Issue 7 February 17, 2012

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The Wildcat Tales volume lxvi

February 17, 2012

Issue Seven

Lacrosse brotherhood

Plano Senior High School

Plano, TX, USA

Teen parents overcome

The Vow

challenges

Page 6, 7

Page 4

Page 11 Photo by Erin Saunders

Defining a Wildcat

We are Plano, a school of athletes, scholars and musicians, a school filled with many traditions. We know who we are as a whole, but who are we as individuals?

Siddharth Sant

Shayan Mohanty

‘A new way to treat cancer’

‘It runs in the family’

‘Building an online empire’

By Daniel Hinson The goal of the project is simple – create a new form of cancer therapy that minimizes side effects and is more efficient.

Because cancer cells become resistant to the drugs the longer they are used in the body, senior Siddharth Sant eliminated the idea of using a drug to fight cancer.

Instead Sant will use a different approach to cancer therapy.

“Let’s use heat,” Sant said. “Let’s try to burn the cancer cells to death.”

In Sant’s experiments, he decided to synthesize a carbon nanoparticle. A carbon nanoparticle can absorb near infrared radiation, NIR radiation, which does not harm the body. When the carbon nanoparticle absorbs the NIR, it heats up and releases heat. This particle can be placed right next to the cancer site. Once there, the carbon nanoparticles would heat up and destroy the cancer cells.

But Sant then discovered a problem. The carbon nanoparticles were not compatible. If the particle is thrown into the body, it might end up somewhere else instead of where the cancer is located.

“What if we put these carbon nanoparticles in something

Keaton Burns

By Danielle Deraleau

By Miles Hutson They pooled $300 to rent a single server for the month.

“If we didn’t make it for the first month, we were out of business,” senior Shayan Mohanty said.

But Shayan and company cofounder Ryan Alexander, who is now at MIT, did their research. They concentrated on filling untapped corners of the online market and that month, they pulled in about $450 in revenue.

“From there, we just kept growing and growing,” Shayan said.

Within six months, their business’s customer base had grown 3,000 percent.

“He had this entrepreneurship in him from the time he was very young,” Shayan’s mother Shernaz Mohanty said.

“He was constantly thinking of ways to start little businesses, and to be honest we were always shutting them down.”

Between the ages of 10 and 11, he designed a website for people who play Runescape, a popular online game. He set up a front yard stand selling snow cones, and

Continued on page 8

As a kid, he played t-ball, soccer, football and even ran track. But when he was in kindergarten, his dad decided he should play hockey.

“My dad watched the Stars win the Stanley Cup and signed me up right after that,” senior Keaton Burns said.

“My dad’s not really that into hockey, but he was after they won the Stanley Cup.” This is Keaton’s 13th year playing hockey, and his fourth year as goalie of the hockey team. However, he didn’t begin hockey defending the goal. His first year on skates, he played forward.

“I played the bench,’’ Keaton said. ‘’I was terrible. Then I bought a goalie stick for $15 at Play It Again Sports. I decided I wanted to play goalie, and I did.”

Keaton started a domino effect. 10 years ago, Keaton inspired his then 4-year-old brother Hayden, now 14, to play as well.

“I wanted to play because Keaton was playing,” Hayden

Continued on page 5

Continued on page 4

Speech and debate students to compete at national Harvard Tournament

By Alyssa Matesic Selected speech and debate students will board a flight to Boston on Feb. 17 to attend the annual Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament held Feb. 18 through Feb. 20. The competition will take place on the Harvard campus, and students will perform in both acting and debating events.

The Harvard Tournament is the biggest competition speech and debate students participate in all year, as Plano is just one of possibly hundreds of high schools attending.

“Harvard is a very competitive

tournament,” senior Niraj Parekh said. “I mean, it’s Harvard. It is a nationally-renowned tournament and is packed with tough competitors from all around the country.”

With the heightened competition, junior Zoë Collenburg, who is participating in both dramatic interpretation (DI) and duo, isn’t expecting to break the multiple preliminary rounds – she will feel accomplished if she makes semifinals. However, she said that the numbers aren’t the most important thing to take away from the tournament.

“It’s not so much about the placing, but about seeing other people from around the country and how they perform and what their standards are,” Collenburg said.

“Different schools value different kinds of performances. We really value that emotional connection to the audience and conveying a message where as there are other schools that do the events for the show.”

Shikha Garg, a freshman at Yale University, represented Plano in extemporaneous speaking at the tournament last year. She came

home with a Harvard bowl (their version of a trophy), for third place. She believes that the strong competition is a positive attribute.

“As for what I got out of the tournament, I think the main thing was a lot of good experience on the national circuit and the chance to compete against some of the best extempers in the country,” Garg said.

Debate teacher Cheryl Potts and speech teacher Karen Wilbanks chose the participating students on similar terms. They looked at the students’

Continued on page 2

News

February 17, 2012

Speech and debate students to compete at national Harvard Tournament Continued from cover

By Alyssa Matesic progress in their events over the course of the year so far, evaluated their success at past tournaments and reviewed how much fundraising they had done.

“Basically, the coaches pick based on how successful you have been in addition to how you have been contributing to the team itself,” Parekh said.

Parekh will participate in public forum debate, a partner event where two teams of two argue opposing views on a given topic. This year’s topic is birthright citizenship being abolished in the United States. To prepare, he and his partner have researched the topic thoroughly and have practiced debating with other team members. Garg prepared similarly last year.

She believes that, for debaters, knowing current events is one key to being successful.

“My advice for students who are currently preparing is to really focus on strengthening their weaknesses,” Garg said.

“They should definitely be giving plenty of practice speeches, reading articles and, of course, listening to Mrs. Potts’ advice.”

Collenburg has been working on her events since the beginning of the year – she began her DI in August and her duo in October – and has already taken them to multiple tournaments. Since the actors are not

allowed to have props or costumes during their performances, they focus on perfecting their emotion and expression to convey their message. In class, the actors dissect their characters through exercises like writing their eulogy from another character’s perspective and evaluating subtext – where each line is broken down and the actors determine why the character said it. Collenburg practices her DI every night, and has worked to truly and accurately represent her character.

“You have to get to know the character as well as your best friend,” Collenburg said. “I’ve figured out with my DI, because of what she says in the script, because of what she’s doing in that moment and what she’s talking about, that she should be baking bread pudding. So I’ve made bread pudding multiple times. I’ve gone into my own kitchen and figured out ‘So this is going to weigh this much, and if I’m going to pour it I’m going to pour it like that.’ You want to make everything so realistic, so I work on that kind of thing.”

In addition, on some days Wilbanks will lecture her students about effective performance techniques. Recently, she taught them about maintaining concentration.

“That entire day that you’re at the speech tournament, you focus on that character,”

Collenburg said. “You don’t let stuff like a bad grade in a class or a fight with a friend or breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend get in the way. You concentrate on your piece.

Especially at Harvard, because it’s national, and we’re representing Plano Senior.”

Collenburg’s DI piece, which is in excerpt from an autobiography that focuses on the narrator’s relationship to her mother through having an abusive father, has challenged her. However, the effort to pursue through that is part of what makes speech mean so much to her.

“I’ve really struggled with the character because she’s so different from me, like in the way we’ve dealt with things,” Collenburg said.

“I’ve had to really dive into that and figure out who that is and break down my own walls.

That’s what I love about speech; you break down your own walls to do something else.

Not only are you telling a story that needs to be told, or with humorous interpretation, you’re making somebody laugh, but just the fact that I’m able to do that for not only myself, but also give a great performance.”

Garg has maintained her passion for debate through college as a member of the Yale Debate Association. She believes the skills she has learned through practicing debate have been valuable to her past graduation.

“What makes speech and debate so important is the opportunity the activity gives you to explore a variety of topics from the upcoming 2012 elections to poverty assistance in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Garg said. “The exposure to so many areas was definitely what drew me to debate. Moreover, debate taught me a lot of really helpful skills about being able to present my ideas in a persuasive and organized manner through writing or speaking and being able to analyze and digest dense academic material. Those are skills I couldn’t have learned anywhere else and absolutely help in college.”

For Parekh, public forum debate has attracted him in due to its down to earth, civilized and enjoyable nature. He believes he, his partner and the whole team have a good shot at doing well at Harvard.

“My partner and I hope to advance as far as possible,” Parekh said. “Again, this is a very difficult tournament – perhaps the hardest in the nation. To be able to advance as far as quarterfinals, semifinals or even finals would be amazing. And it’s not like it’s impossible. The Plano team can totally get that far – we’re that good.”

