers to be worth the wh practice at home or with groups during their free time. "Basically, each class has a class dance that our teacher choreographed," Bireley said. "The theme for our class dance is Broadway." Bireley's class dance is to "Mambo" from "West Side Story." They had no personal input on the class dance, but because they each are doing a dance in a smaller group they are able to have more say there. Dance class students practice for "We were able to choreograph our own year performance. “I chose to take dances to whatever music and theme that we than go out for Planoettes because
rather than performing as a whole
Arts & Entertainment
5 THE WILDCAT TALES
MARCH 19, 2015
Guitar club members perform on the steps By Anna Villano At the foot of the library's staircase, tunes arise. Members of guitar club gather after school to perform their favorite songs for the students passing by. Whether students can play ukulele, bass, drums, or anything in between, Guitar Club welcomes more than just guitarists. Senior Chandler Richards, educational director of the club, said that all admirers of music are welcome. "I really wanted to find a place at school where I could jam with people," Richards said. "I had heard a lot about the club so I went and checked it out and the people there were just so cool and welcoming. There's always someone willing to jam with you, someone willing to talk music with you, and there are definitely people that want to help you grow as an artist." Although there is already a variation in instrumental talents, the club is currently in need of more percussionists. Senior Alex Palumbo is one of the few in the club. "I figured I could help them out, especially since they really need drummers," Palumbo said. "I joined because I had just moved to
Texas from Florida, so I thought I'd go and meet some new people. It was just the perfect social situation to put myself in. I was kind of adopted by them." Guitar Club is presented with multiple opportunities to perform throughout the year, such as with the Christmas and Homecoming parades. Their most recent performance, and Richards' first performance, was on Valentine's Day this year. According to Richards, these performances on the steps of the library are more laid-back and serve as an opportunity for members to ease into performing. "I'd been so scared to do it until now, but everyone was really pushing me to do it," Richards said. "It ended up being so much fun and just a great experience. The members are so willing to work and collaborate with you and be close to you. They want you to perform." The club's sponsor, World History teacher Joseph Snider, is responsible for scheduling the club's performances. Once they are informed of an upcoming gig, they divide split up and organize a set list. "The people that volunteer to perform split up into groups, which are basically like bands, and then we pick songs and
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for final recital
say much about mine nt this to be special for see the show, but my azzy, hip-hop style." s a lot of effort being she hopes that there e event. According to m usually gets most of he effort of the other hile.
"It took a while, but it's been a really fun project figuring everything out," Bireley said. "I'm really looking forward to to performing the dances that we have been working on. In addition, I'm also looking forward to performing with some of my best friends -- that always makes the experience more enjoyable." Junior Sami Chambers also said she is looking forward to performing on stage with the people she has come to know since the beginning of the year. She hasn't been dancing her whole life, but it's been a long-time hobby for her. "Overall, I just really enjoy the class," Chambers said. "It's a great opportunity for someone like me -- someone who doesn't want to give up all of their time dedicated to one sport, but still wants to do something that they love. That's why I'm really looking forward to the dance. We are Photo by Abigail Werner polishing the dances down to a tee and the r their upcoming, end-of-thework that is being put in is insane." e the regular dance class rather
e I like working in small groups e,” Chambers said.
rehearse our set," Palumbo said. "Just about everyone in there is a guitarist, and then a lot of them play another instrument like violin and piano, so it works out." Snider has his own band, which allows him to schedule performances at outside venues in the area. This presents the club with opportunities to showcase their talent. In order to do this, however, more bands are needed. "The bands can have an hour to perform whatever they want, but we actually don't have enough bands at the moment to do that," Richards said. "We really want to recruit people so we can have a performance at a proper venue Photo submitted by Chandler Richards and have our club Members of guitar club perform at Stay showcase what we Day. “This year, we’ve started to do more performances,” Richards said. “People can do." that want to perform can put all kinds of stuff together with the band.”