C’est la vie

French students compete in state comptitions

By Kimberly Mei French students are preparing for two annual competitions coming up in March: the Fête Française and the Texas French Symposium.

Students are aiming to be top contenders in both competitions and to expand their knowledge of the French culture and language. Unlike the Fête Française, which is a local competition, the Texas French Symposium is the statewide UIL equivalent competition for French students. Students are judged by teachers and native French speakers in an array of events, ranging from strictly academic to cultural and artistic events.

“Both the Fête and Texas French Symposium are meant to allow French students to compete in a variety of ways against other students of French,” French teacher Jody Lubbers said. “The contests allow students to delve more deeply into areas of interest that they already have. They also can help students explore other areas of interest that may be new.”

Students have been preparing for these contests since they returned from winter break. Group events rehearse regularly, and students work on individual

Page Two

events in one-on-one sessions. Junior Shruthi Prabhu is participating in both competitions with Sight Reading, Guided Speaking, and Vocal Solo. She is also taking a vocabulary and grammar test for the Fête Française and is on the Baccalauréat team for TFS. The Baccalauréat team is a trivia team which currently meets to practice answering questions in French.

“I love competitions and French, and the combination of the two provides a great opportunity,” Prabhu said. “The categories are also pretty fun because you get choose the ones that are to your liking.”

Since there is no level one French program on campus, students have previously always been ineligible to participate in the Baccalauréat, missing out on a significant number of points.

However, this year, the rules have been changed to allow Plano to “borrow” a level one French student from a feeder school.

“At TFS we were very handicapped by this fact,” Lubbers said. “Despite this disadvantage, we have still managed to place in the top ten with great consistency.

This year, we are looking forward to how

[the Baccalauréat] this will help us out.”

Junior Maryellen Oltman is taking all three tests for both competitions and reciting poetry for TFS. She is participating in folk dancing, a cultural event unique to the Fête Française.

“I’m mainly concerned about forgetting parts of my poem; it’s pretty long,” Oltman said. “I try to memorize one stanza per week, making sure I know all the proper pronunciations and such. For folk dance, I go to all the rehearsals I can.”

Lubbers, who singlehandedly teaches French levels one through five, said that the most stressful part about the competitions is the details that must be taken care of and the deadlines that must be met. However, she most enjoys helping her students succeed.

“It’s so much fun to see them make progress and see their efforts rewarded,” Lubbers said. “I also love to see how the groups develop into a coherent whole.”

Lubbers believes that in addition to helping students prepare for the AP tests, both competitions will teach them to become more capable.

“The learning that goes on will stay with

the students in so many ways,” Lubbers said.

“It’s learning about French, which in itself is worthwhile, but also learning life skills, such as planning ahead, pacing oneself, carrying one’s share of the load, and so forth.”

Plano won second in the North Texas division of the Fête Française last year and first place the year before. However, Prabhu doesn’t worry too much about winning.

“I’m participating because I want a learning experience and a way to compete in something I love,” Prabhu said. “It not only makes the whole process fun, but also increases your chances of winning. Winning would be fantastic, especially since the French program in Houston is amazing, but we’ll see.”

Lubbers is hoping to continue the tradition and win again.

“We hope to duplicate our earlier successes,” Lubbers said. “Also, it’s worth noting that at the 1979 Fête Française—the first one ever—PSHS placed first overall.

We’re proud of that.”

News

February 17, 2012

Prom committee selected

By Maddie Patton

By Stephanie Jabri

An entire year of studying and practicing comes down to one weekend of competition.

German students f r o m

across the district compete in order to qualify for the state competition.

Every year, German students from across the state meet and compete in various activities.

Students prepare artwork, poetry and skits from the German culture and strengthen their knowledge of the language for each competition. Jan. 28 students competed in 52 different events at the regional German contest, Winterfest.

“The students worked very hard and competed very well and they will continue to work hard for state,” German teacher Beth Smith said.

There are three regions in Texas; North Texas, South Te x a s and the Houston region. The top five winners in these

regions go to the state German contest in Austin. During each competition, the students are grouped according to the level of class they are currently in. German I students only compete against other German I kids. These level break downs are to keep the competition fair.

“There are so many levels because the competition directors want each student to have a chance to place,” Smith said. “There are also four different types of competitors; kids who learn German at school, kids who learn German at home, another for anyone who lived in Germany for several years and native Germans aren’t allowed to compete, so they h ave to judge the contests.”

Juniors Maureen Hunt and Cassidy Krantz participated in the skit contests together. In this round of competition, they took fourth place.

“Our skit was called ‘Aschenpute’,” Krantz said. “Despite getting a rough start preparing, we pulled it together and did great.”

Hunt competed in the skit ‘Aschenputel’, the puppet play ‘Die Prinzessin, die ihr Lachen verlor’ and a food contest where she made Bavarian Cream.

“This competition was different than other German competitions I have done,” Hunt said. “I participated in more events and I was so much better prepared this year.”

The puppet play Hunt competed in received first place at the competition, so she will be going to the state competituion Feb. 25.

Senior Zach Van Duyne received first place in the Ensemble, One-Act Play and Folk dancing. Van Duyne memorized 80 lines for the OneAct play, rehearse for our cello trio and went several days a week to folk dancing practice.

“I had so much practicing to do,” Van Duyne said. “It got a little stressful sometimes, but I knew I had to if I wanted to win.”

Krantz did fewer events and thought this competition was much different from last year’s Winterfest.

“Last year, Mrs. Smith organized Winterfest,” Krantz said. “This year it was at R.L. Turner High School and it was just a little disorganized and chaotic.”

Students who place top five qualify for state; however Plano ISD only pays for students who place in the top two to go to state. Hunt and Van Duyne are two of the students who will be able to go to state this year.

“For the top five qualifying students, we must find a way to raise money for those who didn’t place first or second to go,” Smith said.

“We have a lot to do to get ready for state, so we will continue to work hard and study hard.”

In 2005, the U.S. spent approximately $4 billion dollars on expenses related to prom, the last major event for seniors until graduation. To plan this year’s special night, the prom committee has been formed under the leadership of Senior Class President Eric Kim. “It is important to pick the right people for prom committee because we want to have the best prom,” Kim said. “I want it to be memorable. If you are a senior second semester, most people are just kind of lazy and not going to do a whole bunch. If you see the application you can tell who is dedicated and really into it, and I picked those people first.”

Out of the eight chosen members, girls are the majority.

Only two, besides Kim, are male.

“When it comes to prom, the girls are the ones who look forward to going to prom to show off their dresses, have a good time and look at the decorations,” committee member senior Hannah Yu said. “The guys are more there because the girlfriends are with them so they have to go.

I think Eric is definitely aware of the fact that girls are going to care more and comment more on whether or not they liked prom.”

And even though 84% of teenage girls will spend $200 to $300 on a prom dress, the district and school have received less funding, which means that the school’s prom budget has been slashed by a couple thousand dollars from the previous year. However, after much discussion while considering the budget, the committee has chosen their three top themes: Enchanted Forest, 1920s New York City or Monte Carlo. Senior will be polled to pick the theme. Some of the themes that were left out were Hawaiian Luau, Night in Venice, and Classic Country.

“I think either the 1920s or Enchanted Forest theme will win,” senior Grant Pieper said. “I like all three of the themes, but my favorite is Enchanted Forest because I think it would make a fun senior prom.”

Even though the prom is not until April 28, Piper said that he is looking forward to it.

“I think prom will be awesome,” Pieper said. “We have a lot of people that are really excited about it that are working on it. It’s senior prom. No matter what, it’s going to be fun.”

Plano’s Got Talent annual talent show

By Miles Hutson Thirty acts auditioned for the NHS talent show, and 16 made it to the show, which will be performed March 2.

“All of them were really great,” senior NHS Co-President Bryna Herskowitz said.

Senior NHS Communications Coordinator Kayla Bu said the officers’ first choices during tryouts for the Talent Show were acts that were unique.

“We had one that was spinning poi, and that was really cool,” Bu said. “We also had juggling.”

Some students, like senior Ashwin Ramakrishnan, were in more than one act. Ashwin juggled with senior Michael Bain, rapped with senior Dheeraj Putlur, and played the saxophone alongside junior Ben Kean. Ramakrishnan said that the auditions were fairly stress-free.

“They let me explain stuff like where I saw things going,” Ramakrishnan said. “It was a warm environment.”

All three of Ramakrishnan’s acts

made it to the actual shows, and he will also be the Master of Ceremonies.

Others like junior Mo Senteney tried out with one act. Senteney played the piano while singing along to “Jar of Hearts,” “Someone Like You,” “Love Song,” and “Mad World.”