Artists compete at VASE
By MaryClare Colombo Students from all art classes It really is just a casual conversation, principles of design really well.” competed at the Visual Arts and doesn’t normally take more After entering the work, students Scholastic Event on Sat. Feb. 21, than five minutes. All the judges get feedback on a scoring sheet. and entered works ranging from I’ve gotten have all been really nice. “My favorite part is the self-portraits to digital media to It’s pretty easy.” feedback,” Thurman said. “You sculptures and mixed media. The This is Art 2 student senior get to talk to someone that’s not event, known as VASE, is a high Esmeralda Hernandez’s first VASE your own teacher and you can get school UIL art competition held competition. Hernandez is entering positive – and sometimes negative at Williams High School. Eight a watercolor portrait of her sister. – criticism. And if you get a four, students will be advancing to the “I’m most nervous about talking it’s kind of validation for all your state competition, which will be to the judges,” Hernandez said. hard work.” held in Dallas on April 25. “They’re going to ask me about my Receiving feedback is unique to There are four divisions students art and I’m worried they’re going VASE. Other competitions, such can enter in – one, two, three and to ask me something and I’m not as the Dallas Museum of Art’s four, based on the number of ready, and I’ll just stand there and Young Masters competition and art credits the student has. AP not know what to say.” PTA’s Reflections, have different art students, who were required Scott is entering a digitally edited submission procedures. to enter one or two pieces, are piece titled Anxiety, which follows “For Young Masters, students automatically entered in division her concentration of mental don’t submit the work in person, four. According to teacher Tiffany disorders. She is also entering an like they do at VASE,” Thurman Thurman, 10 percent of students edited picture of herself. said. “They take digital photos of chose to enter across Art 1 and Art “I really like the anxiety piece the work and everyone submits 2. because I’m not used to doing their photos. The photos are culled “You’re just competing against digital art,” Scott said. “I really like down and they chose a number yourself,” Thurman said. “The to do physical media, studio art of finalists. Then the work is student has a short interview about basically, but I really enjoyed making personally sent over and judged. the artwork or the process, and that piece because it was really fun. There’s no interview process, and a score is given. If it gets a four, I think it really complements the the winners are displayed in the which is the highest Dallas Museum.” score, then it goes into The reflections the gym, where it’s contest also does not judged alongside all the have an interview. other works that got Other than Young a four. Then there’s a Masters, Reflections and percentage of fours that VASE, there are not are chosen to go on to many competitions for the state competition.” students. Senior Michaela “We don’t have a lot Scott, who is currently of places where students in AP 2D, is a veteran at get to showcase their VASE. This is her third own skills,” Thurman year entering. said. “There are speech “I’m used to the competitions, math Photo submitted by Tiffany Thurman interview process,” competitions, but not a Thurman’s students hold up their work. “We’re submitting Scott said. “I know several self portraits, several mixed media and a digital media lot of art things. It’s nice a lot of people are piece created on the computer,” Thurman said. “They had to be to put students in the intimidated and scared. matted and labeled a certain way, and it can be a little daunting.” spotlight.”
Sports Singing through the sting
6 THE WILDCAT TALES
MARCH 19, 2015
Basketball player braves injury for TMEA competition
By Cameron Drummond To a choir performer, a state of well-being is essential to produce the perfect sound. That beautiful, melodic tone which is emitted from the singer’s vocal chords only sounds spot-on when all things are in line – body, mind, and soul among them. This makes the actions of senior varsity basketball player and Texas All-State choir member Trey Cinclair all the more remarkable given the extreme circumstances he faced while performing with choir at TMEA on Feb. 11. “On February 10, I had one of my front teeth knocked out as well as an adjacent tooth knocked out of place during the varsity game against Lewisville,” Cinclair said. “I was going for a rebound when the opposing player gave me an elbow to the mouth.” The mouth injury and resulting mild concussion rendered the 6 foot 2 inch guard/forward out for the team’s final two games of the regular season, ending his season and high school basketball career. The boys basketball team was forced out of the playoff race after forfeiting three district wins due to an ineligible player, killing any playoff hopes for Cinclair and his teammates in his senior season. “I was really heartbroken that I could not finish out the remaining games with my teammates, they were my brothers and we have unbreakable bonds within our basketball family,” Cinclair said. “The season as a whole was really an eye-opening experience for us all and taught us how quickly things can be taken away from you. We want everyone to know what happened to us, so that it won’t happen to them.” Despite the disappointment and his severe injury, Cinclair followed through by performing at TMEA in San Antonio with choir only a day later in spite of the pain he faced. “Less than twelve hours later, I boarded a bus headed
for San Antonio. I had been working towards this all state his determination to attend the music convention in the face process since June 2014, so I could not miss the opportunity,” of adversity, although hindsight has provided him with a Cinclair said. “I decided I would have to soldier through the new perspective on the situation. pain.” “Music is a major part of Both Cinclair’s my life, I couldn’t live without musical abilities and it. It gives my emotions life and everyday activities gives my life beauty,” Cinclair were altered as a said. “If I had to make the result of the painful decision again, I doubt I would incident. still attend TMEA following the “The injury affected injury. I had a stroke of bravery my choir performance at the time, but I am not sure if significantly,” Cinclair I would again.” said. “For the first Though it’s been several weeks three days after it I had since the incident, Cinclair said trouble talking, much pain from the injury still persists. less singing, while on But regardless of any regrets, the final day I tried Cinclair greatly values his time my best to sing on spent with both basketball and vowels in the concert, choir while a Wildcat. but consonants were “Playing basketball for Plano a lost cause. The has meant so many things hardest part about to me,” Cinclair said. “My this injury is not being whole career here I have just able to eat, it took me been trying to give back to my one and a half hours teammates, coaches, and trainers to eat four slices of as much as I can and represent Photo submitted by Trey Cinclair pizza the night after my school to the best of my Senior Trey Cinclair (right) prior to a performance with choir my injury.” ability. Being a Wildcat isn’t before suffering the injury. “I plan on continuing both basketball Cinclair’s passion and choir during my time at Baylor University next year,” Cinclair easy, but the pride that comes for music provided said. “I plan to be a Vocal Performance Major in college.” with being one is unfathomable. the main catalyst for I loved every second of it.”