Senteney only had to send in a video for the audition, but says that she doesn’t think playing in front of a crowd will be that bad.

“When I’m in front of a crowd, on stage, I really can’t see the faces of people,” Senteney said. “It’s not as nerve-racking to me as it is to some people.”

The Talent Show will donate all its proceeds to a charity. Herskowitz says that if they have a similar attendance to last year, that means they will give $1000. But senior officer Antonio San Pedro said that shouldn’t be the only reason for people to go there.

“It’s awesome,” Pedro said. “You’ll get to see the outstanding talent Plano has.”

Plano’s Got Talent will be held March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Doyle Dean Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door.

Page Three

Sports

February 17, 2012

A full house Burns siblings hope to continue a tradition through Plano hockey

By Danielle Deraleau

Continued from cover

said. “And I wanted to play goalie because Keaton played goalie.”

Inspired by his two athletic older brothers, the youngest Burns, 12-year-old Collin, laced up skates as well. He played in one of Hayden’s games when he was only 5 years old.

The brothers practice together by going to open hockey, on-ice practice reserved only for hockey players, playing in inline tournaments and sometimes even trying to play in the garage.

“We used to play hockey at home, but there’s not much room in the garage anymore,” Keaton said. “I’ve completely annihilated my back door. It’s got so many holes in it. Pucks have gone through the door from the laundry room to the garage. We also broke the windows on the garage door. It’s terrible. The refrigerators that are back there have so many puck marks we can’t even sell them.”

These three siblings bond not only over a love of hockey and video games, but also over a love of Plano. Hayden and Collin will both attend Plano and are interested in joining the hockey team.

Keaton said he thinks Hayden will play for them next year, and Collin will follow in a couple of years. Hayden would have played for the junior varsity team this year if Keaton hadn’t taken his spot.

There were too many goalies and only one spot left, so Keaton ended up beating out his brother for the position.

“I felt bad, but I’m a senior, and he’s an eighth grader, so I was

Lacrosse brotherhood

By Jessica Allman

Photo submission by Keaton Burns

Senior Keaton Burns, freshman Hayden Burns and 12-year-old Collin Burns pose with their hockey gear.

like ‘Oh, sorry.’” Keaton said.

Hayden said he doesn’t hold any hard feelings, though, and is looking forward to trying out for the team again. He said select hockey is too difficult, and he likes the Plano team. Collin said he hopes to follow in his brothers’ footsteps.

“I want to play for Plano because the coaches know my brothers, so I won’t just be a random kid,” Collin said.

Unlike his brothers, Collin plays forward while Keaton and Hayden are both goalies.

“I wanted to play forward because no one else in my family played forward,” Collin said.

Keaton and Hayden sometimes joke around with Collin because he broke the tradition of the Burns kids being goalies.

“We usually give Collin a hard time just because he’s not a goalie,” Keaton said. “Whenever we’re at open hockey we’re, like, ‘Just go away, we’re doing something,’” Despite the teasing, the siblings said they get along pretty well.

Hayden said he gets along best with Keaton, and clashes with Collin more often.

“Between me and Collin there’s a little sibling rivalry,” Hayden said. “He’s always saying ‘I can score on you’ but we all know he can’t.”

Keaton said the only time he and Hayden don’t get along is when he tries to help him with goalie lessons.

“I help my brother out. But he’s so stubborn it’s hard to help him,” Keaton said. “Sometimes he wants me to help him, but after that he’s just, like, ‘Alright, stop telling me what to do,’ and I’m, like, ‘I’m just doing what you told me to do.’’

Despite their differences or disagreements, the three can all agree on one thing: their love of hockey. Collin said he likes it because he is told he is good at it. Hayden said hockey is his favorite sport because he likes having fun and winning.

“I like hockey because it’s not like football where you stop every 30 seconds,” Keaton said. “Usually if I’m not working and I’m not sleeping, I’m playing hockey.”

Upcoming games Varsity Feb 23, 7 p.m. at McKinny-South vs. Plano West March 1, 7 p.m. at McKinney-South vs. Jesuit

Photo by Crystal Pajunen

Senior Keaton Burns defends the goal during the game against Keller on Nov. 6.

The wildcats won the game 5-1.

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Junior Varsity Feb. 26, 7 p.m. at Farmers Branch-Miller vs. St. Marks March 4, 4:45 p.m. Euless-Gold vs. Birdville

Photo by Cooper Weinstein

Senior Connor Shanklin tends the goal and scoops the ball to pass it to a teammate.

As the lacrosse team prepares for their first game, 13 seniors on the team are approaching what will be their final season as a wildcat.

“I think our team as a whole is looking forward to having a great season,” senior Connor Shanklin said. “Lacrosse isn’t just a sport; it becomes a lifestyle. Our lacrosse sticks are always in our cars, just ready to throw around with some friends. We are ready to give it everything we’ve got, and leave it all on the field.”

The boys have been practicing three to four nights a week since the start of the semester.

“It’s been a lot of work, but it will all be worth it,” senior Grant Pieper said. “We are all really anxious for the games to start.”

Pieper said the boys have formed many rivalries over the years, particularly with Episcopal School of Dallas and Plano West.

“ESD is a big game for us because they have knocked us out of playoffs for the past four years,” Pieper said. “We really want to beat them.”

The team has never lost a game to Plano West. Pieper said the rivalry between West and Plano causes the game to be the most exciting of the year.

“That’s the game most of our fans show up to,” Pieper said. “We always put our best effort when we play them. It’s always the most intense game for us.”

Senior Hunter Gore and a few other boys on the team have been offered lacrosse scholarships. Gore recently signed and committed to play for Denver and Gore said he is ready to finish out his high school years of playing lacrosse by making playoffs and taking a run for the state championship.

While Gore is looking forward to a future in lacrosse, other players reminisce on how they got started. Shanklin has not always been into lacrosse. In sixth grade a few of his friends signed up to play and he decided to try the sport out as well.

Shanklin has played on the Plano team for four years now, and has been the starting varsity goalie since his sophomore year.

“We have a certain pride that no other school has,” Shanklin said. “Plano brings pride and passion to the next level on everything we do. We show that passion and pride on the field as well. We love the sport and we definitely show it. Lacrosse is a brotherhood that I will never forget.”

Features

February 17, 2012

Shayan Mohanty From the ground up Senior starts his own company Continued from cover

By Miles Hutson

on one occasion even sold his mom’s peach preserve without her knowledge.

“He sold it to his family members,” Shernaz said. “My mom didn’t know that he sold some to my dad, and my dad didn’t know he sold it to my mom.”

Shayan also enjoyed learning about technology.

During the sixth grade, he worked to automate his computer games so that they continued while he was away. Since then, he has dabbled in networking, made websites and learned different programming languages like Java.

By the end of 10th grade year, he had learned enough that he wanted to try his hand at a larger market. Shayan and his friend Ryan Alexander decided to go into web hosting.

“His skills complimented me,” Shayan said. “He’s also interested in technology, but he didn’t have background experience, but that actually lends an untrained eye.”

Shayan is now the CEO of his own company, Evolucix, a 23-employee company. Evolucix started as a web hosting company that runs the machines other companies use to put their websites on the internet. But Shayan envisions doing more than just web hosting, an area that he said lacks innovation, and having his company branch into

software and web development as well.

“We want our product portfolio to be primarily ours,” Shayan said. “But my dream was that an average man could come up to us who has had no programming experience, no web design, no nothing, and could come up to us and be like, ‘Hey, I’ve got this awesome idea for an application.’”

This pursuit has kept Shayan busy searching for funding, as his company seeks to acquire the resources needed to make apps and websites.

“We haven’t officially launched that yet,” he said. “The main reason it’s taking so long is that we have so many projects underway.”

Of all these projects, Shayan said that his baby is a health app. This app should allow a user to dictate his or her symptoms to a smartphone and get a more accurate diagnosis than most websites can provide.

“WebMD, you have to type in your symptoms and it gets really complicated and then it tells you that you have cancer,” Shayan said. “This would actually be a lot better.”

Unlike WebMD, Shayan said that he and his partners are using statistical models that have been pioneered by health economists, as well as statisticians from Rand, a think-tank in California.

For that project alone, Shayan and his partners

are looking for $2.5 million in funding. Chasing down investors, Shayan said, has been a surreal experience.

“Investors love flexing their muscles,” Shayan said. “When I went to go visit Stein Kretsinger he bought everything. He flew me out first class. He put me up in the nicest hotel in Virginia. They wine and dine you.