The tricks of the track Track and field athletes train for spring season By Mari Brown
After using the fall semester to train for their meets and events, track season is now in full swing. While events are largely individual, track requires a team effort – with individual accolades, each athlete gets points from individual events that add up for the team to place higher at the end of the meet. With new coach Amy Dehdari, junior Lauren Fairchild is optimistic about what girls track can accomplish this year. “I’m most excited about all the new freshmen we got this year because there’s a lot of talent there,” Fairchild said. “I’m also very excited just to see how far we get this year because I’ve been with these girls for three years now and we’ve become so close.”
training in the spring for track is much different than the fall season – the focus now is on their specialized events instead of just getting into shape. “In the spring, the way we prepare is a lot different from the fall because we now do 30 minute warm ups that include static and dynamic stretching,” Fairchild said. “Coach Dehdari is very talented and works us hard. I could tell it paid off at the first meet we had.” According to O’Day, his outlook for boys track is positive due to their success at their meet on Thursday, Feb. 19. “I think our season will go pretty well. The boys started out getting second place as a team at our first meet, so it looks promising,” O’Day said. “I’m most excited about how far our guys can go this year because we have a lot of talent with all of our seniors.” Junior Abby McNatt participates in many field events such as long jump and high jump, along with running events like the 4X100 relay and the 4X400 relay. McNatt said she strives for personal success on the track. “I am always nervous about the other competition that we face from other schools, but the cool thing about track is you are also competing against yourself for a new personal record,” McNatt said. “So, even though the competition can be tough, you can always find success by setting and accomplishing the goals Photo by Plano Running you have for yourself.” Track and field athletes compete at the North Garland Invitational on Feb. 19. Fairchild regularly runs the 100 and 200 Two meets have been canceled so far this year due to weather concerns. meter dash and the 4X100 and 4X200 relay. The Although the boys and girls teams are both part of maximum number of events each athlete can run is five, so the track program, senior Colin O’Day said that doesn’t the events are often rotated among the students. necessarily mean they train together. “For my team, I’m not nervous about anything, but for “We see each other every day because we run on the me, I always get butterflies,” Fairchild said. “It’s just nervetrack during seventh period,” O’Day said. “But we don’t run racking but once I get the baton or get out of the blocks, it together.” all goes away. I think we’ll have a very good season because Track team members are assigned groups according to we have a lot of talented people on track. I’m hoping we get the distance they run and have a workout they are required as far as state this year.” to run everyday. On Mondays and Wednesdays, they go to O’Day will be participating in pole vault, the 300 meter the weight room on top of their run. According to Fairchild, hurdles and the 1600 relay. Outside of the many events he
will be partaking in, his anxiety is directed toward what other schools in the district will bring to the meets. “This year I’m nervous about the tougher district we are in,” O’Day said. “It will make it harder to advance past district.” McNatt believes strongly in the foundation of the team and the safe, encouraging environment that is present for each athlete. “We are already starting the season off strong not only in the points we brought in at the first meet, but also in the team support we have already established around each girl,” McNatt said. “I have never been more excited to see what this season has in store.”
Opinion
7
Surviving the growing pains “I’m not mad, I am disappointed.” Those are the famous words that every parent has said to their children. The first time I heard those words was back in the 7th grade. I had been a straight A student during my elementary and middle school years and I had just taken the hardest test of my life. I knew my grade wasn’t going to be pretty, but I was devastated when I got handed back my first ever 68 for a test grade. I wasn’t going to be able to hide this for too long before my parents found out, so I figured I would just tell them myself. While in the car, I was going through a checklist of things that would make it just a bit safer to break the news to my dad. Was he in a good mood? Did the Cowboys lose
last night’s game? Was my bedroom clean? In the long run, I knew that no matter what mood he was in, he would be upset and I would be losing some privileges. So, I went for it. I told him about the appalling grade I had received and learned of a new phrase that would haunt me for the rest of my life. Nervous with fear, he laid out the infamous words. I was stunned. My first thought was, ‘Does this mean I’m not in trouble?’ Then I got hit with a lecture about my “academic potential” and how “lucky I was to be going to a good school unlike other kids”. I didn’t think twice about what he meant by being “disappointed.” To me it was just something else that I would understand when I
Class of 2016: Enjoy it while it lasts
By Mari Brown Whoosh. Just like that – we only have a little over two months left of school – let that sink in for a moment – as the rest of the school year has flown by so quickly. I still remember the first day of school like it was yesterday when I was nervous about being with the “bigger” kids at the bigger school. As a junior, I’m not going to lie – knowing that the school year is nearly over makes me extremely happy. There truly is a light at the end of the tunnel, especially since this has been the hardest year of my life. But like after every school year, there’s a sense of sadness for the classes and people I won’t be with next semester. Of course I have all the fun memories in many of my classes, even those I wasn’t a big fan of. All the laughter, the tears, the frustration, and the sighs of relief that I shared with my classmates won’t be forgotten. As people look forward to the future in front of them, I find myself looking back at what I’m going to miss after junior year. I get a sense of regret for the things I never got to do – that one kid that I never talked to or the students whose name I never learned, or never joining those guys who play Frisbee during lunch. I’ve taken
so much for granted, like having lunch with my best friends or that class clown who I always rolled my eyes at. Although we should be excited for summer to finally come, it’s time to take in these last couple months of school and treasure them. Take a step back and look around. See the kids who always sit alone at lunch. Admire the kids who always managed to bring a smile to your face. Acknowledge these classmates and teachers that you will no longer see soon. You might not feel like it, but you will miss those kids with their smart aleck comments and teachers who strictly enforce classroom rules. You will miss seeing those kids who always have an answer to every question asked. You will miss that teacher who always made that one class entertaining no matter how boring the subject was. Let’s enjoy each other for these last few months of school. Take a step out of your comfort zone, and talk to the kid sitting in the corner. Flash a smile to your teachers one last time. Nod your head to your fellow classmates. Make these next few months the least miserable of your junior year.
“Take a
step back and look around.”
By Lydia Sebany
was older. And I guess the time has come. Disappointment is defined as the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations. In a way, now I get why he told me those things so often. It wasn’t meant to be something he said to me when he was actually mad, but didn’t have the energy to show his anger. It was meant to teach me to become someone that does not have to be told how high his expectations are because now, I’m setting them myself. Instead of waiting to check with someone about a decision, I just make it myself. I have reached the point where I push myself to get my grades in the condition they should be. The next time I hear “you disappointed me,” they will be coming out of my own mouth, telling someone else my expectations so they can reach their own milestone, just like my dad helped me reach mine.
Class of 2015:
Rejection won’t define us
By Haley Samsel I have this image that’s continued to enter my mind in the last couple of months, when I start getting lost in my personal brand of self-doubt. I’m staring out my bedroom window, watching my dad’s car turn around the corner of my street, away from his past, away from me. I’m around nine-years-old, still fresh to the fact that adults don’t always act like adults, and sometimes children aren’t allowed to stay children. The tears are flowing down my face, and as I turn around, my older brother pulls me into a hug and rests his chin on my head, telling me everything will be okay. We aren’t normally affectionate, and I’m almost positive that was our first and last hug in the past ten years. I’m not sure why the memory keeps coming back, but each time it pops in for a visit, I am reminded of the people who protected me when I needed it most – the same people I so desperately want to make proud now. In the next two weeks, the last of us will discover where our destiny will play itself out – at the school of our dreams or the university we’ve convinced ourselves is just as good. We’ll open envelopes, sign in to admissions portals and wonder if we did enough. If anything we do will ever be “enough.” It’s scary to think how much weight we are taught to put on the outcome of a college application. Most likely I will never come into contact with the people who read my admissions file and determined my fate with the stroke of a pen – at least that’s how Tina Fey and “Admission” make it seem. These people will never meet me or deal with the human consequences
of marking “admit,” “deny,” or even worse, “waitlist.” Of course, all of these complaints ring a familiar bell – we’ve heard how damaging the emphasis on getting into a “name-brand” college can be to a students, how wealthy students often fare better than the poor. We’re the ones dealing with the aftermath of a culture that seems to care more about where we graduate from college than what we do there. We’re the ones who must digest the looks of disappointment and half-hearted words of wisdom. And we’re also the ones who will bounce back from rejection, and find ourselves in the process. Where we go to school will not define our future – the vast majority of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies went to their state universities, not Ivy League colleges. Some of the best and brightest have come out of UT-Austin, including renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and legendary journalist Walter Cronkite, along with actor Matthew McConaughey. Our brains know all of this, but our hearts tell us otherwise. It’s difficult to fight through the ego-bruising that rejection letters inevitably bring, and know that the people who love us want us to succeed in whatever we do – whether that means staying in Texas or not. We have to take solace in making them proud by facing adversity head on instead of running away from it. We have to make the moments our loved ones give to us count by embracing the future, the unknown, the terrifying. In doing that, we can – and will – be “enough.”