It’s always awesome going to meet an investor, especially when you’re on family vacation and you’ve got to say, ‘Hey, I’ve got to take a business trip.’”

Outside of school, Shayan has gone everywhere from California to New York and even Europe for investment meetings. Forming connections, Shayan said, is ultimately what it’s all about.

“This is not a story about skill, it’s more about luck,” Shayan said. “We got really lucky with our contacts. And because we have that energy and because we have that constant tune of ideas, these people are consistently interested in what we do, especially since we know that it’s possible because we have a technical background. They’re willing to give us that money, and they’re willing to give us that skill, because we know exactly what we have to do to get there.”

A piece of paper and cloth patch

The journey of becoming an Eagle Scout

By Shezal Padani

Despite capsizing a sailboat and nearly getting his foot caught underwater, senior Brandon Barber is still on the path toward becoming an official Eagle Scout.

“Most of the first aid training you go through in scouts always stresses to remain calm in a risky situation in order to keep everything going smoothly,” Barber said.

“This rubbed off on me and I knew that panicking would not help me at all. So I was scared. I felt like probably anyone would in my situation. You have an instant in which your heart kicks into high gear when you realize that your foot is stuck. But I knew that I had two strong swimmers with me and that I could probably get out of everything without a problem.”

As part of the requirement for the sailing merit badge, the scouts were asked to capsize a sailboat and bring it back up to demonstrate that they knew what to do.

The task took place at Possum Kingdom Lake and each crew of three was required to complete the task in deep water.

“We all started trying to rock it, and as the boat started to tip, the other two jumped out of the boat into the water,” Barber said.

“We all had on life vests, so staying afloat wasn’t really a problem. As for me, though, my foot had become tangled in some straps at the bottom of the cabin. So while the other two were clear of everything, I was being dragged into the water.”

Barber was fully prepared with a personal

flotation device. However, according to Barber, the device served as more of a hindrance than an aid. The device was continuously working to push Barber to the surface despite having the boat right above him, blocking him from reaching air.

“The water was really murky and tasted horrible despite it being extremely refreshing in the summer heat, Barber said.

“I was fortunate enough to have figured out exactly how I was tangled before the boat completely flipped, so it was a matter of wiggling on the straps and pulling to get myself free.”

In the mere 20 to 30 seconds that Barber was under water, he managed to get his foot free and dodge the boat to get to the surface.

“Judging by the looks the other guys had on their faces, I think they were even more freaked out than I was,” Barber said.

Barber has earned several other merit badges in addition to sailing such as photography, rifle shooting and personal fitness. However, he said one of his most memorable experiences was backpacking across more than 100 miles in the mountains of Philmont, New Mexico. In the end, he said the trip was about breaking down boundaries for him and doing something that he did not believe was possible.

“It helped to show me that I don’t have to give up,” Barber said. “The beautiful things that we got to see while out there also stick out in my head. The entire area

is perfect; the mountains help to trap moisture so there are large forests and it’s just indescribable. It was such an all-around amazing experience; I can’t really put it into words.”

After years of shooting for the same goal, and gaining experience along the way, Barber is close to becoming an official Eagle Scout. However, before Barber can be awarded this high ranking title he is also required to lead an independent service project.

“I’m in the planning stages with someone at my church to do some landscaping work along the nursery hall,” Barber said. “I am thinking of making a path with a bench area and some flower beds. Once we settle on the design, I will have to come up with materials and price estimates so that I can pitch this idea to get it approved by my scoutmaster.”

Barber hopes to complete everything before his 18th birthday in July. He said the scout motto has instilled a skill in him that he will always remember.

“Be Prepared,” Barber said. “It’s a good motto for in scouts, but also in life. And it doesn’t necessarily mean carry around cold weather survival gear whenever you go out just in case. Really, it’s more of a “be aware of what is around you and have the ability to go with the flow and adapt to situations if necessary.” It’s a valuable life skill to be able to improvise.”

Barber said his goal to become

in Eagle Scout partly stems from his relationship with his dad.

“It was kind of instilled in me from the beginning,” Brandon said. “My dad was in scouts, but he never got to the rank of Eagle. I wanted to get the rank not only for me, but for him as well.”

Barber has met many of his closest friends through scouts. For him, being a scout is more than just survival skills and tasks that need to be completed in order to advance from rank to rank.

“It has been an experience growing up together from scrawny fifth graders to who we are today,” Barber said. “The people I’ve met and the things I’ve gotten to do, few people are able to do. The places I have visited stick out in my mind. I enjoy being able to go out and enjoy all of God’s creation.

It’s hard to express all of my feelings towards scouting. I will definitely miss it.”

Barber said that becoming an Eagle Scout, as in receiving the rank does nothing for his life. He said it is the growth process up to that point that really matters.

“The life skills, the experiences, the memories, and the friends along the way are what make it worth it and are ultimately what you take away from this,” Barber said.

“Sure, it looks great on a resume, but that isn’t what matters. In actuality, it’s a piece of paper and a cloth patch that you receive.

But what you learn, that’s what makes it worth it.”

For more stories, check us out online at

www.wildcattales.com Page Five

Features

February 17, 2012

Rock-a-bye Baby Teenagers balance the responsibilites of being parents and students

By Haley Bunnell Photo submission by Crystal Sensenig

W

Crystal Sensenig shares holiday spirit with Santa.

aking up to screaming cries numerous times throughout the night, is a normal thing for senior Crystal Sensenig, and junior Yesy Leonardo. Having the responsibilities of being a mother and a high school student have brought its challenges, however they have both figured a way to balance the two.

It was last March when Crystal Sensenig found out she was pregnant, a day after she broke up with her boyfriend.

In actuality, her and her parent’s reaction is not what most people would expect. In Crystal’s family, all of the women have had children from a young age, between 16 and 18.

“When I found out I was pregnant I actually wasn’t like most girls,” Crystal said. “I didn’t freak out. I was actually happy because I am such a big fan of babies. I didn’t see any point of being sad about it, because it already happened.

My mom didn’t believe me at first, but when she found out it was actually true, she was happy. She pretty much had the same reaction as me. She would touch on the subject about being a mom, but she never set it as an issue. My grandma had my mom at 18 and my mom had my oldest sister at 18.

And all my aunts had babies beteween 16 and18. It wasn’t a big woah or what the heck thing to my family.”

As the next months progressed, so did her belly. It wasn’t the easiest transition for her to make, but she did it.

“At first it was hard to get used to the fact of being

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pregnant and when I came back to school I was little iffy about it,” Crystal said. “I wasn’t sure how everyone was going to react to it, and how my teachers were going to look at me. At first going to school was hard because I had doctors’ appointments every week and it was hard to catch up. I had easier classes, like art and computer classes nothing really big. Also towards the end of it, it was hard to walk up and down the hallways.”

For Crystal managing the school work and extra weight was not the only difficult things she went through while being pregnant.

“The hardest thing I would have to say about being pregnant is just realizing that you have to actually take care of another human,” Crystal said. “And trying to figure out how you are going to do that, and how you are going to support him when you can barely support yourself. I also lost a couple because they weren’t supportive. It was hard learning who is acceptable of it, and who isn’t. My biggest fear was how I was going to be able to do all of this. And like how in the future when he is 16 or 17 how he is going to represent or reflect on me as a mom. And if I am going to do a good enough job for him to be able to succeed and be happy and to not end up in like a gang or something.”

Even though she lost a few friends over it, Crystal does have a huge support team. Her parents and family have helped her through it all.

“My parents helped me buy baby stuff, clothes, food, everything to prepare for the baby,” Crystal said. “They took me to doctor appointments. If I had a weird craving they went and got it. I just wanted everything a lot. I would have five brownies, and two slices of cake, and a hamburger.”

Crystal also had a lot of support from her teachers.

Mrs. Cones gave her bottles, clothes, binkis and other supplies, and Mrs. Kodasco gave her a lot of emotional support. Along with her family and teachers, the parent program helped her through the hardest times. The parent program meets twice a month, and also supplies a tutor who gives the student their packets, helps them with work, and answers any questions two times a week for two hours.

“When I was put in the parent program at the school it actually helped me because I met other moms and anytime it was really hard and there were upsetting times, they were there to help me,” Crystal said. “I feel like it helped me a lot.I didn’t have a lot of courage, and so it was nice just because you have support, and other people who have gone through what you are going through.”

Through those nine months of struggles as well as support, it was Jan. 3 that Hunter Aaron Sensenig was born.

“I woke up and it was really painful,” Crystal said. “I didn’t know exactly what was going on. All I knew was I was having sharp pains. My water broke, and then I called my doctor said I was going to be on my way. I went to the hospital and it was really painful for about an hour, and then they came in with the epidural. I passed out. I actually had a very short labor. I was in labor for five hours. The doctor came in and said I should push. So I pushed three times, and the baby came out. All I remember is I heard him crying and I saw him get put on me, and it was the

most exciting moment of my life. But actually like seeing him be there hit me that I have a baby. I never actually realized it until he is here. I just started crying, I was so happy that he was actually here. That he is actually sitting with me.”

It was holding him that brought so many thoughts to her mind, and really made everything feel real.

“When I held him for the first time I was like wow, this is my baby,” Crystal said. “It is not anyone else’s, it is my baby. Then I started thinking about his future, and I got kind of sad because I realized he is going to have to grow up some day. And then it all went away, and was like yay. My baby means the world to me. I now actually now what it means to love someone unconditionally. He means everything to me. I don’t know what I would do if he wasn’t here.”

Just like Crystal, Yesy went through similar pressures during pregnancy. However, she has been a mother for two years. It was July 13, 2009, when junior Yesy Leonardo gave birth to her daughter Dayana when she was only 14 years old. It had caused some different issues such as more conflict within the family, and a rigorous schedule.

“She is an early bird, so I wake up at six a.m.,” Yesy said. “She wakes up and is like ‘mommy I am hungry’. I let her play for an hour, because I don’t like her eating that early because she just woke up and I don’t want her to get a stomach ache. She plays for at least an hour, and then at 7:30 to eight we go downstairs and make breakfast.

My mom is asleep still at this point. I start getting ready at eight. By that time she is watching Dora, and some of her favorite shows. Then I go to school, taking all of the classes, and my mom watched her. I get home around 4:40.

We play around till 6, and then eat dinner. And I put

Photo submission by Yesy Leonardo

Baby Dayana snuggles up to her uncle Oscar Leonardo.

Features

February 17, 2012

Crystal Sensenig’s son Hunter is fed.

Photo submission by Yesy Leonardo

Yesy Leonardo and her daughter Dyana kiss.

Sonogram of baby Dayana.

Photo submission by Yesy Leonardo

her asleep around 7. It takes her about an hour depending on if she wants to read a book or not. Sometimes 3 books, and cries for another.. So it’s usually around eight when she falls asleep and I can start home work. Depending on the amount of homework, and projects, I go to sleep around 4 in the morning. And then I start the cycle all over again.”

Even with having such a responsibility Yesy stays strong, and does whatever she can to support her baby.

“I refuse to complain,” Yesy said. “There is no point in struggling; there is no point in complaining. Most of my friends have never heard me complain or struggle about how hard it is. When I held her for the first time all I felt was love, all of the pain went away. I knew that I was going to struggle a lot in school, but that didn’t matter. My priority is her, and giving her the best future she can have.”

The process may have come with some ease, however trying to juggle the responsibilities of being a mother, and a high school student brought its challenges.

“She used to be terrible in the night time,” Yesy said. “She would stay up the whole night crying, always wanting to be held and fed. Then sleep all day. But thankfully my mom helped me sometimes at night. Right now I am not getting the best grades because I have a lot of makeup work from the two days I missed because Dayana has been sick. I have to make doctor appointments, dentist appointments and take her there.”

Her social life is also a little different from students who don’t have the responsibility of a child. In order for her friends to hang out with her, they have to do things that they can involve Dayana in. So she takes her along with her everywhere. Through the whole experience, she has had the support of her friends. Not only did the baby affect Yesy’s life, but her families’ life as well. It was hard on her brother, senior Oscar Leonardo because that was his little sister.

“I was shocked and I just couldn’t believe it,” Oscar said. “I’ve seen this type of stuff happen in the movies, and I didn’t think it would happen to us. We as a family get along sometimes and at other times it is hard. It is especially hard because she has a baby and she is a teen so there are many conflicts that arrive but not anything that we can’t resolve. It has been hard on us, but we love the baby so much that we don’t think much about the conflicts.”

Having a baby so young put some pressure on the family and created more of a distant relationship at the beginning, but eventually things got better.

“My mom has always helped out because she is our mother and doesn’t want to see her struggle, and wants to take care of us,” Oscar Leonardo said. “After those months, I took charge as her brother and supported her by going out and helping her buy stuff for the baby like diapers and formula. But I do love the little kid so much.

I play around with her. It’s like having another little sister.”

There is no doubt that there are challenges that come along with having a baby, however, both Yesy and Crystal believe education is the most important thing.

“I know of may teen moms at school, and some have dropped out of school , which I think is the worst thing you can do,” Yesy said. “A regular job is not going to get a person anywhere, especially with the financial stuff. Teenagers should be sure to take care of themselves before they decide to commit to things. They should finish school, go to college,

Photo submission by Crystal Sensenig

get financial stability, then get married and have children.”

With having a baby, these two students have had to grow up and mature a lot earlier. According to Crystal, having a baby has helped her grow as a person in many ways.

“Having a baby has made me a lot more patient and made me realize I can’t be selfish and I have to be strong for not only me, but for the baby, too,” Crystal said. “So if I get upset or break down crying, I have to remember that I have to be stronger because he needs me more, than I need myself or whatever I am crying over. That usually help me cheer up, and that I have him. It’s like having a personal teddy bear to cuddle up with that is alive and happy.”

Photo submission by Yesy Leonardo

Dayana Leonardo holds her mom’s mum at the homecoming game.

Page Seven

Features Preperation for the one act play begins

By Danielle Deraleau Junior Courtney Moreland said a good number of students tried out. Out of these, nine students were chosen for the roles. There are also three alternates.

Moreland said she was a little nervous for the auditions, and went through a lot of preparation to land a role.

“I practiced a lot before the auditions, just trying to prepare,” Moreland said. “We all watch each other audition before the actual auditions just to critique each other and give constructive criticism.”

Moreland will play the role of Kate, one of the aunts of the main character. She has done one act before in middle school and high school, but said auditions this time were different.

“It was interesting being able to watch everyone and see how they do,” Moreland said. “It’s tough competition, but we’re just happy for whoever makes the roles. We generally work together to make the play work and it’s a lot of fun.”

The students auditioning had to read two monologues: one classical and one modern. Then they did cold reads, (reading a scene they had never seen before), and rehearsed with different people multiple times. The auditions went until somewhere around 8:30 pm.

Junior Julia Bauer said the audition process and being in front of so many students was a new experience.

“The auditions were so long and brutal,” junior Julia Bauer said. “I was a little nervous, but not as nervous as I had been for past auditions.”

The play is dark comedy styles set in the mid-thirties, which means that the audience should find it humorous, but feel bad for the characters at the same time. The play has a lot of rules it has to follow in order to meet UIL code, such as only being 40 minutes long.

“I’m Helen, and she’s the town bully,” Bauer said. “Every other word

for her is a cuss word, so we’ll have to edit those out for one act I’m sure.”

Moreland knows Dennis Ryazanov, the student who will be playing the lead role of the cripple.

“I know he’s a good actor and he’s very capable,” Moreland said. “I’m excited to see how he plays the role.”

Ryazanov said he felt very prepared for the auditions, but watching everyone else was a little nerve wracking. However, he said he is looking forward to beginning rehearsal and reading the play.

“I don’t really know much about the character yet or the show, but I think it’ll be a challenge to play the lead because you have to carry the show,” Ryazanov said.

“I’ve been a lead a few times, but I haven’t really been the lead too much. It’s a new experience in a way, but I’m very excited about it.”

The group has to squeeze in 27 rehearsals before Mar. 24. Rehearsals began Monday, Feb. 6. Despite all of the constraints, Moreland said she is looking forward to the competition.

“It’s a tough competition, and it’s really complicated, but it’s a lot of fun,” Moreland said. “I haven’t seen the other schools perform, but I think that we have the talent and the potential to go far in the competition.”

The tech crew for the play was announced on Sunday, Feb. 12. Six students were chosen, with Joe Heike named stage manager. Ryazanov said he is confident in the ability of all of the people involved, both actors and crew.

“I definitely think we can win,” Ryazanov said. “Our talent level is just enormous.”

The theater department is beginning to prepare for one of its yearly UIL competitions: the one act play. Auditions for the new production entitled “The Cripple of Inishmaan” took place on Jan. 30.

February 17, 2012

How to save a life Senior Siddharth Sant experiments with new cancer therapy

By Daniel Hinson that is sensitive to heat, but is bio compatible like a little bubble of bio compatibility,” Sant said. “We can throw that in the body and let that reach the cancer cell and fall apart when exposed to NIR radiation.”