“We can and will be enough.”
March 19, 2015 Volume 69 Issue 8
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 Elizabeth 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
8 THE WILDCAT TALES
MARCH 19, 2015
College tour experiences By Rose Rana
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Hanako Griffin, Junior
"I love the idea of college and the social life there so going on campus tours kind of bring my idea of college to life. I plan on going to community college for the first two years but going on college tours gave me motivation to at least try to get into college and apply to as many scholarships as I can."
James Schell-Kindl, Junior
"I went to SMU and that's one of my dream schools. I scoped the campus so I know what all the buildings look like, I know about the social life, I know what the bare-minimum is to get in, and I know I want to go there. Going on college tours gave me a good idea on what my life will be like and I personally think that's better than leaving me to wonder what SMU will be like."
Megan Eversgerd, Junior
"I've been to two colleges, and whenever I go to them I like to find out what they look for in students and I look for everything criteriabased because I feel like that's what's more important to me. I also like to understand what colleges look for in general- not just that specific college but what colleges, in a general term, look for in students."
Review: Dub’s Tea and Water By Gabrielle Lammons
Dub’s Tea and Water, located at 3100 all of Dub’s other teas Independence Parkway, is a fresh look tasted like their names, at a tea shop. Upon entering the shop, many of them lacked the I was greeted by Dub, who offers every bitterness that I have come customer a small sample cup where he to expect from teas. The or she can try various teas and juices. sweet chai was delicious and The atmosphere is very homely, with I sucked down the beverage couches and a dining room table for in less than 10 minutes. The tea people to sit at. A selection is TV playing the news very large, is set across from and is a little the couch and coffee You get a intimidating table. Unlike a lot of at first. places, Dub’s TV is lot of tea But when never blaring, and he and a big you look has the sound perfect pretzel for for his quiet shop. at all of flavors, the Before settling on pattern is very simple. very little. a drink, I sampled a Dub offers each flavor variety of the fruit in a sweet and unsweet teas. Two of the version which is perfect options that I tried for serving a variety of were sweet mango and sweet raspberry, people. While I didn't have hot tea, Dub and these especially tasted startlingly like offers to heat up any of his tea selection. the fruits that their names suggested. This is perfect for the cold weather I settled on the Sweet Chai Tea because we have been experiencing lately. Dub’s doesn’t have much in the I like the edge of bitterness it has. While
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Isabella Alexander, Junior
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way of food. Beside the counter, Dub has a selection of nuts and dried fruits available. These are very good for a snack, but if you want something of substance I have to recommend the stuffed pepperoni and mozzarella pretzel. Dub’s pretzels are extremely filling, not too salty and well worth it. Dub’s is very cost efficient. You get a lot of tea and a big pretzel for very little. I would recommend it to rich and poor, like myself, high school students everywhere.
“I think going on a campus tour was enlightening. It made me want to go to college more than I had intended and it made me really excited about the college life. Not only is the social aspect of college exciting for me but I have more options on what classes I want to choose.”
Kel Kim, Junior
"We went to TCU for a choir trip last year, and they have a great music program so I personally was really excited to go see what the classes were like. We got to preview the classes and it made me more excited to go to college and study music."
Michael Hernandez, Junior
“Going to tour all the colleges that I did, it created a lot of hype for me. I felt like I knew more about how college will be for me and that excited me more than anything.”