To do this Sant created a swell gel.

When heated up, the swell gel expands and contracts extremely quickly. When it contract, it pushes all its contents outwards.

“Now the cancer cells are directly exposed to the carbon nanoparticles,” Sant said. “Then you heat them up again, expose it to NIR radiation and it burns the cancer cells to death.”

Right now Sant has synthesized the bubble, and the carbon nanoparticles.

He and his mentors are trying to modify the carbon nanoparticles to shift their absorbance to the NIR radiation range.

“We have been pretty successful,” Sant said. “We are at the hard part which is putting the two things together, the swell gel and the carbon nanoparticle, and then testing it in mice or a cell culture. But that comes way after we have made the entire complex.”

Even though Sant has had some relatives go through cancer therapy and seen how physically and emotionally taxing it is, he accredits his love of science as another inspiration for this research.

“In my mind, the goal of research is to always make new discoveries,” Sant said.

“But in biological research you are always working for some medical application to help someone out. So I thought to myself, ‘I am very avidly interested in biology, so how can I mix my own interest in sciences and creates something that can actually help people?’ That is essentially how this idea came about.”

This cancer therapy research has been the brainchild of Sant, but he has had help from many different professors and teachers. Jasper High School science teachers Pat Kite and Peri Haynes and Plano biology teacher Karen Sheppard helped him out in the presentation aspect of his research. Once in the research field, Sant had to lobby to university professors for funding and research opportunities.

“The problem with starting your own idea is a lot of the times you don’t have a

Continued from cover lot of the right resources to use,” Sant said.

“I have been working in a lab that is not even oriented to cancer therapy research.”

The mentor that Sant has had over the past two years works with bio ethanol production an alternative energy. But he welcomed Sant into his lab as a part of a summer internship program.

“I said, ‘Ok I can try to use some of the resources that he is working with to try to advance my own project,’” Sant said. “I told him about my idea and he liked it. He wanted to know how I was going to go along and get there. How was I going to achieve this idea. There were a lot of things I needed to keep in mind. I need this many materials; I need this person to come help me.”

Sant then gave a number of speeches about his project to different professors and got rejected a 100 times, but a couple of them decided to help.

“I have one person providing me with the materials to create the polymer gel,” Sant said. “I have one person giving me background on how to improve my designs to make them more feasible, to make them better to put in the body. I had another person helping me with which materials to use in terms to the carbon nanoparticles because there are a lot of different carbon nanoparticles. In general, the connections related to this project probably span over 10 to 15 different professors.”

Sant believes this research has a lot of potential for success.

“In terms of treatment, you can avoid having cancer cells that are resistant to certain drugs,” Sant said. “Although there are certain proteins that can absorb heat in cancer cells, these proteins aren’t over expressed so there are not a lot of them in cancer cells. Cancer cells are very vulnerable to heat shock. Secondly, this is relatively safe. If you have a bio compatible swell gel and you are targeting it to a cancer cell, then you don’t have to worry about a lot of side effects, because it will just fall apart and aid in the destruction of the cancer cell. In terms of efficiency it can be really effective because you are only targeting a certain area of the skin or any other area of the body where the cancer is.”

Former clinical rotations student volunteers in the medical field

By Matt Wood

After countless hours poured into clinicals and volunteering in her free time, senior Rebecca Rigby is on her way to becoming a doctor. Over the past three summers, she has been gaining medical experience by being immersed in the medical field.

Rigby has been volunteering at the Richardson Methodist Medical Center, and hat started as a mild interest has gradually turned into a major part of her life.

“I started looking for some way to get involved with the medical field,” Rigby said.

“My mom suggested that I might start out by volunteering.”

Rigby helps the hospital by taking care of filing and helping patients at the front desk.

She feels her work helps her get a closer look at what it’s like to work in medicine.

“It’s really about getting the experience and being in the environment,” Rigby said.

“And I really love volunteering because it helped me realize I liked that field of work.”

Although the volunteering didn’t initially

Page Eight

spark Rigby’s interest, which she had developed at a younger age, it has added kindling to her curiosity in the field, and led her to consider what she might contribute to medicine.

“I’d been interested in working in the medical field since the eighth grade,” Rigby said. “But with this volunteer work, I’ve become more involved in it, and thought about what I might specialize in. By knowing what I want to do in life, it really gave me purpose, and it’s helped me focus what I want to do. ” Though she spends her summers volunteering, her experience doesn’t stop there. After her work in clinical classes, she feels she has gotten both sides of the educational experience, through immersion and actual practice.

“Clinicals focused more on how to do certain procedures, and was more handson,” Rigby said. “It was very technically informative, but you didn’t get the

involvement of being in a hospital setting as much.”

By supplementing her volunteer work with medical classes, she said she feels it has made her more well-rounded. After taking pre-med in college, Rigby plans to specialize in fields that can help others.

“I want to do work that will help make a difference,” Rigby said. “And I like that I’m able to start doing at this point in my life.”

Next year, she will attend UT, and has already been accepted into its college of natural sciences. Rigby says she will choose either neurology or cancer research as her major after her preliminary work. With this knowledge, she feels prepared and involved with the direction the rest of her life will take.

“I feel like I’m really taking the first step toward doing what I want to,” Rigby said.

“Even though I might be doing menial work, I’m learning a lot just by being there.”

Through her dedication, she’s been able

to find out which elements of hospital work she likes the most. Her main motivation to go into the medical field stems from her desire to help people not only in their physical health, but their mental health as well.

“One of the more important things I do is just take time to talk to the elderly patients,” Rigby said. “They have really great stories to tell, and it helps them a lot to have someone to talk to.”

By seeing the life of patients from their point of view, Rigby feels a closeness and desire to help with each one. The work has also helped her grow as a person throughout her years, and helped change her perspective of her own family.

“I really understand how fragile life is, and I can appreciate my parents and grandparents much more because I’m thankful for their own health,” Rigby said.

“That’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Features

February 17, 2012

Students and faculty discuss the hardships of having family overseas in combat

By Matt Wood Waiting at the airport, scanning the crowd, looking for lost family members.

For coach Diane Davey, this is the day that her worries were alleviated, as she sees her brother return from overseas.

Davey’s brother, Matt, is in the airborne infantry. Out of touch and half way around the world, he resided in Iraq during a tour for six months. With his return, Davey reconnected with her brother.

“To see him walk off the plane and know he was safe was reassuring,” Davey said. “It’s a very joyous experience to be reunited, and it felt good to know he was serving to protect us.”

In the midst of excitement, however, Davey said she noticed a

change was apparent in the brother.

“I think he had seen some things that were unexpected, which is really part of being in the infantry,” Davey said.

Though this return is welcomed by Davey, she is aware that soon her brother will be returning for a second tour in Afghanistan, which Davey said is difficult to accept.

“It’s really a torn feeling,” Davey said. “I know how much he wants to go and defend our country. But I also want him to be safe as my brother. He belongs to the army, but he also belongs to our family.”

Despite wanting to spend more time with him, Davey said it’s important for her to be supportive.

“I want him to go over there with an

enormous amount of confidence,” Davey said. “I want him to protect himself and protect others.”

For Physics teacher Shannon Reczek, the weight of having family overseas is equally felt. Her husband is in the National Guard, serving in the infantry and running the mess halls. He has been serving a tour in Afghanistan for the last nine months, but is expected to return in April. Reczek said that although she understands his duty, it isn’t always easy.

“I’m very proud of his service but it gets to be excessive, sometimes,” Reczek said. “He’s been gone three years out of the last seven. But we get through it.”

Ron Reczek is currently serving his third

tour, and Mrs. Reczek says she feels that his numerous tours are strenuous.

“It’s very emotional when he returns,” Reczek said. “It was nice to have him home, but it’s hard to have to say good bye again.”

For those who have family overseas, Reczek feels the most important part of staying strong is being optimistic.

“You just have to keep believing that they are coming back,” Reczek said. “It’s hard to believe that sometimes because it’s very scary to have them so far away. But just remember that almost all of our soldiers do come back. And if you just keep that in mind, it makes it easier to get through until you get to see them again.”

Page Nine

Opinion

February 17, 2012

A dark blue coat

By Maelyn Schramm

By Alyssa Matesic

I’ll look around sometimes and wonder about the people that pass by me. I’ll speculate where their minds are – engrossed in work, obsessing over numbers and percentiles, adding to their already lengthy to-do lists, worrying about their futures. I contemplate if those people are satisfied. If they are living by their hearts, not solely by their heads. If they ever feel truly alive.

Then I’ll wonder the same about myself.

I’ve sacrificed too much of what I love to make room for what I feel I have to do to be successful, and, in turn, have hollowed myself out. My days and nights are often spent emptily – productively, but lacking any fulfillment other than that I get from crossing off the tasks in my agenda. I’ve let my heart beat for nothing.

I was fully absorbed in such tasks one night. The kitchen table was unusable – its surface completely buried under textbooks and papers. It was dark out, and I was tired, but stopping was out of the question.

Suddenly, the bells attached to my back door rang softly.

My trance was broken. The dog wanted to be let out.

I walked out onto the patio and he took off happily into the flowerbed. The air was only slightly chilled, just enough for the wind to gently graze the back of my neck and send a wave down my spine. I walked further into the darkness.

The motion-detecting lights illuminated in succession as I came under them. I reached the wrought iron fence and laid my hands upon it, my eyes fixed on what was beyond.

The golf course was picturesque. Empty and serene. I remembered the night we tainted it with our presence, when we went out to watch the meteor shower but ended up running through the sprinklers instead. We had left a trail of falling water and laughter on our way back to my door.

I remembered the other night I had spent in that field; the one where we had stared up at the sky for what seemed like hours. Our count of the stars had never truly finished, for playful conversation broke our concentration each time. We had to part in whispers and smiles – we were never upposed to be out.

I sat down on the wicker swing and reflected more.

I had been happy then. I had let my mind and its

worries and its what-ifs and its fears go. I had felt alive.

With each push the air around me vibrated with a small squeak. The created wind blew my hair back lightly. The gust was crisp and pure. I inhaled deeply and exhaled deeper.

I didn’t understand why anything had to be more complicated than it was at that moment. There was me, there was the world, and nothing else. I was full.

I lifted my hand to my heart and closed my eyes.

Thump, thump. Thump, thump.

Nothing was more powerful than that beat.

Nothing more important. Nothing more mortal.

I felt alive again.

Since that night on the swing, I’ve determined that what truly gives a person life is passion.

Without it, a person merely exists. When excessive work and mandatory responsibilities completely clog a mind, a machine is created – efficient, but cold and monotonous. What separates human beings is their ability to feel and to feel deeply.

There’s a balance that must be maintained between the constantly battling forces of head and heart. I need to remember what my mind thrives on – working, planning, calculating – but also remind myself what my heart beats for – nights like those on the golf course, where nothing hinders me from experiencing the moment and savoring it for its entirety. There’s a line separating existing from living, and I plan to forevermore stay on the latter side of it.

When I am faced with my last breaths, I want to have ensured that the clutter on my kitchen table is not all that I spent my time focused on. I want to know with complete certainty that I stretched my life to its fullest capacity and didn’t succumb to the pressure constantly surrounding me. I want to have worked only for my heart and pursued that which awakens my soul and rescues it from the emptiness that encompasses me so easily.

In those last few moments I will inhale, exhale and bring my feeble palm to my chest. I will feel that pulse and remember everything that it beat through.

I will realize that life, with passion thrilling each and every one of my veins, is the only life worth knowing.

Thump, thump. Thump, thump. Thump, thu—

She was pregnant. Even though she was far along, you could hardly tell she had a baby inside her. She just had a tiny bump on her stomach. My parents handed her a dark blue coat, a much needed item for the forty degree weather we were standing in. She did a victory dance, thanking us for giving her something to keep her and her baby warm. Her smile stretched from each corner of her face.

Her eyes sparkled. She was radiant, and all because of a simple coat.

I never got her name. She was one of the many people we served that day, but she stuck out to me, I still remember her thin face, her scrawny legs, her tiny stomach.

A few families from my church had gone down to Dallas that day to serve warm soup, lead a worship service, and give out clothes to homeless people outside of a local church.

They lined up at the gate. There had to have been over one hundred of them. Their “thank you’s” filled the air, overpowering the sound of chattering teeth. Their smiles beamed off of their faces and into our hearts. Their laughter was infectious, spreading from one person to the next.

At first, I didn’t understand. Why were their smiles so big? Why were they so full of joy? They hardly had anything. Some of them were wearing shorts even though it was nearly freezing outside. Many of them had not eaten in days. Others had slept outside on a bench just the night before. But they found bliss in everything.

Compared to them, I had everything. I had the world. As I was falling asleep that night, I thought about them. Their shining smiles, jovial songs and contagious laughs replayed in my mind. It was at that moment that I realized something: they had the world, too.

Each time they were able to eat a meal, they had the world. When they received a warm coat in the harsh winter, they had the world. If they found shelter to sleep at night, they had the world.

Our worlds were different, though. I took everything as it came, muttering “thanks” every once in a while. Their world, on the other hand, was full of complete gratefulness. They were filled to the brim with genuine happiness.

Many might think that the homeless should be jealous of those who have homes and stable jobs. But I think it is the opposite, we should envy them. We should want to feel the way they do, not taking anything for granted, treating each meal, bed, house, shower or clothing item as a gift. We should treasure each moment we are alive.

I never got her name. I’ll probably never see her again. But if I ever do, I imagine I will see her smiling, holding her baby, and maybe, if it’s cold outside, wearing a dark blue coat.

The full circle of mac & cheese

I pull my car up to the curb of the house I know so well, and look up at it as I park and cut the engine. The lawn is bright and green, the swing tied to the branch of the tallest tree moves lazily in the breeze, and bright white curtains cover the large windows in the front.

I shift my gaze down to grab my phone and my keys, and when I glance back up, the white curtains have been pushed aside, and a little girl stands in the window, staring out at me.

She is small and petite, with long hair that is a mixture of blonde and brown tied half up, and her wide eyes watching my every move. Her mouth is spread into a small smile, and she bounces a little when she sees me notice her.

Even as I get out of my car and shut my door, I can hear the front door creaking open, and small footsteps hurriedly rushing down the walkway. I meet her half way, crouching down to one knee so we’ll be the same height, and opening my arms for a hug. She practically jumps on me, her little arms wrapping around behind my neck and squeezing with impressive strength for a five year old.

“Hey,” I say as she continues to hold on to me, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” says her soft voice, muffled by my shoulder.

Her name is Emmy, and she is probably one of my best friends.

It may sound strange to call a five year old one of your closest friends, but if you look at our relationship, it makes sense. We tell each other all about school and our friends, she asks me questions and I answer them, we hang out together and go to each other’s birthday parties, and she rarely gets angry with me unless I tell her that, no, bedtime cannot be pushed back another ten minutes.

Each time I come to babysit her we have a genuinely great time, despite our routine always being relatively the same.

She finally lets go of me and grips my hand as we go inside, her mother greeting us in the doorway. It’s not just Emmy I’m close to, but the whole family. Often after she gets home, her mother and I talk for several minutes

By Danielle Deraleau

about what’s new. She’s like a close friend or sister to me, and we trade stories about high school and college, as well as tales about parents and in laws. She’s told me before that she hopes Emmy turns out something like me.

That’s one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever received.

After her parents leave I fill a pot with water and put it on the stove to boil. Mac and cheese for dinner is a staple of these nights with Emmy. She talks to me and plays with dolls as I stand and stir the pasta. If you rewound my life about 13 years, you would see almost the exact same scene with me and my old babysitter.

I loved my babysitter so much I called her my sister.

We’re still close now, not even able to be separated after she went to college and then took a job in California.

She still comes to visit whenever she’s in town, and we sit and talk for hours. She’s met Emmy before, and loves her too. In one of my favorite pictures I’m standing with them and my two best friends. My sister is by my side, her hand on my back, and Emmy stands in front of me, my hand on her shoulder as all of us smile for the camera.

After dinner is ready Emmy and I sit at the table to eat and talk. This is my favorite part of the night. I pull a leg up into my chair and rest my chin on my knee as I listen to her tell me about preschool, her friends and how she’s learning to write. I tell her about applying to college, going out with my friends and writing for the newspaper.

She tells me she wants to be a swimming teacher, and I tell her I want to write books. The conversation goes on and on until our bowls are empty and our spoons are set aside.

After dinner is playtime, more than likely Emmy’s favorite part of the night. Sometimes we watch movies together and I become reacquainted with my old favorites, such as Toy Story or Alice in Wonderland. Other times Emmy decides we’re princesses and chooses a tiara for each of us, the large pink one that sparkles in the light for her and a smaller purple one for me. Board games are usually played, and I’m

usually caught trying to cheat. And then occasionally she has a new craft and we spend the night testing our creativity with glitter glue and rhinestones.

Though bedtime is supposed to be 7:30, I let her stay up until 8. Even though there’s always a solid hour and a half of playtime for us, she’s always a little sad when I tell her it’s time to get ready for bed. She claims she’s not tired, and then yawns while changing into pajamas and brushing her teeth with her Hello Kitty toothbrush.

Choosing bedtime stories follows closely behind.

“Pinkalicious,” the story of the little girl who ate so many pink things that she turned pink herself, is a classic with us. If we’re feeling silly, we pick a fairy tale redone with a twist such as “The Princess Pig and the Pea.” If we’re feeling simplicity, she pulls out “If you give a Mouse a Cookie.” And sometimes, if we’re feeling daring, I’ll attempt to tackle something by Doctor Seuss that practically ties my tongue in knots and keeps me speaking in rhymes for a few good minutes afterwards.

She’s giving in to being tired now, rubbing her eyes and yawning more frequently. I turn off the bedside lamp, the night light automatically switching on and casting a soft blue glow over the room. White noise drifts from her sound machine and fills the background.

“I’ll be downstairs if you need me,” I tell her as I toss dirty clothes into the laundry hamper.

“Okay.” She says. “I’ll see you next time,” I say as I walk towards the door.

“Okay.” She says.

“Goodnight Emmy,” I whisper as my hand touches the doorknob.

“Danielle?”

I stop, and turn around. “Yes?” I can barely make out her shape in the darkness, but her sweet voice is clear as crystal.

“I love you.”

Danielle Deraleau is an online columnist. To view more of her columns visit us online at www.wildcattales.com

Page Ten

Review

THEVOW

By Eilie Strecker The Vow was a tragically heartfelt movie that explored the depth and limits of what it means to take a marriage vow and see it through to the end.

It began with the two main characters, spouses Leo (Channing Tatum) and Paige (Rachel McAdams) driving home from a date.

After a tragic car accident Paige suffers from memory loss, forgetting the last five years of her life. She has no recollection of a major family fight, dropping out of law school, becoming an incredible artist or, most importantly, marrying Leo. The story line plays with the emotion of hope. Throughout the whole movie there is always the possibility that Paige will regain her memories, which keeps the audience hopeful and guessing.

In the hospital after the accident much of the initial sympathy is directed towards Paige because of her condition and loss of identity. However, it soon becomes apparent that the real tragedy is not in what she forgot but in what Leo remembers.

He is forced to live with the memories of their love story and is not able to act on any of them to the depth he wishes.

He must go back to the basics to make his wife fall back in love with him.

Channing Tatum does an incredible job of portraying a forgotten, heartbroken man with nowhere to turn as Paige is his only family. His perseverance to stay by her side makes all girls hopeful that a love like that exists.

What sets this movie apart is that it is based off of a true story. Events don’t play out exactly how the audience expects which allows this film to keep its ground in reality while still giving a performance of breathtaking devotion and love.

It’s not like this movie is a groundbreaking achievement in the film industry and many would say it’s just another romantic movie, and they would be right. The Vow is simply a very strong reminder of just how precious each moment we have with the one we love is, and for me that is worth nine dollars.

CAT

By Eilie Strecker

1. This year at the Grammys, Adele won six awards and gave a breathtaking performance. I have a feeling that the guy Adele wrote ‘Someone Like You’ about is now chasing pavements to get her back and rolling in deep despair.

2. Recently Billy Bob Thorton has decided to make a movie based off of his past relationship with Angelina Jolie. One can only hope that he mimics their relationship all the way down to the vile of blood around the characters’ necks.

3. The Oscars are coming up on Feb 26, and the suspense is really starting to build. No quip necessary.

This is going to be a fun night.

4. Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z were spotted getting a slice of pizza instead of attending the Grammys.

“You know what honey? I am just not feeling the Grammys this year, let’s go get some pizza. Maybe next year.” As far as I am concerned when you can blow off the Grammys you have made it to the big time.

5. Nicki Minaj’s performance at the Grammys was cause for many raised eyebrows. Showing your own exorcism on stage might not have been the best way to win the crowd.

Just a guess.

QUIPS

February 17, 2012

6. “This Means War” came out on Valentine’s day. How fitting a title for S.A.D. (Single Awareness Day) 7. Hugh Hefner’s son Marston has recently gotten an assault battery charge for which Hugh says he is very disappointed. And here I thought the son of such an upstanding company’s founder would have been taught better. Shame.

8. At the Super Bowl Madonna’s halftime performance was full of action, bright lights and special effects. Alright maybe the Egyptian theme was a little weird, but come on, people, that woman is in her mid 50’s.

Props.

9. Blake Lively has recently gotten a restraining order from a fan who says he has a ‘metaphysical and spiritual’ connection with her.

Seriously, buddy?? Most heavenly relationships consist of people that have, in fact, actually met before without the aid of binoculars.

10. Favorite Facebook Quote: “So the other day I was on my way to school and was running really late when I came to a stop light and looked to my right and saw this middle aged guy totally jamming out and dancing hard core to katy perry’s ‘firework.’ When he noticed me staring at him he stopped and gave me the most awkward thumbs up and smile. It was a good day ;)

Letters to the Editor I want to compliment Paul Burnham on his column “40 Weeks.” I thought he did an amazing job encouraging 18 year olds to participate in our government. We are one in a handful of nations that allow voting for both males and females. I believe that being an American means that we have the obligation to vote no matter if we care or not. I find it depressing when my peers don’t care about how the government is running the country. I like how Burnham started the article by mentioning the 40 weeks a mother has to wait for the arrival of her new baby, and the 40 weeks a presidential candidate has to make a bid for the White House.

Junior Connor Bolton

The two features this issue about the staff members and students going to their adoption process I thought were well written. “Not from the womb but from the heart” you could tell that Alyssa Matesic spent a lot of time with the two families and asked a lot of good questions. One thing I noticed about the story was Karen Ball was mentioned briefly at the beginning and then the article went straight into the story about Kathryn Creveling. When the story returned back to Ball, I had forgotten who she was. This article was very well written and despite the length of the story it had me hooked and wanted to continue reading and know more. “A whole new world” was also a cute story. I feel that Meital Boim also took the time to learn about the Adams’ adoption process.

The Wildcat Tales

February 17, 2011

Mission Statement:

Volume LXVI Issue Seven

Editors-in-Chief

Copy Editor

Daniel Hinson Eilie Strecker

Meital Boim Editorial Editor

Online Editors-in-Chief

Maelyn Schramm

Diva Gulati Madison McDaniel

Business Manager

Layout Editor

Adviser

Meaghan Pulliam

Terry Quinn

Amber Robinson

The Wildcat Tales is a student produced publication that serves to educate, inform and entertain the

Staff Writers

Jessica Allman Erin Ball Emma Barishman Haley Bunnell Paul Burnham Danielle Deraleau Miles Hutson Stephanie Jabri Yeesoo Lee Alyssa Matesic

Something I have learned from both of these stories is that adoption is not always a simple process and that it does take a certain type of person who is strong enough and is willing to take care of a child that is not their own. I also like the layout of the paper. The two handprints and the block lettering add a cute touch to the story. However I wish you had included pictures of the families. Overall both stories were great and very touching.

Junior Myiah Jones

Kimberly Mei Shezal Padani Maddie Patton Kathy Santiago JP Salazar Cristina Seanez Kathleen Shaffer Josh Spruchman Dani Sureck Matt Wood

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 The Wildcat Tales is the opinion of the writer and of the writer only.

Policy: Students and faculty are encouraged to send in any questions, comments, concerns or criticisms to be published. Letters to the editors can be put in the envelope in room B208 or emailed to The Wildcat Tales at pshs.pub@pisd.edu. The staff reserves the right to edit a letter for grammatical errors and space issues. Any errors found in the publication will be rescinded in the following issue. Additional and daily updates can be found at our website www.wildcattales.com. Past issues can be viewed at www.issuu.com/wildcattalesonline. Businesses wishing to advertise in The Wildcat Tales can email us at pshs.pub@pisd.edu. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisements deemed to be inappropriate.

The Wildcat Tales is the official student publication of Plano Senior High School 2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075

469.752.9300

Page Eleven

Photo Essay Orchestra prepares for UIL competition

The Philharmonic Orchestra is currently preparing for UIL competion in which they will compete against schools from around the state. The orchestra is tuning up by playing in a pre-UIL concert on Feb. 16 which is free for all who attentd.

UIL competion for the Philharmonic catagory is on Feb. 29. The orchestra has been nationally awarded multipul times and hopes to bring home another triumph.

February 17, 2012

Issue Seven

Plano Senior High School

Plano, TX, USA